Looks like the talks over Marte were moot, since no one took a chance on a guy that would come cheap. I guess the stipulation is that he has to be on your major league roster, sort of like Rule 5 as Josh was saying, so maybe that turned them off. Good thing they're saving that roster spot for future star Luis Cruz. Nomar is pondering retirement because no one wants him, which I find surprising because if you project his numbers out over 600 abs last season, he goes .264 29 103. Not bad for an utility man, right? Granted, the chances of him making 600 abs is slim to none, but you could sign him super cheap and add tons of incentives, right? Well it will never happen, I'm just short on things to talk about this week. Except..
PRESEASON HAS STARTED! I wish I could have been there to hear the first crack of the bat, feel the warm Florida air, watch Andy LaRoche break something...ah that would be heaven. So far they are 2-0 and the pitching has looked great. By "looked great" I mean from what the box score said and some notes on the PBC Blog. One guy I'm starting to love is Craig Hansen. He dominates in MLB Front Office and he's pitched great so far in spring training. Same goes for Ohlendorf, and others. Snell was okay, but gave up 2 unearned runs. Sometimes I dislike the unearned run stat because even though Bixler committed an error, Snell then gave up a walk and a hit or something like that. Either way, Snell is off to a shaky start, but can work things out in the WBC.
Speaking of the WBC, the USA has a pretty dominant lineup, rivaled only by the Dominicans. USA's starting pitching is very suspect, but the offense might carry them at least to the finals. Here are my projected lineups for the USA and Dominican, let me know which you think is better:
CF Granderson
SS Jeter
DH C. Jones
LF Braun
3B Wright
1B Youkalis
C McCann
RF Hawpe
2B Pedroia
SP Peavy
CL Nathan
SS Reyes
1B H. Ramirez
3B A. Rodriguez
DH Ortiz
RF Guillen
LF M. Alou
2B Cano
C Olivo
CF Tavarez
SP Volquez
CL Arredondo
Granderson gets the start since Sizemore just dropped out due to injury. I project Hanley Ramirez to play 1B since they are loaded on IFs (also have Beltre and Tejada). I could also see Hanley moving to LF and Beltre moving to 1B.
Back to the Pirates, Pedro Alvarez hit a big RBI double for the Bucs in their 9th inning comeback over the Red Sox. 2-0 against the Phillies and Red Sox? Good thing preseason is a good indication of the regular season!
Some other notes:
- Apparently the Pirates want to trade John Grabow, especially if they get Ohman. Why? He's too good to play on the Pirates? Sheesh, there goes both great Lefties from last season. Why not have Ohman AND Grabow? That's crazy talk, Sean Burnett is a superstar.
- Shelby Ford has a ridiculous name.
- Adam LaRoche loves Pittsburgh and wants to retire as a Pirate. Strange that this comes after all the trade talks. I actually like him and think if he ever pulls together a decent first half he could be a 30, 100 guy. As soon as he hits that mark, though, he's out of here.
- Nate McLouth recently heard that Ryan Kearney compared him to Barry Bonds. Even he thought it was crazy, but claimed that if he could be in 20 years where Barry is now, he'd consider his career a success. I wonder what new, crazy way players will learn to bulk up by then, because you know those sneaky guys will come up with something.
- Up next for the Buccos are the hated Braves. Let's see if they can continue their march towards a perfect spring training.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
100th Post!!!
This isn't for anything really special, I just wanted to have the Honor of the 100th post on the pancake.
Here's to thinking this blog would get nowhere.
Here's to our obscure rantings of all things sports, movies and so much less (my ode to offord)
Here's to my ignorance on all things politics (my ode to imler)
Here's to pointless discussions about books noone reads (ode to josh)
Here's to being too smart for your own good, yet still making me chuckle (ode to gideon)
Topics for later discussion:
1.more pirates...i'll leave that to offord, since he's already up to part. 3
2.more variety of books
3.maybe more politics so i can understand them a little more...imler, i leave that to you
4.josh just keep posting pictures of hot women and we'll be good.
5.will the penguins make the playoffs
6.yes honey, your butt does look too big in those jeans.
Here's to 100 fella's!
Here's to thinking this blog would get nowhere.
Here's to our obscure rantings of all things sports, movies and so much less (my ode to offord)
Here's to my ignorance on all things politics (my ode to imler)
Here's to pointless discussions about books noone reads (ode to josh)
Here's to being too smart for your own good, yet still making me chuckle (ode to gideon)
Topics for later discussion:
1.more pirates...i'll leave that to offord, since he's already up to part. 3
2.more variety of books
3.maybe more politics so i can understand them a little more...imler, i leave that to you
4.josh just keep posting pictures of hot women and we'll be good.
5.will the penguins make the playoffs
6.yes honey, your butt does look too big in those jeans.
Here's to 100 fella's!
Inheritance Cycle question...Eldest.
I just finished reading Eldest from Chris Paolini's Inheritance Cycle, for yet, another time. As I continued to read, I started gathering more questions about Angela the Herbalist. I believe i read somewhere that Paolini is going to go into her history a little more in the 4th book, but I have questions about her now, and thought that a couple of you...josh and greg, could maybe give me your spin on the subject. I would put this on mine, but not enough people read it for me to gather decent opinions on the matter.
My question...Who or What exactly is Angela the Herbalist? The reason I ask this question is for one, she is supposedly quite old, almost as old as Brom was from what I gather, yet remains unblemished by time somewhat. She can speak with magical creatures such as dragons and werecats; has an incredible understanding of magic, herbs and from what i understand the ancient language; has shown incredible skill on the battle field in Further Dur in "Eragon" and again in "Eldest"; she's been described as incredibly agile, quick and full of guile during the description of her return from poisoning Galbatorix's troops before the battle on the burning plains as she crossed no-man's land and scaled the dwarves little wall they constructed; also, she's rather "touched" in the head a little.
I know it's highly unlikely, but what if Angela was a dragon rider of old...like around the first Eragon's time? Yet, like Galbatorix her dragon was killed rather quickly after her training and like Galbatorix, was not allowed a second dragon. Since it happened so long ago, perhaps she faded from the memories of the Elves of the time, and many of population more than likely did not know about her since in my prediction she actually lost her dragon before her position held any power of need from the populace. And, as it has been explained by oromis, the elves, and brom, any rider that loses its dragon a certain piece of them goes with it, if they survive the ordeal at all. Since Angela is slightly touched, very loose around the tongue as they say, and has all kinds of fanciful ideas, why couldn't this be a cause to her behavior?
It is not like dragons would not have picked a female to be a rider, as many people are predicting arya to the final choice for the green dragon egg. I think there is a subtle possibility.
My last predicted possibility of Angela: What if she is the last survivor with the blood of the Gray Folk? They were apparently better versed in magic and the like than the Elves, and I believe held the power of immortality like the elves do in the current story. It could also explain why Solumbum follows her around so much, as werecats are attracted to peoples and creatures of magic.
It was just a thought. I just wanted to hear your guys take on it.
My question...Who or What exactly is Angela the Herbalist? The reason I ask this question is for one, she is supposedly quite old, almost as old as Brom was from what I gather, yet remains unblemished by time somewhat. She can speak with magical creatures such as dragons and werecats; has an incredible understanding of magic, herbs and from what i understand the ancient language; has shown incredible skill on the battle field in Further Dur in "Eragon" and again in "Eldest"; she's been described as incredibly agile, quick and full of guile during the description of her return from poisoning Galbatorix's troops before the battle on the burning plains as she crossed no-man's land and scaled the dwarves little wall they constructed; also, she's rather "touched" in the head a little.
I know it's highly unlikely, but what if Angela was a dragon rider of old...like around the first Eragon's time? Yet, like Galbatorix her dragon was killed rather quickly after her training and like Galbatorix, was not allowed a second dragon. Since it happened so long ago, perhaps she faded from the memories of the Elves of the time, and many of population more than likely did not know about her since in my prediction she actually lost her dragon before her position held any power of need from the populace. And, as it has been explained by oromis, the elves, and brom, any rider that loses its dragon a certain piece of them goes with it, if they survive the ordeal at all. Since Angela is slightly touched, very loose around the tongue as they say, and has all kinds of fanciful ideas, why couldn't this be a cause to her behavior?
It is not like dragons would not have picked a female to be a rider, as many people are predicting arya to the final choice for the green dragon egg. I think there is a subtle possibility.
My last predicted possibility of Angela: What if she is the last survivor with the blood of the Gray Folk? They were apparently better versed in magic and the like than the Elves, and I believe held the power of immortality like the elves do in the current story. It could also explain why Solumbum follows her around so much, as werecats are attracted to peoples and creatures of magic.
It was just a thought. I just wanted to hear your guys take on it.
Monday, February 23, 2009
prospect...ive??
The cleveland Indians have put the previously highly touted 3rd base prospect, Andy Marte, on waivers. The indians designated him for assignment after the signing of reliever Juan Salas and his placement on the 40 man roster. Teams now have until wednesday to claim him off waivers. With his previous prospect status and many scouts still believing he has the tools to be a good-power hitting major league third basemen, does anyone think the Pirates should take a chance on him and throw him into the competition with Andy LaRoche at third base?
Notes on Marte are he plays a very solid defensive third base, and is definitely major league ready in that aspect; He has a very powerful bat and if he makes consistent contact could end up being a 25-30 home run guy, however, he swings through too many balls and he has lost at bats over the last year due to spending all of the 2008 season coming off the bench for the cleveland indians. He didn't produce very well in AAA in 2007 and it was much of the same last season. Do you think, at the age of 25, he could be an answer for the pirates? Maybe not out of hope for a desperate future, but more for a necessity of today?
Notes on Marte are he plays a very solid defensive third base, and is definitely major league ready in that aspect; He has a very powerful bat and if he makes consistent contact could end up being a 25-30 home run guy, however, he swings through too many balls and he has lost at bats over the last year due to spending all of the 2008 season coming off the bench for the cleveland indians. He didn't produce very well in AAA in 2007 and it was much of the same last season. Do you think, at the age of 25, he could be an answer for the pirates? Maybe not out of hope for a desperate future, but more for a necessity of today?
Sean Penn is a Douchebag Asshole
If anyone caught his Oscar "speech," and I use that term lightly, you probably know what I mean. As I predicted when I made some Oscar picks, Penn undeservedly (okay I don't know that for sure because Milk is the only one I didn't see) won because he and the Academy have circle jerks twice a month. He had to carefully read notes to quickly thank people, which seemed so in genuine I almost punched the screen, then he put the notes down and lectured the world on gay rights. Fine, okay, you want to express your opinion, I am okay with gay rights, but this? "I think it's a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect on their great shame and their shame in their grandchildren's eyes if they continue that support." Why? Because you won best actor? You're right, that means the entire country supports you and your gay rights movie. Maybe you need to take a trip to Alabama and find out why half the country still disagrees. Hell, even California, the most liberal state out there, disagrees. He said some other stuff about this being the most horrible disaster in the history of the world (not verbatim), but telling us that we should have shame on ourselves? Ahh...douchebag.
On to other things, back when I made my best actor predictions, I claimed Clint should be nominated but I hadn't seen Brad Pitt or Richard Jenkins. Well, now that I've seen Benjamin Button and The Visitor, I can definitively say that Eastwood blew them both out of the water. I saw Frost/Nixon on Friday, and fell asleep about 10 times during the middle. But, Frank Langella was amazing as Nixon and the movie was almost worth the ending. It was very similar to A Few Good Men without Tom Cruise in tight baseball pants. So, I would probably rank it Rourke, Langella, Eastwood, and Penn somewhere in there.
Congrats to Kate Winslet on her stirring portrayal of a Nazi slut. Your acting was so genuine that I almost believed you were naked throughout the entire movie...
Why wasn't Bruce Springstein's song at the end of The Wrestler nominated, again? I forget. Instead, 2 Slumdog musical numbers were nominated...sigh.
Congrats to Slumdog Millionare on winning, it was the best movie that was nominated. Let's just hope the "trust fund" set up for the impoverished children who starred in the movie actually exists, and that they won't be dead before they get it.
At the end of the broadcast, they showed upcoming 2009 movies. They look really good and I can't wait, especially for Inglorious Basterds.
That's it for me I think with 2008. Sean Penn will be starring in a Three Stooges movie this year as Larry...let's hope someone accidentally sticks a knife in his eye...or better yet, his mouth.
On to other things, back when I made my best actor predictions, I claimed Clint should be nominated but I hadn't seen Brad Pitt or Richard Jenkins. Well, now that I've seen Benjamin Button and The Visitor, I can definitively say that Eastwood blew them both out of the water. I saw Frost/Nixon on Friday, and fell asleep about 10 times during the middle. But, Frank Langella was amazing as Nixon and the movie was almost worth the ending. It was very similar to A Few Good Men without Tom Cruise in tight baseball pants. So, I would probably rank it Rourke, Langella, Eastwood, and Penn somewhere in there.
Congrats to Kate Winslet on her stirring portrayal of a Nazi slut. Your acting was so genuine that I almost believed you were naked throughout the entire movie...
Why wasn't Bruce Springstein's song at the end of The Wrestler nominated, again? I forget. Instead, 2 Slumdog musical numbers were nominated...sigh.
Congrats to Slumdog Millionare on winning, it was the best movie that was nominated. Let's just hope the "trust fund" set up for the impoverished children who starred in the movie actually exists, and that they won't be dead before they get it.
At the end of the broadcast, they showed upcoming 2009 movies. They look really good and I can't wait, especially for Inglorious Basterds.
That's it for me I think with 2008. Sean Penn will be starring in a Three Stooges movie this year as Larry...let's hope someone accidentally sticks a knife in his eye...or better yet, his mouth.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Predictions...
I can't remember if we started doing this or not. I am just writing my predictions in my blog and doing a team by team review sort of thing to pass the time. I was just curious in what direction you guys are going with the NL and AL this year. So here are my own predictions as of now
NL East
1.Mets - win the NL
2.Phillies - wild card
3.Marlins
4.Braves
5.Nationals
NL Central
1.Cubs
2.Cardinals
3.Reds
4.Pirates
5.Astros
6.Brewers
NL West
1.Diamondbacks
2.Giants
3.Dodgers
4.Rockies
5.Padres
AL East
1.Red Sox - win the AL
2.Yankees - wild card
3.Rays
4.Orioles
5.Blue Jays
AL Central
1.Indians
2.Tigers
3.Twins
4.White Sox
5.Royals
AL West
1.Angels
2.Mariners
3.Rangers
4.Athletics
NL East
1.Mets - win the NL
2.Phillies - wild card
3.Marlins
4.Braves
5.Nationals
NL Central
1.Cubs
2.Cardinals
3.Reds
4.Pirates
5.Astros
6.Brewers
NL West
1.Diamondbacks
2.Giants
3.Dodgers
4.Rockies
5.Padres
AL East
1.Red Sox - win the AL
2.Yankees - wild card
3.Rays
4.Orioles
5.Blue Jays
AL Central
1.Indians
2.Tigers
3.Twins
4.White Sox
5.Royals
AL West
1.Angels
2.Mariners
3.Rangers
4.Athletics
Thursday, February 19, 2009
All Things Pirates - Part 3: Liars or Idiots?
No I'm not talking about Ryan's comparison between McLouth and Bonds. My first topic of conversation is Eric Hinske's recent claims that he sees "a lot of comparisons" between his former team, Tampa Bay, and the current Pirates. You know, now that I think about it, Paul Maholm, Zach Duke, Tom Gorzelanny, and Ian Snell DO remind me of Scott Kazmir, James Shields, Matt Garza, and David Price - how the hell did I miss that?? Who could forget the Carl Crawford / Brandon Moss comparison? Not me! Who needs BJ Upton when you have Nyjer Morgan?? A rookie sensation you ask? We have plenty! Look no further than Andrew McCutchen who most likely will be in the pros in 2010. Will he put up numbers similar to Longoria, my guess is yes! Probably better actually. I could go on, but the similarities are obvious for any dummy to see. CONCLUSION: ERIC HINSKE IS AN IDIOT
Second topic is about the Boston Red Sox organization. They are in favor of a salary cap? As Seth Meyers would say, Really?? I don't see how the Red Sox would be in favor of a salary cap unless the cap was $300 million. Therefore, they could bring the Yankees down a little bit (don't check that fact, I just mean the Yankees spend more) and make them even. Do the Red Sox really want to see a Minnesota v. Pittsburgh World Series? Does anyone other than us? I think it's a publicity stunt because they know they will never get the owners and players union on board. Please stop teasing us. CONCLUSION: RED SOX OWNERS ARE LIARS!
Lastly, Nate McLouth, while discussing how happy he is to get his contract, repeatedly stated how he was so proud to be a Pirate for another THREE years. Here is an exact quote: "I am so happy I get to play for 3 more years with the organization who drafted me, and let me sit in the minors for 7 years. (face begins to tense up) There is no better fit for me at this stage of my career while I prove I can be a consistent player...for the Yankees! (sh*t, did I say that out loud??). Anyway, I love this city and everything about it, and can't wait to finish my 3 year contract...er...career, in Pittsburgh." Verbatim. CONCLUSION: MCLOUTH IS A LIAR, WITH A TWIST OF IDIOT.
(okay that was obviously almost all fabricated, I love McLouth, but seriously...)
Some other notes:
- Rinku and Dinesh have arrived in Bradenton, and many believe they are simply a publicity stunt. I disagree, no one actually cares, and they will never see a major league game, or probably even anything above A ball
- My apologies to Sean Burnett who personally called me after I tore his career apart. He informed me that even his AAA salary will be a lot more than I make, and I should "suck it." Sorry Sean, I didn't think about it that way.
- I haven't heard anything about Monroe yet in spring training...is he even there? At least Pedro Alvarez is there...and apparently hitting a lot of balls into the parking lot. Hey, when I played softball home run derby, I hit some in the parking lot too. Who says we don't have anything in common?
- ARE YOU READY FOR SOME BASEBALL!?!?
Second topic is about the Boston Red Sox organization. They are in favor of a salary cap? As Seth Meyers would say, Really?? I don't see how the Red Sox would be in favor of a salary cap unless the cap was $300 million. Therefore, they could bring the Yankees down a little bit (don't check that fact, I just mean the Yankees spend more) and make them even. Do the Red Sox really want to see a Minnesota v. Pittsburgh World Series? Does anyone other than us? I think it's a publicity stunt because they know they will never get the owners and players union on board. Please stop teasing us. CONCLUSION: RED SOX OWNERS ARE LIARS!
Lastly, Nate McLouth, while discussing how happy he is to get his contract, repeatedly stated how he was so proud to be a Pirate for another THREE years. Here is an exact quote: "I am so happy I get to play for 3 more years with the organization who drafted me, and let me sit in the minors for 7 years. (face begins to tense up) There is no better fit for me at this stage of my career while I prove I can be a consistent player...for the Yankees! (sh*t, did I say that out loud??). Anyway, I love this city and everything about it, and can't wait to finish my 3 year contract...er...career, in Pittsburgh." Verbatim. CONCLUSION: MCLOUTH IS A LIAR, WITH A TWIST OF IDIOT.
(okay that was obviously almost all fabricated, I love McLouth, but seriously...)
Some other notes:
- Rinku and Dinesh have arrived in Bradenton, and many believe they are simply a publicity stunt. I disagree, no one actually cares, and they will never see a major league game, or probably even anything above A ball
- My apologies to Sean Burnett who personally called me after I tore his career apart. He informed me that even his AAA salary will be a lot more than I make, and I should "suck it." Sorry Sean, I didn't think about it that way.
- I haven't heard anything about Monroe yet in spring training...is he even there? At least Pedro Alvarez is there...and apparently hitting a lot of balls into the parking lot. Hey, when I played softball home run derby, I hit some in the parking lot too. Who says we don't have anything in common?
- ARE YOU READY FOR SOME BASEBALL!?!?
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Ok...
I'm going to keep the league as is. I'll pass the fantasy info of offords league to singer and dave. I'll be curious to see if there will be any difference in their performances between the two leagues.
Offord welcome back, hope Me-he-co treated ya well.
I think with mcclouth, he will put up barry bonds type numbers when he was with the pirates. Just without all the stolen bases, so no MVP's. Then we'll trade him towards the end of his contract and get very little in return because that's just how we do.
Offord welcome back, hope Me-he-co treated ya well.
I think with mcclouth, he will put up barry bonds type numbers when he was with the pirates. Just without all the stolen bases, so no MVP's. Then we'll trade him towards the end of his contract and get very little in return because that's just how we do.
I'm Back
Mexico was awesome, I'll just say that. Maybe I'll write about it in my blog.
Back to the blogosphere...I have been catching up on all my blogs all day, while trying to catch up on all the actual work I missed last week. Not an easy task. Anyway, a few thoughts:
- As for fantasy baseball, maybe we should have 1 waiver limit league, and 1 non-waiver limit league. I want to see if Singer can do as well with limits as with no limits.
- Josh, I did use OPS, not OBP. I may take out Quality Starts if I set unlimited waivers.
- Do we seriously not know 12 people combined who will play in these leagues?
- Ryan, congrats on winning the WS in Front Office. I haven't even started the regular season yet for Season 1.
- I have 6.5 hrs of tv to catch up on...and I have to watch it all online.
- The Penguins seem to have lost twice more since I left, and Therrien got fired. Never have I been happier to not watch the games. Too bad I'm attending the Caps/Pens game on Sunday...
- The Pirates signed McClouth long term. 3 more years of a Jason Kendallish hitter. When he breaks his ankle and never hits more than 2 homeruns in a season, I'll be the one saying I told you so.
- If Albert Pujols hits .420 in my MLB Front Office game, it's going in the trash. Even my old 2001 Sammy Sosa baseball game for my PC didn't sim that poorly...
- Were there 2 Heroes episodes on yesterday? Or did I just accidentally miss 2 weeks worth of them?
- I considered making my fantasy baseball league a 25-man roster. Any feedback?
- Oscars are in less than a week and still no poll?
That's all I can think of for now. I'm still catching up on baseball news. I saw the Pirates might sign Willie Ohman. That might be the least interesting free agent signing in history. Unless you realize how significant upgrading the second lefty in our bullpen is, i.e. replacing Sean Burnett.
Back to the blogosphere...I have been catching up on all my blogs all day, while trying to catch up on all the actual work I missed last week. Not an easy task. Anyway, a few thoughts:
- As for fantasy baseball, maybe we should have 1 waiver limit league, and 1 non-waiver limit league. I want to see if Singer can do as well with limits as with no limits.
- Josh, I did use OPS, not OBP. I may take out Quality Starts if I set unlimited waivers.
- Do we seriously not know 12 people combined who will play in these leagues?
- Ryan, congrats on winning the WS in Front Office. I haven't even started the regular season yet for Season 1.
- I have 6.5 hrs of tv to catch up on...and I have to watch it all online.
- The Penguins seem to have lost twice more since I left, and Therrien got fired. Never have I been happier to not watch the games. Too bad I'm attending the Caps/Pens game on Sunday...
- The Pirates signed McClouth long term. 3 more years of a Jason Kendallish hitter. When he breaks his ankle and never hits more than 2 homeruns in a season, I'll be the one saying I told you so.
- If Albert Pujols hits .420 in my MLB Front Office game, it's going in the trash. Even my old 2001 Sammy Sosa baseball game for my PC didn't sim that poorly...
- Were there 2 Heroes episodes on yesterday? Or did I just accidentally miss 2 weeks worth of them?
- I considered making my fantasy baseball league a 25-man roster. Any feedback?
- Oscars are in less than a week and still no poll?
That's all I can think of for now. I'm still catching up on baseball news. I saw the Pirates might sign Willie Ohman. That might be the least interesting free agent signing in history. Unless you realize how significant upgrading the second lefty in our bullpen is, i.e. replacing Sean Burnett.
Monday, February 16, 2009
ok...fantasy league trouble
For my baseball fantasy, we may have trouble making it to 12 people. First off, i'll need the additional 2people to make it 12, and secondly I have dave and singer boycotting the league unless we make it unlimited waiver moves for the entire season. They are calling my limit of 50 waiver moves the "singer rule" and may not join. So i'm going to put it up to vote and you guys let me know what you think.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
MLB Front Office
I just won the world series in my 4th season. So, either this game is extremely easy, or the Pirates are the most inept organization ever to grace the major leagues. I made it in as a wild card with a 96-66 record. Swept the mets in the first round, then won the second round 4 games to 1, then won the world series against the twins 4-3. My mvp was a rookie prospect who didn't even play during the regular season, I just added him to the roster before the playoffs because my sophomore sensation had to go on the 60 day DL due to a ruptured disc in his back.
Also, Offord if you could, let me know how the stats for players at the end of your first season are like. The mvp for the 2nd season was Albert pujols who batted .420 with 40 something homers, 120 something rbi's and runs. The 3rd season mvp was miguel cabrera who batted .370 something with 64 home runs, 173 rbis and 140 something runs, then this 4th season mvp was hanley ramirez who batted .360 something with 60 home runs 140 something rbis over 170 runs and over 35 sb's! WTF?! Let me know if yours are out of control too.
Also, Offord if you could, let me know how the stats for players at the end of your first season are like. The mvp for the 2nd season was Albert pujols who batted .420 with 40 something homers, 120 something rbi's and runs. The 3rd season mvp was miguel cabrera who batted .370 something with 64 home runs, 173 rbis and 140 something runs, then this 4th season mvp was hanley ramirez who batted .360 something with 60 home runs 140 something rbis over 170 runs and over 35 sb's! WTF?! Let me know if yours are out of control too.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Fantasy Baseball
Here's the new league. It has been revised from last year, has some new rules and new statistical categories. First, the major rule change is I changed the settings on waiver move limitations to 50 in a season. The max teams is now 12, and hopefully we get that many people interested.
It is a 25 man roster, which is i think like 4 or 5 players more than last year, so everyone needs to do there research. I figured we should expand the roster since I have substantially shrunk the amount of waiver move allowances. No more 100+ moves waiver moves like last season. There is one player per offensive position plus 1 utility, 3 starting pitcher, 3 relief pitcher, 3 pitcher positions, and 7 bench positions.
The 2 new statistical categories I added, I believe to be 2 of the more underrated stats in baseball. I added them to make other relief pitchers relevant in case we actually do get 12 teams together for the league and because we have such a large roster. One new stat category for offense will be On Base Percentage, and the new one for pitching will be Holds. I was considering doing K's per 9 Innings, but I thought Holds limited the amount of valuable relief pitchers a little better.
If you guys think any of the rules or stats should change, we can take a vote on it later. If you're interested in making this a money league I can come up with the amount and how we will dish out the money throughout the course of the season. Of course we could always just make our stat guy Offord come up with a plan for that.
Also, if you guys wanted to...there is a slim chance we can get 12 guys to agree to this...but I thought it could be fun to find a central location where all of us could get together for a baseball draft. I know there's slim chance, but I thought I'd throw that out there.
Anyways, sign up now, I'm going to be sending out emails to other friends to join up. Hopefully we get the 12. Do your research, I think this is going to be an interesting season.
In case the link doesn't work:
League Id #:46947
League Name: Great Googly Moogly
Password: roids
It is a 25 man roster, which is i think like 4 or 5 players more than last year, so everyone needs to do there research. I figured we should expand the roster since I have substantially shrunk the amount of waiver move allowances. No more 100+ moves waiver moves like last season. There is one player per offensive position plus 1 utility, 3 starting pitcher, 3 relief pitcher, 3 pitcher positions, and 7 bench positions.
The 2 new statistical categories I added, I believe to be 2 of the more underrated stats in baseball. I added them to make other relief pitchers relevant in case we actually do get 12 teams together for the league and because we have such a large roster. One new stat category for offense will be On Base Percentage, and the new one for pitching will be Holds. I was considering doing K's per 9 Innings, but I thought Holds limited the amount of valuable relief pitchers a little better.
If you guys think any of the rules or stats should change, we can take a vote on it later. If you're interested in making this a money league I can come up with the amount and how we will dish out the money throughout the course of the season. Of course we could always just make our stat guy Offord come up with a plan for that.
Also, if you guys wanted to...there is a slim chance we can get 12 guys to agree to this...but I thought it could be fun to find a central location where all of us could get together for a baseball draft. I know there's slim chance, but I thought I'd throw that out there.
Anyways, sign up now, I'm going to be sending out emails to other friends to join up. Hopefully we get the 12. Do your research, I think this is going to be an interesting season.
In case the link doesn't work:
League Id #:46947
League Name: Great Googly Moogly
Password: roids
Fantasy Baseball and Movie Quiz
This weeks movie quiz is up.
Fantasy Baseball has begun! We should sign up now to get the best draft times. I'm thinking Sunday evening is the best. Who will be running leagues this year? Will we be putting money in?
Oh, and I will be in Mexico for the next 5 days. Enjoy the cold weather, suckers!
Fantasy Baseball has begun! We should sign up now to get the best draft times. I'm thinking Sunday evening is the best. Who will be running leagues this year? Will we be putting money in?
Oh, and I will be in Mexico for the next 5 days. Enjoy the cold weather, suckers!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Benjamin Button
I just saw this on Friday, and I won't elaborate since Josh already discussed the movie. I'll just say, that it was a good movie, but I couldn't help but feel it was Forrest Gumpish with sadder music. The whole movie was a bit...downbeat. But, it was still an emotional film that stirred me during the movie, but left little impact afterwards. Then, I found out yesterday that it's written by the same guys that wrote Gump! Um..I appreciate your imagination, but come on. There were obvious themes used in both movies, including the caring mom, silly catch phrases, troubles walking as a child, boats, war, hot girl that has an off and on relationship with the main character that ends sadly, a child that the main character worries will be like him, a roughback friend introducing Ben/Forrest to hookers, and so on and so on. For those reasons, I put this below Slumdog Millionaire and The Wrestler, above The Reader. I'm still going to try to see Frost/Nixon and Milk, but my budget is thin and I'm starting to get movie'd out. I will admit, Brad Pitt was pretty good, and Cate Blanchett probably deserved an Oscar nom just because she pulled off a very hot young girl and a distinguished older lady.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
I should probably post this in mine, but since you guys are the only ones interested...
I've recently purchased MLB Front Office. The game offord was talking about in one of his previous posts. It is almost exactly what i would think a GM goes through day by day, except you can get a year done in a day if you really wanted to. The opportunity to search around team by team to make your organization competitive, i find, to be addictive. The game has every major leaguer who played this past season, but if you're looking for high profile prospects, like Andrew McCutchen's and what not, you will not find them. Instead you'll find a bunch of cartoony looking characters with certain attributes. Despite that part, I'm really enjoying the game overall.
I took over the Pirates organization and for the most part kept the entire team in tact while I was feeling my way around the game. Some of the moves I made were trading away Nyjer Morgan, Moss and Paulino. Traded for Joba Chamberlain and catching prospect from the phillies organization that has now become a perennial all-star in his third season with my club, and I also signed Andre Ethier and Brad Penny. Penny was a mistake, I gave him a long term contract and slightly overpaid in the hopes he would resort back to his former all-star self, but ended up being greatly disappointed. Ethier performed as I would expected and Joba has turned into a stud and is currently one of the highest rated pitchers in the league.
Through the first season I was having trouble grasping the concept of minor league free agency and arbitration periods, but I completely understand it now thanks in large part to Billy Beane who is the GM that walks you through the game. But, I struggled getting things under control in the first seaon and I think I ended with a record of like 52-110, haha. The second season I had a complete turn around and was in first place for the first half of the season, but seeing my team was starting to struggle and i was slowly sifting closer to that .500 mark, i dismantled my team and rebuilt. I finished my second season 80-82. I have just started my third season, I signed BJ Upton for 3 years, was able to get rid of my big contracts in McClouth, Sanchez and Penny, and now have a young, stellar rotation whose average salary is roughly around 1 mil per player. My rotation currently consists of Paul Maholm, Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, David Price and a veteran lefty I'm having trouble remembering. I'm over 20 million under my budget and my prospects are making it rain.
If you love baseball as much as i do, and I know you guys do, you need to play this game. Watch out though because it's highly addictive. I sat for 8 hours yesterday playing this game (you know, since i don't have a job) and didn't even realized I lost an entire day.
The only down part is it doesn't let you fully strategize as the baseball manager and you can't actually play the field or hit. Though you can tell it to go through the sequence of the game batter by batter.
I figured I'd write it here since there was nothing important to push down.
I took over the Pirates organization and for the most part kept the entire team in tact while I was feeling my way around the game. Some of the moves I made were trading away Nyjer Morgan, Moss and Paulino. Traded for Joba Chamberlain and catching prospect from the phillies organization that has now become a perennial all-star in his third season with my club, and I also signed Andre Ethier and Brad Penny. Penny was a mistake, I gave him a long term contract and slightly overpaid in the hopes he would resort back to his former all-star self, but ended up being greatly disappointed. Ethier performed as I would expected and Joba has turned into a stud and is currently one of the highest rated pitchers in the league.
Through the first season I was having trouble grasping the concept of minor league free agency and arbitration periods, but I completely understand it now thanks in large part to Billy Beane who is the GM that walks you through the game. But, I struggled getting things under control in the first seaon and I think I ended with a record of like 52-110, haha. The second season I had a complete turn around and was in first place for the first half of the season, but seeing my team was starting to struggle and i was slowly sifting closer to that .500 mark, i dismantled my team and rebuilt. I finished my second season 80-82. I have just started my third season, I signed BJ Upton for 3 years, was able to get rid of my big contracts in McClouth, Sanchez and Penny, and now have a young, stellar rotation whose average salary is roughly around 1 mil per player. My rotation currently consists of Paul Maholm, Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, David Price and a veteran lefty I'm having trouble remembering. I'm over 20 million under my budget and my prospects are making it rain.
If you love baseball as much as i do, and I know you guys do, you need to play this game. Watch out though because it's highly addictive. I sat for 8 hours yesterday playing this game (you know, since i don't have a job) and didn't even realized I lost an entire day.
The only down part is it doesn't let you fully strategize as the baseball manager and you can't actually play the field or hit. Though you can tell it to go through the sequence of the game batter by batter.
I figured I'd write it here since there was nothing important to push down.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Steroids, Brett Favre, Manny, or Michael Phelps
I like sports. I like ESPN. I like most other sports/media outlets. But enough is starting to be enough. It is beginning to be difficult to distinguish ESPN from TMZ. Things are being beaten to death to the point that I navigate myself away from the site when I see a story that is so, either blown out of proportion or continually overreported.
- Why can't we put the steroids era behind us? I could not possibly care any less about Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds than I do right now. We have finally moved past one of the sorest times in our national pastime, yet the media feels it necessary to remind us with not only one headline article a day, but two. Please stop for the sake of our sanity.
- While it is too early to start the speculating, I'm sure the "will he/won't he" saga will start up soon with Brett Favre again. Why do we care? Why does the media care? I can't really explain it. Who even listens when they talk about it on the air? Can't we talk about hockey more and less about meaningless crap?
- Did you know that Manny Ramirez rejected an offer? From which team you ask? Possibly any or every team. Great, his agent is Boras and he wants more money, we got it. Can you please just report when he signs, you in the media are only making things worse.
- I get it, Michael Phelps smoked pot overseas, where it's legal (I think, I don't know and don't care). His sponsors don't care, we don't care, get over it. Phelps had his 15 minutes, forget about him for another 3 years.
If ESPN executives are reading this, f&%$ off.
- Why can't we put the steroids era behind us? I could not possibly care any less about Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds than I do right now. We have finally moved past one of the sorest times in our national pastime, yet the media feels it necessary to remind us with not only one headline article a day, but two. Please stop for the sake of our sanity.
- While it is too early to start the speculating, I'm sure the "will he/won't he" saga will start up soon with Brett Favre again. Why do we care? Why does the media care? I can't really explain it. Who even listens when they talk about it on the air? Can't we talk about hockey more and less about meaningless crap?
- Did you know that Manny Ramirez rejected an offer? From which team you ask? Possibly any or every team. Great, his agent is Boras and he wants more money, we got it. Can you please just report when he signs, you in the media are only making things worse.
- I get it, Michael Phelps smoked pot overseas, where it's legal (I think, I don't know and don't care). His sponsors don't care, we don't care, get over it. Phelps had his 15 minutes, forget about him for another 3 years.
If ESPN executives are reading this, f&%$ off.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Slumdog Millionaire Review
So I've reached #2 of 5 Best Picture nominees, and must say that, while it didn't quite live up to the hype it has built for itself, Slumdog is a good picture in a number of ways.
The movie starts out with the main characters as children living in the poorest parts of Mumbai, India. It is apparent early on that of the two brothers who the story follows, the older one is dominant and frankly an a-hole, and the younger is timid and, while cunning and self reliant at times, basically a submissive follower. When their hometown is pillaged, the two boys, and a young girl they help out, are left to run and fend for themselves. The girl and the younger brother develop a bond that continues throughout the movie. This sets the stage for a coming of age story of the three as they age from children, to adolescents, to young adults. 3 different actors for each of the 3 main characters are used, and actually look fairly similar to each other. I guess that's not too difficult when there are 1.2 billion people to choose from.
Anyway, the interesting part of the story, is the way it is told. The main character, Dev Patal, is on India's version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, and because he's a bum and is doing well, they assume he is cheating. So, he goes through his life with the detective, ala The Usual Suspects, detailing how he knew each answer. **SPOILER ALERT** Dev does not end up being Keyser Sose. It was very convenient that the order he was asked the questions on the game show also corresponded directly with the timeline of his life...weird.
The obvious artistic liberties aside, Slumdog Millionaire really puts you in the shoes of lower class India and the horrible conditions people live in. It is a tragic yet heartwarming story, and one which I would definitely recommend.
Rankings of 2008 Movies I've Seen
1. Gran Torino
2. The Dark Knight
3. Slumdog Millionaire
4. The Wrestler
5. Tropic Thunder
6. Forgetting Sarah Marshall
7. Hellboy 2: The Golden Army
8. Cloverfield
9. The Strangers
10. Quarantine
11. The Chronicles of Narnia: Price Caspian
12. Get Smart
13. The Reader
14. Definitely, Maybe
15. Wanted
16. The Other Boleyn Girl
17. Saw V
18. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Still a ton I want to see.
On a side note, "Taken" is an awesome use of 90 minutes. Thoroughly entertaining, especially if you are a Liam Neeson fan, which I emphatically am.
The movie starts out with the main characters as children living in the poorest parts of Mumbai, India. It is apparent early on that of the two brothers who the story follows, the older one is dominant and frankly an a-hole, and the younger is timid and, while cunning and self reliant at times, basically a submissive follower. When their hometown is pillaged, the two boys, and a young girl they help out, are left to run and fend for themselves. The girl and the younger brother develop a bond that continues throughout the movie. This sets the stage for a coming of age story of the three as they age from children, to adolescents, to young adults. 3 different actors for each of the 3 main characters are used, and actually look fairly similar to each other. I guess that's not too difficult when there are 1.2 billion people to choose from.
Anyway, the interesting part of the story, is the way it is told. The main character, Dev Patal, is on India's version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, and because he's a bum and is doing well, they assume he is cheating. So, he goes through his life with the detective, ala The Usual Suspects, detailing how he knew each answer. **SPOILER ALERT** Dev does not end up being Keyser Sose. It was very convenient that the order he was asked the questions on the game show also corresponded directly with the timeline of his life...weird.
The obvious artistic liberties aside, Slumdog Millionaire really puts you in the shoes of lower class India and the horrible conditions people live in. It is a tragic yet heartwarming story, and one which I would definitely recommend.
Rankings of 2008 Movies I've Seen
1. Gran Torino
2. The Dark Knight
3. Slumdog Millionaire
4. The Wrestler
5. Tropic Thunder
6. Forgetting Sarah Marshall
7. Hellboy 2: The Golden Army
8. Cloverfield
9. The Strangers
10. Quarantine
11. The Chronicles of Narnia: Price Caspian
12. Get Smart
13. The Reader
14. Definitely, Maybe
15. Wanted
16. The Other Boleyn Girl
17. Saw V
18. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Still a ton I want to see.
On a side note, "Taken" is an awesome use of 90 minutes. Thoroughly entertaining, especially if you are a Liam Neeson fan, which I emphatically am.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Mets Sign Perez
Pending a physical, the New York Mets have just signed Oliver Perez. It was pretty much assumed he would more than likely return to the mets. Now that he has, does this change opinions of this team in NL? Does this signing boost their rotation as much as some are predicting it will. Or, is it just another over-priced overrated signing of a Big Named team needing to save face since the cooling off of their offseason bullpen free agent/trade explosion?
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