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Monday, August 9, 2010
A storybook weekend
The narrative, of course, is really only clear in retrospect, and a large part of what we spend our days doing around this blog is an attempt to anticipate or divine what the moment we're immersed in presently is going to mean for us a week or a month or a year onwards. Is this a turning point? Is this the moment we recall where the team's fortunes changed? Is it merely a spectacular moment, or is it something more?
We're not so bold as to assume that we know what this past weekend - and indeed, the entire week of series wins against the Yankees and Rays - really will mean in the grander context, years down the road. Maybe it doesn't need to mean anything at all, and we should all just savour the moment.
But how can you try to be measured and rational after performances like those? We can't remember the last time that we were so giddy from watching our team. From the brilliant Friday start from Brett Cecil, Saturday's otherworldly debut from J.P. Arencibia and Brandon Morrow's nearly perfect Sunday, it felt really great to be a Blue Jays fan this weekend.
You should celebrate the other J.P., too
In the midst of Arencibia's brilliant Saturday, a number of hacks felt the need to make an obvious joke at the expense of the former general manager: "You love this J.P.! You hate that J.P.! Ho ho!"
And yet, as we looked around this weekend, we saw a team whose foundations were laid by J.P. Ricciardi: Arencibia, Snider, Hill, Lind, Cecil, Romero, and Marcum were all drafted by the former GM, while Bautista, Overbay, Downs and Frasor were all acquired by him along the way.
We don't doubt that it was time to move on, and we think that Alex Anthopoulos has done some very smart things which would not have been undertaken by Ricciardi. But as this team starts to turn itself around much more quickly than many imagined, keep in mind that the team and its farm system were left in fairly good stead by the former GM.
25 comments:
- Mark said...
Re: JPA. Best baseball game I've ever been to. Just a special day in all respects. The Future!
Re: JPR. Bang on. I've always thought that the amateur scouts and draft team did a great job in that era. What really undid JPR were the bad FA acquisitions.
- August 9, 2010 at 10:34 AM
I think maybe you just don't get the joke. See, this new guy, his name's J.P., and we like him. And the old GM, his name was also J.P., and we didn't like him. So now it's funny, cause they have the same name. Get it now?
- August 9, 2010 at 10:34 AM
- mike in boston said...
word is the Sox aren't keen on meeting Beltre's expected asking price (fucking Boras) and will let him walk. he's only 31, and has the right ethnic profile for this team.
anyone interested in Beltre at 3B for your '11-'14 Jays?
- August 9, 2010 at 10:40 AM
- Ty said...
I like Beltre, but I don't know how I feel about 32-35 year old Beltre, especially on a Boras-sized contract.
- August 9, 2010 at 10:46 AM
Just say no to Beltre. What is missed in the Morrow story is the awesome play of Escobar that went 1st to 3rd. He wouldn't have scored otherwise.
- August 9, 2010 at 11:20 AM
the Wells bloop single came with 2 outs. Esco is going on contact and scores easily from 2nd, especially given that the ball lands between 3 fielders. None of them have a clear line to home plate for the throw.
- August 9, 2010 at 11:22 AM
- Ty said...
Alright, Mr. Party Pooper Anon 11:22, it was still a really impressive display of heads-up baserunning.
- August 9, 2010 at 11:54 AM
it's a video game base running move, and it violates the cardinal rule of not making the 1st or 3rd out at 3B if you can stay at 2B. you only take that base if they're giving it to you. the throw nearly got him.
on another note, it was hysterical to watch Hill running interference on Escobar on the 2nd pop up to Overbay. his act is going to get old as soon as the team loses 3 in a row. hopefully with a new manager and another year under his belt he'll settle down.
- August 9, 2010 at 12:02 PM
- Ty said...
It's pretty obvious, Anon 12:02 is Bobby Cox.
- August 9, 2010 at 12:10 PM
- Tao of Stieb said...
Escobar is all about breaking cardinal rules. He plays the game with gusto, and sometimes, that's going to offend the sensibilities of more conservative types.
- August 9, 2010 at 12:31 PM
Anon 12:02: He didn't make the 3rd out at 3rd base, so he broke no cardinal rules. (He doesn't even play for the Cardinals!) If he had been caught, then he should rightly catch shit from the manager.
Apparently Johermyn Chavez is having a pretty good year in high-A, and League's ERA is under 4, so maybe the Brandon-Brandon trade isn't completely terrible.
- August 9, 2010 at 1:16 PM
The other thing we mustn't overlook is the Jays gave up 11 runs on Saturday and could scrape up only one run on Sunday.
Accentuate the negative!
- August 9, 2010 at 1:29 PM
There is in no fuckin' way I will give J.P. any credit for what this team is accomplishing now. The fact is that JP could not build an environment conducive to winning. The little pieces which make winners have been filled effectively by AA and allowed this team to compete. Drafting cannot be completly credited exclusively to any GM either. JP was on a real short leash near the end of his tenure and who knows what trades would've been completed had he had the freedom AA now possesses. All in all what I'm saying is fuck JP and any success this team has in the future he should not be given credit for and won't be by myself.
- August 9, 2010 at 2:00 PM
- Ty said...
Well, that's just silly.
- August 9, 2010 at 2:08 PM
- eyebleaf said...
Long live J.P. Ricciardi.
- August 9, 2010 at 2:15 PM
Not to worry. JPR will give himself plenty of credit.
- August 9, 2010 at 4:47 PM
Martinez' Buck may be a little silly, but hidden in his goofiness is this: this team has a fun spark with Lewis & Escobar batting 1-2.
- August 9, 2010 at 4:52 PM
How can we get a linup with Lewis, Snider and Bautista in it? I don't think Lind will get more than a handful of starts wrapping up the year.
- August 9, 2010 at 4:57 PM
Stedron here having some login issues.
Since I live at work and most sites are blocked.....anyone want to be a dear and tell me who the Fisher Cats are running out Saturday in Altoona? I doubt I'll have the good fortune of seeing Drabek, but a boy can dream...
- August 9, 2010 at 5:02 PM
I meant to say that Lind will only get a handful of starts at 1B. and therefore, how, given that Bautista has not been spending time at 3rd recently, can we get those other guys in the same lineup?
- August 9, 2010 at 5:12 PM
- Parker said...
"...keep in mind that the team and its farm system were left in fairly good stead by the former GM."
Fuck all that. I'm with Martinez' Buck on this one. Lewis and Escobar brought all the intangibles that allowed this team to compete. Bignose Bigmoutherson was a complete and abject failure as a GM.
- August 9, 2010 at 7:23 PM
- Bitey said...
I think this past weekend has been the high point of being a Jays fan for the past 15 years. I mean, really, it can only go downhill from here for the rest of the season.
- August 9, 2010 at 10:12 PM
I'm trying to figure out if the last part of the post concerning JPR was meant to be funny or not.
I musta missed all those seasons that the Jays were really close to contending. Or the years wasted while we had the best pitcher in baseball. Or the over paying of a certain reliever who had only one good year previously.Or leaving the Jays with what was considered one of the worst farm sytems in baseball ( I think all of them with losing records). Few prospects rated in the top 100(Snider excepted).The leaking of the Halladay trade at the deadline and saying that Halladay requested that trade.
Even a blind squirrel finds nuts.
Even JPR found a few ball players.
I don't think he was horrible but he definitely isn't the architect of a contending team.
- August 10, 2010 at 3:32 AM
I don't mean to be so negative towards JP but he fucked this team around enough over the years. Even when they were "close" there was always a significant piece or two missing that would've made them real deal contenders, which he would try to fill with wash ups and guys he had mancrushes on years ago.
The clubhouse always seemed to be in dissarray and I really believe JP to be responsible for this as players roles were never clearly defined and his shitbag attitude towards the team and city filtered down into the clubhouse.
The Rolen trade is in no such way JP's work in my opinion(again no evidence) this was around the time he had that leash on tight and picking successful first rounders can be done by half the guys on these blogs, I can't seem to think of any succesful late round gems in the draft but I'll have to check just to make sure.
The recent little "spot" on ESPN just made me realize again how much of a douche bag this guy was by trying to insinuate that pastornicky(sp) and the circus midget were some sort of studs in the jays farm system, as a person this guy just really bugs the shit out of me...........fuck him. A little harsh yes but really what the fuck did he do that was so monumental that entitles him to be such an ignorant fucktard?
- August 10, 2010 at 4:03 PM
- www.muebles-en-arganda-del-rey.com said...
It will not truly have success, I feel like this.
- November 30, 2011 at 9:23 AM


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Welcome from the President
Welcome to Wayne State University, an educational institution with a history of excellence in teaching and research. From humble beginnings in 1868, we have become a powerhouse research university with urban roots and a global reputation.
Ours is a rich and diverse learning community, with students from across Michigan, 50 states, and more than 65 countries around the world. Just steps away from world-class museums, professional sports venues, thriving businesses, dining and entertainment, Wayne State is a cultural crossroads and a microcosm of the real world. You don't just learn about the world here — you're part of it.
Whatever your interests and ambitions, Wayne State University has much to offer — a broad choice of degree programs, dedicated faculty and staff, exceptional opportunities for research and international experiences, access to the latest informational and learning technology, intramural and intercollegiate sports, and a vibrant campus life.
Explore one of the nation's most beautiful urban campuses, and discover what makes Wayne State University such a special place.
M. Roy Wilson

subset: commoncrawl


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Inmate accused of sending atrociously spelled threats to Obama
Ky. prisoner charged with threatening president, family
A Kentucky inmate is facing federal charges, accused of writing letters threatening the life of President Barack Obama, the first lady and their two daughters.
Anthony D. Holliman, 35, was charged by a grand jury in Louisville on Wednesday with threatening the president and a second count of threatening the president's family.
The indictment says the inmate at the Kentucky State Penitentiary wrote a letter addressed to Obama in May saying he would "blowe your brains out with a pistel." Holliman used racial epithets in the letter.
The letter went on to say, "you better check me out because I don't lie & I always do what I say Im going to do! Your dead ... !!!"
The U.S. Attorney's office in Louisville said Holliman wrote a second letter to first lady Michelle Obama, threatening to sexually assault and kill her and the Obamas' two daughters.
Holliman, of Oldham County, is serving a 35-year sentence in Kentucky for rape, wanton endangerment and other charges out of Taylor County.
He faces up to five years in prison if convicted on the two new federal charges, along with a $500,000 fine. He is due in federal court on March 26.
In 2010, another Kentucky man, Johnny Logan Spencer, was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison for writing a poem that federal prosecutors said threatened the president, though it did not name Obama.


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The Evans TT16HR Drum Head is a high-quality, 16" plastic drum head for toms. With a smooth finish, this durable and long-lasting double-ply head is ideal as a replacement head or spare.
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When the Securities and Exchange Commission threw down the gauntlet against Goldman Sachs on Friday, Henry Kissinger's bon mot on the brutal 1980s war between Iran and Iraq sprang to mind: "Too bad they can't both lose."(HT: Andrew McCarthy, NRO)
I will never again begrudge our canny President a day at the links. The fact that he has golfed more in two years than GW Bush managed in two complete terms is just dandy with me. The longer he searches for his ball in the ruff, the shorter his time to card double-bogeys on the policy issues of the day.
His recent, sudden and convenient discovery that Goldman Sachs has done shady deals is a precious example of why I'd prefer Barack Obama go tee off on something other than the rule of law and the discipline of the marketplace. Yes, I comprehend that Presidents with poll numbers clogging the clubhouse commode will tend to search for what John Lennon described in the psychedelic rock ode "Revolution #9" as a serviceable villain. However, something more devious motivates President Obama to return the $994K he received in campaign contributions from America's Iniquitous Vampire Squid.
The SEC indictment of Goldman Sachs is the opening salvo in his effort to pass his version of so-called financial reform. It also reeks of something far worse. It shows a government that desires to prosecute an business that caters to the bad decisions of its customers. This would open a can of worms that could potentially make being in business within the United States of America too big of a hassle to be worth bothering with.
To whit, Goldman Sachs sold a mortgage-backed security called the ABACUS 2007 – AC1. A trader with the firm, Fabrice Tourre, offered a negative professional opinion on the value of this security. Tourre wrote an email that provides the gravamen of what the SEC has taken to the Grand Jury.
Tourre's e-mail reads like this: "The whole building is about to collapse anytime now…Only potential survivor , the fabulous Fab…standing in the middle of all these complex, highly leveraged, exotic trades he created…" – (HT: RealclearMarkets)
According to the Feds involved, Goldman's iniquities go far deeper than just peddling junk. One of the people advising GS on which mortgages to package in ABACUS also bet big against the security and made billions. If he wrote the logic behind the set-cover algorithm used to build the security, and then placed his shorts against the instrument, he belongs with Brutus and Cassius in the cold-storage section of Dante's Inferno.
Yet that isn't what the SEC has legally argued. They claim Goldman intentionally led clients to make decisions that damaged client welfare. If the government can't make the case that GS intentionally bilked people into buying ABACUS products, it doesn't have any rope with which to hang the Evil Banksters after their cheesy, photo-op show trial.
This brings up a problem. What if every company that ever sold the customer something that didn't work out got hauled into the docket under precedent set in U.S v. Goldman Sachs? Or what if every customer who ever had regrets the morning after used this case as a fulcrum to bully and harass the counterparty on an unfortunate deal?
The obvious answer is that far fewer deals would get made. Companies that don't make deals have no need to fabricate product or continue paying a workforce. Reference the unemployment rate in Detroit, MI if you don't believe me on that.
Goldman Sachs presents a difficult test for modern governance. They bend rules. They aggressively push for advantage. They are like the professional athlete who takes advantage of the referee when given the opportunity. They may well have taken John Paulson's advice on which mortgages to package in ABACUS. If they knew how smart and capable John Paulson truly was at evaluating mortgages, they are a dishonest corporation for selling any product that he deliberately calibrated to fail. At the time, they claim they believed John Paulson to be a mediocre talent. (Yeah, Right!) (Sarcasmoff.
Yet Goldman Sachs also offers a statist or a corporatist a vital opportunity. Once you've branded them Evil Vampire Squids, and demonstrated that they are not solicitous of the customer welfare, Government MUST INTERVENE!!!
However, this requires a fundamental mischaracterization of what a financial product is. A financial product gives the customer an opportunity to take a managed risk with their capital. An investment is like a game in Las Vegas, but with much better odds. You stand at least a 75% chance of dropping every dollar you bet on a Blackjack Table, but nobody with a functional brain claims a right to sue Caesar's Palace because the Blackjack Table was "designed to fail."
A car that fails to stop at red lights or a medicine that gives you a stroke instead of curing your headache is a failed product. A speculative investment is exactly that – speculative. You are playing a game. It's not a fun game. I don't appreciate having my retirement of my son's college funding at stake either. As a result of the asymmetrical stakes, I play a very safe version of this game that would bore the average reader like watching paint dry on a wall.
However, investments are exactly that – a game. There's you, and there's counterparty that plays against you as an OPFOR. You are betting the stock will go up or the mortgages will pay off in perpetuity. That counterparty believes the stock you bought will tank or the mortgages in your MBS will go down like The Edmund Fitzgerald. If you are wrong, your wife and kid may not quite love you as much as they did the day before.
The people buying securities like ABACUS are not the average Joe with an account on E-Trade. They are institutional investors such as banks and trading houses. These people have been to college and studied Econ and Finance for lo the years. They make their decisions a wee-bit differently than I do when I shop for grapes or raisins at Publix. They tend to crunch the odds on computers that could solve a couple of hundred differential equations per second.
The most dishonest characterization being implied in this whole advantage-seeking debacle is that Goldman Sachs was somehow cold-calling widows to get them in on the ABACUS deal. Should the SEC bolster the DNC's midterm election odds by successfully keel-hauling Goldman Sachs, they won't protect the welfare of anyone without a PhD from The Wharton Business School or similar credentials. Unless you personally have over $100,000 in a single bank, buying ABACUS shares from GS, you are already protected by law.
So rather than getting Government to stop pressuring the banks to make stupid loans to unqualified customers for unaffordable housing, President Obama leaves off the 19th Hole for a jolly, old round of faux-populism. He picks his enemy well. No one would shed a tear over Goldman Sachs receiving a quicklime enema.
However, this case does nothing to address the fact that state-sponsored shoddy mortgages and dismal underwriting standards cratered our housing markets. It does nothing about the disingenuous rating agencies that allowed financial syndicates to introduce reams of junk MBS notes into the financial markets. The precedent that a business has to somehow predict the future and make certain that every deal will turn out perfectly for all parties or bear legal liability is terrible and an obvious job-killer.
The proper punishment for Goldman Sachs is the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. Let them be split up into various and sundry smaller, less omnipotent units. When something is too big to fail, the right course of action is to smash it with a hammer. Not even face-sucking vampire squids have an effective defense against massive amounts of kinetic energy.
X-Posted at: THE MINORITY REPORT


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Seasonal campfire restrictions commence in national parks and reserves
Fly Neighbourly Advice for the Tasman National Park
Hybrid diesel-electric shuttle buses at Cradle Mountain - a first for National p
1. Jefferys Track - Medium
2. Wellington Park Fire Trails - Medium/Hard
3. Arve Rd to Hartz Mtns National Park and Tahune Forest Reserve - Easy
4. Bruny Island - Easy
5. Fortescue Bay - Easy
6. Tasman Peninsula - Easy
7. Wielangta Forest Drive - Easy
8. East Coast Forest Roads - Easy
9. Peron Dunes (St Helens Pt Road) - Hard
10. Mt William National Park - Easy
11. Waterhouse and other roads - Easy
13. Cascade Dam Road - Easy
14. Mt Paris Dam Road - Easy
15. Mt Victoria Link Road
16. St Albans Bay - Hard
17. Patons Rd - Medium
18. Arthur River to Sandy Cape - Hard
19. Balfour Track - Hard
20. South Arthur Forest Drive - Easy
21. Montezuma Falls via Melba Flats - Medium
22. Ocean Beach- Medium
23. Mt Huxley - Hard
24. Bird River Track - Easy
25. Mt McCall Track - Medium
Please take a look at our code of practice for recreational vehicle users. This will help you minimise your impact upon the natural values of the area you wish to visit.
Permits are issued for the East West trail via Montrose Road (Grid Ref 197573) and exiting via Jefferys Track.
No camping is permitted if you are driving in Wellington Park. No fires, chainsaws, pets or firearms are permitted. Weather conditions can change suddenly so be prepared!
All fire trails on the mountain range are rated medium/hard 4WD because of the steep, rocky and sometimes difficult terrain. All access points are gated and an authority and key must be obtained from the Parks & Wildlife Service. Please phone the above contact number for details of track conditions and possible closures due to weather, and where to obtain an authority and key. Please return the key and authority (with relevant comments) after the trip.
The Tahune Forest Reserve is approximately 21 kms beyond the Hartz Rd junction on the Arve Rd. Enjoy the stops at Keoghs Creek, The Big Tree and West Creek Lookout before arriving at the Tahune Forest Reserve for the Tahune Forest AirWalk and Huon Pine Walk, picnic facilities, camping spots, and fishing in the Huon River.
A passenger and vehicle ferry departs from Kettering, 40 kms south of Hobart, at regular intervals, and arrives at Roberts Point (Grid Ref 230230) on Bruny Island. Although roads are for the most part 2WD standard, there are large unsealed sections and care should be exercised. A range of private accommodation is available on the island including caravan parks and units.
Camping areas are located at Neck Beach, Cloudy Bay and Jetty Beach. A campsite behind the beach at Cloudy Corner (at the southern end of Cloudy Beach) is accessible by 4WD after 3 kms of beach driving. Driving on the beach is best at low tide and is only permitted for access to the camping area and for boat launching and retrieval. A 40 km speed limit applies. All drivers are to stay below the high tide mark so as not to disturb shorebird nesting sites or destroy other wildlife and vegetation. These areas are part of the South Bruny National Park and park entry fees apply. Passes are available from the D'Entrecasteaux Visitor Centre at Kettering. All camping areas have pit toilets, limited water and fireplaces. Firewood is not supplied so bring your own or use a fuel stove. Campgrounds have no rubbish collection so please take your rubbish with you.
A drive of some 9 kms through State forest along the Coolangatta Rd from Adventure Bay to Lunawanna provides excellent bush scenery and access to a walking track to the Trig station on Mt Mangana (Grid Ref 231994). Another magnificent 18 km drive is from Adventure Bay via Lockleys and Staffords Rds to the Cloudy Bay Rd north of the beach. There is also a rainforest walk beside a stream to the Mavista Picnic Area (Grid Ref 245972) off Resolution Road behind Adventure Bay.
Other attractions include the Cape Bruny Lighthouse (Grid Ref 114844), and the Labillardiere Peninsula Walking Track (Grid Ref 123880). These areas are also part of the South Bruny National Park and entry fees apply.
Safety Cove is 6 kms south of Port Arthur and 1 km further on is Basket Bay and the Remarkable Cave (Grid Ref 685178).
Roaring Beach Conservation Area (Grid Ref 547288) is a popular surf spot. However there are no facilities for camping and campfires are not permitted. Saltwater River (Grid Ref 589365), Coal Mines Historic Site and Lime Bay, (Grid Ref 575446) a further 4 kms north are worth a visit. Basic camping facilities are available at Lime Bay.
To access Sandspit River Conservation Area picnic ground and the Three Thumbs State Reserve lookout and picnic ground, it is recommended to access these reserves from the Orford end of Wielangta Rd.
The Sandspit River Conservation Area has picnic facilities and a scenic forest walk. The road also provides access to the Three Thumbs State Reserve picnic area and lookout near Orford. Returning via the Tasman Highway from Orford completes an enjoyable round trip from Sorell. Although Wielangta Road doesn't yet appear on all maps, it is signposted at both ends.
This drive provides fantastic coastal scenery and beautiful camping spots. Arthur River is 16 kms south of Marrawah via the Arthur River Road. Temma is a further 22 kms south along the Temma Road, which is easy 4WD standard. To drive on recreational vehicle tracks in the Arthur-Pieman, you need to purchase a Recreational Driver Pass.
Check with the local ranger for up-to-date information or see the latest track conditions. Driving in areas other than those shown on the recreational vehicle track maps is not permitted.
The whole Arthur River - Sandy Cape area is an Aboriginal landscape with heritage places found throughout the area, and we're all responsible for helping to protect these places. If you think you recognise Aboriginal heritage leave it alone. Walking on shell middens can cause their erosion. Leave all stone, bone, shell and plants where they are and admire them where they belong.
All vehicles using the Balfour Track require an Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area Recreational Driver Pass (available for purchase from the online Parks Shop, in-person from a Service Tasmania outlet, or visit the Parks office at Arthur River). Visitors are strongly advised to report to the Parks office at Arthur River to obtain advice on local conditions before starting their trip or see the latest track conditions page. Interesting features at Balfour are the unique settlement, historic cemetery and old mine sites.
Rather than exiting the area by the same route, there are two easy grade alternatives. Return along the Balfour Track to the Western Explorer Road junction and proceed north approximately 9 kms to the junction with Blackwater Rd (Grid Ref 206375). Take the left route to return to Arthur River via Temma Road (16 kms to Temma Road junction). Alternatively, turn right and travel 17 kms along Blackwater Road to Kanunnah Bridge. From here return up the sealed road to Smithton or take the alternate Forest Drive (track 20) to Roger River.
Tasmap 1: 100000 - Franklin
Grid Refs: 858147 - Jnct Bird River/Mt McCall Tracks, 839111 - Bird River Bridge
Contact: Parks and Wildlife Service, (03) 6409 1020
This page produced by the Parks & Wildlife Service,
a unit of the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment This page was last modified on Friday, 14 June 2019


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The War on Drugs – Lost in the Dream (LP, Purple Vinyl, CD or Download)
The War on Drugs' dreamy country-rock music evokes slow motion, even as its songs move at a sprightly pace. The driving rhythm behind "Under the Pressure" is caked in heavily reverbed guitars and washes of synthesizer, even as real-life guitar solos and Adam Granduciel's vocals come through more clearly than ever before. Similarly "Red Eyes" is like some lost '80s collaboration between The Highwaymen and The Cure, effusing brilliant colors with its bright synths and yelping vocals, but the most stunning moment comes in the minute or so in the middle of the songs when a third of the sound is stripped away, leaving a gorgeous, introspective bridge before Granduciel's yelp brings everything crashing back, while the rhythm stays insistent as always. Lost in the Dream invites repeat listens—atmospheric pieces like "The Haunting Idle" keep things spacious, yet the band comes back for the Bruce Springsteen-vibing "Burning" in the albums latter half. As its title would suggest, it's an album to get lost in. It feels like seeing the entire open road ahead of you, coasting yet seemingly to move in place while the sun sets and middle-of-nowhere stations play Bruce and Tom Petty in the background.


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Q&A with Heather Sugg
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The first line of defense for the 9th-ranked UC San Diego Women's Soccer team is in the center midfield which 5-10 junior Heather Sugg patrols for Head Coach Brian McManus. After playing in 20 games off the bench as a freshman, Sugg moved into a starting role last fall. She began 2005 on the bench with a pulled quad muscle but has recovered and been a key part of the Tritons' 11-1 start in which they have outscored opponents, 46-6. "Heather gives us great attacking ability in the middle of the park" says McManus. "She likes to tackle and gives us a presence and a bit of intimidation in the midfield. Her strength in the air is also an important aspect for us, particularly when it comes to set pieces." A native of
Q-You started the season on the sidelines. How difficult is it to watch from the bench when your team is playing?
SUGG-Of course it's difficult when you can't be out there. Everyone wants to play but there are still ways you can help your team—like giving directions or encouragement from the sidelines.
When something goes wrong on the field, I try to encourage my teammates. It's always good to hear something positive from the bench. You try to keep everyone's confidence up and not allow them to be effected by mistakes.
Q-What do you feel you contribute to the team when you're on the field?
SUGG-Probably size. There aren't too many soccer players who can beat my height. I've always been tall and I love playing the air, winning headers.
Q-The team has won 11 of its first 12 games. What has been the key to the great start?
SUGG-Attitudes. Everybody has come out with strong, positive attitudes. I think we have a little better chemistry than last year. We had so many new players then that it was more difficult to establish the type of chemistry you need while they were still learning the system and getting used to college.
Q-What areas can the team still stand to improve?
SUGG-Communicating on the field. Me especially. I tend to be the quiet one, but talking helps so much—in letting teammates know where you are, where opponents are on the field and just encouragement as well.
Q-How would you evaluate the CCAA thus far? What teams do you consider most dangerous in terms of the conference championship?
SUGG-As always, the conference is very strong. You have to be on your game with every team or you'll come away with a loss. Dominguez Hills is always tough in our division, but Stanislaus and
Q-Brian McManus has said that you are a bit of an intimidator in the midfield. Do you feel like you intimidate other players?
SUGG-I think Brian is intimidating. I'm just tall.
Q-What excites you the most when you're playing soccer?
SUGG-A night game against a big rival. The lights and fans can make things pretty exciting. We have a great soccer environment at UCSD.
Q-Who would you say is the most exciting player on this year's UCSD team and the most improved?
SUGG-As far as exciting, I'd have to say Allie Avina with her giant cannon free kicks. I swear she's going to score from a goal kick on of these days. Caitlin Ryan is the most improved and I think she's future star. She's so composed on the field, much more than I am. I feel pressure but she seems like she always knows what she's going to do before she gets the ball.
Q-How long have you played soccer? What other sports do you enjoy playing and watching?
SUGG-I've played since kindergarten. It's actually the only organized sport I've really played. My parents got me into it, my teammates became my friends and I just stayed with my friends.
I think I could be pretty good at basketball and I love every sport. My favorites to watch are basketball, football and lacrosse.
Q-Did you have any sports figures that you looked up to when you were growing up?
SUGG-Joy Fawcett of the U.S. Women's National Team. She was a defender and when I went to a soccer camp, she was one of my counselors. I always thought she was very tough.
Q-What is your major and what do you hope to do with it after graduation?
SUGG-Human biology. I'm interested in physical therapy and sports medicine. I think I'd like to work with athletes and help them recover from injuries.
Q-What role have your parents played in your athletic career?
SUGG-My parents are already in the stands cheering before my team even walks onto the field for warm-ups. They are always there for me. I don't know how I would have made it this far without them.
Q-What has surprised you most about your coach, Brian McManus?
SUGG-He has a tattoo.
Q-What are some things you'd like to do before you turn 25?
SUGG-One is skydiving. I would also like to study in
Q-What did the team learn collectively last year that will help this year?
SUGG-You can't take things for granted. You've got to expect the worst that can happen and go for the best.
Q-What will make the 2005 season a success in your eyes?
SUGG-The NCAA Final Four. We can do it.
Laura Watkins (Women's Volleyball) - September 28, 2005
Kevin Murray (Men's Soccer) - September 20, 2005
Carl Lostrom (Men's Cross Country) - September 13, 2005
Clark Petersen (Men's Water Polo) - September 6, 2005


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Great Other
The Great Other is the god of darkness, cold, and death in the faith of R'hllor. His true name is never spoken.[1] He is considered the enemy of R'hllor, the Lord of Light.
Followers of R'hllor believe that there are only two gods, R'hllor and the Great Other, who wage an eternal war over the fate of the world. All forces of darkness, cold, and death are believed to be only servants to the Great Other. Melisandre refers to the Others as the "cold children" of the Great Other. [2] The Great Other has never been mentioned by any Westerosi although all know of the Others from legends. According to Melisandre sleep is a little death, dreams are whisperings of the Other who would drag everyone into his eternal night.
At the Wall, when gazing into the fires, Melisandre sees a wooden face, corpse white, a thousand red eyes, and a boy with a wolf's head beside him. She thinks to herself that they must be the Great Other's champions, as King Stannis is hers. [3]
Further evidence in the text ties the Last Greenseer, Brynden Rivers, the Old Gods, and Bran Stark to the theme of darkness that draws The Great Other into opposition with R'hllor. The vision of Melisandre pointing towards Bloodraven and Bran as champions of The Great Other is corroborated in this exchange:
There he sat, listening to the hoarse whispers of his teacher. 'Never fear the darkness, Bran.' The lord's words were accompanied by a faint rustling of wood and leaf, a slight twisting of his head. "The strongest trees are rooted in the dark places of the earth. Darkness will be your cloak, your shield, your mother's milk. Darkness will make you strong." [4]
Beyond the Wall, the enemy grows stronger, and should he win the dawn will never come again.—Melisandre's thoughts
—Melisandre's thoughts
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 36, Davos IV.
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 78, Samwell V.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 31, Melisandre I.
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Chapter 34, Bran III.


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NEW YORK — Katie Couric, NewYork-Presbyterian and its Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health, the Entertainment Industry Foundation's National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance (NCCRA), and ABC today announced the "Make That Call" campaign to promote colon cancer screening for National Colon Cancer Awareness Month. During the month of March, the campaign will urge New Yorkers age 50 and older, as well as those at increased risk for the disease, to call their doctors to make an appointment to be screened for colon cancer, the second-leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, colonoscopy is the preferred colon cancer screening test in New York City.
"Make That Call" will include public service announcements featuring Ms. Couric that will air on ABC stations across the country. In addition, interactive educational posters and fact sheets will be displayed around New York City and will feature barcodes that allow smartphone users to connect to the MakeThatCall.org website for more information.
Collaborating on this annual citywide initiative to increase colon cancer screening are the New York Citywide Colon Cancer Control Coalition (C5), American Cancer Society, American College of Gastroenterology and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Participating businesses and organizations include the New York Public Library; Brooklyn Public Library and the Queens Library which together include more than 200 library branches spanning every borough; Duane Reade; Juva Skin & Laser Center; New York Health & Racquet Club; and Talbots.
"With appropriate screening, colon cancer is often preventable and, when detected early, highly curable. There is a lot of buzz about a study showing what I've said for years: colonoscopies save lives. We want New Yorkers to 'Make That Call' to their doctors to schedule their screening appointment, if not for themselves, then for the people they love," says Katie Couric.
"We want to recognize our friend and founder of the Monahan Center, Katie Couric, for her extraordinary efforts to educate the public on the importance of colon cancer screening," says Dr. Steven J. Corwin, CEO of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. "We are delighted to work with her, ABC, and our other sponsors to make this year's campaign an overwhelming success."
Reasons to Make That Call to Your Doctor
- Colon cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States.
- With appropriate screening, colorectal cancer is often preventable and when detected early, highly curable.
- Colon polyps and early cancers often cause no symptoms; this is why it is so important to get tested.
"We are very appreciative of all the support from our campaign collaborators and participating businesses and organizations for helping us to get the 'Make That Call' message out to New Yorkers," says Dr. Felice Schnoll-Sussman, acting director of The Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health.
For more information on colon cancer screening or the "Make That Call" campaign, visit MakeThatCall.org.
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, based in New York City, is the nation's largest not-for-profit, non-sectarian hospital, with 2,353 beds. The Hospital has nearly 2 million inpatient and outpatient visits in a year, including more than 220,000 visits to its emergency departments — more than any other area hospital. NewYork-Presbyterian provides state-of-the-art inpatient, ambulatory and preventive care in all areas of medicine at five major centers: NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, NewYork-Presbyterian/The Allen Hospital and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Westchester Division. One of the most comprehensive health care institutions in the world, the Hospital is committed to excellence in patient care, research, education and community service. NewYork-Presbyterian is the #1 hospital in the New York metropolitan area and is consistently ranked among the best academic medical institutions in the nation, according to U.S.News & World Report. The Hospital has academic affiliations with two of the nation's leading medical colleges: Weill Cornell Medical College and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. For more information, visit www.nyp.org.
The Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center
The Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health at NewYork Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center is a world-class gastrointestinal cancer and wellness center. The Monahan Center serves as a unique model of coordinated and compassionate care, dedicated to public education and the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal cancers, including cancers of the colon, rectum, pancreas, esophagus, gallbladder, stomach and small intestine. The Monahan Center at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell is located at the corner of 70th Street and York Avenue in New York City. For more information, visit www.monahancenter.org.


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Texas Rangers News
Posted 12 April 2007 - 02:40 AM
Well, sucks to lose, but we did take the series, so thats 2 series' in a row. Tejada was roughed up but he's young and is improving. I was impressed the last 2 nights how the boys don't quit when down. Now if we can start spreading the runs out over the innings instead of waiting on that 1 big inning we'll start looking like a contender. Laird has been amazing behing the plate throwing out base runners, i think he's over 50 % and he's throwing strikes to the second baseman.
i'll say it again, as nice as it is having pop at the end of the order, Kinsler should be batting second or third, preferably second. He's too good to take away an at bat per night.
Bullpen was good tonight, Loe struggled at first but calmed down and Benoit was great.
All in all, through 3 series I can see we are improving each night. My biggest concern right now is the big inning mentality we have, we need to score more often instead of clumping them together
Posted 19 April 2007 - 02:29 AM
Posted 19 April 2007 - 03:37 PM
Ah shadup.
Posted 28 July 2007 - 02:43 AM
Posted 01 August 2007 - 02:23 PM
Rangers and Braves:
Braves get : 1B Mark Teixeira and RP Ron Mayhay
Rangers get: C/1B Jarrod Saltalamacchia, SS Elvis Andrus, P Neftali Feliz, Matt Harrison, and Beau Jones.
Rangers and Redsox:
Redsox get: RP Eric gagne
Rangers get: P Kason Gabbard, OF David Murphy, and OF Engel Beltre
Rangers and Indians:
Indians get: OF Kenny Lofton
Rangers get: C Max Ramirez
Posted 01 August 2007 - 02:25 PM
Posted 06 January 2008 - 08:51 AM
At a glance, the depth chart looks pretty promising. Lots of depth and interchangable players accross the board. Pitching is, as always, suspect, but it does have some potential. McCarthy and Gabbard have a lot of upside, actually Gabbard pitched very well when we got him. Millwood needs to be the guy he was his first year with us, same with Padilla, and Kam Loe needs to get over the hump and become a consistantly solid pitcher. This of course is assuming he gets another crack at starting, hje did good from the pen and I'd prefer he stayed there and Hurely steps up and becomes a guy we can fit in the 5th spot.
As of now, here's the depth chart.
C - Salty and Laird. Max Ramirez may also get in the mix. Good news is Salty will get the at bats, when he's not behind the plate, he'll be DHing and maybe playing first.
1B - Broussard, Shelton, Catalanatto. Nothing stellar, hopefully solid enough it isn't a glaring weekness.
2B - Kinsler, Vasquez. Kinsler is ready to become a super star, 20/20 guy last year and getting better.
SS - Young, Vasquez. Young isn't the best at anything he does at the position, but he's a good fielder, gets a lot of hits, should get the doubles numbers back up. Unquestioned leader of the team. Vasquez is really a valuble dude, backs up 3 positions and plays good enough that he shouldn't be a liability when he's in the lineup.
3B - Blalock, Vasquez. Blalock, when he played, looked to be back in his form from a few years ago. He was crushing the ball and I predict a 30 home run season from him.
Corner Outfield - Byrd, Bradley, Murphy, Catalanatto, Botts, Cruz. Byrd was pretty good last year, better fit in the corner than center. Bradley, if healthy, should hold the fort down well on the other side. murphy is an up and comer. Botts likely won't see much field time, more likely a DH. Cruz has a lot to improve on before he sees any time.
CF - Hamilton, Murphy, Byrd. Hamilton was good for the Reds when he was healthy, great potential, but injuries might be a problem. When he showed up in Arlington he showed up in long sleeves to cover his tats. I like that because it shows he's trying to put that life in his past (the drugs). I think he wants to impress and become a ball player real bad.
SP - Millwood, Padilla, McCarthy, Gabbard, Loe? If Millwood and Padilla can get back into what they were 2 years ago, winning 15 a piece, we'll be good. I like Gabbard, but he had arm problems. McCarthy started to show he belonged last year at times. Loe should stay in the pen, but I dunno if Hurley or anyone else is ready yet to pitch i the migs. Trading Volquez really hurt.
Pen - CJ Wilson, my man, better fucking be the closer, the gyro man with good heat and a rock and roll attitude, plus being a left in the ballpark, makes too much sence.
Even without Aki and Gagne, looks like its gonna be the strength of the team again.
Posted 06 January 2008 - 08:53 AM
Around the Horn: Catchers
Rangers have options with talent, but haven't named a starter
By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com
Will Gerald Laird or Jarrod Saltalamacchia be catching for the Rangers?
The following is the first in a series of weekly stories on MLB.com examining each Major League club, position by position. Each Wednesday until Spring Training camps open, we'll preview a different position. Today: Catchers.
ARLINGTON -- His name is Felix Perez. He is 19 and he is from Mexico. He is a catcher and the word is he is extremely talented with tremendous upside potential.
The Rangers signed him as an amateur free agent this offseason and he'll likely be the starter for their Arizona Rookie League team next summer. The massive stockpiling of catching prospects continues nonstop for the Rangers.
The Rangers aren't sure who their Opening Day catcher will be, but the annual mid-winter position-by-position examination of the organization shows that the talent and depth at the catching position is unusually high. It's the obvious place to start, both from what's happening at the Major League level and in the farm system.
"If you look at the industry and the quality of catching at all levels -- big league, Minor League, amateur -- it's all over the place," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. "For us, it's a strength. Some people may look at it as a logjam or that we have decisions to make, but I look at it as you can't have enough of a good thing."
The biggest decision, though, is what's going to happen at the Major League level between Gerald Laird and Jarrod Saltalamacchia. And there are a number of ways of viewing it.
Daniels prefers to view it as both competition and depth. Unsettled or wide open could also be used and the word controversy might also come into play. But why rush into things before Spring Training actually gets here.
Overall, though, the best way to put it is that the situation is quite intriguing, mainly because of a decision made by the Rangers after last season. At some point the Rangers decided that Saltalamacchia will concentrate strictly on his work behind the plate and not alternate between catcher and first base as he did at the end of last season.
"There were a couple of things at play there," Daniels said. "One is his passion, that's what he wants to do. That's also where his value is greatest. He's a switch-hitting catcher who is capable of hitting 20 to 25 home runs. That kind of offensive production is more valuable behind the plate rather than first base. Not many teams have that. It could be a competitive advantage for us."
Laird has made it quite clear that he wants to be the No. 1 catcher, a job that he has had before but just quite hasn't been able to hold on to for a full season. A torn thumb ligament cost him the job in 2004 and he had to wait two more years before he could wrestle it away from Rod Barajas.
He hit .296 in a part-time role in 2006 and that was good enough to get the job back full time in 2007. But he dropped to .224 last season while struggling to satisfy manager Ron Washington's demands that he take charge of an injury-racked, performance-challenged pitching staff.
"He just needs to be more consistent than anything else," Daniels said. "Gerald has shown flashes of what he can do on a baseball field and one of the areas he has been consistent is his throwing. But there are other areas: consistent at-bats and working with the pitching staff. We want him to be a more well-rounded catcher. He's got the ability, but we just want to put it all together."
Laird's future suddenly became murky on July 31 when Saltalamacchia was one of five players who were acquired from the Braves for Mark Teixeira. Saltalamacchia was clearly one of the centerpieces of the trade, but Daniels said the Rangers have not made a decision as to who the starter will be on Opening Day.
"People have formed opinions but we want those guys to come in and compete," Daniels said. "That's the message that both Gerald and Jarrod got at the end of last year. There are still a number of ways to go, but they are two athletic players who can both impact the game on both sides -- offensively and defensively -- and they are both young. We don't have to make that decision this winter."
Saltalamacchia has a reputation for being an offensive threat, but still seems raw as a defensive catcher. He threw out just six of 43 attempted base stealers last season, including one of 17 while with the Rangers. Laird gunned down 39.8 percent of those trying to steal off him, the third highest in the Major Leagues.
Obviously there is much more to defense for a catcher than just throwing out base stealers and the Rangers want to see what they can do with Saltalamacchia at that position. Matt Walbeck, a former Major League catcher who was hired as third-base coach, was brought in specifically to work with both Laird and Saltalamacchia on their defense.
"Jarrod just needs experience," Daniels said. "Our guys feel he can catch. Matt Walbeck is going to work with both guys. If at some point we need to move Jarrod we can, but it's easier to move a guy to first base rather than move him back to catcher. But right now we're trying to put our guys in their best position and our guys feel Jarrod can catch."
Actually, the Rangers best defensive catcher could be Chris Stewart, who was Laird's backup for most of last season and could be again if the decision is made that Saltalamacchia needs more work in Triple-A Oklahoma. Otherwise, Stewart will be at Triple-A in a farm system that is loaded with catching prospects.
The Rangers could be in a position where they have a legitimate catching prospect at all four full-season Minor League teams. It may not happen right away but they could have Taylor Teagarden at Triple-A Oklahoma, Max Ramirez (acquired from the Indians for Kenny Lofton at the end of July) at Double-A Frisco, Manuel Pina will be at Class A Bakersfield and Santana will be at Class A Clinton.
"Catching certainly is the strength of our organization," Daniels said. "We'll just let it play out. In Taylor, we've got a true catcher in every sense of the word. He's leader and he's been a winner at the amateur level [at the University of Texas] and his bat has come around more than we thought it might.
"Max takes a lot of pride in his catching, but he's more of an offensive type of guy who can really hit. Pina is more of an athletic, catch-and-throw type of guy who has become better working at pitchers and Cristian has as much upside as anybody. He's just had some injuries but he has huge raw ability."
Maybe Perez will be better than any of them.
T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Posted 09 January 2008 - 08:57 PM
Around the Horn: Corner infielders
Blalock, newly-acquired Broussard give Rangers power
By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com
The following is the second in a series of weekly stories on MLB.com examining each Major League club, position by position. Each Wednesday until Spring Training camps open, we'll preview a different position. Today: Corner infielders.
ARLINGTON -- Beaumont is over 300 miles away from Arlington, but that didn't keep the Broussard family from going to see the Rangers play.
"I'm from Beaumont and my dad would take me to the old ballpark," Ben Broussard said. "It would be 120 degrees and I'd be standing in the parking lot, waiting to get Nolan Ryan's autograph. We'd go see the Astros too, but I was a big Rangers fan."
Broussard never got to play at Arlington Stadium, but he did finally get to Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on Aug. 1, 2003 as the Cleveland Indians first baseman. He hit a two-run home run off right-hander John Thomson. The next night, he hit another home run off Joaquin Benoit.
"It was really special," Broussard said. "I remember hitting my first home run in Texas in front of my family and friends. I always felt that if I ever got a shot at playing in Texas how great it would be."
He is finally getting that chance. The Rangers acquired him from the Seattle Mariners on Dec. 12 for Minor League infielder Tug Hulett in order to be their starting first baseman. Acquiring a first baseman was one of three priorities the Rangers had for the offseason.
Broussard is a left-handed hitter and could possibly share time in a platoon with Chris Shelton. But, for the most part, he is expected to be their guy at a position that has been remarkably stable for 36 years.
Broussard follows an impressive line that includes Mark Teixeira, Rafael Palmeiro, Will Clark, Pete O'Brien, Pat Putnam, Mike Hargrove, Jim Spencer and Frank Howard. For those who need an ancient history lesson, Spencer was the first Ranger to ever appear in an All-Star Game and Hargrove remains the club's only Rookie of the Year winner.
Now comes Broussard, who the Rangers expect to team up with third baseman Hank Blalock to prove the badly needed power and run production from the corner infield spots. Both had forgettable seasons in 2007.
Blalock had Thoracic Outlet Syndrome surgery on May 21 to have a rib remove from his right shoulder and missed over three months of the season. He was activated on Sept. 1 but was limited to designated hitter duty. The Rangers expect him to be ready to play the field in Spring Training.
Broussard's problem wasn't physical. It was due to his being relegated to a backup role.
He was the Cleveland Indians starting first baseman in 2003-06 before being traded to the Seattle Mariners on July 26, 2006. The Mariners were 31/2 games out of first place, but didn't need a first baseman. They had Richie Sexson.
They needed a left-handed hitting designated hitter. Broussard had been hitting .321 for the Indians, but slumped to .238 with the Mariners as he struggled to come to grips with the DH role. When the off-season rolled around, the Mariners signed Jose Vidro to be their designated hitter.
It seemed likely that Broussard would be traded, and at one point it looked like he was going to the San Francisco Giants for reliever Armando Benitez. But that was before the Mariners found out he could play the outfield as well as first base. Instead of being trade bait, Mariners manager Mike Hargrove decided he liked Broussard as a role player off the bench.
Broussard publicly embraced the role, but found out it was more difficult than expected.
"I love Mike, but he'll be the first to tell you that he likes playing the same guys every night," Broussard said. "For a bench player, he's a hard guy to play for. I love him, but I know he runs his starters out there every day.
"When I got out there, it would be against a No. 1 starter. Or if I pinch-hit, it would be against the closer. I was getting in there in tough situations, but I had to gut it up and do my job. It was hard to do and it was totally different. I'll never look at playing every day the same again. It was really frustrating."
He did not complain publicly, but spoke often about his situation with Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi. The Mariners admitted that Broussard was an everyday player but still needed him, especially with Sexson struggling through the worst season of his career.
Broussard ended up playing in 99 games and hitting .275 in 240 at-bats. But, his .404 slugging percentage was his lowest since his rookie season and 54 points below his career average. He also knew going into the offseason that his time with the Mariners was probably up, either through a trade or being non-tendered in December.
"It was like going through the Draft all over again," Broussard said. "You knew you were going somewhere, you just didn't know where."
The Rangers wanted him. They were exploring every possible option including free agents Tony Clark and Sean Casey. But general manager Jon Daniels was privately saying that Broussard was his first choice of all that might be available.
The feeling was mutual and Broussard was ecstatic when the Mariners told him that he had been traded to the Rangers. His family now lives in Georgetown, just north of Austin.
"The Mariners trading me to Texas was one of the classiest things I've ever seen in baseball," Broussard said. "They could have traded me somewhere else. They could have traded me to a National League team, where I would have been a bench player, a role player or a pinch-hitter.
"But they traded me to Texas, even though it was within the division, we play 19 times a year and I'll be out there trying to do everything I can to beat them. It was a classy move on their part."
The Rangers need it to be a shrewd move on their part and Broussard, who turned 31 in September, needs to re-establish himself as an everyday player. He can be a free agent after the season and would obviously love to remain with the Rangers.
"I don't want to be labeled as a bench player," Broussard said. "This year is a big year for me but every year is big. Baseball is so competitive and there are so many talented guys out there, there is always somebody out there trying to take your job. I just want to be healthy, play hard and do my job. I just want to come into Spring Training in the best possible shape and be ready when the season starts."
T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Posted 09 January 2008 - 08:58 PM
Posted 17 January 2008 - 12:17 AM
Around the Horn: Middle infielders
Young, Kinsler remain staples as team changes around them
By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com
The following is the third in a series of weekly stories on MLB.com examining each Major League club, position by position. Each Wednesday until Spring Training camps open, we'll preview a different position. Today: Middle infielders.
ARLINGTON -- If Michael Young's numbers were slightly down in 2007, it didn't seem to matter to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Elias still had Young ranked No. 1 among American League third basemen, shortstops and second basemen when they came out with their annual ratings in October.
The ratings -- which group second basemen, third basemen and shortstops together -- take into account both offense and defense over the past two seasons and are primarily used to determine compensation for free agents. Young is not a free agent, but was still ranked No. 1 in his class over guys like Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Miguel Tejada and Robinson Cano.
Ian Kinsler didn't do too badly either. Young's double-play partner was ranked 17th, pretty good considering it covered his first two years in the Major Leagues and came despite missing time in both seasons because of injuries.
On a team that has undergone major changes in the past two years, the one constant has been their shortstop and second baseman and the Rangers go into 2007 believing they are one of the best combinations in the game.
"We've had a great deal of turnover the last couple of years," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. "We have a clear direction of where we are going and it's partially defined by wanting players who have the makeup, character and work ethic of these two guys. Mike is a steady professional and Ian is just coming into his own right now and developing into a leader on the team capable of impacting the game in a variety of ways. You feel good that the leadership on the team is led by these two guys."
Young overcame a slow start in 2007 to finish with a .315 batting average and 201 hits. It marked the fifth straight year that he has hit over .300 with more than 200 hits. He also led the Rangers with 94 RBIs. He is tied with Hall of Famer Charlie Gehringer for the most consecutive seasons with at least 200 hits by a middle infielder.
Kinsler, despite missing almost the entire month of July with a stress fracture in his left foot, hit .263 with 20 home runs and 61 RBIs while leading the Rangers with 96 runs scored. He also stole 23 bases, becoming the seventh player in Rangers history to finish with at least 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a season.
He was 23-for-25 in stolen bases, a 92 percent success rate that was the second highest in the American League and the third highest in club history.
Defensively they were part of the good and the bad for the Rangers in 2007. Young and Kinsler helped the Rangers lead the league with 179 double plays, but the club also had the most errors with 124. In the middle, Rangers second basemen and shortstops combined for 37 errors, tied for the third most at those two positions.
Young had 19 errors, but was still fourth among American League shortstops in fielding and fifth in range factor among the 11 players with enough game to qualify to be listed in the league leaders. Kinsler led American League second basemen with 17 errors, but had just three in his last 63 games.
Ramon Vazquez returns as the Rangers utility infielder after hitting .230 with eight home runs and 28 RBIs in 104 games and 300 at-bats in 2007. The numbers don't stand out, but he played a crucial role for the Rangers last year while they dealt with injuries to Kinsler and third baseman Hank Blalock.
The real intrigue is not what the Rangers have in the middle infield at the Major League level, but what they have coming up behind them.
The intrigue starts with shortstop Joaquin Arias, the Rangers defensive prodigy who missed almost the entire 2007 season with a shoulder injury. He is still rehabilitating the injury at the Rangers camp in the Dominican Republic and may not be at full strength at the start of Spring Training. Once a top prospect, Arias, 23, will have to re-establish that ranking while playing at Triple-A Oklahoma.
"It's a big year for him," Daniels said. "He's got to prove himself. Physically he is as talented as anybody, but he has to stay on the field and prove himself."
Elvus Andrus threatens to pass him. Andrus is another shortstop prodigy that the Rangers acquired in the Mark Teixeira trade on July 31. Andrus is only 19, but still hit .257 with 78 runs scored and 40 stolen bases at Class A in 2007. Scouts who have seen him play said he is ready to play defensively at the Major League level.
That's not going to happen for a while. Andrus is expected to play at Double-A Frisco while Young is signed through at least 2013. The Rangers aren't in any rush right now to predict what might happen at shortstop in the future.
"We've got a shortstop who is coming off four straight All-Star Games and is as steady and as productive as they come," Daniels said. "As Michael continues to maintain his production and Elvus continues to develop, we'll talk about it. But right now Michael is clearly our shortstop."
The Rangers face a similar situation at second base where German Duran is getting closer to being Major League-ready.
The 23-year-old right-handed-hitting infielder batted .300 with 22 home runs and 84 RBIs and 81 runs scored at Double-A Frisco. He is not ready to displace Kinsler at second, but he could be ready to push for a job with the Rangers as a utility man. The Rangers used him at both third base and left field during the Instructional League and the Arizona Fall League and he could see some time at first base during the Spring.
"He's very much capable of playing every day at this level," Daniels said. "Second base is probably the easiest position for him to perform at. My sense is -- knowing German and the player he is -- he'll be the kind of guy that [manager Ron Washington] will want to get in there every chance he can. He wants to help the team anyway he can."
Many things can happen in the next year or two but -- one way or another -- the Rangers should be strong in the middle infield both now and for some time to come.
T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Posted 17 January 2008 - 04:44 AM
Notes: Rangers, Jennings agree to deal
Right-hander was 2002 Rookie of the Year with Rockies
By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com
ARLINGTON -- The Rangers have finally completed an agreement with pitcher Jason Jennings on a one-year contract. A press conference is planned for Thursday at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.
Jennings was 2-9 with a 6.45 ERA in 19 games for the Houston Astros in 2007 while missing a total of about three months with a torn flexor tendon in his right elbow. His best year was with the Colorado Rockies in 2002, when he was 16-8 with a 4.52 ERA and was the 2002 National League Rookie of the Year.
Jennings is a native of Dallas who pitched at Baylor University before being the Rockies' first pick in the 1999 First-Year Player Draft. He currently lives north of Dallas in Frisco and underwent a physical with the Rangers on Monday.
Jennings joins a starting rotation that also includes Kevin Millwood, Vicente Padilla, Brandon McCarthy and Kason Gabbard, filling a spot that was created when the Rangers traded pitcher Edinson Volquez to the Cincinnati Reds for outfielder Josh Hamilton.
"Hopefully we'll have an announcement tomorrow," general manager Jon Daniels said Wednesday.
Botts to play first base: The Rangers are going to take a look at Jason Botts at first base in Spring Training with the possibility of using him in a platoon with Ben Broussard. Manager Ron Washington spoke with Botts about the possibility on Tuesday.
The Rangers are looking for a platoon partner for Broussard after designating Chris Shelton for assignment earlier this week. Botts is a switch-hitter, while Broussard bats left-handed.
"We had a decision to make with Chris, and we elected to designate him," Daniels said. "Jason is our own guy. The biggest advantage Shelton had was he had more experience in at first base. Jason has the ability but in the past we wanted him to focus on one position, and we asked him to work in the outfield because we had Mark Teixeira here. Jason made pretty good strides out there, and if he can make the same strides at first base, he has a chance to help us."
Botts last played first base regularly in 2004, when he played in 127 games there at Double-A Frisco. He has only played in the outfield at the Major League level. He is currently hitting .326 with nine home runs and 54 RBIs in 64 games and 242 at-bats for Yaquis de Obregon in the Mexican Winter League.
Byrd signs: The Rangers have reached an agreement with outfielder Marlon Byrd on a one-year contract worth $1.8 million. The deal avoids a potential arbitration hearing.
Catcher Gerald Laird, who is represented by agent Scott Boras, is the only Rangers player left who is eligible for arbitration. The Rangers haven't had an actual arbitration hearing with a player since 2000.
"We'd like to get something done, but every negotiation has its own pace," Daniels said.
Ian Kinsler is not eligible for arbitration, but the Rangers have discussed a multiyear deal with his representatives this winter. Right now they haven't been able to reach an agreement.
"It's something we may revisit later," Daniels said. "Right now, we have been tied up with some other stuff. Between now and the beginning of the season we may revisit it, but there's nothing going on right now."
Briefly: The Rangers have been talking trade with other teams about Shelton, but Daniels admitted there haven't been any bites. ... Pitchers A.J. Murray, Eric Hurley, Doug Mathis and Luis Mendoza are being invited to an informal pitchers' mini-camp next week in Arlington.
T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Posted 17 January 2008 - 02:51 PM
Posted 18 January 2008 - 02:11 AM
I don't follow.
Posted 26 January 2008 - 07:45 PM
Around the Horn: Outfielders
Byrd, Hamilton and Bradley get the starting nod for Texas
By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com
The following is the fourth in a series of weekly stories on MLB.com examining each Major League club, position by position. Each week until Spring Training camps open, we'll preview a different position. Today: Outfielders.
ARLINGTON -- When Rangers general manager Jon Daniels decided to trade pitcher Edinson Volquez to the Cincinnati Reds for outfielder Josh Hamilton, he was basically conceding what has become increasingly obvious as this decade has passed.
The Rangers outfield, a major strength during the division championship years of the 1990s, has been a major source for concern since the club's last division title in 1999. While the Rangers have had five different infielders appear in an All-Star Game in the past eight years, they have had six different Opening Day left fielders, six different right fielders and seven different center fielders over the same stretch of time.
From 1990-99, Rangers outfielders combined to have a .792 OPS, the fourth highest for a group in the American League. Since the beginning of the 2000 season, though, Rangers outfielders have combined for a .763 OPS, the third lowest in the American League.
In the previous decade, the Rangers had ten 20-home run seasons from an outfielder, seven 100-run seasons and nine 100-RBI seasons. Since then, they have had an outfielder hit over 20 home runs just twice and score 100 runs just once. They have not had an outfielder drive in over 80 runs since 1999.
"Mostly it's been the production of our infielders," Daniels said. "The big offensive clubs of the '90s had production from top to bottom in the lineup. We haven't had that level in some time and the biggest difference is we haven't had the outfield production. We've had some guys have an occasional good year, like Gary Matthews Jr., but we haven't had many and not more than one spot at a time."
So the Rangers get ready to start over again. Marlon Byrd, who played all three outfield spots for the Rangers after being called up on May 26, starts out in left. Hamilton was acquired to play center and Milton Bradley, who is coming off knee surgery, was signed as a free agent to play right. David Murphy could fill the crucial role of fourth outfielder.
"I expect significant improvement over last year," Daniels said. "The thing that I like is we have four guys out there who can all play center field. That bodes well for our defense and could go a long way to supporting our pitching staff. If Milton's knee is good to go -- and we've only had positive reports so far -- then it has a chance to be a pretty solid outfield."
Nelson Cruz and Jason Botts also remain in the picture. Frank Catalanotto can play left, but is more likely to be used at designated hitter.
Hamilton offers the best chance of giving the Rangers close to the offensive production they received in the 1990s from Juan Gonzalez, Rusty Greer and Ruben Sierra.
A former No. 1 overall First-Year Player Draft pick by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Hamilton, 26, had a once-promising career thrown off course by well-documented personal problems with substance abuse. But, after being acquired by the Cincinnati Reds, he was able to overcome his difficult history and hit .292 with 19 home runs and 47 RBIs in 90 games and 298 at-bats as a rookie in 2007.
The numbers could have been better, but he missed time by going on the disabled list in May with gastroenteritis and again in July with a sprained right wrist. He still finished the season with a .922 OPS. The Rangers haven't had an outfielder with an OPS that high since Gonzalez in 1999.
"Josh has the ability, and now he's done it to a degree at the big league level," Daniels said. "One impetus of that deal was getting a talented outfielder who is youthful, productive and can be here for some time. Hopefully Josh can do that for us."
The Rangers have tried hard to fix their outfield problems through the Draft. They have taken an outfielder in the first or second round in four of the last five years: Vince Sinisi (second, 2003), K.C. Herren (second, 2004), John Mayberry Jr. (first, 2005) and Julio Borbon (supplemental first, 2007).
Only Borbon is on the 40-man roster, but that was simply a way to get him signed last summer. He is still at least a few years away.
Mayberry remains a prospect but hasn't progressed as quickly as the Rangers had hoped. While 13 of 30 first-round picks from the 2005 Draft have played in the Majors, Mayberry split time between Class A Bakersfield and Double-A Frisco in 2007, hitting a combined .235 with 30 home runs and 83 RBIs in 489 at-bats with 48 walks and 126 strikeouts.
"When we took John in '05, it was with the knowledge that he would have to make adjustments," Daniels said. "He made some, but he's still working on others. Right-handed power hitters are hard to find. This is a big year for him. He's going to have the opportunity to be challenged and we'll see how he responds."
The Rangers' best outfield prospect may be Chris Davis, who played 36 games out there in 2006 for Class A Spokane after being taken in the fifth round of the Draft. The Rangers moved him to third base last season and he hit a combined .297 with 36 home runs and 118 RBIs between Bakersfield and Frisco. But he has a plus throwing arm and could be moved to right field at some point.
"He has done it before," Daniels said. "I think his arm is a profile-type arm that plays out in right field, but we're not going there yet. If he can continue to hit the way he did all last year, we'll find a way to get that bat in the lineup."
Another guy to watch is center fielder Brandon Boggs, a fourth-round pick in the 2004 Draft who overcame some early injuries and put himself in the picture by hitting .262 with a .380 on-base percentage, 86 runs scored, 30 doubles, 23 home runs, 72 RBIs and 84 walks between Bakersfield and Frisco last season. He is on the 40-man roster and will be in big league camp.
"He's a switch-hitter who can do a lot of little things," Daniels said. "He certainly has a chance. He's a guy we're going to continue to challenge and see how he handles it."
Then there is Engel Beltre, the 18-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder who was acquired from the Boston Red Sox in the Eric Gagne trade on July 31. He has had just one season in professional baseball in the United States and hit .243 with nine home runs and 29 RBIs in 65 games and 247 at-bats last year. But he is already showing up in top prospect lists because of his enormous talent.
It's the kind of talent the Rangers used to produce in the outfield. But it has been a while.
T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Posted 16 February 2008 - 12:32 AM
Posted 21 February 2008 - 03:00 PM
The last 2 years I've ordered MLB.TV so I got to watch all the games on the Computer. The year before those 2 I ordered Extra Innings through the cable company. I'm gonna order the Extra Innings again this year if its available.
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Insights: Sports
- By George Vecsey
- | From Raquel Welch, Jul/Aug 01
I have a dirty little professional secret: in more than a couple of decades of sportswriting, I have habitually performed mental body English against the Yankees and Notre Dame and the old Boston Celtics.
"Please, Lord," I have whispered in press galleries around the world, "anybody else but these guys" -- obviously to little avail, as long as they could play.
However, for some reason surely not to my credit, I seem to have absolutely no problem with the whippy athlete in the cranberry-colored shirt winning golf championship after championship.
I accept Tiger Woods as unparalleled sporting greatness, and feel comfortable living in his world.
And it's not just me. Among the general populace, there seems to be hardly a smidgen of resentment for the way Tiger racked up the Masters in April, thereby holding all four major championships at the same time.
Fans even seem willing to ignore the tradition of golf, and grant him the Grand Slam.
That's a bit much for me. One of these years Tiger may even win the real Grand Slam -- four in one calendar year, accomplished only once -- and more power to him when he does.
Vox populi wants to give it all to Tiger, right here, right now. As the disc jockey said, "Don't they know? You can't stop rock 'n roll."
I do not need to tell you it is not always that way. More often than not, athletes trying to break records run into a retro brand of sentimentality.
Old crocks grumble that the old players were better, and besides, times were harder, and equipment was shoddier, and the money today corrupts everything, so bah-humbug on Iverson (Jeter, Manning, Hingis, Jagr, Zidane, etc., etc.).
You don't even have to follow golf to marvel at Woods. I acknowledge golf as a sport demanding skill and stamina, but I don't have the time or money to commit to what could obviously become an obsession. And I say Tiger Woods is a tremendous athlete.
People were not that kind to Henry Aaron, an absolutely superb ballplayer who approached Babe Ruth's record for home runs only to discover sacks of hate mail piling up in his locker. Aaron's big sin, back in 1974, was being African-American, but he was also guilty of challenging the great Bambino. To this day, I bet more baseball fans could recite Ruth's career total (714) than Aaron's (755). That's just the way it is.
Aaron is not alone. Pete Sampras felt a huge segment of tennis fans tugging on his backswing when he broke Roy Emerson's record of 12 Grand Slam titles last year at Wimbledon.
Maybe it was the way Pete trudged around with his shoulders hunched and his eyes averted and his mouth hanging open, almost sheepish in appearance, but the general public harbored enough ambiguity about him to set up a support group for Good Old Emmo, who was not even in the top three Aussies of his era.
Somehow, Woods is different. He's not even that warm or accessible, but rather a motivated and remote one-man multinational corporation. He has done nothing major to tick off the public, which has the good sense to appreciate his domination.
I have to admit it wasn't that way for me back in 1998, when I had absolutely no problem rooting for Roger Maris and Babe Ruth to hang in there.
It was nothing personal. Mark McGwire is a trifle testy, but he carried himself well under intense pressure. I was essentially numb to the fact that McGwire was bulked up with androstenedione, a chemical deemed illegal by most sports except Major League Baseball. If he grows two heads by the time he is 50, that is his business. Sammy Sosa was a prince, but it would not have bothered me in the slightest if he and McGwire had gone 0-for-September.
The reason was that, as a young reporter, I had covered Roger Maris during the 1961 season. Maris was a really good player -- an instinctive athlete with a great arm, deceptive speed on the bases, and the perfect stroke for Yankee Stadium, and for most of that season he showed a twitchy gallows humor about most baseball fans rooting for Mickey Mantle as well as the Babe.
Knowing all that, Maris went out on the last Sunday of the
season and stroked one more home run, his 61st. He beat the mob. Thirty-seven years later, I had no problem rooting for him as McGwire swatted 70 homers and Sosa hit 66. And good for them.
Race was not an issue between McGwire, who is white, and Sosa, a Dominican of color, and race is virtually a nonissue for Woods, who has a Thai mother and an African-American father.
Michael Jordan was responsible for transcending race. He got to endorse major brands, won six championships, talked trash, swaggered, and backed it up. In a team sport, Jordan was blessed with worthy opponents, who beat him sometimes, but it is hardly Tiger Woods's fault that he has no Bird, no Magic.
Tiger's only opponent is the course. He is in a world of his own even though the Masters was merely his sixth major, compared with
the 18 won by Jack Nicklaus. One-third there, people said.
With his four straight majors in a demanding age, Tiger seems at the pinnacle with Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting steak, Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game and 50 points-per-game average for an entire season, Byron Nelson's victories in 11 straight golf tournaments, Edwin Moses's 122 consecutive victories in the 400-meter hurdles and Johnny Unitas's 47-game touchdown passing streak.
Tiger is already up there with Mark Spitz's seven swimming gold medals and seven Olympic records at the 1972 Summer Games, Eric Heiden's five Olympic speedskating gold medals in 1980, Bob Beamon's long jump of 29 feet 2 1/2 inches in Mexico City, in 1968, which lasted 23 years but seems permanent, eternal, because it was accomplished in the rarefied air of the Olympics.
Fans are generally classicists about records. Martina Navratilova won six straight Grand Slam championships in a string that straddled 1983 and '84, but never captured all four titles in one calendar year. Her tennis federation handed over the $1 million bonus it had put aside for a true Grand Slam, but very quickly the public said, "No way, gotta do it in one calendar year."
Maybe Martina was a bit too smart and outspoken for everybody at the time. Four years later, in 1988, Steffi Graf won all four major championships in one year plus the Olympic gold medal in Seoul -- a Golden Grand Slam, it was dubbed -- yet the chorus grumbled, "She is no Martina." That's the way it works.
Contemporary athletes usually are held in suspicion because of modern luxuries. The baseball is juiced and so are the players. (McGwire has chemists while Babe Ruth trained on vats of beer.) Tennis players use graphite racquets that are Uzis next to Rod Laver's wooden pea-shooter.
Tiger's clubs and golf balls are the equivalent of a spaceship compared with the Lindbergh-age equipment that Bobby Jones used back in his true Grand Slam back in 1930, but nobody seems to hold that against Tiger.
There is some other factor going. The crowd likes pizzazz. It loves a certain invincibility. But very few athletes go beyond numbers into the realm of supernatural heat or cool. Jim Brown. Sandy Koufax. Muhammad Ali.
Ultimately, there are two athletes with whom I can compare Tiger Woods.
One is Wayne Gretzky, who holds 61 separate hockey records, not one of which I could specify.
What endures is the image of this willowy artiste flitting through the scrum, flicking the puck between the stolid legs of defenders, tossing a pass to himself off the cushy strings of the net, snaking his way around to the other side, and poking a goal so subversive that the goal judge had to blink three times before pushing the button for the red light.
A few people grumped that Gretzky was not an all-purpose grappler and defender as well as scorer -- like Gordie Howe, specifically. Gretzky just smiled and paid homage to the heroes of the past, the way Tiger Woods does.
Then there is the four-legged athlete named Secretariat. In 1973, the big red brute won the Kentucky Derby and then the Preakness, and in the Belmont, the third leg of the Triple Crown, he thundered around the mile and a half like a god alone in his own universe.
Thirty-one lengths. As long as thoroughbred racing exists, that number will blow the mind.
Tiger Woods combines the best of Gretzky and Secretariat. There is a serenity to him, a blend of willpower and technique.
He has broken the chain of loyalties. When Ben Hogan came along, he was challenging Bobby Jones. When Arnold Palmer came along, he was challenging Hogan. When Nicklaus came along, he was seen as some hulking golden whippersnapper challenging the avuncular Palmer.
Now along comes Eldrick Woods. Since he was a little boy, we have been hearing about him. This is one of those extremely rare times when all the hype comes true.
He exists in his own vacuum. There is no point dusting off any nostalgia. Tug on Tiger's backswing? Don't bother.
George Vecsey is a sports columnist for The New York Times.


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How nuclear physics supports the Bible's timeframes
Is radiometric dating really proof that the earth is billions of years old as evolutionists claim? What about the evidence from radioactive decay that the earth is actually only about 6,000 years old—just as the chronologies in the Bible indicate?
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LETTER: Speak out against hydrofracking
To The Editor:
The Department of Environmental Conservation issued proposed regulations for fracking in New York prior to finishing its analysis of the health and environmental impacts of fracking. Therefore, these draft regulations have glaring mistakes and oversights. For instance, there is no ban on dangerous chemicals and their identity can be kept secret from the public (Section 560.3.) and drinking water is not protected (Section 560.4): Primary aquifers, which provide drinking water to major municipalities, have a drilling setback of 500 feet.
There is still time to tell the DEC to ban fracking. An easy way to comment, go to:
Or you can mail your comments to: Attn: Draft HVHF Regulations Comments, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 625 Broadway, Albany, N.Y. 12233-6510.
We must protect what matters: drinking water, air and most importantly, our children's health from this extreme energy extraction method. Common sense alone would say -- inject chemicals into the ground water -- you end up drinking chemicals.
Google the "List of the Harmed" if you have any doubt on the dangers. Please ask the DEC to ban hydrofracking.
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