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Saturday, September 06, 2014
Saturday, August 23, 2014
This House is Falling Apart
On May 4, Ohio State was suffering its worst ever loss in the eighteen-year history of Bill Davis Stadium, trailing Iowa 17-2. Only once had OSU lost a home game by a larger margin than the fifteen that they would wind up losing the game by--and that was in 1899. On two other occasions OSU had lost a home game by fifteen runs (to add insult to injury, both were against Michigan, in 1934 and 1989).
The music choice on the PA was unintentionally appropriate. Although ostensibly an upbeat song by an Ohio band, Walk the Moon's "Anna Sun" features the infectious chorus:
What do you know? This house is falling apart
What can I say? This house is falling apart
We got no money, but we got heart
We're gonna rattle this ghost town
This house is falling apart
I found it quite apropos for the moment, because the house that is the OSU baseball program is falling apart under the direction of Coach Greg Beals, and the historic home beatdown was the nadir of the season.
Or was it? Beals' tactics present any number of other crazy stupid baserunning events that encapsulate a program being run by a coach with the mind of a junior high coach more concerned with winning games than teaching kids how to actually play baseball. At least in that case, outlandish baserunning can produce victories, whereas at the collegiate level it simply produces embarrassment. (Search hashtag #BealsBall if you are interested in an account of these--the 2014 highlight was a batter who hit a home run being called out for passing the runner at first.)
I usually am not this cynical about OSU sports; I am a true believer, a fan who tends towards homerism. Baseball is a little tougher on this front for me, though, since I can't just turn off my analytical approach to the game just because the uniforms are scarlet and gray. But my sarcasm is aimed at squarely at the professional coaches, not at the student-athletes on partial scholarships who bust their tail for the greater glory of The Ohio State University.
The Buckeyes got off to a pretty solid start to the season, going 8-6 before playing their first home game; while that record does not sound particularly impressive, it included wins over Auburn, Oklahoma, and Oregon, with three of the losses coming in the final stretch of four games in Oregon (three against the Ducks and one against the Beavers). OSU then won its first five home games to fatten the record for 13-6 before Big Ten play opened.
OSU's first Big Ten series was scheduled to be played at East Lansing, but it was moved to Columbus on account of weather and the Bucks took two of three from the Spartans. Defending champs Indiana came in the next weekend and unceremoniously swept the series, and a trip to Lincoln the following weekend resulted in a Cornhusker sweep on three one-run wins, the latter two walkoffs including a three-run ninth inning implosion in the middle game. When Ohio lost the first game of its next home series against Penn State, the seven-game conference losing streak was the first for the program since 1987.
1987 was a year that came up repeatedly in 2014. While the Bucks won the final two games from PSU and two of three at Purdue and hosting Iowa (the debacle described to open this post notwithstanding), they closed the conference campaign by losing two of three at Ann Arbor and hosting Northwestern. The end result was a 10-14 Big Ten record, OSU's worst since 1987. And while all this was going on in Big Ten play, OSU was not exactly tearing it up in mid-week games, going 7-6 in such games (including taking two of three in a weekend series from Murray State). OSU was just 5-12 on the road (.294), the program's worst showing since 1972 (3-14).
In my season preview post, I made a grievous error, stating that the top six finishers in the conference qualified for the Big Ten tournament. I was mistaken--the field was expanded to eight this year in preparation for the thirteen-team Big Ten of 2015. It was a fortuitous change, since otherwise the seventh-seeded Bucks would have been on the outside looking in. It was little matter, though, as one-run losses to Nebraska and Illinois ended OSU's season.
The final tally was a 30-28 (.517) record, seventh among Big Ten teams. OSU was also seventh in the conference in EW% (.545) and PW% (.523); Indiana led in all three with figures of .746, .803, .733. OSU averaged 4.79 runs to a conference average of 4.87, while the Buckeyes allowed just 4.36 runs per game versus an average of 4.66 (although in comparing these figures it's worth considering that Bill Davis Stadium is a fairly strong pitcher's park). OSU's offense was pretty much in line with the Big Ten average not only in terms of output but shape as well, with a .267 batting average, .103 walk/AB ratio, and .096 isolated power compared to averages of .271, .101, and .089. It seems difficult to believe that OSU actually had a greater than average power output, but power is significantly down in college baseball, and the Big Ten, never a strong power league (talent and weather likely being contributing factors), is no exception.
Offensively, OSU had a couple bright spots, but they were outweighed by disappointments or puzzling coaching decisions. At catcher, Aaron Gretz was one of the team's more productive hitters, creating 6.3 runs per game on the strength of a team-high .156 W/AB ratio, but got only 129 PA to 102 to his backup Conor Sabanosh. To be fair, Sabanosh created 5.7 RG himself and also had a good walk rate, but hit for less power than Gretz. Beals has never been willing to let Gretz run with the catching duties despite him appearing to be an adequate defender and consistently outperforming the other catcher with whom he competes for playing time.
First baseman Zach Ratcliff was a disappointment in his sophomore season, failing to show the power he had as a freshman by hitting just 2 longballs in 99 AB and turning in the least effective overall performance of any OSU hitter (.232/.262/.313). 1B/DH Josh Dezse enjoyed a bounceback season, although his injuries prevented him from returning to the Buckeye bullpen as expected. Still, his 5.5 RG and 5 homers were an offensive bright spot and he improved as the season went on.
OSU's other infield positions were subject to some interesting coaching decisions. Sophomore Troy Kuhn started the year at second base and led the team with 6 home runs and was second with 6.3 RG and +9 RAA. Third base was manned in the early part of the season by sophomore Jacob Bosiokovic, who was expected to be a key offensive contributor and power source, but hit just one homer and turned in a perfectly average 5.0 RG. Shortstop was supposed to be the province of sophomore Craig Nennig, but an early season injury left him sideline and opened the door for sophomore Nick Sergakis, who provided a needed jolt to the offense and became the leadoff hitter despite a team-low .053 W/AB. His overall line of 5.4 RG was a definite upgrade for the middle infield. But when Nennig returned from injury, Beals shuffled the infield to get Nennig back on the field. While Nennig is a superior fielder, he has yet to show any indication of being a productive hitter (.231/.331/.256 in 146 PA was a steup up from his debut campaign). This shifted Sergakis to second and Kuhn to third, leaving Bosiokovic to come off the bench and eventually get a look in left field.
Bosiokovic's chance in left field came because senior Tim Wetzel failed to reverse his junior year offensive collapse, struggling to a .223/.284/.285 line in 185 PA. Also getting significant playing time in both left and center were a pair of freshman, Ronnie Dawson and Troy Montgomery. Dawson emerged as OSU's offensive star, a .337/.385/.454 (7.0 RG, +12 RAA) hitter with flair and a certain fan favorite. Montgomery's debut was less captivating (.235/.297/.353). And in right field, junior Pat Porter caught the Wetzel junior curse, tumbling to a .229/.311/.329 line after being penciled in as a reliable #3 hitter. The only other Buck to get significant plate appearances was sophomore Ryan Leffer, who had a solid offensive line (.303/.355/.343) while earning time at third base and DH.
OSU's pitching staff wound up with a surprising ace, as freshman Tanner Tully was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year with a team-high 93 innings with +14 RAA and team-low 2.22 ERA and .7 W/9. While Tully's 3.20 eRA and 5.1 KG suggest that he is a strong regression candidate, performance-wise he was the clear leader of the OSU staff. Junior Ryan Riga started the year as #1, but struggled through injuries and was not particularly effective (4.85 RA and 6.01 eRA over 68 innings and 11 starts). Senior Greg Greve turned in the best season of his career, winning a team-high seven games and contributing 12 RAA over 85 innings. The two most common mid-week starters were sophomore Jake Post and freshman Zach Farmer. Post was inconsistent but showed flashes of being an effective starter when filling in for Riga in the weekend rotation (+1 RAA but a 5.17 eRA). Farmer pitched solidly (4.01 RA over 49 innings) but was diagnosed with leukemia and will miss the 2015 campaign, although all indications are that his prognosis is good which of course is paramount.
OSU's bullpen took a big step back from 2013, largely due to Trace Dempsey's regression from stud closer to wild and ineffective (-7 RAA and 4.9 W/9). Freshman Travis Lakins was the bright spot of OSU's pen, pitching himself into a starting job for 2015 with +12 RAA (second only to Tully) and a team-leading 9.0 K/9. Senior Tyler Giannonatti moved into higher leverage innings and responded well with +3 RAA over 33 innings.
The rest of OSU's reserve pitchers were hit hard by injuries (particularly to promising freshman reliever Adam Niemeyer) and none logged enough innings to really evaluate their potential to help the team in 2015. As the season wore on, freshman Curtiss Irving got more work, but a 6.66 eRA with 5.7 W and 5.2 K per nine over nineteen frames means the jury is still out. Of the others, it's worth noting that freshman Shea Murray had the lowest RAA on the team (-8), on the basis of getting lit up for six walks and nine runs in just 2 1/3 innings.
2014 was not an encouraging year for the program. While Beals recruiting efforts continue to draw praise, after four seasons there has yet to be any tangible on-field results. Beals four-year record is 124-105 (.541), the worst four-year stretch for the program since 1987-1990 (117-111, .513), and that period featured an upward trajectory as Beals' predecessor Bob Todd took command of the program (you will note that 1987 came up multiple times as a low point for the program). In 1991, the Buckeyes exploded onto the national scene by going 52-13, coming within a game of reaching the College World Series and finishing as high as #13 in the national polls. Beals' four-year Big Ten record of 49-47 (.510) is the worst since 1986-89 (40-48, .455).
At some point, Beals' recruits need to start producing on the field, and the direction they are given needs to improve. OSU's baserunning is an atrocity. It is impossible for me to convey just how embarrassing the team-wide effort to give away outs is, and it has only gotten worse as #BealsBall has become the culture of the program. As a proud alumnus, it is infuriating that the university has discarded great men like Jim Tressel, Jon Waters, and Gordon Gee, as well as a promising coach in Mark Osiecki while athletic director Gene Smith is allowed to retain his job and retains the services of Beals. OSU baseball is a program that has demonstrated the ability to dominate the Big Ten, exhibit national relevance, draw fans to the park, and even occasionally turn a profit for the athletic department, a rarity in northern baseball. The powers that be would be wise to keep that in mind before allowing Beals to make all that a distant memory.
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Drew Rucinski, #53
On Thursday, twenty-five year old right-handed pitcher Drew Rucinski made his major debut in relief for the Angels against the Rangers. His performance was not memorable, as he came on in the ninth inning with a 15-4 lead, and allowed 4 hits and 2 runs while recording a strikeout. It was also a short stay in the majors for Rucinski, who was optioned back to AA two days later. My interest in Rucinski stems from the fact that he pitched at Ohio State, and is at least the 53rd former Buckeye to play in the majors as well as the fourth this season (Nick Swisher, Eric Fryer, and fellow Angel farmhand JB Shuck).
Rucinski's road to the majors has been interesting, both as an amateur and a professional. He came to OSU from Oklahoma, an oddity for a program that generally draws on Ohio and adjacent states for all its talent. He spent his first two seasons in the bullpen, including a 2009 sophomore campaign in which he did yeoman work in middle relief for a staff that really only had three reliable pitchers: ace Alex Wimmers, closer Jake Hale, and Rucinski. That team won OSU's first regular season Big Ten title in eight years and finished second at the Tallahassee regional.
Wimmers was a dominant pitcher at OSU, arguably the best in program history, and a first round pick of Minnesota, but has seen his career bog down first with control issues and then with injuries; he's still in high-A in his age 25 season. Hale was a 27th round pick from Arizona, stuck in the minors for two seasons, and currently is pitching in the Atlantic League. Had you told me that the first (and quite possibly only) of OSU's big three who would reach the majors would be Rucinski, I would have been surprised.
It wouldn't have been the first time I underestimated Rucinski. He moved into OSU's rotation for his junior season, a move I was all for, but when he was slated to be the ace in his senior season I expressed skepticism that he was up the typical standards of an OSU #1 pitcher. Rucinski pitched very well, though, leading to someone calling me out in the comments for having been wrong (I was thrilled to have been wrong!)
Rucinski was not drafted, but did sign with Cleveland as a free agent and spent 2011 in their system. He was subsequently released and pitching in the Frontier League before being signed by the Angels mid-season 2013. Last year he pitched well in five starts at high-A Inland Empire, and this year had a 2.35 ERA and 85 K/28 W in 95 innings at AA Arkansas. At the risk of underestimating him again, his prospect status is marginal, but it's great to see that his perseverance paid off with a cup of coffee, and hopefully much more.
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
The American Association was the first association of clubs to seriously challenge the National League as another major league. Previous organizations, like the International Association, were based on a fundamentally different notion of how to organize professional baseball teams. While everyone who is reading this knows that the NL survives today and the AA does not (unless you give much weight to its eventual shotgun merger with the NL), the AA certainly made its mark on the game. It lives on most obviously through the Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and St. Louis Cardinals.
As the AA was organized in 1881, the National League fielded eight teams in Buffalo, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Providence, Troy, and Worcester. That left major cities like Cincinnati, New York, Philadelphia, and St. Louis out of luck. While independent clubs were still in existence and of high quality (although not in the numbers they once had been, particularly in the east), there was an opening available for a rival league to enter the fray.
William Hulbert's decision to start the NL was a consequence of his attempt to wrest the power in baseball from the eastern clubs to his own Chicago team, and the NL generally took on a midwestern feel. When the New York and Philadelphia clubs refused to make their final road trip of the 1876 campaign, they were expelled from the league. Neither city would get another NL team for some time; although some sources claim that this is because Hulbert held a grudge, others dismiss this theory and point out that neither city had a strong independent club worthy of admission to the NL. Regardless, two major eastern cities were without NL teams.
Cincinnati was dropped after 1880 because they allowed alcohol to be sold in their park. The NL also generally insisted on a fifty cent admission fee. The combination of high ticket price and no booze encouraged a more cosmopolitan atmosphere, but it also forsook a great number of potential customers.
In October of 1881 backers of the newly formed independent Cincinnati team (sportswriter O.P. Caylor and Justus Thorner) met in Pittsburgh with Denny McKnight, an area businessman who had managed (in the financial sense) the Allegheny club a few years earlier.
The group decided to sent telegrams to other team, inviting them to a second meeting. This meeting, held on November 2 in Cincinnati was a success and brought together six clubs (Again, I am using the modern [City Name] [Nickname] format even if it is not exactly applicable. In the case of "Pittsburgh" and "Philadelphia", it is closer to flat-out balderdash): the Brooklyn Atlantics, the Cincinnati Reds, the Louisville Eclipse, the Philadelphia Athletics, the Pittsburgh Alleghenys, and the St. Louis Browns. McKnight was named president.
The AA allowed twenty five cent admission, Sunday baseball, and alcohol sales. Critics of the league and NL snobs derided it as the "beer and whiskey league", because in addition to allowing sales, most of the teams were in some way backed by beer money. Before the season could start, the AA had to adjust on the fly as the Atlantics withdrew in March due to financial problems. The AA had also attempted to attract the New York Metropolitans, a strong independent club, but they were courted by the NL as well and decided to wait the situation out.
Raiding National League rosters was not a priority for AA clubs, and the NL did not initially react to the new circuit with hostility, just indifference. Some NL and AA teams even met in pre-season exhibitions. NL players were not a necessity for AA teams; several of them had been independent teams and already had a base of talent. However, two backup, unreserved infielders from Detroit became the center of controversy. Dasher Troy signed with Philadelphia and Sam Wise signed with Cincinnati. Troy backed out, claiming that he was not aware of the AA's intentions to play on Sunday when he signed, and went back to the Wolverines. Wise wound up signing with Boston, which infuriated the AA, and the association decided to drop its policy of honoring the NL blacklist.
The playing rules of the AA were largely similar to those of the NL. The AA did not fine pitchers for hitting batters, used the Mahn ball, and continued the use of courtesy runners. The association decided to determine its standings by winning percentage rather than total wins. Beginning in July, the association itself employed the umpires rather than the teams, a move that seemed downright prescient in light of the NL's Higham scandal.
The first AA game was played in Cincinnati on May 2; Allegheny defeated the Reds 10-9. Louisville pitcher Tony Mullane worked ambidextrously in a July 18 game against Baltimore, the first to do so in a major league game (while doubtful, Mullane's handsomeness is credited with starting the custom of Lady's Day at the ballpark). Mullane added the AA's first no-hitter to his accomplishments on September 11, winning 2-0 at Cincinnati. His teammate Guy Hecker tossed his own no-no eight days later, 3-1 at Allegheny.
The Athletics got to the early lead, but Cincinnati was 20-10 at the end of June and rolled home from there, going 35-15 the rest of the way. Their final margin over the Athletics was 11.5 games. After the season, they met the NL pennant winners from Chicago in a two game engagement. The homestanding Reds took the first game 4-0 on October 6, but they were defeated 2-0 in Chicago the next day. Some histories claim that the series was stopped when Denny McKnight threatened to expel Cincinnati, but the more credible explanation is that both teams had other engagements to attend to (in the White Stockings' case, their series with Providence) and that it was never intended as a championship series.
Even though the pennant race was anti-climactic, Sunday ball, alcohol, and quarter admission proved a winning combination for the AA. The Association, which boasted a combined population in its markets around half a million greater than the NL, outdrew the league despite having two less teams (with obvious caveats regarding attendance figures). All six AA teams claimed to be in the black.
Relatively flush with success, the AA teams made runs at NL talent. Detroit's star catcher Charlie Bennett accepted a $100 advance from the Alleghenys in August, but then refused to sign in October as expected. Pud Galvin and Ed Williamson also were said to have backed out of AA deals. The club sued Bennett, but the court ruled that there was no valid contract. Regardless of the outcome of any particular skirmish, it was now clear that there were two major leagues.
Cincinnati was clearly the class of the league, leading in both runs scored and allowed with an impressive EW%. Louisville looked like a contender on paper but not on the field, and Philadelphia was the opposite. The league was pretty well-balanced except for Cincinnati on top and, unsurprisingly, the last-minute replacement team in Baltimore on the other end of the spectrum.
In 1882, the AA hit .244/.271/.312 for a .105 SEC, 5.21 runs and 23.66 outs per game. The AA scored .2 runs less per game, with a batting average seven points lower, the same OBA, and a thirty point deficiency in SLG. As you can see, the major difference in offense between the two circuits was power, with more of it in the NL.
This incarnation of the Reds was founded in 1881 by Caylor to play a weekend series in St. Louis against the Browns. Apparently, it was a successful gate attraction and illustrated the desire for high-quality baseball in non-League cities. While this is the franchise that carries on today, it is not the same club as the original Red Stockings or the two or three different incarnations of Cincinnati NL teams between 1876-1880. In my experience, many fans of the modern day Reds think that their team is a direct descendant of the 1869 juggernaut--they are wrong, and they don't like to be told that they are wrong.
Every regular player on the team had previous major league experience with the exception of Bid McPhee; Joe Sommer is considered a rookie for my purposes as well, but he had 88 PA for the 1880 Reds. Snyder (BSN), Stearns (DET), Carpenter (WOR), White (DET), and McCormick (WOR) had all played in the NL in 1881. Fulmer had not played in the league since 1880 (BUF), Macullar since 1879 (SYR), and Wheeler was another 1880 Red. None of the other five clubs had such a wealth of established talent, so it can't be considered much of a surprise that Cincinnati won the pennant.
Prior to playing the two games with Chicago, the Reds had played their in-state NL counterpart from Cleveland at home, but had won just one out of three, and the win came when Dave Rowe, an outfielder by trade, pitched for Cleveland.
Reserve first baseman Henry Luff was apparently fined $5 for making a catch one-handed, and quit the team in response.
The Athletics had played in the Eastern Championship Association in 1881, and were picked to join the AA over another Philadelphia club, a new outfit being organized by sporting goods magnate Al Reach and Horace Phillips. The AA went with the more established club, backed by Bill Sharsig, a theatre producer (thanks to Richard Hershberger for sharing his research on the potential membership of the Philadelphias).
Athletics regulars with NL experience (last team and year) were: Dorgan (WOR, 1880), Latham (LOU, 1877), Lou Say (CIN, 1880), and Sam Weaver (MIL, 1878). All others plus Dorgan were rookies. Say's younger brother Jimmy was a reserve shortstop.
The Eclipse was made up of players who had already been together over the preceding seasons. Only two of the regulars had any NL experience: Denny Mack (BUF, 1880) and Tony Mullane (DET, 1881). Only Mack is not considered a rookie by my standard. It is noteworthy then that he was the team's least valuable regular in terms of WAR.
Louisville may have had the most balanced combination of good-hitting pitchers yet seen. Mullane and 1B/P Guy Hecker each hit at 110 ARG or better. Among teams using two pitchers, there are none from 1876 until this point that had two pitchers each hit at such a high level. I'm not saying that they are the best hitting combination (as, say, Jim Whitney plus a marginal hitter would still create more runs than Mullane/Hecker), just that they both were solid contributors at the plate.
This is one of the more blatant contemporary recastings of a team name as this team was the "Allegheny" club and a lot of people still spelled the name of the city in which they played "Pittsburg". Just so you know.
Regulars with NL experience: Taylor (CLE, 1881), Strief (CLE, 1879), Leary (DET, 1881 but still a rookie), Mansell (CIN, 1880), Swartwood (BUF, 1881 but still a rookie), and Salisbury (TRO, 1879).
John Peters may have been the biggest "name" player in the association, at least based on previous NL exploits. I suppose that one could make an argument for Will White, but Peters was one of the better players in the first few seasons of the senior circuit.
After St. Louis dropped out of the NL during the 1877-78 offseason, independent teams billing themselves as the Browns continued to play in the city. This particular incarnation was backed by Chris Von der Ahe, a German immigrant who had succeeded in the beer business. He is one of the most interesting characters in nineteenth century baseball, and I will not be able to do him justice. He was prone to saying silly-sounding things, but what would you expect from someone speaking his non-native tongue? He was also criticized as lacking baseball knowledge (he supposedly boasted that his club's infield was the largest in the country). Whether that particular one is true or not, one needn't understand the nuances of the game on the field to succeed as a team owner. My point is that he gets a bad rap from some circles--he was a self-made man who was heavily involved in the operation of a successful major league and within a few years his team would be the AA's greatest dynasty.
In The Ball Clubs, Dewey and Accoella described him as "A German immigrant with a comic strip accent, a comic book physiognomy, and comic wardrobe of diamond stickpins, checkered pants, and spats." That gives you a decent summary of the common view of the man. For more balanced accounts, read some of the entries on him at This Game of Games, and go there if you want to know anything else about the 19th century game in St. Louis.
Browns regulars with NL experience were: Sullivan (BUF, 1881), Bill Gleason (STL, 1877 but still a rookie), Ned Cuthbert (CIN, 1877 and the manager), and Seward (NYN, 1876). According to Cliff Blau's article on this team, regulars Schappert and Walkera nd reserves Smiley and Fusselback were signed away from the Athletics and Atlantics, while Charlie Comiskey was signed from a Dubuque club, and Harry McCaffery was signed away from an area independent club in June. Jack Gleason missed April with injuries sustained during his off-season job as a fireman.
The Orioles, a late replacement for Brooklyn, were easily the least seasoned team in the AA, at least in terms of NL experience. Just three regulars had played in the NL: Henry Myers (PRO, 1881 and the manager of the Baltimores), Waitt (CHN, 1877), and Nichols (WOR, 1880). Only Nichols fails to qualify under my standard as a rookie, and one source claimed that Myers was the only player with NL experience on the opening day roster. Not surprisingly, the team was overmatched finishing in the cellar by 14.5 games. The pitching duo of Landis and Nichols was particularly bad, coming up 1-2 in the cellar in WAA (although this may also reflect heavily on the fielding in this day and age). Landis had been released by the Athletics after losing to Baltimore on May 4.
Twice (against Cincinnati in June and St. Louis in July) opposing catchers purposefully dropped Oriole third strikes with the bases loaded to turn triple plays. A June 28 game against the Reds set a still-standing record for the most runs scored in extra innings, as each club scored four in the tenth before Cincinnati won it with seven in the eleventh.
Most secondary sources claim that the Von der Horst family owned the team. Apparently they used baseball as the drawing card for their other interests--surrounding real estate that included an entertainment complex complete with restaurant, concert grounds, and dance hall.
However, Cliff Blau's research indicates that the Von der Horsts did not come to own the team until 1883 or 1884. There were rumors that this team would be replaced in the AA by a new AA club representing Baltimore and Washington, but in the end, this team withdrew from the circuit and was replaced by a new Baltimore entry. Blau's article was a source for some of the other information in this post.
Leaders and trailers:
1. Pete Browning, LOU (.378)
2. Hick Carpenter, CIN (.342)
3. Ed Swartwood, PIT (.329)
Trailer: Charlie Waitt, BAL (.156)
1. Pete Browning, LOU (.430)
2. Ed Swartwood, PIT (.370)
3. Hick Carpenter, CIN (.360)
Trailer: Chappy Lane, PIT (.196)
1. Pete Browning, LOU (.510)
2. Ed Swartwood, PIT (.489)
3. Billy Taylor, PIT (.452)
Trailer: Charlie Waitt, BAL (.172)
1. Ed Swartwood, PIT (.225)
2. Pete Browning, LOU (.222)
3. Billy Taylor, PIT (.194)
Trailer: Will White, CIN (.043)
Trailing non-pitcher: Bill Smiley, STL (.047)
1. Pete Browning, LOU (78)
2. Ed Swartwood, PIT (77)
3. Hick Carpenter, CIN (72)
4. Joe Sommer, CIN (66)
5. Mike Mansell, PIT (64)
1. Pete Browning, LOU (238)
2. Hick Carpenter, CIN (180)
3. Ed Swartwood, PIT (179)
4. Joe Sommer, CIN (152)
5. Jack O'Brien, PHA (149)
Trailer: Charlie Waitt, BAL (48)
1. Pete Browning, LOU (+4.5)
2. Hick Carpenter, CIN (+3.4)
3. Ed Swartwood, PIT (+3.2)
4. Joe Sommer, CIN (+2.4)
5. Chicken Wolf, LOU (+1.7)
Trailer: Charlie Waitt, BAL (-2.0)
1. Pete Browning, LOU (+5.8)
2. Hick Carpenter, CIN (+4.9)
3. Ed Swartwood, PIT (+4.4)
4. Joe Sommer, CIN (+3.8)
5. Pop Snyder, CIN (+3.1)
Trailer: Charlie Waitt, BAL (-.8)
1. Denny Driscoll, PIT (61)
2. Will White, CIN (65)
3. Harry McCormick, CIN (76)
4. Sam Weaver, PHA (83)
5. Tony Mullane, LOU (83)
Trailer: Tricky Nichols, BAL (162)
1. Will White, CIN (+4.7)
2. Denny Driscoll, PIT (+2.2)
3. Tony Mullane, LOU (+2.1)
4. Sam Weaver, PHA (+1.7)
5. Harry McCormick, CIN (+1.5)
Trailer: Doc Landis, BAL (-2.5)
1. Will White, CIN (+6.3)
2. Tony Mullane, LOU (+4.7)
3. Sam Weaver, PHA (+2.7)
4. Guy Hecker, LOU (+2.4)
5. Denny Driscoll, PIT (+2.1)
Trailer: Doc Landis, BAL (-2.7)
My all-star team:
C: Pop Snyder, CIN
1B: Guy Hecker, LOU
2B: Pete Browning, LOU
3B: Hick Carpenter, CIN
SS: Chick Fulmer, CIN
LF: Joe Sommer, CIN
CF: Oscar Walker, STL
RF: Ed Swartwood, PIT
P: Will White, CIN
P: Tony Mullane, LOU
MVP: 2B Pete Browning, LOU
Rookie Hitter: 2B Pete Browning, LOU
Rookie Pitcher: Tony Mullane, LOU
These choices were all pretty straightforward. The only position where I did not end up going with the highest WAR was center, where Walker was +1.6 with 6 FR and John Reccius was +1.8 with -3 FR.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Monday, June 09, 2014
Great Moments in Yahoo! Standings
As of midnight on June 9, this is how Yahoo! renders the NL wildcard standings:
WAS and ATL at 32-29 are somehow half a game ahead of 33-30 MIA, although if you were to look at the NL East standings on Yahoo!, they are all listed as tied (yes, I realize that W% is what really defines standings, not GB, but there is no dispute that by the rules of GB, those teams are tied).
It gets even more ridiculous, though, when you see that 33-31 LA and STL are tied with MIA. Obviously, they are .5 game behind MIA.
Sunday, May 25, 2014
OPS at the Park
Saturday night I was at the Reds game against the Cardinals. On the big scoreboard they displayed BA/OPS/HR/RBI and on the ribbon boards they displayed BA/HR/RBI/OBA/SLG/R (I didn't write this down, so I might be off a little on the categories, but I think the preceding is a pretty fair representation). In any event, there was a group of four people sitting in the row in front of me. It appeared to be a father, two adult daughters, and one of the daughter's boyfriend/husband.
Late in the game, the gentleman asked the group what "OPS" was. The boyfriend said something to the effect of "It's a stat that's supposed to tell you how good of a hitter a player is", but didn't seem to know any details. This being 2014, he got out his phone and looked it up. It appeared that this took him to the Wikipedia page, which after explaining that OPS is the sum of OBA and SLG , says it can also be computed in one equation as follows:
He proceeded to show this to the rest of the group, and the reaction appeared to be "wow, that's really complicated". It wasn't "that stat must be bunk because it's complicated", but seemed to be more of a "I'm not interested in learning more about this because it's too complicated".
In observing this I started thinking about what I might have said was I somehow involved in this conversation. Would I have thrown OPS (a metric about which I have written negative things about more times than I can count) under the bus by agreeing that it was too complicated, all the while concealing the fact that my preferred metrics might appear to be even more complicated to a layperson? Would I have said that the equation above was more complex than it needed to be, because it could be written as the equivalent and decomposed (H + W + HB)/(AB + W + HB + SF) + TB/AB--hand-waiving away the fact that the more complex version provides insight into how events are actually weighted by OPS? Would I, not wishing to contribute to any anti-sabermetric sentiment but also with no desire to teach a saber 101 course, have offered a lame defense of OPS?
Of course, I wasn't involved in this conversation, and certainly wasn't going to insert myself into it, so this was all hypothetical. But I think the thought exercise is worthwhile to consider for those who do have an interest in what I'll call for lack of a better term sabermetric evangelization. I am not one of them, but if you are interested in getting more casual fans interested in sabermetrics, you should consider whether you could explain the metrics that you are advocating if asked to do so. I would draw a distinction between a metric that is complex in order to achieve precision or theoretical considerations, and one that has properties that defy explanation. If you think you could explain why total bases are weighted by plate appearances and times on base are weighted by at bats, then by all means, go ahead and point people to the Wikipedia page for OPS. Good luck.
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
1882 would be a very eventful year for baseball, but that was belied by the NL's lack of pre-season franchise changes; this was be the first season in which all league members returned. For the first time, the NL had a serious rival operating in a similar fashion to itself, the American Association. Also significantly, William Hulbert died on April 10, leaving the league without its founder and president. Arthur Soden of Boston was his successor.
There were no significant rule changes. Players were required to account for their own bats and uniforms when they were on the road, and were also obligated to purchase at least two uniform sets. In one of the final actions of Hulbert's tenure, reacting in response to a supposed AA plan, the league adopted a uniform color-coding scheme in which each position would wear a different color uniform (there is some disagreement in the secondary sources about this, and I'd like to believe that's because it never really happened). Pitchers wore baby blue, catchers scarlet, first baseman scarlet and white, second baseman orange and black, third baseman blue and white, shortstops maroon, left fielders white, center fielders red and black, and right fielders gray. The ridiculousness of this should be obvious, and it was quickly quashed if it ever had existed at all (there are varying reports in the secondary sources about whether players actually took the field dressed like clowns or not).
Arthur Irwin, the Providence shortstop, is said to have been the first to use a padded glove, and his teammate Paul Hines has been cited as the first player to wear sunglasses. As with other such firsts, these are potentially dubious in their accuracy. Cap Anson was called out during a May 5 game for walking back to the base after a foul ball instead of running; this minor rule was done away with after the season. On May 25, Curry Foley of Buffalo became the first major leaguer to hit for the cycle in a 20-1 rout of Cleveland. On August 17, Providence defeated Detroit 1-0 in eighteen innings on Hoss Radbourn's home run; it would be the longest major league shutout until 1967. Chicago's brilliant Larry Corcoran no-hit Boston 5-0 on September 20 to become the first author of multiple no-nos.
Umpire Dick Higham, employed by Detroit (umpires in this time were employed by teams and went on road trips with them) purportedly wrote a gambler a letter telling him how to bet on a May 30 Wolverine game against Providence. He was subsequently dropped by Detroit and umpired for Troy on June 20-22, but then was called to a hearing on June 24 in Detroit. Higham claimed that he was innocent, but nonetheless was removed. He is the only umpire ever explicitly expelled for dishonesty.
The pennant race turned into a two team affair. Two-time defending champ Chicago put up some impressive performances (exemplified by a 35-4 thumping of Cleveland in late July), but Providence had the lead by three games with sixteen to play. The White Stockings went on a 15-1 tear to take the pennant by three games.
However, controversy abounded. The final three scheduled White Stocking games at Buffalo were moved to Chicago for financial reasons. This was objected to by Providence, and the Grays wanted a special series after the regular season to determine the pennant. Chicago assented, although it is unclear whether this was ever actually regarded as championship series.
By the time it ended, there were no such questions. Chicago played the first three games of the nine game series with players out of position (and Abner Dalrymple and Joe Quest on the bench) and fell behind 3-0. They wound up winning the series 5-4 with a 19-7 win in the ninth game, played at Fort Wayne long after general interest had been exhausted.
Entering the offseason, the National League would be looking for two new members and dealing with the realization that they finally had a rival worthy of their respect.
Chicago was even better in EW% than their actual record, but game scores like 35-4 will do that for you. The standings wound up playing out in the exact order of EW%, except for the third place tie between Boston and Buffalo. It was also another fairly balanced year for the league as only Worcester was dreadful and no one ran away and hid.
In 1882, the league hit .251/.271/.342 for a .130 SEC, 5.41 runs and 24.33 outs per game.
The White Stockings returned the entire regular lineup from their 1881 pennant winner, although there were minor shuffles in the lineup; second baseman Joe Quest was benched, Tom Burns slid from short to second, King Kelly came in from right to play short, and Hugh Nicol came off the bench to take over right. However, for the late season pennant push, Anson reinstalled Quest and benched Nicol. Neither man hit much; Quest was pretty much at replacement level in his 167 PA.
Al Spalding decided that he wanted an anonymous official scorer who would therefore be free from the various pressures inherent to the job. He hired a woman named Elisa Green Williams, who did the job in secret for many years.
According to an anecdote in Bill James' Historical Baseball Abstract, the term "Charley horse" originated when the Chicago players attended a racetrack one day and witnessed a horse named Charley break down. The next day, when George Gore pulled up lame on a stolen base attempt, two and two came together. Do I buy it? No, but anecdotes that combine horse racing and baseball are hard to come by.
The Grays also displayed a great deal of lineup stability; considering that Chicago and Providence had run 1-2 in the previous two seasons, it seemed to be wise policy. The only changes were Harry Wright as the new manager after his long stint in Boston, and his brother George coming out of retirement for his swan song at age 35. Wright was only a shadow of his former self, with a pitiful 35 ARG.
In an attempt to stimulate attendance, the Grays and their opponents paraded through the streets of the city before games.
The Reds replaced departed manager Harry Wright with longtime infielder John Morrill. There were no wholesale shits on the infield, only rookie Sam Wise (4 PA for Detroit in 1881) replacing Ross Barnes at shortstop (how that came about is a story for the AA section). Perhaps Morrill's own experience of being yanked around the infield (he had played every position on a regular basis for at least one season except short) influenced him to keep the infield intact.
Pat Deasley, a reserve in 1881, became the full-time catcher as Pop Smith moved to Cincinnati of the AA. Pete Hotaling of Worcester took over center field, rookie Ed Rowen inherited right field, and Bobby Mathews was brought in as Grasshopper Jim's #2 after pitching for the Grays in 1881. Whitney, always a fine hitter, paced the team in BA, OBA, SLG, RG, and WAA. His 61 runs created were only four off the team lead of Morrill and Joe Hornung, who made 70 and 90 more outs respectively.
The Bisons shuffled their lineup a bit, moving players back to their more natural positions. Jim O'Rourke went from third to center, Deacon White from left to third, and Hardy Richardson from center to second. Blondie Purcell took the full-time job in left field after amassing 205 PA in 1881 between Buffalo and Cleveland. He would be fined $10 for cutting a wet ball in an attempt to make the umpire put a new one into play. Pud Galvin complained that he could not throw his curve properly with a wet ball.
Rookie #2 pitcher Hugh Daily was called One Arm because, well, he had one arm.
The Blues had two rookies (catcher Fatty Briody (4 PA for Troy in 1880) and third baseman Mike Muldoon) in their lineup. Left fielder Dude Esterbrook has not played in the league since 1880 (Buffalo) and center fielder John Richmond was brought in from Boston.
In the aforementioned 35-4 shellacking at the hands of the champion White Stockings, reserve outfielder Dave Rowe was in the box, and gave up 29 hits and 7 walks.
The Wolverines were at the center of the relatively limited player battles between the NL and the AA; again, this topic will be expounded upon in the AA entry, but backup infielders Dasher Troy (11 games in 1881) and Sam Wise (1 game) were not reserved after the 1881 season and signed with AA clubs. Eventually, Troy returned to Detroit and was the regular second baseman, while Wise wound up with Boston. Catcher Charlie Bennett was a major point of contention as well, but that was for an 1883 contract.
Rookie Joe Farrell was the third baseman, while Mike McGeary was imported from Cleveland to play short.
The Trojans featured two regular rookies, shortstop Fred Pfeffer and pitcher Jim Egan. John Smith started the year as the first baseman but later wound up in Worcester. Buck Ewing played third primarily (44 games), but also caught 25 games. Roger Connor as a center fielder seems interesting, but he actually spent more time at first (43 G) than he did in the outfield (24). Outside of Pete Gillespie and Chief Roseman, the outfield situation was quite murky.
The team finished only 19.5 games back, but it probably seemed a lot worse. They suffered through a sixteen game losing streak, lost money to the point where they had to be subsidized, and were eventually kicked to the curb, a casualty of the skirmish with the AA and good old-fashioned financial problems.
The Brown Stockings finished 18.5 games behind Troy. The team featured two rookie outfielders, Tom O'Brien and Jackie Hayes. Left fielder Jim Clinton had not played in the National League since 1876 (with Louisville). An interesting transaction apparently resulted in Frank Mountain being loaned to Philadelphia of the AA for about a month beginning around the end of May.
The team drew just 11,000 fans for the entire season, around 260 a game. In an attempt to boost attendance, the team pioneered the single admission doubleheader. The roster was overhauled in an attempt to remove "rowdiness and dissension", and franchise pitcher Lee Richmond was hampered by a sore arm. Despite this, he was one of just two regulars to hit better than the league average (first baseman Harry Stovey was the other).
In September, the NL voted to drop Troy and Worcester, perhaps fearful of the AA's upper hand in attendance and entry into large cities long ignored by the NL, or just plain tired of having weak sisters in the circuit. Worcester apparently threatened to resign at this point, which would have caused all their games to be struck from the standings. This was confusion was another catalyst in some of the Chicago/Providence pennant controversy, but Worcester played 84 games, so apparently it wound up being an idle threat.
The departure of Troy and Worcester essentially marked the end of an era in which a very small city (relatively, of course) could field a "major league" team, with the exception of the future chaotic three league seasons.
Leaders and trailers:
1. Dan Brouthers, BUF (.368)
2. Cap Anson, CHN (.362)
3. Roger Connor, TRO (.330)
Trailer: Doc Bushong, WOR (.158)
1. Dan Brouthers, BUF (.403)
2. Cap Anson, CHN (.397)
3. Jim Whitney, BSN (.382)
Trailer: Doc Bushong, WOR (.174)
1. Dan Brouthers, BUF (.547)
2. Roger Connor, TRO (.530)
3. Jim Whitney, BSN (.510)
Trailer: George Wright, PRO (.189)
Doc Bushong's BA was .004 lower than Wright's, his OBA .006. I'm not sure that I'm aware of a superstar who ended his career in a sorrier state than George Wright did, essentially as the worst regular in the league or close to it. That doesn't mean there isn't one; I just can't think of one. This was a rapidly evolving and improving game.
1. Jim Whitney, BSN (.283)
2. Dan Brouthers, BUF (.239)
3. Roger Connor, TRO (.238)
Trailer: George Wright, POR (.049)
1. Dan Brouthers, BUF (90)
2. Cap Anson, CHN (84)
3. Roger Connor, TRO (79)
4. George Gore, CHN (77)
5. Paul Hines, PRO (75)
1. Dan Brouthers, BUF (197)
2. Jim Whitney, BSN (190)
3. Cap Anson, CHN (184)
4. Roger Connor, TRO (166)
5. Joe Start, PRO (163)
Trailer: Doc Bushong, WOR (34)
1. Dan Brouthers, BUF (+3.9)
2. Cap Anson, CHN (+3.4)
3. Paul Hines, PRO (+3.0)
4. Roger Connor, TRO (+2.8)
5. Jim Whitney, BSN (+2.8)
Trailer: Doc Bushong, PRO (-2.6)
1. Dan Brouthers, BUF (+4.8)
2. Paul Hines, PRO (+4.4)
3. Jim Whitney, BSN (+4.3)
4. Jack Glasscock, CLE (+4.3)
5. Cap Anson, CHN (+4.2)
Trailer: Doc Bushong, WOR (-1.0)
1. Larry Corcoran, CHN (68)
2. Fred Goldsmith, CHN (75)
3. Hoss Radbourn, PRO (84)
4. Jim McCormick, CLE (86)
5. Stump Wiedman, DET (86)
Trailer: Fred Corey, WOR (139)
1. Larry Corcoran, CHN (+3.0)
2. Fred Goldsmith, CHN (+2.7)
3. Jim McCormick, CLE (+2.3)
4. Hoss Radbourn, PRO (+2.0)
5. Stump Wiedman, DET (+1.5)
Trailer: George Derby, DET (-2.6)
1. Jim Whitney, BSN (+5.0)
2. Hoss Radbourn, PRO (+3.9)
3. Larry Corcoran, CHN (+3.5)
4. Jim McCormick, CLE (+3.2)
5. Fred Goldsmith, CHN (+3.1)
Trailer: George Derby, DET (-2.5)
My all-star team:
C: Charlie Bennett, DET
1B: Dan Brouthers, BUF
2B: Fred Dunlap, CLE
3B: Ed Williamson, CHN
SS: Jack Glasscock, CLE
LF: Joe Hornung, BSN
CF: Paul Hines, PRO
RF: Curry Foley, BUF
P: Jim Whitney, BSN
P: Hoss Radbourn, PRO
MVP: SS Jack Glasscock, CLE
Rookie Hitter: 3B Mike Muldoon, CLE
Rookie Pitcher: One Arm Daily, BUF
I went with Joe Hornung over a close group in left field that included Dalrymple, York, and Wood on the strength of his +12 Fielding Runs (ESPN Baseball Encyclopedia, Palmer & Gillette).
The right field crop is very weak; Curry Foley at 2.2 WAR wouldn't be in the top four in left or the top three in center. Actually, I would pick the two runner-up centerfielders (Gore and Connor, with the caveat that Connor was playing first more than the outfield) over Hornung or Curry. However, my principle has been to pick guys who actually played the position for the "all-star team", not players at comparable positions who were actually more valuable. This is especially problematic in the early years of the NL as right field was still much-used as a place to hide a butcher or a change pitcher.
The rookie crop this year was very weak as well. In past seasons, there had always been rookies with a legitimate claim to being the all-star at their position. This season, Mike Muldoon was solid (2.2 WAR), but hardly star-caliber. Of course, there were only eight regular rookie hitters to choose from, and just two pitchers, each of whom ranked below replacement level. It is easy to speculate that the cause of this was the demand for players caused by six new major league teams. This would not have nearly the impact it would today, as several of the AA teams were already respectable independent clubs, but certainly talent was not as available as it had been.
Finally, my choice of Jack Glasscock as MVP is predicated on his 24 Fielding Runs. On offense and position, I had him .5 WAR behind Dan Brouthers. So all I have to do is believe that he was around 5 runs better in the field relative to his position than Brouthers. Given Glasscock's reputation and his perennial good standing in FR, I am more than willing to believe it.


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Over the past few weeks, numerous North Carolina groups and leaders have spoken out against the proposed constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships. On Friday, Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton (D) announced his opposition to Amendment One, a reversal of his 2005 cosponsorship of a similar amendment in the state senate. He admitted, "Perhaps I was wrong back then." Among other groups that have come out against the measure are the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, North Carolina Advocates for Justice, and the student senate of North Carolina Central University, one of the state's 11 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
North Carolina Groups And Leaders Resolve To Fight Inequality Amendment
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7 Sexist Remarks: Why Our Politicians Should be AshamedOur politicians are outraged over crimes against women.But here are few of them who should reflect on their sexist remarks before condemning this crime.
By Sonal Bhadoria, IndiaTimes | December 27, 2012, 1:22 pm IST
2 Putting a Price Tag on a Woman
There was a Congress leader who was a minister in Parliament. He was accused of amassing wealth from cricket. He had said in Parliament that he is not connected to the Rs 50 crore that in the lady's name.Have you ever heard of Rs 50 crore girlfriend?"
-Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Gujarat putting a price tag on Sunanda Tharoor


text:
Hand in your man card
What a pathetic half man…at least he won't be breeding so that is a bonus.
A meteorologist who has covered weather for the Wall Street Journal tweeted that he has decided not to have children in order to leave a lighter carbon footprint, and is considering having a vasectomy.
He also vowed to stop flying after the world's recent climate-change report made him cry.
Eric Holthaus was reacting to the findings from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change which released a report on Friday that found it was ŌĆśextremely likelyŌĆÖ that humans are causing warming trends seen in the last several decades.
On Friday afternoon the weatherman tweeted: 'No children, happy to go extinct, which in and of itself, carries a certain sadness. #IPCC'
His next tweet said: 'Its a very emotional decision. Mixed feelings. adios babies?' ┬Ā Read more »


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A Dogs Life in Luxury
Author: Liam Condit
Company: dogbeds.co.uk
For us, beds are an important and comforting entity that we just couldn't live without, and the same goes for dogs. Besides food and water, a dog bed is a necessity for the life and well-being of your pet. Not only do they provide security and private space for the dog, but also a good dog bed can provide elderly dogs with support for their joints and bones, especially those that may have arthritis. Dog beds are also a very useful tool for keeping your house clean, with all the hair being concentrated in one place. What's important is that although every dog needs a bed, it should also the right bed for your dog.
Danish Design Rambla Bed Nest
This dog bed serves as the king of dog beds, with its classic horseshoe shape, and luxuriously padded cushioning, it is a dog bed fit for royalty. After a hard days walk or a day in the field, the nest offers your pet the maximum possible amount of comfort and relaxation. Available either in a chic lime design for the most fashionable of dog, or a classic beige design for a dog with traditional tastes, this is a dog bed that is not to be missed.
Premium Memory Foam Dog Mattress
Shaped like a regular mattress, the bed offers an unbeatable experience every time your dog goes to sleep. Quite often used for medicinal purposes, memory foam is great for circulation and joints, keeping the body properly supported, prioritizing not one part of the body over another. This means that the Premium Memory Foam Dog Mattress is an excellent choice for elderly dogs and those who suffer from arthritis. The lining of the bed is also waterproof meaning that those occasional accidents aren't a problem, with the lining being fully machine washable. The bed is also available in light and dark tan, making it a perfect bed for a dog of any breed or age.
Premium Oval Faux Suede Softee Bed
With 360 degrees of cushioning, the oval bed provides your furry friend the perfect armchair experience, all from his own private bed space. Hard-wearing and practical, the bed also offers a luxurious memory foam base, perfect for the dog that is looking for that ultimate nights sleep. Available in a range of different sizes and two different colours, the bed is the perfect product for a dog who takes nothing less than the best.
Rectangular Heavy Duty Basket Weave Softee Bed
With its ultra soft walled covering, the Soft bed is probably the best dog bed available for under £100. The intricately crafted material ensures that the bed is one of the strongest and most durable within its range, whilst at the same time, offering your dog the highest possible comfort and quality that necessitates a good nights sleep. The thick yet superbly soft base offers your dog the cushioning that it needs, whilst being machine washable and offering the long lasting protection that you need. Like all the others, the bed is available in a variety of sizes and two different colours, suiting not only your dog, but also the home in which your dog lives.
Rectangular Faux Suede Softee Bed
Similar to the Basket Weave Softee bed, the Faux Suede Softee Bed is a product designed primarily for making your pet happy and comfortable. With its thickly cushioned walls and brilliantly soft base, the bed is a high quality product that is made to last night after night with your dog. Also, the entirety of the bed can be machine washed, making hygiene a top priority for you and your dog.
Cat Proofing Your House
Cats are curious creatures. They are quite self-sufficient and loving as companions. But, bringing one home may mean some changes around the house to keep them safe. Here are a few guidelines for cat proofing your home.
Cats don't require much but what they do need is some discipline. They can get into everything when you are not home if a few measures are not taken. Most of these are safety measures since you don't want your new companion to hurt themselves. Some are for cosmetic reasons so your furniture doesn't look like it has been through a shredder.
Many pet owners are stressed about the amount of money they have to put into repairs around their home but it can be avoided. Try these tips and tricks to keep a safe and happy cat home.
Finding a Happy Medium for you and your Cat
1. Discipline from the beginning – Kittens are cute but if you don't teach them how to behave at this stage you could have a real problem when they grow into adult cats. The most effective way to teach is with a firm command word and/or a spray bottle. The spray bottle seems cruel but it is a tool that will get their attention when they persist in being disobedient.
2. Hiding cords – Cats like to bite and gnaw on things. If they have taken a shine to your electrical cords nip that behavior in the bud right away. You don't want them to suffer the same fate as the cat in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation do you? Use empty paper towel or toilet paper rolls to cover cords and keep them together so that they are not easy prey for your cat. Cover them with contact paper or paint them so they blend in better with your room décor.
3. Blind cat – Curtains offer a great place for cats to hang and scratch. Avoid shredded draperies and instead use vertical blinds. Cats like to sit in windows and this way they can move between them without doing damage. Cut looped strings so your cat won't get hung in them.
4. Bitter plants – Cats love to eat plants and spill the dirt everywhere. First of all many plants are toxic to cats if they chew on them. Know this list to avoid any plant that could be a danger. With other plants, apply a spray called bitter apple. It is non-toxic to the plant and cats don't like the taste. You can also buy them some catnip plants that they can chew with delight if they want.
5. No dirt – To avoid dirt all over the floor, apply a mesh covering over the top of the plant to keep dirt from getting kicked out. You can still water and feed the plant as normal.
6. Scratching post – Cats like to scratch. Having a scratching post in the home can avoid them using your furniture. Try a post that uses a different texture material than your furniture. Posts can be vertical or horizontal.
Welcome your cat home and keep them welcome with a few tricks to keep them safe and your home in tiptop shape!
Exotic Cats as Pets
Exotic Cats
"Exotic Pet Wildcats are not just "pet cats"… they are extraordinary pet cats!"
Exotic Cats evolved completely on their own with no human help – that is what makes
them exotic pet cats!
Exotic cats are typically cat species that are wild but that are occasionally kept in a domestic setting as pets. They are definitely extravagant looking and "unique" compared to what are usually kept as pets! Exotic cats included here are all species of wild cats – from small bobcats to lions and tigers to all endangered cats.
Wild cats are most often seen and experienced by normal people in photographs and in zoos or wildlife reserves. Because these cats are not encountered on a regular basis it is natural to want to see and touch them. These cats have both differences and similarities to typical house cats. They can be loving and affectionate to their owners just like a "normal" cat. However, they require much more in terms of care. Their housing, diets, and temperaments can all differ dramatically from a typical house cat. There also variations among the different species and it generally costs much more to keep an exotic cat. An owner of a an exotic cat must be dedicated and responsible when it comes to caring for an exotic cat… Read More
Animal-World's Featured Pet of the Week: The Parakeet
February 5, 2012 by Jasmine
Filed under All Posts, Featured Pets, Pet Birds
Animal-World's Featured Pet for this week is: The Parakeet!
Most likely, you or someone you know has owned a parakeet! They are one of the more popular of the smaller birds, for many reasons. They can learn to talk and whistle, have a shorter lifespan than many of the larger parrots, and are relatively easy to care for. While working at the pet store, I saw many of these birds come and go to new homes. I enjoyed cleaning their cages every day and whistling along with them!
Parakeets are also called Budgerigars, or Budgies. Their scientific name is Melopsittacus undulatus and they are part of the Psittacidae family. They come in many various color combinations, over 100 actually! This makes for a very interesting and unique looking bird! Their primary colors are green, blue, gray, white, yellow, opaline, and pied. Parakeets in general are usually very affectionate towards their owners (especially if trained while young). They are inexpensive and can be trained to do a multitude of tricks. They do require a lot of interaction because they are very social birds by nature. If you do not think you will have a whole lot of one-on-one time available to be with your bird, you should consider bringing home at least one companion bird as well. They have an average lifespan of 12-14 years with proper care.
The history of the Parakeet begins in Australia. They were first noted by European John Gould in 1865 in his book, "Birds of Australia." These birds are actually part of the parrot family and belonged to a tribe called the Platycercini in Australia. They originate in the desert-like part of central Australia where there is little precipitation. This little to no rain environment has truly helped this bird become hardy! They are also monogamous birds in the wild as well as captivity and so will generally pick a mate for life. Unless of course, their primary mate dies.
Now onto the care and feeding of the Parakeet/Budgerigar. As I stated above, they are relatively inexpensive with fairly easy care requirements. The housing requirements of the parakeet include a roomy cage with plenty of places to climb. A play area that can be put on top of the cage is also a good idea. This will give your parakeet(s) a place to hang out when not in the cage and that helps give more interaction time with you and different scenery to your bird. Include perches and toys/swings/mirrors in the cage. Parakeets also love taking baths, so a bath house or bowl is another good idea. Free-flying time is very important for these birds for both exercise and their mental well-being, so make sure that there is a block of time most days that you can allow them to be out and flying about!
As far as food goes – they need a variety of seeds and fresh foods. A good parakeet seed mix can be bought at local pet stores. Give them fresh fruits and vegetables occasionally as well. However, some food items are not good for them, including cabbage, avocado, green beans, and several others. Good fresh foods for them include Lettuce, carrots, spinach, apples and bananas. Also provide spray millet, cuttle bones (for their beaks) and mineral blocks. Fresh water should be given daily.
Parakeets or budgerigars are pretty hardy birds. They of course can get respiratory illnesses if kept in drafty areas and that is something to watch out for. If you notice them plucking their feathers that is also a sign of a problem. If they are lonely due to not having a companion bird or enough interaction time with you, they can become bored and begin plucking their feathers.
Animal-World's page on Parakeets/Budgerigars is a great place to start reading if you want to familiarize yourself more with these birds!
Jasmine is a team member at Animal-World and has contributed many articles and write-ups.
Animal-World: A Beginners Look At Saltwater Fish
February 1, 2012 by drjungle
Filed under All Posts, Animal News, Aquariums, Saltwater Fish
If you are fascinated by saltwater fish… This is going to be fun and exciting.
Under the Sea Radio Show…. Join us!
"A Beginners Look At Saltwater Fish"
Blog/Talk radio show featuring Clarice Brough from Animal-World. Learn about hardy saltwater fish for the beginning marine aquarist. The discussion will be centered around an aquarium the size of 30 gallons, and the hardy fish that are available for beginning saltwater aquarists. Included will be Damselfish, Clownfish, Cardinals and many others.
Keeping marine fish is a wonderful hobby. If you are a beginner about to start your first saltwater aquarium, you are embarking on a grand adventure. Marine fish are some of the most spectacular aquatic animals, and there is a very diverse and magnificent selection to choose from. The benefits of keeping saltwater fish are many. They are entertaining, relaxing, and make an incredibly beautiful show piece for your home.
Saltwater fish keeping is an exciting hobby for anyone interested in learning more about life in our oceans. You can see pictures and information for all sorts of marine species in our World of Saltwater Aquariums atlas too.


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Licensing Officer
Employer:Lambeth Council
Published:Tue 08/05/2012 05:00 AM
Closing date:Mon 28/05/2012 23:59 PM
Working pattern:Full Time, Permanent position
Salary:£25515 - £37581
DBS check:No
Job Summary
Housing, Regeneration and Environment
Licensing Officer
£25,515-£37,851 Depending on experience and qualification + 10% enhancement for out of hours working + essential car user allowance.
We want to appoint a Licensing Officer to join our busy Licensing Team and help us implement the range of responsibilities we now have under the legislation we deal with. Licensing has a high profile in Lambeth and we intend to capitalise on our new responsibilities under the Licensing Act 2003.
We are a very diverse community and this is reflected in the nature of the work the Licensing Team carry out throughout the borough. We are looking for someone who has:
- Significant knowledge of licensing legislation, particularly the Licensing Act 2003 and Gambling Act 2005;
- Experience of local authority licensing enforcement work in a diverse environment;
- The ability to communicate well at all levels, both verbally and in writing;
- An awareness of the issues that face licensing.
Applicants should possess a licensing qualification or a similar level qualification and evidence of significant licensing experience.
The closing date of receiving the completed application is Monday 28 May 2012 at midnight.


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I was talking last night with Sarah about what I felt was the defining difference between a relationship and a marriage. It comes down to this, from that first day when we looked each other square in the eye and said "forever", it redefined the way with which I would experience life. No longer would I ever be alone. Physically or mentally. No burden, heartbreak, challenge or triumph would be shouldered or celebrated on my own. There was no escaping, no saying I quit. We were going to do this and we were going to do it together. We made that promise to one another on an evening in late September and our new reality was like lightening through me.
Looking back at the photos of our wedding day and at these newest images, I'm struck with how much we had to learn about the commitments of marriage. How much five years would teach us about patience and courage and partnership. I stare at the lines in our faces now, how they've been drawn there by time and the weight of responsibility. Etched by worry and so much laughter. It warms me to see the hints in your eyes of the man you will be at 80, and the way your beard is now speckled with gray. I'm so incredibly grateful to be growing older alongside you.
I have always said the reason I knew you were the one was because you were the only boy I had ever dated who I grew more attracted to and in love with as time passed. There was always a peak and a turn downward in all of my relationships before you. But you have been nothing but a steady climb. Always uphill. And I've realized that being in a relationship on an incline has made us work harder than ever before. It means walking into the wind occasionally. It sometimes means holding on to each other for dear life when our footing slips. But the view up here with you, Brent… there's nothing else in this world that compares.
Happy five years to us, my darling! Here's to the next sixty years of uphill… and to the mountains and clouds and the stars that await us.
I love you,
(Special thanks to Autumn Harrison for these images. I'm just so in love with them. Another note, the cream dress I'm wearing in some of the photos was my mother's wedding dress in 1976. I had it cropped to the knee and wore it to our rehearsal dinner. It's one of the most cherished items I own.)


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Your freestyle skills just gained some more freedom.
- Air Bag dampening takes the bite out of flat landings and provide the stamina needed to go all day long
- Speedwheel aluminum buckles utilize ultra-lightweight aluminum levers with an injected ratchet roller wheel for fast, effortless entry, zero slip, and the highest level of reliability
- FTI Air baseplate serves up intimate board feel and cushy flex without being too soft
- Type R highback provides a symmetric response pattern with the perfect balance between strength and lightweight performance
- Slim Cut Ankle straps have a narrow profile for improved flex and freedom of movement
- Revert toe strap fits nicely on the toe of any snowboard boot
Share your thoughts
What do you think of the
Nitro Raiden Zero Snowboard Binding
? Share a...
Zero Drama!
Member since
The raiden zero's are a legit bootstrap! Super high quality materials throughout with a perfect fit! They are the first bindings I have had in 20 years of riding that you can spend an entire day strapped in them without any binding pressure point induced fatigue. I thought my Exile EST's felt good until I switched setups and bought the Zero's... I won't be changing them out anytime soon. The only thing you should watch out for is the adjustment strap on the not ratcheting side needs to be watched. I was strapped in and hopping up a a small vertical using my toeside edge to hold traction. I had hit the strap lock and knocked it loose. Not a flaw in design just something to watch out for... Oh and they also fit on the small side and are ever so slightly narrow between the toe strap points... I ride a size 10.5 lashed boot and I had to trim some of the tread away to fit in Medium's. Of course I could have rode larges but I prefer a snug binding boot fit...
Buy these without hesitation.
are these bindings good for hitting big...
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are these bindings good for hitting big jumps too?
Member since
Yea, it has a nice cushion for landing a big jump. Really don't get any stingers from over shooting something either.


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|Comfort Inns Stoneham properties are provided below. Search for cheap and discount Comfort Inns hotel prices in Stoneham, QC for your upcoming individual or group travel. We list the best Comfort Inns Stoneham hotels/properties so you can review the Stoneham Comfort Inns hotel list below to find the perfect place.
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The TWILT is up! See you Wednesday at the Circus!!!
Happy Easter everyone!!!!
The TWILT is up! Happy Holy Week everyone!
Weekly Drop-In Hours: Wednesday-Friday: 3-5pm
Wednesday Night Grace, 7:30 - 9:00 pm: Teens can now sign up a month in advance to lead one of our Wednesday nights! That's right! You pick the topic: you pick the format! Contact Jim to sign up and get all the information. The first Wednesday of every month is Bible StudyTeens will be given the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Wednesday of the months to plan out our WNG
Friday, 8:00 - 9:00 pm: Life Teen Adoration Holy Hour
Sunday, 11:30AM: Life Teen Mass
Sunday, 12:30-2:30pm: Life Teen


text: Starting Saturday, May 19, members of the military can get a free national parks pass. This annual pass typically costs $80 and covers admission fees to national parks, federal recreation sites, national wildlife refuges and lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation. The pass can even get you a discounted rate at some state campgrounds. Go HERE for more information about this offer.


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March 26th
Anenon: "Sunset and Clocks"
This is our first encounter with LA's Brian Allen Simon alias Anenon. He creates sultry soundscapes on his upbeat-track "Sunset and Clocks", a track which seems ideal to me on a late Summer-night. The good news is that Anenon is releasing his four-track EP Sunset and Clocks April 16 on New Projects — that's more than in time for Summer. On the EP, Brian Allen Simon shares the intimate space in which he recorded the four tunes. You can hear and grab his excellent production below.
via NFOP
- givememymusicdose likes this
- alinakersyte likes this
- analoguespheres posted this


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The lookbook for Missoni for Target is out and I have to say I'm impressed by the 400-piece collection, which includes women's, men's and girls' clothing, accessories, shoes and housewares.
Check out this fabulous sweater set and accordion pleat skirt, for example.
I'm very concerned about the quality of the knit -- somehow it's hard to believe that it'll be anything but scratchy.
But from lookbook photos alone, anyway, I definitely want to check this collection out in person.
So yes, I'll be at my local Target on September 13th, the day the collection debuts.
Want to see lots more looks from the collection?
Click through!
And then tell me what you think of this collaboration in the comments.
I could get behind this look. How about you?
And I'm crazy about the patterned tights ...
Must. Have. Rainboots.
I'm also liking this look.
And I LOVE this dress!
I also like this dress and jacket, preferably with black tights.
Cool shoes!
Cute bags!
Must have the black and white set ...
And the barrettes ...
And perhaps my favorite aspect of the collection is the girls' clothing. I am totally envisioning my daughter in these looks this fall ...
So ... What do you think of this collection?
Images via Missoni for Target
Am I the only one who got a headach scrolling through these??? The patterns are soo busy..
Drab. Sorry.
Wow. Those are... wow.
Who raided my mothers 70s wardrobe?
I love a few of these, and will definitely be raiding my Target, too!
Are we back in the 70s? I don't think I'll be wearing any of that. Maybe one piece at a time - but as outfits, these are too much.
as separates...yes. As outfits...no.
one piece at a time cute. head to toe I will leave to the teenagers


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"Aw shucks. That's what comes out of my mouth when I miss it because I know I have to go all the way down to the next one in order to get to my final destination," laughs Cortney Bolden. She's talking about the infamous Jersey jug handles. It's the only way to make a left hand turn off of the highway.
"It's very inconvenient. In one way it kind of helps traffic and prevents accidents but in another way it takes you the long way around," said Bolden.
Drivers may not suffer any more detours if an Ocean County lawmaker has his way. He wants the legislature to stop additional jug handles from being built to prevent rush hour backups and save land space. We took a ride on 73 north and got off on a jug handle that dumped us on Fork Landing Road. No one there has a problem with them.
"Isn't that funny?" joked Patti Ritchie. She and her customers are a little biased. Jug handles are how the place she works got its name. It's called The Jug Handle Inn in Cinnaminson.
"I just say you have to take the jug handle exit and come around and you'll see us on the other side," said Ritche. Other drivers say the indirect left makes perfect sense.
"I think it's definitely safer than going over three lanes of traffic on a major highway like this," said one driver.
The bill cleared a transportation committee Monday. It now heads to the full senate.


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I'm trying to set up a site on a separate drive from the Apache install, but I get a permissions error when I try to access it. I.e. I have some sites and Apache on c:\ but want this site on e:\.
I've put an entry into httpd-vhosts.conf that points to the site. I presume there's something else I need to consider but not sure what..


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The question of integrating historical sites into urbanity, a view from Cairo with the Tarek Waly Center
The Tarek Waly Center is a strong initiative coming from Egypt, where the issue of historical sites confronted with modern settlements seems as important as providing everyone with basic amenities. It has specific studies on the subject of heritage. But not only.
The center has a triannual publication, the Waly Center Journal, in Arabic and English covering important issues and practical case studies.
It also helped produce a series a books, articles, studies, all available on their website!, on various subjects of urbanism, environmental studies and architecture.
Definitely an important part of this initiative is the wealth of links to various architects, projects and relevant subjects regarding Egypt's history, Arab and environmental studies and more.
Be sure to take the detour!


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Join or Sign In
I started quilting about 20 years ago. I started my own business quilting with a long arm and specializing in t-shirt quilts about 6 years ago.
Showing 1 - 1 of 1 saved projects
Matthews pillow ...
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Great Performances at The Met
SIMON BOCCANEGRASeries Website »
Episode Guide »
Placido Domingo stars in this tragic story of a father and his lost daughter. James Levine conducts.
Vermont transplant and Guster frontman Ryan Miller seeks out far-fetched friends across the state! Available exclusively online.
Check out winning Vermont entries to the 2014 PBS Kids Writers Contest!
Tons of videos and games for children from PBS!
PBS Kids - Tons of videos and games for children from PBS!
Educator Resources - Lesson plans, online courses, and videos for teachers and parents.


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We love a bargain here at DIY Home World, especially two for the price of one. Now you can eliminate odors from your home with this fantastic natural product that is not only an air freshener but a carpet deodorizer too.
It's a cheap and easy alternative to store bought air fresheners and is made with just two ingredients. Play around with different scents and find the perfect aroma to keep your rooms smelling fresh.
To find out how visit naturesnurtureblog.com here…
Homemade Air Freshener & Carpet Deodorizer
215+ Home Remedies, Natural Beauty Recipes & DIY Household ProductsIncluded in this life changing eBook are:
- 105+ Natural Home Remedies -treat almost any illness with natural ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
- 75+ Natural Beauty Recipes - Get the best hair and skin you've ever had and look younger with these insanely clever natural beauty recipes.
- 35+ DIY Household Products & Cleaners -Never buy a toxic cleaning product again! Save a fortune AND your families health with these super simple homemade cleaning products that work BETTER than store bought!


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Supachet Chansarn
Personal Details
First Name: Supachet
Middle Name:
Last Name: Chansarn
RePEc Short-ID: pch509
Postal Address:
- School of Economics
Bangkok University
- Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Homepage: http://econ.bu.ac.th/
Phone: 0-2350-3500 # 1640 1665
Fax: 0-2350-3500 # 1640
Postal: Building 3 1st Floor,119 Sukhumvit 40, Phra Khanong, Klong Toey, Bangkok, 10110
Handle: RePEc:edi:sebkuth (more details at EDIRC)
Working papers
- Chansarn, Supachet, 2005. "The efficiency in Thai financial sector after the financial crisis," MPRA Paper 1776, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised Dec 2006.
NEP Fields1 paper by this author was announced in NEP, and specifically in the following field reports (number of papers):
- NEP-BAN: Banking (1) 2007-02-24. Author is listed
- NEP-EFF: Efficiency & Productivity (1) 2007-02-24. Author is listed
- NEP-SEA: South East Asia (1) 2007-02-24. Author is listed
Most downloaded item (past 12 months)
- Chansarn, Supachet, 2005. "The efficiency in Thai financial sector after the financial crisis," MPRA Paper 1776, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised Dec 2006.
Access and download statistics for all items
CorrectionsFor general information on how to correct material on RePEc, see these instructions.
To update listings or check citations waiting for approval, Supachet Chansarn should log into the RePEc Author Service
To make corrections to the bibliographic information of a particular item, find the technical contact on the abstract page of that item. There, details are also given on how to add or correct references and citations.
To link different versions of the same work, where versions have a different title, use this form. Note that if the versions have a very similar title and are in the author's profile, the links will usually be created automatically.
Please note that most corrections can take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.


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Azad seeks transparency and accountability in IPL functioning
Azad said the IPL has unfolded like the script of a Bollywood movie, where the latest series of incidents have only added more drama to the T20 league.
Spot-fixing by five uncapped domestic cricketers, Bollywood star and Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Shah Rukh Khan's spat with the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) officials and molestation charges against Royal Challengers Bangalore player Luke Pomersbach hit the IPL last week as the tournament reached the last stage of league fixtures.
"The incidents that have taken place in the past few days, as a cricketer and an avid lover of the game, I feel ashamed of myself. My fight is not against any individual but against the system and the various ills plaguing the IPL," said Azad, who sat on a hunger strike outside the Feroz Shah Kotla ground here.
"Since the league is popular among the people, there should be accountability, discipline and transparency in its functioning, especially since there were allegations of molestation by an American woman against a foreign player, a sting operation by a channel showing the involvement of domestic players in spot-fixing and the source of money that fuels the IPL.
"IPL is like cinema where you'll find everything - hero, heroine, villain, vamp, black-money, action, molestation, rape, match-fixing. Greed, lust for money, sleaze has taken over cricket and that is the one thing I am fighting against," said Azad, who is also a BJP leader.
While addressing the gathering, Azad demanded that the BCCI should come under the RTI. "IPL, I suppose is only entertainment but we have money laundering, we have violation of foreign exchange, we have molestation case, we have one international Indian player slapping another Indian player, there was a sting operation for spot fixing. In that slapping case, you banned the player but you should have imposed a life-ban on him," Azad said.
"Where does the money that fuels the IPL comes from...tax havens like Mauritius, Seychelles etc....How is money being paid to cricketers over and above their legally contracted price? There needs to be transparency in the dealings of BCCI, and they should now come under the ambit of RTI.
"Why there is a conflict of interest in the running of the league? Why should the IPL bosses be involved with franchisees? Why should there be separate rules for icon cricketers?" he asked.
Another former cricketer, Vivek Razdan was also present at the venue while Bishen Singh Bedi could not make it to the hunger strike due to some family commitments.
Supreme Court on Friday pronounced that Sunil Gavaskar will replace N Srinivasan to take up the post of interim president of the BCCI. The S... More Supreme Court on Friday pronounced that Sunil Gavaskar will replace N Srinivasan to take up the post of interim president of the BCCI. The Supreme Court gave three interim orders to the BCCI, that is, Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings will not take part in IPL 7 tournament, Gavaskar replacing Srinivasan, and all India Cements employess be removed from BCCI.
Date 27-03-14, Duration 1:52, Views 666


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Similar Internships
Public Relations InternBookmark This
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About the company:
BestModelTalent.com is a powerful, professional networking platform for amateur and professional models as well as those with a passion for the fine and performing arts—actors, musicians, singers, dancers, artists and production crew members—looking to advance their career. We shine a spotlight on your talent to help you find the work you deserve.
Involvement with BestModelTalent.com is the crucial first step to making connections with industry pros. These connections can lead to exhilarating jobs. These jobs add up to vital industry experience and, as you build your reputation, more industry experts will begin approaching you to work for them. Even already-working models and talent can benefit from the networking and job opportunities on BestModelTalent.com. We offer life-changing breaks for models and talent at all levels of professional ability.
Responsibilities- Assist in developing and contributing to public relations and marketing activities
- Interact with internal departments to carry out client requirements such as scheduling advertising; monitoring account activities; and managing production activities
- Coordinate with news media as assigned, in development of appropriate news stories
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Requirements- Excellent communication skills and the ability to inform and entertain via written, oral and visual media.
- Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods.
- An innovative self-starter with problem solving skills, creativity, ambition, and a strong work ethic.


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Stories Tagged with "matthew mitchell"
2008 - 1 story
Six-inch-wide blooms of fragrant old copper, yellow, coral and deep red English roses will cascade through mid-June around the front and rear yards of NJIT junior Matthew Mitchell, 20, of Hillside. Since the age of 14, Mitchell, a mechanical engineering major, has applied his penchant for precision to cultivate these gorgeous antique blooms for his parents Aldeana and Joseph Mitchell. >>


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Emily Heller by Dan Dion #365ComedianPortriats
Tags: Emily Heller bay area comedy alameda native comedian Dan Dion portriat art 365ComedianPortriats
Bay-Area, CA based comedy blog from Bay-Area, CA based comedian blogger. News, event reviews, room reviews, journals, highlights, videos, links, and anything else from the San Francisco/Bay-Area comedy community.
If you have any shows happening in the Bay-Area or photos or anything comedy related shoot it over to email@example.com
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- 1/26/14 /
- Comment
Alfonso Cuarón Wins Top Honor at DGA Awards
The Gravity director's Oscar chances don't look bad.
Skip to content, or skip to search.
The Gravity director's Oscar chances don't look bad.
So, Argo's Oscar chances are still looking good.
David O. Russell = snubbed.
And now he's up for an award!
'The Hurt Locker' director's win was nearly eclipsed by the apparent refutation of all those break-up rumors
Exes square off in final battle before Oscars.
Despite last week's invented controversy, Danny Boyle won top honors from the Directors Guild on Saturday.
Are these the front-runners for Best Picture?
'Wall-E' helmer Andrew Stanton has been inexplicably ruled ineligible for a DGA Award on the count that his movie is animated.
Does this mean it's all over for Atonement?