Al's Ramblings



Wednesday, January 06, 2010

(1/06/2010 10:36:00 PM) - Al

Whats your opinion of Joe Biden?

He is the gift to republicans that keeps on giving.--Meghan McCain on Twitter


Thank goodness we have his experience and knowledge...hey, has anyone seen Joe? Anyone?


1/06/2010 10:36:00 PM



(1/06/2010 10:31:00 PM) - Al

Repeat after me, no one in Gitmo should spend one second in the USA.

Between reading terrorists their rights and this, how out of touch can people be?


1/06/2010 10:31:00 PM



(1/06/2010 10:26:00 PM) - Al

I think someone needed a Happy Meal.


1/06/2010 10:26:00 PM



(1/06/2010 10:18:00 PM) - Al

Looks like the mom of the year award will have to go to someone else once again this year.


1/06/2010 10:18:00 PM



(1/06/2010 10:04:00 PM) - Al

The Survivor contestants for the all-star 20th season is announced.

I barely remember any of them, unless they were terribly annoying.


1/06/2010 10:04:00 PM



(1/06/2010 09:19:00 PM) - Al

So if you're going to put air marshals on international flights...is this something you should really be making public?

This administration needs a serious lesson in "loose lips sink ships".

It did occur to me maybe they are going to focus on domestics, and are saying this to throw the bad guys off, but I think I'm giving them far too much credit.


1/06/2010 09:19:00 PM



(1/06/2010 09:13:00 PM) - Al

The Dems are now criticizing Nelson...very empty though, because she still voted for it. You can sure tell which ones are up for election this November.


1/06/2010 09:13:00 PM



(1/06/2010 09:08:00 PM) - Al

I asked who Casey Johnson was several times, and never got much of an answer. Looking at this bio, I now know why.

It is amazing how all these drug users in LA seem to know each other, and are all shocked when yet another succumbs to an overdose.


1/06/2010 09:08:00 PM



(1/06/2010 08:50:00 PM) - Al

I can't believe Hanes was willing to overlook the goofball 9/11 comments Sheen made.

There's a lot of marketing dollars available, if only you keep your nose clean.


1/06/2010 08:50:00 PM



(1/06/2010 08:41:00 PM) - Al

Adam LaRoche supposedly turned down a 2y/$17M deal. He's basically a league average 1B. There are several other 1B on the market (Delgado, Branyan come right to mind) that I'd prefer anyway, especially since they'd probably sign one year deals.


1/06/2010 08:41:00 PM



(1/06/2010 07:04:00 PM) - Al

Adam reports Doug is not sure if they'll be able to add another SP, as he wants to maintain payroll flexibility.

I'm still expecting a $2-3M addition in the pitching staff, most likely a guy who can start or relieve...Brett Myers and Braden Looper being possible, along with DJ Carrasco and Colby Lewis.


1/06/2010 07:04:00 PM



(1/06/2010 06:52:00 PM) - Al

Peter Gammons said yesterday on ESPN radio that he wonders if Johnny Damon could end up in MIN or MIL.

That's one of those that may so little sense, you almost have to take it seriously...as there's no way anyone would just piece together Damon and MIL unless he had heard something.

I doubt anything comes off it, as I can certainly see the braintrust making a phone call to see if Damon has any interest in a one year deal, but to put more thought into it than that, I have to see more proof than a mention when discussing possibilities.


1/06/2010 06:52:00 PM



(1/06/2010 02:20:00 PM) - Al

Adam twitters Omar Aguilar was removed from the 40 man, meaning they now have an open spot if they care to sign or claim someone (or, make a two for one trade, I suppose).


1/06/2010 02:20:00 PM



(1/06/2010 02:09:00 PM) - Al

He got the corn; we got the husk.--Ahhold S, on Ben Nelson's being bought off vote for health care, if the federal gov't pays for Nebraska's share.

Arnold's got some good writers, and that accent makes almost anything he says funny.

For some reason, he doesn't seem to think it's fair that California has to pay for themselves, and part of Nebraska...go figure.


1/06/2010 02:09:00 PM



(1/06/2010 02:02:00 PM) - Al

My last one, I promise:

Bert Blyleven not good enough to get in the Hall of Fame...but Eric Karros...whose career line is not quite as good as Corey Hart's...got two votes.

Oy vey.


1/06/2010 02:02:00 PM



(1/06/2010 01:59:00 PM) - Al

BTW, I thought Andre Dawson deserved to make it this year over the other 8 years. He had an underrated 2008 season.--Bill Simmons on Twitter

I think Simmons is as overrated as they come, but that's a great line.


1/06/2010 01:59:00 PM



(1/06/2010 01:48:00 PM) - Al

Royals looking for a CF...prepare to be underwhelmed.

I'd move Guillen or Dejesus to CF and sign Jack Cust before signing any of those options...Pods and Winn are, at best, platoon guys who are long in the tooth, and Ankiel, while not bad, is coming off a career worst year and also can't hit lefties even a little.

.318/.405--2009 Royals
.316/.408--2009 AL catchers

It's one thing to lose, but another to lose and have your entire team hit like a mediocre backstop.


1/06/2010 01:48:00 PM



(1/06/2010 01:44:00 PM) - Al

Fun fact: Dawson has worst batting average and worst on-base percentage (by 20 points!) among all Hall of Fame outfielders.--Gleeman's Twitter

But, he did play in a more offensive era than most!


1/06/2010 01:44:00 PM



(1/06/2010 01:40:00 PM) - Al

How much is Prince Fielder worth?

Holliday has never had a OPS as high as Prince did in 2009...despite playing years in Colorado. And, in theory, Matt is past his peak, Prince has not hit his yet.


1/06/2010 01:40:00 PM



(1/06/2010 01:32:00 PM) - Al

Blyleven missed HOF by 5 votes and 5 voters sent in a blank ballot. Why do we care about this BBWAA-voted stuff, again?--Gleeman's Twitter

Oof. Aaron suggests they elected about the 8th best player eligible, and I would have to agree, as Andre Dawson was well down my mythical list.

This is the same group Drew Olson was elected an officer of once. They know nothing more about baseball than cliche and who was nice to them in the clubhouse. The irony is, five guys from the JS get to vote, and only one even covers baseball.

I'd say there must be a better way, but in reality, I don't think there could be a more clumsy, awkward voting method if they tried to come up with one.


1/06/2010 01:32:00 PM



(1/06/2010 11:28:00 AM) - Al

Roger Ebert called Juno one of the best films of the decade, which I found odd because I thought it was so stupid.

At the bottom of this, I suppose, is my dislike of films that bill themselves as a comedy, and then, are not funny.

The Hurt Locker comes in 2nd, and I have heard wonderful things about this...get this...a film about Iraq that is not over-the-top anti-American and portrays the military as good, brave men doing their best. None of the Iraq movies have been commercial successes yet either, so we'll see if this is the first, as it is sure to be released widely when the Academy Award nominations come out.


1/06/2010 11:28:00 AM



(1/06/2010 11:15:00 AM) - Al

As I've pondered before, I just don't see what the need is for the "backroom", "secretive" and "hurry up and wait" discussions of this health care bill.

If you want to expand Medicaid, so be it, but I've never heard anyone state that as a goal, as this seems to be being sold as something else. Again, why did this need to be passed on Xmas Eve? Doesn't take effect for years, no hurry on negotiating the final version...it's all just a mystery.

Now, we seem to have a direct contradiction (stop me if you've heard this before) on how public the discussions should be. What is the fear factor here? Who is afraid of what? There's no national security interests as a cause...they don't have to worry about troop positions being broadcast over the airwaves.

Maybe someone can clue me in on this, as I see it as "We don't want the facts on TV because the public hates it already."


1/06/2010 11:15:00 AM



(1/06/2010 09:36:00 AM) - Al

The irony here is, every time I say Obama's foreign policy is identical to W's, folks write in and disagree...though never give any specifics.

It's now become so obvious the old media has noticed.


1/06/2010 09:36:00 AM



(1/06/2010 08:57:00 AM) - Al

It's tough for me to look at Holliday's deal with the Cards and think it's way too much for far too long...and what a tremendous bargain the Brewers have with Ryan Braun.


1/06/2010 08:57:00 AM


Tuesday, January 05, 2010

(1/05/2010 11:37:00 PM) - Al

Sometimes, it's hard to convince me a worldwide recession exists...$177K paid for a large tuna.


1/05/2010 11:37:00 PM



(1/05/2010 11:34:00 PM) - Al

At least the Dem strategists understand the anger...Andrew Sullivan has been blaming the pollsters of late.


1/05/2010 11:34:00 PM



(1/05/2010 08:06:00 PM) - Al

Heh, like it's possible to embarrass CNN. The mere fact Andy Cooper didn't blame W for the ball falling and trapping thousands in the Superdome should be considered a good day for the net.


1/05/2010 08:06:00 PM



(1/05/2010 08:02:00 PM) - Al

Pelosi may not want to sit next to Obama next time they have bagels and coffee...he's been known to hold a grudge.


1/05/2010 08:02:00 PM



(1/05/2010 07:57:00 PM) - Al

The Rambling wife and myself have no desire to buy a GM...as they have retired our brand and the government struggles to deliver the mail, never mind run a car company. And, if memory serves, the UAW now owns a huge chunk of GM, and I have no confidence in them to still be in business in a few years.

Al,

I just saw your post on GM and I agree. They got rid of Saturn, which is making me wonder what to get next. I have a lease on an Aura XE for one more year. Best car I ever had. It handles like a dream in our WI winters. I was very disappointed when Penske couldn't reach an agreement to take it over. On another GM note, my wife has a 2005 TrailBlazer with only 30,000 miles on it & is starting to incur problem after problem (struts, fuel tank sensor, tranny). She said the same thing the other day, "I doubt I'll ever get a GM again."

Shawn


1/05/2010 07:57:00 PM



(1/05/2010 07:46:00 PM) - Al

They simply cannot do the simplest things without screwing it up.

Can you imagine the worst of private businesses making such a huge, easy to prevent error?

UPDATE: The link is there, but folks tell me they can't get to it. It's working here!!


1/05/2010 07:46:00 PM



(1/05/2010 06:20:00 PM) - Al

Speaking of Kotchman, I again have to wonder where Jack Z thinks his offense is going to come from...swapping Casey for Russell Branyan is a huge offensive loss, and Branyan/Beltre is far better than Figgins/Kotchman, while Chone may have been looked at as an upgrade before, this would seem to cancel it out. Remember, the Mariners were last in the AL last year in runs scored, and while the Royals may give them a run for their money, I see SEA scoring fewer than last year, even with Milton Bradley.


1/05/2010 06:20:00 PM



(1/05/2010 06:15:00 PM) - Al

Bill Hall goes to BOS for Kotchman...I wonder if Theo saw value in Hall, or if he was forced to take back salary.

Bill would be a nice fit if a team had a lefty bat or two, but the Sox entire infield hits RH...Youkilis, Pedroia, Scutaro, and soon, Beltre. Of course, they can still pick and choose Hall's playing time and let him face southpaws, as he has not hit righties in years.


1/05/2010 06:15:00 PM



(1/05/2010 04:40:00 PM) - Al

Rory Markus, who worked for the Crew as part of the TV team from '92-'94, passed away.

Ramblings expresses its condolences to his family and friends.

I barely recall Rory, as I was living in Eau Claire then, playing softball 2-3 nights a week and working 4 nights at the pizza place.


1/05/2010 04:40:00 PM



(1/05/2010 04:37:00 PM) - Al

The Brewers add two to the minor league team, and announce the coaching staffs.


1/05/2010 04:37:00 PM


Monday, January 04, 2010

(1/04/2010 06:47:00 PM) - Al

Remember how the rest of the world was supposed to just adore us now?

Not only do they not, they also don't give a crap if someone blows up a plane in the US. This is why it's tough being the only superpower...everyone else just expects the US to take care of it.


1/04/2010 06:47:00 PM



(1/04/2010 06:37:00 PM) - Al

Theo signs Beltre, who must expect the market to be better next offseason.


1/04/2010 06:37:00 PM



(1/04/2010 06:17:00 PM) - Al

Roko Ukic asks to be released, Bucks grant his request.

They sure have given away a lot of talent without getting anything in return. Ukic could easily be a solid backup PG with playing time, and pitched in nicely a couple times.


1/04/2010 06:17:00 PM



(1/04/2010 02:57:00 PM) - Al

Tom H thinks the Crew will add a SP.

If one of them sign for 1y/$3M, I agree. However, Garland certainly won't, and Davis turned down a deal for far more from ARI, and was said to want 3 years. Washburn may take less than market to play near his home, but as I have said, I see more of a swingman type signing late, a couple weeks before pitchers and catchers report.


1/04/2010 02:57:00 PM



(1/04/2010 02:47:00 PM) - Al

From my own experience visiting the troops in the Middle East, I can tell you this, though: despite how the conflict has been portrayed by our glorious media, if you gave any U.S. soldier a gun with two bullets in it, and he found himself in an elevator with Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Osama bin Laden, there’s a good chance that Nancy Pelosi would get shot twice, and Harry Reid and bin Laden would be strangled to death. -- CBS Sports commentator David Feherty

You can read the rest of the 40 worst quotes of the year here.

You gotta smile every time some folks open their mouth...that's why the polls are where they are, that kind of talk doesn't play in flyover country.


1/04/2010 02:47:00 PM



(1/04/2010 11:37:00 AM) - Al

It hasn't even been warm enough here to shovel off the deck, though yesterday, the sliding door worked well for the first time in a couple weeks...it only got up to 17, but the sun apparently warmed up the track, it flew right out of my hand, as I expected resistance.


1/04/2010 11:37:00 AM



(1/04/2010 11:30:00 AM) - Al

The inefficiency of the federal government is simply off-the-charts.

And then there's Washington DC, the bastion of far-left oddballs.


1/04/2010 11:30:00 AM



(1/04/2010 11:26:00 AM) - Al

Mike Puma of the New York Post reports that the Mets have turned their attention to a pool of starting pitchers that includes Ben Sheets, Joel Pineiro and Jon Garland.

The Mets are very close to officially securing the big bat they covet in the form of Jason Bay, and while they wait for Bengie Molina, they'll begin to address a starting staff that has Johan Santana and a bunch of question marks. Sheets, 31, has the most upside of the lot, but is believed to be commanding money similar to what he made in 2008 -- $12 million. He won't get it, even with incentives. With Pineiro coming off a career-year, Garland -- who has tossed over 191 2/3 innings in every season since 2002 -- could be a cost-effective solution for a rotation that sorely needs another durable arm.--Rotoworld


I have to agree, I'm shocked there is not more of a market for Garland...he's as steady and solid as they come. Sheets needs to prove he's healthy in a throwing session before I'd even talk about him. His reluctance to do so tells me he's not ready yet.


1/04/2010 11:26:00 AM


Sunday, January 03, 2010

(1/03/2010 07:18:00 PM) - Al

It's almost like the free pass the old media bestowed is now haunting them,


1/03/2010 07:18:00 PM



(1/03/2010 03:59:00 PM) - Al

I used to subscribe to the NYT and read it for at least an hour a day, paging through the whole thing. Now, I’m spending more and more time looking for opinion about American politics in the British papers.--Ann Althouse

I've said the same thing many times of late. The old media in these parts are too busy lauding Obama as a savior to bother with the facts.


1/03/2010 03:59:00 PM



(1/03/2010 03:55:00 PM) - Al

The irony is, the Dems keep denying they are losing the popularity battle


1/03/2010 03:55:00 PM



(1/03/2010 01:06:00 PM) - Al

169 story building opens tomorrow in Dubai, over a half-mile tall.


1/03/2010 01:06:00 PM



(1/03/2010 11:52:00 AM) - Al

The administration's resolution should be to stop being so thin-skinned. You never saw Ronald Reagan responding to attacks...of course, you never saw him raising spending and taxes every five minutes either, but that's a story for another day.

The inept, "if we ignore it, it will go away" handling of terrorism, and the rest of the globe in general, has to change...the public is noticing, regardless of the old media's attempts to cover other stuff.


1/03/2010 11:52:00 AM



(1/03/2010 12:04:00 AM) - Al

Colts, Bears, Steelers, Bengals, 49ers, Falcons, Ravens, Titans, and the other home teams in the final NFL weekend.

I'd take the Colts and Bengals plus the points.


1/03/2010 12:04:00 AM


Whatever strikes me as interesting, and serious Milwaukee Brewers thoughts. If you are a believer in respecting OBP, throwing strikes, and keeping the ball in the park, you may have found the place you've been searching for. I don't believe in paying a no hit/good field SS $7 million per year (Jack Wilson, I'm talking about you). I don't think it's a good idea to "play for a run" early in the game. Build up your minor league system, and watch success follow.

2009 stats by position


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