When I make mistakes here -- and I do, every now and then -- I'm usually fairly quickly corrected by a sharp-eyed BCB reader or three, and I'll acknowledge the mistake, fix it and move on.
I'm kind of bored this morning with no Cubs game till tomorrow night, so I thought I'd take this opportunity to point out an error made by AP writer Dave Skretta in this recap of the Yankees' 3-2 win over the Royals on Saturday. In the notes paragraph at the bottom of the recap, he writes:
Yankees INF Cody Ransom made his big league debut in the seventh, pinch-running for [Jason] Giambi.
Cody Ransom is 32 years old and has bounced around the minor leagues since 1998, mostly in the Giants' organization. He played in the majors for Dusty Baker with the Giants in September callups in 2001 and 2002 and Dusty remembered him well enough to have the Cubs sign him to a minor league deal and invite him to spring training in 2005, where he hit .160 in 17 games (4-for-25, 2 doubles, a HR) and spent about half that year at Iowa.
Before he made his first appearance for the Yankees on Saturday he had played in 133 major league games.
Now, I remembered seeing Ransom in spring training in '05 and knew he had played for the Giants. But even if I hadn't, looking up the above information took about five minutes. Maybe I'm being nitpicky, but then again, I'm not being paid by the Associated Press to write game recaps. Dave Skretta should have done just a bit of research -- and especially when you consider that in the AP recaps posted at Yahoo, player names are linked to their profiles, meaning anyone could click on Ransom's name in the Yahoo recap and see that Saturday wasn't his ML debut.
Incidentally, Ransom celebrated his recall to the Yankees yesterday; he was sent up to bat for Giambi in the 7th inning with the Yankees leading 12-3 and hit a two-run homer off Jeff Fulchino.
0 recs | 313 comments
HOIST!
daver - August 18, 2008
Nice, or even:
Kegler - August 18, 2008
Feist?
dr stabbingworth - August 18, 2008
Christ?
neverAcquiesce - August 18, 2008
The truth
behind the Shroud of Turin! Wondrous!
Kegler - August 18, 2008
Winner!
Bump Bailey - August 18, 2008
Al, reading the Saturday's game recap
I think you made a mistake when you wrote that Jim Edmonds had a hit in the 7th. I think Reed Johnson pitch-hit for him because Arthur Rhodes was coming in. I know it’s little, but I’m a detail kind of guy.
lexmarklover - August 18, 2008
You're right.
Did I write that? I knew Johnson had hit for Edmonds, who was hitting for the pitcher.
Al Yellon - August 18, 2008
I'm not surprised at something like this.
It seems like with the addition of several media outlets including blogs, writers don’t seem to feel the need to be as accurate as possible. Maybe it was an honest mistake, but it seems like if you are producing material for a wire service, you should be as accurate as possible. If it was just lazy-assed reporting, then shame on him. The profession deserves a better effort.
willie mays hayes' gloves - August 18, 2008
Oh sure, Ransom has played in the majors before...
…but you haven’t played in the BIG leagues until you’ve played in YANKEE STADIUM.
hokie316 - August 18, 2008
Mistakes are overrated,
I’ve made a ton of them!
On another note, yesterday Pat Hughes was talking about he cubs wins in one run games and two run games, throwing a little caution in the wind. Does anyone have those? The numbers did not bode well for close games in the playoffs and I was a little surprised.
Make no mistake about this, it is fun being a cub fan right now!
mrcubsfan - August 18, 2008
Are they really overrated? Would you tend
to trust a story from a writer who constantly makes mistakes in his reporting? I agree that there doesn’t seem to be the attention called to mistakes as there once was. Reading some articles is apparent that there isn’t the importance to proofreading as ther once was, but a wire service article or a column in a major city paper are not responses to a blog post. They should be accurate and it’s the writes job to research the facts.
willie mays hayes' gloves - August 18, 2008
Sorry. Hope this isn't taken as snarky
but I was laughing hard reading this.
sic. :)
Archie - August 18, 2008
Maybe you were trying to do this as a joke?
Archie - August 18, 2008
You get my point?
willie mays hayes' gloves - August 18, 2008
Clearly.
:)
Archie - August 18, 2008
Well played, sir.
Al Yellon - August 18, 2008
I stand accused.
willie mays hayes' gloves - August 18, 2008
Cubs are 17-18 in 1 run games
will have to do check the scores individually to get the 2 run games…
BigJohnAZ - August 18, 2008
Looks like 11-13 in 2 run games
if I didn’t miss any.
BigJohnAZ - August 18, 2008
That is because the only way to beat the Cubs
Is by one run or two. It’s not like they get blown out very often.
I think this is more unnecessary hand wringing.
wnielsen - August 18, 2008
It might pay to check those
numbers agaist recent WS winners. I suspect most good teams would win slightly over half of thier 0ne and two run margin games. Those games tend to go either way based on breaks the fact that most of those games tend to be against better competition.
willie mays hayes' gloves - August 18, 2008
Just for grins
The TB Rays are 23-13 in 1 run games but only 19-16 in 5+ run games, so I guess it’s 6 of one, half dozen of another. WIns are wins.
BigJohnAZ - August 18, 2008
And...
… the Rays had two of the former (one-run wins) and one of the latter (a five-run win) over the Cubs.
Al Yellon - August 18, 2008
FYI the Cubs are 25-11 in games decided by 5+ runs
So, we may not have a GREAT record in close games, but in all others, we rock! We’ll see what the numbers are in 1 and 2 run games are at the end of the season. We’ll probably be pretty close to .500 when it’s all said and done.
BigJohnAZ - August 18, 2008
and how many of those games were 1-run games until we blew it open?
flachimesa - August 18, 2008
Wow, I would have to look at each boxscore to filter that
give me some time to work on that. Have to squeeze in some actual work here at work today, so don’t know when I’ll get to that LOL
BigJohnAZ - August 18, 2008
Just going back
and looking at the box scores on some of the early season blowouts, most of our blowout wins were well in hand early in the game. Of the first 11 blowout wins, we were only one run up or actually behind in 3 of them in the 6th or 7th inning. The other 8, we were 5 or more up by the 4th or 5th.
Of the first 4 blow out losses, the opposition was ahead by 5+ by the 5th, on average. There are 36 individual games to look at, and I really don’t have the time to document them all. Head over to HERE to view each game.
BigJohnAZ - August 18, 2008
This is strange timing
I was at the I-Cubs game on Friday night and in the sky box area there are a bunch of pictures of former I-Cubs…pretty impressive list….well there was one of Cody Ransom..for the life of me I couldn’t remember who he was…..well now I do…
thanks
cozmotaylor123 - August 18, 2008
forget about a reporter who does not do his research I could care less
First thing most reporters are not sports fans or former athletes, they are writers and don’t really know the games they cover.
Ivy Walls - August 18, 2008
Is it they don't know the
games or are some just a bit lazy? Maybe they figure the casual fan doesn’t know when they read innacurate information or they don’t care. I know I would have a hard time witing stories on a regular basis if I felt that the readers aren’t paying much attention to what I write.
willie mays hayes' gloves - August 18, 2008
That's not an excuse.
If you’re going to put facts in your articles, you should check to make sure the facts are correct.
Al Yellon - August 18, 2008
+1
willie mays hayes' gloves - August 18, 2008
(Joking) But Facts Get In the Way of Good Stories
(Joking) Find out the conclusion you want and manufacture facts to support your claim. Accuracy doesn’t matter. (Again, joking)
memphiscub - August 18, 2008
You may be joking, but you aren't too far from the truth.
willie mays hayes' gloves - August 18, 2008
and that is the viewpoint
it is not the facts that matter, it is the storyline…the drama, the irony, their interest, the angle, the dea that the reader is easily amused and not interested in the real story.
Ivy Walls - August 18, 2008
If facts don't matter, don't include them.
willie mays hayes' gloves - August 18, 2008
I gotta disagree with this.
It seems to me that most sports reporters are, indeed, huge sports fans – that’s why they pursued that career path in the first place. And even if a reporter isn’t a sports fan, he or she should still know the games in question. Would a reporter sent to cover the war in Iraq not be expected to be familar with the history and current events in that region?
daver - August 18, 2008
And if not...
… I’d think it’d be that reporter’s job to do enough research so that they DO know those things, no matter what the topic.
Al Yellon - August 18, 2008
I think it shows a complete lack
of professionalism when a so-called sports reporter doesn’t know about a particular sport he or she is reporting. You are in the sports business, you should know what the hell you are talking about. If you don’t know, find out. With the internet, information is right at your fingertips. I don’t care if it’s pro football or cricket. If I as a casual sports fan know more about a subject than the person reporting, it wrong!
willie mays hayes' gloves - August 18, 2008
Exactly.
In this case, Skretta’s error was particularly egregious because it was so easily avoided. Does this guy have an e-mail address? Someone should send him a link to this thread – it might ruin his day, but it could save his job.
daver - August 18, 2008
The sad part about it is
that I don’t even think his editor would take him task for this. There really doesn’t seem to be a lot of outcry about stuff like this. No one seems accountable. I had heard that news outlets had fact checkers to catch things like this, but I haven’t seen much evidence that they exist.
willie mays hayes' gloves - August 18, 2008
Sullivan used to get one fact wrong per game
He seems to have gotten a bit better.
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Paul Sullivan? Don't get me started on that hack!
willie mays hayes' gloves - August 18, 2008
Sullivan's OK...
… but the point above is relevant. Isn’t that part of the editor’s job? To fact-check? Or to hire someone for that job?
Al Yellon - August 18, 2008
The reporter is supposed to check any facts included in their story
but NOTHING that is factually incorrect should get by the editor…They are the last line of defense. It is understood that reporters are on deadline and often working more than one story, and t the editor is supposed to catch the little mistakes…
PurpleLineToWrigley - August 18, 2008
With cutbacks everywhere
sometimes there is NOBODY to proof somebody’s copy. When reporters are working on very tight deadlines, sometimes they forget to check facts.
That’s no excuse, but without other layers of people to edit — these days, stuff is going to leak through. The media has been stripped to the bone in many ways.
When I am a one-person radio news department on weekednds, I try to double-check my work before it airs. However, mistakes happen when writing quickly. I’ve caught and corrected them ASAP.
Just sayin….
San Diego Smooth Jazz Man - August 18, 2008
Especially hard to catch
stuff when it’s your own, and your eyes are doing the checking…Many brain farts…
PurpleLineToWrigley - August 18, 2008
Sorry!
I did say “a bit”, tho…
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
How much research does it take?
That reporter could have:
1. Looked on the Internet (Baseball Reference, MLB.com, etc.)
2. Read the Yankees’ press notes for Saturday, p. 8.
3. Asked the Yankees’ PR director
4. Asked any media member who regularly covers baseball and remembered the error Ransom committed in the playoffs for the Giants
5. Gone into the clubhouse and asked Ransom
Not a huge amount of effort required.
DeRoMyHero - August 18, 2008
really?
Really? Because the Lee/Aram bases loaded thing hasn’t been fixed.
big_lowitzki - August 18, 2008
I don't know if you are being serious or
needling Al, but he really isn’t the issue here. Reporters and columnist are being paid good money to do their jobs. Al is running a blog. There is a difference. Part of reporting and writing columns is being accurate. If I can’t trust the validity of the facts in a story, it’s not worth the paper on which it’s being printed.
willie mays hayes' gloves - August 18, 2008
You seem to only show up here when you're correcting me...
… but didn’t we go over this yesterday?
I think it’s time for this:
Al Yellon - August 18, 2008
heh...
I just thought it was funny that you are talking about correcting your mistakes when you didn’t correct yesterday’s. :)
big_lowitzki - August 18, 2008
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
I think we knew you were making a joke at Al's expense, and believe me I am all for that,
I think that maybe this subject does warrant some serious discussion.
willie mays hayes' gloves - August 18, 2008
Get out
dr stabbingworth - August 18, 2008
my old coaching friend will like this I have to save it to my desktop
he used to beat dead horse more than a politician
Ivy Walls - August 18, 2008
Just in case he'd rather have the classic look...
Al Yellon - August 18, 2008
That one is much classier.
willie mays hayes' gloves - August 18, 2008
That's the one I prefer.
Lowitzki, Ramirez is a better hitter right now, and has been since April. That’s why they shouldn’t have walked Lee. Get over it.
sackings108 - August 18, 2008
I agree...
… not sure what your point is.
I never say that they should have walked Lee.
big_lowitzki - August 18, 2008
Epic
That made my day, on a day when two weeks of work got ruined.
dr stabbingworth - August 18, 2008
Maybe he had Joe Morgan do his fact checking
MerlinDog - August 18, 2008
the AP writer Dave Skretta, not Al!!!
MerlinDog - August 18, 2008
I'd like to give a thumbs down to Dave Skretta
daeviant - August 18, 2008
Facts
Facts are simple and facts are straight
Facts are lazy and facts are late
Facts all come with points of view
Facts don’t do what I want them to
Facts just twist the truth around
Facts are living turned inside out
Facts are getting the best of them
Facts are nothing on the face of things
Facts don’t stain the furniture
Facts go out and slam the door
Facts are written all over your face
Facts continue to change their shape
No point, I just like getting a Talking Heads reference in there now and again. :)
carmen_fanzone - August 18, 2008
This has inspired me to create a signature line.
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
I'm still waiting.... I'm still waiting....
hokie316 - August 18, 2008
I still think "Lost my shape, trying to act casual/Can't stop, I might end up in the hospital"
Is one of the most bizarre opening lines to a song ever….lol
carmen_fanzone - August 18, 2008
I think this post is inappropriate
First, you’re reading that sentence with an awfully narrow interpretation. It’s possible, and maybe even likely, that the reporter was referring to a big league debut for the YANKEES. Perhaps he should have been clearer but, in my opinion, you’re nitpicking like crazy.
Second, you too have made mistakes, Al, and you readily admitted that in your post. But you are attacking this writer’s credibility based on a mistake which could easily just be one of omission of three words, rather than a factual error. I expect, based upon your response to posts at Desipio in the past, that you would be pretty upset if they went through random posts of yours and called you out for your tiny mistakes with articles on their website, in front of the community that you write for. I get the AP/Blog distinction, but how is that any different?
tal1286 - August 18, 2008
It said "big league debut".
I don’t think there can be any different interpretation of that. If he had wanted to say “Yankee debut” he should have said “Yankee debut”.
Yes, it’s nitpicking. I said I was bored today.
Al Yellon - August 18, 2008
Didn't Confucious say
“those who pick nits always lose”? LOL
BigJohnAZ - August 18, 2008
Just trying to lighten the mood...
;)
BigJohnAZ - August 18, 2008
fair enough
I just think this was a bit beyond the scope of this website and somewhat inappropriate, especially given your response to people who correct you.
tal1286 - August 18, 2008
Disagree.
Al’s post is both Cubs- and baseball-related. How is it “beyond the scope of this website”? And it’s a time-honored tradition for bloggers to take the mainstream media to task for its laziness and inaccuracy.
daver - August 18, 2008
you're probably right
about the scope thing. If I could edit that I would…
I still think that the response of Al and people on this website when people correct him is notably different than it is when he does something like this. That’s more what I’m referring to.
By the way, I love FJM and have been linking to them on this site for probably a year and a half. So I do agree about the bloggers/MSM comment.
tal1286 - August 18, 2008
OK, well...
…seems to me that, when someone graciously points out a mistake in one of Al’s recaps, he’s more than willing to correct it. Disputes over matters of opinion are less easily resolved, but that’s par for the course on any blog.
daver - August 18, 2008
+1
Basically it’s Al site and he decides what’s appropriate. Then it’s up to us to decide if we want to read it. If he continually gets too far off topic then he’ll lose readers.
MerlinDog - August 18, 2008
it's Al's blog
as long as it’s about baseball, how can it be inappropriate?
drewishdrewid - August 18, 2008
sigh - let me clarify
As I said, if I could remove the scope comment I would. I know it’s Al’s blog, and I often say the same thing to myself when people complain about the content of some posts.
In any case, I think that it’s inappropriate to correct a very small mistake that might not even be one, as i said in my first post. I think that it’s inappropriate because Al doesn’t take especially kindly to outside media outlets (specifically Desipio) calling him out, and yet he thinks it’s appropriate to do just that here.
tal1286 - August 18, 2008
I like turtles
PurpleLineToWrigley - August 18, 2008
semantics
I think you can think it’s wrong.
But it’s Al’s blog. If he deems it appropriate, it cannot, by definition, be inappropriate.
drewishdrewid - August 18, 2008
in addition... some posts from yesterday's recap:
These are all in response to Big_Lowitzki’s correction of Al.
“Did he shoot your dog or something?”
-TCobb1911
“I think we get the point, dude. It was an accident. Why not comment with this amount of tenacity when the facts are right?”
“Sigh – Always someone.”
-dtpollitt
“hm. there’s something to be said about wanting to be completely accurate in everything you do, but generally, when people notice small mistakes or lapses in logic, they tend to let it go. you’re reading a baseball discussion forum man, not a freaking dissertation for a PhD. Let it go.”
-ThisIsResolute
I just think the responses to Lowitzki’s post yesterday and Al’s post today are quite interesting in their differences.
tal1286 - August 18, 2008
Well I'll agree with you on that.
The attack dog routine has gotten a little old.
sackings108 - August 18, 2008
I think its the nature of blogs
Its much harder to calm things down once they get started and it starts to look like a chorus, all attacking the same person. If we were all in the same room it would be much easier to calm things down. I think the trick is to not let it get to you & try to not get involved.
NONE OF THIS IS PERSONALLY AIMED AT SACKINGS108
And the fact that I need to put that illustrates my point
Stan Cox - August 18, 2008
Nah, it's not you Stan.
There are just certain people who will jump on anyone who dares disagree w/ Al. I think Al can defend himself just fine, but instead of being able to have a disagreement w/ Al, you have to answer to Sue, Kinky, et al. It’s stupid.
sackings108 - August 18, 2008
Name calling is also stupid
and you do that quite often.
sue369 - August 18, 2008
Yeah, I did it once. Pleace demonstrate "quite often"
sackings108 - August 18, 2008
You called someone a bum
and said “you must be an idiot” to somone else. SouthsideCubsfan asked you yesterday to stop the name calling.
It’s not just the name calling. I don’t know if you realize how snarky you come across. Comments like. “can you pass what your smoking” and today you had a reply to Lowitzki that started out fine but you had to end it with “get over it”. Others on here have called you out on your snarkiness. I know you are very young and probably think it’s funny or cool but it’s not.
sue369 - August 18, 2008
Since you can't back up your point,
you seem to like to refer to me as very young, as if that somehow proves something. Yeah, I’m 18, and you may be very old. That has nothing to do with anything. The fact is, your replies are often just as snarky as you claim mine are. You also choose to cherry pick things to prove your point. Yesterday, I did refer to cubswynn as an idiot, after he called me a “debbie downer.” I though it was stupid of him to say that, but also immediately responded to SSCubsfan criticism of me calling cubswynn an idiot, and admitted I was in the wrong. Beyond that, I haven’t called anyone any names. But you seem loathe to actually discuss real things, instead you decide to marginalize arguments by saying that I must think its cool to be snarky because I’m young.
Good point Sue. Makes plenty of sense. The fact is, you hate when people disagree with you. I referred to Kosuke Fukudome as “Fuku” the other day, and you had a fit about it, and decided you would “call me out on it” from here on out. Why? Because apparently you have nothing better to do than worry about the nicknames I use for Cub players. You’re just as snarky as I ever have been.
And thanks for demonstrating how I name call “quite often.” Excellent job of proving your point.
sackings108 - August 18, 2008
cmon, guys
wouldn’t you rather add to the growing legion of Milton stories instead of this? :D
drewishdrewid - August 18, 2008
+1
Such a hustler.
neverAcquiesce - August 18, 2008
we're where the action is AT!
drewishdrewid - August 18, 2008
And another thing
I HATE THE WORD SNARKY!
Kinky Reggae - August 18, 2008
Was I the only
one who asked you not call Dome that? I think there were others who asked you not to call him that too were there not?
You also called someone a bum when you got into it with preacherman so it was more than once.
I get along with most people on this board. I stay away from the “who should play ss” stuff because I get tired of all of that argument. If that to you means I loathe actually discussing “real” things so be it.
sue369 - August 18, 2008
There were others who said it was wrong for me to say "Fuku"
but I was talking to you right now. Please explain to me how “quite often” means the same thing as “twice” because I must’ve missed that day in class.
Oh, and poop.
sackings108 - August 18, 2008
Again
my question is why you drag me into this. I didn’t participate in any of these conversations.
Kinky Reggae - August 18, 2008
I was wrong for that.
I just remembered you from a previous argument, but shouldn’t have put your name in there.
sackings108 - August 18, 2008
Okay...
I appreciate that.
Kinky Reggae - August 18, 2008
You called names
twice in the last two days. That’s enough. No name calling is one of the rules on this board and you apologized for it.
What’s wrong with saying poop when things don’t go well? It’s better than saying something else. You do realize that othe people on here say that too?
sue369 - August 18, 2008
So then why do you keep bringing it up, if I apologized for it?
sackings108 - August 18, 2008
Because you called me
out in a post above to Stan.
sue369 - August 18, 2008
Yeah, about how you jump all over anyone who disagrees w/ Al.
Like a few posts below. when you told tal to leave after he made a valid post, free of any snark.
sackings108 - August 18, 2008
All of the nit picky crap
posted towards Al lately has gotten very old. He works his butt off in here besides working a full time job and raising a family. I appreciate every thing he does in here and hate when people only come in here only to criticize his efforts. He has admitted he makes mistakes and is usually very cordial when they are brought to his attention.
I don’t defend him that often(he does a fine job by himself) but the last couple of months it’s been ridiculous.
sue369 - August 18, 2008
Oh nice
dragging me into this? The only time I have a problem with someone disagreeing with someone else is when I share that same opinion. I have no clue which friggin conversation you are even bitching about but try dragging someone who was ACTUALLY involved into your drama…not me.
Kinky Reggae - August 18, 2008
The attack dog routine........
…..never gets old!
The Lip - August 18, 2008
If you look closely....
you can see Michael Vick in the background doing some scouting.
hokie316 - August 18, 2008
LOL
Leave Michael alone!
dr stabbingworth - August 18, 2008
If little things
like that bothered me as much as it seems to be bothering you I’d just quit visiting the site.
sue369 - August 18, 2008
just
proving the point. Right there.
lamentir - August 18, 2008
Is it not true?
sue369 - August 18, 2008
No it isn't true. If somebody doesn't like something, they have every right to say it,
and tal was being completely civil about it. You’re a complete hypocrite, Sue. Calling me snarky, and then saying this:
sackings108 - August 18, 2008
No it is true.
If you disagree that’s fine.
sue369 - August 18, 2008
sue you don't need to defend me....
….bc hontestly the name calling thing doesn’t bother me….it truly doesn’t, but others do, so i don’t do it
i’m embarrassed to be apart of this discussion and although i want to defend myself, i won’t
can’t you just let it go sackings, i have
cubswynn - August 18, 2008
The homerun by Ransom was off Jeff Fulchino
Billy Traber, former Loyola Marymount Lion, is on the Yankees.
nbt - August 18, 2008
A delicious bit of irony.
I hope you correct this in your article, Al! =)
jbau - August 18, 2008
LOL
I will. I must have misread the PBP.
Al Yellon - August 18, 2008
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Sure, if this wasn’t the Internet.
Joe Dunman - August 18, 2008
Yeah, you’re probably right.
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Damn
We need a game….
Kegler - August 18, 2008
No doubt about it.
Al Yellon - August 18, 2008
Crew and Stros at 7.
That’s something.
neverAcquiesce - August 18, 2008
Thw Brewers-Astros game
is on ESPN tonight. That should be interesting, as the Stros have been playing really well this past week.
Matt Allison - August 18, 2008
Anyone want to do a game thread?
Bump Bailey - August 18, 2008
I'm actually spending this particular off-night
shopping for clothes (pants, mutter) and watching National Geographic videos with my kid.
drewishdrewid - August 18, 2008
sounds like a fun night.
I’ll be watching the Olympics
sue369 - August 18, 2008
My DVR is at 85%
I’ve been too busy watching Cubs games to catch up on other programing.
MerlinDog - August 18, 2008
Did you see Cecil Cooper predicted the 'Stros would sweep the Brewers?
http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080817&content_id=3326867&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou
sackings108 - August 18, 2008
I'd buy that for a dollar.
neverAcquiesce - August 18, 2008
Great. Bulletin board material.
Maybe it’ll get in the Brewers’ heads, though.
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
OT
Kyle Orton named Bears starting QB. Like that’s gonna help them..:)
Bump Bailey - August 18, 2008
poor Orton....
I don’t envy anyone tasked with standing behind that O-Line…
I suggest long snapping to Hester on every play and just letting him run for it.
bobby h - August 18, 2008
I feel bad for Kyle.
If they had a better offensive line he might do ok.
sue369 - August 18, 2008
And so would Grossman.
I predict at least half the games will be QBd by more than one player.
drewishdrewid - August 18, 2008
us packer fans don't have such a problem...
sackings108 - August 18, 2008
snort! snicker...
er, ahahah.
Heh.
that’s right! Good luck to you, sir packer fan! :D
drewishdrewid - August 18, 2008
well, I'm more optimistic about Aaron Rodgers than any of you seem to be about
your two headed monster, but I guess that’s because of their repeated failure.
sackings108 - August 18, 2008
Can we use our two-headed monster concurrently?
neverAcquiesce - August 18, 2008
Drew, I'll bet you $20 the Packers have a better record than the Bears this year
WIth the winnings going to Project 3000
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
I think the Vikings take both of us this year.
neverAcquiesce - August 18, 2008
That is possible . . .
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
alright, I'll take that bet
When do we check? Jan 15 2009?
drewishdrewid - August 18, 2008
I was thinking regular season.
If by some ridiculous quirk, they both make the playoffs, we can make another bet.
How about — regular season records. If they tie, we go to head to head. If that’s tied, we go to total points. If that’s tied, well, it’s not going to be, so let’s just say if it is we both lose!
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Going to the Convention?
We could give the payment to Al…
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
I would LOVE to go to the convention this year.
So we could definitely meet up there. There should be a BCB convention meetup anyway.
drewishdrewid - August 18, 2008
Sounds like a plan.
We’ve got a brew-stro thread going btw
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
I agree
sue369 - August 18, 2008
I don't dislike this.
Grossman’s a better passer…if he’s facing a defense of one. This makes me feel a little better.
neverAcquiesce - August 18, 2008
Just glad the Bears didn't name DeRo as their starting QB :-)
DeRoMyHero - August 18, 2008
Speaking of awesomely researched articles....
Check out this Randy Hill gem from FoxSports
It features such insights as:
(With regard to batting order):
Where he has exactly zero ABs this season. But that’s okay because
Where he has been slotted for exactly one game this season (not sure if it was with the Cubs or the Fathers). Speaking of Jimmy Baseball
Huh? Against LHP, who are not likely to give him trouble, Jimmy’s batting a robust .167/.222/.262
But we’re lucky that we have:
Good to have, as Lou’s been able to slot him in this season in an array of positions, including and limited to second base and pinch hitter.
…And on it goes… Not that I mind some positive press, but could you at least watch the team that you are writing about? Sheesh…
bobby h - August 18, 2008
wow.
talk about mistakes; this guy’s a blue-light special.
drewishdrewid - August 18, 2008
Addendum:
The one game that Edmonds played, batting third was this past Saturday against the Marlins. Didn’t realize that when I wrote the above.
So maybe Randy Hill watched part of 1 game before writing his article.
bobby h - August 18, 2008
What...
no mention of Rich Hill in our starting rotation? :)
carmen_fanzone - August 18, 2008
No...
He’s busy backing up Fonzie in left. He’s the left handed power bat that Lou’s been looking for.
bobby h - August 18, 2008
Well
Rich Hill making a comeback as an outfielder has been suggested. :)
(please note: I only post that because it is directly responsive to bobby’s post, I’m not a hapless shill!)
Brett Taylor - August 18, 2008
Off Day Activities
I am going to make use of my off day by going to double feature of VERY rare French crime thrillers ( films of course) from 1947 and 56. I am a huge film buff but hardly see much during the season ( I like mostly old stuff) . The last off day I went swimming in the lake as I was in Chicago.
Hope the rest of you find some pleasant activity ( besides watching the Astros/Brewers). We should get some rest just like the players.
"see " you all tomorrow.
Doggie Stalker - August 18, 2008
Did you see the French film Irreversible?
neverAcquiesce - August 18, 2008
i got so much work done today...
…i wonder if people noticed this only happens on off-days?!? let’s go astros!
cubswynn - August 18, 2008
I Know It's An Off Day But.............
nervousCUBlover - August 18, 2008
Astros /Brewers thread happening tonight?
alabebo - August 18, 2008
Well, at the bottom of the first inning
ESPN2 listed the score billboard as Astros and CUBS!
Wonder what the brew crew nation thinks of that.
Zeke - August 18, 2008
I'd hang around for a bit.
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
1-0 Brewers
alabebo - August 18, 2008
after 2 out and no one on. ugh
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
listening in on gameday audio here, I'm in Dallas on business
alabebo - August 18, 2008
I live in WI, so I could let you know in advance, if you want
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
sure thanks, just bored to death in my hotel room here, I hate off days
alabebo - August 18, 2008
Alright, Wolf up with a runner on 2nd, 2 out
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
me too
Emelie - August 18, 2008
Emelie! Well, now I HAVE to stick around for a little while.
;-)
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
awww... thanks :D
Emelie - August 18, 2008
are you travelling?
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
yep in San Diego until Wed. morning
the air here smells like flowers.
Emelie - August 18, 2008
How'd the presentation go?
I’m glad I’m not in Shanghai right now. Hotter than hell, and the air smells like, well, it just smells.
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
lol
presentation tomorrow afternoon. Of course I’m slotted as the last session of the last day, but it should still be good.
I would never expect Shanghai to smell like San Diego… lol!
Emelie - August 18, 2008
It has it's moments
But they don’t come in July or August.
Good luck on the presentation!
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
thanks! I'm looking forward to it.
Emelie - August 18, 2008
What is the topic?
Or would you have to kill me?
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Digital Natives vs. Digital Immigrants
on the difference between those who are "Born Digital" (computers in the home from time of birth) vs. those who weren’t, i.e., Digital Natives vs. Digital Immigrants. Impact on the workplace and how we need to rethink how we conceive and deliver content so it becomes more engaging and interactive.
Emelie - August 18, 2008
Cool!
There is a huge disparity, as you know better than I do.
My sister had a laptop PC that the computer shop couldn’t fix, and my then 8-year old nephew insisted on trying to fix it. She made him do it outside because she didn’t want him making a mess in the house . . . he took it apart, put it back together . . . and it worked.
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
not that it's programming
but it’s a similar point
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
excellent example
that sums it in a nutshell
Emelie - August 18, 2008
Hey Emelie
Re-trying my Q from last time:
The divisions between Natives and Immigrants. I’d assume age is a large determining factor, correct? If so, is there a well defined line of demarcation?
jbau - August 18, 2008
age is the demarcation
it starts from the advent of Pong in 1974. So if you remember Pong, played it in your youth (13 or younger), you’d be the bleeding edge of Digital Natives.
Emelie - August 18, 2008
Pong
sorry, was of negative age at time. =)
It’s certainly a relevant topic for BCB! In fact, BCB may well be a good laboratory for such a study, given the age distributions here.
Hey—you’re not secretly taking notes on us, now….
jbau - August 18, 2008
I'll bet she is
She seems quite the socialogical guru . . .
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
If so,
I demand a presentation!
jbau - August 18, 2008
join us on the fan post thread
link at the bottom
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
hire me and I'll give you all the news that's fit to print
Emelie - August 18, 2008
damn.
I was going to ask YOU for a job!
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Hey, I need a job too.
uh oh. Bunch of unemployed people talking to each other.
figures, since we have so much time to spend on the blog. =)
jbau - August 18, 2008
Not unemployed, at least not yet!
Hey, I can hire you if you have engineering experience. But the job is in Shanghai, and I can’t pay much…
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
I'm a consultant. not unemployed. lol!
Emelie - August 18, 2008
I'm a grad student
so I’m paying to be unemployed, at least before I find financial support! =)
jbau - August 18, 2008
I'm considering becoming a grad student
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
In what?
jbau - August 18, 2008
considering going after an MBA
It’s a long, winding road…
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
and you?
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
EE, for me.
jbau - August 18, 2008
Ah. That degree seems like a good
risk/reward thing, at least to me.,
jbau - August 18, 2008
Yeah, it's just figuring out what to do when I grow up, I suppose.
EE was my undergrad major, btw.
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
nice.
Wisconsin has a good EE program. Big Ten (Mich., Illinois) has some good ones.
jbau - August 18, 2008
you are, then, quite the native :D
Emelie - August 18, 2008
Wolf strikes out to end the Houston 2nd.
1-0
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Woman with really big hair in the seats
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Cameron fans to start the home 2nd
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Kendall pops to Tejada; 2 out
Still there, alabebo?
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
yep just on the phone
alabebo - August 18, 2008
ah, ok. then I'll stick around for a bit more
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Good for Maddux
Maybe now he can get those two wins to pass Roger ‘The Needle’ Clemens on the all time win list
The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street - August 18, 2008
What happened?
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Maddux traded to Dodgers...
NotSure - August 18, 2008
Ah, was wondering if that's what that was about
Nothing on ESPN.com yet
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Acquired by the Dodgers
for a PTBNL.
The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street - August 18, 2008
Sabathia called out on strikes to end the 2nd.
Alright, looks like I’m talking to myself. I’m sure MCF will stop by and read this, then give me crap later. Good night, all.
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Brewer VP of communications looks like Jeff Daniels
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
the NSA is always watching!
LAcarl519 - August 18, 2008
don't go away
LAcarl519 - August 18, 2008
what's up
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
quiet here in LA
gonna put the game on as soon as another program is over
LAcarl519 - August 18, 2008
alrighty.
I’ll stick around for another inning or two, anyway
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
I just put the game on too.
Will have to leave the office soon. The dogs are waiting for me!
LAcarl519 - August 18, 2008
what're their names? and what kind?
Emelie - August 18, 2008
border collies
LAcarl519 - August 18, 2008
Is that the name or breed?
;-)
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
breed
I was going to lie and say their names were Aramis and Derrek.
Names are “shep” & “tell”…the breeder named them.
LAcarl519 - August 18, 2008
I love collies
spent a part of my childhood in farmland NY state. Lots of collies. Great dogs. We had a bulldog named Midge and a mongrel named Zilla (after Godzilla). I’m still a cat gal, for better or for worse, as you all know.
Emelie - August 18, 2008
I was never a cat fan
but the older border collie (3 yrs) acts more like a cat. He loves to be petted and cuddled. I think he was ignored too much when he was young. We did not get him until he was 18 mos old.
LAcarl519 - August 18, 2008
Erstand strikes out to start the 3rd
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Erstad*
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Loretta singles
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Tejada flies to center
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
logging off for a bit be back soon
alabebo - August 18, 2008
Berkman grounds to short
1-0 mid 3
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Not a great pic to compare, but:
Brewer VP of communications, Tyler Barnes:
Jeff Daniels:
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
guitar guy's a lot cuter
Emelie - August 18, 2008
The Brewer guy slimmed down a bit since that pic was taken
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Ray Durham leads off the home 3rd
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
and strikes out swinging
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Good news on the injury front..
I hear Rickie Weeks is day-to-day with his thumb owie
The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street - August 18, 2008
Not sure if they're worse with Weeks or Durham
Except Durham hits a little.
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
I prefer the Crew lineup
with 4 regulars under .250
Get Weeks back in there before Ned figures out that he has a ballplayer on his bench
The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street - August 18, 2008
Yeah, I'll buy that
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Hardy lines out to short
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
OT: Rays lead Angels 5-2 top of 6th...
Quite a series here in Tampa….
NotSure - August 18, 2008
That does sound like a good matchup
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Too bad no one is watching in person....
…the attendance here is pathetic. I hope the Rays are in the WS against the Cubs….
1) it will be fun to pack the Trop with Cub fans.
2) it will be the only way I get to see WS games in person.
NotSure - August 18, 2008
Yeah, I wonder what would happen
Would the “fanbase” sell their tickets for the Series?
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
There aren't that many season ticket holders...
…but the few fans they have are pretty loyal. Still, I don’t see it being a tough ticket…they have whole sections of seats in the upper deck of the dome that they cover for the regular season.
I imagine if demand required it they will open those seats and sell them to whoever wants them.
NotSure - August 18, 2008
Well, that could get interesting
I’ll bet a lot of Cubs fans would travel south.
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Also a ton of midwest retirees here...
…that I imagine will be ecstatic to see one Cubs WS game before they go….
…they don’t call it “God’s waiting room” for nothing! ;-)
NotSure - August 18, 2008
lol
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Braun caught looking to end the 3rd
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Brewers have 1 run on 1 hit, Houston 0 runs on 4 hits
CC with 4 strikeouts, Wolf with 5
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Since you can't argue balls and strikes
or you get ejected, I always wonder what those conversations are like when the batter is jawing with the ump, like Braun just did after his strikeout.
Matt Allison - August 18, 2008
You can argue, but you've got to be very careful
About what you say and your body language
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
One key hit
and Charlie Cheeseburger could be beat tonight.
Can the ’Stros build a threat?
The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street - August 18, 2008
Wigginton grounds to 3rd
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
I just realized I'm listening to Joe Morgan
my ears.
Emelie - August 18, 2008
Yowza
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
I'm falling behind on PBP
Blum grounds to 3rd.
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Pence grounds to short
Two hard hit balls, but no runners. Mid 4, 1-0.
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Sabathia
is too good. The only hope is to get into that awful Brewer bullpen.
Matt Allison - August 18, 2008
My great uncle used to say
“A good pitcher like that has to lose once in a while.”
Take that for what you will…
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
sure hope that's the case tonight
alabebo - August 18, 2008
Helluva trade for those guys.
They would be screwed without him. And I’ll still be shocked if Sheets makes it all the way to the end without being injured in some way.
Matt Allison - August 18, 2008
He had a minor owie earlier in the year
But he’s still going.
Yeah, that was the right move. They gave up a lot, but they’ve got a narrow window. If they don’t win this year, they probably don’t get close for a couple of years – but you never know.
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
I just won't feel comfortable until the Cubs have a 10 game lead
alabebo - August 18, 2008
I like what Al said a day or two ago
I’ll be comfortable when they clinch. Until the playoffs.
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Yeah after last year the playoffs scare the hell out of me, what a collapse, but I think we're a better team for it this year
alabebo - August 18, 2008
I do, too.
I think there is a determination to do better.
Of course, still gotta play.
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Fielder hits a foul DEEP to left
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Fat
with a loud foul..
The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street - August 18, 2008
Fielder walks
after being down 0-2
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Hart singles sharply to center
1st and 2nd, 0 out
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Hall flies to the track
Both runners move up. Great slide by Hart.
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
So we're discussing suds-stars here?
I’m stuck with the FSN WI announcers…I forgot how awful they were. Who’s doing ESPN?
stadiumguru - August 18, 2008
U rah rah!
Emelie says Morgan. ESPN blocked out for me, too. You in the dorm?
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
nope, staying with my roommate
until dorms open sunday. Good to be back though!
stadiumguru - August 18, 2008
roommate who lives in Madison
stadiumguru - August 18, 2008
I love Madison in the summer.
Haven’t gotten there this summer yet.
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
yeah, I just arrived yesterday,
but it’s nice. I was working today so didn’t enjoy the weather, but I did get to get around Madison a bit, which was nice
stadiumguru - August 18, 2008
Thorne & Sutcliffe?
The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street - August 18, 2008
Steve Phillips and I'm unsure of the PxP guy....
NotSure - August 18, 2008
blacked out here, listening on gameday audio
alabebo - August 18, 2008
Cameron flies to shallow right.
Kendall intentionally walked. Bases loaded for CC, 2 out.
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
oh dangit 3-0 brewers
Emelie - August 18, 2008
Yeah, that's a HUGE momentum shift
Not a real good pitch, knowing that Sabathia can hit.
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
2-run single CC
3-0
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
maybe he'll get tired lugging his butt around the bases
LAcarl519 - August 18, 2008
Let's hope
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
damn!
alabebo - August 18, 2008
Too bad
That could have been a momentum swing the other way, too
The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street - August 18, 2008
It's only bottom of the 4th there's hope
Emelie - August 18, 2008
or maybe not... another run
Emelie - August 18, 2008
Crud
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Randy Wolf....
…yes, he was the missing link for an Astros’ run….and Ed Wade is an idiot.
NotSure - August 18, 2008
Woof!
I believe it is Randy Woof. What a dog…
and that is an insult to my two boyz!!
LAcarl519 - August 18, 2008
SHOULD WE POST A THREAD?
preachermancubsfan - August 18, 2008
I'll be there if we do
stadiumguru - August 18, 2008
yes, dear
Emelie - August 18, 2008
Launch a rally thread
for the enemy of my enemy, the Astros…
The Deputy Mayor of Rush Street - August 18, 2008
OT: Cliff Floyd 2-3 with a 2 run HR for Rays....
He’s been a great DH for them this year….
NotSure - August 18, 2008
That's great news...I loved watching him play last year!
stadiumguru - August 18, 2008
these guys have GOT to stop scoring!
Emelie - August 18, 2008
the Packers didn't get this much against the 49ers...
LAcarl519 - August 18, 2008
Packers 6, Texans 0
NotSure - August 18, 2008
TWSS
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Ugh. 6-0
here’s the post, if you still want it
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Thread, that is
Shanghai Badger - August 18, 2008
Anybody watch the last season of THE WIRE?
For some reason I’m reminded of it in this post.
dtpollitt - August 18, 2008
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