Rocky

Of course there's still plenty of drama left today... at present, the Mets are trailing the Marlins after giving up 7 in the first inning; Philly's ahead of Washington in a closer game; and the Padres, scoring 3 in the first, are leading the Brewers in the third. Dbacks/Rockies game starts in about 20 minutes.

I think THIS (reply by Garth) is the real bottom line. The issue for you JL, (IMO, which is certainly NOT an authority on anything) is not so much "internet addiction" as it is a matter of managing or being in control of YOUR life, which would include but not necessarily be limited to time management and personal (or self-) determination (i.e. prioritizing). Are YOU doing with your time and life what you believe you should or at least what you want to be doing? Are you letting ANYthing -- that you want to be a higher priority in your life -- not get the amount of your attention you want it (or them) to have? I don't think I would give up the internet altogether (speaking for myself), for a variety of reasons. Most importantly, I read news AND ANYthing about which I become curious. Access to information is FAR more quick and easy than it was "when we were kids." I wouldn't want to eliminate that from my life. Then, besides our very human need for social interaction, there's the need (again, very human and quite legitimate) to express ourselves... to have a voice. Perhaps that's what's behind the explosion of blogs, My Space, You Tube, and message boards like this one. Is the Internet perfect, or even "ideal". NO, of course not. But it is here (probably to stay) and it does facilitate change and the need for personal reflection and conscious prioritization. --------- Also for me (with my pack rat tendencies) it cuts down on what would be my need for having tons of newsprint to deal with in my never ending battle with clutter.

That wasn't the problem... I was hoping to get screen names with faces, that's all. So, I'd have a better idea who I was reading here from time to time. I did figure that YOU are the dancing fiend with the red (sweater?) and blue ballarina thing over your jeans... is that correct? I do recognize Tom Strange and Pawtucket. Pawtucket from other pics, but I knew Tom Strange back in the day. Thanks George, but I really don't like the idea of being on an airliner these days and it would take too long for me to drive to Houston.

One thing I've figured out is that even some of the sports sites don't have it straight. I regularly check CBS Sportsline.com for baseball scores, standings and news... but THEY seem to be confused also! so, we should have a better idea tonight.

Looks like it was fun... but I wish there were more names with the pics...

Exactly. Mets/Phils each have a chance at the NLeast, but NOT the WC. And even if Dbacks, Padres and Rockies tie, Dbacks win the West.... but the rockies CANNOT tie the Dbacks... So, only a two team tie possible IF SD loses and Rockies win... THEY then have to contend for the WC. Don't worry, it'll all be over soon... so, us mathematically challenged "senior" citizens will no longer have to figure it out. Okay, I know I was confused again. If BOTH Mets and Phillies win tomorrow... then they both finish with 89 wins. One of them gets to be division winner and the other MIGHT tie SD and CO. good grief!

Resolving Division ties Yes, I found that out... I was also confused because the broadcast guys kept saying that the Dbacks clinched the division before they even started the game in Denver this evening.... then I found the link I used to answer Mstar's question... If the rockies win tomorrow and SD loses, those two teams tie for WC spot... and I think they'd have to have a playoff. I think. So, if the Dbacks lose tomorrow and SD wins... they finish with the same record, but AZ wins because they won more of the head to head games with SD.

Pads just lost... 4-3 in 11 on a walk off single... Dbacks' magic number is down to ONE for clinching the division.

Dbacks had a bunch of giveaways last Sunday (last regular season home game)... but the Dodgers got the biggest prize... the game! They didn't give away any cars, however... and needless to say , I didn't win anything. Right now, Padres and Brewers are TIED at 3 in the 11th inning!

And EVERY other team in the playoffs LOSES their last game of the season... and grieves, longing (I'm almost doing so now) for the 2008 season. btw, what's up with most of the first round games being broadcast on TBS? They aren't in HD!?

Yeah, I've heard of them too.... Hey Rev. TT, we have endured your absence with great longing... for the wit and wisdom we had come to know and rely on for our monthly bread!!!

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/29/sports/b...amp;oref=slogin The New York Times is reporting today that Marc Ecko, the winner of the auction for Bonds' 756th HR is donating the ball to the HOF, AFTER branding the ball with an asterisk (*).

Obviously, Philly is not MY favorite for the WS... but their fans are TRULY FANatical. They have probably the best offense going into the NL playoffs (if they DO make it). A few days ago, the Dbacks began promoting the sale, beginning tomorrow morning, of playoff tickets. I didn't like it that they were doing so before clinching. THAT concern is now moot. I'm still not going to buy tickets for the first round... In 2001, I did attend one of the NLDS games against the Cards... and then game one of the WS. IF they make it to the WS, I might have to see about going... I know, my reluctance is already waning. Oh well. Ticket prices for the first round are only going to be about 5 bucks more than regular season games... but the WS tickets ANYwhere will probably be pretty expensive.

It does look like the Cubs have clinched the NL Central! congrats.

A lot more detail on that baseball prospectus site than I can process... HOWEVER, tonight some of the uncertainty has begun to fall away concerning NL playoff teams... and the ALeast. It does appear that the BoSox win and the Yankers loss (to BALTIMORE) clinches the division for the Sox and the WCard for NY. In the NL, the Dbacks snapped the Rockies winning streak, and in so doing, eliminated the Rockies from playoff contention AND clinched a playoff spot for themselves! To win the NLWest, they still need one more win OR a Padre loss. My preference would be a Dbacks win. Then WHO CARES what the danged Padres do.... however, it also appears that the Pads assisted the Cubs and perhaps the Brewers are out and Cubs (did they actually clinch the NL Central tonight?). AND, it looks like the Mets continued their freefall from the rarified air on top of the NLeast... with the Phillies looking good to clinch that division... but that game assisted the Dbacks in clinching a playoff spot tonight. Overall, I'm pleased with the results tonight. I'm sure more will become clear tomorrow.

Well, THAT question hasn't come up before... so, I'd only be guessing... but IF such a situation presents itself, I would think it could be a 50-50 call. There are plenty of regular position players batting under .240 with Owings avg now somewhere around .330. BUT, in a playoff situation, you're not going to be facing a team like the Pirates. I'd figure Owings for some PH duty, but to keep his focus on his pitching, it may not be a sure thing to sit .... or catcher. Chris Young plays CF and bats around .230. However, he's hit 30 HR and when he gets on base, he's fast... so, I'm reluctant to get any more specific than that. btw, Owings finishes his rookie season 8-8. That is very respectable and the kid's got a great deal of promise for a bright pitching career.

Micah Owings pitching this morning in Pittsburgh. Top of the 7th inning, Owings has thrown 6 shut out innings and so far is 4-4 at the plate with 3 doubles and a single... and some rbi's.

George hit the nail on the head. Genuine commerce (and thereby entrepreneurship) ADDS value to the exchange or trade of goods/services. And the promise of insight on how to make your personal fortune (or "income for life" in this instance), is not necessarily added value.

It's about time, eh? Just to clarify, Allen Steed would be the COUSIN who was 19 when Jeffs married he and his then 14 year old cousin. It's also my understanding, from reading a couple of sources on this situation, that in Utah, a 14 year old CAN consent to having sex legally (which precludes statutory rape)... except if the rapist is more than 3 years older than the victim. And this guy is 5 years older than his cousin and now former wife. Good for her, for having the courage to see this thing through.

Bradley's apparently got plenty of baseball talent... but having a guy like that in the clubhouse has got to take a real toll on team "chemistry." Local newspaper articles on the Dbacks lately have repeatly hit on the fact that the guys on the team are "unselfish" and "don't complain" even though there's plenty of opportunity... since there's regular platooning going on at first base and right field, and several guys that can fill in for Orlando "O-Dog" Hudson at second base... and plenty of times when they all seem to have left their bats at the last place they played (instead of bringing them, this time, to Pittsburgh). That "chemistry" may be largely responsible for this group overachieving, but it's starting to look pretty bleak for the playoffs, having lost their last three games... now having only four left... three of them in Denver... and as rhino pointed out, the Rockies are looking pretty strong these days.

To my knowledge, no team in the NL has yet clinched... so, there's still plenty of hoping (but not yet much hopping) going on... During the Dbacks games, the broadcasters are now paying close attention to how the Phillies are doing. I see THAT as a BAD sign. The ONLY reason Phillies games could mean anything to the Dbacks is if the Dbacks don't take care of their own business and end up trying to salvage the wild card. BUT, if it comes to THAT, then the Dbacks would be sinking, rather than peaking at this time. And if they get in by a nose hair, while playing badly, how could they expect to make it past the first round? So, it troubles me for them to be watching the scoreboard for Phillies games. On a different note, I can't imagine too many people being surprised about Milton Bradley. He's had anger management problems quite visibly for a couple of years... so much for effective counseling.

With the kids today in their teens and 20s, I get the impression that many do have something like you described... with this thing they call "Friends with Benefits." :blink: And WE thought WE were pioneers!

NO... Hu plays SS for the Dodgers... at least he did on Sunday! btw, I hope Hiway29 enjoyed that game more than we did!

Simon was grieving today. Though the Dbacks still look good for the playoffs, he and I had excellent seats for today's final regular season home game against the avoiders... er, Dodgers. Four games, he and I attended at Chase Field this season. The Dbacks LOST all four of them. So, in the event anyone wonders whether he or I plan to take in any playoff games in Phoenix, I can speak for myself in saying that I'd rather watch them WIN in HD than lose with me in attendance... hopefully, next year will bring a different experience during the regular season. In the (currently remote) possibility that the Dbacks make it to the WS, I may change my mind, but for now, I'm not inclined to do so.

Is that the Indians' magic number? I hope they do well in the playoffs.