Rocky

Speaking of whose laundry one prefers, I wonder if RHINO has yet realized that HIS (defending WS champion) Cardinales got SWEPT in the desert this weekend? That is, IN SPITE OF the exploits of perennial MVP candidate Albert Pujols.

For Arizona State also... but it's looking pretty gloomy for Michigan. :blink: I think Jeff checked in to say hi a couple of years ago, but I agree he probably hasn't been here for a long time.

Well... I'll choose the Dbacks... for now. Awesome game this evening. Dbacks took a 3 run lead in the first inning but gave up 7 in the third.... came back and won 9-8. This after having lost one key veteran, the O-Dog, Orlando Hudson (gold glove second baseman) for the season to a thumb injury. He'll have surgery on Monday. Btw, the game was sold out tonight. It takes something special, like pennant race baseball on weekends to fill the stadium these days. We DO get big crowds for certain series, most notably the Cubs and interleague series with the BoSox and Yankers... Thus far, no one has coined any names like "Fenway West". I won't choose sides on the political issues (in THIS sports forum). :)

That was a wonderful gift you gave to your mother AND to yourself. Thanks for sharing it. I imagine many of us that were involved with twi in the 1970s and 1980s have parents aging rapidly (hah, as if WE aren't?). Right now, my mother's still alive and kickin, being to ornery to die. (She and I talk every couple of weeks) My dad passed away 10 years and 6 months ago. Even though he and I were not estranged from each other, I wish I had had the opportunity to tell him I loved him just before he passed. I heard from my stepmother the day before, but I apparently got a wrong number for the hospital and tried all night but couldn't reach anyone in ICU where he died.

What progress/movement has the storm made in the 3-4 days since the original warnings?

Should I give lessons in subtlety?

Hey Eagle, why don't you root for the Indians?

For me, it's Steinbrenner.... but he's hardly the only egomaniac to own/run an MLB franchise. Jerry Colangelo was up there with him, until an expanded group of investors/partners pushed him out of the picture in Dback's land. btw,... Though the Padres got some pretty good licks in on the Dbacks last week and this, the Dbacks nailed the Padres both last night (against the highly touted Chris Young) and tonight against NL Cy Young frontrunner Jake Peavy. 8 earned runs against Peavy tonight. Though it was only by 3 runs, it was still a convincing win.... So, with ALL of their regular season games together now in the record books, the Dbacks own a one game lead in the NL West... When the Dbacks lose, boy do they look bad. But when they win like these last two games, they look like they could beat anybody. Now, bring on the StL Cards with Pujols and SLUGGER Rick Ankiel (Ankiel hit his 7th HR tonight)...

I did see that... and it also appeared to me that he hadn't posted anything yet. Welcome!

Yes, Brooks Robinson... the human vacuum cleaner. He was the best!

Well, MY 2cents worth isn't worth much (since I always, in a cash transaction at retail establishments, tell the cashier to "keep the pennies"), but I too dislike the Yankers. Though in the 1960s, in upstate NY, I was somewhat of a NYY fan. Those were glorious years, with Mantle, Maris, Whitey Ford and others... I lived then in the city where the Baltimore Orioles farmed on the AAA level (Rochester)... and transitioned to root for the O's. With Boog, Jim Palmer, Dave McNally, Mark Belanger, Mike Cuellar and others.... But now, from the East, I like the BoSox and Cubs, but the home team is my team... you know which team that is by now, I hope. Tonight, the Dbacks returned last night's favor for the Padres... stomping them 9-1 (last night it was 10-2 Pads). Rubber game on Weds... the two teams are now tied for the division lead. We need some baseball related emoticons!

Nah... nobody really talks about it unless they're broadcasting a Cards game... it's understandable that you would find it intriguing (and surprising). :)

Btw, Hiway... I'm glad your Dodgers won today. :)

LaRussa has been doing this off and on for a few years... Obviously, it seems bizarre to most. Depending on the pitcher (like Micah Owings) it could become a big deal in any given game. Being in a National League city, I see the patterns associated with the traditional NL lineup with a catcher (or the defense's weakest hitter) in the 8 spot and the pitcher 9th. Since most pitchers can't hit worth a damn, whoever bats 8th, depending on the score, potential baserunners and how late in the game, often doesn't get any good pitches. Pitched around and now on 1rst base, especially if there are two outs, the pitcher usually makes an out and that's the end of the threat. At minimum, with LaRussa's little lineup quirk, it takes that option off the table and forces the other team to think more.

Well, IMO Bumpy isn't a troll anyway. He obviously instigated some lively discussion. Whether he'll consider any of it, who knows. I believe the main point of most direct responses given to Bumpy's question is that people here believe it would NOT be a good idea to wipe the posts away once a month. And I agree with that.

Probably the same thing you did... hypothetically, of course. Apparently, you perceived he was trying to win you over with flattery (or kindness, or whatever way anyone might reasonably characterize his strategy). My hunch is that he's probably done this before and found it to work with some. btw, if you're not working full-time (which brings plenty of time pressures), I would also encourage the volunteering. I've been volunteering for just over two years now and it's made a huge (positive) impact on my life.

Well, the Dbacks (just barely) staved off a Padre come back tonight to avoid a sweep in the four game series in SD... now the Dbacks have 3 with the Rockies at home, then another Padres series in Phoenix next week.

Those pesky people from the other corpses have been DISSing us again!

WELL.... you know how to reach me here in cyberspace (PMs), if you ever plan on having much of a wait for connecting flights at Sky Harbor... I'm retired, so there's a good chance I'll be able to find time... with a little advance notice. Obviously, not so easy when your connecting flights are in LV.

And so far, the Padres are outplaying the Dbacks. The first game, Peavy beat Livan H., was a very good game. Dbacks just couldn't muster the offense. But Livan pitched a very good game and the Dbacks didn't mess up defensively. Last night, there were a few mistakes and the Padres took advantage... as they should have. But pardon me if I don't share your enthusiasm for the Yanks... I'd MUCH rather see the BoSox get beat by the Dbacks... but IF I HAD to bet right now, I would say BoSox/Mets... fortunately, I do NOT have to bet.

WELL.... USAir(ways) IS headquartered in Tempe, AZ (just about 3 miles from my house)... BUT... there's that pesky 100 degree weather we have to deal with for about 6 months every year. :)

That says it all.

But Hiway.... it's ALL in fun. Right, Mstar?! This IS a big rivalry week... Dbacks have six more games with the Padres over then next week and a half.... things could start to shake out afterward perhaps with teams emerging to lead their particular pac (division) in the quest for baseball in OCTOBER. Btw, while back a couple of months it may not have looked probable, the prospect of a Mets/BoSox WS isn't so far fetched at this point.

He already is claiming to have "found Jesus" as a result of this situation. Well, one thing the delay will cause is ensuring Vick will NOT be reinstated to his QB job in the NFL before the season starts... even IF he were just sentenced to probation and/or community service. The longer it takes for sentencing, the longer it will be before Vick can "rehabilitate" his image in an effort to return to football. THAT will cost him most and cause him the greatest personal loss/sacrifice.