I've been to Steak-n-Shake and other such places where milk shakes and malts are provided. People get these fancy shakes with all kinds of flavorings. But I prefer just a solid, standard vanilla malt. Simple, delicious, and straightforward.
Since Jon Stewart left The Daily Show, I haven't really watched the show much, but now I've started watching it regularly. I'm starting to really like Trevor Noah.
Here's a recent clip about the moron Moscow Don tapped to be the Secretary of Education: "Trevor Noah Eviscerates Betsy DeVos Over Her Confirmation Hearing." Check it out.
This article from Slate, "Donald Trump Is Unpopular, and So Is the GOP Agenda," provides some solace. But we're going to have deal with Moscow Don's nonsense for four @#$%ing years.
Showing posts with label Hope. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hope. Show all posts
Friday, January 20, 2017
Friday, April 1, 2016
Music Friday: "Centerfield"
Baseball starts Sunday night.
Tomorrow I'll be in St. Louis for my fantasy baseball draft. Draft Day is one of my favorite days of the year. In addition, I'll be bringing back my league's trophy because I won the league last year.
Roll Schlitzophrenics Roll.
I'm sure this song will be played at all kinds of ball parks this season.
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Random Notes from a Crank
After the Cubs acquired Jon Lester shortly after my last post, Bovada moved the Cubs' odds of winning the World Series to 12-to-1. To me and probably others, moving from 50-to-1 odds to 12-to-1 seems like the folks at Bovada are drunk on Cubs-brand Kool-Aid. "The Chicago Cubs Still Have a Lot of Work to Do" takes a more realistic approach about what went down at the MLB Owners' Meeting this week. And Rob Neyer has a realistic evaluation of where the Cubs with "Even with Lester, Cubs Won't Contend in '15."
If Ross gets signed, Castillo will get moved for sure. From what I saw of Baez last season, I was impressed with the power and frustrated with the lack of plate discipline, strikeouts, and batting average. The first of that series caused the other two. Whatever happened to hitters shortening their strokes when they have two strikes? Just make some solid contact without jumping out of your shoes.
As I've noted before, I'm fond of Existential Comics, and this week's strip takes on the absurdity of Candyland. The main characters are Camus and Sartre. As Camus opines, "The contrast between the meaningless, fixed nature of the game and the narratives we tell ourselves as we are playing causes the feeling of the absurd." Exactly.
If Ross gets signed, Castillo will get moved for sure. From what I saw of Baez last season, I was impressed with the power and frustrated with the lack of plate discipline, strikeouts, and batting average. The first of that series caused the other two. Whatever happened to hitters shortening their strokes when they have two strikes? Just make some solid contact without jumping out of your shoes.
As I've noted before, I'm fond of Existential Comics, and this week's strip takes on the absurdity of Candyland. The main characters are Camus and Sartre. As Camus opines, "The contrast between the meaningless, fixed nature of the game and the narratives we tell ourselves as we are playing causes the feeling of the absurd." Exactly.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Future of the Cubs
With Nate Schierholtz and Kevin Gregg still on the team, I doubt the Cubs are done trading players for prospects. We've witnessed trades of Scott Feldman, Matt Garza, and Alfonso Soriano so far. While a similar fire sale should have happened years ago, like any Cubs fan, I'm looking toward the future.
Hey, it's all I've ever had. I was born after 1907.
Let's take a look at options for the future with estimated times of arrival (in parentheses) based from the MLB webpage that details the top twenty prospects of the Cubs. You have to click on the "20 by Team" tab.
Catcher: Castillo
1B: Rizzo
2B: Barney, Castro, or Gioskar Amaya ('16)
SS: Castro, Javier Baez ('14), Arismendy Alcantara ('14), or Junior Lake
3B: Mike Olt ('13), Josh Vitters ('13), Javier Baez, Kris Bryant (?), Christian Villanueva ('14), or Junior Lake
OF: David DeJesus, Brett Jackson ('13), Matt Szczur ('14)
OF: Junior Lake, Albert Almora ('15)
OF: Nate Schierholtz, Cole Gillespie, Mike Olt, Ja-Hoon Ha ('14), Jorge Soler ('15)
Starter: Jeff Samardzija
Starter: Travis Wood
Starter: Edwin Jackson
Starter: Carlos Villanueva, Justin Grimm (AAA), Jake Arrieta (AAA), Arodys Vizcaino ('14), Dillon Maples ('16)
Starter: Chris Rusin, Pierce Johnson ('15), C. J. Edwards ('16)
Looking at all that above, I would think the ball club might try to acquire a starters in other trades or via free agency this off season. Junior Lake, who is currently playing out of his mind, is really an infielder, but he's playing in the outfield out of need.
It'll be interesting what they do this season with the platoon of Ransom and Valbuena at third base. While both are okay, I suspect we'll see Olt or Vitters this season. If Schierhotz and DeJesus get traded before the deadline, you're looking at an outfield of Lake, Jackson, and Gillespie unless Olt or Vitters can play in the outfield. Olt has played a couple of games as a right fielder as a major leaguer. That might make some sense once (if and when) Kris Bryant is ready.
Hey, it's all I've ever had. I was born after 1907.
Let's take a look at options for the future with estimated times of arrival (in parentheses) based from the MLB webpage that details the top twenty prospects of the Cubs. You have to click on the "20 by Team" tab.
Catcher: Castillo
1B: Rizzo
2B: Barney, Castro, or Gioskar Amaya ('16)
SS: Castro, Javier Baez ('14), Arismendy Alcantara ('14), or Junior Lake
3B: Mike Olt ('13), Josh Vitters ('13), Javier Baez, Kris Bryant (?), Christian Villanueva ('14), or Junior Lake
OF: David DeJesus, Brett Jackson ('13), Matt Szczur ('14)
OF: Junior Lake, Albert Almora ('15)
OF: Nate Schierholtz, Cole Gillespie, Mike Olt, Ja-Hoon Ha ('14), Jorge Soler ('15)
Starter: Jeff Samardzija
Starter: Travis Wood
Starter: Edwin Jackson
Starter: Carlos Villanueva, Justin Grimm (AAA), Jake Arrieta (AAA), Arodys Vizcaino ('14), Dillon Maples ('16)
Starter: Chris Rusin, Pierce Johnson ('15), C. J. Edwards ('16)
Looking at all that above, I would think the ball club might try to acquire a starters in other trades or via free agency this off season. Junior Lake, who is currently playing out of his mind, is really an infielder, but he's playing in the outfield out of need.
It'll be interesting what they do this season with the platoon of Ransom and Valbuena at third base. While both are okay, I suspect we'll see Olt or Vitters this season. If Schierhotz and DeJesus get traded before the deadline, you're looking at an outfield of Lake, Jackson, and Gillespie unless Olt or Vitters can play in the outfield. Olt has played a couple of games as a right fielder as a major leaguer. That might make some sense once (if and when) Kris Bryant is ready.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Thoughts on the Early Part of the MLB Season
I'm addicted to the MLB Network. It's not a problem yet, but, damn, they do a great job.
Because I've been doing this fantasybaseballer thing since '01, I think about MLB quite a bit. What follows are some of my so-called thoughts on what's gone down so far.
As much as I get annoyed by the St. Louis Cardinals, it's hard to deny that they're playing great right now. Beltran and Furcal, if they stay healthy, have been strong acquisitions. The pitching is going well, and I'm wondering how Matheny would have done with managing past teams [Baiting Foz and his LaRussa-hatred here].
I've never seen a season where so many closers are losing their jobs and there's so much shifting in the closer position. The cliche is that the hardest outs in baseball are the last three, but c'mon this is getting ridiculous.
Although he blew a save in a spectacular fashion on Wednesday and in general I don't like the Yankees, I'm pulling for Robertson, a Crimson Tide alumnus, to do a good job. Roll Tide, sir.
I'm happy to see the Orioles doing well. I like that the franchise originally started as the St. Louis Browns. And Camden Yards is a great ball park. Although I like Sveum, I wish it would have worked out that the Cubs would have hired Buck Showalter.
To make me feel even older, I discovered that Scott Van Slyke, the son of Andy Van Slyke, had his major league debut on Wednesday.
Although there the Cubs have no shot at winning their division, I like the character of this team so far. There is some grit there. The LaHair gamble is paying off right now. He has strong plate discipline and seems to just have needed a chance in the majors. Once Rizzo gets called up, I suspect he'll get moved to the outfield, but he has saved many a throw at first base. While I understand the acquisition of starteresque arms, I sure wish we had Marshall and Cashner in the Cubs bullplen. My hope is that Soriano and Soto get hot as hell this season, so the organization can trade them for decent prospects. Marmol is the hard sell.
I listen to 670 The Score from time to time, and many of the pundits are rhetorically ravaging the White Sox about the Chris Sale situation. So, the dude has a tender elbow, and their answer is to make him the closer where he would pitch back-to-back days in high stress situations? I don't know what they're doing, but I find it strange that Ventura isn't talking much.
Chipper Jones will retire after this season. At present, his career OBP is .402. That is sick.
Because I've been doing this fantasybaseballer thing since '01, I think about MLB quite a bit. What follows are some of my so-called thoughts on what's gone down so far.
As much as I get annoyed by the St. Louis Cardinals, it's hard to deny that they're playing great right now. Beltran and Furcal, if they stay healthy, have been strong acquisitions. The pitching is going well, and I'm wondering how Matheny would have done with managing past teams [Baiting Foz and his LaRussa-hatred here].
I've never seen a season where so many closers are losing their jobs and there's so much shifting in the closer position. The cliche is that the hardest outs in baseball are the last three, but c'mon this is getting ridiculous.
Although he blew a save in a spectacular fashion on Wednesday and in general I don't like the Yankees, I'm pulling for Robertson, a Crimson Tide alumnus, to do a good job. Roll Tide, sir.
I'm happy to see the Orioles doing well. I like that the franchise originally started as the St. Louis Browns. And Camden Yards is a great ball park. Although I like Sveum, I wish it would have worked out that the Cubs would have hired Buck Showalter.
To make me feel even older, I discovered that Scott Van Slyke, the son of Andy Van Slyke, had his major league debut on Wednesday.
Although there the Cubs have no shot at winning their division, I like the character of this team so far. There is some grit there. The LaHair gamble is paying off right now. He has strong plate discipline and seems to just have needed a chance in the majors. Once Rizzo gets called up, I suspect he'll get moved to the outfield, but he has saved many a throw at first base. While I understand the acquisition of starteresque arms, I sure wish we had Marshall and Cashner in the Cubs bullplen. My hope is that Soriano and Soto get hot as hell this season, so the organization can trade them for decent prospects. Marmol is the hard sell.
I listen to 670 The Score from time to time, and many of the pundits are rhetorically ravaging the White Sox about the Chris Sale situation. So, the dude has a tender elbow, and their answer is to make him the closer where he would pitch back-to-back days in high stress situations? I don't know what they're doing, but I find it strange that Ventura isn't talking much.
Chipper Jones will retire after this season. At present, his career OBP is .402. That is sick.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Two Refreshing Articles about the Cubs
There are a couple of refreshing articles about the Cubs on the team's website that I thought I'd share.
The first features the new manager's bunting competition: "Cubs Bunting Competition Heats Up at Camp."
The second is a feel-good piece about Sveum: "Sveum All Business In First Camp At Helm."
It's highly improbable that the Baby Bears will be a legit contender in the NL Central. If I'm a betting man, I'm going with the Reds. However, with the relative mediocrity of all of the teams in the division, you never know.
The Cubs winning the Central isn't going to happen though. With the projected starting lineup and rotation below, they aren't going to strike fear in anyone.
Projected Starting Lineup:
1. Starlin Castro (SS)
2. David DeJesus (RF)
3. Marlon Byrd (CF)
4. Alfonso Soriano (LF)
5. Geovany Soto (C)
6. Bryan LaHair (1B) with Anthony Rizzo waiting at AAA
7. Ian Stewart (3B) with Josh Vitters at AAA
8. Darwin Barney (2B)
Projected Starting Rotation:
1. Matt Garza
2. Ryan Dempster
3. Randy Wells
4. Chris Volstad or Paul Maholm
5. Travis Wood or Jeff Samardzija
The first features the new manager's bunting competition: "Cubs Bunting Competition Heats Up at Camp."
The second is a feel-good piece about Sveum: "Sveum All Business In First Camp At Helm."
It's highly improbable that the Baby Bears will be a legit contender in the NL Central. If I'm a betting man, I'm going with the Reds. However, with the relative mediocrity of all of the teams in the division, you never know.
The Cubs winning the Central isn't going to happen though. With the projected starting lineup and rotation below, they aren't going to strike fear in anyone.
Projected Starting Lineup:
1. Starlin Castro (SS)
2. David DeJesus (RF)
3. Marlon Byrd (CF)
4. Alfonso Soriano (LF)
5. Geovany Soto (C)
6. Bryan LaHair (1B) with Anthony Rizzo waiting at AAA
7. Ian Stewart (3B) with Josh Vitters at AAA
8. Darwin Barney (2B)
Projected Starting Rotation:
1. Matt Garza
2. Ryan Dempster
3. Randy Wells
4. Chris Volstad or Paul Maholm
5. Travis Wood or Jeff Samardzija
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Ah...Spring Training...
and hope springing eternal.
With that hackneyed phrase out of the way, I hereby predict that this will be the year of the Cubs. It's the hundreth anniversary of their last world championsip. It's destined to be. We win the series THIS YEAR.
Every pro sports franchise is entitled to a bad century, right?
Right?
In addition, I will win my fantasy league this year. I came close last year, but ended up in third after my pitching collapsed along with my brain. I'm still repressing that last two months of that season--something a fantasy baseball counselor named Tom Tyler has helped me with.
The Schlitzophrenics will not be denied.
I am the music maker. I am the dreamer of dreams.
With that hackneyed phrase out of the way, I hereby predict that this will be the year of the Cubs. It's the hundreth anniversary of their last world championsip. It's destined to be. We win the series THIS YEAR.
Every pro sports franchise is entitled to a bad century, right?
Right?
In addition, I will win my fantasy league this year. I came close last year, but ended up in third after my pitching collapsed along with my brain. I'm still repressing that last two months of that season--something a fantasy baseball counselor named Tom Tyler has helped me with.
The Schlitzophrenics will not be denied.
I am the music maker. I am the dreamer of dreams.
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