hiway29

I'm with Guliani in that I'm primarily an American League fan. Romney's response was as offensive as the man generally is to me. 90% of the debates are total bs anyway. I'm a little more concerned with their stands on Iraq.

Hey, Mstar and I have finally found something we completely agree on ! Just kidding. Actually, I think we agree on most things. If not for that incessant rivalry....

Vin started with the Dodgers in 1952 (!), unless I'm mistaken. Easy enough to look up. He moved with them from Brooklyn and of course has been with them ever since. This means he's been broadcasting Dodger games since the year I was born ! Vinny is so much a part of baseball, and all that makes it good, that it seems inconceivable that he won't be around forever. Yet, every year, there's some young buck complaining somewhere about how Vinny needs to go. I remember hearing that in the mid 80's when Vin and Joe Garagiola did Saturday games for NBC. How they had 'lost it' and were 'behind the times'. Well it's 20 some years later and Vin is still going strong.

I'm so fortunate to hear Vin all season long, as I've said many times here. I'm making sure to appreciate him while we have him- which hopefully will be years to come. He looks great and hasn't missed a beat, so there's reason to be optimistic.

My guess is that Gossage will squeak by and go in. There are notable names, such as Tommy John, Dale Murphy, and Jim Rice, but I see nosure things on the list . Mattingly was headed straight for the hall before his back went out, and he didn't pile up enough seasons. To me ,he belongs, but longevity seems to be a huge factor-which I often disagree with. How many players are more famous than Roger Maris ? Who won back to back mvp's besides the home run record by the way.

Someone had the idea of recreating the first 4 years of the Dodgers in LA, so it's back to the Coliseum. I suspect it will make me appreciate Dodger Stadium all the more.

Since I'm a New England native, I know that not EVERYONE is an ahole. Actually I enjoyed Connecticut more than ever this trip, and even entertained thoughts of moving back when my working days are done. A drive up rte 7 by Kent Falls will do that. I don't see how they can configure the Coliseum any other way than with the giant screen in left. I'm definately going to one of those games. If it was June instead of March I'd have second thoughts though.Those old pictures from Dodger games there look torturous with no shade to be found. They'd better put the screen up too, or we'll be seeing a 30-25 game. They can play back about 900 feet in right for Ortiz.

You've got to be kidding me with those Red Sox characters ! The Dodgers have never had a 'mascot', but now I fear seeing a 'Dodger Dog' on the field next year. I couldn't agree with you more, Mstar, on the beauty of a ballpark without the bells and whistles. Maybe it can still be found in Minor league parks. It's all over for the majors. I had a great trip to Connecticut , thanks. Never made it into the city. Saw an equal number of Sox and Yankee gear walking around. (Interestingly, no Mets gear in sight). Southern Connecticut really is the 'neutral zone' between NY and Boston, and definately 'swings both ways'. I'm going to try making it to a game at the stadium next year, somehow.

I'd be real surprised if the Yankees gave away Hughes ,Kennedy, Chamberlain for Santana. That's not in the plan, and what would be the point ? They know they need pitching, and those guys are the future. I know you'd LIKE them to make that deal. That Sox pr guy sounds like a nightmare. I don't see how the Dodgers can cram any more junk into distracting from the game on the field, but we'll see. Are there any teams that DON'T overdo that stuff these days ? Torii Hunter on the Angels. More motivation to drive to Anaheim more often next year.Of course the Dodgers were nowhere to be seen.

I'm sure I'll be getting Sox news back east, but will probably be more interested in the non-arod Yankee news. Happy Thanksgiving to all the hot-stovers !

I'll be in Connecticut for the next week, so I won't be able to keep up with the Red Sox news.

If standing up to Boras becomes a trend, then Arod really will have performed a service. I think there are many players that would prefer to stay with the teams they're with , rather than jumping ship every time your agent says he can get you more money. Even in my measly job, I get comfortable with the system, the people I work with, and enjoy going to work. I only move to other studios when I'm forced to, which is more often than I like. I would think players get comfortable in Stadiums, cities , and teams, and cant imagine that starting over on a new team is all that simple. Kenny Rogers decision makes perfect sense to me, and I hope he wins 20 games for the Tigers next year.

I grew up around the Jimmy Fund and never heard of any Red Sox connection until yesterday. Guess they didn't promote that in Southern Connecticut. Fine charity. Glad to see them still doing good work.

A worthwhile charity to be sure. I can hardly listen to Gammon's commentaries, let alone his music, though. Gammon's can't disguise his Sox prejudices, any more than Bob Costas can his Yankee bias. I wish there were some national commentators that were Pirate, or Twins fans, or just not connected to any team. Since when did the Jimmy Fund become Red Sox centric ?

Hey, I'm always watching.

I'm in agreement here. The only 'incentives' that made any kind of sense would have been for post season production. Of course it's assuming alot that he's going to get near the record , and many years away anyhow. If he's hitting 50 home runs every year and the Yankees still haven't won a Series, the NY fans aren't going to care. Let's face it, the world and economics have changed dramatically. If Mickey Mantle were playing today, he'd be owning half of NY, and I think he topped at around 100 thousand. Chump change for today's stars. As recent as 1990, which seems like yesterday, Steinbrenner was challenging Don Mattingly on his asking for 2 million, wondering if he's worth that much money. If we're lucky, someone else will pass him by, but I can't imagine who that would be.

The Jeter thing could open a huge can of worms for alot of players. How many players live in different states than the team they play for? I'd guess a large percentage, especially these days when players change teams so often. Are all these players paying taxes for 2 states? What am I missing here ?

I guess we're going back to Weaver, which certainly ages me. The Orioles in the 60's and 70's were almost a 'dynasty'. I was never an Oriole 'fan', but you had to respect them. It 's a shame to see franchises tank like they have. I was something of a Kansas City Royals fan in the George Brett era, and wish they could figure out how to compete in todays crazy market. I thought the Twins had figured it out and now they're losing Hunter and probably Santana, so there you are.

I've assumed the Yankees and Red Sox were in each others heads for years. The east is those 2 teams and 'everyone else'. I miss the days when the Orioles were a real force, and the Blue Jays had a few good years, but can't quite get there the rest of the time. The Rays (NOT the Devil Rays anymore) have the misfortune of being in the division, and seem to be 'cannon fodder' for the rest of the league. That Eisenhower quote is both funny and thought provoking.

My guess is that they were interested in Lowell, then suddenly Arod came knocking on the door, hat in hand. They may have then speculated about getting Lowell anyway, thinking a move to first not that unusual for a player his age. The Dodgers did it with Nomar, and I remember Mickey Mantle moving to first as his legs gave out. Having said that, I wouldn't do it. Why go after a position player , and give him a big contract , just to move him somewhere else ? Maybe they just want to pry Lowell from the Sox.

well, it appears that Arod and the Yankees are talking again. sigh. Oh well, Girardi may have to figure out how to win with probably the best hitter after all. From what I read, it sounds like Arod did an end run behind Boras' back and called the Yankees himself. The figure quotes (250 mil) is considerably less than the original asking price ( but still several kings ransoms-I just can't fathom this kind of wealth). One wonders if it was becoming clear that noone would meet the demands, or if Arod had a sudden burst of sanity, which seems uncharacteristic. It will be interesting to see how Boras reacts.If Arod's defection were to somehow spread, it would be a contribution to baseball bigger than all his home runs and mvp's combined.

Nothing wrong with Jeter's arm. The reason Arod played third was because Jeter was there first, in his prime, and an institution at shortstop. He also balked at the idea, and won out because of the above reasons. I'm not sure where this 'Jeter isn't good enough to play shortstop' talk started, but it's ridiculous to me. I've never heard any complaints about his arm either. And letting Ekstein get away was one of the bigger blunders the Angels made. Love the little guy.

There is a 'possibility' the Dodgers may sign Arod. It's also 'possible' the Rays will win the East next year. I don't see Frank McCourt spending that kind of money. If he does, I know I'll be buying 8 dollar Dodger Dogs next year to pay for it.

That would be quite a catch, if you will, should the Rangers get Hunter. One of the games most exciting players, who I'm sad to see leave the Twins. It would be nice to see some high profile free agents sign with someone other than the usual suspests for a change. Egad. I knew it was too good to be true. Arod may be back in pinstripes yet. My thinking is the Angels are still the most likely bet, but who knows. Somehow I don't see Joe Girardi putting up with him, but then the whole Girardi experiment is an unknown.

I'm glad you jumped in. I'm also glad I don't know this one, as I still don't have a new one.