mstar1

i havent been there in about thirty years and at the time it wasnt my thing. It was glitz and flashing lights, noise and whistles, makeup and alot of very bizarre things to me at the time. I saw too many drunks who had lost the rent money or the kids education fund I guess--but that was along time ago too Maybe it has changed, maybe Ive changed, I was younger and more idealistic at the time... Maybe Id like it now. Either way glad you liked it, maybe I'll give it another shot som year.... If you ever do come to the Berkshire Hills, which is my home, stop in. People are friendly like that most all the time around here

Ive been a Red Sox fan for forty five years, and I know well enough not to predict anything when it comes to baseball...and especially when it comes to the Red Sox. That being said it looks ...OK ...for the Red Sox...but it is still a long way to October. I hope you're right though Eagle One thing is for sure I wouldnt put any money down on your Texas teams. DBacks sure are making alot of noise over in the desert as well

I know that some have a choice of voices. The best one I have heard (a friends) has John Cleese from Monty Python ...DoNT even think of turning now you stupid twit....

I'd be curious what "something" you suggest. Its been an issue in my family as my father is 90(next week) and my family is divided on the issue. Some want to take it away solely because of his age, and not based on his skills He gets tested every two years, and imo is actually a much better driver than he used to be, more aware just slower, which means he drives slightly under the speed limit instead of the 15-20mph over like most other people on the road. His eyesight is good and awareness and reactions good, his doctor has given him the thumbs up, as has the registry of motor vehicles. I'd be the first to step in if I thought he was dangerous. Im actually more concerned with stoned teenagers, and stressed out, rushing, multitasking soccer moms than I am with him. Those are the real maniacs, of course a lot of older folks should lose their licenses as well, but I would like to see it according to their skill levels in driving. Licenses are way too easily attainable I personally wish that the standards would be raised

Well yes and no, Ive been careful to the extent of driving at three miles an hour,(and getting pulled over for it) which isnt exactly a good thing. I also recall getting incredibly lost on roads that I have driven hundreds (thousands?) of times, or taking the normal ten minute drive to a friends house that somehow seems to last for hours or even days. I dont mind stoners (well most stoners some are a little too out there) but pot alters perception way too much for me to consider that driving would ever be considered to be a safe activity... now playing music on the other hand can be fun...but I never remember what the heck I played that sounded sooo good at the time

Good thing the Rangers didnt have to bring in Gagne to preserve the lead in the ninth... it couldve become a nailbiter in a hurry

You might Be a Redneck Wiccan If... ...your idea of a ritual involves drunken chants shouted while leaping around a garbage fire in your underwear Link

Yet ANOTHER ONE tonight, three gut punch losses and three blown saves in a week, I hope someone informs him that he is an actual pennant race.. That was a great game and a great catch! The highlight of the day! of course Im pulling for Walpole but the Taipei/Venezuela game went down o the last batter as well, ...Id trade ERic Gagne for any of those little leaguers right now... ......Good to see you Simon...welcome back---I'll give that some thought, my first thought was bigger gloves and faster better fielders now could be keeping averages from going too astronomical. I have never compared fielding stats from these different eras to see if it holds any truth or not, just an instinctual response...There are also all the pitching specialists now that were never a factor back then... Im not sure I'll think about it Edit-For those who didnt see it, here is the final out of the Walpole Mass/Hamilton Ohio game, Walpole CF Joe Rando brought back what would have been the game winning HR with 2 outs in the bottom of the 6th... These kids are good --they are always some of the best games of the year

Seen any good ones?

I had to come over here to get out of that immigrants thread, boy thats sickening where some people will go... --gives me the heebyjeebies Thankfully after a day off there are 3, three, (3) good games today Sox doubleheader vs. Angels and the LLWS starts at 2. I need it all after reading that spew

Gabe's managing now. I think it is Greenville in the Carolina league (or some league down there). I always liked him, he is very smart and by all accounts a great teammate. Hopefully he'll make a great manager bringing young kids along..from what I have heard, it seems like the type of position that will fir him well... after last week there was talk around here that he is secretly on the Yankee payroll ;) He'll probably be OK, ( my fingers are crossed and voodoo dolls all aligned) but he has gotten off to a very bad start. Big series with the Angels this weekend, rumor has it young minor league phenom Clay Bucholz will be called up to start a game and some roster reshuffling will happen. Sox are still up but something has to happen to reignite and excite this team, maybe that will do it, although a coupla come from behind walkoffs about now sure would be nice...

grrrrrr....maybe he will work out-although it is maddening... Hows Kason Gabbard doing down there? One of the last things he did here was throw a complete game shutout, which after watching a young lefty do something rare like that (in Fenway no less) it's a tough thing to see him depart. I hope he does your guys well

another story I heard: Rizzuto like most announcers kept a scorecard, someone picked his up and was trying to figure out his scoring system. One of his abbreviations was "WW" When asked what that meant, he replied "Wasn't Watching"

I, unfortunately not being from NY, never got to hear all that much of the Scooter announcing. I mostly remember him from ads for the money store which were done in the Boston area and occasional highlights with the famous HOLY COW!, or "I'll be coming over the bridge soon, Cora!" He was very colorful and todays announcers could learn a boatload from him... I would have loved to have seen him as a ballplayer, at 5'6". He not only representred every 'little man' but was the little man--and although when he first tried out was told to become a shoe shine boy eventually became a multi time world champion. Rest In Peace Thanks for all you did

Haircuts can wait your only 12 once! Im looking forward to this--finally a team from Massachusetts that has the zing ! I hope the Sox watch and take note of what a real team can do :) I loved this quote

In more positive and pertinent news Walpole heads to Williamsport By Monique Walker, Globe Staff | August 12, 2007 BRISTOL, Conn. -- The first home run the Walpole American Little League team hit yesterday should have been a sign of what was to come in the New England Regional championship game. Outfielder Michael Rando had not hit a homer this summer. Yesterday, Rando hit a fly ball with the bases loaded that fooled even the center fielder as it drifted and drifted toward the fence at the A. Bartlett Giamatti Little League Complex. What seemed like a popup became a grand slam and gave Walpole a 6-2 lead in the first inning against Connecticut Shelton National. It was the first of six homers for Walpole in its 14-4 victory, which earned the team a berth in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. Although Walpole had scored its share of runs in the tournament, the offense had never been "anything like that," Walpole manager Brian Oberacker said. His team cranked out 14 hits in the regional title game. Walpole hit five homers in its previous five games of the regional, but in that same span averaged eight runs a game. Against Connecticut, Walpole needed its offense to make up for an early deficit. Connecticut took a 2-0 lead on pitcher Nick Petrovich's two-run homer in the first inning. Walpole quickly answered when first baseman Michael LaVita's single with the bases loaded drove in two runs in the bottom of the inning. Catcher Kyle Donnelly followed with a single that re-loaded the bases for Rando. "I just swung the bat and it happened to go over," Rando said. "I just wanted to get us a couple of runs." The production did not stop there for Walpole. Johnny Adams and John White hit back-to-back homers in the second. Adams added a two-run homer in the fourth that was followed eventually by LaVita's solo shot. In the fifth, pitcher Joseph Guarino Jr. hit a solo homer out of the eighth spot. "We score a lot of runs, and these kids can hit from 1 to 13," Walpole assistant coach Jared Ruggieri said. "I think today we showed everybody what we're capable of." Connecticut manager Mark Testani said he knew Walpole was strong on offense, but "I didn't think they would hit that many home runs." After the third inning, Guarino did not allow a run, relying on a knuckle-curve his friend's brother taught him when he was 10 to keep hitters off-balance. "They were a very good team that we matched up well with, and they should be very proud of themselves," Walpole assistant coach Wayne Oberacker said. Members of both teams said the overall experience was one they will never forget. The game was played before 5,371 fans and an ESPN audience. After the teams warmed up, a crew meticulously groomed the infield dirt, at times using a broom to sweep away footprints. Now Walpole will carry the experience another step when it leaves for Williamsport, where the Series begins Friday. Walpole takes a 19-1 postseason record into the World Series, as it faces Great Lakes in the first round of pool play Friday afternoon. "I don't think anyone expected us to go this far," Guarino said. Added Adams: "It feels awesome."

Good article in The Onion this week: Destruction Of National Pastime Given Two-Minute Standing Ovation .onion_embed {background: rgb(256, 256, 256) !important;border: 4px solid rgb(65, 160, 65);border-width: 4px 0 1px 0;margin: 10px 30px !important;padding: 5px;overflow: hidden !important;zoom: 1;}.onion_embed img {border: 0 !important;}.onion_embed a {display: inline;}.onion_embed a.img {float: left !important;margin: 0 5px 0 0 !important;width: 66px;display: block;overflow: hidden !important;}.onion_embed a.img img {border: 1px solid #222 !important;;width: 64px;;padding: 0 !important;;}.onion_embed h2 {line-height: 2px;;clear: none;;margin: 0 !important;padding: 0 !important;}.onion_embed h3 {line-height: 16px;font: bold 16px arial, sans-serif !important;margin: 3px 0 0 0 !important;padding: 0 !important;}.onion_embed h3 a {line-height: 16px !important;;color: rgb(0, 51, 102) !important;font: bold 16px arial, sans-serif !important;text-decoration: none !important;display: inline !important;;float: none !important;;text-transform: capitalize !important;}.onion_embed h3 a:hover {text-decoration: underline !important;color: rgb(204, 51, 51) !important;}.onion_embed p {color: #000 !important;;font: normal 11px/ 11px arial, sans-serif !important;;margin: 2px 0 0 0 !important;;padding: 0 !important;}.onion_embed a {display: inline !important;;float: none !important;} ...SAN FRANCISCO—A sellout crowd rose to its feet and exploded into ecstatic cheers Tuesday night as Barry Bonds completed the downfall of America's most revered sport by hitting a thundering 435-foot shot into the right center field bleachers for career home run No. 756 and tainting baseball's most beloved record. Celebrations broke out throughout AT&T Park and thousands of flashbulbs went off as Bonds took his ceremonial trip around the bases, his arms raised in a jubilant gesture of triumph as he completed his desecration of baseball. Fireworks filled the night sky to mark the utter destruction of the national pastime, a scramble for the infamous baseball broke out in the stands, and the game was interrupted for 10 minutes in the bottom of the fifth to mark the shameful occasion. Mike Bacsik, the pitcher who made the difficult and admirable decision to pitch to Bonds as if he were a normal player, and who will forever be known as the man whose fastball was sent out of the park along with the last remnant of baseball's self-respect, could only watch. Bonds would later present Bacsik with an autographed bat.... More at the LINK and In another related story: MLB To Place Asterisk, Pound Sign, Exclamation Point, Letter 'F' Next To Bonds' Name In Record Books .onion_embed {background: rgb(256, 256, 256) !important;border: 4px solid rgb(65, 160, 65);border-width: 4px 0 1px 0;margin: 10px 30px !important;padding: 5px;overflow: hidden !important;zoom: 1;}.onion_embed img {border: 0 !important;}.onion_embed a {display: inline;}.onion_embed a.img {float: left !important;margin: 0 5px 0 0 !important;width: 66px;display: block;overflow: hidden !important;}.onion_embed a.img img {border: 1px solid #222 !important;;width: 64px;;padding: 0 !important;;}.onion_embed h2 {line-height: 2px;;clear: none;;margin: 0 !important;padding: 0 !important;}.onion_embed h3 {line-height: 16px;font: bold 16px arial, sans-serif !important;margin: 3px 0 0 0 !important;padding: 0 !important;}.onion_embed h3 a {line-height: 16px !important;;color: rgb(0, 51, 102) !important;font: bold 16px arial, sans-serif !important;text-decoration: none !important;display: inline !important;;float: none !important;;text-transform: capitalize !important;}.onion_embed h3 a:hover {text-decoration: underline !important;color: rgb(204, 51, 51) !important;}.onion_embed p {color: #000 !important;;font: normal 11px/ 11px arial, sans-serif !important;;margin: 2px 0 0 0 !important;;padding: 0 !important;}.onion_embed a {display: inline !important;;float: none !important;} SAN FRANCISCO— Commissioner Bud Selig announced Wednesday that, once the Giants slugger retires, his name in the official MLB record books will be forever accompanied by an asterisk, followed by a pound sign and exclamation point, all preceded by the letter 'F'—a string of characters that, according to Selig, "will always be associated with Barry Bonds."... When my children's grandchildren open up their Baseball Almanac a hundred years from now, they'll see this enduring, universally understood symbol right next to Barry's name," Selig said. "And when they do, they'll immediately know that this sequence of characters—F*#!—reflects history's attitude toward not only the conditions under which he was able to hit his home runs, but also the historical implications he had on the game and its records, the relationship he had with the media and fans during his momentous chase, and just the general atmosphere of baseball in an era he will come to embody." "These symbols say more about Barry Bonds and his contributions to this sport than any mere number ever could," Selig added.... When people think of Roger Maris, they immediately think 'asterisk,'" Selig said. "And when people of this and future generations think of Barry Bonds, they will immediately think F*#!" Good stuff

Me three on the automatic taking out of a starter, &%^*$# Gagne just did it again today, giving up a 2 run shot to Tejada in the eighth, after Schilling worked a great game, what a waste....He has blown two games in three days wrecking great games by DiceK and Schilling... Id trade him for a bag of soggy potato chips about now or straightout DFA him This series so far starters: 3 runs/ 23 2/3 innings relievers 7 runs / 2 1/3 innings Time to get rid of Going Going Gagne ....... Glad you kept your head! Its deceptive, from the stands, or on TV its all illusory and looks so simple"---I would have had that gd ball", until it comes your way... I was sitting in field boxes behind third a few years ago when a rocket came down as fast as a Tomahawk Cruise missile in overdrive...and I was a good fielder in my day....thankfully I kept all my limbs.

It was something like that, it was sort of bizarre at the time I remember Babe was wild in a different way. I remember hearing the story where he was the starting pitcher, walked the first batter and then decked the homeplate ump! He was thrown out of the game, and relieved by Ernie Shore, The runner Ruth walked was thrown out stealing and Shore retired the next 26 men to record a Perfect Game. Now thats some good relief pitching!

I did see that he hit one the other day ( The same day Joel Piniero who the Sox just designated for assignment threw 7 shutout innings for the Cards(D'OH!) and saw that he had lead TripleA with some astounding number of HR's. I was surprised..Good for him Last i remember he was throwing the ball over every backstop in the league---He must be quite an athlete to make that transition, sounds like a future made for TV movie...congrats to him ....was it Mike Benjamin who was coaching at Chandler? or am I thinking of someone else?

Good article on Hammerin Hank It says a lot about the man Ive honestly had enough of the Bonds story I hope that someday in someway he can do something similar thats beneficial to society as a whole... Regarding the DBacks --I wish I got to see them more out my way, they sound exciting--maybe come October but the real Arizona news I like is that the kids from Chandler are in the LLWS again..What the heck are they feeding those kids down there??? I saw the Massachusetts kids from Walpole who are going a few weeks ago in the tournament and they are an amazing team, it should be a fun next few weeks in Williamsport

Yea first--only by what they did in May though, if you had been watching the mediocre play for the last two months and some of the downright stupid mental errors that have been happening with regularity I doubt that you would be favoring them now... If I were putting my money down today it would be on the Angels, that could change of course, but unless this team sparks up a notch...and thats a big notch, first place or no, they arent going very far

pffft--do you know how many world series the Red Sox would have been in if the season ended in August? more than I can count.... They're in first but honestly I dont give them a chance, at least right now, the way theyve been playing to move past the first round if they even make it in... They had the huge lead by the end of May and have been playing at roughly .500 for the last 2 and a half months. Its a shame this team is extremely talented but whatever that mysterious thing is that makes a team jell, it up and left a few months ago. Happy Birthday! If I had my way Id wrap up JD Drew his 240 average and 6 HR's for you and send him back your way. Hokey Smokes is right what the heck is that in my rear view mirror?

???? Looks like the same old same old to me with a new name, Reading a little of the link They charge you $1500 or thereabouts to study the collaterals and other way approved books then they assumingly give you a degree in wayology. They can call it a 'seminary" or anything they want to call it, It looks about almost the same thing that i was doing with my twig 25 years ago except I didnt charge them or give them anything to hang on their wall to impress their neighbors with.... The stuff seemed semi interesting in my 20's, it baffles and mystifies me how older supposedly more mature folks can stay clung onto "The Words Way", "Gods Magnified Word" etal, as adults... If they decide to offer a "How to Shut Your Brain Off For Decades" class that explains the process or "Dissociation-- the key to spiritual growth" I may take it for my own personal amusement

Indeed ********************* Im still sort of baffled why the Sox traded for Gagne, they already had the best bullpen in baseball and now the whole order is screwed up. The bullpen which was once great is now back to 'tenuous' to shixxy' Hideki Okajima who had been the setup guy before Gagne got here had an 0.95 ERA-and was a candidate for Rookie Of The Year-why,why,why on earth does that need to be replaced? Gagne gave up 4 runs in the eighth last night raising his RedSox ERA to 16.40, after the Sox had broken open a pitchers duel by scoring 5 in the top of the inning to go ahead 5-1. What looked like a nice come from behind win, fell back into the loss column when he fell apart and looked very bad doing it. His pitches have no movement at all. They looked anything but championship caliber last night. I hope that Kason Gabbard is doing better for the Rangers--him I liked. Maybe Gagne will come around and get used to being a setup guy, if not when he walks this winter at least he'll be good for 2 first round draft picks. That game was maddening....