mstar1

Yea its not good imo...I suppose teams have won while being at each others throats but it has never happened to any team in this neck of the woods (RedSox, Patriots, Celtics, Bruins)...all those losing RS years it looked like that with various players bi tchin out the FO, or complainin about something or other...There was always one or more malcontents that seemed to sour things...or keep you just po'd enough that you'd wish this or that guy would go....Nomar was about the last obvious one , and when he was traded 9as much as i liked him and didn't want to see him go) things changed.. It may sound hokey and cliched but i really think that teams win, not a groups of 25 individuals and there really is something about unity, chemistry, and believing in one another that can make the sum bigger than the parts. To get from point A to point B seems to be the big mystery but should be taken deeply into consideration...and Its not just the players--(Hiway chided me for extolling the virtues of the ownership a few pages back)Its the owners, FO-the entire organization that has to work together imo to make it work. easier said than done I know. Anyway......whats up with them Dodgers? Unfortunately they are in a division and a city in a galaxy that seems far far away at times-so I cant keep up. Last I looked (which was awhile ago) old friend DLowe left his wife and was causing a ruckus, the NL 'Worst' was looking strange...and....well..who is this Boston parking lot attendant thats screwin things up so royally anyway? Sounds like you have your own bit of discontent in Dodgerville

Did you meet "The Heckler" while at the trop?

I wonder...of course you will always have afew outside the norm like Clemens or Maddox but team wise I wonder about the internal stuff that you don't get to see does to a team--how it affects focus and concentration , desire--that type of stuff...The Sox always talk about chemistry and it seems to work...I know the front office works hard on that aspect... If players dont get along well or with the manangement or the front office or something...and it is not addressed properly it maybe can be hidden for a while, but after being together every day for 6 months or so it would take its toll and effect things. Im not saying thats whats happening, but thats what used to happen up here all the time-- I'd like to see the rangers stay in it until the end and/or make the playoffs, but who knows at this point. I hope you have someone smart enough in the FO to figure it all out but what from you've told me it doesn't look that way.... meanwhile-- I was raving about Manny a week or so ago, he got hot-so now they aren't pitching to him and are pitching to Ortiz instead and he is now on fire. (hitting about 600 4 Hr 13 RBI in the last 5 or so games). I get used to them hitting back to back and forget what that must look like to opposing pitchers-- Glad I don't have to face them! Then they are followed by Varitek Ay Carumba!

Chair open? He'd never show up--never did at mine anyway--he was meant to be absent-'the absent christ'-We didn't need him --he was replaced like a bad sparkplug by *us* heck no idolatry or egotism in that bizarre doctrine---

sounds like your turning into a Pragmatic Realist to me Belle ;)--> as for me I'm with Popeye "I am what I am and thats all that I am"

maybe...... I hope for your sake -- Its interesting to me how one game can change perceptions, im going through the same thing (though opposite) up here. Sox won about 7 in a row, then lost giving up 3 in the 9th, then 2 out of 3 to the Tigers ---and the world came crashing in as to how many holes yet need to be filled and how uncertain this game really is. The overall trend is going good though---as long as they go into the ninth with about a 9 run lead ;)--> ....didn't the Rangers do about this same thing last year?

You mean these folks Tom?

Yup been there-- --boy have I been there---it will pass-----it may take 86 years ----but it will pass ---and eventually when the redemption comes it will be worth the wait

Nope If 'lonely' is the problem, I vote with the others and say volunteer somewhere in your town---For me its one of the best things Ive ever done.

Thanks strange one--there are some interesting possibilities on that list that I can put on my wishlist for the winter months-- too bad you just can't 'dibs' em of course thats a long ways off and i am pretty danged pleased with what we are doing NOW---(well except for this 3 hour rain delay)

It seems to be a fallacy of religions like TWI, to try and get just enough crumbs for your own table and leave the bigger picture alone...Its fear of 'the world' and general refusal to deal with issues that needed addressing and 'leave it to God' bred an almost total absence in the patient working toward things that make for justice and a more just world....(since this is in doctrinal)It's a huge, huge doctrinal and practical mistake imo. I don't know if we will ever see justice in my lifetime, but to wait, do nothing, or hope that things will somehow miraculously chnage like we were taught seems too much like selling my birthright. i don't know what to say to you Abigail, I want justice Now too. When its not there, as many times it isn't, although it infuriates me, I do find some solace in channelling my energies toward changing things in whatever small way I can.

So? --You're an adult -You don't owe them one, the only common sense thing to do with an outfit like that is leave asap If anything they owe you one as to why on earth they would decide to hide from life and stay

Yea -i'd like to have Clemens back-but Im not complainin--I'll take 13 in a row at home with or without him...and that is by playing just a touch above 'OK'......he'd be too expensive anyway.... You guys have plenty of hittin', presumably you could trade some of that off for some pitching in the off season and still have a powerful lineup..... of course you have that heat thing we were talking about to get around somehow. I was just looking at the payrolls and yours hover's right around where the A's are --they seem to know how to get the most bang from a buck... Either of you know where to find a list of this years coming free agents?

....who have found the world utterly different than described by the powers that be in TWI ...who have found meaningful and productive lives outside ...who have found a reasonable amount of peace and contentment ...who are glad to be out from under the thumb of those that would use them to their own ends. ...who are glad to be thinking for themselves, determining their own actions ,and making their own decisions

Maybe....Orel might be a Jedi Master, but does he have the gift ministry of a teacher? It took Yoda about 700 years--I'm guessing you dont want to wait that long... I actually think that 'fringe' players without the huge natural abilities sometimes make the better coaches... This has been a week of very Strange™ plays... I hope Cameron and Beltran are OK that was one of the worst collisions I have seen in awhile.... A phrase you dont hear very often: The 1st place Sox will play the 1st place Sox tonight

Strange country we live in....I wonder how many of these people will line up on Sunday to hear the "Love your neighbor as yourself' sermon... ...I never did like what happens to people when they become part of a herd, it seems to slowly erode away common goodness and important parts of their humanity. I have to brace every summer weekend for the invasion of the tourists myself. They are professionals at leaving their manners (if indeed they have any at all)at home. Glad you stopped though Belle-

Not really, We are not dealing with mathematical laws or rules of English, but teachings of faith. The actions/lifestyle/spirituality/example of a teacher are the most important part of any spiritual/religious teaching...and is what really sticks. Anybody can learn enough to dazzle people with BS, but it doesn't hold any water -none of it--if it leads them into living like scoundrels.

I don't know either---I said a few weeks ago that this seems to be the time of year when teams either pull together or fall apart, I watched the sox fall apart like clockwork for years at this time of year, The O's have already dived this year.. They all have been playing every day for a long long time now, its hot, they are away from their families a lot--who knows---no matter how much they love the game there has to be points when the lifestyle becomes tiring

Its got to be discouraging to be a Ranger fan--17 ( 21 by the end of posting)Runs given up by the bullpen--so far--in 3 games--Its a shame -believe me I know the feeling--it would be different if they were just plain bad --but-they have a boatload of real ball players *walk with the bases loaded* *Matthews error-3 more runs sorry Tom--welcome to Fenway

Well for Shortstops he leads the league--- It will all work out--there are some people up here moaning about the new 10mil/yr for 4 years, "defensive specialist' when they may have kept Pedro Martinez instead.....but it'll all work out.... I haven't had a chance to breathe never mind read the paper and check the lines for a few days -- the business hit a weird time loop, or the earth is passing through some space warp or something ;)-->, It just got crazy out of the blue for no reason but it'll settle in a few days, and the more important aspects of life -like baseball will get back to their rightful place --- but I'll check the boxscore -- I hate missing things.... I didn't mention steroids--- :P--> they are just some big strappin lads EDIT: (re: KC Box) and you and me are complaining about pitching???? Pity the poor fans of KC

Well i'll take the win, but it was sloppy -two errors by Renteria (now leading the league), a dropped popup, Clement didn't cover on a WP... looks like Remlinger took my spot on the roster I was talking about...but all in all its a win.. as far as the umps I realize they are human but it seems they have reached the dog days of summer too...the umping has been sloppy all around imo for at least a few weeks...nobody has been real pleased this series... What do they feed those guys in Texas?--there are some seriously big boys on those Rangers!

That was one of the best ones of the year I thought Papi was going long in the 8th-but no cigar... This better not go too long the bullpen is empty

Ask and you shall receive... that was quick welcome to Boston Mike Remlinger -never recorded an out This game is sort of ugly--I don't recall ever seeing Francona get as hot as he has been tonight...

Gees-you are right about the pitching---its 7-2 --that was a quick meltdown

Yea I am better today thanks--- We picked up another few today to shore up the bullpen Ricky Bottalico and Mike Remlinger, who I once played catch with when he was about little league age and lived down the street from my sister. 2-2 in the fifth, with another unearned run which makes about 11 in the last 4 or 5 games-- time to shore up the defense, which has been lapsing-- oops make that 3-2 (manny being manny)