mstar1

Well yeah I admit Im in a new state of mind, and I think I stated somewhere up there that most of these guys would probably be elevated to saints if the elections were held in Boston....I know certainly none of them will ever have to buy a meal again in Boston....they have done a lot and accomplished what most of us thought we would never see in our lifetimes--so they get a little leeway--- It is hard for me to be unbiased -- we all are riding some loooooong awaited good times----but I have to give it to them--they really are good........and they are winning and playing pretty good baseball----so the 'bloom is still on the rose' Actually the only guy I question in the organization is the third base coach Dale Sveum, who if they kept such statistics, has got to lead the league in waving on runners thrown out at the plate,sometimes by ridiculous margins --- and holding runners who could've crawled home.... He seems to make a bad decision about every other day,(or sometimes 2 or 3 times a game). I was at agame in May when he had two runners in a rowthrown out by a mile at the plate....then he held the tying run that would have easily scored...... I'm figuring that they keep him around for something else that he does that isn't public knowledge. If thats my only complaint I figure I am doing pretty good... Whats up in Dodgerville? or are you becoming an Angels fan? I really like the Angels, the A's, the other Sox--heck I still like the Rangers ---at this point there are too many teams still in it for me to guess--we'll have to see who pulls it together and who folds.. Im hoping our old friend Simon didn't have an ayneurism when the cubbies walked 4 in the 9th last night.

O yea --Terry is great, he's a smart cookie, a great baseball guy and knows how to handle the diverse personalities and get the most out of them... he is good with the public too..... Boston can be tough on the wrong types of players or managers that aren't use to the intense scrutiny -- but he has fit in well after the Grady Little debacle. He is a hard guy not to like, and even if you were looking for something to complain about its difficult--- he has only made a few minor strategically questionable decisions in the last year and 2/3rds, and he is great with the players. It's refreshing to have manager that you'd like to have as a next door neighbor instead of one you'd like to send to Siberia to be eaten by wolves... ;)-->

There are?? :D--> Without knowing the situation with Mikey Mo, (or even being close really) it sounds like you have some pretty dense people running the show out there. Too bad. Sports teams, like businesses, to be successful seem to be just as much about human relationships working well, as the dollars and cents. Its a real art to get the most out of an employee or a player, but you can screw a lot up in a hurry by being too shortsighted, and not taking into consideration the human dimension....thats the hard part of ownership..but the worthwhile part too, a happy employee is a productive employee case in point ... Manny got 4 RBI's today

football??....hockey??.....(eeee--(shivers....)It's August 2nd! This is when real baseball starts... Rangers fans aren't packing it in already are they?

Well I suppose that would be the prudent thing to do, if you made a years wages everyday, never mind every bit of your integrity in the national spotlight oops I'm Too late for Norm....It's got Bill Parcells on now...(NO!.......NO!........No!....please .make it stop!....its too early for football!.............

I actually have a photo of a church events board --it reads: EVENINGS AT 7 IN THE PARISH HALL _________________________________ MON ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS TUE ABUSED SPOUSES WED EATING DISORDERS THU SAY NO TO DRUGS FRI TEEN SUICIDE WATCH SAT SOUP KITCHEN ________________________ SUNDAY SERMON 9 A.M. "AMERICA"S JOYOUS FUTURE" I wish I could post the pic... EDIT: I found a pic that is pretty close--

You think so? I have to wonder but only time will tell... The local conspiracy theorists have all been wondering since spring if Bonds was secretly suspended for the year to avoid passing Ruth and possibly Aaron on the heels of the big 'roid thing in the spring...it added a lot of fuel to the fire when Bonds announced he wouldn't be back this year about an hour after Palmiero's suspension... I dont know.... as far as Palmiero goes--I suppose its possible--with all the things on the market--who knows exactly what your getting in your vitamins and supplements?... I know I dont have mine analyzed in a lab before I take them.... still it seems doubtful, a longshot and wouldn't change things anyway... New Week-New drama I hope they end all this steroid stuff once and for all in the next year or two

Ive always liked Palmeiro, one of the quiet, go about your business great ones--- Although I did crack up last March when I heard Mr Viagra say he had never used performance enhancing drugs :P--> Too bad- it not only hurts the O's who have to start pulling it back together pretty darn soon, but its some of the only big publicity hes gotten in a great career, and will probably lay a taint on his accomplishments.

Ha--yea--I was thinking today that he is more like a Dizzy Dean, or who was the other guy (Rube Waddell?), colorful and different characters that really live in a alternate world than most of us---there are a lot of great stories over the last several years about Manny-- Baseball needs people like him---it keeps it a lot of fun... anyway WELCOME HOME MANNY Glad to have you back....

There is a little difference-- those guys know full well what they are doing and can be vicious about it, Manny is like your very gifted cousin who has absolutely no social skills and is just too innocent at times not to do stupid things in public, -You can't really hate him because their is no real malicious intent in his actions....He actually is a very lovable guy.....

Nah----Its sort of like healing an important relationship that was strained for a week, almost to the point of falling apart, but both sides are really glad when all the drama is over ---**** happens---in baseball and in life that is unforeseen and a bit difficult but it makes it all the better and stronger when you get through hard things.........he is a loved figure around here, part of it is because of his childlike innocence that is actually endearing..(i don't know where the gangster quote came from...) Its over now-- 1 tough week doesn't make a season, it could have broken them up, but in the end, the struggle brought them together.... There are difficulties to overcome that make teams better and stronger==I really think that the way this all finally played out will make the Red Sox a better team. ---The team is glad to have him back, the fans are glad to have him back, and most importantly after hanging over the precipice for a few days --he is glad to be back....

Well its official "The Red Sox have made no transactions" , haven't heard any news from around the rest of baseball yet... The rookie Papelbon looked like a young Schilling today - 7K's in 5, throwing about 96-- which is heartening.... Manny is getting a standing O for pinchhitting as I write.... ...and knocks in the go ahead run... What a great moment! ---gees I love this game

2 Hours 37 minutes to go LOL this is one of the stRangest days of the year... Manny now wants to stay --> ;)--> :D--> Manny being Manny told you he was like a kid.. Im hearing Soriano to the Twins now I think Manny will be staying put, but who knows? I'd love to end the day with Adam Dunn from Cincinnati or Scott Kasmir from Tampa, or (pleeeeeeeeze....some middle relief). o yea there is a game today :)--> --I'm looking forward to seeing the highly touted John Papelbon make his first major league start--its an interesting day all the way around

Seems everybody is looking for about the same thing. I for one would like to see the 3-way Willie Mo Pena, Larry Walker, Mark Buerhle trade annonunced. Just once I'd like to see a Mo-Larry-Buerhle deal.

I have been out along time so it is hard for me to remember the intracacies of things that you are going through, but i can be pretty sure of telling you that you are doing them no favors if you dont eventually burst the bubble of illusion for your relatives who are still in...I dont know how the timing will work for you but no matter what the surface appearance "a Happy Little World' it isn't....

I saw a great band tonight that has been taking root for a few years called Ollabelle. They do interesting versions of old gospel tunes and spirituals in a rootsy style that I think would appeal to nearly any christian. Of course if I am in a real gospel mood with a heavy dose of deep soul,to me nothing beats The Blindboys Of Alabama Here's a taste of a few Blindboys songs off their Higher Ground CD, Higher Ground Wade In The Water People Get Ready

Watching Theo is almost as exciting as play on the field sometime (i've never had fun watching a front office guy until he showed up..) he is one sharp cookie and bold. I just hope that he doesn't overstep himself and have something backfire.... I think this is the time of year when Red Sox fans, even unbelieving Red Sox fans, start taking up praying in earnest, there are so many variables in all this that they can't even be counted... Yup Gabe 'SuperJew' Kapler, (I didn't name him that -don't blame me) is back from Japan and ready to go on Sunday, adequate ++ in the outfield and by all reports a great teammate and clubhouse guy. My big concern if Manny goes, is not so much losing his bat, although I do love to watch him, but more so the effect it will have on what is mostly a very tight and close team and the possibilities of upsetting a winning chemistry which has been the underlying source of the teams success...

Yea zactly, Manny is like a savant, probably the best natural hitter that I have ever seen, but subject to 'mannymoments', that depending on where you are are either endearing or maddening. Last week he disappeared into the left field scoreboard for a pitch, or he tried to stretch a simple single into a double and he was out by 75 feet, or misplay a simple play in the field , or walking off the bag to grab his helmet and being tagged out--stuff like that...mental lapses mostly but with manny they aren't lapses --he lives there all the time. He is like a kid. It is hard to be mad at him when the next inning he will drive aball 550 feet,make a great catch, or throw a runner out--- and is a generally good natured though simple 40HR 140RBI. guy. I love the guy but over the last 4 years I've noticed that he is only really good when he is happy and thats a more complex matter than money. His main beef now is that in sports obsessed Boston he has no personal life and can't do normal things without being mobbed..stuff like taking his kids to playground or his family out to eat....which in a way I can understand, he is a simple guy, but I dont know if would be any better for him many other places... I'd hate to lose him-he is always fun to watch

These are the days that try mens souls--the last few days before the deadline-players have been playing for a long time and have along way to go ---its hot... people are frustrated....It seems to happen every year.... I'm waiting to see who goes where.... who pulls it together and who falls apart. EVERYBODY would love him unconditionally??? Holy Cow! nice town! I'll move there and play for free

I don't exactly think that they should "Stick it to' the conservatives. The progressive and more liberal elements of christianity have pretty much done their 'church stuff', remained politically passive and stayed more or less quiet while the conservative and especially the far right elements have moved into the political realm , successfully promoted their agendas, made a lot of noise and now speak as if they are they only form of christianity. Thats far far from true , the american right wing is a small facet of christianity that has gained some worldly power-- thats all. Christianity needs voices like Spong and Wallis, not to 'stick it to the conservatives' so much as to break the ice and open doors for progressive christianity to have a voice and let people know that not every christian is bound to end up in the far right like they would have you believe. So far I find somethings interesting about Spong and somethings I disagree with but it is about time somebody stood up

Well I am not going to pretend to understand his theology based on a few small articles, or dismiss it totally based on the opinions of a few conservatives that disagree with him. He was grouped with Michael Lerner of Tikkun and Jim Wallis of Sojourners at the conference you first mentioned. They are two voices that I do respect-and although I have differences with both, they have things to say which imo should be listened to Although he appears as a radical(a little too overtly political and reactionary as a religious leader for me)on first glance-I do think that Christianity could benefit in the long run, and sometimes does, when it listens to the voices that at first hearing seem to come from the fringes.

Well in an annual rite as predictable as the coming of spring Manny wants to go too...It could be "Manny being Manny' and blow over in a few days and be forgotten, or trade him to anyone who will pay him.... Damon's probably gone at the end of this year-so Soriano in center would be an addition (if he would play there), can he play an outfield corner until then? WTF is with all these moody players anyway?you'd think that $20mil/year would buy you a little loyalty.... the next two days until the trade deadline should be interesting

:)--> LOL I am all choked up by the beeeyoooteeful eulogy by Kasey I always suspected that somewhere behind his formula and image, Kasey had a human streak in him

Welcome back Mark, good to see you posting again. I am not in any real danger of becoming an Episcopalian any time soon,and I am not familiar with Bishop Spong. But I will say the Bishop makes some valid points and observations that i wouldn't cast aside too quickly simply because the articles writer had an obvious bias and wrote in a disingenous manner to make him appear like a wingnut.

Tom --that church in the movie is about a half a mile from my house, there are good old fashioned hootenanny's on thursday nights, Arlo and George(the sole employee) in true hippie fashion are trying to get me to restore the windows using the movie as a guide--- The restaurant is gone from stockbridge now,but you can still get anything you want from Pauly over at Midges-just down the alley and take a right from the old Alices... ..come to think of it Alice's would be a perfect place to set up a snowcone machine.......