mstar1

Im guessing that it would take longer than January 20th to impeach him or remove him from office. If he does not resign, does he still, inspite of these events, have the power to appoint the new senator? Hopefully there is some mechanism in Illinois politics to get around this...Anyone know how this works? Also if there could be one bright spot in this to me its the emergence of Patrick Fitzgerald who uncovered this. The NYTimes calls him a modern day Elliot Ness. Will he be investigating the Bush Administration next?

Ive been working long hours so this is the first Ive heard of the CC deal... This may be good for the RS, by signing a huge contract with CC --Im thinking that this will probably take the Yankees out of any Teixeira deal, which could open up the way for the Sox to sign him --plus CC's post season numbers are pretty poor--he always seems to be burned out by October (which is always a concern for me), also at his weight 7 years seems a little long--will he eat his way out of this contract in 3 years? No doubt its a BIG win for the caterers and restauranteurs of NYC, :) I'll measure the plus or minus of this deal by what happens on the field come next October

I dont understand the Dodgers management-- Its crazy some of the things theyve attempted over the last few years--do they lead the majors in bad contracts? I have to wonder... CC at the least seems like a no brainer especially since he seems to want to go there, and after what Manny did out there for 1/2 a season--It seems they would be right on top or near it for 4 or 5 years. I spose they can poke around with Juan Pierre and Andruw if they like--or maybe they really arent baseball guys and will just throw anyone out there , knowing that they have their attendance numbers high pretty much no matter what they do. I dunno--im too distant and dont follow it closely enough to get a good read on them..It is very odd though.... The Sox are talking to CC, but I think that it is just to be in the bidding to up the ante if the Yankees sign him...I dont think the Sox have any intention of really signing him.... ....Retrosheet can be a lot of fun...especially this time of year when there is no baseball to watch....I often will remember some little detail of some game 40 or 15, or 5 or 2 years ago, and start wondering about it. If you can get the year and the opposing teams right, you can hunt it down fairly easily after awhile. It then gives you the box and the play by play--even the attendance and the weather, and with a little luck can unlock a whole cascade of memories of players and plays you had forgotten all about. Reading through the play by play isnt being at the game, but this time of year, with a little imagination, it can be not too bad to get your baseball fix.

Its hard to believe that it was 28 years ago that John Lennon was murdered. It seems like yesterday

I enjoy looking up old games at Retrosheet. Ive looked up several games that I went to as a youngster, they carry the box score and the play by play--which can jog the memory..If i remeber some vague details about a game against the tigers in 67--its all there given around 5 minutes of looking--Its fun and a good site. I hope you dont mind I looked up Yankees vs Washington in September of '63 They had a two game series on September 3 and 4th--(a tuesday and wednesday--both day games) both look like great games The first one HERE, Maris won with a 2 run HR in the bottom of the ninth The second HERE the Yankees won in the bottom of the 12th. Clete Boyer scored the winning run, Ralph Terry got the 12 inning complete game win. I dont know how many games they were up at the time but it is just about the right time that they may have clinched during one of them... If you find yourself with time in the winter--like I do--retrosheet can be a blast once you get the hang of it

Thanks Geisha An amazingly haunting and beautiful melody, Here are the lyrics for us Welsh Impaired folks Suo Gan Hunan blentyn, ar fy mynwes Clyd a chynnes ydyw hon Breichiau mam sy'n dyn amdanat Cariad mam sy dan fy mron Ni chaiff dim amharu'th gyntun Ni wna undyn a thi gam Huna'n dawel, annwyl bientyn Huna'n fwyn ar fron dy fam Huna'n dawel hana huna Huna'n fwyn y del ei lun Pam yr wyt yn awr yn gwenum Gwenu'n dirion yn dy hun Ai angylion fry sy'n gwenu Arnat yno'n gwenu'n lion Titha'u'n gwenu'n ol a huno Huno'n dawel ar fy mron Paid ag ofni, dim ond deilen Gura, gura ar y ddor Paid aga ofni ton fach unig Sua, sua ar lan y mor Huna blentyn nid oes yma Ddim i roddi iti fraw Gwena'n dawel ar fy mynwes Ar yr engyl gwynion draw To my lullaby surrender Warm and tender is my breast Mother's arms with love caressing Lay their blessing on your rest Nothing shall tonight alarm you None shall harm you, have no fear Lie contented, calmly slumber On your mother's breast, my dear Here tonight I tightly hold you And enfold you while you sleep Why, I wonder, are you smiling Smiling in your slumber deep? Are the angels on you smiling And beguiling you with charm While you also smile, my blossom In my bosom soft and warm? Have no fear now, leaves are knocking Gently knocking at our door Have no fear now, waves are beating Gently beating on the shore Sleep, my darling, none shall harm you Nor alarm you, never cry In my bosom sweetly smiling And beguiling those on high

The supermarket in my town started a promotion with a few local gas stations back when the prices were over $4.00 X dollars in groceries gets you ten cents off per gallon, it continues to accumulate every time you but groceries-- I now have $1.10 off per gallon My last fillup was .79 cents/gal. Nice to get a fillup on my work van at about $25.00 instead of $125.00

Ive been liking TT a lot since I read about him about a year ago at this time--I liked the little I saw of him on the major league level this year too---You just never know at this point who will and who wont-but he looks like a cant miss to me---of course Ive said that and been wrong before--I remember arguing that The Dave Clark Five would be remembered way longer than the Beatles too There's another young catcher in the Cleveland system named (yes really) Carlos Santana, whos looking good too, but I think he is still a year or two away... ...Ticket prices? I remember the $1.00 for a doubleheader days, this past year was $90 for one decent loge box, which doesnt include the $30 to park (or the 5 hours of driving time round trip). At least they froze the ticket prices so far--gee big thanks Santa

The Church Of Stop Shopping

Good to see you Dr Strange! There has been an entire mini industry revolving around "The Texas Catchers" in these parts since the close of the season....Its spread out to a lot of others since then --but seems to always come back to either Salty or Teagarden---Of course at this point everything is only rumors...and right now the rumor is that the asking price is too high (two young arms - Either Masterson or Bowden and Buchholz) ....but the winter meetings are coming up and Im sure both Theo and Daniels would like to come home from those meetings with something to look like Santa Claus to the hometown fans

Four consecutive Cy Youngs, seven seasons in a row in the top 5 in voting, nine times in the top 5, 17 Gold Gloves, the 2nd and 3rd best single season ERA+'s since the Dead Ball Era. I've kinda forgotten how good he was but looking back at his stats they just seem incredible. He slowed a little the past few years but he could still probably be a pretty good number 4 on most teams. If anyone should get 100% of a vote on the first ballot its him... A story that was circulating a few years ago was that Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz would all hang it up the same year, in an effort to go into the Hall of Fame together. The last I had heard was that Smoltz was going to give it a go next season, not wanting to end his career by injury, and that Glavine was leaning that way as well. If Maddux retires this season, that would put the kibosh on the "ride off into the golden sunset together" plan for the Braves old Big Three. Not a big deal one way or the other, but it would have made a pretty cool tidbit to see them all go into the Hall in one class, as they will forever be associated. Maddux' stat page at baseball Reference

In my neck of the woods thats called a Yankee Swap. My family did one of those last year, Ive been to a few company parties that have done them too--

Thank you very much ((((((RG))))). Ive had a great guide and example, my Dad is 91, he doesnt get wrapped up in distractions and BS but sees clearly exactly what is important and gets wiser and younger every year.

I gotta again give applause to Dustin Pedroia--since when has the best player in the league ever signed a 6 year contract for 40 million. Will this be the beginning of a return to reason? He could have leveraged his position for a helluva lot more money over those years We've had Dustin on the radar for 2 plus years now, its sooo refreshing to see someone who gets it on just about every level, how you play the game, why you play the game ...and that 7 mil a year is enough for anybody

I generally dont buy crap for Christmas, Im not a good 'consumer' I usually go on strike each year until I figure out something that works for me There are alternatives , I havent done a 'consumer type Christmas" in probably two decades, it usually takes me awhile each year to figure out what to do- This year the family is pooling together the money we would have spent and buying animals through Heifer.org. Its a good program, for a few hundred you can buy heifers , llamas, goats, some chickens or whatever you want--that are then given to a poor family in some starving part of the world. They use the animals to milk, make cheese, yogurt, eggs, whatever that animal does-so the people dont starve-then when the animals reproduce they agree to pass on the offspring to other families, who then also agree to pass on the next offspring-- So its alittle tiny helping hand someplace that keeps going and helps out instead of a pile of useless crap that we dont need and breaks in a year anyway--just seems a little more in the spirit of christmas to me than trampling someone to death. Other than that we'll probably get together for a nice meal and read and talk some about the countries we sent stuff to

there are alot of good names on that list--Blyleven seemed to always be winning about17-18 games if I remember correctly. One question about Jeter that I have never had answered is that his full name is Derek Sanderson Jeter..Ive always wondered if "Sanderson" was some family name or if he was named after the BOSTON Bruins legend from the 70's Derek Sanderson. Ive never seen that addressed anywhere--Sanderson was a great defensive center and star for the Bruins so if Jeters parents were hockey fans its plausible--but he was also turned out to be a drug addict, who lost everything and became homeless before being rescued by Bobby Orr and other former teammates--Great player--didnt really turn out to be agreat role model though just curious

Yea people findit hard to believe now, where every Red Sox game has been sold out and packed in for about 5 years, that Ive been to games when there were just a few thousand people there. I actually went to a Patriots game at Fenway Park in th early 60's on time and it was snowing so the entire crowd was huddled up under the roof, from certain angles it looked like no one was there Now its not only packed but every single person has some Sox jersey, hat, jacket or something on flying their colors--I dont even think I rarely saw anyone wearing a Sox hat back then

Gees I didnt think you'd actually guess- -Im in the sixth one, the group shot, --- the furthest person on the left, I didnt realize I was so bald looking until I saw the photo., easy come easy go--

thanks for the kind words RG :) I agree on the Guthries--- and Thats a great idea on the fundraiser---(i'll put you on my staff right away!) and excie for some reason I cant find the article--but I found some pictures HERE Im in one of 'em--I'll let you all guess which one Great Stuff waysider--sorry for carrying on like this--but I gotta put just one more before we move on-- "No one livin can ever stop me as I go walking my freedom highway" Woody Guthrie

I was at that game and McNally was actually sent in to pinch run. He wasnt going full bore but he wasnt walking or jogging home like they do now either--he had a fairly good clip going then tried to pick up steam when he knew the throw was coming home but by then it was too late--Still an absolutely amazing throw. I remember Cardenal--I saw him play --a little lean quick guy if I remember but I never saw him enough to recall any throws he made---Reggie had me captured though...During a long rain delay in 67 , when nothing was happening, he and Yaz came out near the dugout as the rain dissipated and were standing and talking for a few minutes. Yaz (i guess on a challenge from Reggie) threw a ball off the left field monster at Fenway which woke up the wet crowd...Reggie thenpicked up a ball and threw it not only OVER the wall but OVER the old net above the wall as well as the place went nuts cheering....I couldnt tell you who won that day, or even who they were playig but I'll never forget that

There are some things you see that are eye rubbing "did I just really see that" amazing. I know Frank was like that...Some of the shots Ive seen Manny hit are like that --about 525' to right center on a bad way down and in pitch, still has my head shaking,-- one he hit over the light tower a few years ago at Fenway (OVER THE LIGHT TOWER) and a blast into the FIFTH Deck in Toronto in 01 or so still boggle my mind. I see them my jaw drops I talk about them for a few weeks, then they seem to get dug out on these cold winter days as a reminder of why I love the game so much. I still occassionally wake up and think about a throw I saw Reggie Smith make . He threw out Dave McNally of the Orioles at home on a sac fly from the 379 mark in 1968. Guys rarely even reach the infield from there anymore-its always relayed in--- Reggie threw a perfect one hopper to the plate on a line like it had been shot out of a bazooka and had him by a step :) Heres a story I know Geisha is going to want to read--A Pitchers Most Memorable Thanksgiving A day that changed Sox fans forever

oops--Not quite like the groundskeepers of today-- I have a Pittsburg newspaper article from the late 20's --a game my dad was at at Forbes Field unde r similar circumstances as you -(it may have been a July 4 doubleheader---that rained --and after the rains the infield dirt was covered with gasoline and set on fire until it dried out :) I have the front page picture of massive flames covering the infield with the stadium full of people---something that they'd never ever get away with today.its agreat picture one of these days I may dig it out. Ive said before on this thread that Frank Howard hit by far the highest popup that I have ever seen in my life--He was big slow and lumbering and was pulling into third by the time it came down...When I ran into George Scott, the Sox firstbaseman of that era afew years ago in Mississipi, he told me that the hardest hit he ever saw was when Frank hit a line drive just over the shortstops head in agame in Washington. The shortstop leapt and it ticked off his glove slowing it down and the ball still landed deep in the upper deck. The Boomer said it still wakes him up at night sometimes. I swear I saw Franks popup but sometimes I wonder if Boomers story is a bit of a talltale or a trick of the memory as it seems a little too fantastic and legendary-- like Josh Gibsons fly ball that never came down or Cool Papa Bell who was so fast he hit a groundball up the middle and it hit him in the back as he slid into second It was said--"He was so fast -he could turn off the light switch and get in bed before the lights went out"

Well we'll see --I didnt get to get that far with Arlo--just that he has adream to get it done--Im aware folksingers who own churches, feed hundreds of people at a time for free and give a good portion of their money to benefits and good causes arent like regular customers... I'll swing a deal somehow..(maybe some personal music tutoring fom Arlo? --who knows..).somewhere over the last 40 years the old windows were removed I'd like to do something similar to the originals and include quotes from Woody and Arlo songs , maybe some of Woodys drawings and other things pertinent to what it is now--Im still working out the idea--These things can take awhile (years usually--) When it comes to past I'll post em if you want..Meanwhile--you wouldnt be the first person to take a pilgrimage up this way--come one up for TDay one of these years..or the Garbage Walk---I can even show you the famous dump In spring Its nice up here

You'll see exactly were I was if you watch the movie, as a matter of fact being a stained glass guy myself, Arlo wants me to do some work on the windows in the church now :) After spending the last umpteen thousand Thanksgivings always listening to "Alice's ", and knowing people all over the country do too, its still sinking in that I just spend TDay with the Guthrie Family. To me that was a cool event--almost surreal that I was actually there--It was a GREAT time. Im gonna become a regular there now. Heres Arlo's daughter, Sarah Lee and her husband Johnny Irion doing a song they played yesterday

Well I just got backj--that was the about awesomest Thanksgiving Ive ever had. :) All the Guthries were there and after the huge dinner--there was music , music, music by all of them, they are a huge family and all folk singers--It was all very informal and fun- then whoever wanted to played---When the guitar made it to me I played an old Woody Guthrie tune "Bound For Glory" and was joined in harmony by Annie and Sarah Lee Guthrie (and by the rest of the 80 or so people who were there who were in a singing mood) What a great way to work off a turkey dinner.