mstar1

On the outside (far far outside ) chance that any of yous guys (or any lurkers---ie Hi Ex!)will be in Baltimore on Aug 18, 19, 20. I have 2 tickets at Camden Yards for each of 3 games Sox vs. O's, that i unfortuantely wont be able to get to... This will be the last chance to see the Sox and O's at Camden Yards until the next time they play! good seats --and a good getaway. Let me know or they're goin on EBay

thats what I thought too. In the summers I left the house at daybreak, glove , bats , balls all situated on the bike and returned sometime around supper time.--and then it was go out some more until dark---Even if it was just me pitching like Juan Marichal against the stone wall...although Charlie Harrow, Bobby Mchugh, Paul Reed, Pinchy and the Welfords would usually show up for a street game in front of my house..... Punky had a lot of power, to this day Lee Sardella is known to me as Shaper...Given the chance I could name em all and what they were good at.... The league games were small potatoes compared to what us kids did on our own. If I played 50 organized games between Little League and Babe Ruth League over the years Id be surrpised, but I must have played 100 or 1000 times that many pickup games of all forms and shapes during the same period. Didnt matter if there were 4 kids or 15, whether we had a regular field, a street, a backyard, or an alley. We agreed on rules for the situation (past the second tree is a double--or....-anything to right is an out) and hit, fielded, threw and ran all day long and became pretty good--but we not only learned the game and played it endlessly but also learned social skills and dealing with 100's of different situations on our own. Its sad to me--i guess I should have viewed it as inevitable --but I didnt---with all the good things that are disappearing I never ever though theyd get to something like this... BTW--although it doesnt get near as much use as it used to, at 53-- I still carry a glove ball and bat in my vehicle--just in case

I red alot of bad things in the news, somethings you just cant avoid but to me THIS is some of the worst news Ive heard in awhile i suppose that I should have seen it happening--i dont see as many kids as years ago on ballfields playing anymore.... This really irks me and saddens me at the same time. No matter what was going on in the broader world, or how bad it was, the underlying fabric that made up our society always seemed to remain intact--and I had confidnce that it would--because simple everyday community things like sandlot baseball were alive and kickin. Never mind learning the game itself with peers or playing just for the pure fun of it, but the sense of community, friendship and character development that is/was somehow formed without any adult supervision imo was invaluable in a whole host of ways to forming solid and balanced identities but also good for the entire group of particpants...... Im not wording this right... I'll let it go--but with all the complete bxllsh!t in the world i cant believe that something as good and wholesome and (at least to me) important as sandlot baseball has disappeared.

I actually like labyrinths. Real ones occasionally have different things to do at different junctures along the path (various prayers, meditations, reflections etc..). They can be a very interesting experience even if you dont do all the prayers, that reflect the twists and turns of life life and bring us back to our true "center" Some churches have used them as a means of spiritual growth for a thousand years. Chartres cathedral Interesting analogy OKC. Knowing labyrinths I can see nothing cheesier or baser than charging people to walk it, then wasting our time with complete banalities like stringing chairs, and when we arrived at the "Center" there really was nothing at all but our true selves "hamsters on a wheel".. True enough.... Nah ...I wont be walking that one again any time soon

Its great to hear some Rory! its been way too long for me.. when I first heard him in the very early 70's I was immediately overwhelmed and taken. I saw him in the early 70's at the old Pauls Mall in Boston (sat about 150) and was blown away as I sat in the first row and he blew the roof off the place He leapt onto my table for part of his "Messin With The Kid " solo-- Messin With The Kid an amazing and underrated guitar player "The man who got me back into the blues." —Eric Clapton thanks waysider Don't know where Im Going Laundromat There was only one Rory Gallagher we lost him too early-- Rest In Peace friend

That was a good point on the difference between them, and one reason why ARod will never be popular--- --------------------------- . and just because you might wanna know.. . ...i wonder if there will be any Nephilim available at the trade deadline.....

Theres too too many of them around here but none that really have all the pertinent info in one place like Newberg. Ive had to give em up for the most part. Massachusetts is overloaded with MIT and Harvard type stat heads and sabermetricians that chart every single pitch and nuance of a season and present every conceivable chart and graph for analysis which really doesnt do it for me--there is no way that I can keep up, and I have atendency to get carried away and forget the simplicity of the game. I usually drag through a hundred different sites in the wintertime Im much simpler and as I get older its harder to keep track of names that I only hear about but never see especially in the minors unless there is some simplepoint that stands out or I gather a real interest and study someone out myself.... Ive read Bard's reports before --but it made all the difference seeing him for the first time last night. NOW I know and NO you still cant have him! I cant see the Red Sox giving him up, the bullpen which was very solid last year has been shaky at best--especially the setup guys who have all been iffy.....Id be pretty sure (but what do I know) that the big club has as eye on him for a September callup --if not sooner if things dont straighten out pretty soon.. So the answer is yes and No (to the Newberg Report queation) and ..NO you still cant have him! (Bard). He brings up a good point about getting attached to prospects, but then they shouldnt be let go too easily either. The RedSox have lost too many over the years in shortsighted trades (Jeff Bagwell for Larry (who?)Anderson). Trades like Beckett/Lowell for Hanley Ramirez only come along because Theo got burned once too many times and is pretty tough on getting someone frontline for what he gives up. Even with what Beckett and Lowell have brought (yea its all good)----Id STILL like to see Hanley Ramirez This is an interesting time of the year--ya never know how it will play out...---I dont know where the RedSox would be if they hadnt cast a mediocre closer Heathcliff Slocumb to the Mariners for two 'prospects' way back when....Jason Varitek and Derek Lowe--- That one turned out pretty good I love his line about finding the next pitching Josh Hamilton Get in line!--EVERYONES looking for that!....and I agree with him...that show on The Who was great

oo pffffft im not sure what to do about that <_< --I didnt have that problem Its a 17th century Scottish Fiddle tune arranged for acoustic guitar and a few period acoustic instruments with a great (imo) melody and some good counterpoint play...I cant get it out of my head.. Im short on time right now....When I get home from work I may try something else...

Here's my infectious rhythm of the week The Weapons Shaw

I bet that sign will be a lot more than that--any and every yankee fan wants that one--It may be wrong but I even heard the dang urinals are going for $200--the seats for up to $1000.00..... well if you want to dump Blalock, Schilling might be available---I think he is making $8mil and hasnt thrown a pitch yet, nor will he BUT he just may be available...Im sure the yankees would love to unload Carl Pavano as well. :) I wouldnt give up the ship just yet over there, there is still a few weeks til the deadline and anything can happen in the last 50+ games if you are still close... Blalock has gotta be a good fit somewhere but i dont follow other teams so closely to know who's lookin for someone like him... We had the Sox AA game on tonight in lieu of the big club-----got my first look at Daniel Bard-young, big kid, incredibly live arm, hasnt got his delivery down yet and has some control issues but throws effortlessly at 98-99 and has a brutal breaking ball NO DONT ASK --YOU CANT HAVE HIM! iHe looks like another Papelbon

Yea sorry im just tired of all this runaround for weeks for what should be common sense

He said he was allegedly working in the desert, but I havent seen any legal substantiation testifying to that yet So who knows? Of course Id take some tickets and maybe reconsider

---Im sure almost everything will be gone after the last game----now THAT will be quite a scene! Knowing some NYers, im pretty sure there are some elaborate plans already in place... In that DVD they showed the Chambliss HR that won the pennant in the 70s--as he hit it people were rushing the field--you can see someone grabbing first base right out of the ground and making off with it immediately after he a passed it,--- by the time he was near second it was a football game -he was completely surrounded and kept getting knocked down -he may have touched third, then went to the dugout to save his life.... they interviewed him and he said he got a police escort to go touch home but by the time he got there home plate was gone! Heres the last game before the renovation--This is a family with two young kids making off with seats!!..I can only imagine what the rowdier NY elements were doing.. I have alittle piece of the Green Monster and some dirt from the Field of Dreams here at my desk and part of a seat from Fenway stashed away. Im gonna have to think about this one.... hmmm ..How the hell could I get the foul pole that Mark Bellhorn hit in game 7 '04 out of there?

Excellent pics Ron-- I know youve talked about cameras over the years here, but those are of very high quality---Have you ever done any photojournalism besides this that is accessible? In total it captures your area very well-- good stuff!

Photos can be doctored too easily these days, as can sound files, even first hand accounts arent applicable according to WD. No no none of that is good enough.. Using WD's own methods there is no really way to believe him unless it goes to court and it is confirmed by Dylan and several other witnesses testifying under oath and then is finalized by a judges ruling and made of public record. THEN its believable isnt that how he wants it to work? isnt there something in da verd about being judged the way you judge others? in my lingo-its what goes around comes around

Im sure hes just great but... Um... Youkilis just started the AllStar game...(and won the gold glove last year) Sean Casey his backup is hitting around .370 and the third first baseman is some guy named Ortiz who looks like hes coming back in a week or so--I heard he's not bad I think we're all set on firstbasemen for now! but one never knows. You guys are right on the cusp--although it may be the wise thing to do for the long run Id be surprised if youre sellers. It would do that franchise good to finish up very close, if not actually in the playoffs which at this point you could (Hello colorado Rockies) if the cards fell right... ..... Hiway-that sounds like a very fitting and good way to remember the stadium. RIP Tom.. If you do ever find those photos I'd love to see them----(I upload mine to photobucket.com which has complete near idiotproof instructions). If I do get down there before its all over I'll try to grab you some final momento-- Id like to get this from the yankee clubhouse runway, but it would take some ingenuity as about a million other people are probably thinking about it as well. If I had Jason Bourne and the Impossible Missions Force --maybe but if anything its most likely gonna be dirt...

Maybe..Paws job is pretty tough, and he does an exemplary job at it... I think its interesting that WD stirred up x amount of threads here--evaded the issues, got people onto his legal and constitutional foolishness, --Then conveniently 'left town' to work with "Bob Dylan' <_< when he got asked some pointed questions Id keep him around solely for the humor sake--it reminds me of watching Barney Fife If only he wasnt so disruptive, and vicious to victims of Wierwilles onslaughts--for that its amazing that he is still here in the first place. I think the stalking at the least merits serious review... to me its a serious breech...and hinders too many posters from posting first hand experiences...that should be and need to be heard.....but its not my decision. If a poll would help--Im all for it

thats true about the neighborhood--Its not as bad as it used to be---not great--but it used to be downright scary when i was younger and on 'enemy turf' Hopefully they'll show it again on ESPN-- It had all the great moments from the original building and opening until this all star game... I liked it and Im supposed to pretend I hate the place :) It was a little overdone (they could have taken out ALCS game 7 2003-Aaron Boone for me..) but most of it was actually pretty moving (Gehrigs speech of course, Ruth, Yogi, Dimaggio, Mantle, Maris, up til today-plus the title fights, football, the Pope, and some good interviews. I just looked and see its already out on DVD LINK You could probably rent it soon, if you dont put it in the Hiway library hard to believe its going....going... I suppose I should at least go down and get some dirt...

No smoking in the theater...you cant just make up your own rules wherever you goThe RULES here are very very simple. You dont exactly have to be Einstein to understand them Pawtucket and the moderaators have bent over backwards to give people the benefit of a doubt on this, but long term patterns of harrassment, stalking and abuse benefit no one. This is a public message board, not a religious organization

Wow Willie and Hank together??-Will do---I had a tough choice last night between "Yankee Stadium-Baseballs Cathedral" and The Best Damn Hooters AllStars. Two very enlightening and good shows!---Catch those if you can :) Yowza!---Its good to see you excited about the stRangers Tom--now you can start filling in a few gaps the trading deadline could be real interesting this year in a few places... ..... I found this pretty good group of New Yankee Stadium Pics (hit the slideshow button) Hiway will like the facade shots---its gonna be quite a place..

I feel like the guy in the 70's who said "I have seen the future of Rock and Roll and his name is Bruce Springsteen" At the homeless shelter where I volunteer I already have a bunch of articles and pictures of Hamilton up on the bulletin board, taped to the refrigerator and up on the walls....I know alot of people struggling and fighting drugs, alcohol, and seemingly insurmountable problems. Its incredible to have someone like Hamilton there to point to... As exciting as all those Homeruns were (Holy Sh!t!!, like Gammons says this goes way beyond baseball It can be a worn out cliche but I ldamn love this game. This indeed is awesome

Try a harmonica-- -- --I bought one of those BobDylan harmonica racks when I was trying to drive and quit---I still smoke but the harmonica playing has improved and it makes for an interesting drive

was that the Miller commercial Rock? I agree with Yogi showing (its always good to see Yogi!) Killebrew, Brock, Tony Perez, of course Hammerin Hank, Frank Robinson, Willie and the rest all on one field at the same time made me into the same geeky 12 year old as you... There was a good article in the GLOBE today on Josh Hamilton. Im glad the nation got to see him closeup--he certainly deserves it

I dont want any revenge (I dont want any of this crap ) If it motivates Papelbon to reach back a little further on his fastball to K Jeter and Arod in the ninth next weekend---that'll be enough revenge. Over the last 40 years that Ive been involved 'the rivalry' seems to ebb and flo at a natural pace. For years it will be congenial, then it will slowly heat up again for another 2-3-5 years then die down again to normalcy. It wasnt until the late coming national media got ahold of it about 5 or 6 years ago and forced it that it became really crazy and erratic. To me its died down alot from 03-04 and has turned 99% respectful but pinheads like the Daily News stir it up to give the lemmings something to do and sell papers. Some of the more outlandish stories (from both sides ) are tragic, thankfully they are few, although one is too many. Whether in sports or politics I wish I had some magic wand to keep journalists aware of the impact that they have --especially on the unstable elements--but I havent found it yet. Hopefully they'll drop the whole thing at some point as it is old now...(although I wont beholding my breath) and report on actual baseball... The whole point of the Red Sox vs.Yankees is that they are two very very good baseball teams, that more often than not step up play against each other a notch and play incredibly exciting and exhilirating games against each other. Isnt that enough?

Hell yea! The whole thing was a great show.. as usual on the day after, my concerns go to the players--Hopefully none of the pitchers who participated and pitched on sunday, did any damage...and as big as the splash Hamilton made at the HR Derby--I hope he didnt screw up his swing, which seems to happen to at least one participant every year. It WAS great and the stRangers looked good ( we get to see you in mid August..)--but maybe they have to think about a different format. Thankfully Selig didnt have to stop the game again--with homefield on the line that would have been a real fiasco