Guy Nobody Wanted Who is Suddenly Indispensable vs. Guy We Wanted and Are Now Glad We Didn’t Get

In Game Threads by aisle424196 Comments

Tonight, the Cubs/Sox series ends the first leg of its journey to crowning the Oil King of Chicago, or something like that.  The Cubs send Doug Davis, who nobody ever wanted to see in a Cubs uniform, against the Sox. Of course, in this bizarro season, we come to a place where we can’t live without him, lest James Russell gets another start.

The White Sox send Jake Peavy to the mound against the team that seemed destined to eventually acquire the former Cy Young-winning right-hander, but didn’t. You have to imagine that Jim Hendry now breathes a huge sigh of relief that they don’t have more dead money on their payroll than they already do.

It is all very exciting.

wonka


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  1. Rice Cube

    I am stuck watching this on WCIU on low volume/mute, but am glad I got to see the commercial with the Miller Lite lifeguards.

    /cool story bro

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  2. mb21

    [quote name=dylanj]let me just say this- due to my political beliefs I already fucking hate Pappa Joe[/quote]I’m oh so disappointed that you hate me.

    Wait. Nope. Don’t care.

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  4. Rice Cube

    [quote name=mb21]Is Peavy having a bad season?[/quote]
    I think he’s been broken for most of it. I don’t remember another Peavy start before this, but I could be wrong.

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  6. Mish

    [quote name=mb21]I’m oh so disappointed that you hate me.

    Wait. Nope. Don’t care.[/quote]
    That’s a human being you’re talking about. pierre

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  16. binky

    [quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]Castro doesn’t have a CS yet (knock on wood)[/quote]He seems to be doing a good job of picking his spots.

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  23. Rice Cube

    [quote name=josh]I’m starting to think Blake DeWitt isn’t all that great.[/quote]
    Blasphemy. He’s a gamer.

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  24. mb21

    [quote name=Mish]That’s a human being you’re talking about. (dying laughing)[/quote]Thought about that one, too. Don’t care. (dying laughing)

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  29. cwolf

    Dougie should have probably just held the ball after he held it for a good 1.5 – 2 seconds before throwing it to 1st from a bad angle.

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  30. Recalcitrant Blogger Nate

    The White sox sure do give away some outs at the top of the order though. Morel .260 OBP Pierre

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  34. binky

    I know Soto’s not hitting great, but he’s still better than Koyie, isn’t he? Why do we keep getting stuck with that guy in our lineup?

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  37. Recalcitrant Blogger Nate

    Kosuke Fukudome .361 wOBA, 0.2 WAR (dying laughing) that’s some shitty defense. I realize the sample is small, but damn

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  38. Recalcitrant Blogger Nate

    Prior to the season, ZIPS projected Castro to have a .323 wOBA, now his full season updated Zips projection is .344, which is actually in line with the .343 that both Bill James (generally a bit high) and Marcel projected for him.

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  39. Rice Cube

    [quote name=Recalcitrant Blogger Nate]Kosuke Fukudome .361 wOBA, 0.2 WAR (dying laughing) that’s some shitty defense. I realize the sample is small, but damn[/quote]
    B-Ref is a bit more generous with the WAR than FanGraphs.

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  40. binky

    I wonder if Fukudome’s concentration on improving his hitting has hurt his defense or something. His defense was very good the first year but has dropped since

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  44. Berselius

    [quote name=josh]I know Soto’s not hitting great, but he’s still better than Koyie, isn’t he? Why do we keep getting stuck with that guy in our lineup?[/quote]Soto’s gotta rest sometime. Has Koyie really been playing the much?

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  45. Rice Cube

    [quote name=Berselius]Soto’s gotta rest sometime. Has Koyie really been playing the much?[/quote]
    I think Koyie played one of the Yankees games.

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  46. binky

    [quote name=Berselius]Soto’s gotta rest sometime. Has Koyie really been playing the much?[/quote]Seems like it!

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  48. melissa

    I don’t think Koyie has played since Davis’ last start, last Friday. Maybe Quade thinks he makes Davis better. (dying laughing)

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  49. Rice Cube

    The Cubs have chased Jake Peavy. If not for two Davis miscues the Cubs would probably be tied or have the lead here.

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  50. Rice Cube

    I feel like they should make Koyie bunt so Fukudome can walk to load the bases. Then Castro can hit a homer (dying laughing)

    If Koyie puts bat to ball I feel like it’ll be a GIDP.

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  52. binky

    [quote name=Rice Cube]I feel like they should make Koyie bunt so Fukudome can walk to load the bases. Then Castro can hit a homer (dying laughing)

    If Koyie puts bat to ball I feel like it’ll be a GIDP.[/quote]It’s a relief when he just strikes out.

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  53. melissa

    [quote name=Rice Cube] If not for two Davis miscues the Cubs would probably be tied or have the lead here.[/quote]
    Don’t you mean if not for Dewey booting a routine grounder?

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  61. Berselius

    [quote name=ACT]How about tomorrow?[/quote]It still doesn’t bother me that much. He’s still coming back from a groin injury, maybe two days would help him more. It’s not like the Cubs are on the cusp of contending.

    Or maybe Cuey told Koyie that he was going to play today last August (dying laughing)

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  69. melissa

    [quote name=melissa]This might be a good spot for Campana to come in and pinch run but I don’t expect Cuey to use him.[/quote]
    Cuey shut me right up

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  70. Rice Cube

    [quote name=melissa]This might be a good spot for Campana to come in and pinch run but I don’t expect Cuey to use him.[/quote]
    Ask and ye shall receive.

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  75. Horny Goat

    [quote name=melissa]This might be a good spot for Campana to come in and pinch run but I don’t expect Cuey to use him.[/quote]
    finally! that’s the time you use Campana. I was getting sick of announcers oooing and ahhing about his speed only to get out by a half step at 1B. if he can’t get on, what’s the use.

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  84. ACT

    I was pissed that he took that pitch. It was too close to take with a runner on third and one out. I wasn’t pissed that he swung and missed though. That’s just Koyie.

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  85. Horny Goat

    [quote name=josh]Campy’s OBP in the minors was okay. If he can bump it up 150 points he’d be a weapon.[/quote]
    just maybe

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  87. Rice Cube

    [quote name=Horny Goat]just maybe[/quote]
    And maybe if he could just hit it out of the infield, too…

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  88. Horny Goat

    It’s always bugged me when the manager doesn’t use the better hitting catcher (Soto vs the lefty with RISP for example) just because they’re afraid he’ll get hurt and have to use an “emergency catcher”. how often is there an emergency.

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  89. Horny Goat

    [quote name=Rice Cube]And maybe if he could just hit it out of the infield, too…[/quote]
    exactlleeeee

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  90. binky

    [quote name=Horny Goat]exactlleeeee[/quote]I agree he hasn’t done well since the call up. I’m just saying you look at his minor league numbers and you can see why they thought he was worthy of a shot.

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  91. Horny Goat

    he was worth a shot, agreed. but I don’t think Q has utilized him well if “we’re trying to win games here”

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  92. binky

    [quote name=Horny Goat]he was worth a shot, agreed. but I don’t think Q has utilized him well if “we’re trying to win games here”[/quote]Q : Campana :: Aramis : his bat

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  93. Berselius

    (dying laughing), for all of you bitching about The Killing earlier this week, here’s what the showrunner had to say

    I mean, the last time I felt this personally myself, and saw this type of reaction, was when The Sopranos ended its run (with a shockingly abrupt, ambiguous, mostly despised 2007 finale). If the show can be in that company, it’s a deep compliment.”

    point—->missed

    http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/killing-showrunner-responds-finale-backlash-204728

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  97. Horny Goat

    [quote name=Berselius]also, the Sopranos finale was mostly despised? WTF?[/quote]
    I never did watch it, but I read it that it was. I tend to pick up shows years after they ended. they’re still fun to watch. I intend to watch the Sopranos beginning to end at some point. Good shows are never dated.

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  100. binky

    [quote name=Horny Goat]I never did watch it, but I read it that it was. I tend to pick up shows years after they ended. they’re still fun to watch. I intend to watch the Sopranos beginning to end at some point. Good shows are never dated.[/quote]I never got why people didn’t like the ending of The Sopranos. It made perfect sense to me. It’s well worth watching the whole thing.

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  101. GW

    [quote name=Veena Sud on Tiki Barber]”I mean, the last time I saw this happen, was when Michael Jordan returned (with a shocking decision to play for the Wizards). If Tiki can be in that company, it’s a deep compliment.”[/quote]
    .

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  104. ACT

    [quote name=Berselius]It still doesn’t bother me that much. He’s still coming back from a groin injury, maybe two days would help him more. It’s not like the Cubs are on the cusp of contending.

    Or maybe Cuey told Koyie that he was going to play today last August (dying laughing)[/quote]Personally, I think the reason Koyie was playing was because he caught Doug Davis’ only “good” start against the Yankees.I’d be curious to hear Q’s rationale.

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  105. JMan

    Gordo is going after Phil Rogers on twitter. basically calling him out for not using Soriano’s quote on the fans in the proper text. Then takes a dig at him for at least being at the game for once.

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  111. Mish

    [quote name=jtsunami]Stop with the faget calling. The only acceptable form is on a Brokeback Mountain movie cover.[/quote]
    Really? I don’t take references to that movie having any relation to homosexuality.

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  125. Rice Cube

    [quote name=WaLi]If they need address directions they they should use Mapquest.[/quote]
    They should still do some additional research to make sure the road conditions are appropriate for travel.

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  127. dylanj

    i hope the cubs come out of the meetings and announce they will be buyers in the market because the energy in the clubhouse has been better as of late

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  131. Mish

    [quote name=Rice Cube]What do you Raysfags think of this?

    http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/12730/rays-need-to-get-out-of-tampa-bay%5B/quote%5D
    It was a shitpiece by ESPN’s favorite baseball troll. Howard Bryant also has an article on the Rays and A’s and it is significantly better.

    http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/commentary/news/story?page=bryant-110622

    I don’t really ever support new stadiums insofar as they are subsidized by taxpayer funds, but I do think the park/location is more of a problem than Tampa itself.

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  132. Mish

    It’s also worth noting that the Berthiaume article originally ran with this picture to show how the stadium is filling up – but the picture is actually from 2004…

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  135. Berselius

    [quote name=Mish]Hah, a buddy of mine actually posted a comment, fourth down when sorted by First Posted.[/quote]

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  138. binky

    Jason Marquis has a no-hitter through 3.

    /Baseball_related

    [quote name=dylanj]and then trade Brett Jackson for veteran bullpen help[/quote]Castro for Jamie Moyer, straight up.

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  141. PFD

    Interesting article by Levine. I can’t imagine what GM in their right mind would be willing to take on some of those contracts, so I’d assume the Cubs are going to be sending a bunch of cash if it’s possible at all. Realistically I don’t see this team competing until 2014 or so.

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  142. dylanj

    Soriano could be a DH somewhere. I think i read that the average batting line for an AL DH this year is pretty damn low. Now, we would have to kick in a ton of cash but I think it could be done.

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  145. binky

    [quote name=dylanj]Soriano could be a DH somewhere. I think i read that the average batting line for an AL DH this year is pretty damn low. Now, we would have to kick in a ton of cash but I think it could be done.[/quote]He’s hitting better than Matsui right now, but I don’t think the A’s have any money. That’ll be the issue more than anything, I think.

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  148. mb2111111

    [quote name=PFD]Interesting article by Levine. I can’t imagine what GM in their right mind would be willing to take on some of those contracts, so I’d assume the Cubs are going to be sending a bunch of cash if it’s possible at all. Realistically I don’t see this team competing until 2014 or so.[/quote]That’s a lot sooner than I think they can realistically contend. I’m assuming they don’t have a spending spree, which obviously changes everything as we saw after 2006. Short of that, the Cubs are at least 5 years away from contending. You know how we hear about bad teams and their 5-year plans? Yeah, that’s the Cubs. If the Cubs actually use their heads for once, they sit and realize the direction of this franchise is that which requires a major overhaul. They look to be legit contenders in Castro’s final season with the team. Before that is all hopes and dreams unless they spend a shitload of money which only puts them in the same position they’re in now.

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  149. binky

    It would take an incredible stroke of luck for them to compete soon. They’d need all their prospects to work out perfectly.

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  151. binky

    [quote name=Everyone]No fucking shit.[/quote]There’s a journalist who has a pretty good theory that OJ’s adult son Jason actually killed Nicole, and OJ just came later to help him cover up the crime, and basically he’s been covering for his son ever since. I guess OJ’s son was obsessed with his step mom and has a history of mental problems. It’s a pretty good theory and explains why the timetable didn’t work out (the reason the jury gave for acquitting him.)

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  154. mb2111111

    [quote name=josh]It would take an incredible stroke of luck for them to compete soon. They’d need all their prospects to work out perfectly.[/quote]Exactly, Josh. Not only do they need their prospects to work out, but they need Castro to become much better than he’s capable of being in the next couple of years. They need rebounds from Soriano and Zambrano. Not just rebounds either. I’m talking a return to their prime type of thing. Then they need Jackson to be better than he probably will right away and Trey McNutt to become a top of the rotation starter right away.

    Could it happen? Sure. Is it likely? Not at all.

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  155. dylanj

    its weird that the fangraphs article didnt mention pena. he seems the most valuable and tradeable chip we have

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  156. Mish

    [quote name=dylanj]its weird that the fangraphs article didnt mention pena. he seems the most valuable and tradeable chip we have[/quote]
    I think the article was meant to discuss the people Levine mentions in the ESPN Chicago article Jack quotes.

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  158. dylanj

    If Sczuzuzururu pans out does anyone think Jackson will hit enough in the corner OF spots to provide value?

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  161. Mish

    U.S. TEAM

    Pitchers
    Jarred Cosart (Phillies)
    Kyle Gibson (Twins)
    Matt Harvey (Mets)
    Shelby Miller (Cardinals)
    Matt Moore (Rays)
    Brad Peacock (Nationals)
    Drew Pomeranz (Indians)
    Tyler Skaggs (D’Backs)
    Tyler Thornburg (Brewers)
    Jacob Turner (Tigers)

    Catchers
    Devin Mesoraco (Reds)
    Austin Romine (Yankees)

    Infielders
    Nolan Arenado (Rockies)
    Chase d’Arnaud (Pirates)
    James Darnell (Padres)
    Paul Goldschmidt (D’Backs)
    Grant Green (Athletics)
    Jason Kipnis (Indians)
    Manny Machado (Orioles)
    Will Middlebrooks (Red Sox)

    Outfielders
    Gary Brown (Giants)
    Bryce Harper (Nationals)
    Wil Myers (Royals)
    Matthew Szczur (Cubs)
    Mike Trout (Angels)

    WORLD TEAM

    Pitchers
    Henderson Alvarez (Blue Jays)
    Liam Hendriks (Twins)
    Kevin Herrera (Royals)
    Gregory Infante (White Sox)
    Jhan Marinez (Marlins)
    Carlos Martinez (Cardinals)
    James Paxton (Mariners)
    Martin Perez (Rangers)
    Julio Teheran (Braves)
    Arodys Vizcaino (Braves)

    Catchers
    Wilin Rosario (Rockies)
    Sebastian Valle (Phillies)

    Infielders
    Yonder Alonso (Reds)
    Jose Altuve (Astros)
    Jefry Marte (Mets)
    Francisco Martinez (Tigers)
    Hak-Ju Lee (Rays)
    Alex Liddi (Mariners)
    Jurickson Profrar (Rangers)
    Jonathan Schoop (Orioles)

    Outfielders
    Chih-Hsien Chiang (Red Sox)
    Reymond Fuentes (Padres)
    Starling Marte (Pirates)
    Alfredo Silverio (Dodgers)
    Dayan Viciedo (White Sox)

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  164. jtsunami

    Why does somebody have to “hit enough” to stay at a position? It’s not like his .850 OPS won’t be good for the team. I understand that certain positions are for power, but you are rarely going to have really good power at each of LF, RF, 3B, and 1B.

    Not to mention his defense will be plus (if not plus-plus) in RF.

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  166. Rice Cube

    [quote name=dylanj]why would his defense become plus or plus plus?[/quote]
    CF —> RF, so his defensive load will become easier, theoretically speaking.

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  167. dylanj

    eh, im not sure i buy into that theory. its possible he would improve but i dont know if he would become plus plus.

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  168. jtsunami

    Because it’s position relative. At CF, his range isn’t (likely) good enough to be a great defender. But at RF, the premium for range isn’t as high. It’s why in 2008 Fukedome was seen as a very good fielding RF. But in 2009, his defense didn’t hold up as well splitting time in CF.

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  169. jtsunami

    [quote name=dylanj]eh, im not sure i buy into that theory. its possible he would improve but i dont know if he would become plus plus.[/quote]It’s the same concept of a SS needing more range than a 3B.

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  170. dylanj

    i get the concept on paper but i dont think players just magically become elite by switching positions. I dont doubt its possible but I wouldnt count on it

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  171. Mish

    Nats above .500, playing solid baseball (swept the M’s despite Mariner pitching allowing only 1 ER), and if THAT doesn’t boggle your mind, then Jim Riggleman resigning as soon as the game ended today should be.

    Apparently he made an ultimatum to the GM to have his option for 2012 picked up by the end of the game or else he’d walk out. I guess he’s a man of his word.

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  175. Dr. Aneus Taint

    [quote name=dylanj]i get the concept on paper but i dont think players just magically become elite by switching positions.[/quote]
    Either way, he’ll be better than a mythical unicorn replacement player.

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  176. WaLi

    [quote name=Mish]Actually, that’s a Brad piece posing as an AJ piece.[/quote]From a financial aspect it makes sense, but Castro is the reason some people watch the Cubs (maybe?) and I don’t think it would look good to the public if we sent down our best player.

    Do players tend to develop more in the minors or in the pros?

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  178. Dr. Aneus Taint

    If a kid asks where rain comes from, I think a cute thing to tell him is, “God is crying.” And if he asks why God is crying, another cute thing to tell him is, “Probably because of something you did.”

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  179. Dr. Aneus Taint

    I think a good gift for the President would be a chocolate revolver. And since he’s so busy, you’d probably have to run up to him real quick and hand it to him.

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  180. Berselius

    To me, it’s always a good idea to always carry two sacks of something when you walk around. That way, if anybody says, ‘Hey, can you give me a hand?,’ you can say, ‘Sorry, got these sacks.’

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  182. WenningtonsGorillaCock

    One thing vampire children have to be taught early on is, “Don’t run with a wooden stake.”

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  183. Dr. Aneus Taint

    One thing kids like is to be tricked. For instance, I was going to take my nephew to Disneyland, but instead I drove him to an old burned-out warehouse. “Oh no,” I said, “Disneyland burned down.”

    He cried and cried, but I think that deep down he thought it was a pretty good joke. I started to drive over to the real Disneyland, but it was getting late so we went home instead.

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  184. Aisle424

    If you ever fall off the Sears Tower, you should try to go real limp so that people will think you’re a dummy and try to catch you, because, hey, free dummy.

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  185. Dr. Aneus Taint

    Thoughts on Szczur? Seems like he is playing pretty well at Class A Peoria.

    Klaw (2:13 PM)
    Not really. Old/experienced for the league, slappy swing, no power.

    .

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  186. WenningtonsGorillaCock

    If you’re stuck in some undergrowth and you’re in your underwear, don’t stop and think about what other words have “under” in them, because that’s probably the first sign of Jungle Madness.

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  187. Rice Cube

    [quote name=Jame Gumb].[/quote]
    Bwa? He is 22 but he’s hitting .327/.383/.463 in Peoria. I guess he needs a promotion.

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  189. WenningtonsGorillaCock

    [quote name=Rice Cube]Nats won because the Mariners couldn’t field two sac bunts (dying laughing)[/quote]
    And Jim Riggleman was apparently so distraught that he resigned immediately after the game

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  191. Rice Cube

    [quote name=dylanj]he’s slugging .463, he has 19 walks and 20 k’s. but nothing to get excited about i suppose[/quote]
    Pure crap.

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  192. PFD

    I don’t actually disagree with a lot from Al’s post about Wrigley not being a dump, but I enjoyed this.

    no, no it’s not (a dump). The lower deck bowl was completely redone in 1968 — only a little over 40 years ago.

    Only 40 years. Clearly must still be in pristine condition. (dying laughing)

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  193. GW

    [quote name=dylanj]i get the concept on paper but i dont think players just magically become elite by switching positions. I dont doubt its possible but I wouldnt count on it[/quote]
    it’s not that they get better, it’s that the baseline for comparison gets worse.

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  194. Mercurial Outfielder

    [quote name=dylanj]he’s slugging .463, he has 19 walks and 20 k’s. but nothing to get excited about i suppose[/quote]Well, consider also that he’s a year older than Castro, and look at the gap between the two. I know Szczur went to college, & therefore, etc. but what Law is probably thinking is that most guys that are destine to be stars aren’t beating up on A+ pitching at age 22. If Szczur can slug .400+ at AA, then he might be something, but almost all the scouting reports that I saw suggested his swing would not be able to generate power vs. MLB pitching.

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  196. Bubba Biscuit

    [quote name=dylanj]i get the concept on paper but i dont think players just magically become elite by switching positions. I dont doubt its possible but I wouldnt count on it[/quote]
    [quote name=GW]it’s not that they get better, it’s that the baseline for comparison gets worse.[/quote]
    This and they are asked to cover less ground. Same player + asked to do less + have worse defenders to compare against = Easier to be above average defensively

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