DuCross Brothers

When it comes to stealing signs in baseball I don't agree with it at all. But then my brother and I have a few buddies that do play baseball in which they do steal signs if it's there to read, then say they would do it as long as they can until the pitcher and catcher change up the routine with runners on base. So there is a point to it in which I kind of agree. Just like Mauer said if he could still signs he would...it's like football if you don't catch up your play schemes or calls like the Raiders didn't in the SB against the Bucs and the Bucs knew every single play called. If your a catcher and Pitcher all you have to do is just adjust when a runner is on the mound.

Didn't like Kimbo, but he came off very humble and willing to learn the sport. So I guess in the end I will give him one more shot.

I watched the video and I didn't really see anything outside of the fact that he kept touching the right side of his helmet.

Mike Scioscia Terry Francona Bobby Cox Charlie Manuel Jim Leyland But I think mine are very debatable after the top 3.

This is such a tired story. No one in MMA's target demographic that would be inclined to watch a combat sport still thinks MMA is human cockfighting. Any guy, 18-35 who does, will never like the sport regardless of what kind of evangelism you do for the sport. They just aren't fight fans. Any fight fan who says that is just being a head in the sand traditionalist loyal to boxing which is understandable. They like it better, fair enough. The fact is, like you said, MMA is a huge sport. The reason I have my doubts that it will ever be like Dana White likes to proclaim, the biggest sport in the world, is the culture surrounding it. It's an almost perfect correlation to NASCAR. Some people don't care about cars and some people don't like fighting. Beyond that aesthetic preference, like IMB mentioned, a ton of people are turned off by the fan culture. I like auto racing but hate NASCAR because of the redneck fans, redneck drivers, redneck sponsors and redneck traditions. I like MMA a lot, but I can easily see how that would be true for MMA. I hate the super aggro dudes with tribal armband tattoos and TAPOUT window stickers on their SUV's. I hate terrible nu metal blasting from sound systems. I hate people who wear Affliction and Ed Hardy or have douchey facial hair and wear tight jeans with odd embroidery on them. I like the sport for what it is. It's really compelling, often inspiring and definitely appeals to the primal nature of testing yourself against someone else with no distractions or advantages beyond what you're gifted with athletically, tactically, mentally and what you gain through hard work. That's the cool part. I get exactly where your coming from or at least I would like to hope I do. MMA isn't for everyone and I get that, because I have some friends that think the same why oh "UFC is human cockfighting" It makes sense. Some like it and some don't I think it's like 40/60 in favor of my group actually not liking it. Some fans I can't stand, but that comes with any sport.

I don't think its a meaningless statement at all. Just because they're not running around cursing like a sailor doesn't mean they haven't picked up on a few of Ozzie's likes/dislikes. I continually get flamed for saying this, but I do it anyway. Clubhouse chemistry is important. Yea winning (obviously) helps, but players trust in their manager is incalculable, and extremely important to a winning franchise imo. I really respect your opinions, so...question....how much do you think Tracy has to do with Colorado's turnaround? Diamond I don't think that your the only one that feels clubhouse chemistry is important my brother and I feel the same way as you do is that good clubhouse = winning teams. You have all the talent and if the clubhouse isn't a good place to be then your going to run into troubles and I believe that is one of the downfalls to the Mets. As for Tracy being able to turning Colorado around not sold on that one as much as I am sold on the fact that the players there love changing coaches mid way during the yr as a way to use it as motivation, because if Tracy was as good as he showed this yr then he would have been able to win in Arizona.

MMA I guess is still a touchy subject in the sports world still. Because MMA is becoming really big and it's not what it was in the '90's. This has jumped over boxing now and is headed for bigger and better things. So far out of all the fighters that my brother and I have had a pleasure to interview have similar back stories that a lot of people can relate to. What's good about MMA is that it's Mix Martial Arts, taking all backgrounds/ styles. Is it barbaric like some people say sure, but people watch Boxing right? People watch Wrestling (WWE, yes I know people are going to say its fake and all that) but still...MMA is not that far different than any of those.

Figured we would start to see if MMA is big here as well, because my brother and I not only do podcast here on North Side Baseball. We also have our own live sports show on Ustream.tv in which we cover it all; however we are starting to get more into the MMA world landing big names and upcoming fighters. Resume: - Erin Toughill - Frank Shamrock - KJ Knoons - Ryan Couture - Neil Melanson - Jason David Frank This week is Tuesday we will have Neil Melanson Head Jiu Jitsu Coach for Xtreme Couture (Randy Couture's gym) and then next week we will air Ryan Couture's interview. So, with the ok from Chuck Bryan...anything MMA lets just make this a big great thread for MMA talk. Thanks Chuck.

Anyone who picks up Ankiel is going to be getting just that a interesting player because the issue with him is consistency. He was starting to show potential that he could become a every day player, but he was never the same when he hit the wall and Rasmus took his job. He's hoping that Ankiel is able to regain his form and get over the shoulder injury to become that everyday player somewhere.

Vomit. Exactly, but you can see that hardly anyone now and day's play baseball just because you can that's why there is steroids in the game and salaries are so high. One of many reasons as to why baseball isn't what it use to be.

I agree, while it may have been a little out of line. I still would rather have him show he still cares and if I had to read between the lines of why he flipped out the way he did is because he would rather have his guys show some emotion of being upset or pissed off that they will not be making the playoffs rather than a group of guys walking around the club house happy go lucky. Which if that's the case he has a point I would rather have a bunch of pissed off players in the club house when they got knocked out of the playoffs rather than having a group with a attitude of 'oh well' and more interested in seeing football games regardless of when they did it or not.

This was in the club house I am guessing and it was done during the game last night when the Tigers were starting to put a beat down. Here is the article. http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/news/story?id=4507499

So, after last nights game against the Tigers once again he ripped his players for watching Saturday football games and what not. Because there were some players heading into the dug out to watch games. I don't get why players seem to quit in whatever sport it is weather it's baseball or football. These guys are suppose to be grown men playing a sport that they love, but like Randy Jones told us is that the love for the game in baseball is dying. What a shame, we are on the side of Ozzie but I would have pulled all the players that were watching the football games and replaced them.

That's a lot of maybe's for a pitcher this good. Given the difference in value beween a quality starter pitcher and a bullpen pitcher they better be pretty damn sure of most, if not all, of those possibilities before moving him to the bullpen. That I would agree with. They would need to make sure and next year could be his judgment year if he doesn't make it.

What current managers do you see being more worthy? I could see a case for LaRussa and possibly Torre. I'd take Bobby over either one, though. maybe a better question would be if Cox makes it who doesn't? Because if Cox makes it then Mike Scosicia, Joe Torre, LaRussa, Terry Francona, Lou Piniella they should be in the Hall of Fame. I think what has Cox being talked about as a potential Hall of Famer is because of the 14 straight division titles. Well I would certainly hope thats the starting point of discussion. :banghead: He's also tied for 9th all-time amongst managers with 5 pennants won. He's also 17th all-time in winning % amongst managers with at least 1000 games managed. He's 3rd all-time in games above .500 over his career. Yeah, this is as much a no-brainer as it gets. Thanks for the research Tim. Ok, I'll (Shaun) back off my stance.

Awesome so they will steal both the MVP and Cy Young then from deserving players from the Central. Why not just rewrite the rules to best Yankee-RedSox? Yeah it's frustrating, but all you got to look to is Pedroia winning MVP last year. From here on out the award of MVP has diminished value to me. Who should win MVP from the central? Cabrera? Oh and just watching ESPN and what not, it looks like there is a push for Jeter to win a GG this year :shock: Miguel Cabrera, maybe a interesting choice for the MVP. However if the Twins finish there sneak attack on the Tigers then I feel that Joe Mauer should be the MVP. How does Mauer become more valuable if the Twins win the division? His value is exactly the same no matter where his team finishes. He became more valuable to the team because he become more or less the lone consistent in that line up with Justin Morneau went out.

I think he'll end up there, eventually. I'd bet he gets one more season to show he can stay healthy in a rotation, though. What counts a healthy season? The past 2 have been fairly healthy. I'm trying to figure this out here. Check out his career numbers and tell me it doesn't have you re-thinking the situation? '08-09: Harden had 25 and 26 starts '06-07: Harden had arm problems and only managed the most 9 starts. Each of the last 2 season's in ChiTown Harden while racking up 20+ starts has failed to make it to the end of the season without a injury to his arm. He hasn't broken 150 IP out side of his '04 yr in which he started to show signs of arm problems when he racked up 189 IP, before '05 when they started to flare up and then the next thing you know he was never the same after. I mean 140 Innings is a pretty good thing for a pitcher if you get good outtings from, however even if your able to do that consist basis. If I were in his shoes regardless pitching good or not as a starter...I would ask myself a question is it worth putting strain on my arm going out there every night or what can I do to pro long my career and be a even bigger success? Harden is one of the top pitchers out there when healthy, but when do you start putting your career/future first? Sooner or leader arm injuries will shorten a pitchers career while going to the bullpen will slow that process down.

here's a idea....move this guy to a closer. He's got the stuff to be very good and you stand a better chance at minimizing his injuries.

What current managers do you see being more worthy? I could see a case for LaRussa and possibly Torre. I'd take Bobby over either one, though. maybe a better question would be if Cox makes it who doesn't? Because if Cox makes it then Mike Scosicia, Joe Torre, LaRussa, Terry Francona, Lou Piniella they should be in the Hall of Fame. I think what has Cox being talked about as a potential Hall of Famer is because of the 14 straight division titles.

Never really saw this coming. Great career, but it was all about his 14 straight seasons of winning division titles and only 1 World Series in 1995. Is that enough though to put him in the Hall Of Fame? I see it as being very debatable, but not really worthy of making it in.

Awesome so they will steal both the MVP and Cy Young then from deserving players from the Central. Why not just rewrite the rules to best Yankee-RedSox? Yeah it's frustrating, but all you got to look to is Pedroia winning MVP last year. From here on out the award of MVP has diminished value to me. Who should win MVP from the central? Cabrera? Oh and just watching ESPN and what not, it looks like there is a push for Jeter to win a GG this year :shock: Miguel Cabrera, maybe a interesting choice for the MVP. However if the Twins finish there sneak attack on the Tigers then I feel that Joe Mauer should be the MVP...not like that would happen but its worth a shot. As for the Cy Young it's great to see Greinkie finally healthy mentally and physically. But it's going to be a hard choice to award him the Cy Young when he is in the Central on the Royals.

Hey Guys, My brother and I are stoked about this opportunity to be a part of North Side Baseball as well as the bright future. :hello: