Soul

Haven't you ever gone through the motions on something but your head wasn't really there? Walking to work Monday. I was so hungover I couldn't think straight and thought I was going to stumble into traffic at any time. I needed a half dozen cups of coffee just to look at the computer. did you manage to still OPS .970+ for a major league team that day? if so, you probably had what derosa has. He managed to get through traffic OK (batting stayed fine), but the computer skills went into the tank (several untimely defensive mistakes). See?

There's always a cavalcade of adults there whose sole purpose is to try to cash in on ebay. I can't blame the players for not wanting to participate in that.

Haven't you ever gone through the motions on something but your head wasn't really there?

So is this the "spring training means nothing" argument again, or am I allowed to acknowledge that not being able to prepare for the season in March could have an effect down the road?

please explain how he's distracted on defense, yet perfectly fine on offense. Are you saying such a thing has never happened before? How about Ankiel, Knoblauch? Obviously I can't give you a scientific listing of exactly why; that's like asking someone to map the human psyche right here & now. I only know the man himself said there was an effect. If you would like me to just ignore that, then fine, I won't say a word about it anymore. But it's not delusional. He said it.

Barrett lunged first and instigated the second instance in the clubhouse. Shhhh. You are interfering with some people's delusions. funny coming from you. Yeah that's right. How dare I go against the established know-it-alls of nsbb? no, i just find it amusing you're talking about delusions two days after theorizing that derosa's defense has been effected by the roberts rumors (despite his very good offensive production) and immediately after claiming that nobody on the cubs like barrett (even though they voted him a full playoff share). I really don't see what voting a full playoff share has to do with it, honestly. Guys can be a sick of a teammates B.S. but still step back and give him credit after the season is over. I don't see how the two logically follow, at all. Plus, I'm not sure how this is a case where "all signs point to players liking Barrett" -- that's patently untrue from what I heard. There were several reports after Barrett was traded that teammates had turned off to him. Were they true? Maybe, maybe not. But saying "everything points to him being beloved" is simply not true. Several reports pointed to the contrary. As for DeRosa, I would have said nothing about it, except that he himself confirmed it was the case. I don't see how that's delusional. The man said he was having trouble focusing, specifically because of the trade rumors.

Barrett lunged first and instigated the second instance in the clubhouse. Shhhh. You are interfering with some people's delusions. funny coming from you. Yeah that's right. How dare I go against the established know-it-alls of nsbb?

Barrett lunged first and instigated the second instance in the clubhouse. Shhhh. You are interfering with some people's delusions.

I think it's hilarious. Everyone hated Big Z when this happened ( I didn't really "blame" either of them, for what it's worth). But when Barrett got traded away all the sudden he became the A-hole who started the whole fight. What about the people that didn't like Barrett before the "fight?" He was really, really, really bad last year. We don't count. You should know that.

they do the same with NFL sunday ticket I'd rather have it automatically renew. Here's how hard it is to cancel: type http://www.directv.com into your browser and click a few times.

They can't separate adults from their children. The first time something bad happened to the child it would be lawsuit city. I don't like this, but unfortunately too many people abuse the priviledge, wind up trying to stay down there, moving all over the place. You get people complaining about not being able to get close to the players, then you get complaints that people can't take their seats because of the huge crowd around. I like the idea of having designated signers -- I think the Bears sort of do this at training camp practices. It might also be a good idea to have a designated area, like you say -- and maybe offer 5 bucks off the seats in that area so fans don't get upset about their seats not being accessible before the game. The biggest problem I see here is the sudden change in policy, no warning to fans at all, and doing it in such a sweeping fashion that people suddenly have no option, or feel like they have no option. There are probably better ways to do this.

I think one of the important things here is that *somebody* has been listening to all the complaints, so keep complaining :)

I thought all 162 games will be offered in HD this year?? I don't think CSN+ is a HD channel. Well, I should qualify that: it's not a HD channel on DirecTV. Perhaps there's a comcast HD version of it, I don't know. If there is a HD feed from the Cubs side, then I'm peeved at EI for not putting it on. Either way, someone's dropping the ball here dammit.

True to both. However, the reason why a team that goes 0-7 usually misses the playoffs isn't because they're only 5 games back. It's because opening the season with 7 straight losses tends to be an indicator that they just aren't a real good baseball team. We'll see. I wouldn't be shocked if they turn it around. I never thought they'd do this to start the season. I have a friend at work who is a huge Tigers fan and he's really freaking out. And I just got back from Detroit this weekend -- that town is losing it right now.

I'm glad to see you've put so much thought into this.

well shoot i guess they're basically eliminated, what with 7 whole losses. might as well give up now. In the history of the major leagues, no team that has started 0-7 has ever made the playoffs. They're going to have a rough time overriding all that history. Not saying it can't be done, but they've put themselves in a very bad position now.

Because the Cubs don't care enough to offer their games in HD, I will once again be watching the opposing team's feed. Time to get with the program. It's 2008.

Not me. Last year really turned me off on Barrett. He was horrible, his baserunning and defense were even worse than normal. Then his hitting tanked. I have no proof, but I think Z just got sick of his B.S. so he clocked him. He was good for awhile, but he needed to go. I really don't think anyone in that locker room shed a single tear when he left. Neither did I.

This is a different kind of blackout though. Baseball teams don't black out their games even if only a couple hundred show up. They do ask MLB to black out weird zip codes and their own games on alternate sources though. It's kind of a strange web, and it's not intuitive -- which is why people complain. The NFL is just like, "hey did you buy a ticket to this weekend's game? No? Then shut yer yap, nobody else did either which is why it isn't on."

advertising and their guaranteed territorial coverage They think they are guaranteeing coverage because sports fans won't be able to tune into another game. Yeah, this is why. But I think it's become more & more of an outmoded idea as the sports (and entertainment in general) landscape has evolved.

I've got 69-65, how far behind am I? Not quite over yet.

This is such an awesome game and I'm missing it all. I hate life in general, all of you, random people I see on the street. AAARGH!

Not sure how far behind gamecast is, but Memphis starting to open a bit of a lead.

Unfortunate that Lilly started out well and then collapsed. He'll get it together.....hopefully.

I doubt it. I mean, how long could those conversations have gone on? Mark: I wonder if I'll need to uproot you guys. Wife: Maybe. If you get traded somewhere, I guess so. Mark: Yeah. You're right about that. Daughter: Daddy, are we going to have to move? Mark: I don't know. I'm wondering about that. Wife: Yes, me too. Mark: Yup. I just don't know what will happen. Wife: Do you think this will affect your defense? Mark: If I have to keep wondering if I'll get traded, it will. Daughter: Are you getting traded, Dad? Mark: I just don't know. I keep thinking about it. Wife: Don't forget to eat today, honey. Mark: Like I have time for that. did everyone miss the greatness of this post? the last line by derosa is amazing. Well, I'm glad SOMEONE appreciated my efforts. I was speechless after receiving such an illustrative smack down. :thumbsup: