vance_the_cubs_fan

because he doesn't like LoDuca. Link. Thompson has had his injury problems, but at 500K this could be a very good signing.

In this market 13m isn't all that risky. FWIW, I like the deal. You're right. In this market, that deal could end up being a steal. With the proper contigency plans, it could be a hellova deal.

Give me Billy Hall over Hardy.

This is high risk/high reward situation with a lot of money attached. If he returns to anything that resembles his effective years, then he's a bargain compared to the contracts signed. If he has trouble staying healthy, has a set back in rehab, or is ineffective due to the surgery, it's a horrible deal.

With the HOF a 15-year referendum, then there's nothing wrong with patience. While I wouldn't vote this way, if a person is withholding a vote saying I need more info right now, then I have trouble finding fault with that voter. In essence, the voter is saying I know we can't remove them once enshrined, so let's exercise some caution and patience. I'm ok with that. But if in year 10 or 12 or so forth of a candidate's time on the ballot we still do not have that. If a voter at that point can't say they know a player took PED's, then I think it is unfair and a bit presumptuous to still not cast a vote based on that player's accomplishments alone.

I think the VC allowing Mazeroski into the HOF did a lot more to destroy the integrity of the Hall than allowing McGwire, Sosa, Bonds, and Palmeiro would.

you can wish in one hand and crap in the other and see which gets filled first. :) That'd be sweet if both did. Win 10 games or crap in your hands? I think Kenny Rogers did both.

I had to go with Scoop, though all of these are idiotic in their own way.

As dumb as Cowherd is, I had to vote McCarver here. Of course, I almost voted for Morgan simply based on the fact he actually defined for his viewers what a "shadow" is.

What's the word on Coach P out there now Vance? Depends on who you ask. Some say he's going to be back. Some say he wants to be the Giants GM. Others say, he's quitting. I've also heard that Jones wants him back. (He's said this publicly.) But I've also heard, Jones secretly wants Parcells to quit.

Mike Zimmer has left the Cowboys to be the defensive coordinator of the Falcons.

Gotta know position there, chief! era would be important to know as well OPS+ should neutralize for era. And Tim is right. Two are HOF and and two are not.

Gotta know position there, chief! All were OF. Player C was a CF. The other three were corner OF.

Which one of these is a HOFer? Player A: 266 BA, 359 OBP, 489 SLG, 132 OPS+, 374 HR, 1159 RBI, 6X AS Player B: 279 BA, 398 OBP, 548 SLG, 149 OPS+, 369 HR, 1015 RBI, 6X AS Player C: 318 BA, 360 OBP, 477 SLG, 124 OPS+, 207 HR, 1085 RBI, 10X AS, 6 GG Player D: 295 BA, 369 OBP, 564 SLG, 143 OPS+, 381 HR, 1239 RBI, 5X AS, 1 POY award And which ones should be?

I agree. It's going to take an 8-team playoff field to handle all problems. If an eight team field is done, then I think, while there will be some gripes, most everyone with a claim to the title will have a shot at it.

Tim Raines should get voted in; sadly, he won't. Rice might make the jump next year as well. Dawson appears to still need to woo some voters.

Complete Voting Totals

No surprises here.

I just think things are better here when you're around. ;)

Andi, You should post much more often.

Aren't most of these SEC teams competing for recruits though? It's like rooting for teams on ND's schedule for me - yeah, I want ND's schedule to look better, but if Michigan or USC, who are constantly competing with the Irish for recruits keep winning, ND's chances of getting those players also fall to an extent. It's a double-edged sword IMO. There's some competition for sure, but someone in Louisiana who is drawing attention from LSU and Florida is likely drawing attention from Ohio State as well. I'm sure Florida winning might affect a handful of recruiting battles, but LSU usually does very well in getting the top talent in Louisiana...at least for the last six or seven years. It'd be more likely to affect a recruit from Florida that LSU is trying to woo to Louisiana than it would an Louisiana native.

FOR FUTURE REFERENCE: Nor should center fielders who wear eyeliner. **sorry couldnt resist Andi's back!!!!!!

I think a lot of it has to do with conference reputation. If Florida wins the National Championship and LSU's losses were to Florida and the only team to beat Florida, it makes LSU look much better.

I just happen to appreciate a company that actually has to work to satisfy its customers. The cable companies have devolved into a world of warped business practices thanks to years of government-sponsored monopoly. "Effectively taken away?" What's stopping you from signing up for satellite? Here in Florida we have DirectTV, Dish Network, Bright House (Time Warner) Digitial Cable, and Verizon Digital Cable. With all that competition I don't see how any one of these companies has to work any harder than another to satisfy it's customers, but if it makes you feel better to think you are sticking it the man by not having cable then more power to you. Personally I have Verizon digital cable because I like to actually be able watch TV when it is raining outside, but that's just me. In any case, I don't know how good of a business move it would be for DirectTV to throw a lot of money at getting exclusivity on EI. http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6404687.html Only 280,000 total subscribers and I have to think a pretty large percentage of those are not dedicated enough to actually switch providers to get the package. The information in that link was interesting. I did not realize the subscriber base was so low by comparison. So if they go exclusive it won't affect a large number of people, but where's the big gain for Direct TV? This would probably kill Extra Innings if you ask me. My big gripe with Extra Innings and the MLB streaming service were the blackout rules. Also, sometimes that streaming service didn't work too well. Well we have this local semi pro team. I would probably switch to support them. Screw MLB. It seems that's part of the negotiations with DirectTV. DirectTV feels if the "blackout" rules are loosened, then people would find the package more desirable and might be willing to switch for it. I already have DirectTV, so if this removes the Saturday blackouts for me as well as some of the regional...though Astros (and any time the Cubs play them) and Rangers are the only teams I have regional problems with, then I'm for it. However, had I been receiving this through my cable provider and about to lose it...I'd be pissed.

Yep 6-3 is always better than 5-0. Do you honestly think that if the SEC and Big East matched up their teams from top to bottom that the Big East would come out on top? Florida vs. Louisville Rugers vs LSU West Virgina vs Arkansas South Florida vs Auburn Cincinnati vs Tennesee Pittsburgh vs Geogia Connecticut vs Kentucky Syracuse vs South Carolina Do you really think the Big East wins more than 2 of those match-ups?