Big Al

Sorry, man! Wish I'd had more time. We drove thru Ann Arbor twice: once on the way to Hastings, once on the way back! Maybe next year, I hope!

Any thoughts on the best place to find Cugat's RCA work, from about the late 30's to early 40's, on CD? All I've heard from him is "One Two Three Kick," "Green Eyes," and "Night Must Fall." Thanks!

Always thought that was the horn section that played for Styx. You know? In the song "Why Me?" Where DeYoung sez "Roogalator?" Remember? Anyone? Skid????

That one's a fabulous little compilation (2CD set presumably?) That's the one. And I am home, safe and sound. And melting! Oughta hit 100 this weekend! Think I'll come back up until October! Thanks again for the great time, guys!

Last night at the hotel, I was watching ESPN and I didn't hear who was pitching during that late-inning debacle. You have my sympathies; usually the situation goes the other way: mediocre pitcher excels upon leaving the Rangers "organization." For your sake, I hope this situation rights itself in a hurry.

Y'know what used to be in that building? Johnson & Johnson's headquarters. Make of THAT what you will. My dad always had a name for megachurches like this: the "Church of the What's Happening Now."

You make excellent points, but one key point must be remembered in all of this: the service was all set to go, right up to the night before the service, when it was discovered the guy was gay. THEN the service was cancelled. It's not like the service was cancelled and NOW the issue of his sexuality is being brought up; the High Point folks knew full well what they were doing when they cancelled the service. Dammit, doesn't ANYTHING happen good in my town?

That and All-Seeing Eye, but bear in mind I'm no fan of Spaulding and this, along with Freddie's Hub-Tones, is about all I can stand of his playing.

Almost! I'm sitting at a public computer in a Detroit hotel, we're leaving tomorrow morning for Texas. Had a great time up here, and getting together with Skid, Chuck, Joe, & Randy was an absolute blast! Looking forward to next year even as I type! No, I didn't get much time to look around Corner Record Shop, but I can tell you that they've got a pretty decent selection and the prices are great. So much so that I'm seriously thinking about calling the guy up and having him ship the Tony Bennett record I was looking at. I blew all my money at Vertigo, mostly on Elvis Costello Rhino reissues (can't believe I forgot to get Get Happy!!!, but oh well) as well as Dizzy's Birks Works. Again, a decent selection and great prices. I don't know anyplace in Texas where I'd be able to find Sonic Youth's Daydream Nation DE for $24! But I had to draw the line somewhere, right? RIGHT????

Without having looked at anyone else's answers:

Hello all, greetings from Michigan, where I've been blissfully unaware of my Rangers until now when I could get to a computer at a local library. And I see they stunk it up against the Jays, lost a heartbreaker Monday night, but got a good game from two of the newbies: Gabbard pitched solidly in his home debut, and Salty got a buncha RBI's. Oh I hope this means good things for the future! Until I get home this weekend, be nice and keep the Bonds squabbling over on the "Bonds Squabbling" thread. Thank you!

So Bonds tied Aaron's record. Big fucking deal. I'll cheer when A-Rod breaks it. Not if; WHEN. No apologies forthcoming, Goody, and I couldn't care less if you told us so. If you need one of us to admit to you that you were right and we were wrong, then it really doesn't get more pathetic than that.

Just cuz you clobber the Rangers on your home turf doesn't necessarily mean you're on a hot streak......

Alright gents, this is my last post before heading your way! I just got off the phone with Skid about this coming week, and it looks like we'll be hooking up on Tuesday night. The sketchy plan right now is I'm gonna get into Grand Rapids early evening (3 or 4 pm). From there, anyone who wants to meet me at Corner Record Store, that's where I'm heading first. From there, we'll go to Vertigo, let Skid take his drum lesson, and head out for food & drinks. Skid's got my cel number, so I'll let him do the coordinating and he can pass along any info to me. Skid also has my permission to give out my cel number to any of the Michigan Organissimites who will hopefully be joining us. I am SO looking forward to seeing you guys; I just wish Root Doctor was playing closer to GR!

Happy birthday, Lon! I can't imagine what you and Helen are going through, but I hope you know that you've got a host of friends here for you. This one, anyway, is merely three hours away north on I-35, (and I'm sure there are others geographically closer than me) so if you need anything, we're here for you & Helen. Y'all are constantly in my prayers.

What the.... did the Giants hire John Hart or something? That sounds like the kind of move the Rangers are notorious for! Sorry to hear this!

This guy completely nails it, why Texas needed to get rid of Tex and quickly.

Well, apparently David Murphy is the second prospect going to Texas (according to Stark). He projects only as a fourth outfielder, and they aren't hard to come by. As for Gabbard, he's really come into his own and I almost believe that right now he knows how to pitch better than Jon Lester. Obviously Lester has the higher upside. Most likely Gabbard tops out as a number three, and a pretty average one at that. I do like his arm though and wish him well. If he keeps balls down and throws strikes, he'll succeed. His 1.66 Ground Out to Fly Out ratio bodes well in Texas, assuming he maintains it. Wow, I'm impressed. Seriously. It'll be interesting to see how the Rangers "pitching coaching staff" (term used EXTREMELY loosely) handles these fresh young arms. I know I'm hoping against history, but I sure hope these youngsters don't get corrupted like Rangers pitchers of the past.

I think I just wet myself!

It'd be interesting if Gagne goes to Boston. Gabbard looks like a good deal; can't believe the Sox would give up someone so young like that (if his stats are to be believed)! And as I said before, I wouldn't be surprised if we get Gagne back at the end of the season..... but I hope not. If the Rangers learned anything from this, it's that baseball is a game of second chances: i.e. PUT AKI BACK IN THE CLOSER ROLE WHERE HE BELONGS!!! Who else you got that we can take from ya, Dan?

I recently watched on YouTube the interview he did with KISS back in '78 or '79, where a very drunk Ace Frehley constantly kept Tom off-balance. Everyone looked like they were having a blast, including Gene Simmons who, you could tell, was not too happy things weren't going as planned (i.e. Ace stealing the show).

Um... I've yet to see Dan let a mistake go without acknowledging it. He and I have had our riffs before, and there is nothing that he and I have ever said to each other that wasn't forgivable. I like you, Tim, and always have, but if you're going to insult my friends like this, then I'm gonna call you out: who's being the arrogant unfriendly jerk here?

Take this for whatever it's worth, but I have friends who are around the inner workings of the Rangers and the consensus is that he is an arrogant fan-unfriendly jerk. Also, to be clear, I never said he only hits homers when they count. Quite the opposite, actually: I've been saying all along he hits homers whenever the game is out of reach, winning or losing. Put him at the plate with men on, and more often than not he'll choke. Frankly, I hope the Yanks get him. Nothing will humble him faster. Gagne has stated over and over that he wants to stay in Texas. I believe the strategy is to trade him for some young prospects, then bring him back when he declares free-agency at the end of the season.

I agree; however in most cases, I have neither the Mosaics or the old Conns. So this batch is like manna from heaven for me!