Dan Gould

:party:

I'm going to have to have a talk with my little Karilian Bear Dog.

Who told you my secret code was "Bosco"?

This one caught my eye because its coming from the Federal Reserve but what really got me laughing was paragraph three, the list of documents they have demonstrating why I am qualified to receive my ginormous payment: Exclusive reference identification number ... Vide transaction number ... Transfer Allocation number, Password ... PIN ... certificate of merit ... Release Code .... Immediate Telex Confirmation number and the very most important of all: SECRET CODE

"Lo-fi" is putting it nicely ...

:party:

I don't think it's clear sailing for Boston, at least at the moment. That could change over the winter of course. But right now? VMart is a terrible defensive catcher, Ortiz & Drew are hitting the age of decline, though maybe there's enough in them yet. What's up with the OF? Beltre is a FA, and despite his terrific history his past performance suggests even if they re-sign him it's not guaranteed he'll have a similar season. It's practically 50/50 that between Beckett & Lackey one will underperform relative to the contract. Buchholz's great leap forward may not be repeated based on the more esoteric Ginsu stats. Dice K? Ugh. And then there's that closer problem. Vmart is a free agent, too though I don't totally agree on his defensive shortcomings (for one thing he markedly improved at controlling the running game after the first month or two of the season). Ortiz will be a free agent too, though I think he showed enough to risk a two-year deal at much less than his 12 million dollar option on the current contract. Drew is Drew. Only one more season, and if they had the guts, he might be more or less riding the pines with Reddick playing in his place. No argument about Lackey & Beckett, and they may hamstring the rotation for four more years if they don't get their mojo back. And no argument about the closer, I don't know what the fuck we have in Papelbon anymore. But it sure looks like Bard could take over if they go in that direction. As for Buchholz, I'd love to know what the "esoteric Ginsu" stats are that show he didn't take a leap forward. I know his strikeout rate isn't what it was but from August 2009 through the end of last year his numbers match up with anyone in the majors. Bottom line is that there will be so much roster alteration that its impossible to say "smooth sailing" for Boston unless you absolutely insist that the Yankees and Rays will decline substantially regardless. And that's a foolish presumption.

I like to think I helped David Weiss out just a bit as I first sent him my mono transfer so he could transcribe the arrangements then I did the same when he found a mint copy of the stereo version which was apparently easier for transcription purposes. Wish I could have heard what David's band did with the arrangements.

Golden Boy was a Broadway musical starring Sammy Davis Jr. Arrangements by Wayne, Curtis, and Lee, if I recall. Worth hearing though on the short side.

First of all, these discussions are usually worthless in the grand scheme of the offseason, nothing but a couple of semi-informed people running their mouths. Like Posada being released - its never going to happen. They will use him the same way as last season, catching a few games, playing DH a few games, sitting on his a few games. The usual problem with Jeter at 3B is that his power numbers won't play well there. The counterargument is that the Yankees get power from other, unexpected spots in the lineup (like 2B) so it all evens out. But starting at 3B right after he re-signs? Not a chance in hell. That will require another season as Past a Diving Jeter before it could possibly happen. And that's assuming Cashman grows a pair and has that conversation. Getting rid of Burnett might just be easier to do for one reason: His personal crutch, the pitching coach, just got canned. I have to admit that is kind of surprising ...

Very sorry to hear this, Kevin. Like James, I hope you remember the good times and the good life you made sure she had.

When you think about it though, the flip side is that Giants pitchers will be tough regardless. Aside from Lee, who doesn't need the help, creeping shadows might actually help the Rangers 2-4 starters more. I think the bottom line is that in all likelihood there won't be much scoring in those four games, and it will probably be one of the lowest-scoring World Series of this century. If the Rangers do hit though, I think they win. They handled a dangerous Yankee lineup, the Giants aren't nearly as troublesome.

Posada continues for one more season as P/T catcher and P/T DH, then he has to be cut loose, whether he wants to retire or not. They can't possibly afford to let him catch beyond 2011 and they'll need the DH position open for certain other players. I'm sure this is Cashman's plan. The real question is if he takes even a remotely hard line on Jeter. Does he really have the guts to tell him he is a ten million dollar a year a player now, and he'll only guarantee two years, maybe with a couple of option years? I say no way, and Jeter signs for 4/80, and the Yankees reap what they sow, just as they will with A-Rod. The ridiculous thing is that they'll still sign Carl Crawford and Cliff Lee.

then there is nothing wrong with you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99FDDLWz15Y&feature=player_embedded

Nobody has alluded to it so I will: TV dictates four 4:30 PM starts in San Francisco, should the Series go seven games. Between the lack of a DH and the fact that the Giants probably have the superior starters, this has got to be an advantage to the NL champs, over and above "home field".

They weren't good enough to enforce any demand on salary like Ruth could. They were stuck with what the Cubs offered.

There's only one problem: The revival of the Yankees was predicated on the rise of free agency and George Steinbrenner spending more than anyone else on Catfish Hunter and Reggie and others. So why did you cheer that team but suddenly decide that its the incarnation of evil now? If we found the data is there any doubt that the Reggie-Billy-Catfish-Goose Yankees had the highest payroll then too?

Thought I'd share some pretty cool news: We found out just what Coltrane is ... a Karelian Bear Dog. That's right - Bear Dog. Bred and trained in northern Europe to hunt freaking bears, wild boar and other large game. We knew Coltrane was fearless so hearing that the breed will go after Grizzly Bears sounded about right. We got the first inkling about it when we noticed the picture on the cover of a pet supply catalog looked quite a bit like him. Then we saw the caption and went, "What?" So Sue did some research and started communicating with a breeder (there are very few in the U.S.) and his official opinion was that Coltrane was bred to hunt bear. Check out the photos. I think you can see the resemblance. This one looks so much like him it could be his litter-mate:

This just in: Phil Hughes not a true Yankee. Also David Robertson. Film at 11.

Mellky Cabrera's modest hitting skills were almost entirely a function of batting lefty at Yankee Stadium. I'll bet dollars to donuts that his very best (yet still mediocre) numbers came at home for the Yankees from the left side. I said from the start that Melky was at best a fourth outfielder/defensive specialist. We'll see if he can catch on someplace in that role.

Any comment on those legs, Jim?

Here's hoping the Rangers give you the best present of all and beat the MFY tonight! :party:

We agree on that!