Dan Gould

Damn, you live in Arizona and don't like summer time? Honestly, though, I dig the album but not as much as others of that era of LD's career like Alligator Boogaloo.

His buddy Strawberry, too. Ironic to remember that in 1986, Gooden and Clemens were incredible pitchers facing each other in the World Series. 20 years later, look at where Gooden is and what Clemens ended up accomplishing.

Well, Brad, the fact of the matter is that the Hall is loaded with guys who aren't "no-brainers". If only no-brainers belong, than your beloved Gil Hodges wouldn't even be mentioned. Check out Hodges' Baseball-Reference.com page: http://www.baseball-reference.com/h/hodgegi01.shtml Yes, he had 7 seasons as an All-Star and three Gold Gloves, but the guy never led his league in anything other than games played, sacrifice flies, and strikeouts. Their "Hall of Fame Monitor" has a score of 100 or greater as a likely member, with 130 or above a virtual cinch. Rice scores 147. Hodges scores 83. In fact, all of the players I identified rank as "likely Hall of Famer" by their measurement, except for Sutter and Santo, and both rank higher than Hodges. Sorry if I'm being harsh but I do find it ironic that you identify "no-brainer" candidates as the only legit Hall of Famers, reject the ones I identify and then name someone who epitomizes the term "marginal candidate".

Results will be announced next Tuesday, I believe, and it should be an interesting ballot, with no "slam-dunk" new candidates (Albert Belle, anyone?) and a widespread perception that in the wake of the steroid scandal, the career stats of people like Jim Rice and Dave Parker will get the respect they deserve. So, let's play Vote for the Hall of Fame. Specifically, name up to 10 candidates from this year's ballot who you believe deserve enshrinement. I'll start: Jim Rice From Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com: In the closer category, I think Bruce Sutter, Lee Smith and Goose Gossage belong. I think Yankee fans will agree with me: Yankee fans feared Rice the way Sox fans feared Goose. In the category of starting pitchers who didn't reach meaningless milestones but still belong in the Hall: Bert Blyleven and Jack Morris. And in the category of guy who played with class, guts, intensity and character, Andre Dawson. And while I know his name isn't on the writer's ballot, but anyone who puts Ron Santo's stats against any other third baseman who has made it knows that the Old Cub belongs. So who is on your HoF ballot?

Cito Gaston Chico Escuela Jane Curtin

So you sleep in the garage? Sorry, I skipped a word. "Of our three EXTRA bedrooms, ..."

Of our three bedrooms, one became the office, one became the guest bedroom and one became my music room. Here I am reading a Mosaic booklet in the comfy chair:

I saw the George Coleman Octet at Smoke maybe 5 years ago or so ... I think George said it was the first Octet gig since the 80s or so. Gary Smulyan was on bari, Rotondi on trumpet, and Ned Otter was music director (I think he was in charge of updating the charts or something ... seems to me he was deeply involved in organizing the gig). Mabern and Farnsworth were in the rhythm section, can't recall the bass player. Wait a sec ... does George have a son who plays a rhythm instrument? Somehow I am suddenly thinking that a younger Coleman played bass or drums. Ah, the memory is a wonderful thing, when it works. Anyway, the memory that definitely comes through is that it was a great show, George and Harold sounded great and the younger cats were pretty good too. Also was the only time I've made it to Smoke, a great little place.

Since this seems to happen to you regularly, here's a suggestion: Every one of your own posts has a button says that "edit" and a button that says "delete". Click delete and your double posts disappear.

Thanks.

Where do the latter three (alt. titles) appear? None of these alternate titles ring a bell ...

Graham Kerr Jack LaLanne Charles Atlas Arnold Schwarzenegger Sonny Bono Ronald Reagan Oooh, good one. Bonzo Bozo Yoko

Graham Kerr Jack LaLanne Charles Atlas

Yep, keep an eye peeled, as mgraham333 sez... 30% off from Jan. 5 through the 8th. And I just got a late Christmas present, $20 giftcard. With luck, maybe I can get two discs out of it, or close to it.

Before leaving for my holiday travel, I decided to splurge on noise-reduction headphones, as I remembered how bad the open-eared discman headphones were the last time. Didn't actually consult this thread, but I went to Amazon and checked the posted reviews of the various options. It seemed as though there were a lot of low price choices but none of them had very good reviews, and I didn't want to spend the money on the really good ones. I ended up going with the JVC HA-NC100 model, and I am pleased to report that they functioned quite nicely. Even my audio engineer wife approved of them! They come with a nice leather carrying pouch, and had another nice feature: the cord stores in the left ear and retracts like a vaccuum cleaner cord. Best of all, they list for $149 but Amazon sells them for $47, and of course, free shipping, too. So I basically got a "high end" headphone at a low end price, and they worked very well.

Rosemary Labianca Ralph Branca Willie Wonka

Billy Bean Theo Epstein Juan Epstein

Instead of the usual "What are your resolutions?" I'm curious if anyone has had a resolution that endured for more than say a week or a month ... any true "life altering" resolutions? I can actually identify one. It was after I had moved to south Florida and finally secured a decent full-time job. I was no longer a financial drain on my parents and with some extra cash in my pocket I resolved to re-enter the dating scene. I actually summarized this resolution as "To Get a Life" and I guess I did it at the right time, as about ten months later I met my future wife. Anyone else?

Guy, this one was indeed waiting for me when I got home after Christmas and it is indeed quite nice. Thanks again for the info and inspiration to go ahead and grab it.

Just recently picked this one up, and its definitely a good 'un. Teddy is someone I slept on for a time, but I started to correct that maybe three or four years ago, even tracking down some European releases that are real nice. I've yet to hear a less than solid Teddy Edwards date.

Excellent idea! Allen? Did you even read the whole thread Danny? What the hell are you talking about? Why should I explain the obvious to Danny Boy? Sure, why not continue to be an asshole? You've been one for too many years to count, why change as the calendar turns? Apparently you are STUPID enough to be referring to PETER JOHNSON who wrote that "someone who has a contact ..." I can only assume that you are stupid enough to suggest that I read the "whole thread" when it was PJ who hadn't noticed that Allen has a relationship with the author. Thank you so much for finally inspiring me to use the IGNORE function. And have a wonderful New Year ...

Excellent idea! Allen? Did you even read the whold thread Danny? What the hell are you talking about?

Excellent idea! Allen?

Yeah, I laughed out loud at her wondering if she was going to heaven or hell ...