MJLiverock

I don't think comparing Counsell to Hamilton and Byrd to Braun is a very fair comparison, it is about 180 degrees the opposite way. Why make any comparison, the scenario happend in real life with Hamilton and Byrd in that situation. It doesn't have anything to do with some other pair of guys or other situations.

I like it. Especially with 2 outs in the ninth. A four run lead, giving away one run to avoid pitching to a guy who can tie it with one swing isn't too bad of a gamble. Hamilton is lefty, kills righties, Balfour can't find the zone on that day (mistake pitch equals gone and tie game), and Byrd is no where near the hitter Hamilton is. I n Hamilton's short career vs. righties he hits a HR 1/14 AB's or an extra base hit 1/7 AB's. Marlon Byrd in his career gets an extra base 1/13.4 AB's or hits a HR 1/55 AB's. So the chances of Hamilton hitting a HR was pretty much equal to Byrd getting an extra base hit, not to mention Wheeler being much more effective vs. RH'ers.

The FSN WI games are always on the same channel on DirecTV although if there is an HD version of the broadcast it will be on 669-1, alll the SD games are on 669. The occasional WMLW game on Saturday nights usually has to be searched for as it gets carried on some random channel in the 600 or 700 level. I will say if you set the DVR to record the game you should check the end time as sometimes the game runs a little beyond the 3 hour block so you can "pad" the ending time and maybe catch a little of Yost's great post game comments. I am not as familiar with Dish Network but I think they used to bump the channel around a little between 2 or 3 spots. Someone who has Dish will probably have to answer for that service.

Quepos, Costa Rica - - It is on the Pacific side. The smaller resorts are fairly rustic (cable and AC but not Marriott's or anything) for a cheap price and fantastic Ocean views. The people are extremely friendly and most speak English if you can't speak any Spanish. There are some great restaurants and the beach, monkeys, rain forest are fun/beautiful. It was probably one of the coolest places I have been. Someone told me it is like Hawaii was 50 years ago before it was commercialized and over run with tourists. This was the view from my $75/night suite with kitchen and huge deck. The beach was about a 15 minute walk down the hill. The penninsula on the left is a National Park. http://images.photo.walgreens.com/232323232%7Ffp5%3Enu%3D3242%3E673%3E54%3A%3EWSNRCG%3D3232626858%3C45nu0mrj

Yeah, that is the one beef I have had with the CSR's you can get different answers from each of them and many times I know more about the service or technology than they do and I am just a guy who likes TV. As far as the full time FSN WI thing, DTV has said on a few occasions in press releases, trade shows, and investors reports they intend on getting all the RSNs signals out in HD and with Fox's announcement earlier this year that they intend to make all the RSN's full time HD (maybe next year?) I think it is very reasonable to think FSN WI will be a full time channel. One of the main impediments to the full time status has been capacity on the satellites but with the latest satellite being turned on in the last few weeks there is a lot of excess capacity. Think of last year when they launched a new satellite and the number of HD channels exploded and as much as I have read that satellite is still not running at full capacity. The new one will carry more local HD channels but even with that there is still a lot of room. DTV has historically used sports programming as it's main competitive tool and wants to keep that edge. When some of the new HD channels turn on on Thursday (something like 30 channels) there will be a number of them dedicated to HD PPV but with the idea that they will eventually be converted to other HD channels as DTV signs agreements to distribute them and this still isn't going to use up all the capacity on the satellites. The HD PPV offerings will decline as more emphasis is put on the download feature of movies via the internet and the most popular movies they already load on the reserved space of the hard drives of the DVRs. The SWM stuff jwil references is not available in all areas yet. I tried to get one in July but the installers said they haven't been trained on them yet and said he was shocked I even knew about it. I think the Chicago market has them and some of the other bigger cities for test marketing. It will be nice to run 1 wire for two tuner capability on the DVR's, especially in those rooms where a second wire is impossible or unsightly (my wife hates the exposed coaxial cable). Jwill535, where did you get the SWM? I have been waiting to get my hands on one so I can return to dual tuner functionality in the main floor living room where 90% of my wife's recordings are done.

I sent you a PM jhart05 and hopefully answered a few of your questions.

Not trying to start a flame war jhart but my experience with DirecTV is just the opposite of yours. My signal has very rarely ever gone out, I am talking 1 or 2x a year for like 10 minutes. It all has to do with the aiming of the dish and the signal strength to begin with which can be affected by a nearby tree. Storms or rain fade rarely have any impact on my signal in either house I have had it at. Everyone has to make their own choice about what works for them but customer service and the channel offerings as well as price and equipment blow anything Charter has out of the water and it isn't even close for me. I know some like the old Tivo DVR but I run 3 of the new HR20's and they have worked great. Expanded hard drives were easy to hook up (huge capacity now over 150 hours of HD space per DVR), internet connected for on demand downloads and remote programming. I never used the suggestions function in Tivo otherwise all the other funcitionality is there. The FSN-WI full time will be coming in the next year but I really don't miss it, other than the Brewer or Bucks games the channel is pretty much like all the other RSNs showing Best Damn Sports and whatever. I'll take the HD feed of the games and forego all the rest of it anytime.

DirecTV launched a new satellite this summer and will be adding another round of HD channels including some additional regional sports channels. A number of the existing channels have been moved around to accomodate the new channels and group some together. FSN WI has moved up to somewhere around 669 and 669-1 if I remember correctly but I know it is somewhere up in that area. I don't know if the channel is going full time just yet but I know DirecTV has commented that they plan on offering all the RSN's in HD. I know the Big 10 Network HD also moved to 610. Living just outside Madison they also give me Comcast Sports Chicago HD as a local RSN and I know that moved off of 640 to 665. CBS College Sports HD is now on 613 I dont' know if it moved but I just had to had to my favorites list in the guide so it may have. A few others like Noggin or the N have moved as well. I know ABC Family HD is launching soon and will be squeezed into that area of the channels. I think this Thursday, Aug. 14th, is the launch date. check out this link for a complete list of the HD channels: http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=103232&highlight=hd+channel+guide

This coming from a fanbase that cheers for Albert "I stand in the batters box until the fans throw the ball back on the field after my home runs before providing the most disdainful batflip in baseball. Then I run." Pujols

I just watched Jumper last night and must say, Rachel Bilsson is mighty fine, and at 27 much closer to my age than the characters she usually plays. Alyssa Milano - had a crush on her since the Who's the Boss days and she's a baseball fan to boot. Sarah Michelle Gellar - another long time crush and has always seemed pretty normal/down to earth for someone on TV or movies most of her life. Actually met her once in Miami.

At first glance when I saw the video I was very upset at Prince's actions but after reading some more of the story here and getting some more info my feelings have changed on it but think Ned could have handled the situation with the press much better. One scenario I have in my head is that it played out like this, Parra was kinda mad and upset with himself and started heading to the locker room and Prince said,"Hey you should stay out here and watch the game with the team." A few more words may have been said by both but Manny grudgingly complies but starts whipping his towel or jacket around and inadvertantly whips Fielder in the head as he walks away. Fielder, already frustrated and mad about losing and whater Manny and he just had words about, loses it because he thinks Manny whipped him in the head on purpose with the towel or whatever and turns around and shoves him. I can see where that would happen, I know if I was already frustrated or mad, think of myself as a team leader, and a guy I just called out for leaving the bench starts whining and whips me in the head as I walk I away I would probably be pretty pissed off. The second shove is probably where Fielder's bad temper really took over and he really crossed the line. If the players made up after the game and Fielder said the towel whipping set him off and Manny explained it was an accident I can see where Ned would say it was no big deal and the matter was closed but he could have at least explained why. If he didn't know yet what really happened or wanted to talk to the players first he could have just said he wanted to speak with each of them rather than pull the none of your business card. I guess I fall in the Manny is not without blame but Prince over reacted camp. If the players can apologize to each other and have settled whatever it was that set them off I don't think anyone needs to be benched or suspended but it would be nice to know they have made up rather than have some smoldering fued in the clubhouse. I would prefer to hear they have made up out of each of their mouths to, rather than have Ned or Doug say it is all good.

Attending a Brewers game vs. the Cubs just isn't very fun. I have been to at least one Brewer/Cub game at Miller Park each of the last 6 years and hated each one because the obnoxiousness of the Cub fans. Last night a 10 year old boy screamed in my buddies face Brewer Suck at least three times. I mean inches from his face while sitting down. My buddy just looked at me and said what can I do, he's like 10. The kid stood on his seat and taunted the crowd behind him until a woman started jawing back and forth and finally yelled, "Where are your parents!". Unfortunately his Mom was right next to him and she began yelling, "You don't have the right to yell at my kid, stupid Brewer fans, losers, etc." Dad decided that everytime he went to the bathroom he had to Go Cubs into the face of every person in the row as he slid past to the aisle. (of course wearing his Sammy Sosa jersey. Why do the worst ones always seem so have Sosa or Prior jerseys?) It is one thing to cheer for your team but the sheer number of Cubs fans standing up and taunting the people around them in my section is unbearable and leads to the fights and arguments. No other fan base causes so much animosity. It dooesn't matter what the score is, what the standings are, or who wins, every game is a bad experience because the Cubs fans act like such jerks. Cardinals fans don't do it, Twins fans don't do it, heck even the White Sox fans at the exhibition games weren't bad. It is like the Cub fans win an award after the game if they can be the biggest a hole in the ball park.

I wouldn't even go so far as to say that Braun posed last night. He just didn't run fast enough right away in the opinion of some. The Eckstien sprint to first on a walk could be construed the same way. He isn't showing some special hustle by sprinting, he doesn't get an extra base, he is just showboating and trying to show up the pitcher for walking him. It is like his own personal slow motion HR trot. Nowhere did I say a player shouldn't run out a pop up so I am not sure where you are going with that one. If a little leaguer wants to run to first on a walk, no problem. It is hard to tell a sprint form a jog anyway and it is Little League, kids are excited. Eckstein's sprint to first is just as bush league if not moreso than standing in the box and admiring a HR especially a GW HR. I still don't think Braun posed last night. He didn't even stay in the box that long, didn't do a twirl, didn't point at the opposing team or fans, didn't say anything to the pitcher or catcher, didn't slow trot around the bases, no cartwheels or jumping jacks, etc.

No kidding. It is like some weird cosmic junction of the two teams I hate most in sports the Cubs and Notre Dame. Abusing a pitcher from the two most overhyped and under acheiving teams of the last 20 years will make me down right giddy.

Couldn't have said it any better. I feel people way over react to anything a hitter does after hitting a bomb and just look for something to be offended about. Braun didn't go over the top he walked in a slowing increasing speed out of the box as he tossed his bat, hardly showing anyone up. Some people will never be satisfied unless a batter hits the ball out acts like he is ashamed he did it and speeds around the bases looking like that fool Eckstein sprinting to first on a walk. If a batter wants to watch a little or break into a slow jog at first I have no problem with it as long as he doesn't make gestures toward the opposing team or fans. Owen I didn'twatch your video of Aaron and such but I assume you didn't post videos of all 755 of Aaron's HRs so not sure what posting a few of them proves other than there are examples of Aaron just sprinting around the bases. I am sure we can all go out and find plenty of examples of Braun puttng his head down and going around the bases as well. I guess I am saying I wouldn't be shocked at seeing that somewhere in the 755 Aaron might not have been ashamed of hitting one out. (pared back long quote --1992)

I used to play with the Buffalo Bills in Super Tecmo Bowl and there was a pass from Kelly to Andre Reed that was completely unstopable. It was a quick slant that even if your opponent guessed the play I could complete it every time. I would tell my opponent it was coming and it still worked. I have a picture somewhere of the screen where I maxed out the scoreboard in a game. I can't remember how many points it was but using the regular short quarters I know Kelly had over 600 yards passing. Maybe I'll find the pic for old times sake but I never lost a game using the Bills because the offense was unstopable and one of the linebackers, Cornelius Bennet? was a machine. I know others swore by Randall Cunningham and Bo Jackson but that Kelly/Reed pass made the game impossible to lose to another live person. I know the nose tackle play and a friend used to try it all the time with the Steelers or Giants but as soon as I started calling the "Play" he was helpless it would go for a completion everytime before the NG could make the sack.

Most of the games are scheduled on DirecTV for a 3 hour block so setting the DVR hasn't been a problem just hit record on the listing in the guide, although I usually have to add a little padding to the end of the game to make sure I get it all. (unless Sheets is pitching) By adding the extra 30min to an hour I usually get most of the post game as well.

Exactly, why would Ned be afraid of Gardenhire IBB'ing Hardy? It sets up a potential double play ball but the team was already in that situation with Weeks on first. Hardy is probably much more likely to GIDP than Braun anyway. I would have loved the SB there and Gardenhire IBB Hardy(if he actually would have) with Braun and Fielder coming up.

McClung also managed to get ahead of 6 hitters 0-2 which is a testament to his raw ability and offsets his control a little bit. I agree he needs to be watched closely and I continue to hold my breath and hope he keeps it up but it isn't like he is getting by on smoke and mirrors he has a good fastball and wicked curve when his getting it over. I just don't think it is inconcievable that he has improved his control and may be an effective back of the roation starter. I like him in the rotation more than Villy at this point just based on his better stuff. Once Villy starts going through the lineup a 2nd and 3rd time I get worried which makes me less sure of him as a starter.

Wow. Sorry anyone wastes the mighty rluzinski's time by disagreeing with him. I have seen nothing in this thread showing any superiority of having Braun walk more, your own post seem to say it is a wash if he walked more and hit for less power. I know I have seen many of the walk disciples admit a hit is more valuable than a walk so why expect Braun to hit less and walk more? Braun walks then roughly 63% of the time Prince will follow up with an out and after that the 5 hitter for the Brewers is going to make an out roughly 67% of the time so Braun's ability to hit the ball, advance runner ahead of him more than one base or even advance guys with 1st base open would be an advantage to walking, seeing the next guys make outs, not advance anyone or walk as well, not score runners and continue to leave the job of driving in the runner to lesser and lesser quality hitters. A walk is not bad, but in some situations it really isn't that great. I know guys that drive in runs get poo pooed on this board all the time - - see the Carlos Lee comments but if the 3,4,5 hitters can't do it they leave it up to the lesser hitters in the bottom of the lineup and we see all the frustrations of leaving runners on base, excessive walks by the run producers can lead to this sure the OBP will go up but will any more runs really be scored since the driving them in will be left up to the weakest hitters on the team since not all hitters are equal or average. We have all seen the lead off double followed by a walk, pop out, walk, K looking while trying to draw the walk, and a ground out by weak hitter with no runs despite a .500 OBP for the inning when a hit instead of a walk would have scored a run. Is there any sort of study showing excessive walks just leads to a lot of stranded runners on the bases, espcially if the better hitters are they guys walking a lot and leaving the run drivers up to the poor hitters who pitchers aren't afraid to challenge and hitters who when they swing the bat have poor batting averages. The effect of walking the best hitter cannot be straightlined as an effect on other hitters since the ability of the other guys to drive him in is not equal. Even with Adam Dunn's .400 OBP he has scored 4 less runs than Braun and his .325 OBP. Dunn has also knocked in 12 less runs despite being only 2 HR's less than Braun.

He also started a fight in hotel bar recently which helped precipitate his release for embarrassing the team as the GM called it. I would stay far away from this guy especially if the team is starting to feel frustrated about performing below expectations. The only silver lining I can see is the team keeping as a comic relief for the long road trips, watching him get plastered in a hotel bar and picking fights with people and beligerantly swinging and swearing at everyone.

Or there is more to a baseball player than a guy who walks but has no power or batting average. Valuing walks at 2x SLG, I would say is a little extreme. I'll take the guy who hits .330 with a .375 OBP over a guy who hits .240 with a .375 OBP all day long since he might actually drive that run in from 2nd base with 2 outs or 1 out and not just walk and hope the next guy can drive him in or avoid the DP. I'll take the hits of Braun of which many are extra bases over the walks of a Gabe Gross or Counsell any day.

I am sure someone is working up a Dave Bush is just suffering from just bad luck post right now.

There was a cab company in Madison who used to mention that one of the benefits of calling a cab was it would save you money because you no longer have to pay for gas. I find it extremely hard to believe they don't charge more than the price of gas they burn driving people around. I am quite sure they are not losing money on every fare they pick up, especially given the ridiculous prices Madison cab companies charge. My house on the west side to the airport was quoted at $50 each way. It was still cheaper for me to drive and park for a week than pay their fare.