brewerfan82

Go CC! While I still hate the Yankees, it's pretty awesome to see that CC made them outbid the competition by $60mil to get him. If any of the west coast teams would have stepped up and made him a decent offer, I'm sure he'd have gone there instead. I was hoping for the Dodgers, with their high draft pick (#17), but maybe they'll take a flyer on Sheets. We definitely need to go grab an arm or two though.

Does anyone have any experience with this? My sister is a tv-show-a-holic. She routinely watches like 14 shows each week and at times has up to four VCRs (Yes. VCRs.) recording shows. So I thought as a fun Christmas project, this year my family could put together a non-subscription-based DVR system for her. It appears as though MythTV is the best route for this (let me know of any better alternatives if you know of them). So we want to build a computer at a reasonable price and probably just install one of the distributions of Linux that already has MythTV integrated onto it (I'm really only familiar with Ubuntu, so I'm leaning towards MythBuntu). My brother threw together a system on NewEgg.com for $299 that we're hoping could support dual recording of one HD stream and one standard stream, with possible future upgrading of a second video card for even more simultaneous recording. My sister currently has a non-HD cable package through Charter and receives HD programming over the air for her 50" Samsung Plasma TV. Here are the specs for the computer we're thinking of putting together through NewEgg: AMD Athlon X2 4850e 2.5GHz Socket AM2 45W Dual-Core Processor HITACHI Deskstar P7K500 500GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive Transcend 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory ASUS My Cinema-PHC3-100/NAQ/FM/AV/RC TV Tuner Card PCI Interface JetWay JM26GT4 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard Linkworld 437-01-C2229 Black/ Champaign Gold Computer Case I would assume we need to also tack on a wireless card of some sort, but I think that's about it (outside of cables, etc.). My brother's pretty well-versed in building computers, so I trust it would work as a computer, but neither of us are overly expertized in Linux and neither of us have experimented with MythTV before. From the research I've done, I feel like this should work, but is there anything I may be overlooking? Any suggestions? Thanks!

Is there any sort of compensation for retiring players? I don't think there is, but with Torres being a type B "free agent", it would be nice to at least get a comp pick out of it. Good luck Salomon and enjoy your time with your family!

I've been using Gmail for over four years now and I love it! Once you get use to the "conversation"-based interface, you'll never go back. Plus, I've got over 7 gigs of space available to me in it! All Hail Gmail!

The twelve-gauge double-barreled Remington. S-Mart's top of the line. You can find this in the sporting goods department. That's right, this sweet baby was made in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Retails for about a hundred and nine, ninety five. It's got a walnut stock, cobalt blue steel, and a hair trigger. That's right. Shop smart. Shop S-Mart. You got that?

I'm on the fence with this one. I guess, for me, it depends on who we would get to fill firstbase. I think the upgrades at second and third are substantial and Sherrill is a nice piece for the bullpen, but Prince's production is pretty tough to fill. I think I'd go for it if we can add someone like Blalock to replace Prince. Then you're basically swapping out Prince, Weeks and Hall for Blalock, Roberts and Mora and adding Sherrill to the pen: <font size="4"><font size="3"><span style="font-family: monospace;">Two Year Stats: Player AB R 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS AVG/OBP/SLG/OPS</span><br style="font-family: monospace;"><span style="font-family: monospace;">1B Hank Blalock 466 69 35 4 22 71 40 78 5 1 290/347/524/871</span><br style="font-family: monospace;"><span style="font-family: monospace;">2B Brian Roberts 1232 210 93 13 21 114 171 203 90 17 293/377/441/818</span><br style="font-family: monospace;"><span style="font-family: monospace;">3B Melvin Mora 980 144 52 3 37 162 84 153 12 10 280/342/452/794</span><br style="font-family: monospace;"><br style="font-family: monospace;"><span style="font-family: monospace;">1B Prince Fielder 1161 195 65 4 84 221 174 255 5 4 282/383/562/945</span><br style="font-family: monospace;"><span style="font-family: monospace;">2B Rickie Weeks 884 176 43 13 30 82 144 231 44 7 234/357/414/771</span><br style="font-family: monospace;"></font><span style="font-family: monospace;"><font size="3">3B Bill Hall 856 109 57 1 29 118 77 252 9 11 241/305/411/716</font> </span></font> <font style="font-family: Times New Roman;" size="3">If you can then additionally swap Weeks along with something for a starting pitcher, this looks pretty good. </font>

I've launched the hedgehog on day 3 a couple times now and have come close on day 2, but when I don't beat those I just go for a best single day earning and here's my best so far: Day 10 Cash: $489.00 Time: 5:14.00 Elevation: 4,228 ft Distance traveled: 211,953 ft Total: $660,345.60 Hahaha, fun. Edit: I just crushed my original post!

1. BREWERS - Duh. 2. Twins... oh shoot! White Sox - But only for Griffey (plus a Crew/WSox series... oh man) 3. Rays - Just to upset the media giants 4. Angels - I dig Vlad 5. Dodgers - Torres leaves the Yanks, Yanks don't make the playoffs, Dodgers do... Sweet... 6. Red Sox - Eh... getting sick of 'em 7. Phillies - Sorry Jenks, I'm soar about that 4 game sweep 8. Cubs - Please no.

Darn, I wanted one too after the game. Guess I should have waited in line! 2008 Milwaukee Brewers Wild Card Hat IN HAND (repaired link --1992)

I think a lot of it has to do with the size of your TV as well. You aren't going to notice as big of a difference when dealing with smaller TVs. I have a 56" TV and it is a huge difference in quality between SD and HD. It basically comes down to the fact that SD doesn't look good on a large TV and HD is capable of producing a very clean, crisp, life-like image even at that size.

Here's the clip from Supersize Me featuring Don Gorske (aforementioned Big Mac enthusiast): http://www.spike.com/video/super-size-me-don/2632925

None of the replays shown on tv showed conclusively whether or not that ball was fair or foul. The camera up the line wasn't even in line with the foul line/pole and the camera in the outfield didn't show where the ball was when it crossed the fence. The umpires made the correct call on the instant replay, not because they were correct, but because the replays didn't show any conclusive evidence otherwise. Why have instant replay if you don't have cameras in place to demonstrate accurately where the ball is when it crosses the fence? Place two cameras behind homeplate in line with the foul poles and homeplate for balls (not over the pole) that are hit down the line. And place two cameras on the foul poles (like the ones used on goal posts in the NFL) that can show where the ball is when it goes over the fence regardless of whether it's above the foul pole or not. This would also give a good angle on balls hit just over the fence in fair territory. Seems pretty doable to me and should make for pretty conclusive replays.

i agree with this for a couple of reasons... 1. Messing with a starting pitchers rest cycle can sometimes be a disaster. 2. As already stated, the point is to get Ben and CC as many starts as possible. We are not only fighting against Chicago and St. Louis, but also Philly, New York, and Florida. I just wanted to point out that the scenario I came up with in the first post does not result in fewer games pitched for either Sheets or Sabathia. Additionally, Sabathia remains on schedule except for one game where he gets one extra day of rest and Sheets has two games with extra rest.

This looks like one of those games that both pitchers will be pitching into the 120's. How can you take either out?

In Adam McCalvy's mailbag yesterday, he indicated Yost had "several top-secret scenarios" for the pitching rotation to finish up the year. McCalvy pointed out that rotation as is would result in Sheets missing out on some key series, including all of the remaining Cubs games. I put together a couple possible scenarios, one keeping Sabathia and Sheets on course to pitch as close to schedule as possible (theoretically the presumed rotation) and one that mixes up the rotation a little bit. I wonder how close this is to one of Yost's "top-secret scenarios". ** () indicate number of days rest if more than 4 Game Regular Rotation "Top-Secret" Rotation #1 "Top-Secret" Rotation #2 Wed 8/13 @SDP Thu 8/14 @SDP Fri 8/15 @LAD Sat 8/16 @LAD Sun 8/17 @LAD Mon 8/18 vHOU Tue 8/19 vHOU Wed 8/20 vHOU Fri 8/22 vPIT Sat 8/23 vPIT Sun 8/24 vPIT Tue 8/26 @STL Wed 8/27 @STL Fri 8/29 @PIT Sat 8/30 @PIT Sun 8/31 @PIT Mon 9/01 vNYM Tue 9/02 vNYM Wed 9/03 vNYM Thu 9/04 vSDP Fri 9/05 vSDP Sat 9/06 vSDP Sun 9/07 vSDP Mon 9/08 vCIN Tue 9/09 vCIN Wed 9/10 vCIN Thu 9/11 @PHI Fri 9/12 @PHI Sat 9/13 @PHI Sun 9/14 @PHI Tue 9/16 @CHC Wed 9/17 @CHC Thu 9/18 @CHC Fri 9/19 @CIN Sat 9/20 @CIN Sun 9/21 @CIN Tue 9/23 vPIT Wed 9/24 vPIT Thu 9/25 vPIT Fri 9/26 vCHI Sat 9/27 vCHI Sun 9/28 vCHI Sabathia Sheets Parra Bush Suppan Sabathia Sheets Parra Suppan Sabathia Sheets Parra (5) Suppan Sabathia (5) Sheets (5) Parra Bush (15) Suppan (5) Sabathia Sheets Parra Bush Suppan Sabathia Sheets Parra Bush Suppan Sabathia Sheets Parra (5) Suppan Sabathia Sheets Parra Suppan Sabathia Sheets Parra Bush (14) Suppan (5) Sabathia Sabathia Sheets Parra Bush Suppan Sabathia Sheets Parra Suppan Sabathia Bush (7) Sheets (6) Parra (6) Sabathia (5) Suppan (7) Bush (6) Sheets (5) Parra (5) Sabathia Suppan Bush Sheets Parra Sabathia Suppan Bush Sheets Parra Sabathia Suppan Sheets Parra Sabathia Suppan Bush (9) Sheets Sabathia Suppan Bush Sheets Parra (9) Sabathia Sabathia Sheets Parra Bush Suppan Sabathia Sheets Parra Bush (5) Suppan (5) McClung (?) Sabathia (7) Sheets (7) Parra (8) Bush (7) Suppan (7) Sabathia (5) Sheets (5) Parra Bush Suppan Sabathia Sheets Parra Bush Suppan Sabathia Sheets Parra Bush Sabathia Sheets Parra Suppan (8) Bush (5) Sabathia Sheets (5) Suppan Bush Sabathia Parra (8) Sheets This improves our matchups for almost every big series for the rest of the season and doesn't reduce the number of starts by Sabathia or Sheets. I think I like it if it's what Yost has up his sleaves. EDIT: Added a second "secret" scenario based off TauPentaRei's suggestion. Also edited the 1st "secret" scenario to get Parra in the final series against the Cubs (not sure if I like having him with that many days off though...). I like TauPentaRei's idea, but it does cut off one start for Sabathia...

Once Lawrie signs, we will have signed our first 26 picks of this draft, and if Knecht signs (is there a known holdup on this? Is he heading to Oklahoma State?) we'll have signed our top 30 picks! How rare is it to have that many high draft picks signed without a single no-sign?

25 of 55 according to baseball-reference.com

I'd do it, but they'd have to pick up about half his salary for next year. He'd provide us with some solid depth and help stabilize our potential rotation for next year.

http://old-wizard.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/mike.jpg Little Mac didn't stand a chance, at least not with the controller in my hands!

Might be a nice lefthanded bat off the bench with the expanded rosters in September.

Fair enough with the points on team chemistry and needing the surer thing for the playoff push, but I'd still prefer LaRoche to Hall after the season. If he's still available, maybe an offseason move would make sense. Then again, maybe the Dodgers aren't willing to deal LaRoche in the offseason.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/07/dodgers-showcas.html According to MLBTradeRumors.com, the Dodgers may be looking to trade Andy LaRoche for 3rd base/shortstop help. Do you think a deal could be put together involving Bill Hall? Possibly sending some relief help back as well? I know LaRoche hasn't lived up to his potential at the major league level in his limited opportunity, but the guy could be a rock at 3rd base for us in the future and has the potential of a 30 HR, .400 OBP kind of guy, IMO. If he's not ready to contribute this year in the playoff push, we could always bring up Joe Dillon to face lefties in a platoon with Branyan.

Okay, this is pretty simple guys... all you have to do is assume an expected winning percentage of the reversed strength of schedules listed above, then average that with each team's actual winning percentage at this point and extrapolate that for the rest of the season... nothing else should really be needed to figure this out. Team W L W% ExpW ExpL ExpW% AveW% RemW RemL EndW EndL EndW% Phillies 52 44 0.542 35 31 0.530 0.536 35.38 30.63 87.38 74.63 0.539 Mets 51 44 0.537 37 30 0.552 0.545 36.48 30.52 87.48 74.52 0.540 Marlins 50 45 0.526 29 38 0.433 0.480 32.13 34.87 82.13 79.87 0.507 Cubs 57 38 0.600 33 34 0.493 0.546 36.60 30.40 93.60 68.40 0.578 Cardinals 53 43 0.552 38 28 0.576 0.564 37.22 28.78 90.22 71.78 0.557 Brewers 52 43 0.547 44 23 0.657 0.602 40.34 26.66 92.34 69.66 0.570 Diamondbacks 47 48 0.495 54 13 0.806 0.650 43.57 23.43 90.57 71.43 0.559 Dodgers 46 49 0.484 53 14 0.791 0.638 42.72 24.28 88.72 73.28 0.548 Piece of cake.

Yay! Unfortunately, six of the eleven games in HD will be against the Pirates... but it's good to hear this at least:

That is absolutely ridiculous. Another way to look at it is if you consider 34 starts a full season of work (and 18 up to this point this season), beginning with their second seasons (presumably their first full time as a starter), Sheets has missed 40 starts in his last six and a half seasons compared to Harden missing 78 starts in four and a half seasons. Sheets has been disappointing on the injury front, but Harden's been worse and it's not even close.