True CryM

The BFA (Baby Faced Assassin) with another great outing. This time with only 1 walk. 5 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 6 K. Edit: Bucci gets a little nicked up in the 6th. Leadoff double, eventually sacrificed in. Re-Edit: After the fireworks, namely poor fielding, Bucci's final line is still respectable.

Another guy from the T-Rats staff, Nick Bucci. As noted in the latest Power 50, his peripherals are less than stellar but his results are the best in the organization.

I think it's more than apparent now that the writers didn't have a complete plan. The whole rift between the religious writers and the technology/time travel writers may have confused things as well.

I guess. I'm still not sure how to comprehend the ending. I don't like that Penny and Juliet were in the final church scene. Also, when did Rose and Bernard get the "feeling" in the flash sideways? And, the giant omission by the writers - Walt. No closure or any real insight into his story.

Didn't watch the game or anything, but Rivas's stuff must have been pretty electric. Hitting two, walking three, while only allowing one run on two hits is pretty impressive. Especially since it was against some very formidable foes within the Mariners organization. Mike McClendon remains spotless on the year. I remember once upon a time he was considered an OK prospect with the WV Power. Maybe he's the next Tim Dilliard - just good enough to remain in the system, but not good enough to break through.

Wow, that's quite an impact. I guess McClendon getting innings is the most important part, and the trip from Nashville to Huntsville is a long one, but man, isn't his early performance enough to warrant some form of continuity? Isn't McClendon still considered a prospect?

At 42 years old, Hoffman is way too experienced to let the catcher dictate the pitches he wants to throw. He'll throw the pitch he wants, not what the catcher wants. His problems thus far are not being good enough with his fastball. He's just not locating it enough to be effective. Once he starts hitting corners consistently, the changeup will become devastating again. His stuff isn't any different than it's been for the last three years. It's his location that's off.

Jones threw 98 pitches yesterday. Granted, it was only in 3.1 innings, but I think Money was trying to win the game more than watch his pitch count.

You missed the point. All I meant was that it's an intense workout. You suggested benching, squating and a few other things. Those exercises are fine, but they aren't close to the workout you'd get with p90x. If you're one of those people who's extremely self motivated, where you can go to the gym and cruise through sets, then that's great for you. I, on the other hand, get bored quickly. If I'm not engaged by the program, I'll waste more time between sets and go more days between workouts. I've never paid for a trainer, but I've had quite a few through sports. Trainers are useful for motivation and tailoring workouts. I'd never trust that to a bodybuilding forum.

I've been doing this workout for a while now and have a few different opinions than some of the other posters. First, maybe this is nitpicking, but I think there's a big difference between getting "buff" and getting "cut". When I think of buff, I think body building and increase in body mass. When I think cut, I think chiseled and body definition. P90X is not designed to get you huge. There isn't alot weight training involved, so if you're looking to bulk up, this probably isn't the program for you. That being said, P90X will get you in the most chiseled shape of your life, if you can follow the program. A large majority of the workouts are based around pull ups, push ups and sit ups. Basic moves, but you won't find any other exercises that hit so many muscle groups at the same time. Second, I agree that with most workouts, a change in diet is the most important part - maybe 80%. I don't believe that applies to P90X. Maybe it's 50/50, but again, if you do all the workouts, you could eat McDonald's 3-4 times a week and still see results. The reason being is the program's intensity, which I found to be the most difficult and in turn, the most rewarding aspect. Yes, diet is huge, but not 80%. There is a detailed nutrional video included in the program. Third, if you aren't in some sort of shape right now, P90X will be difficult pick up right away. It's one thing to go to the gym and start bench pressing. It's another thing to start pulling/pushing your entire body weight for multiple sets. I'd strongly suggest to those who haven't seriously worked out for a while, to start doing pull ups and push ups for at least a week prior to starting the program. I'd estimate you do a total of 150-200 pull ups in the shoulder-back workout and 400-500 pushups in the chest-arm workout, depending on your initial rep count. Overall, I think it's a really, really good program. You'll work every muscle of your body while improving your cardio as well as your flexibility through the various stretching and yoga routines. You do have to realize it is a 6-7 day a week program. And for those really wanting to go crazy, there's a two-a-day workout plan. The one thing I can't comment on is the cost. I was lucky enough to have my girlfriend purchase it and use it as my own. The total package has around 8-10 DVD's, so each workout is on a separate disc. My girlfriend primarily does the yoga and cardio routines, so you do have the flexibility to create your own workout. Personally, I never liked going to the gym. I hated driving to the gym and waiting for machines or weights which were either A) Too crowded B) Too sweaty or C) Not working properly. So, with this, I didn't have to worry about any of those, and I got a great personal trainer without having to worry about scheduling or paying an additional cost. And, yeah, the guy is kind of annoying, but his enthusiasm eventually rubs off on you.

Mike Jones getting roughed up so far, 3.1 IP, 4 ER, 2HR. Edit: Jones removed after 98 pitches, 51 for strikes. Final line of 3.1 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 3BB, 2 SO.

Brevard has a nasty arsenal of arms. Between Rogers, Rivas, Anundsen, Merklinger, Periard, Bowman, Fiers, Rapoza and a few others, the big league club could have a very similar look in the next few years. At the same time, the lack of legitimate prospects in Nashville makes one wonder if any of their starters (save Jones) will be around this time next year.

I've read reports that say Rivas runs his fastball upwards of 95 mph and that his secondary stuff is what he'll need to improve in order to be an effective starter. After Baseball America gave him "best change up" in the FSL, I'm wondering what about his stuff isn't considered top of rotation?

Wallace has a line-drive swing. He's not going to "develop" more power, as he's been the same size for the past three years. If anything, he'll start swinging for the fences more often. Wallace has also only been playing 3rd base for a season and a half (including his final college season), so it's not like he's in stick-or-switch mode.

I don't think anyone is claiming there isn't such thing as mental addiction, but as far as addictive things go, marijuana is pretty low on the list. I could be mentally addicted to BF.net, but it would be much harder to quit cigarettes or alcohol - things that have physiological evidence supporting their addictiveness.

There's misleading information here. In "Reefer Madness" Schlosser says that Marijuana users are more likely to experiment later with psychoactive drugs, but a direct cause-and-effect relationship has yet to be proven. So there is a correlation, but not a definite conclusion. Schlosser also states that 25 to 50 percent of marijuana used in the US is grown here, not almost 100%. Finally, Schlosser states that "plausible estimates" of the marijuana crop range from 4 billion to 25 billion. A median value of 14.5 billion is a more accurate approximation of an inaccurate measurement.

Prince should be pinch-run for here.

The A's are stacked with top end pitching talent. As appealing as Braddock is, it doesn't address their biggest issue - Shortstop. With Cardenas most likely to stay at 2b and Orlando Cabrera putting up an OPS of .593, the A's should be looking for a better option in the very near future. I realize they just drafted Grant Green, but he's probably two years away from making an impact. He also may project better at 3rd. I have no idea if this is even feasible, but some combination of Holliday and top end pitching for Hardy and Hart would seem like a pretty good deal. I have no faith in Hart improving his OB%, something Holliday has always excelled at. I think the trade off of Hart and Hardy's offense for Holliday and Escobar's offense would be a wash for the present, and a large improvement for the future.

I had the pleasure of watching Leake throughout college. As his numbers indicate, he stacks up with any college pitcher in terms of results. He doesn't have a huge frame, but simply knows how to pitch. Great control, great poise. Great pick by the Reds.

No. If Gamel is going to be up in the Majors he needs to have some regular playing time. The Brewers can't be wasting Gamel by sitting him on the bench.I don't think so. If he's the best hitter in the organization without a set position, there's no reason he can't be the first PH and get spot starts. He's not going to help the Brewers by playing in Nashville. Another option would be to platoon Gamel with Hall, and have Counsell be the first PH. I'd be OK with that.

Lucroy has not passed Salome. When comparing a bad season to an even worse season, there's no reason to adjust either player's stock.

I think he's a better option than Casey McGehee and Craig Counsell. I'd have him hit seventh or, if he could focus on getting on base, have him leadoff. He'd instantly be the best option to steal. Platoon Counsell and Hall at 3rd, and have Gamel be the first option off the bench.

Heether has had 26 stolen bases (against 16 CS) in 7 minor league seasons. I don't see how he could be considered a factor on the base paths with that amount of inactivity. Any improvement in a Heether for McGehee swap would be minimal at best.

I saw a pretty big fight at the last Dbacks Cubs game. And this was in Arizona. In my opinion, the kid was asking for it, but I'm also a biased Brewer fan. The Cubs fan couldn't have been more than 130 pounds soaking wet and refused to let these three guys watch an at bat in peace. "Let's Go Cubbies" and "F the Dbacks" for the first four innings without a pause. After that. the Cubs fan started questioning some fan's allegiance because he wasn't decked out in Dbacks gear. That went on for two innings. After the cubs scored another run, the kid decided to move down to the Dbacks fan's row and scream in his face. The guy apparently had had enough. One push, one push back, and the cubs fan got clocked. A bunch of his buddies jumped in and there was an all out brawl for about 30 seconds until the police showed up. I thought the tasers were going to come out, but there was no such luck. Typical Cubs fan.

Great stuff. Thanks for the responses.