The High Heat

I came here to relay the same info, but I got several at $4.49. The only release I'm missing now is 1974's Dylan.

P.S. Mark Prior finally retired.

The "Real Time" chapter is an uncomfortable read, to see someone coming unraveled like that.

I know Steinbrenner mercilessly jerked Martin around, knowing how desperately he wanted to be part of the Yankees, but behavior issues cost him his early jobs too. He only won one World Series. He did take Oakland back to the playoffs, but in doing so, he ruined the careers of his good, young pitchers by letting them complete most of their games. I know Billy Martin had a winning record, but the rude needed help, and knew how to wear out his welcome quickly.

Roy Halladay retired today. He was the best pitcher in the game just three years ago. He's 36. Teams tend to overlook this reality when handing out long-term contracts to guys in their 30's. LaRussa, Cox, and Torre were elected to the HOF. Steinbrenner, Billy Martin, and Marvin Miller were not. Don't think Martin should get in, don't know about Steinbrenner's worthiness, but Miller ought to be elected.

Word is Jay-Z almost blew it when he backed out of a nine year/$225M deal. It really pissed off the president of the Mariners. They should have let that door stay shut at that point. Owners have short term memories when it comes to lengthy contracts.

Which player and his contract would they rather have, Hamilton or Fielder? I'll take Prince's pounds over Josh's baggage any year. I don't give a screw what color they are.

Phillip Seymour Hoffman

Any other fans here? Never been one of those obsessive fans, but I used to listen to Frankie on the regular. Been a few years since I gave him a spin. For a change of pace, put Sinatra on last week, and it's basically all I've listened to since. I imagine I'll break out the Christmas albums soon. Warner seems to have blocked almost all of Sinatra's videos, so here's a construction worker/street performer singing one of my favorites, Summer Wind.

They wanted a short-term starter, a quality veteran who wouldn't block their prospects with a multi-year contract.

I like NY's signing of McCann better. Yankee fans are worried about signing Cano. With or without him, if they don't acquire about four quality pitchers, the Yanks are wasting their money. So much for avoiding the luxury tax threshold next season...

Reports are the trade of Ian Kinsler/Prince Fielder trade is official. Smart trade if true. www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/11/tigers-to-acquire-prince-fielder-for-ian-kinsler.html

Byrd's had an inconsistent career, he'll be 37 next season, and they added a vesting option for a third season. You don't rush to sign a guy like this. The GM meetings are not the winter meetings. Only one other player signed this week - Nick Punto with Oakland. The only players that sign early are guys who want to stay with their current team and guys who know they're not getting a better deal by waiting. The Phillies overpaid for a guy who'd be a better fit hit sixth in Baltimore or Kansas City for a year or two, not fourth or fifth for two or three seasons for a team that claims it will ret

I don't get it. At what point is mid-life if you don't know how long you'll live? Do future rock stars have a mid-life crisis at age 13.5 just in case they fall victim to that age 27 curse?

As a Phillies fan I try not to be a Reuben Amaro hater, but signing Marlon Byrd for two years? It's one thing to end up with him as a one year signing in January, but quite another to make him a priority right at the outset of the offseason while most clubs and teams are still feeling each other out. What's the consolation prize, that at least he's not Delmon Young?

From what I understand is that Turner Field wasn't in a desirable location, amongst other issues. It seems that there's not really a good place for traffic flow anywhere in Atlanta, so they're going with a mix use developmental area that is closest to the side of town their fans tend to live - the north side. Also, it appears the Braves will (at least partly) own and operate the new stadium. I didn't see this coming. The Braves will only get 20 years out of Turner Field, but I think Atlanta got what it wanted originally - the Olympics. They shouldn't have assumed the Braves would have staye

The Braves are moving out of downtown Atlanta and Turner Field, play in a new stadium in Cobb County starting in 2017. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/atlanta-braves-leaving-turner-field-for-new-ballpark-in-nearby-cobb-county?ymd=20131111&content_id=63830416&vkey=news_mlb Now if only Tampa and Oakland could only get new facilities...

So VC board member "Holy Shit" is actually your sister? Great story by the way!

A couple times a month, but a lot recently. I always come back to Wilco when the newness of whatever I dived into wears off.

I didn't have any Smog mixed in, but I did have California Stars!

This IS Speed Racer!

Pick the right show/artist for that honor. So you're looking at sometime in 2015 for this?

Been listening to Wilco mixes lately, definitely would include on this list: Wishful Thinking Muzzle of Bees Hell is Chrome Ashes of American Flags Impossible Germany Far, Far Away Pieholden Suite I Am Trying to Break Your Heart Laminated Cat Reservations Black Moon Less Than You Think Radio Cure Sunken Treasure (feels like a late fall/almost Winter cold, brisk day) Also, I haven't listened to Pot Kettle Black in a long time, and I wouldn't list it here - has more of a Spring feel to it. Let me just say I'm ashamed to admit that I had forgotten what a great song it is!

I'm not very far in, but I'm liking it. Russo is absolutely devoted to his mother, but so far he makes it clear that she was a walking contradiction. Plus you can see the influence that his childhood has in his novels.