Duck-Billed Catechist

Nick Adenhart, a pitcher in the Angels organization, has died: http://your4state.com/content/fulltext/?cid=60432 They also had a fan die as a result of a fight at their stadium on opening day: http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/news/arti...sp&c_id=ana

Kate and I were there for that game, man. That thing walked around the whole field. I think Don Cooper snapped it with a towel. It was surreal.

DeWayne Wise leadoff experiment day one: 0-4, 3 Ks. Steve Stone in reference to a fastball he missed "If you can't hit that pitch, you're selling cars."

The Dugout is fun. Especially any one with Jim Thome: http://dugout.progressiveboink.com/archive/b77.html

Were people actually asking these questions?

Progressive is closer to an antonym of conservative than liberal is.

I forgot, also, that he hit 0 homeruns on the road last year.

For sure. But the Charlotte stadium is even smaller. Charlotte: Left Field = 326 Center Field = 400 Right Field = 325 Power Alleys = 365 US Celluar: Left Field - 330 ft (100.58 m) Left-Center - 375 ft (114.3 m) (Not Posted) Center Field - 400 ft (121.92 m) Right-Center - 375 ft (114.3 m) (Not Posted) Right Field - 335 ft (102.1 m) He'd never hit for more than 3 HRs before in a season--including college.

Yeah, I honestly don't get the Cleveland love. Can someone explain it to me? I figure it's going to be a lot like last year--there will be a couple of teams in the mid-to-high 80s who will battle for the division till the end. The type of division where it's surprising to see a consistent pick of anybody to win the division.

I was actually talking up Gordon Beckham, who won't see the majors till September if Getz and Ramirez are healthy and productive. What stats do you have in your league? I think Getz will be a high average, high OBP, low power guy. He should be hitting #1 or #2 all season if he succeeds--so he should be scoring some runs. Edit: http://www.thebaseballcube.com/Players/G/Chris-Getz.shtml Don't be fooled by the 11 HRs last year--the White Sox' AAA affiliate plays in a band box. He won't hit that many this year most likely. Josh Fields might be an interesting pick from the Sox if you want a ch

Orton was definitely one of the main problems. He is an average QB--not the type you win because of. As I said before, they have most likely fixed another one of their major problems in O-Line. They have a good running back in Forte. They have Cutler's main target from his last year in college in Earl Bennett (who may or may not pan out as an NFL receiver--hasn't been given the chance yet). Could they have plugged other holes and won with Orton? Maybe, but they wouldn't have won a Superbowl most likely.

I don't think they'll be in the Superbowl this year, but I would be surprised if they weren't in the playoffs. I generally think off the field stuff is overrated.

They didn't suck before. Why would they suck now? They were a mediocre team--7-9 one year and 9-7 the next. The definition of mediocrity. Their problems were at O-Line, D-line, QB, and receiver. They've added depth at O-Line through free agent signings and their number one draft pick from last year should be healthy (he was out all of 2008 with back surgery). They have filled 2 of 4 major needs and haven't drafted yet.

Does the deal get the Bears closer to a Superbowl? I think yes--and that's the only criteria that they should be judged on. A franchise QB is extremely difficult to get (especially for the Bears) and Superbowl teams have pro-bowl QBs 80-90% of the time. I guess we'll see.

Your poll is broke, do0d.

Some stories have the Bears giving rather than getting the 3rd--and receiving a 5th. Ok. That's official. Also, Bears just signed Orlando Pace.

Broncs: Cutler and 2009 3rd Round Bears: 2009 & 2010 1st and Orton It's fine. It's a good deal.

Bears just traded Orton + picks for Cutler!

I'm pretty sure he voted for the tobacco tax increase the first time around when Dubya vetoed it. I don't think he ever changed his position on the S-CHIP bill.

I decided at the last minute to do one. It was an autodraft, though I tweaked my preferences. I'm thinking I have a lack of power. It's R, HR, RBI, SB, AVG, W, SV, K, ERA, WHIP. 10 teams. SP Roy Halladay SP Ricky Nolasco RP Joba Chamberlain RP B.J. Ryan P F

From a White Sox board:

Well, Ozzie tried Nick Swisher at leadoff last year and said that base stealing isn't any good if you can't get on base. They seem to think that Wise, a career minor leaguer, has turned a corner at 31. Brian Anderson should probably be the full-time starter, given that he would be the only + defensive player on the field. He has 6 assists in ST.

White Sox will supposedly name Dewayne Wise the starting CF and leadoff hitter. Wtf if true. He should be platooning with Anderson (who is younger, superior defensively, and basically the same offensively) with both of them batting 9th, if anything. They should have Chris Getz leadoff. Dewayne Wise career MLB OBP: .254 Dewayne Wise career year (2008) OBP: .293 He has not drawn a single walk in spring training.

I think the stage takes a couple days to set up. Was Vertigo an indoor/arena tour as opposed to outdoor/stadium? That might be why they did the second dates so quickly.