Middle Buffalo

If you believe in the power of marketing and advertising, it's easy to argue the Cubs benefit greatly from the free publicity they get. Win or lose, the papers cover them, the local sports shows their highlights, and they are talked about on local radio. It's a bit of chicken or egg. Are people not interested in the Sox, so they aren't covered by the media? Or, is the lack of coverage the reason people supposedly aren't interested? The Blackhawks might be a good comparison. For so long, they were an afterthought. Home games not on tv, not covered on radio shows, and very little about them in the paper. Then Rocky took over, they hired McDonough, media coverage increased, home games on tv, etc. Of course, getting better helped, but there was a noticeable change in the perception prior to them winning. Not having a regular beat writer or someone local to talk about the Sox really hurts them.

Maddon protested yesterday's game against the Nats because of Sean Doolittle's double toe tap delivery. Maddon is so unlikeable. I agree with Doolittle's assessment of Maddon . "Sometimes he has to remind people how smart he is." https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/cubs/joe-maddon-goes-after-sean-doolittles-delivery-thats-exactly-what-i-was-told-carl-cant-do

Add in the Cubs winning the division in '84, the explosion of cable tv, and WGN being part of the national cable package...

How is the bat toss any more inflammatory than guys who hit doubles and then have some elaborate gesture that they make to the guys in the dugout? I know I've seen teams doing this in recent years. I think the Cubs were doing it a few years ago.

If that's the case, as much as it's used now, it shouldn't be such an offensive word these days.

The military is a cash cow for the wealthy and powerful. That's reason number one they are so "patriotic." And reasons 2, 3, and 4.

Debut with the Phillies on MLB network. Sox don't need that kind of attention.

I was at the game. Rodon was low 90s when I looked, but I wasn't really paying attention to that. Eloy was right in front of me. He's a big guy - doesn't move real well. No balls hit to him. Late in the game, Delmonico replaced Eloy in LF and crashed into the wall. He was carted off. I was thrilled to see the Sox big RF free agent get some action. Glad Kenny and Hahn went all in for Jon Jay.

Yep. With the low salary overhead the next few years, Sox could have matched the Phillies dollars and years and front-loaded the contract. $25M this year $40M the next two would leave them an average of $20M the next ten years. When "the core" is ready to re-up, Haprer's contract wouldn't have hindered the team from making financial commitments in the future. I can't get over how dumb they are.

Everyone knew they wanted $300 Million. If that was out of the Sox range, why pursue them at all? They needed to sign Harper as much for what he would have brought off the field as what he does on it. I just went to the ESPN Chicago page, and the most recent story about the Sox in the main page was 7 days ago when they signed Santana. The Sox would be a national story right now.

Yep. The Sox should have offered $330 over 10 years. I would have been fine with an opt out after 5 years. Unbelievable this Phillies offer got him.

I don't get it. $25 million/year got Harper? Seems like a bargain for one of the biggest stars in baseball.

I have plans to see the Sox three times in the next few weeks. I've gambled that tix will be available and cheap on the secondary market. If Bryce screws this up for me by signing with the Sox....

The Sox just need to make the best offer if they are interested in Harper. Nothing cute. Offer highest AAV, most total, and opt out after 5 years. If Harper turns it down, Hahn can simply and factually state the Sox made the best offer and the player chose to play elsewhere. The Sox have lots going for them that should be attractive to Harper. If he doesn't want to play for them, it almost doesn't matter what the offer is.

Added a few new podcasts: This Past Weekend with Theo Von - Comedy podcast. I've only listened to the ones with guests so far. He's from Real World or Road Rules. I saw him di standup a few years ago, and his show was one of the funniest I've seen live. Mobituaries wirh Mo Rocca - I listened to the first about a JFK impersonator. Well done. It's new, but if the rest are like this, I'll keep listening. McNeil and Parkins - The Bears success had me dip my toe back in the local Chicago radio scene. I've been downloading select portions of this show. I've always like Mac as a host (even though I'm pretty sure I wouldn't like him in person), and Parkins is a good cohost.

Greg the leg cost me $1600.

Manny and Bryce are quickly becoming my least favorite Sox. Sign somewhere, anywhere. I'm getting tired of checking this thread every few hours.

I won both total points in both Confidence Pools I entered this season. In one, I never won the weekly pot. In the other, I won two or three weeks in addition to the total.

The information he provides is great. It's peak level Steve Stone stuff. Romo's "enthusiasm" gets to be a little much. It's over the top.

They'll still give him the Benny the Bull at the airport treatment and a video montage before they cut him loose, no?

It's interesting that the final score of the NE/KC changes the narrative so drastically for everyone. With a 90 seconds left in the game, NE was down 28-24. Tom Brady threw his 3rd interception of the game. NE loses. Is Brady done? Why didn't Bellichik (fill in the blank)? Is the dynasty over? Gronk looks terrible.... Nobody would have questioned KC's game plan. Andy Reid would be returning to the Big Game. Mahomes is the future. KC overcame the loss of Hunt. But a guy lined up in the neutral zone (how does that happen?) and NE scores the go ahead. KC comes back and moves right down the field . They were a few seconds away from being able to take a shot at a TD for the win, but they had to settle for the FG and tie. Coin flip win by NE and the result was as predictable as a double doink. Of course, it's possible Brady throws another bad pick or KC finally gets to him for a strip sack. Maybe the refs don't call a phantom roughing the passer and the first down that comes with it is instead a third and long. Then we'd be back to paragraph two and three above. Total respect for Brady and the Pats, but I'm tired of them. I would much rather have seen a KC/LA game.

When ND was on the receiving end of a Clemson beat down, there was a lot of talk about them not belonging in the semi-final. Does Alabama not belong? Does anyone belong on the field with Clemson?

That's a good point about tickets. The Cubs are the only team that sells out regularly. So, tickets are easy to get. I recommend getting them on the secondary market. I picked up three Sox tickets for $12 total ($4/ea) using Seatgeek last year for a game at Camelback Ranch. I can't remember who they played.

If you are staying in Tempe, you'll be within a 20-25 minute drive of the As, Cubs, Rockies/Diamondbacks, Angels, and Giants home stadiums. Tempe and Scottsdale nightlife will be good for a young group. The Sox and most of the others are 45 minutes plus from Tempe. I suppose you could uber out to these sites, and I'll echo the Westgate nightlife being pretty good. It's a bunch of bars/restaurants located right near the Cards/Coyotes home stadiums. Not sure what it's like during Spring Training, but it's a good time for the hockey and football games.

Not a good time to be a 76 year old...