Middle Buffalo

QUOTE (lostfan @ Jul 25, 2008 -> 05:33 AM) You still have to pay the bonus money regardless, or whatever the guaranteed amount is. What you don't have to pay is the base salary and the incentive money. Right. And GMs purposely make the contract longer in order to spread out the salary cap hit over a number of years, though. So a $6M signing bonus on a six year contract only counts $1M (plus the base salary) against the cap each year. By the fifth or sixth year, however, there's a good chance that the market will have changed or a player like Hester will totally out perform the contract. If players aren't able to holdout, management would basically win every contract because the lack of guaranteed contracts gives them the opportunity to get out of any bad situation risk free. It's the lack of guaranteed contracts makes it a necessity for players to holdout when they feel they are not being paid what they are worth. NFL players essentially have a one year contract. When we hear about a player signing a long term contract, we have to remember that it is basically just an accounting tool used to manage the salary cap. All that matters to the player in an NFL contract is the signing bonus.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 24, 2008 -> 06:12 AM) The NFL is the ONLY league where I can understand players trying to negotiate new contracts, because the contracts aren't guarenteed. once you get outside of the upfront money, you can tear up the deal at will if you are the team, and have no committment to the rest of the deal. Places like MLB, NBA, and NHL where the guys get all of the money they sign for are different. I used to hate all the holdouts, but now I agree with this. If a player uderperforms, the team can cut him and take the salary cap hit for one year (due to the signing bonus), but they don't have to pay any more money. If the player outperforms the contract, ahouldn't he be allowed to renegotiate to get market value for his services? In Hester's case, he wasn't picked in the first round. If that draft were held today, knowing what we know now, he would definitely be picked in the first round and get first round money that is slotted for the number that he was picked. So, Hester's only "crime" is that GMs weren't able to accurately predict his value. Players know when they sign contracts that they may never see the money on the back end of the deal. If Peyton Manning signs a 12 year contract eight years into his career, he knows he won't play the last several years of that contract, and he'll never see that money. The length of the contract is made for salary cap purposes in order to spread the signing bonus out over the length of the contract. FYI - I don't know the actual terms of Manning's contract. I just used that example to illustrate that GMs purposely make contracts long to make the signing bonus count less against the salary cap each year. Since the contracts aren't guaranteed, they can do this and not worry about having to pay the entire salary amount.

This is actually quite hard to do. The Sox have so many guys that were only on the team for 2 or 3 years, so even if I did like them, they lack longevity. They also were kind of a last stop for many players. The 1995 roster is really sad. Filled with guys who used to be someone. http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teamstats/...=1995&t=CHA

I got the easy .pdf to work by deleting it from my programs, and then re-downloading it.

I need to create a .pdf file, but I don't have a .pdf program on my computer. I used to be able to use a free download from easy .pdf creator, but it won't work now. Anyone have any links to a .pdf creator that I can download?

QUOTE (Controlled Chaos @ Jul 22, 2008 -> 11:56 AM) Yeah we went to both. Used to have our baseball pizza parties there. It's weird if you google nick and vito's there's a couple sites that call it that. If you look at the main website though they have a sign that says vito and nicks from like 1930 or something. I did a yahoo search and found it listed as Nick and Vito. http://local.yahoo.com/info-17449582-nick-...izzeria-chicago I'm confused. I usually make it a point to go to Palermo's when I go back to Chicago. Next time I'm making a trip to Nick &Vito's or Vito & Nick's. I've gotta get to the bottom of this.

QUOTE (Controlled Chaos @ Jul 22, 2008 -> 11:35 AM) I have no idea why, but I remember it as Nick and Vito's. I grew up at 79th and Pulaski and went there all the time. Have I lost my mind?? I remember it as Nick & Vito's, too. It was accross the parking lot from Groucho's. I don't know if I ever ate it, though. We always got Angie's (which was about a block down on the other side of the street.

My email account has a "spam" folder that fills automatically with junk emails. When I try to delete them, I get asked TWO times if I'm sure I want to delete them. One time, I get. Twice? Is that necessary?

Hurricanes were the only thing I ate in New Orleans. Of course, there are large patches of time that are missing from my memory - so it's possible, but unlikely, that some of the local food was sampled.

According to boardreader.com, soxtalk ranks just behind "unicyclist community" in the rankings of top sites. http://boardreader.com/pop/sites.html?o=1250 Hope ESPN doesn't get wind of this - it's hard enough getting Sox highlights as it is. Although, part of me wouldn't mind seeing a few unicycle highlights every now and then.

QUOTE (knightni @ Jul 17, 2008 -> 10:02 AM) There's a whole page! http://www.youtube.com/results?search_quer...p;oq=drunk+cubs I followed your link and found "my reason for hating cubs fans" It brought to mind something I've been wondering. When did the Cubs start the "Go Cubs Go" thing after wins? Is this new? I remember the song, but I don't ever remember it being a tradition that they play it after victories. This season is the first I've heard of it.

Stupid girls - cubs fans

Two things that stood out to me: 1) Francona misused F Rodriguez. He should have saved him and started the 9th inning with Rivera. That would have given them another pitcher in the event of extra innings. If the game "means something," the managers really have to manage the game with the idea that the game might go into extra innings. They shouldn't be so worried about clearing their benches and making sure everyone plays. Of course, that's why the fans voting and each team requiring at least one player on the team is a farce. If the game is going to count for something, the teams should be picked differently. 2) The tribute to Bobby Murcer was played in the extra innings. If the game had ended in nine, they wouldn't have done the tribute? Seems kind of weierd to have that and not play it during the first nine innings.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 16, 2008 -> 07:51 AM) I definately wouldn't take any kid under 18 there. This is exactly how I feel. When my wife made the arrangements, she apparantly forgot that we have three kids under 10. Now that the trip is inevitable, I'm looking for things to do in the immediate area to make it fun. We're driving from Mesa, AZ, so I think we'll stop at the Hoover Dam on the way there or back. We may take a less direct route back and hit Lake Havasu (for London Bridge - though hopefully I'll see a few "Girls Gone Wild"). We'll walk the strip a little at night, but kids can only walk so far before they start moaning. We'll hang out at the pool some, and my wife and I will probably take turns going to the casinos - unless we can get one of those girls from the cards that the illegals hand out to baby-sit. What I'm looking for here is things to do that don't include the casinos. I'd be willing to drive an hour and a half or so off the strip if there's anything worth doing. I don't expect this to be the typical Vegas roadtrip. Even when we get back, when asked, I'm pretty sure I won't be able to claim that I've ever been to Vegas.

QUOTE (mreye @ Jul 15, 2008 -> 12:08 PM) Timeshare presentation? Say it ain't so, Buffalo!! I know. I see this being a great disaster. I'll actually be looking forward to my 4 year old melting down and the timeshare people showing us to the door. It's gonna be classic.

Somehow my wife was talked into booking a few days in Vegas by one of those ads that plays on the radio promising a free room if you check out a timeshare or something. Anyway, we're going in a few weeks with the family (9,6, and 4 yrs old) and staying at the Stratosphere (I think), and I'm wondering what we'll do with them while we're there. I don't think we'll do much gambling, which is fine because I don't find it enjoyable. Any suggestions about what a family can do for enjoyment in the Vegas area? We'll have a car, so a little drive isn't a problem.

QUOTE (Jenksismyb**** @ Jul 14, 2008 -> 08:17 AM) http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3485871 I know a lot of people hated his work, but I enjoyed Billy Packer. Maybe it's just nostalgia, but I also like Billy Packer as an analyst. I've heard him on the radio, and agree that he's a jerk, but I do like him calling games. I feel the same way about Tim McCarver. It's popular to dislike him, as well, but I like hearing him during the playoffs and World Series. I get that he points out the obvious, but I think that he does that because the audience for national games is a lot less hardcore, so some of the finer points of the game that most fans are familiar with need to be spelled out for casual fans. I'll miss Billy. Not as much as I miss Al McGuire, but I will miss him calling the big game. I wish they'd replace the Luther Vandross version of "One Shining Moment" with the original while they're at it. The original was much better. I highly recommend "you-tubing" "One Shining Moment." I think all of the versions from the past 20 years are available.

QUOTE (Gregory Pratt @ Jul 14, 2008 -> 11:51 AM) Pedro Martinez is having tightness in his shoulder again, and I am starting to think that he is done, too. I happen to believe that he's had a career to be proud of as well, but I only think he's the very best pitcher of all-time. The Subject of my Most Disliked Sports Illustrated Cover is Not Making It Look So Easy Anymore, Is He? -- Jeff Francoeur... Your sentance about Pedro is oddly written. I'm pretty sure you're saying that you think Pedro is the best pitcher of all time, but the way it's worded is a little awkward. I'd also disagree with the sentiment. As a Sox fan, the "Most Disliked SI cover" award should go to the Tom Brady/Peyton Manning cover that previewed a mid-season NFL game the week that the Sox won the World Series. The Sox were relegated to a little box in the corner, and all things being equal, I'm sure that wouldn't happen to the Red Sox or Cubs.

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ Jul 14, 2008 -> 08:11 PM) I love watching him play, but I don't think it's a feel good story when he was a hardcore druggy. That's something he brought upon himself. Sorry. What you said is true, but that doesn't make his recovery less remarkable. What he is choosing to do now is live an exemplary life and be a good example. I'm sure every day is a struggle for him. There's an odd thing when it comes to drugs and alcohol, and that's that you never really know how your body will react to them until you try them. I don't think most people set out to be addicts. Some people drink and get drunk often, but they aren't "addicted." They just like to party. Other people might drink the exact same amount, but they get hooked. They need to drink. They can't stop. Why? It's the same with drugs. Some people try pot or coke or whatever else, and they don't get hooked. Josh Hamilton did get hooked, and he almost threw his career and family and God knows what else away. He's straightened out his life, and I, for one, hope is able to stay clean and sober.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Jul 12, 2008 -> 06:59 AM) I really enjoyed the piece. One thing I would have loved to hear his response to when he talked about guys being babied,pitch counts. etc. would have been he wasn't exactly a poster boy as to why you shouldn't do those things. He was essentially done when he was 30. Maybe he would have had a second half to his career if he was monitored more closely. He probably wouldn't have cared. Guys that are as competitve as him like to finish what they start and get out of their own messes. Black Jack had as great of an attitude on the field as anyone who ever played. If I recall correctly, McDowell had hip or back problems at a very early stage of his career. I don't think it would have mattered if he threw a few less pitches or innings. He was basically destined to have a short career. Here's a portion of an interview on WSI regarding his hip problem. "ML: After an impressive debut in 87 (Author’s Note: 4 games, 3-0 record, 1.98 ERA in 28 innings), you struggled the next two years. Didn’t you have some type of hip injury that really hurt you? JM: "It wasn’t really a hip injury, and it may have been my fault for not explaining it better at the time. I was born with an arthritic hip. I’ve had it all my life and learned to play with it. I adjusted my mechanics for it. After my rookie season, the Sox tinkered with those mechanics and it did certain things to my motion. That caused me to start having some problems with the hip. I tried to adjust to what they wanted and I realize the coaches were only trying to help, but it wasn’t good for me. I know they didn’t want me to hurt my arm but I also realized that I had to pitch the way I wanted. I’ve seen guys throw all kinds of different ways and that has nothing to do with who gets hurt. It happens. The best coaches are the ones who work with you on the mental aspects of the game not the physical. That’s what gets you to the majors and that’s why you win. The best coach I ever had was Rick Peterson. When the Sox let him go, it was a real shame." http://www.whitesoxinteractive.com/rwas/in...=11&id=2085 It's very similar to Kerry Wood having arm problems. I remember when he was very young, Steve Stone said he would have arm problems because of his release. It put too much strain on his arm. As for the RJ vs McDowell argument for Cy Young in '93, numbers can sometimes be deceiving. I'm not saying RJ was unworthy, but McDowell was the type of guy who wasn't afraid to give up 4 runs if he was spotted a 5 run lead. http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/gl.cg...ar=1993&t=p Of course, I'm a Sox fan, so I'm biased.

QUOTE (Whitewashed in '05 @ Jul 11, 2008 -> 03:51 PM) That's a good idea. At minimum I would like to hear what Hawk and DJ have to say. Hawk: "Yaz said the same thing in '65." DJ:

QUOTE (Rex Hudler @ Jul 11, 2008 -> 09:14 AM) Better this week. Ate wel after the 4th weekend and worked out everyday from Sat thru Thursday. Weighed in at 291 today (5 pounds this week) for a total drop of 71 pounds to date. Only 29 more to go to the century mark! That's awesome. I keep dropping and gaining and then ending up the same each week. I really don't have terrible habits, but I tend to get sick of drinking water all day (I work outside), so I kill myself with drinks (basically any and everything).

QUOTE (SoxFan562004 @ Jul 11, 2008 -> 11:41 AM) OK, going to Ireland for a 10 day trip on July 24. I have never traveled to Europe so I have 2 main questions: 1. Any advice on things to do in Ireland? We will hit up the touristy things and I'm going with a group that will have fun, but I want to know if anyone has any unique advice on things to do there. 2. Money conversion. Yes, I know the exchange rate is going to kill me, but it is what it is. Should I get traveler's checks? Should I convert to Euro's here? Should I use my ATM there? Thanks in advance for the help. My parents are going the same time. I don't recall why, but my mom said that she used to use traveler's checks, but was told not to. I'm pretty sure she'll be using the ATM there, but I think you need a Diner's Club card.

Very cool. By far, my favorite Sox player of all time.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Jul 11, 2008 -> 09:47 AM) I think the rest was just added on by the kids in my neighborhood. I don't remember what "no false in" meant, but "no no takes" meant you had to return the ball and couldn't demand a do-over for a better throw. Kickoffs were preceded with "Warning - Kickoff!" We always settled the worst of disputes in football with a DGO - down goes over.