35thstreetswarm

Grow up. First, I'm not playing the game, my "attitude" doesn't matter, and neither does yours. Second, it's a 162-game season. We'll lose dozens of games even under the best of circumstances. I hope we win, but this is a bad pitching matchup and one of those games where a loss would not be a huge deal -- which is certainly a healthier and more realistic "attitude" than whining and crying after every loss like most in the game threads. Third, it's "worst."

I think Leury has gotten unfairly lumped in with the Nick Williamses and Lambs in the (justified) chorus of lineup complaints -- he's a great super-sub. Everybody seemed to agree on that last year but fans are fickle. We're lucky to have such a solid player with such versatility, especially with the injuries we've had.

Expecting a loss and readying myself to be fine with it.

One of the most exciting thing about this team are all the potential "windfall" type contributors we seem to have. I feel like teams that go deep often have at least one player who comes out of nowhere to dominate, fill a huge hole, and push the team over the top. 2005 had Contreras and Jenks (really even more than that). The Cubs had Arrietta and Schwarber at the end. There are guys lined up to fill that role for us: Mercedes, Rodon, Kopech -- even Cease, Vaughn to some extent.

Wow, again?

We’re leading the league in runs and run differential and we’re the ones with “spotty hitting”?

Such a big game for Cease. Man, if he can pick it up along with Rodon, look the f out

Must admit it must have been hard to choose Giolito as your token sunshine story to preserve credibility ("see, I'm not negative about everything, I like the worst pitcher in baseball for God's sake!") only to see him turn around and actually become good. You should try Lopez, I have a feeling he won't disappoint

My thoughts exactly. I get the sense that people talking that way have not been to a lot of bars. Where is this analogous sports bar full of whining, bitchy, tantrum-throwing neurotics so I can avoid it? At most bars people -- believe it or not -- reserve their venom for the *other* team and homer out about their own. You know, like fans? I know exactly one person who talks like game thread posters at bars, and people go out of their way to avoid watching games with him. Go to a bar and start whining at every pitch, calling established stars garbage, talking about tearing down loaded teams based on one loss, etc. See where that gets you.

Please tell me I'm out of the fire and back in that cozy frying pan

I disagree with Tony's decisions in a purely professional sense, and have no basis to comment about his personality or character, which I will assume are exemplary.

Well, you can't accuse him of playing his bench players too much...when he plays them so much that they're starters

Going to try to get used to this.

I see Crochet's on the IL. I'm really bearish on him. I think more than likely his arm falls off, or maybe it doesn't and he's a guy who throws...mid 90s, like everybody else in the majors nowadays. Hope I'm wrong but I think last year's No. 1 pick was a huge whiff.

some room for interpretation here, but this doesn’t exactly sound like “I’ve got 100 in the tank whenever I want it, I’m just sacrificing velocity for longevity and control”.

By the way, if “would I say this about my mother” is the standard for a suspension-worthy post, you’ve just shut down Soxtalk. So that’s even less helpful.

Thanks for the platitudes, but an answer to my question would be better.

This is clearer, thanks.

Kind of a smarmy response to a genuine question about your (if we’re being blunt now) poorly formulated and incoherent guidance about the rules of the board. You’re also missing the point. Nobody needs help differentiating between being critical and “personal attacks.” The issue is that “personal attacks” — on players, managers, owners, posters — make up close to a majority of posts on the board, let alone game threads. As a result, I think folks suspect the actual “line” is located somewhere other than where you claim to have drawn it, and would like to know where it is. Anyway, why don’t you address one of my examples for those of us who don’t find the rule so blindingly self-evident? Take this one: calling TLR a drunk is clearly a personal attack. It’s also about 20% of the posts in any given game thread. Is it now over the line and suspension-worthy? If the answer is you won’t or can’t define the standard and want to maintain maximum discretion as an admin, fine. Just say that.

Mine says pretty clear after 8 or so (until much later)

"Pssst...his fastball and changeup are now the same pitch!"

That's insane, but nice comments to points ratio!

What kind of attention?

The crazy thing is I don't think you're joking. Anyway, it's really not. And if you think it is, please indulge me and address where the three examples I cite land on your scientific "asshole" spectrum.

I agree with the sentiment and idea, but if I may -- this guidance needs to be clearer as "personal attacks" is an extremely broad category that encompasses about 90% of what's in a losing game thread. Wishing for a specific person's death (!!) obviously, and comically, over the line. "[Insert player] is an idiot" is a clear personal attack but I can't imagine it will result in a ban. "[Insert manager] is a drunk" is somewhere in between and I legitimately don't know whether that falls into what you're describing. Just my $.02