Sunday Open Thread for Everything: Rafael Betancourt, Nicole Jaracz and Doris Lessing Edition

I don't know

I guess I kind of like 'em all.

by Moose Tacos on Oct 14, 2007 2:40 PM EDT reply actions

Office Space

"I celebrate the guy's entire collection!"

Rock Chalk Talk for pretty good KU College Baseball Coverage

by James Quinn on Oct 14, 2007 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Wake me up

Before you go-go. I asked for that song at my wedding.

As long as this is an open thread, check out these awesome pics of the new Sprint Center in downtown Kansas City and try to imagine how awesome it would be to have this kind of atmosphere 81 days a year for Royals games.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Oct 14, 2007 2:52 PM EDT reply actions

If It Has To

Be "Wham", it's "Wake Me Up....", but for George solo "I Gotta Have Faith".

Being a fan is irrational, but what is the alternative?

by philofthenorth on Oct 14, 2007 3:14 PM EDT reply actions

I also like Last Christmas

shocked that the Chefs are winning, btw

I know nothing about this team week to week

by Freneau on Oct 14, 2007 3:21 PM EDT reply actions

Betancourt was money last night

That effing cheater.

PS: Eric Gagne and Javier Lopez can be released today? Hopefully?

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Oct 14, 2007 3:23 PM EDT reply actions

its like...

the crowd totally gave up on that game, but i didnt feel like the lead was safe until Gutierrez's HR

borowski is that bad

by Freneau on Oct 14, 2007 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Borowski's a high wire act, for sure.

I don't know why Betancourt hasn't been closing. The positive, I guess, is that he probably ends up in the game in more high leverage situations...like last night's game.

We got two on in the bottom of the 11th, so yeah, Gutierrez's hit really was the one that ended it.

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Oct 14, 2007 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions

i really think

if i was managing against the RED SOX, I would just IBB Ortiz everytime, Manny or no Manny

by Freneau on Oct 14, 2007 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Lefties could do relatively okay

against him this year. Righties...yeah...you may be right.

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Oct 14, 2007 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Wham

I like Everything She Wants.

by joezdeb on Oct 14, 2007 3:30 PM EDT reply actions

nice

Father Figure is also a good choice

by Freneau on Oct 14, 2007 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions

anyone watching the bears game?

I am sorta a bears hater...

by Freneau on Oct 14, 2007 3:42 PM EDT reply actions

The Vikings

They're so hard to figure out week-to-week: play-off caliber defense, great young running back, and an abjectedly horrible passing game.

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Oct 14, 2007 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions

they have great lines

and nothing else

Anyone but Terry

by FireBell on Oct 14, 2007 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Devin Hester

Is simply amazing. That run was like a Tecmo Bowl run or something.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Oct 14, 2007 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Indians-Red Sox is gonna be interesting

You would think the RS would punish the hell out of Westbrook and Byrd, but you can never be sure.

by Freneau on Oct 14, 2007 3:58 PM EDT reply actions

Dice-K is dog tired

I fully expect another 19 runs to be scored tomorrow.

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Oct 14, 2007 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions

go cowboys

all boston teams must lose

Anyone but Terry

by FireBell on Oct 14, 2007 5:52 PM EDT reply actions

NOOOOOOOOOO

We will stand, and fight!

(for best results, be scottish and snarl when you read this)

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Oct 14, 2007 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Wham

Don't forget the cheesy "Last Christmas"- an 80s holiday classic!

by cookierojas73 on Oct 14, 2007 6:08 PM EDT reply actions

this is a great game

cowboys-pats that is

looks like NE still can't stop a hot QB, ala Indy last year

Anyone but Terry

by FireBell on Oct 14, 2007 6:27 PM EDT reply actions

Just wait 'til Romo goes all Favre

and heave-hos two picks on consecutive drives.

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Oct 14, 2007 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions

i feel a rockies win tonight

en route to a boring as hell sweep

by Freneau on Oct 14, 2007 6:31 PM EDT reply actions

Well,

Fogg stinks. So there's that...

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Oct 14, 2007 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Fogg stinks?

Just to argue a point here, but Fogg has a 60-60 major league record with a 4.90 ERA. He has gone 21-18 with an ERA just above 5.00 over the last two years in Colorado. That just doesn't stink. It is not great, or even that good, but it doesn't emit a stench.

It is really pretty damn average for a #3 starter, as his is salary ($3.6M this year). The Royals can only hope that De la Rosa becomes Josh Fogg in the next couple of years.

Rock Chalk Talk for pretty good KU College Baseball Coverage

by James Quinn on Oct 14, 2007 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions

All right, you got me.

But he is definitely below average. His ERA+ this year was 96, and the only time his ERA has been better than average was 11 innings in his rookie year. That's not really what I would think of as "average for a third starter."

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Oct 14, 2007 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Fogg

I guess I am just reacting to what I see as the unreasonable expectations I sometimes see for starting pitchers. I think most casual fans expect a #3 starter to gobble up about 170 innings, win 10 or 12 games and keep their ERA between 4.5 and 5. The thing is, that #3 starter is exceptional now, not average. Fogg is probably right about average now for a #3.

There was a nice column I saw earlier this year on BP or maybe BTT which charted out what exactly the average #1, #2, #3, #4 and #5 starters gave in today's game. I can't remember the actual numbers but I think the "average" #4 and #5 starters now are guys who win 6 or 7 games, have ERA over 5 and give the team between 100 and 120 innings. De la Rosa was about an average #4 starter last year. Wow.

Keeping that in mind, boy does a rotation of Meche, Bannister and Grenkie look good. The Royals might have three starters next year who keep their ERA's under 4.00 and work 550 combined innings. I really hope that all comes together.

Rock Chalk Talk for pretty good KU College Baseball Coverage

by James Quinn on Oct 14, 2007 7:06 PM EDT up reply actions

How good is your #4 starter

Here is the link to the story. It is called "How good is your #4 starter" by Jeff Sackman and was published by the Hardball Times.

Here are the results for the AL in terms of ERA.
#1 - 3.70
#2 - 4.24
#3 - 4.58
#4 - 5.09
#5 - 6.22

I remember seeing a longer study, which may have been a follow up to this one. It covered innings pitched and W-L record. If I track that one down I'll post a link.

Rock Chalk Talk for pretty good KU College Baseball Coverage

by James Quinn on Oct 14, 2007 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions

very interesting

by LeoBloom on Oct 14, 2007 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I had actually seen that before

and it was good work. Kudos for looking it up.

So Fogg's really kinda between average for a three and average for a four. That makes sense.

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Oct 14, 2007 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions

I should've added

that he's still below average for a three, which was what a said before. If you're below average for the middle spot of the rotation (according to that study), you're certainly servicable but not quite a LAIM.

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Oct 14, 2007 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions

To quibble a bit further,

Fogg's ERA is right around 5.00, but he does pitch a lot of innings. I think he has been right around 170 over the last few years. And since he pitches in Colorado, his ERA might be a bit inflated. Fogg might be an eh #3, or a pretty decent #4.

Rock Chalk Talk for pretty good KU College Baseball Coverage

by James Quinn on Oct 14, 2007 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions

my apologies

I think the link I posted was a bad one. Here is a direct link:

http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/how-good-is-your-4-starter/

Rock Chalk Talk for pretty good KU College Baseball Coverage

by James Quinn on Oct 14, 2007 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh,

and get those pitcher wins outta my face! :P

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Oct 14, 2007 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Did you get my email and are in?

by grudz69 on Oct 14, 2007 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Yep

I'm the Stat Zombies. I apparently play Will in the first game.

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Oct 14, 2007 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions

the excitement is building

by Freneau on Oct 14, 2007 8:10 PM EDT reply actions

Jason Smith Rules

http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/story/2007/10/10/18327/742

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Oct 14, 2007 8:11 PM EDT reply actions

Livan v. Fogg

Which bad-but-not-malodorous starter does better tonight? Predictions?

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Oct 14, 2007 8:13 PM EDT reply actions

fogg

all the way

by Freneau on Oct 14, 2007 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I predicted the Rox to win it all

but it will be funny (and equally plausible) if it all suddenly and spectacularly falls apart for them

tonight could be the start of that

did anybody else think Livan Hernandez was no longer a ballplayer? How can these two guys be starting in the NLCS?

formerly known as 'tfn'

by Free Willie Aikens on Oct 14, 2007 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I have no idea

fate conspires to bring them together for Game 3.

And I really don't think Arizona's got much left. Rox win again.

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Oct 14, 2007 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Wow

Is tonight's DBacks line-up the worst ever in an NLCS?

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Oct 14, 2007 8:39 PM EDT reply actions

Fogg almost got his head taken off

but instead of a decapitation it's a double play.

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Oct 14, 2007 8:42 PM EDT reply actions

Rockies dodged a bullet there!

Fogg made a good play on that line drive.

I wonder if they will be able to get the whole game in tonight. It is raining already and I understand there is nothing but rain in the forecast.

Rock Chalk Talk for pretty good KU College Baseball Coverage

by James Quinn on Oct 14, 2007 8:44 PM EDT reply actions

Darth Vader doesn't want to know either way

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YwLQSTo_ow

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Oct 14, 2007 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Damn, what a jerk!

I was on the fence about Darth, but no more. That was just rude.

Rock Chalk Talk for pretty good KU College Baseball Coverage

by James Quinn on Oct 14, 2007 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Truly heinous

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Oct 14, 2007 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes, Chip

'Zona found a hole in Holliday's swing in Game 2. Now he'll never hit a homer again and-

Whoops.

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Oct 14, 2007 8:48 PM EDT reply actions

Holiday goes yard in the first inning.

Rockies 1-0. That will keep that soggy crowd involved for a while.

Rock Chalk Talk for pretty good KU College Baseball Coverage

by James Quinn on Oct 14, 2007 8:50 PM EDT reply actions

Crap, I looked away.

Was that really a DP or just a generous call?

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Oct 14, 2007 9:05 PM EDT reply actions

1977 Royals mention!

Last team to go 19-1 after Sept. 20 until Rox.

And as they pointed out: Clint Hurdle on that team.

by mazoboom on Oct 14, 2007 9:07 PM EDT reply actions

Royals, getting the love!

Do you know what else the Royals have in common with the 2007 Rockies? The Royals would kick the crap out of the Diamondbacks as well!

Rock Chalk Talk for pretty good KU College Baseball Coverage

by James Quinn on Oct 14, 2007 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions

The Big Blue Machine

I remember that summer unbelievably well

I was just-turned teenager, I though the Royals would never lose again

formerly known as 'tfn'

by Free Willie Aikens on Oct 14, 2007 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I think Reynolds

is actually going to be quite good for the D-Backs in the near future. Maybe we can grab Chad Tracy.

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Oct 14, 2007 9:09 PM EDT reply actions

While I'm talking about managers...

If the WS is Indians-Rockies, Wedge will have had to face the two teams he played for: Boston and Colorado.

by mazoboom on Oct 14, 2007 9:10 PM EDT reply actions

wedge is only 39?

how in the hell is that possible

he looks 60

by Freneau on Oct 14, 2007 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions

He dies his hair

it's the only plausible explanation.

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Oct 14, 2007 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions

His beard has turned white by some of his

extra-inning postseason games.

by mazoboom on Oct 14, 2007 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Or maybe he didn't realize

that "salt-and-pepper beard" was a description, not a grooming method.

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Oct 14, 2007 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Caray mentions fielding %

fun

i may need to turn the sound off

by Freneau on Oct 14, 2007 9:21 PM EDT reply actions

Chip is an ass

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Oct 14, 2007 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions

the saints are up 21-0

by Freneau on Oct 14, 2007 9:30 PM EDT reply actions

please explain how the Chiefs won another game

it defies all logic

formerly known as 'tfn'

by Free Willie Aikens on Oct 14, 2007 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Um

The Bengals' defense is on par with the Maginot Line.

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Oct 14, 2007 9:33 PM EDT up reply actions

He just did it again

Now, the Rockies were verrry good defensively, but that's not the stat to make that point.

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Oct 14, 2007 9:33 PM EDT reply actions

Maybe Josh Fogg really is a badass

He's just been hiding his true ability, saving his best for the playoffs.

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Oct 14, 2007 9:35 PM EDT reply actions

Did you jinx him?

by mazoboom on Oct 14, 2007 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Everyone may now kowtow to me

for saying how good Reynolds is. Please ignore how I just jinxed Josh Fogg.

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Oct 14, 2007 9:38 PM EDT reply actions

whoops, I already didn't ignore...

by mazoboom on Oct 14, 2007 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Dang it, mazoboom

I told you not to acknowledge that! :P

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Oct 14, 2007 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions

OT: Baseless Rumor game

I am thinking of starting a baseless rumor today. Which of these do you think the most likely to have legs?

The "Can you hear me now?" guy from the cell phone ads runs a Holocaust denial website from his home. "Are you in the network?" was a secret Nazi greeting known only to those with a standing invitation to attend Hitler's dinner parties.
Every major league baseball park has a blacked out luxury suite with one way glass. They are required to maintain these "dark suites" due to a little know rider put into the Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Rather than use these dark suites for security purposes, Dick Chaney attends one game every night. He watches the games alone, drinks single malt scotch, and sends text messages.
In an effort to slow the natural aging process Tom Cruise had most of his internal organs removed and replaced with mechanical devices. This is why his face is no longer capable of expressing actual human emotions and why he cannot engage in sexual activity. If Katie Holmes reveals Cruise's secret she forfeits her five million dollar "devotion payment."

Which one will more people believe?

Rock Chalk Talk for pretty good KU College Baseball Coverage

by James Quinn on Oct 14, 2007 9:40 PM EDT reply actions

The second one,

just because most people don't even know the extent of the Patriot Act. Cruise runs a close second because I think that's true.

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Oct 14, 2007 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions

2

by Freneau on Oct 14, 2007 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions

And by the way,

your description of Cruise's organ-replacement sounds a lot like something out of the 40k books I read sometimes. Random musing, I know.

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Oct 14, 2007 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I think people would actually believe #1

People believed that "Paul Pfieffer from Wonder Years became Marilyn Manson" rumor for a long time.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Oct 14, 2007 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions

My gosh,

I really hate Chris Young's plate approach. Wow, is it terrible.

"True friends stab you in the front."-Oscar Wilde.

by NHZ on Oct 14, 2007 10:00 PM EDT reply actions

Fogg finishes strong.

Nice pitch to punch out Reynolds. Froze him up.

It might be another one of those late nights.

Rock Chalk Talk for pretty good KU College Baseball Coverage

by James Quinn on Oct 14, 2007 10:24 PM EDT reply actions

Coors Field is rocking!

Wish I was there.

Rockies are going to the Fall Classic.

Rock Chalk Talk for pretty good KU College Baseball Coverage

by James Quinn on Oct 14, 2007 10:40 PM EDT reply actions

Why I don't want the Rockies to win tonight....

Jeremy Affeldt is in in the top of the seventh. I hope that whiny SOB gives up 3 walks and a salami.

Speaking of which, since it's raining in Denver...has Jeremy called the crew out to the mound yet? Or is the rain again preventing him from actually throwing the ball down the plate?

http://royalsnation.proboards62.com/

by Royals Nation on Oct 14, 2007 10:55 PM EDT reply actions