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About Jon
Thank You For Not ...

1) using profanity or any euphemisms for profanity
2) personally attacking other commenters
3) baiting other commenters
4) arguing for the sake of arguing
5) discussing politics
6) using hyperbole when something less will suffice
7) using sarcasm in a way that can be misinterpreted negatively
8) making the same point over and over again
9) typing "no-hitter" or "perfect game" to describe either in progress
10) being annoyed by the existence of this list
11) commenting under the obvious influence
12) claiming your opinion isn't allowed when it's just being disagreed with

'The Running Novelist'
2008-07-16 17:09
by Jon Weisman

... Once I began my life as a novelist, my wife and I decided that we'd go to bed soon after it got dark and wake up with the sun. To our minds, this was a more natural, respectable way to live. We also decided that from then on we'd try to see only the people we wanted to see, and, as much as possible, get by without seeing those we didn't. We felt that, for a time at least, we could allow ourselves this modest indulgence. ...

Thanks to this pattern, I've been able to work efficiently now for twenty-seven years. It's a pattern, though that doesn't allow for much of a night life, and that sometimes makes relationships with other people problematic. People are offended when you repeatedly turn down their invitations. But, at that point, I felt that the indispensable relationship I should build in my life was not with a specific person but with an unspecified number of readers. My readers would welcome whatever life style I chose, as long as I made sure that each new work was an improvement over the last. And shouldn't that be my duty - and my top priority - as a novelist? I don't see my readers' faces, so in a sense my relationship with them is a conceptual one, but I've consistently considered it the most important thing in my life.

In other words, you can't please everybody.

Even when I ran the club, I understood this. A lot of customers came to the club. If one out of ten enjoyed the place and decided to come again, that was enough. If one out of ten was a repeat customer, then the business would survive. To put it another way, it didn't matter if nine out of ten people didn't like the club. Realizing this lifted a weight off my shoulders. Still, I had to make sure that the one person who did like the place really liked it. In order to do that, I had to make my philosophy absolutely clear, and patiently maintain that philosophy no matter what. This is what I learned from running a business. ...

- Haruki Murakami

Comments (125)
Show/Hide Comments 1-50
2008-07-16 17:48:36
1.   Eric Enders
Funny, lately I've fallen into the appalling habit of writing all night, which is when I seem to get the most work done, and then going to sleep more or less when the sun comes up. It's a difficult cycle to escape from and it's infuriating me, but as long as it helps me get things done I guess I won't worry about it.
2008-07-16 17:53:58
2.   Jon Weisman
1 - When I was freelancing, I enjoyed having any moment I chose to write. I miss that luxury.
2008-07-16 17:58:10
3.   regfairfield
Fun fact:
The only outfielders that got run on more often than Pierre last year were Gonzalez and Ethier, with Ethier being way below everyone in baseball.

I wonder why that was?

2008-07-16 17:59:02
4.   Marty
I'm ashamed to say I've never heard of the author.
2008-07-16 17:59:45
5.   Eric Enders
I wonder if some runners literally forgot it was Ethier and not Gonzo in left. They were switching in and out all year in left field.
2008-07-16 18:01:22
6.   Eric Stephen
Yeah, but I bet Murakami had time for a wife, because he didn't spend his time talking about Davy -- who's still in the Navy, and probably will be for life.
2008-07-16 18:01:22
7.   regfairfield
5 That's from just Ethier in right. His time in left was better, but still pretty bad.
2008-07-16 18:04:58
8.   Eric Stephen
From Bill James Online, regarding Pierre:

2007 in CF: opponents took the extra base 99 of 146 opportunities (67.8%), 30th among MLB CF

2008 in LF: extra bases 27 out of 65 opportunities (41.5%), 19th among LF.

2008-07-16 18:05:06
9.   bhsportsguy
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle was recommended to me by a friend I used to work with.

I read the English translation, I have no idea how it would read in its original Japanese.

It was a good read but I'm not sure everyone would enjoy it.

2008-07-16 18:06:14
10.   Eric Enders
6 And then there's the post Josh Wilker gets about once a thread: "Man, what are you doing here?"
2008-07-16 18:14:47
11.   regfairfield
I'm guessing a lot of the running on Ethier came at the beginning of the year when opposing teams wanted to test the arm of the guy who played left his whole career.

This probably stopped once Ethier started collecting a ton of assists.

2008-07-16 18:18:22
12.   Ian Capilouto
That is a great essay or interview with Murakami. Thanks for posting that. I am a big fan and have often wondered about his writing habits. I was aware that he wrote early in the morning with the sun but I had never read anything where he explains it in such detail. I wonder if anyone will ever make a movie of one of his books beyond just a short film. It might be interesting.
2008-07-16 18:18:37
13.   ToyCannon
7
You must find it amusing when you have to defend Juan Pierre's noodle arm. This is one aspect where I don't accept the statistical evidence that a weak arm results in only a few extra runs a season. If you tell me it is black and white I will say the noodle variable is missing from your calculation and put my hands over my ears.
2008-07-16 18:22:33
14.   ToyCannon
Terry Tiffee is going to be representing the United States in baseball. See, that 393 average was worth something.
2008-07-16 18:26:34
15.   El Lay Dave
The latest Gurnick includes a little box titled "DODGERS TOP PERFORMANCES", which has five entries, none of which is a pitching performance, not even Kuroda's near-perfecto! But it does include the Dodger's win with no hits, which is not a top performance, just something freaky.

http://tinyurl.com/6eca62

2008-07-16 18:48:34
16.   Bob Hendley
15 - That's just plan silly. Decided to actually watch the All Star game, after reading through the thread in order to see old friends and the Golden God. I also get to hear McCarver use the term "Dominican Republicans".
2008-07-16 18:53:07
17.   Eric Enders
Well, Sammy Sosa did sit in the front row at the State of the Union a few years ago.
2008-07-16 18:53:11
18.   regfairfield
Chris Dial ranks the NL using his metric OPD (offense+defense). Looking through this is a pretty big explination of why we're no good.

Loney: third worst first baseman (buried by defense)
Kent: sixth worst second baseman
DeWitt: middle of the pack thanks to defense
Martin: fouth best catcher
Pierre: fourth worst left fielder
Kemp: middle of the back centerfielder
Jones: second worst centerfielder (soundly crushing Michael Bourn)
Ethier: fifth best right fielder (right ahead of Werth)

The defensive metric used is based on UZR which is considered one of the best out there. Small sample size still applies on defensive numbers, which should be good news for Loney.

http://tinyurl.com/6llztj

2008-07-16 19:08:53
19.   regfairfield
Ranking our starters in that:

Martin (16 runs above average), Ethier (9.2), Kemp (6.2), DeWitt(-2.1), Pierre(-3.1), Kent (-3.6), Loney (-10.1), Jones(-13.7)

2008-07-16 19:13:31
20.   68elcamino427
From Wikipedia:
*Murakami wrote his first fiction when he was 29.
He said he was suddenly inspired to write his first novel while watching a baseball game ... in the instant that Hilton hit a double, Murakami suddenly realized he could write a novel ...*

There must be some uncompleted connection here regarding Andruw Jones, Juan Pierre and each of them appearing in the Dodgers line-up in the future.

2008-07-16 19:15:23
21.   KG16
20 - coming soon from DT Publishing, Inc. the collective works of...
2008-07-16 19:26:01
22.   Eric Enders
I'm skeptical that any first baseman could possibly be 10 runs worse than average at this point of the season, much less James Loney.

Then again, I've never seen any particular reason to use or trust UZR.

2008-07-16 19:26:38
23.   scareduck
Since I got LAT'd in the prior thread -- regarding 226 there, having read The Watchmen, I feel compelled to watch the ensuing movie, though I admit the book's conclusion is fundamentally, morally revolting, an "ends justify the means" ethic used to excuse every kind of horror in history.
2008-07-16 19:27:56
24.   regfairfield
I misread it, it has Loney at -9.9 offensively and -.1 defensively. There's no way that can be right.
2008-07-16 19:30:47
25.   regfairfield
Actually, since his formula is linear weights based, his 18 double plays probably kill him. Seeing guys like D-Lee and Adrian Gonzalez doing way worse than expected means this is almost certainly the case.
2008-07-16 19:53:17
26.   sporky
DeJesus, Jr. is playing 2B again. I guess it wasn't just a Futures game experiment.
2008-07-16 19:54:52
27.   sporky
Kyle Russell is 0 for 3 with 2 more strikeouts.
2008-07-16 20:10:05
28.   D4P
Heh. Depo calls out a skeptic for using RBI to evaluate Brian Giles's performance this season.
2008-07-16 20:11:41
29.   trainwreck
26
Maybe means he is the heir to Jeff Kent's thrown, which is not a great sign for LaRoche.
2008-07-16 20:16:13
30.   fanerman
28 His exact words: "RBI? Really? Really?"
2008-07-16 20:46:51
31.   regfairfield
It does seem like a really bad idea to not trade Brian Giles though.
2008-07-16 20:49:40
32.   Eric Enders
Here's the comment DePo was responding to:
"Brian Giles makes 10 million dollars and has 30 rbi! Think about that for a minute. Giles ranks 64th in mlb outfielders in rbi. That is deplorable and should be unacceptable. The very idea that you should hold onto Giles because he is Mr. Wacky in the clubhouse and he draws 2 walks a game is just plain stupid and last place thinking. By the way, I bet fans just flock to Petco to watch Giles draw 2 walks a game and strikeout looking in his 3rd at bat."

(Of course, a player who drew walks in two of every three PA's, and struck out in the third, would be by far the most valuable player in baseball.)

2008-07-16 20:55:31
33.   underdog
That's kind of a dumb comment, but I still agree the Padres should consider trading him, at least if there was a good return offered. They should be trading as many vets as they can to rebuffer their youth and start over.

Oh, and I've loved Murakami but agree his novels are not for all tastes. I also liked A Wild Sheep Chase.

2008-07-16 20:57:10
34.   underdog
Jeez. Probably ranks at the top of least surprising news of the week, but still, not a good time for Andy Dick at the moment.
2008-07-16 21:09:10
35.   KG16
32 - a guy with a BA of .000 and a SLG of .000 would be the most valuable player in baseball?

I appreciate the ability to draw a walk, but ultimately, if you ain't hitting, you're sitting.

2008-07-16 21:12:24
36.   KG16
32 - and for the record, the rbi part of that comment is dumb. most rbis are the result of the guys in front of you getting on base (and preferably in a position to score).
2008-07-16 21:12:51
37.   Eric Enders
"a guy with a BA of .000 and a SLG of .000 would be the most valuable player in baseball?"

Absolutely he would, if his OBP was .667. And it wouldn't be close. You can't tell me with a straight face you'd sit such a player on the bench.

2008-07-16 21:16:41
38.   Eric Enders
A team composed of nine players like that --someone who always get two walks followed by a strikeout -- would score three runs in every single inning. They'd score 27 runs a game.

Walk, Walk, Strikeout (1 out), Walk, Walk (run scores), Strikeout (2 outs), Walk (run scores), Walk (run scores), Strikeout (third out). Three runs, no hits, no errors. Rinse and repeat nine times.

2008-07-16 21:22:48
39.   KG16
yes, i would sit him. and three runs an inning would be the most they could score. it could also go: strikeout, walk, walk, strikeout, walk, walk (run scores), strikeout. 1 run, no hits, no errors, three left on base.
2008-07-16 21:24:57
40.   regfairfield
I could live with nine runs a game.
2008-07-16 21:25:58
41.   Suffering Bruin
Walk, walk, picked off second, caught stealing, strikeout.

Hey, this is fun!

2008-07-16 21:26:36
42.   KG16
my point is, simply, at some point you have to actually swing the bat and put the ball in play.
2008-07-16 21:27:48
43.   Suffering Bruin
Seriously, DePo's point is well taken. If we're going to pick one stat and blast a guy for it, RBI ain't that stat. In fact, OBP is a much better candidate.
2008-07-16 21:31:08
44.   Eric Enders
39 But his OBP is .667. In your theoretical inning he has an OBP of .571. For every inning like yours, there would have to be another one with even more walks.

Here's an experiment for you. Over a full game, this comes out to 27 strikeouts and 54 walks. Distribute that any way you like -- find whatever is most favorable to the pitcher -- and I guarantee you that no matter how you distribute them, this team is still going to be scoring a couple dozen runs a game.

That dude is the best player in baseball, I'm telling you. He'd pound* the crap out of a team with nine Babe Ruths.

(*Figuratively pound, I guess. But pound.)

2008-07-16 21:33:16
45.   regfairfield
Linear weights would put this guy at about 40 runs above average. Very good, but not the best player in baseball.
2008-07-16 21:34:20
46.   regfairfield
This is because he's only getting 480 PA in a season. Give him a full season and he goes up to 60-65 which would make him really close to the best.
2008-07-16 21:34:41
47.   Eric Enders
45 Do you think any of the systems are equipped to deal with a player this extreme?
2008-07-16 21:35:32
48.   regfairfield
47 Maybe if you just had one of him, but not a whole team.
2008-07-16 21:38:27
49.   kinbote
Can we sign this guy but give him an opt-out clause?
2008-07-16 21:56:22
50.   KG16
a team with an obp of .667, however it is created is going to be very good. a single player with an obp of .667 based entirely on walks and strike outs is going to be worthless. you're comparing apples and oranges... or at least an orange to a bag of oranges.

what is the value of a guy who does not hit the ball (as our hypothetical player does not do by definition) when you've got a tie game and a runner on second or third? in theory, it sounds great, in practice, he's worthless because the one thing he can do to advance the offense is entirely related to the actions of the pitcher.

Also, I would point out, that in practice, this hypothetical hitter would not be able to maintain his .667 obp because eventually, pitchers would realize he can't hit the ball and would throw more strikes.

Show/Hide Comments 51-100
2008-07-16 22:05:36
51.   trainwreck
46
So Babe Ruth was even better that a theoretical guy we created to be the best player?
2008-07-16 22:07:43
52.   KG16
51 - yes, because Ruth could also pitch.
2008-07-16 22:07:53
53.   KG16
and hit the ball
2008-07-16 22:10:05
54.   trainwreck
I don't even know how its possible, but Babe Ruth is underrated.
2008-07-16 22:17:14
55.   Eric Enders
"you're comparing apples and oranges... or at least an orange to a bag of oranges."

Bob-baiting! Rule 2!

51 The theoretical guy was created by DePo's nemesis as an example of the worst type of player. I merely noted that such a player would not be bad, but actually incredibly good.

2008-07-16 22:18:52
56.   Gagne55
54 Well, the majority of his batting value was in secondary percentage. And this was a guy who hit .342!
2008-07-16 22:19:25
57.   Dark Horse
Y'know, that DePodesta post about Giles is fascinating. He "plays hard and through pain" (eg, has a "bellyful of guts"), offers a working example to young players (eg, PVL), and is "irreverent" (eg, "a great clubhouse guy"). He brings "intangibles." Am I missing something here, or are these arguments essentially ones that have been put forth by the Dodger brain trust regarding various players...players DePodesta himself might have the additional skill set to recognize as no good, but still. Fascinating stuff.
2008-07-16 22:20:27
58.   KG16
55 - am i missing out on a recent joke?
2008-07-16 22:21:53
59.   Bob Timmermann
58
I guess so because I don't know what he's talking about either?
2008-07-16 22:24:14
60.   Marty
If it was comparing peaches to a bagful of peaches, it would make more sense.
2008-07-16 22:25:13
61.   Eric Enders
I thought there was a running joke about Saito throwing a bag of oranges at you?

Did I make that up?

2008-07-16 22:29:01
62.   Bob Timmermann
61
That running joke had very little traction and was quickly abandoned for a line of Cody Ross-related jokes.
2008-07-16 22:29:17
63.   underdog
I hate peaches. They're too clingy.

Hey, so since we're all bored and have this break from the Dodgers, and on the subject of writing as posed here by the post above, here's a question:

For my baseball script, do you think it's better to have the story's fictional baseball team be an expansion team (in their first year) or have them be an established (but still fictional) team? I think the former lends itself to more possibility but if they're just a really bad one-time expansion team it could work, too.

And do you like the name the Portland Pioneers?

(I'm picturing a terrible mascot that comes in on a covered wagon.)

Since Beavers was already taken, I believe.

2008-07-16 22:32:46
64.   KG16
63 - sounds like it'd be a major league team? i'd go with expansion because it'd be hard to suspend disbelief otherwise. unless it's being set in the past, in which case, portland wouldn't work because prior to 58, no teams west of the mississippi. if it's a minor league team, in an independent league, it could work as an established team.
2008-07-16 22:33:59
65.   underdog
What's this? Scott L on the Juice: "Finally a music release that even Bob Timmerman could pull himself away from his blog to listen to." Huh! I do think Mr. Timmerman listens to music on occasion.
2008-07-16 22:35:22
66.   underdog
64 - It's a major league team, yeah. I figured Portland since they would have to be one of the next in line to get a ML team if there was ever either more expansion or a move. Of course most of the story is set in Arizona for spring training. So I'm not even sure what to do with the team's hometown yet or how it matters.
2008-07-16 22:35:33
67.   Eric Enders
Injury report for the team mentioned in 63 :
http://tinyurl.com/portlandpioneers
2008-07-16 22:36:35
68.   KG16
what about a team that just moved? they'd likely be bad (see expos/nats) and it wouldn't seem so strange to a viewer who knew baseball.
2008-07-16 22:42:05
69.   Gagne55
67 Hey, good health overall though. The Oregon Trail II was better in that it kept track of each party member's health independently. It also has medicines and stuff for diseases. Apply laudenum!
2008-07-16 22:42:07
70.   Daniel Zappala
I think great name would be the Portland Booksellers. Inspired by Powell's of course.
2008-07-16 22:43:46
71.   Gagne55
Rumor has it that food drops at double the rate if you name a party member "Andruw Jones"
2008-07-16 22:44:20
72.   Eric Enders
The Oregon Cuckoos. Randall P. McMurphy, General Manager.
2008-07-16 22:45:08
73.   Bob Timmermann
65
I've been listening to music all night. There's nothing on TV. There's nothing to blog about. And my internet connection is spotty.
2008-07-16 22:45:42
74.   Eric Enders
71 Andruw Jones health report:
http://tinyurl.com/andruw
2008-07-16 22:46:17
75.   underdog
Hah hah! I totally thought of Oregon Trail when mulling this over. Classic. I remember friends who were becoming elementary school teachers and had to learn that game inside and out as part of the curriculum who wanted to never see another pixelated covered wagon as long as they lived.

68 Yah... I could see that. It could be the Cleveland Indians after they end up moving after the Major League movies are over, everything falls apart after all and they have to move. (Can't see that happening, though.) I want it to not set up too many questions that can't be answered without distracting, though. Which is why I thought simply an expansion team... but I'll think about it. Hmm... could be the Marlins. I could see them moving. But I want it to be a team without much talent.

2008-07-16 22:47:18
76.   underdog
73 The connection's better when you're not in the basement.
2008-07-16 22:50:53
77.   Bob Timmermann
76
Daniel knows of my problems. He heard the swearing from 600 miles away.
2008-07-16 22:51:02
78.   KG16
don't worry about who has talent right now. remember the indians worked for major league because they hadn't won in forever. same reason the cubs got used in the movie about the kid with the broken arm.

and explaining the move can be done in the opening credits, a news report on the local tv, a shot of a head line, a stadium being built - a couple of shots will tell the viewer what happened.

if it's a team that moves, i'd suggest the pirates, they have quite a history so it would explain having to leave the name.

2008-07-16 22:54:43
79.   KG16
speaking of writing projects... i could use some advice on my poker novel.

here's the set up: pro poker player on a monsterably terrible run, he takes his last 30k to vegas for a final stand. he has a girl there but he doesn't really feel a connection with her beyond the obvious physical stuff. he's met another girl that he wants desperately, i can't figure out if she should be anything more than a phantom in his life.

thoughts?

2008-07-16 22:55:34
80.   Daniel Zappala
77 I had to cover my kids' ears. Which is pretty hard when they're in the back seat.
2008-07-16 22:56:27
81.   KG16
80 - and there's 17 sets of ears. do you do a chain? you cover the oldest, and it runs down the line?
2008-07-16 22:57:17
82.   trainwreck
79
What is the overall message to the film? That should help you formulate characters and what they should do and represent.
2008-07-16 22:59:33
83.   KG16
82 - it's a novel, not a film, but the best short explanation I can give is that it's about luck and the stubborn belief of the protagonist that there is nothing outside his control.
2008-07-16 23:03:00
84.   trainwreck
63
I think expansion works, especially if you want to represent change. Using a franchise that is having a rough go of it has been done (Major League, Angels in the Outfield, Little Big League, Rookie of the Year, yes I know I am young). If the expansion team is supposed to represent changing of the guard or something, the name Portland Pioneers works perfectly.
2008-07-16 23:05:58
85.   trainwreck
83
Yeah, sorry I read underdog's post and was thinking script.

I think you could produce something really good with that main theme. Does he eventually realize that he can't control things? Because if so, you could make this woman a completely unassuming character that really means nothing to him, but progressively grows on him and he realizes you can't control who you love.

2008-07-16 23:07:12
86.   bhsportsguy
83 You could always go with the flashbacks, start with a hand in a pivotal or maybe not so pivotal moment in the lead character's life and go from there.
2008-07-16 23:08:18
87.   KG16
85 - the new woman is definitely not unassuming, she's pretty much the exact opposite, which is part of the draw, he's tired of playing it safe in his personal life. as far as him learning he can't control everything, he does learn, but it's a lesson that doesn't really help him by the time he learns it.
2008-07-16 23:09:57
88.   KG16
86 - i've got the time line stuff down.

the problem is this new woman. i wasn't really expecting to have her in the story, but then a scene kind of developed on its own and i want to explore the subplot. especially since girl #1 is starting to get on my nerves.

2008-07-16 23:11:41
89.   KG16
86 - although i do like the idea of pivoting off of hands. i'm going to have to think about that.
2008-07-16 23:12:14
90.   bhsportsguy
83 Its corny but how about something like this.

"Unlike the song, I have never known when to walk away from a poker game but I have always known when to run from it."

2008-07-16 23:12:59
91.   trainwreck
87
Well if you want him to not learn his lesson soon enough, he pretty much has to lose the girl at the end.
2008-07-16 23:13:42
92.   trainwreck
Okay, so compare the two women. That would help a lot.
2008-07-16 23:13:50
93.   KG16
90 - heh. i don't know why i hadn't thought of it before, but i'm going to now have to include a scene about that song.
2008-07-16 23:14:38
94.   bhsportsguy
88 She sounds like a character who they would cut when someone options your novel.

Kind of like every gal in every poker movie (okay the two more famous ones).

Though, Piper Laurie's character is pivotal to The Hustler.

2008-07-16 23:16:58
95.   bhsportsguy
88 Does the new gal represent a new streak at the tables? Does she convince there is more to life than poker?

Is the old gal just a constant reminder of his losing?

2008-07-16 23:17:51
96.   KG16
92 - yeah, sorry about that.

girl #1 - a would be model/actress, day time gig as a real estate agent. they are casual bed partners, but she's also a bit clingy. our hero gets annoyed by her, but mainly because everything else in his life is going bad.

girl #2 - a "dancer" who is looking to get out of the business. pretty much the exact opposite of everything our hero has known. while he does not believe in luck, and believes he can exert his will over the universe; she believes in luck and astrology and things like numerology.

2008-07-16 23:19:48
97.   LoneStar7
i worked the ESPY's for my internship...I escorted Russ Westbrook down the carpet, Bison showed up (probably the single baseball player at the event), but as i sprinted over in hopes of getting to escort him, I discovered he had a publicist with him...oh well..
2008-07-16 23:22:02
98.   underdog
84 Thanks. Good advice.

Hmm, maybe I can work on KG's novel for awhile and he can take on my script for a bit.

2008-07-16 23:22:26
99.   trainwreck
96
The natural progression for me is that through the second girl he realizes his need for the first girl, but because of his desire to control things he ruins with her and figures out his lesson to late. She leaves Vegas never sees him again. The "dancer" just represents his catalyst for change.
2008-07-16 23:24:14
100.   trainwreck
97
That is awesome!!! When I got to work on a TV program I just got to meet Goldberg from the Mighty Ducks and he was definitely on something.
Show/Hide Comments 101-150
2008-07-16 23:26:24
101.   KG16
100 - i was originally thinking about him realizing his need for girl #1, and that may end up being part of what happens still, but like i said, very intrigued by girl #2 and what she can be to this story.
2008-07-16 23:26:52
102.   underdog
And 78 , too. Thanks. You know what I was thinking? Starting off with some cheesy promotional film. I mean Portland's a cool city so it's hard to make fun of, but I can still make fun of how they do these films - it can either be a marketing-ish documentary on how the city's welcomed the team, or something like that...

KG did you see that poker movie with Eric Bana and Drew Barrymore? It wasn't that great (though a little better than the reviews) but had some interesting stuff in it. A poker novel is a different kettle of fish of course, more room for depth.

2008-07-16 23:27:00
103.   KG16
101 - that was meant for 99, not 100
2008-07-16 23:28:18
104.   underdog
(My other thought was that the expansion team was for New Orleans instead, which could open up more interesting possibilities, political points, history, post-hurricane situations and so on, but I thought that might get too distracting from the main story.)
2008-07-16 23:29:12
105.   trainwreck
100
You could do something where he is just playing a throw away game and she just completely dominates the action and really irritates him. He starts to question his ability to control things and that makes him interested in this woman. He becomes involved with her and through her he learns all these lessons and then she just leaves him out of nowhere when he thinks everything is going great. Adds to the idea that he cannot control things.
2008-07-16 23:30:37
106.   bhsportsguy
96 But most poker players while there is no question "luck" plays a role, most want to believe that poker is a game of skill and bad luck should never used as an excuse for poor play.

So it would seem that he would have an internal conflict with girl no. 2.

2008-07-16 23:31:14
107.   trainwreck
104
I think that would be extremely fascinating, but I guess it depends on if you want to do something that is about baseball or just uses baseball to say something.
2008-07-16 23:31:33
108.   KG16
102 - you're talking about "Lucky You", right? I did see it. it wasn't too bad. the poker aspects of it were very good, but they had plenty of input on that from a lot of the top pros. it was the personal side of the story that i thought was kind of cliched. i don't know a poker player on the planet that would lay down a better hand in a late tournament big pot because it was their dad they were going against.

FX had a show a couple years back about a poker player/obsessive gambler, can't remember the name of it any more.

2008-07-16 23:33:31
109.   KG16
106 - you're getting very close to what i'm thinking.
2008-07-16 23:33:43
110.   trainwreck
108
There was a show on ESPN called Tilt. Maybe that is it.
2008-07-16 23:35:10
111.   trainwreck
The whole thing about the ego of elite poker players is that they believe they can read anyone. You could work that in, with these two women.
2008-07-16 23:35:16
112.   KG16
108 - never mind, the show was called Lucky, starred John Corbett
2008-07-16 23:36:47
113.   KG16
111 - believe me, it's not just elite poker players. anyone that is close to being an ev player thinks they can read anyone. but being that this is a first person pov, there's quite a bit of reading explained.
2008-07-16 23:37:08
114.   trainwreck
112
I vaguely remember that show now.
2008-07-16 23:40:08
115.   underdog
108 Yes, that was it. And I agree with you about it. The personal storylines were kind of hokey, cliched.

well, I'm going to go finish watching "Generation Kill" now, which is a great thing to watch just before bed.

Thanks, good night and good luck.

2008-07-16 23:40:25
116.   trainwreck
113
Yeah, that is definitely true. Poker definitely represents arrogance.
2008-07-16 23:41:55
117.   MC Safety
65 I've seen Bob sing classics such as "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" by The Animals and "No Time" by Guess Who?. I've also heard Bob say he favors the shuffle feature on his iPod! That joke bombed.
2008-07-16 23:43:49
118.   trainwreck
I went to the WSOP once to watch. It is incredibly cool to be right next to Johnny Chan and "Jesus" Ferguson and hear their strategy and interact with others, but eventually you realize how boring it is to just watch people play poker.
2008-07-16 23:46:13
119.   MC Safety
117 Let me say I've seen Bob's comment over the internet.
2008-07-16 23:47:22
120.   KG16
i've played smaller events at the world series the last two years, and have spent a whole lot of time playing the last couple of years beyond that. but as much as i love playing the game, there is nothing more boring than watching a live game. at least on tv you can see their cards, so you can figure out what they're going to do, but otherwise, it's terrible. i still don't understand these women who go and watch their men play poker, sitting behind them and just watching. it's insane.
2008-07-16 23:58:49
121.   trainwreck
A film student from my class at UCSB won two bracelets in 2006. And the year before, I can't remember his name, but a SB JC student was the chip leader for a long time.

I just felt like bringing that up.

2008-07-17 00:39:25
122.   Eric Enders
Dylan Hernandez has a second-half preview in tomorrow's paper. Really, it's more like a first-half summary. Anyway, it contains all the usual things we've heard the Dodgers say before, so I thought I'd do a Reader's Digest version for those who don't have time to read the whole thing. Following is the actual article, from start to finish, with all the unnecessary words removed.

It's basically the Dodgers' 2008 season as seen through IMDB keywords.

lowest-scoring teams
semblance of consistency
players in their early- to mid-20s
veterans
under-performed
disabled list
back-breaking loss
$36.2-million contract
Juan Pierre
hasn't looked like himself
shoulder problems
veteran positions players
disabled list
stiff back
earning the trust
highly touted nucleus of young players
youngsters
'Don't play with matches'
gentle demeanor
more receptive to the message
no substitute for experience
make adjustments
unpredictability of their lineup
consistently
game plan
execute
consistency
work ethic
guys who succeed
low home run total
baffled
Bowa said
improved approaches
signs of promise
disappointment
overweight
couldn't hit
got hurt
mental vacation
strikeouts
Martin's heavy workload
finding a rhythm
domino effect
concerned
no guarantee
next major injury
could end his career
closing role before he is ready
bulging disk in his back
rush his return
pressing needs
little leverage
Trading for a big bat
weak division
inconsistent
inconsistent
raw talent

2008-07-17 00:48:27
123.   trainwreck
I love how there is consistently and consistency, plus two inconsistents. Where art thou, Joe Morgan?
2008-07-17 00:56:04
124.   Eric Enders
In addition to those four, there's the kingpin: "semblance of consistency."
2008-07-17 01:14:23
125.   trainwreck
Yeah, that is pretty much the greatest statement in history of man. And I do not think I am using hyperbole.

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