And Josh Paul lost as well.

A veritable blood bath of arbitration losses for the players today.

I hope the Dodgers' sales force produce a lot of shareholder value this year!

Time for everyones favorite event, the Pro Bowl.

On the academic front:

Drew Gilpin Faust, a Civil War historian and dean of the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard, is expected to be named Sunday as Harvard's 28th president.

For some, the question would be, will she reduce the academic qualifications for athletic admissions.

Some of those Harvard alums really want the Crimson to make another trip to the Rose Bowl.

It's been 87 years!

Miguel Cabara, Joe Mauer and Chad Cordero will all get big raises regardless of what happens in their cases.

6 Miguel Cabrera and the Florida Marlins really seem to dislike each other. As far-fetched as it sounds, I truly believe the Dodgers could ship LaRoche, Billingsley, and Ethier to the Marlins for Cabrera.

And I would do that deal in a heartbeat.

Would it make you feel any better, Greg, if I thought that the PAC-10 wasn't over-rated, it's just that college basketball is getting worse?

With four minutes to go in Pullman, Cal has made 10 field goals.

8 I think it's hard to say. Sometimes it seems like the freshman who would otherwise make themselves available for the draft are hurting their teams by trying to be one-man shows for scouts. Alternately, one could argue that college basketball has more talent now than it ever has.

I really don't know.

7 -- What a terrible deal for the Dodgers that would be.

The beauty of living in a small city and very near the Post Office.

I got TWO separate first class mail deliveries today.

One at 11 am and one at 3:30 pm. My letter carrier noticed some other stuff for me in the office and brought it around.

I don't know either. I do know that the NBA is dead to me, while college basketball is on notice.

11 Oh, it would be horrible. To get the best hitter in the National League not named Pujols for two two unproven prospects and a smoke and mirrors Ethier would be terrible.

Yes, I'm being sarcastic, but I'm not using sarcasm in a way that can be interpreted negatively.

14 I think you signed him to a 7 year $85-90M deal, it would be okay.

I was watching the 1992 NBA All-Star game and it made me sad thinking of how much worse the NBA has gotten.

And I await the Canuck megapost telling me why I'm wrong. I look forward to it. Maybe I am wrong.

I'm still working on the one regarding Hadleyville and Pittsburgh, but I'm waiting for a call back from Ed Rendell's office.

I would have done that Cabrera trade a couple years ago, but now I think LaRoche can be a star in this league. I am also confident in Billingsley's skills, so I doubt I would like that trade. Ethier I do not really care about.

List of players not named Pujols or DiMaggio with under 25 numbers like Cabrera:

.

14 -- It's amazing how people think the word "unproven" attached to prospects negates their value. I suppose it relieves one of the actual bother of talent evaluation and projection of future value. The odds are against any one of the three Dodgers you named being as good as Cabrera, of course, but LaRoche projects to be a very good MLB third baseman a shade worse than David Wright, if Billingsley isn't a #1 starter he will be at least a #2, and Ethier is already good and is likely to only get better, notwithstanding your conviction that the young man's MLB career peaked at age 24 and it is all down hill from here. Take those three players together and then ask if their SEVENTEEN pre-agency years together are more valuable than Cabrera's THREE pre-free agency years, and the answer is obvious. All of which is pretty much saying that getting a twenty dollar bill in exchange for five tens really isn't a good deal.

I am starting to worry about Cabrera's work ethic. He was kind of fat last season. He still did well, but hear some issues of him being lazy.

Cabrera is great. But he's not so much better than LaRoche that I'd give up three virtually free years of LaRoche plus two virtually free years of a likely front of the rotation starter, plus two virtually free years of a decent corner outfielder. Unless I was so jam packed with replacements for those parts that it didn't matter.

The Dodgers aren't. Nobody is.

21 I find your argument compelling and well written, yet unpersuasive. I'll take Cabrera.

23
My exact feelings.

I'll add that this is all academic, since Cabrera will probaly play with the Marlins until the Yankees sign him in a few years.

Cabrera is great. But he's not so much better than LaRoche that I'd give up three virtually free years of LaRoche plus two virtually free years of a likely front of the rotation starter, plus two virtually free years of a decent corner outfielder.

Since Cabrera's and LaRoche's major league performance completely negates that argument, I'll have to disagree. You hope that LaRoche is 90% of the player that Cabrera already is.

By the way, Greg, I hope you don't think I was attacking you. I just strongly disagree with you. No hard feelings.

28 Of course not, Canuck. You always bring great stuff to the table. We just happen to disagree...A lot. It happens among intertubes friends.

I just happen to believe LaRoche will be real good. And I happen to believe that Billingsley will be pretty darn good too. Ethier already looks like a solid major leaguer. Cabrera is real good, but I think it helps the team overall to have three talented players, especially one that is a young starting pitcher.

logan white interview part II up on the latimes blog.

Projected 2007 WARP

Cabrera: 7.9

LaRoche: 5.0
Billingsly: 3.2
Ethier: 3.1
Combined: 11.3

It hurts me to say the history teachers arguement is more compelling then the flawed Canadian economic model. Winning is the goal.

Re (4): Are you kidding about Harvard scrapping its admission standards to admit more talented jocks?

Harvard has no need to prostitute itself; it has the largest endowment of any university in the world. Harvard doesn't need the Rose Bowl. It cares more about Nobel and Pulitzer prizes.

Dilution of admission standards is unfair to students with higher grades and test scores whose places in the admission queue will be taken by lesser-qualified jocks.

Most top football and basketball schools relax their admission standards for jocks. USC is a case in point. They have justifiably become an elite school. Admissions standards are high. Except for jocks, who are admitted even when they barely meet NCCA minimum standards. I see these athletes as the equivalent of ringers since they in no way reflect the average admittee there.

I realize that you won't find a meritocracy in any college admission system. Even at the most academically rigorous schools, legacies and offspring of potential high donors are treated preferentially. This is wrong. But it is equally wrong for a university to reject an applicant with high grades and test scores to create room for an athlete who barely made it out of high school.

These special athletic admittees are a source of great entertainment to sports fans like us, but let's not kid ourselves -- the system that enables them is a scam.

32 I would only say that I find those WARP projections to be overly optimistic. Billingsley, I think, will be great. LaRoche and Ethier, I don't trust. But we'll see.

But I consider Cabrera's 8 WARP a certainty. And I like certainty.

What's unfair is sending your kid to Harvard in the first place. At least give them a chance to make something of their lives.

33 ToyCannon agrees with me.

Dogs and cats living together. Mass hysteria.

31 -- Nate, you haven't been around for a while. Have you been posting at the new scout.com board? I can't get access to it so that finished my posting, or even reading posts, at scout.com.

38

ive posted a couple times on the new scout board but honestly, i dont like the layout at all. Ive been lurking alot here though. I haven't had anything worthwhile to say and baseball news right now is slow.

34
I firmly believe that I would have been granted admission to Stanford if there hadn't been another guy in my high school with a slightly lower GPA and test scores, who happened to be 6'7", 250 lbs, and an All-LA City offensive lineman.

This was back in 1983 when 6'7", 250 was really big.

32
That is much to simplistic.

30
Miggy is not "real good", Miggy is the 2nd best hitter in the NL and will probably be the best hitter in baseball over the next 5 years. If we were only talking about a real good hitter then I'd agree the trade would be foolhardy but were not talking real good, were talking top of the line prime grade beef.

33 -- Winning is the goal, but winning is not made more likely by trades that are the equivalent of getting instant cash on terms that amount to enriching Louie the Loan Shark in the long run.

I love the Dodger prospects. This, however, is where prospect fetishism goes completely overboard. We're talking about Miguel Cabrera here.

MIGUEL CABRERA.

One reason this argument isn't crazy is that, this year losing those three means Loney replaces Ethier, and Kuo replaces Billingsly. Assuming Loney can handle RF, LuGo doesn't act his age, and that Wolfe really truly has resurrected himself. I wouldn't bet my own money on two of those three assumptions.

I'd rather have a team full of very good players than a superstar and supporting cast. It's cheaper, less likely to be destroyed by an injury or other unforeseen event. Cabrera is a reliably great player. But if he blows out his knee, where are you? I'll take the uncertainty of prospects with long, good track records over their certainty of having all one's eggs in one basket.

43- Star, er, humper.

I can't think of any reason why Greg Brock would be concerned about the development and production of hyped young players. Nope, not one.

But kidding aside, it's a pretty terrible idea to include Billingsley, particularly because we end up with a staff full of Hend(E)ricksons in return.

Re (34): Check Stanford's recent record on the gridiron. They can't compete for the the top 100 high school football athletes. How many blue-chip jocks have 4.0's and 1500 scores on their SATs?

41- It wasn't meant to end the argument, but I don't see what it hurts pointing it out.

39 -- Have you been thinking about the June draft at all? BA's HS and college player rankings came out recently. I don't know why, but I have a feeling, just a feeling, that the Dodgers might be interested in taking local boy Ryan Dent in the first round.

35
May I ask, why you do not trust LaRoche? Is it just because he has not made it to the bigs yet?

I can completely understand why people are reluctant to deal multiple quality prospects for one player.

On the other hand, you're all wrong. Look at Cabrera's career comparable players. Look at his numbers. Look at what he is. If it wasn't for Pujols, and if he didn't play for the Marlins, he'd be a god. Not wanting to trade prospects for Miguel Cabrera is, in my silly little mind, crazy.

47
So college football recruiting changed that drastically since 2001 when Stanford won the Pac-10 in football?

I thought one of the reasons Stanford declined in football is that they brought in a bad coach in Teevens and Cal brought in a good coach in Tedford.

And that small matter of USC being able to get every good player plus four more that they don't need.

I would trade prospects, just not those prospects. Substitute Broxton for Billingsley and I like it more.

50 It's not that I don't trust LaRoche. I love LaRoche. LaRoche is going to be 75%-80% of David Wright, which is outstanding.

But Miguel Cabrera is 100% of Miguel Cabrera. The guy is on an elite level that about 5 players per generation meet.

34 Its hard to get the humor when you lurk from board to board. That statement was actually related to the hire of the new head at UCLA. No one on the Bruin boards like BRO talk about the academics, all they care about is will he somehow convince admissions to let in more football and basketball players.

I don't believe any Ivy League school ever considers lowering their standards for an athlete.

49

i havent dove head first into it yet but ive been looking over the available college players for next year. Since our pick is 20th or something, most likely another HSer is going to be it eh. Im hoping for a hitter though and if ryan dents the guy, then yay. although i really dont know too much about him. care to provide some?

BTW - 1 more week until the first workout for pitchers and catchers at Vero Beach.

If you do not think UCLA lowers its standards enough for football players go check Raymond Carter's Myspace.

Agreed that Cabrera is, at least, the right player to have this conversation about, but you cannot trade Chad Billingsley. This organization cannot be held to the vagaries of Ned Colletti's membership in the Lucky Arbitration-eligible Pitcher Of The Month Club. If Cabrera and the Marlins hate each other, then we can have a chance to sign him in two years for a bajillion dollars.

Miguel Cabrera's comparable players, at age 23:

1. Hank Aaron (959) *
2. Orlando Cepeda (931) *
3. Frank Robinson (925) *
4. Joe Medwick (920) *
5. Mickey Mantle (914) *
6. Andruw Jones (907)
7. Ken Griffey (906)
8. Hal Trosky (905)
9. Vladimir Guerrero (900)
10. Al Kaline (900) *

Forgive me if I don't care about multiple prospects. Look at that list.

Yes, I'm going to say it again, for no particular reason...LOOK AT THAT LIST.

Who cares about Hal Trosky?

I've never figured out if his name was prounced "TrAHsky" or "TrOHsky".

Would you trade Ethier, Billingsley, and LaRoche for Henry Aaron, Mickey Mantle, Frank Robinson, Ken Griffey, Vladimir Guerrero, Al Kaline, or Hal Trosky?

Yes...You would. I consider the conversation over.

58 I believe he was among the last group approved for admission, no one denies that as a whole, athletes in most Division 1 schools have lower academics than the rest of the student body. There a lot of sports fans who just don't care about it.

Greg, you seem to be emphasizing, repeatedly, just how good Cabrera is, when that is so not the point. The quality of Cabrera is not in dispute. We all know how good he is. I think the difference between you and those of us who don't like your trade idea is that you have a much more pessimistic idea about what the value of Billingsley, LaRoche, and Ethier is going to be over the next five or six years. You also are not appreciating that Cabrera's limited amount of time before he can auction himself off in free agency effectively devalues him against lesser talents who still have a full six years before they can say goodbye to the Dodgers. Building a winning team isn't just about getting a superstar. It is about mundane things like service time and payroll flexibility and breadth of talent on a roster.

64 There was a time when you could say, nice season Mick, here's $10,000 more for the next season, take it or take it.

64 -- You mean, 44 year old, 755 home run Henry Aaron? Sure, I'll trade them for all those guys and the crystal ball that comes with it.

David Frishberg, to my mind the absolute authority on this matter, sang Trŏ-skēē. Good enough for me, boy howdy.

The Sun Devils put up a fight, but lose by four to the Beavers at Gill Coliseum.

Pac-10 standings:
1) UCLA
2) Washington State
3) USC
4) Stanford
5) Oregon
6) Arizona
7) Washington
8) Cal
9) Oregon State
10) Arizona State

Stanford is at Washington tomorrow. If Stanford wins, the standings stay the same. If Washington wins, Stanford drops to #6 and Oregon and Arizona move up one.

66 You're absolutely right. I consider the value of a once-in-a-generation hitter to be beyond the value of mulitple good players, their payroll status, their service time, and other things. Although I am Stathead McGee, I really believe in the value of a true dominant hitter...A guy that changes the face of your lineup.

You seem to assume that losing LaRoche, Billingsley, et al creates a vacuum that can't be filled by other players. As though losing those guys means that nobody else fills the void. I simply don't agree. Gaining a player like Cabrera is far tougher than getting prospects.

56 Nice to see you Nate, not much since your comments to Sickels about his Dodger prospect grades.

You are correct, the Dodgers have the 20th pick from the Lugo signing, currently their next pick is 43rd in the Supplemental 1st Round, that round may go about 36 picks or so.

The Padres better set some money aside, they have 7 or maybe 8 picks in the first 80, based on comps from the last few years, they'll need around 5-6 million to sign those guys.

69
Dave Frishberg has admitted that he didn't know how to pronounce the names of the players when he wrote "Van Lingle Mungo." He was just trying to get the meter right based on how he thought the names were pronounced.

73- Blasphemer!

74
He says "Es-Tah-Leh-Leh" instead of "Es-Tah-Lay-Ya".

75- It's like you just don't want to go to heaven when you die. So sad.

I'm surprised by how much my DT brethren love all the Dodger prospects. I mean, after all, we have Logan White, the greatest talent evaluator since Branch Rickey. Why wouldn't we trade some kids for Miguel Cabrera. Logan will get us ten more great kids...right?

But if we traded for Cabrera we would have to trust Ned to go find replacements at those positions.

I do not trust Ned. Do you want more Juan Pierres and Gonzos?

It would take awhile for those kids to be ready.

And I love Logan White, but LaRoche and Billingsley are two of the top guys he has ever gotten. I would probably say they are the best along with Kershaw.

White's going to be pulling some crap draft positions for the next five to ten years (assuming Mr. Ned doesn't blow it). I love the man, but you don't turn the twenty-third or twenty-seventh pick into a one or two pick.

But Ned went out and got us a left fielder. Why would he trade for Cabrera?

It's fine. I'm just saying that I would gladly trade Billingsley and LaRoche for a player who's comparables are Mickey Mantle, Henry Aaron, and Frank Robinson.

I guess I'm crazy, in a sort of "You're all wrong" sort of way.

83
It's not that you're paranoid Greg. We're just all out to get you.

Well, there's your Pro Bowl highlight.

84 Getting me would be a "Walk in the park"

56 -- Nate, about Ryan Dent, he is described as somebody who projects to be a Rafael Furcal-type shortstop. A prototypical leadoff man. He attends Wilson High School in Long Beach, if any of you Angelenos are familiar with that school.

Why do I have a feeling the Dodgers would be interested in him? Not just because he is local, although that might help a bit. I just wonder if Colletti's love affair with speedy leadoff me, proven by his investing over $80 million in multiyear contracts for TWO of them in one year, is going to shape our draft strategy, especially considering that our farm system does not have players like that, and the Dodgers might want to be thinking about who will replace Furcal and Pierre when their contracts are up.

87

thanks. doesnt really sound like someone i would be interested in at the 20th pick.

That was a brutal hit.

Cal is the poster school for lowering its admission standards for athletes. DeSean Jackson had a 2.8 gpa and an SAT score of 1280. I've also heard of USC recruiting players with sub 800 SAT scores.

RIP Clippy, the MS Office equivalent of Scooter.

http://www.appscout.com/2007/02/to_kill_a_paperclip.php

Canuck, (or any other Canadians) do you watch Trailer Park Boys?

I started watching it and I love it.

90

although not really cal level, a 1280 is a pretty good score on the SAT.

93- I agree 1280 is a good score for the old SAT, but that's on the new test. :)

What is the difference in the new test? You have to write?

93
Assuming that the 1280 is based on the old 1600-max SAT standard.

Cal has always had relatively relaxed standards and they would take in players who didn't qualify at first back in the days of Proposition 42.

It used to be. With the writing section added to the SAT, it's the equivalent of and old 850.

94

lol, i forgot they did that.

94 Why did he take the new test? I believe he's the class of '09, and they didn't require the new SAT until the class of '10.

95 Yes, but they add another 800 for it.

After researching a bit, I'm very confidant that Jackson scored a 1280 on the 1600 test, not the 2400 version. They didn't even offer the 2400 until he was a senior.

Re (52): "And that small matter of USC being able to get every good player plus four more that they don't need."

This was the right answer, Bob. Do you remember anyone from Stanford's 2001 team? I can't.

Back to baseball. I would agree with the post that LaRoche, Billingley, and Kershaw may be Logan White's top picks. Elbert can't be far behind. I want to keep these guys. It will be fun to watch them develop.

My favorite student ever, a kid that would make any parent proud, came into my class and cried for an hour because he scored poorly on the SAT. This kid is everything a teacher dreams of, and he wanted to give up academics because he only scored a 1270 on the SAT.

I hate the SAT. I hate standardized testing.

87 Actually, Logan did draft a guy a prototypical leadoff man in Ivan DeJesus.

81 2002 - James Loney 19th pick
2003 - Chad Billingsley 24th pick
2004 - Scott Elbert 17th pick, Blake DeWitt 28th pick
2005 - No pick
2006 - Clayton Kershaw 7th pick, Bryan Morris 26th pick.

And those of course were the 1st round picks, Miller, Broxton, Kemp, LaRoche, Martin, Meloan, Josh Bell and Mattingley were all picked after the 1st round.

It helps to get a lot of early picks like the Devil Rays and D-Backs but in the end, you build your system with all the other picks.

96

I've met Desean...

Honestly though, I'm pretty sure most schools wouldn't mind lowering their admissions standards to have him on their football team.

oops 104 was also in response to 90.

92 -- Trainwreck, I LOVE Trailer Park Boys. I have watched it since the beginning and I could talk about it all day. How many episodes have you seen? Do you have a favorite? There have been six seasons, and a Trailer Park Boys feature film aired in Canadian theaters in October. How have you been seeing episodes? I know the shows doesn't air on any American channel.

106
I knew about the show, but never saw it. Finally saw some of 5th season and then I bought every single DVD. Right now I am at the end of the second season. The episode where they open up the night club is probably my favorite one so far. When Ricky gives that speech on how he is just as smart as Julian, I was laughing so hard.

Don't answer him Trainwreck! 106 is a trap! It's obviously entrapment, but you just can't tell what kind of funny rules they might have up north.

100- I find it hard to believe that it was on the old test. Stanford would have been recruiting him if that were the case. The media would have made a big deal about his score too.

Oregon was recruiting a player named Hayworth Hicks, but have recently backed off because for academic reasons. He has a 2.0 GPA and an SAT score of 900 SAT (which I assume you get for putting your name on the test).

Here are the teams that are still after him
http://tinyurl.com/3a6h7t

I think 600 is the lowest you can get nowadays, since 200 is the lowest score per section, and there's 3 sections.

103- There were better players taken each of those years. I'm not saying it's impossible to get talent from the back end of the first round, or even lower. Just that the chances of pulling another Kershaw are significantly reduced, going forward. Reading White's interview at the Times' blog, it sounds like he thinks other teams are getting better at drafting, too. There's no way to know that, right now, but it could be true.

Depth is very good, but Brock isn't talking about trading Dewitt or Hu. He's talking about trading the high ceiling prospects (plus Ethier). Going forward, those should be the type we don't expect to be able to get in the quantities we have (even acknowledging that, outside of last year, our draft slots have never been really good). Or else I'm wrong. Which is a good bet, too.

109 He may have taken the old test, but it would have been an odd decision. The new SAT was first offered in March 2005, which was his senior year in high school, and 2-3 months before he graduated. I doubt he waited that long to take the test.

112 I meant "he may have taken the new test, but. . ."

Shannon Sharpe just called Michael Irvin the "Spiritual and emotional leader of the 90's Cowboys."

I guess that doing coke of a hooker's chest and paying strippers to engage in various disgusting sex acts equals leaderships.

I am so old fashioned it's scary. I should have been born in 1945. Or maybe I'm just boring Whitey. I don't know.

I have it from a reliable source that Reggie Bush's first choice was Stanford. Reggie was a leader in high school and had a high GPA. He attended Stanford's football camps, knew the coaches, and evidently liked them. But he scored around an 1100 on the (old) SAT -- a decent enough score but way too low for Stanford. Stanford asked him to retake it but by that time Washington was interested and USC had closed in for the kill.

Ooo let's make this waaaaaay more fun.

Brock, would you trade those three for an already-signed Carl Crawford?

Is anyone else surprised that a star athlete with a high GPA could not be admitted to Stanford with a 1100 SAT?

117
Yes.

116 No. But I do love Carl Crawford.

I'm talking about trading prospects for a Hank Aaron, Frank Robinson, Mickey Mantle comparable. I would love to have Carl Crawford, but I would only give up Ethier and Broxton for Crawford.

Wow, the Pro Bowl has turned into a good game.

117- no it doesn't. I remember reading somewhere that Stanford's football team had an average SAT of at least 1150; it might have been closer to 1200.

Stanford is the school of choice for the scholar-athlete. In the four classes entering the University from 1994 to 1997, the average freshman male athlete had logged a 3.73 high school GPA and a 1,215 SAT score, according to NCAA statistics.
http://tinyurl.com/2lkcvz

But they aren't all football players.

120- It's true, but it's also deeply embarrassing to acknowledge it.

Brock, I agree that standardized test results can be terribly unfair. Some bright students just don't test well.

But what is the alternative to using them? Relying solely on grades, recommendations, and application essays? High school grade inflation is a scandal. I am old enough to remember the days when there were one or two kids in the high school class who ended up with a 4.0. Now we see graduating classes with dozens of valedictorians. Recommendations have never been tough to get. And I imagine that there are some kids who find parents or others to write their application essays.

Remember the history of the SAT. Top colleges were once exclusive provinces of rich, but less qualified students whose parents could get them in as legacies or on the basis of their influence. This good old boy system kept out Jews, among others (btw, top colleges had negative quotas on Jewish admittes as late as the early 1960s). The SAT changed all that.

101 - Troy Walters.

107 -- I think my favorite Trailer Park Boys episode is the second season premier, in which Ricky gets a job as a security guard at a shopping mall, and he has to keep Bubbles from stealing shopping carts, which Bubbles makes his living off of by selling them back to the mall. That episode aired nearly five years ago, and since then I have never been able to look at a shoping cart without thinking of that episode.

No one seems to disagree that USC won't turn away a blue chipper because of grades/scores, unless they are below the NCAA minimum. And even then, they will have them attend some kind of remedial JC and retest them later. Another side of the scam -- USC football, and similar programs that place an emphasis solely on athletic ability, seem to end up with the occasional felon recruit. Isn't this a new phenomenon?

The top 15 football programs ranked by their average SAT score

1. Stanford 1,176
2. UCLA 990
3. Oregon 969
4. Purdue 966
5. Washington 963
6. Oklahoma 961
7. Michigan 959
8. Texas 958
9. Miami 937
10. *Virginia Tech
11. Washington State 920
12. Florida 910
13. BYU 905
14. Nebraska 891
15. Tennessee 862

http://tinyurl.com/yw5wt5

124 Dodger Jack, that was a fantastic post. And I agree with a lot of what you have to say.

The SAT has been, for the most part, a very good predictor of academic success. And I know how much the SAT has leveled the playing field. Without giving away where I live, my kids are poor White trash from Meth-riddled families, and these kids have overcome so much to become academic success stories. If they were African-American kids from Long Beach or Compton, their SAT scores would be considered within the greater context of their overall success. But because they are white, they don't get any quarter.

Without giving away where I live, my kids are poor White trash from Meth-riddled families

Springfield, OR...?

I had a kid miss school because their father hit their mother with a shovel...How crazy is that?

It's what we deal with...Every day.

Why does Billy Donovan irk me so?

I have a student whose parent says "My son is a baseball player...Make sure he is eligible, or I'll come looking for you."

Did Greg say the other day that he lives in "the Midwest"...?

134

his description sounds like the midwest to me.

134 I don't live in the Midwest.

I picked up the equivalent of three hundred points between the PSAT and SAT by getting a decent night's sleep before the latter, and by not having a knock down, drag out fight with my parents the morning of. I'm pretty sure I hadn't gotten any smarter, and I absolutely hadn't prepared for it in any other way. If the kid has any reason to believe he wasn't in top shape for the test, he should take another run at it before giving up. He should also get more sleep and be nicer to his mother.

136
I never thought so until I saw you say something to that effect (or at least, I thought I saw). I had always assumed you lived in the LA area.

I think we should stop trying to smoke out Greg's location. The sad thing is that it could be anywhere in the U.S. Point is -- he's trying to help these kids (despite their parents). Hats off to Greg.

138 I teach in a a "Not very good place." Fortunately, I was offered the opportunity to transfer to an awesome school district. I'm waiting to find out if I get the job. Moving from "Where I live" to "Where I want to be" in the middle of a school year is pretty unheard of.

If I get this job, I will do backflips. It will take me back home.

126
That is a great episode.

Brock smoked himself out, once. At least, I think he did. I remember poking around ratemyteacher, and thinking I'd caught him. But I don't remember which one I decided he was. Brock, check your own ratemyteacher ratings and tell us if one of the complaints about you is that you talk about baseball too much.

Riverside?

Here: check out comment #343

https://dodgerthoughts.baseballtoaster.com/archives/586837.html

144

and what does Greg Brock have to say about this?

144- He was taking a shot at the mindset of Pac 10 bashers, not really claiming residence.

142 There is no way I've ever given away who, or where, I am. I've worked hard to keep my anonymity. I'm UCLA Class of '04. My Dad is UCLA '68. My Mom is UCLA '70. I spent four years in the Navy. I was born and raised in Torrance, California. That's all I've ever said.

I've never even said if I was in California!

You mean, Greg Brock isn't really your name?

124. This is quite true. It's also the case that standardized tests are the single best predictor of career success. That doesn't mean they're perfect - it means that all other measures are much much worse. I just read that the AVERAGE entering GPA for UCLA freshman is now over 4.0. High school grades are meaningless at the top end of the distribution. And a low GPA is much more likely to indicate laziness than lack of intelligence. Essays can't be trusted. CVs are full of lies (a recent audit at UCLA showed a lot of students who claimed to spend more hours doing volunteer work than possible if they were actually students as well.

I know even more about GREs and grad student success, and GREs are a great predictor of time to degree, graduate GPA, and quality of job, at least in my field.

So yeah, standardized tests have flaws, but they're the best tool we have. Actually, the biggest problem nowadays is that they're too easy, especially the math -- way too many students get 800 math scores.

I thought you mentioned living in southern California before.

146
I had initially assumed it was a joke, but then it didn't make sense because D4P is an East Coast poster...

147- Hmm. It wasn't here, but over at the Griddle. I could go hunting for it, but I don't at all want to out you, so, there's really nothing in it for me. You talked about a high school football player in a way that I took to indicate he'd gone to your school.

To me, one factor to consider (the other) GB's trade scenario is the probability that Ethier, LaRoche, and Billingsley, while collectively better than Cabrera on paper, will be on the field often enough to realize that promise. With Colletti in charge, I'm not convinced that he won't keep bringing in lousy (but "proven") veterans, year after year, while the talent rots on the bench or in AAA. Cabrera, while very young, is probably "proven" enough to play for Colletti.

The flip side of that, of course, in injuries. If Cabrera gets hurt, the team with him circles the drain. With 3 guys on the other side of that trade (or non-trade), you spread your injury risk. And with the Dodger injury history, I'd diversify.

I'll tell you wonderful people this much. I teach in a really terrible place. I'm born and raised in Torrance. I just got permission to accept a job in Redondo Beach. If I get the job, I'll be able to leave my current job, and come home. If I get the job, it will be a true coming home. I miss the West Coast.

154- is it Redondo Union?

154 Yup. I interview for the Redondo Union job next week.

If only ever county in America was not full of meth addicts we could figure this thing out.

156- it's a good school, I have friends who went there. I grew up in the South Bay.

I need to fix the y key on my laptop.

158 I am super-pumped. I've been given the opportunity to interview for a RUHS job and an Adams Middle School job. They both need teachers, and my school knows how much I want to come home to the South Bay.

Needless to say, If you all were wondering, Greg Brock does not live in Los Angeles County. Though he wishes he did.

My Becker short board has been collecting dust.

Good luck with that Brock.

I have never heard of this South Bay stuff. That is for people in San Jose not Santa Monica.

My Becker short board has been collecting dust

But not your Becker DVD collection

Redondo Beach Union. Alma Mater of the Smothers Brothers...and Traci Lords.

I spent a lot of time in the RBUH ball fields in the 90's playing with my sister's dogs.

I am surprised how often Traci Lords gets mentioned on this site.

And Greg, good luck with the possible new job.

And just a block away from the high school is my favorite breakfast joint in L.A. County. Joe's. Home of the John Wayne Special.

166 Thanks, Marty. I really want to come home. I miss surfing, I miss Los Angeles, and I miss Dodger Stadium.

I miss my home.

Greg, where did you serve in the Navy? I have worked in Mugu and Hueneme as a civilian.

I know another former Navy teacher who teaches in Hawaii. I'm sure it's just a coincidence.

I've gathered that some of you on this board are keen on giving restaurant reviews. Can you give me some input on nice Japanese restaurants in Ventura County? Thanks.

169 I spent my enlisted years in Connecticut

Sorry, I don't know anything about Ventura County.

UCSB is actually on tv. I get to watch a Gaucho game for the first time since leaving.

I've not been to the Connecticut base.

Yeah, I'm pretty much banking my entire existence on getting this job. I want to come back home to the South Bay, I've gotten permission from my school to interview for the job, my resume blows away the competition, and I am terribly home sick. If I don't get this job, Greg Brock might be really upset.

They will succumb to the Greg Brock charm.

We're rooting for you, GB.

Isn't Xeifrank the Ventura County expert?

177 Thanks, Jon. I really appreciate it. If nothing else, getting this job means I'll be able to attend the next Dodger Thoughts Stadium Spectacular...

And that's really all that matters...Right?

On the fifth anniversary of Dodger Thoughts, July 21, the Dodgers have a Saturday home day game against the New York Mets. So I'm wondering about having that be this year's get-together. Thoughts?

I feel bad for Paul Sunderland. Went from calling Laker games to calling Big West games.

I would definitely be interested in that. I like day games.

179 Brilliant. I'll be there.

I just want to sit in the shade. If we do it, let's book some seats underneath an overhang.

179

That'd be perfect. I could make a Saturday game, plus I'd set the new record for farthest distance traveled to a DT outing.

179 Sorry, can't make it. I'll be busy not attending the British Open like Tiger Woods.

Are you expecting Ken?

179 Sounds perfect, let's book it!

Photo of Greg...?

http://tinyurl.com/yul5c3

186 I have been told not to expect a Ken.

Congratulations! So, it's a Kenna....

And just for the record, put me on the non-Brock side of the Cabrera thing. He's a hell of a player, but it's not like we get him for life. If I knew that the team around him would be stacked during the years he was here then I'd be more inclined to make the deal, but what's the use of giving up so many free years of quality youngsters for 3 prime years of a guy who probably wouldn't win us a world series?

My wife is a teacher for LAUSD. They went to a new payment system this month and all teachers were supposed to be paid on Feb 5th. Except the teachers who don't do automatic deposit never got their checks. As of Friday they still hadn't got their checks. I understand this was not an isolated incident at her school but at every LAUSD school. Now it is no big deal for us but I expect their are some teachers scrambling to make their rent right now since they only get paid monthly.
Their solution is for the teacher to take a day off and drive to downtown LA and get a temporary check.

So, it's a Kenna....

Or a Barbie

188 Ha! I'm much more tanned, have no jewfro, no mustache, and don't own a corduroy jacket.

Not that corduroy jackets are bad...In fact, I'm a huge fan.

UCSB chokes the game away by missing the last second technical foul shots.

And Mr. Kotter is probably a better poker player. I know he's better than me.

My wife wouldn't let me get any corduroy jackets with elbow pads. I did, however, recently get a DKNY Jeans corduroy jacket without elbow pads.

194 For some reason, I picture you looking somewhat like Sam Robards.

By the way, if you guys were ever wondering, Greg Brock's first name is David.

What is it with Dodgers named David who don't like that name?

200 Actually, I do hate my name. I hate it big time. I like my middle name a lot more.

My middle name is Touchdown.

I was hoping it was Sweetbreads.

I have always hated my middle name.

I got two middle names. I hate my last name though.

Didn't you guys have a corduroy jacket/elbow pads conversation a couple of months ago.

I outgrew mine. It was a suit.

My first name and two middle names are common names. My last name is not.

Have I never said that before? Yeah, my real name is David. I thought I said it before. And no, Ken, I don't look like Sam Robards.

I look a lot like this guy:
http://tinyurl.com/m6w4o

Ralph Fiennes in Harry Potter or Ralph Fiennes in Red Dragon?

205- D4P brings it up every few weeks. It's his thing. It's like, I have Juan Encarnacion, Bob has his cheerleaders, D4P has corduroy jackets with elbow patches.

Have I never said that before? Yeah, my real name is David

Oops, misunderstanding. I thought you were informing us (in case we didn't know) that the real Greg Brock's real first name was "David," but that he went by "Greg." That made me think of "J.D." Drew, whose real first name was David. That made me wonder why Dodgers with the real first name of "David" went by some other name.

Good luck GB. Are you currently part of Teach Across America? Is that how you wound up in CWTville?

I have never seen the Office but the movie Office Space is on. Are they the same thing? Is office Space any good. I have to stay up for a while. I built a fire but I got carried away and its way too big. And yet somehow I can't stop throwing more wood on it. That is when I can get close enough to it.

Dodgers v. Mets DT game is good call. I promised myself that I was going to the DT game this year but I will already be at the Mets game. Daughter made me promise I would keep tickets to all 3 games. You can guess why by now.

Sorry can't help with a restaurant review for Ventura.

I hate standardized tests. Did lousy on my SATs. Lousy on my LSAT. Even did poorly on the standardized portion of the NY Bar. According to standardized tests I'm an idiot. Yet, somehow I have managed to scrape out a living.

Office Space is great.

Office Space is very good, but it hasn't got anything to do with The Office, which is also very good.

I have never seen the Office but the movie Office Space is on. Are they the same thing? Is office Space any good

No they are not the same thing, and Yes, a million times Yes, Office Space is any good.

However, it's undoubtedly better uncensored. (I assume you're watching a censored version on TV...)

But watching it edited does no justice.

Yeah, you're going to need to watch Office Space the whole way through, ok. It's a great movie.

I'd love to go to the game with you guys and meet some new people.

One more thing, Ken, about having kids not named Ken. I have two of them and we are on the edge of the teenage years and while it is increadibly taxing at times, while I miss not have a kid named Ken to throw a ball with, no one, not your mom or your wife will love you like your child not named Ken. So while its tough at times its the greatest thing in the world. Congrats.

LOL. So, I decided to tell you all that my name is David. It was a huge step. Because I decided to do so, It means that D4P and trainwreck need to give up their first names.

I have given up mine before. I am another Andrew.

Shouldn't "Andrew" have to give up his/her first name too...?

Isn't trainwreck's first name Andrew? D4P's first name is Pol.

Like Greg Brock, I try very hard to keep my anonymity. I'm actually a bartender in New York and this whole BYU prof thing is an elaborate ruse.

I will give away my middle names. John for my grandfather and Lewis because I am a son of a Mason...(frightening music)

Oh, fine. In the interest of full disclosure, my name is David Nalbandian. I'm a professional tennis player.

I made that up. I'm not David Nalbadian.

And I'm not Mark McGwire

So you're name is Mark.

*your

uggh

My real first name isn't Bob.

I have written about middle name before.

This from "Sarah" of Dodgers.com fame:

The 2006 season was special if you were a Dodgers fan. For the first time in recent memory, nobody questioned the Los Angeles Dodgers' desire to win. We didn't read much about strife in the clubhouse. The 2006 contingent had the right mix of veterans and rookies.

170. Sorry I missed the post. I was out celebreating Chinese New Years a week early eating a wonderful home cooked "hot pot" meal. As far as the best sushi in Ventura County. I can't speak for the whole county, but I'd suggest a little place with tons of atmosphere called Marina Sushi on California Street in the city of Ventura. There's quite a bit of nightlife in the area if you are into that sort of stuff too. There may be better places that I don't know about, but that is my suggestion.
vr, Xei

I respect the hell out of people like Bob, Jon, Ken, Andrew, etc. I'm so afraid of sharing anything, the fact that they post their names willingly is amazing to me. Hell, it took me a year and a half to say that my real name is David.

232
We're making a lot of progress here. Next step is to help Andrew face his scary feelings.

233 Yes, but but first name really isn't David ;)

232
Since I have a blog in my name, I feel I have to use my real name.

At work, I have to use my real name now when I talk to people since I'm the boss.

Cool, I'm watching Office Space now. It's on comedy central.

To be fair, I've kind of lied about my first name. It's actually Daniel.

232 Actually, Ken Arneson is a pseudonym. I use my real name on my other blog.

I do not like sushi, but my wife likes it and tempura. I like Teppan. We seek a place which has two or all three of those. Driving to LA county is out of the question.

237
Is it? Is it really Daniel, or are you lying to us again?

240 My real name is one of the follwing:

David
Donnie
Daniel
Diarmud
Dax
Donald

I will not succumb to this soul-bearing telling of my name until I am a guest on the Barbara Walters Oscar Special.

Here's a question:
You have a movie on DVD like Office Space but then you change the channel to Comedy Central and start watching it in the middle.

Should you just go get the DVD and start it from the beginning with no commercials or edits or do it watch the TV version?

Ah, I get it. Greg Brock's real name is Danny Concannon. Clever with the West Wing references there.

242 That's only because we all know that "bhsportsguy" is code for Rupert Murdoch.

You're not fooling anybody, Rupert.

I think Greg Brock is just trying to give us the slip as he comes up with a plan to go to South America with his astronaut.

128. Uncle Miltie
The top 15 football programs ranked by their average SAT score
1. Stanford 1,176
2. UCLA 990
3. Oregon 969
4. Purdue 966
5. Washington 963
6. Oklahoma 961
7. Michigan 959
8. Texas 958
9. Miami 937
10. *Virginia Tech
11. Washington State 920
12. Florida 910
13. BYU 905
14. Nebraska 891
15. Tennessee 862

I don't know if it was already mentioned but this article was written in 2001 and the above rankings were for 1994-1997. ok thats all I got. carry on gentlemen

I was pseudonymous for the first year or so. But once I let DT into my heart, I felt comfortable using my real name. Well, sort of my real name. I was born Wilson Pickett, but, in 1987, I killed Andrew Shimmin and assumed his identity. Sometimes I regret it. Assuming his identity, I mean; killing Andrew Shimmin I have no regrets about.

And another thing: if you are one of the suckers who bought the original DVD version of Office Space, do you rent the new "With Flair" version just to see the extra features?

Exactly. My real name may be Donald, David, Daniel, Dax, or Donnie. The bottom line is that Lisa Nowack is my true love, and that you all need to understand the depth of our love.

239. Sorry then, I only eat sushi/sashimi at Japanese restaraunts, the stuff you like would be a crap shoot for me to recommend. You might try Ozekis on Victoria Avenue, they probably have a wider variety.
vr, Xei

248 Ha!! I bought the extra special version so there.

BTW, I'm still watching it on Comedy Central.

179 Count me in for LA v. NY on 7/21.

Regarding "meeting other posters in person":

On one hand, I've always found this very tempting, and something I've supported in theory.

On the other hand, having met a handful of posters from the ESPN board a few years ago, I must say that the experience was a disappointment. There was nothing wrong with the people per se, but they (not surprisingly) didn't match what I had constructed in my head. It's kind of like reading a book and then watching the film version of the book and not liking it because the characters don't look the way you had imagined them in your mind.

I'm out for 7/21.

My life is planned out in advance. Just like my idol, Charlie Weis.

249 Wait a second, this sound suspicious, all of sudden GB is "interviewing" for a job out West. And Lisa is out on bail.

I am beginning to think we have a "Lifetime Movie of the Week" here.

217 To bring this thread full circle, let me just say that given how difficult it was to agree on the names of our first two not Kens, it's quite likely the final decision will have to be made by an arbitrator.

253I must say that the experience was a disappointment. There was nothing wrong with the people per se, but they (not surprisingly) didn't match what I had constructed in my head.

No need to worry about that. To be honest, I'm kind of awesome. In fact, I'm really awesome.

I'm Great. Yay me!!!

253. I have met 3 DT posters in person. All three are very regular nice normal people. I am sure the rest are very nice. After the previous Dodger Stadium DT get togethers everyone goes on about how nice it was to meet everyone. That's one of the reasons I want to go this year.

258
I doubt I'd ever pass up the opportunity to meet folks. But part of me wonders if I prefer my idealized constructs over the real thing.

Having spoken with all of you over the course of a year or two, I'm pretty sure I would enjoy a dinner with you guys. You may not be as hilarious as you are in print, but there isn't a single DT poster that I wouldnt' enjoy sitting down with. I really like each and every one of you.

256. Three not Kens. You are a very brave man.

Nice article about park factors, the problem with the way they are calculated and how to fix the problem.
http://beyondtheboxscore.com/story/2007/1/21/21591/0612

Looks like Dodger Stadium is rated as the #1 HR park in the NL West, Petco #5. Then Dodger stadium has an extreme suppression of triples, but Petco is the opposite.
vr, Xei

Dennis Green wouldn't like Greg Brock.

Since Bob is going to be away on 7/21, I say we all meet and watch the game in his kitchen. We can probably feed the cats too.
vr, Xei

I can imagine that Xeifrank, ToyCannon, and Dennis Green wouldn't want to sit down for dinner with me. Which is a shame, because I like all three of them.

I remember the last DT get together. Brett Tomko started and won. Jae Seo did not get a save. Oliver Perez couldn't find home plate.

I carried on some of the oddest conversations in my life.

264
There's no TV in my kitchen.

I would think my apartment will be swelteringly hot on July 21.

In addition to a night out at the park, I propose a pitch-by-pitch video session on someone's Tivo where we can all try to sound as sophisticated as possible and spout off the odds of certain things happening during every situation. Anyone? Bueller?

267. It will be BYOTV then.
vr, Xei

I wouldn't want to eat with Repent or Burn. The poutine, and all that. Or D4P, what with the tofu, and organic, cruelty-free business. And Marty's taste is probably too snooty. Come to think of it, I don't know why I bother coming around here at all.

269
And BYOAC

The last DT get together:

http://tinyurl.com/2fcech

The Griddle get together will be held in a cemetery at a date still to be announced.

266 All I remember is someone falling, a lot of high fives, and me having to leave early because I brought girls who didn't care much about baseball.

Yeah, the first get-together turned out to be both enjoyable and not without incident. I may bring a breathalyzer this time around.

Because you know how out of control I get.

273 - Oh yeah, the girls. I forgot about the girls. Everyone was pretty surprised that there were girls.

Or D4P, what with the tofu, and organic, cruelty-free business

Ironically, I had my first career bite of tofu TODAY. My wife and I (lovers of animals that we are) would love to stop eating them as often. My wife bought some kung pao (or is that "gung pao"...?) tofu today at Whole Foods and brought some home. She made me try a bite. It was good.

Oh, wow, there are going to be girls at the DT meetings? Holy Smokes...I had no idea. I better get a haircut and buy matching socks.

You guys have totally raised the bar.

There's no AC in my kitchen. You might as well just sit in the living room.

Which has AC.

And TV.

And usually a cat.

Deep Thoughts, by Jon Weisman

So if you're eligible to get a save, but the official scorer chooses not to give you one, can the official scorer than give you a blown save? Because, you blew it, pal.

276
Tofu pretty much just takes the flavor of what you cook it in. Much of the time, tofu is just a soy sauce delivery vehicle.

270. Yeah but I want to drink with Nate or at least try to anyway.

Deep Thoughts, by D4P

There was something attractive about the woman, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Every time he tried, she'd swat it away.

261 Three is nothing. My wife is one of seven not Kens. There are a lot of not Kens around the Ken household. I'm used to it.

280. So are you saying we should dip our tofu in beer? vr, Xei

Tofu pretty much just takes the flavor of what you cook it in

My appetite is highly psychological. If something looks or sounds gross or weird, I generally can't get myself to eat it. I ate the tofu by itself, but if I eat it again, I'm gonna want some noodles or something to go with it.

281
Brock's the, "I drink 12 beers to get a buzz" guy.

284
I saw a recipe for beer battered tofu. I made it once.

Once is the most important word there.

speaking of drinking..staying home on a friday night, watching law and order SVU, listening to music and drinking a coupld newcastles was a good choice.

A not Ken related story:

My aunt's initials are KKJ. She has two daughters, with initials KKL and KKK (yes, KKK).

KKK married a K_K. K_K has two brothers, K_K and K_K. K_K and K_K each married K's, whose initials then became K_K and K_K.

286 It's the curse of being Scots Irish...We can drink.

My uncle's initials are JEW.

It's Saturday, Nate.

I myself, am also staying in tonight and will be doing my impersonation of the cast of Half Baked.

291
lol I am sure he never got made fun of for that.

286- Nate knows more college girls. Brock knows more high school girls, but LAT doesn't want to go to jail.

292

man...how the nights blend together.

I narrowly avoided getting the middle name Steven.

286. Ok I want to drink with Brock and Nate and anyone else who wants to.

294

if a DT day comes together, ill do my best to bring attractive, available of age ladies.

Photos from the first gathering:

https://dodgerthoughts.baseballtoaster.com/archives/413536.html

My middle name is the same as one of the most corrupt cities in America.

297 I would love to. I look forward to the next DT meeting. When the lightweights call it a night, the big boys will handle the business.

Bob Redding Timmermann...?

289 Looks like a Nolan Ryan line score.

302- Vernon

304
Vernon is corrupt. Redding is just dull. And dangerously close to Oregon.

I have a confession to make...

I'm really not an uncle and my name isn't Miltie.

And if makes me any less of a man, I also enjoy light beer (as long as it's not domestic).

While my friends are out having a good time, I'm in my room writing a 5 page essay about how Thomas Jefferson was a racist.

*it

5 pages double spaced?

Say Anything is on right now. I can't believe D4P liked this movie. I always knew I didn't respect him, but I never, till this minute, knew why.

309
Things to cross off my To Do list:

Stand outside Andrew's house with a boombox playing Peter Gabriel.

What would have to be wrong with a grown man for him to like this movie?

Women like John Cusack. Why...No idea whatsoever. They just do.

I can't believe D4P liked this movie

I megaloathed that movie. I didn't think the lead actress was attractive, I don't really like John Cusack, and I can't stand that Peter Gabriel song.

The only thing good about that movie is that Oscar serenaded Lucille I with a boombox.

Going back over the list of people that John Cusack has dated, I would switch places with him.

i just turned in a 5 page phase 1 dealio for my business project. we have to create a new product or service and make a feasible business plan for it as the semester project.

our made up company is "Sports Programming Consolidation Inc" and we basically offer a service for fans who are out of market for their favorite sports teams to purchase viewing rights to just those sports teams.

basically in real life it could never work but whatever right?

I would switch places with him

I hope your USC gal doesn't read DT

313- Huh. I reversed your position on the movie entirely? That's weird. I still don't respect you, but disrespect you less. Who was the Say Anything fan?

316
She didn't attend USC.

I just stumbled across Jonny Quest cartoons The real ones, not ome 80 verion or something. Anyone wanna bet that at some point Bandit gets carried away by a giant bird and dropped.

I reversed your position on the movie entirely?

Yes. Entirely. I don't remember who the Say Anything fans were, but I do seem to recall that most of the respondents thought that the lead actress was at least somewhat attractive.

The only John Cusack movies I like are Sixteen Candles, Better Off Dead, and Stand By Me.

317

Shakily raises hand...

Dark Horse. Hope he's not reading, tonight.

https://dodgerthoughts.baseballtoaster.com/archives/412738.html

321- I'm starting to come around on it, actually. . .

Well, no, but I now that it's no good as a cudgel in my crusade against D4P, I drop all objections to anyone's liking the movie.

320 I find your lack of "One Crazy Summer" disturbing.

Hoops McCann!

322
I see that I referred to Say Anything as "The Juan Pierre of movies."

323
I'm starting to come around on it, actually

I respect you even less.

324
I find your lack of "One Crazy Summer" disturbing

Haven't seen it.

Speaking of DT get-togethers, where is coachjpark??

315 - Where do I sign up?

Mostly lurker, rare poster, in to report:

My first name is not Humma.
My last name is not Kavula.

That is all.

John Cusack was at one time called "the thinking woman's sex symbol." College-educated gals think he's all deep or something.

He is not without charm, but he is no George Clooney. There; I've said it.

John Cusack is the Drew Barrymore for girls - fairly attractive, but adored based on the ridiculously likeable characters he plays.

I'm a Say Anything fan although I haven't seen it in a while. Then again, I'm a huge Cameron Crowe fan, generally enjoy Cusack movies, and think Ione Skye is hot.

I'm in for Say Anything. It's the little kid nephew that makes the film.

And not wanting to process anything sold bought, or processed.

Meanwhile, knowing all that I know, I really bet Marty's favorite breakfast joint in all of LA, home of the John Wayne Special, is good. Marty doesn't say such things lightly.

Amazing how everything is in full swing here at DT in the middle of winter!
-----
I wouldn't want to be in Juan Pierre's shoes right now!
-----------
Fascinating that DTs own "Uncle Milty" would be writing an essay in the tradition of the revisionist historians (Wm. Appleman Williams, Gabriel Kolko and the like) on Thomas Jefferson's racist tendencies.

Check out in Miles Davis' autobiography(pages 406/407) on how indeed the original "Uncle Milty" was indeed quite a racist…

Also, I remember some interesting notes about UM in David Halberstam's book "The Fifties". (although nothing to do with his "racist tendencies"…if I remember correctly…)

You silly boys. I'm a big Say Anything and John Cusack fan.

I'm a Say Anything fan.

So, do I break my streak of never watching the Grammy Awards to see The Police reunite?

I need a ruling on this.

334 No

334-5. That's funny, I just had the same conversation with my next door neighbor. It was pretty much identical:

Me: I never watch the Grammys ever, but I really loved The Police. Should I watch.

Neighbor: No you shouldn't. And if you do, you won't be happy you did.

I would rather get a Scrantonicity CD.

Award shows are worse than Say Anything.

Here comes the NIGHT. I vote no-don't watch, unless you can somehow know the very minute the Police go on.

Okay, that makes three "no" votes, one vote for Scrantonicity, and one "Awards shows are worse than Say Anything" vote.

No Grammy Awards.

So what songs do people think they'll play.

I'm gonna start by going off the Board and guessing Walking On The Moon.

The Police performance will probably end up on YouTube anyway.

Born in the Fifties would be sort of clever.

We are now closer to 2050 than 1950.

Don't Stand So Close to Me...
And you KNOW that Every Breath You Take will get played.

Well, I'm shocked, shocked Greg Brock offers up the salacious teacher and the crazy stalker songs.

How bout some of you plugged in LA guys work your Industry Game Theory magic and tell me when in the show they'll play, in case I can't resist.

345 Ah, but you didn't ask what I wanted them to play.

Synchronicity II, of course!

I want to see the Police, but don't know if I'll be able to.

Anyone want to watch the BAFTAs tonight? BBC America, baby.

I saw the BAFTAs on "Extras". The Andy Millman doll kept disturbing the show.

349 - Those were the BAFTA TV awards. Now you need to see the BAFTA film awards.

It would be cool if they played "Spirits in the Material World" or "Wrapped Around Your Finger."

Those are two The Police songs I really like, but I don't think I've watched the Grammys since Metallica played "Enter Sandman."

"Mother" is also cool, but it's pretty much an Andy Summers solo track, predating the Glenn Danzig song of the same title by five years.

351

...but following Pink Floyd's "Mother" by four years. Lots of "Mother(s)" out there.

About Fantasy Baseball, Holy Hedgehogs here and was wondering if I am going to get a chance to defend my title this year?? If so when will signups be??

Let it not be said there's been no progress in America.

Question from The Newlywed Game rerun I happen to be watching: "Ladies, which Indian Tribe was your Husband most like a member of on your wedding night: (1) A Too Soony Zuni, (2) an All Talk Mohawk, (3) a Flat On Your Back Chippewack, or (4) a Papago All Night?"

Wow.

Bob Eubanks: Where is the weirdest place where you have ever made whoopee?

355
I think that was more along the lines of "Where is the weirdest place your husband has wanted to make whoopee?"

They will play Roxanne and Every Breath You Take. They should play So Lonely

Someone from my staff always has to go to these award shows to make sure our writers can file their stories in time. I think the Grammys are the consensus favorite because there is no tuxedo requirement.

I like the Jose Feliciano version of "Roxanne" from Moulin Rouge.

Maybe Eddie Murphy will join them for Roxanne.

360 That made me laugh.

If the Grammys are on tape delay, I'm sure somebody will be live blogging the event. Hopefully we can find out when The Police are on.

I remember Kevin Nealon singing "Roxanne" for Sting in an elevator.

According to the fine people at E!, the Police will be the opening act for the Grammy Awards show.

I don't know if the LAT carries Parade Magazine, but the Post does and today's Q&A with Walter Scott contains an update on Barbaro that reports him doing fine.

I realize these things are pringted in advance, but still.

364 - It does, and I saw that, too.

New post up top.

Grosse Pointe Blank and Bullets Over Broadway are two movies that I'll always pause and watch a little of when I'm skipping through the movie list in zombie mode.
DT Dodger day won't be the same without Bluebleeder.