text:
Shalom Y'all!
The Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life (ISJL) promotes Judaism and our heritage through innovative programs and shared resources. The ISJL delivers rabbinic services, an education program, and cultural events to communities seeking new solutions, or where Jewish resources are limited. The ISJL also provides historic preservation and community engagement throughout the South.
Gratz College has had a close relationship with ISJL because our extensive online programming serves Jewish professionals in geographic areas who have limited access to professional development.
The June 2014 ISJL newsletter focuses on Gratz College's online programming.
Click here to read the newsletter.


text:
SO I called the city to find out if they had a forwarding address on my leaching tenants for the water bill, and of course somehow that is protected info. SO THE TAXPAYER CAN'T EVEN GET CITY RECORDS TO TRACK DOWN THE LEACHES!!!
Yet, the city made me wait 3 months to start throwing the bumms out!!!
This country is so screwed up!!!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Jango Speck, what EP1 figs do you have? I need a few from the last wave. Padme Accesnsion to be exact.
thanks Chux Turbo LBC Bobafrett Mtriv73 Rjarvis JF96 JT JMG FB Rogue2 Tycho Slicker Deoxy Caesar JontheJedi JJReason Brandon Solo JMS UK for great deals.
SSG Pro Football Pick em and Bowl Pick em Champ 2006. 2007 NCAA Bracket Champ
#24 - Gone but not forgotten
I got a bit late to TRU in Los Feliz and I saw dirty sanchez with the black head variant gold destro comic pack. I knew I should've gone there before Burbank TRU which of course had no new stuff.
I got to meet Figrin Bran at that store, though.
Nice to finally meet you too Commtech!
I saw CW today and enjoyed it
bikerscout, you wouldn't believe it but the Vista actually had a bit of a line for Tropic Thunder when I passed by.
If anyone sees these things can you stash them for me? I would greatly appreciate it!
1. GI JOE Iron Grenadier/ Destro Black mask variant comic pack
2. Ghoul-face Chase Batman movie figure
Wanted: -
SW Customs Album
Cataclizm: The Ghoul face Batman has been losing value on ebay. It's gone from $100 to around $30. That means there's more than expected and we'll be able to find it soon (hopefully).


text:
Turn off the TV! Go outside and play! Does this sound like something your parents might say? It's actually a message from children's television network Nickelodeon. On Saturday, September 25, the network and its website will go off the air from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. The campaign is part of the network's seventh annual Worldwide Day of Play.
"It's all about encouraging kids to make healthier choices," says Jean Margaret Smith, who works at Nickelodeon. "The message is to get up, get outside and get active."
Exercise with the Stars
Nickelodeon stars, including Miranda Cosgrove of iCarly, will show their support at a Worldwide Day of Play event at Riverside Park in New York City on Saturday. Beginning at 9 a.m. on Nick, the celebs will appear live from the event. They'll share tips with viewers on how to get active when the network shuts down for the afternoon.
TIME FOR KIDS asked Victorious star Victoria Justice about the health tips she'll be sharing at the event. "I enjoy hiking and walking my dogs," Victoria told TFK. "I try to avoid sweets. I choose healthier alternatives, such as fruit or a smoothie."
At noon, the band Big Time Rush will "turn off" the channel. A message encouraging viewers to go play will appear on the screen. The cast of True Jackson, VP will turn the network back on at 3 p.m. Behind-the-scenes footage from the star-filled event in New York City will air before and after the network shutdown.
Take the Challenge!
Kids in all 50 states and in 10 countries are expected to participate in this year's Worldwide Day of Play at more than 3,000 events worldwide. About 75,000 kids so far have taken the online pledge to participate. Will you?
"Grab your family and go jump rope together," says Nickelodeon's Smith. "Compete in a dance-off or run a mile, if you can. Do what you like to do. Just make sure you move."


text:
It's little after midnight on Thursday. I posted my first story to Kuro5hin today. It was a brilliant (!!) idea on how Napster can make money. The story lasted for about 10 minutes in the input queue, before it got -20 and dropped off. My brilliance wasn't appreciated (grin).
I'm working late today (from home though). With a fast Internet connection and a dast laptop it's just as good as being in the office - just less distractions. I'm staying home today, to take care of my sick wife (bad cold), so it doesn't matter how late I stay up.
I am tired though...
Tonight I'm listening to Duke Ellington's record The Money Jungle. This was one of my first jazz albums I ever bought. It's Duke playing with Max Roach and Charles Mingus. I remember that Miles Davis in a "Downbeat" interview hated this record.


text:
Fiji For Less can assist with bookings for selected budget and backpacker accommodations in Fiji. Save money by booking direct with the properties; no agency markups! Send us a no-obligation query now to see if we have what you need.
Fijian Village Accomodation and numerous activities such as our Multi Award Winning Tours - The Jewel of Fiji Day Tour,Great Adventures Fiji, and multidays and overnight tours called Fijian Adventures.
Smugglers Cove Beach Resort & Hotel is a beachfront (3 � star AAA Accredited) resort centrally located ON THE BEACH at Nadi & comfortable10 minutes drive from the Inter
Tiliva Resort is minutes away from the GreatAstrolabe Reef, ideal for the scuba diver and snorkeller alike. The Resort has six deluxe bures all with full ensuite facilities, ceiling fans,dvds,room safes,bath robe and 24 hour solar power.
Snorkell & Fish at the best sites if Fiji where marine life is at it's abundance !!!!
Dive Kadavu at Matana Beach Resort is located on the isolated island of Kadavu in the Fiji Islands. Explore some of the world's best dive sites, magical coral reefs, all-tide swimming beach, great accommodation, authentic culture - the real Fiji.
Sea-kayak Fiji's spectacular Kadavu Island group. Guided journeys, resort-to-resort routes, snorkeling, trekking, village visits, family adventures, student programs & more. Itineraries from 1 to 22 days. Tamarillo has been guiding Fiji since 1998.
Tropical DIve Sau Bay and Taveuni. Offering Day diving & Scuba certifications Fast boats, New equipment 2012 Sau Bay Fiji Retreat - 3+* boutique resort off Taveuni Island with a variety of accommodations
We provide backpackers accomodation
Fiji visitors guide to accommodations, adventure travel, unique tours and rentals. Check out top Fiji getaways & destinations. Fiji vacations, packages & travel spots. Visit Fiji !.


text:
MammalsWolves, Foxes, and CoyoteAll families
Unique northern fox well adapted for living in harsh Arctic climate with distinctive color and short… read more
Smaller than wolves, with a smaller nose pad (less than 25mm) but relatively larger ears. Upperparts… read more
Largest wild canid. Fur usually grizzled gray but ranges from pure white to black to reddish brown. … read more
The smallest of the Gray Wolf populations. Usually a combination of grizzled gray, tan, and/or rust … read more
A medium-sized wolf with gray coat, sprinkled with blackish hairs; occasionally yellowish or reddish… read more
A gray fox with a black-tipped tail. Back is grizzled gray; sides are cinnamon-colored; belly is tan… read more
Similar to the Swift Fox but with a longer tail and larger ears. The Kit Fox is distinguished by its… read more
A very small, large-eared, leggy fox. Pale tan to yellowish-buff above, turning grayish in winter; w… read more
Uniquely-colored fox with a bushy, white-tipped tail. Most animals are red-colored with black feet a… read more
©2007 eNature.comSite MapUser SettingsAbout Us/Contact
Free contentMedia KitLink To UsCopyrightPrivacy Policy
©2007 eNature.com


text:
RAM Mounting Systems Passive Dock for the General Dynamics XR-1
RAM Delivers Another Innovative Mounting Solution
SEATTLE, Wash.--RAM has put together a product line second to none when it comes to rugged mounting solutions and custom cradles. For the General Dynamics XR-1, RAM has once again raised the bar and set a new standard for durability, form, and function. Designed to integrate seamlessly with RAM's patented rubber ball and socket mounts, this new custom cradle can be put practically anywhere or attached to most anything. Featuring an integrated lock and screen support system, this product provides all the ideal functions. Given that the General Dynamics XR-1 is designed for harsh use and industrial applications, RAM Mounting Systems is the perfect accessory. Built for years of use, and incorporating a timeless design, RAM engineers cut no corners when creating the perfect cradle for the General Dynamics XR1.
About RAM Mounting Systems, Inc.
RAM stands for Round-A-Mount and got its start in 1995. Most of the product line is based on a patented design revolving around a rubber ball and socket design. Far and away the most innovative product line of its kind, RAM continues to evolve into one of the most sought after accessories for electronics. Incorporating a non-slip feature as well as shock and vibration dampening, our often imitated but never duplicated mounting solutions are truly one of a kind and enhance every application they are used in. Unwilling to compromise durability and versatility, many RAM products are available to support devices from less than a pound to 185 pounds. Utilizing the finest assembly hardware, durable composites, steel, stainless steel, rubber, and aluminum, our mounting bases and complete kits are manufactured to perform above expectations and remain cost effective.
For over a decade RAM Mounting Systems has provided products that remain top of the line. For your next mounting application, choose wisely. Choose RAM. Visit www.ram-mount.com for more information.
Request more product info from RAM Mounting Systems.
Thank You!


text:
"Louie, the Lilac"
Every bit as awesomely ridiculous as I remember.
"Some day, I'm going to control the flower market of the entire world! And with it, the Flower Generation!"
O yes.
(I always wonder if it's a sign of schizophrenia if Louie is one of my favorite Batman villains, though I'm such a "realistic Batman purist" that I can't stand him being in the Justice League.)


text:
The 2010 season saw the San Francisco Giants win their first World Championship since moving away from New York, 52 years ago. Cincinnati took the central division with a late-season surge to overtake the Cardinals and it seems easy to forget that the San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies were in the race right down to the final day of the regular season. Milwaukee is improved as are the Braves, Dodgers and Nationals – but it is most likely that St. Louis or Colorado make a run at the postseason. St. Louis seems to be bleeding aces while Milwaukee is stockpiling them. Colorado keeps locking up young superstars and Cincinnati is following suit – both will be there for the long haul. 2011 has seen a power shift as Adrian Gonzalez leaves San Diego, Cliff Lee returns to Philadelphia and Zack Grienke lands in Wisconsin. The NY Mets are bankrupt while the Diamondbacks, Marlins, Astros and Nationals all seem to be taking different approaches to their market limitations. Could the Phillies and Giants square off for another NLCS tilt or will a new team take the NL title into the World Series?
2010 FINISH: 97-65, NL East Champs, Lost NLCS to SFG
ADDITIONS: Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt (2010), Delwyn Young, Pete Orr, Brandon Moss, Juan Samuel (Coach), Ryne Sandberg (manager), Michael Martinez , Ron Belliard, Cory Sullivan, Josh Barfield, Brian Bass, Eddie Bonine, Ryan Feierabend, Erik Kratz, Jeff Larish
SUBTRACTIONS: Jayson Werth, Mike Sweeney, Jamie Moyer, Chad Durbin, Cody Ransom, Davey Lopes (Coach)
POSITION BATTLES: RF-Ben Francisco/Ross Gload/Domonic Brown; LF-Raul Ibanez/John Mayberry; Fifth starter; Bullpen, Second base, #5 hitter
STORYLINES: Let's be clear. Saying that the Phour Aces/Phour Loco/Phantastic Phour campaign has been overplayed by Philly media would be a huge understatement. Insisting that all five starting pitchers be photographed, interviewed and included was a bit much. All in all, Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels and Joe Blanton may very well be the best rotation seen in the Majors since the Atlanta Braves of the early/mid 1990 or the Baltimore Orioles of the 1970s. While that is true, do not delude yourself into thinking that this fearsome foursome (no Joe Blanton, that does NOT include you) has any shot of matching the feat of four 20-game winners as they did in Baltimore in 1971. The game has changed too much with bullpen specialists, pitch counts, agents telling managers when to use their clients (er-pitchers), endorsement deals and of course bonus incentives. Even if Four of a Kind are limited to 30 decisions each, what manager wouldn't like to head into battle knowing that he has an ace on the mound four out of five days? Stealing Cliff Lee from the Yankees for LESS money = $120M. Knowing you have Four Aces and will dominate every postseason series? PRICELESS! Now to the real dilemma for this team – lack of offense? Not kidding. Jayson Werth took $126M to pump up the nation's deficit in DC and Domonic Brown is out until June with a broken hand. Chase Utley hasn't played a lick through Spring Training due to a mysterious tendinitis issue (a second MRI showed tedinitis, chondromalacia and bone inflammation, all symptoms have not been uncommon for Utley in the past – but this time cortisone and rest have not worked. Surgery would be a last resort) and there wasn't a lot of protection in the lineup for Ryan Howard as it was. Now the final strikeout of the 2010 NLCS will likely receive the Barry Bonds treatment because no one else in the lineup strikes fear in the hearts of moundmen. Would you be afraid to walk Howard and take your chances on Raul Ibanez or Ben Francisco? So the team is faced with a dilemma… wait it out to see what happens with Utley or address the issue that was never addressed when Werth defected. Who bats fifth and now who bats third? Theoretically, Wilson Valdez would take over at 2B and defensively, Valdez is a superior player (which he proved in 100 games in 2010). Offensively, Valdez comes nowhere close to half of Utley's numbers. OK the payroll is around $160M and GM Ruben Amaro claims they are maxed out after dumping all that green on bringing the Lee family back from Seattle by way of Texas – oh and getting Roy Oswalt at the trading deadline – and signing Roy Halladay… and handing Ryan Howard $25M…Right so Ibanez makes $10M, Blanton makes $8.5 and there is a salary crunch… Clearing out $18M dollars would allow the option of going to get Michael Young ($17M) who is unhappy with a utility role in Arlington.
PREDICTIONS: Due to a weak division and their pitching, the Phillies have the luxury of playing out the first two months of the season and then determining a course of action. In 2007 it was Jamie Moyer. 2008 Joe Blanton was brought in at midseason. 2009 it was Pedro Martinez and Cliff Lee. 2010 saw Lee leave and Halladay arrive in the offseason, followed by the acquisition of Roy Oswalt on July 30. Now with Lee back in the fold, the question remains whether or not Blanton and Ibanez have any market value because the farm system is tapped for trades. In-house bench options include Delwyn Young, Pete Orr, Cory Sullivan, John Mayberry and Josh Barfield. Even with Utley 100%, this team still needs a #5 hitter.
2011 FINISH: Barring a comet hitting the earth, the Phillies look like they could win their 5th straight NL East title and should be favorites to get back to their third World Series in four seasons. Four Aces in the postseason will be invaluable so it won't matter who the 5th starter is. It will matter whether or not the offense can score runs, an offense that has been in decline since early 2009 – and evidenced by their inability to take the Giants in 2010 NLCS (see Ryan Howard striking out with a win in their grasp). Trading Blanton or Lidge or Gload might be required to get any kind of thumper added to the lineup. Speculation of approaching the 116 win mark may not be realistic but a likely goal is 100-62, NL Champs http://prosportsblogging.com/sports/mlb-baseball/philadelphia-phillies/
2010 FINISH: 91-71, Wildcard berth, 2nd NL East 6 GB, lost NLDS to SFG
ADDITIONS: Freddie Freeman, Dan Uggla, George Sherrill, Scott Linebrink
SUBTRACTIONS: Omar Infante, Kenshin Kawakami, Derek Lee, Troy Glaus, Kyle Farnsworth, Rick Ankiel, Matt Diaz, Takashi Saito, Melky Cabrera, Billy Wagner (RET)
POSITION BATTLES: SS-Gonzalez/Hernandez, CF-McClouth/Schaefer
STORYLINES: Chipper Jones was a rookie when Hank Aaron retired… or so it seems… Actually Jones was the successor to Terry Pendelton back in the early to mid 1990s and remains the only tie to the Braves glory days. This was a year or two into the Braves 14-year run of division titles dating back to the NL West (prior to the 1994 realignment). In recent years (2007-2010) the Phillies have ruled the roost. Pundits and Tomahawk Cheerleaders debate about the viability of the Braves chances in 2011 but this team has questions to answer. Bobby Cox has retired, replaced by Freddy Gonzalez. Chipper Jones is playing his final season and will be diminished by injuries, surgery and age. Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz and Steve Avery have been replaced by Hudson, Lowe, Hansen and Jurrjens (though Kevin Millwood is still a free agent). Let youth prevail as the next generation of Braves have begun to take their place in the form of Jayson Heyward, Brian McCann, Martin Prado and Freddy Freeman. Obvious comparisons lend Freeman to be "the next Fred McGriff" but that remains to be seen. Bullpen is an area of concern but then again, those 14 division champs never had a decent bullpen except when Smoltz was the closer – so perhaps the relief wigwam will not be the focus until free agency next year. Sherrill and Linebrink should help Kimbrell but that needs to be a project for 2012 – as will third base.
PREDICTIONS: These are not your father's Atlanta Braves. Besides Jones, Heyward and newcomer Dan Uggla, these Bravos don't wield the thunder stick as in the days of Andruw Jones, Ron Gant, Jermaine Dye or … well Chipper Jones (in his prime). Solid starting pitching, a lineup full of very capable if unspectacular hitters and a wait and see approach to freshman Freddy Freeman and Jason Heyward's situation with the sophomore slump are warranted. Think of this as the JV team of the NL East. Next year they will be dangerous but for now Phillies are still wearing varsity letters.
2011 FINISH: Since the NL East is collectively improved but still generally weak, Atlanta would have to make a concerted effort to finish worse than second. Florida and Washington are improved but won't seriously contend until 2012 at the earliest. The challenge for the Braves this year is to determine their areas of focus for 2012 and gear up for their free agent pursuits. Braves should really spend their season fending off the rest of the NL East and help determine who makes the playoffs. Can the Braves be a wildcard team again or will they fall too far behind the contenders in the NL Central? 90-72, 2nd NL East http://prosportsblogging.com/sports/mlb-baseball/atlanta-braves/
2010 FINISH: 80-82, 3rd NL East, 17 GB http://prosportsblogging.com/sports/mlb-baseball/florida-marlins/
ADDITIONS: John Buck, Omar Infante, Randy Choate, Javier Vasquez, Greg Dobbs
SUBTRACTIONS: Dan Uggla, Cameron Maybin, Andrew Miller, Will Ohman, Chad Tracy, Ronnie Paulino
POSITION BATTLES: 2B-Bonifacio/Infante; 3B-Helms/Coghlan; CF-Cousins/Coghlan; Bullpen http://prosportsblogging.com/sports/mlb-baseball/florida-marlins/
STORYLINES: New Stadium. Location. Location. Location. The very survival of this team in Miami is tethered to a new stadium. Can the moribund team remain afloat long enough to get there – AND will they suffer the same fate as the NY Mets after unveiling their multi-billion dollar boondoggle? The only season ticket-holders in Joe Robbie/Dolphins Stadium/Lank Shark Park/Dogfish Head Lager/Starkist Tuna/Chicken of the Sea/Florida Marlins Mausoleum are wearing orange empty seat costumes and are more apathetic than laissez faire Dodger fans in Chavez Ravine! Ask the Miami Heat what happens when you bring marquee players to play at South Beach? Since 1990, the Heat (NBA), Florida Panthers (NHL) and Marlins (remember those super-swanky teal pinstriped uniforms for Charlie Hough, Jeff Conine, Chuckie Carr and the expansion 1993 squad?) have joined the Miami Dolphins. Suffice to say attendance at games that don't include the moniker "World Series" or "Finals" have been sporadic. Historically this franchise has two World Series titles (1997, 2003) over the span of six seasons in less than 20 years of existence. Both of those teams were immediately disbanded and the Marlins were gutted down to their low minors. 2011 looks like another year of Hanley Ramirez, Josh Johnson, Mike Stanton and Gabby Sanchez auditioning for the 2013 championship run – but not much else.
PREDICTIONS: Gone fishing. Usually it is old fish that stink but this team doesn't have a graybeard or salty mariner among them. Closest thing is Wes Helms who somehow remains timeless but not ageless. Helms should be playing in a Marlins Old Timer's Game with Gary Sheffeld, Mike Piazza (Marlin for a day) and Livan Hernandez. Make no mistake, Johnson, Stanton and Ramirez are blue chip prospects who will become living legends in Miami should anyone ever venture to go to the games.
2011 FINISH: It could be years before the local media and fans would notice the relocation of the Marlins but the new stadium project has been fairly well advertised. So coming soon to Miami …could be a major league franchise. 75-87. http://prosportsblogging.com/sports/mlb-baseball/florida-marlins/
2010 FINISH: 69-93, last NL East, 28 GB
ADDITIONS: Bryce Harper, Jayson Werth, Adam LaRoche, Tom Gorzelany, Chad Gaudin, Corey Brown, Matt Stairs, Jerry Hairston, Rick Ankiel, Jason Marquis http://prosportsblogging.com/sports/mlb-baseball/washington-nationals/
SUBTRACTIONS: Adam Dunn, Stephen Strasburg (injury until 2012), Adam Kennedy, Willie Harris, Kevin Mench, Miguel Batista, Scott Olsen, Josh Willingham, Chien Meng Wang, Will Nieves, Joel Peralta
POSITION BATTLES: LF/CF-Ankiel/Bernadina/Morgan; CL-Storen/Stammen; 2B-Hairston/Espinosa
STORYLINES: Much as Congress, the Nationals seem to have figured out the methodology of Washington, DC. Throw as much money as possible at identified problems and then realize that it is the next administration's problem to deal with the consequences!!! $126 million were thrown at Jayson Werth (.296, 27 HR, 85 RBI) who joins Rick Ankiel and Adam LaRoche (.261, 25 HR, 100 RBI). Don't misunderstand, Ryan Zimmerman and friends will take anyone with talent who wants to wear "Natinals" on their chest but losing Adam Dunn and company is not exactly a wash.
PREDICTIONS: The capitol exodus is virtually continuous due to public opinion. Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper have been the top draft picks over the past two years and will likely be the cornerstones of this burgeoning franchise's talent pool. Tell Zimmerman and Werth that it will be a long and lonely two seasons before these "can't miss prospects" become major leaguers.
2011 FINISH: Despite losing Dunn and Strasburg, the Nationals do have some talent (Thomas Jefferson seems to kick butt in the Presidential race) and do have at least one future Hall of Famer (Ivan Rodriguez, who seems to have been playing in the majors since the last Washington Seantors left town). Jim Riggleman and Steve McCatty have the opportunity to mold and shape a minor league team with a major league budget. Believe it or not, 2011 should be a pivotal year in the history of this franchise. Since 2005 the former Montreal Expos have been a franchise in freefall – reeling from the loss of the 1994 season, sobbing about the team's talent from the late 1970s and early 1980s and feeling like a second-class citizen while barnstorming through Puerto Rico as the marionettes of Major League Baseball . Now they have a new stadium, capable ownership, a decent revenue stream and the potential to become a true contender. What will they do? So far they have drafted some EXCELLENT young players while struggling to keep a big league team on the field. Soriano didn't carry the franchise and Zimmerman will need help from more than Jayson Werth, but they are laying the groundwork for what the Washington Nationals will someday become. Talk about a plan for long-term growth… 72-90, 4th http://prosportsblogging.com/sports/mlb-baseball/washington-nationals/
2010 FINISH: 79-83, 4th NL East, 18 GB http://prosportsblogging.com/sports/mlb-baseball/new-york-mets/
ADDITIONS: Chin-lung Hu, Ronny Paulino, Russ Adams, Boof Bonser, Tim Byrdak, Raul Chavez, Blaine Boyer, Scott Hairston, Chris Young, Willie Harris, Taylor Tankersley, Chris Capuano, Jason Isringhausen
SUBTRACTIONS: Henry Blanco, Fernando Tatis, Kelvim Escobar, Elmer Dessens, Pedro Feliciano, Joaquin Arias, John Maine, Chris Carter, Luis Castillo http://prosportsblogging.com/sports/mlb-baseball/new-york-mets/
POSITION BATTLES: 2B-Murphy/Emaus/Tejada; SP-Seven guys for 5 spots with Johan Santana starting the season rehabbing from injury so Pelfrey with Young, Niese, Dickey, Capuano and Mejia (AAA). K-Rod is back in the bullpen but who knows how long before he explodes again? Oliver Perez and Bobby Parnell are the interesting names in the bullpen. Parnell would become the closer should K-Rod have another meltdown while Perez is hoping to make the team simply because he is left-handed and has a pulse.
STORYLINES: Has there ever been a franchise with a new stadium, located in the media capitol of the Western world with a payroll this large and a crippling inability to put a winning team on the field? They drove Omar Minaya out of town, fired Jerry Manuel (because you can't fire all the players), they have tried to get a loan (Citibank turned them down… note the name on the stadium) they will likely sell the team (besides Donald Trump, not a lot of offers in this market) and they have been neither relevant nor healthy since 2008. Saying that there is nowhere to go but up would imply that there is some sense of optimism in Queens but the pessimism is more obvious than the flight path to LaGuardia. Why? Well, the short version includes storylines such as Carlos Beltran, Oliver Perez, Jason Bay and Johan Santana. Those four players have salaries rivaling a few franchises and yet none of these would-be All-Stars seem to be able to both remain on the field and collect a paycheck (most focus on the latter). Then there's the man they call K-Rod (Francisco Rodriguez). 2008 marked Rodriguez' fourth straight season with 40+ saves – in which he posted a whopping 62. Free agency brought him to Flushing Meadows where he would team up with David Wright, Beltran, Jose Reyes, Santana and all the rest to form a superteam of imported All-Stars paired with the jewels of the Brooklyn Cyclones. After all, it had been since the 2000 Subway Series that Mets fans had anything to brag about. Back in those days people buried their faces in newspapers on the subway so others could read the back sportspage – rather than bury their faces in I-Phones. Now names like Ike Davis, Josh Thole, Angel Pagan and Mike Pelfry are asked to be team leaders when most fans are still uncertain as to exactly who they are. The worst part is that the team went shopping in free agency at one of those corner bodegas where the sign is indecipherable and the security gate is almost always 90% closed. Not a good year for Mets fans.
PREDICTIONS: An entire generation ago names like Strawberry, Gooden, Knight, Wilson, Dykstra, Darling, Franco, Carter, Hernandez and a man named "Mookie" ruled the baseball world. Brash and bold these Shea sluggers and Flushing Flamethrowers didn't care what anyone thought so long as they won the game. Fans loved them for that and non-Mets fans hated them for their braggadocio and their superior talent. A mere 10 years ago, it was the Black and Blue Boys of Delgado, Piazza, Leiter , Ventura, Hampton and Benitez. They were a less Herculean squad than their mid-1980s predecessors but more of a team. Bobby V had them playing sound fundamental baseball and taught them how to enjoy victories while enduring defeat. What will this 2011 team do? Well, in 2006 they won as many games (97) as they had in 1999 and 2000 (94). Then 88 and 89 wins respectively in 2007 and 2008. In 2009 they dipped to 70-92 record and while 2010 saw an improvement to 79-83, this team is still headed in the wrong direction and like a cabbie headed for the airport they are in a hurry to get there. Fawgetabout.
2011 FINISH: They say you have to hit rock bottom before you start making your way back to the top and 2011 should be that year. Rock Bottom. NL East basement – behind the Washington Nationals. Jason Bay will be traded and if possible they should unload Carlos Beltran as well. If they go to the Yankees for five blue chip prospects that would be even sweeter – but good luck selling the Yanks on those deals! Trim the payroll, bring the fans back with some kind of excitement and start making deals to find the next Joey Votto, Carlos Gonzales or Dallas Braden. The first decade of the new millennium has not been kind to the New York Mets. If there is still a team in Citi Field (Trump better keep them in Queens rather than play baseball at the Meadowlands) perhaps the next decade will be more Met-friendly rather than simply Met-adjacent. 69-93, cellar-dwellers in NL East http://prosportsblogging.com/sports/mlb-baseball/new-york-mets/
1. CINCINNATTI REDS http://prosportsblogging.com/sports/mlb-baseball/cincinnati-reds/
2010 FINISH: 91-71, NL Central Champs, lost NLDS to PHI
ADDITIONS: Justin Lehr, Dontrelle Willis, Edgar Renteria, Fred Lewis, Jeremy Hermida, Jose Heredia
SUBTRACTIONS: Russ Springer, Arthur Rhodes, Laynce Nix, Aaron Harang, Willie Bloomquist, Orlando Cabrera, Jim Edmonds http://prosportsblogging.com/sports/mlb-baseball/cincinnati-reds/
There are very few areas in which any uncertainty remains. Johnny Gomes may split time with Fred Lewis in Left and catcher is more of s shared platoon with Hernandez and Hannigan. Paul Janish will be pushed by veteran Edgar Renteria as the better offensive shortstop is likely to see increased playing time. There are six candidates (Volquez, Cueto, Arroyo, Bailey, Wood and Leake) for 5 spots in the starting rotation so one of them (likely Bailey) will be the bullpen longman. As for the bullpen, Cordero and Chapman provide an excellent 1-2 punch but the rest of the troops have not defined their roles. Masset, Ondrusek, Bray, Lecure, Arredondo, Fisher, Maloney and Smith can't all make the team but each had periods of effectiveness. Look for Arredondo and Masset to assert themselves as setup men behind the two-headed hydra of Cordero and Champman.
Everybody seemed surprised when the Reds took the NL Central last season – right up until they looked at the collection of talent amassed by this team. Jay Bruce, Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips and an impressive young pitching staff led by Volquez and Cueto are just some of the forces Dusty Baker has at his command. Toss in veterans like Scott Rolen, Johnny Gomes and Bronson Arroyo to round out a formidable team for years to come. They will need to be as Milwaukee, St. Louis and even the Cubs should all contend for NL Central bragging rights. Cincinnati did not stand still over the winter. They signed Jay Bruce and Votto to long-term deals not to mention ensuring that Arroyo, Cueto and Volquez will stick around for awhile. Most national fans don't yet know about Drew Stubbs or Mike Leake or Travis Wood but they made significant contributions in 2010 and will do so in 2011. Everyone has heard of Aroldis Chapman and his 106 MPH fastball but no one seems to be able to hit it (or SEE it) so the flamethrower will remain in the bullpen. The bullpen suffered a few defections from 2010 but there is a plethora of young and hungry talent on this squad.
PREDICTIONS: MVP Votto and future MVP Bruce will once again tear up NL pitching but the experience will serve them as they become household names. Scott Rolen will have another consistent season if he can avoid injuries. The pickings are slim (Cairo, Renteria) should Rolen miss any significant time. If there is one weakness it is that this team has virtually no bench. Fred Lewis and Renteria provide some support but if any of the statering lineup go down, the Reds will far too far behind Milwaukee and St. Louis. Johnny Cueto has been reported to suffer a few nagging injuries throughout Spring Training so careful attention should be paid his way. Not much has changed save that this young crop of talent is a year older and wants revenge for being swept in the 2010 NLDS. They will get it.
2011 FINISH: Look for a battle to the finish in NL Central . 93-69. NL Central champs
2010 FINISH: 86-76, 2nd NL Central, 5 GB
ADDITIONS: Ryan Theriot, Brian Tallet, Raul Valdez, Jake Westbrook, Gerald Laird, Maikel Cleto, Lance Berkman, Nick Punto, Ian Snell, Miguel Batista http://prosportsblogging.com/sports/mlb-baseball/st-louis-cardinals-mlb-baseball/
SUBTRACTIONS: Blake Hawkesworth, Jeff Suppan, Mike MacDougal, Brad Penny, Pedro Feliz, Aaron Miles, Randy Winn, Jason LaRue, Dennys Reyes, Brendan Ryan, Jim Edmonds (RET), Ian Snell
POSITION BATTLES: Virtually none exist. John Jay is solidly in place as the fourth outfielder while Nick Punto and Tyler Greene will be the utility infielders behind Freese, Schumaker and Theriot. Gerald Laird will spell Molina behind the plate. Allen Craig may make the squad as a fifth OF and backup 1B, a chore he will share with veteran Lance Berkman. This roster is mostly set aside from the end of the bullpen.
STORYLINES: Adam Wainwright is lost for 2011 with so-called "Tommy John" ligament surgery. Chris Carpenter was feared lost for some time as well but appears to be ready to make his Opening Day start. Everyone else in the rotation moves up one to replace Wainwright so that means that following Carpenter will be Jake Westbrook, Jaime Garcia, Kyle Lohse and then choosing among Lance Lynn, Brandon Dickson or favorite prospect Kyle McClellan (217 IP in 202 games, 3.23 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, .237 OBA). One former candidate, veteran Ian Snell, has already been released. As for the offense, Albert Pujols will be joined by Matt Holliday, Lance Berkman and budding superstar Colby Rasmus but the latter third of the lineup is looking a little lacking in the land of the longball. David Freese is the full-time 3B and while he is a .300 hitter he has not shown much pop as yet. Ryan Theriot and Skip Schumaker will comprise the double play combination and they are clearly in the lineup for their defense. Each proves to be about a .265 hitter with the ability to steal a few bases, meaning Yadier Molina remains more of a threat than anyone in the infield not named Pujols. Gerald Laird should help balance Molina's workload (140 games played on average) but will not provide a lot of offense. So it seems this is a team predicated on pitching and defense with a few RBI men in the middle. Cardinals had a 49-53 record against losing (sub-.500) teams in 2010which is something they will need to turn around. Much like the 1980s Cardinals who were speed demons on the bases, vacuum cleaners on defense (which was especially good since they played on carpet) and lights out in their effort to win every game 2-1 or 1-0 with fantastic pitching. Pujols, Berkman, Holliday sounds like a modern incarnation of Murderer's Row but Colby Rasmus is the dynamic difference between contention and pretention.
PREDICTIONS: Ryan Franklin has been the bullpen closer to moderate if unspectacular success (sub-3.00 ERA as a closer) and while he is no Bruce Sutter, he has amassed 82 saves over the past three seasons. The rest of the bullpen brigade consists of Jason Motte (124K in 120 IP),Trever Miller (the requisite "crafty lefty" sported an 0.96 WHIP and .197 OBA two years ago) Brian Tallet (231 runs allowed in 446 IP while with Toronto and Cleveland), Miguel Batista (who may have pitched for the Gashouse Gang in the 1930s) and likely either Mitchell Boggs (spot starter or longman) or Fernando Salas (26 and still a very raw talent). Give Tony LaRussa and Dave Duncan credit for knowing how to manage a bullpen.
2011 FINISH: Offense will prove problematic – or lack thereof – especially when tangling with the Brew Crew and the Firecracker Reds. St. Louis may fall behind Milwaukee if the Brewers pitching and devastating lineup have anything to say about it – and they will. Another bridesmaid season. 85-77
2010 FINISH: 77-85, 3rd NL Central, 14 GB
ADDITIONS: Tim Dillard, Sean Green, Roger Mercedes, Yuniesky Betancourt, Zack Grienke, Wil Nieves, Shaun Marcum, Brandon Boggs, Jeremy Reed, Shawn Riggans, Takashi Saito, Mark Kotsay http://prosportsblogging.com/sports/mlb-baseball/milwaukee-brewers/
SUBTRACTIONS: Chris Capuano, Doug Davis, Trevor Hoffman (RET), Dave Bush, Gregg Zaun, Alicdes Escobar, Lorenzo Cain, Jeremy Jeffries, Brett Lawrie, Carlos Villanueva, Todd Coffey, Joe Inglett
POSITION BATTLES: CF-Gomes/Dickerson/Boggs C-Lucroy/Nieves/Kottaras/Maldonado
STORYLINES: Last season The Brewers received outstanding offensive seasons from Prince Fielder, Braun, Rickie Weeks, Corey Hart and Casey McGehee, but their pitching almost completely began and ended with Yovani Gallardo. Now that Zack Grienke and Shaun Marcum join Gallardo, Randy Wolf and Chris Narveson, the buzzword in Brewtown is "balance." Perhaps the balance of power is finally changing in the NL Central – but is it happening just in time for Prince Fielder's last Tour of Duty with the Brewers? Prince won't discuss contracts during the season but he and Albert Pujols could force at least one major league team to pony up $30M semolians in 2012. For all their press Milwaukee ranked only 12th in 2010 for runs scored and RBI but 5th in HR and 21 in SB. Grienke and Marcum better help that 25th ranking in ERA not to mention the staff ranking 4th in pitcher strikeouts and 22 in SV (27 in WHIP), which tells us this team is all over the map statistically. Bullpen is anchored by John Axford ()24-27 in SVOP) who studied under the tutelage of Trevor Hoffman before taking over the closer's role last season. Axford has the talent but has to prove his mental toughness over the long season. There he will seek help from the likes of veteran LaTroy Hawkins (who has never been successful as a closer but makes a nice setup man), Takashi Saito (84 Sv in 94 Op) and cavalcade of burgeoning talent. This includes Zach Braddock, Kameron Loe, Manny Parra and Sean Green. The rest of the Brewmeisters are focused on the geographic map because a playoff berth will likely require winning the NL Central – and that means fending off the Cardinals, Reds and Cubs while hopefully pummeling the hapless Astros and the truly putrid Pittsburgh Pirates.
PREDICTIONS: Grienke (10-14, 4.17 ERa, 220 IP) will benefit exponentially by pitching for a good club with a powerful offense. Fielder, Braun, Hart, McGee and Weeks will tear up the basepaths like a team of Bugs Bunny characters but it is the supporting cast and bullpen that cause pause. Carlos Gomez has speed and a good hitter's eye but promises to be a single machine. Lucroy behind the plate is homegrown but not very exciting while Yuniesky Betancourt (.259, 16 HR, 78 RBI) takes over at short, marking his fourth team in 2-1/2 seasons (KC, ATL, SEA). The Brewers may have fireworks on offense but they will go as far as they can get on pitching and defense.
2011 FINISH: This may be the final year that the Brewers have a shot to go for it as Prince Fielder is not likely to be back. Surprise is that much like in 2008 when they acquired CC Sabathia to rent for 2 months, Grienke and Marcum reflect more of a commitment – a commitment to pitching and defense – which were areas of huge concern. Brewers could overtake St. Louis but will have a lot of difficulty catching the Reds down the stretch. Even Cheeseheads expect a Hunt for Red October. 84-78, third in NL Central
2010 FINISH: 75-87, 5th NL Central, 16 GB
ADDITIONS: Erick Castillo, Kerry Wood, Angel Guzman, Scott Rice, Scott Moore, Carlos Pena, Todd Wellemeyer, Braden Looper, Augie Ojeda, Reed Johnson, Max Ramirez, Fernando Perez, Matt Garza
SUBTRACTIONS: Bobby Scales, Micah Hoffpair, Brad Snyder, Xavier Nady, Tom Gorzelanny http://prosportsblogging.com/sports/mlb-baseball/chicago-cubs/
POSITION BATTLES: Blake DeWitt and Starlin Castro were not the keystone combination heading into 2010 but forsee no real competition for either spot. Geovany Soto has established himself as one of the better young catchers in the league. Less press than Buster Posey but in his third full season Soto has learned the pitchers and hitters of the league to call a good game and he can post 20+ HR himself while hitting around .285 when healthy. Castro (139 hits in 463 AB) and DeWitt (.260 hitter with some pop) have the tools to be complete players but need time to prove it. Castro just turned 21 while Blake has never had more than 400 AB – which he had in 2010. DeWitt was once considered a Chase Utley clone but has not proven it at all. Marlon Byrd has staked a claim in center and has become an All-Star in his 9th season with his 5th major league team at the age of 33. Suddenly Byrd is a .300 hitter with power to hit 25 HR, knock in 75 runs and swipe a few bases. No one is taking any jobs away with that routine.
STORYLINES: Considering that the Cubs ranked middle of the pack or worse in almost every major category (7th in 2b, 4th in pitching staff strikeouts and dead last in pitchers walks surrendered) their 2010 finish makes perfect sense. Not much else makes sense outside of Wrigleyville. The team actively pursued and landed slugging 1B Carlos Pena and swung a deal brining Matt Garza to town, but other than the return of prodigal son Kerry Wood the only other major move was to send Tom Gorzelanny packing for Washington. The rest of the team remains very much the way it looked in September and October. Aramis Ramirez remains as does Alfonso Soriano (.258, 24 HR, 79 RBI) so Pena (.198, 28 HR, 94 RBI) joins them in the middle of the lineup. Marlon Byrd remains in center with Fukudome in RF and Tyler Colvin (.254, 20 HR, 56 RBI in 130 games) waiting in the wings to claim his stake. Fernando Perez may also make the squad depending on what kind of bench manager Mike Quade wants to have.
PREDICTIONS: There was a time when this team was called the Chicago Orphans and we all know about the 100 years and counting without a championship… Alfonso Soriano has been misused for most of his career. This power/speed raw talent can hit anywhere from 1 to 6 in the lineup but seems suited for none of them. Speed to steal based but low OBP, power to drive in runs but inconsistent slugging percentage – not to mention never having a natural defensive position. Soriano draws more ire than praise especially in his seasons with the Cubs, but he bounced back from a rough 2009 campaign to wallop 24 homers and 40 doubles over 147 games. After years of batting atop of the lineup, Soriano has settled into the more suitable No. 6 hole and is really suited for #3 in front of Pena and Ramirez. Soriano is 35, but he's capable of duplicating last season's numbers if his health holds up. If there were an award for most batspeed, Soriano would win! Another question is Kosuke Fukudome, who may be the first flop in the recent wave of baseball's Japanese imports. Defensively, he is brilliant, but Fukudome has managed a .259 AVG, 34 HR, 156 RBI, 25 SB and 283 strikeouts over the course of 3 seasons. While we neither expect him to mirror Ichiro or Saduharu Oh, it may be time for the 34-year-old to give way to Tyler Colvin. Starlin Castro is a future star but after just 450 AB, he is being asked to carry this team with defense and a solid batting eye. Carlos Marmol should benefit by having veteran and former Cubs legend Kerry Wood in the bullpen. Replacing Fukudome and developing young pitching should be on the Cubs' radar. Perhaps a fire sale is in store for late July this year?
2011 FINISH: Due to their century of bad fortune, most true baseball fans feel for the Cubs. Whether it is recent memories like Bartman or the Black Cat incident or any number of events, the Curse of the Cubs is now the longest-standing myth that pervades baseball. Classic Wrigley Field dates back to the days of Prohibition and Cubs fans seem to always show up in droves but what would it be like if this team and this town erupted for a championship? The White Sox won in 2005 and it seems like Chicago barely noticed but if the Cubs won there would be pandemonium. Not this year. 79-83 closer to 5th than 3rd. http://prosportsblogging.com/sports/mlb-baseball/chicago-cubs/
2010 FINISH: 76-86, 4th NL Central, 15 GB
ADDITIONS: Clint Barmes, Bill Hall, Ryan Rowland-Smith, Jose Thompson, Sergio Escalona
SUBTRACTIONS: Roy Oswalt, Lance Berkman, Tim Byrdak, Gustavo Chacin, Geoff Blum, Brian Moehler, Matt Lindstrom, Albert Cartwright http://prosportsblogging.com/sports/mlb-baseball/houston-astros/
STORYLINES: It may prove difficult to recognize the Astros in 2011 as a number of the names have changed. Roy Oswalt is gone (Phillies) as is stalwart Lance Berkman (Cardinals by way of Yankees), leaving no remnant of their 2005 World Series team. GM Ed Wade is very good at collecting talent from the scrap heaps of other teams – and often finds diamonds in the proverbial rough. The prospects garnered in those two trades will help in the future but what about this year? The OF remains undisturbed so that Carlos Lee (.246, 24 HR, 89 RBI), Michael Bourn (.265, 52 SB, 84 R) and Hunter Pence (.282, 25 HR, 91 RBI) all return with familiar Jason Michaels as the likely fourth outfielder. Brett Wallace is new at 1B thanks to the Oswalt deal but he may need some time figure out big league pitching – which he will do at the big league level. So far Wallace has had a torrid Spring and shows no signs of slowing down. The rest of the infield is comprised of Chris Johnson (.308, 11 HR, 52 RBI in 92 games) along with newcomer veterans Billy Hall (.247, 18 HR in Boston) and Clint Barmes (.245, 23 HR, 76 in his last full season in Colorado before being supplanted by the artist known as "Tulo") who is no slouch at SS. Hall has been known to hit 35 HR or steal bases but at 32 a solid if unspectacular season would be more likely. Catching will be Quintero/Esposito and neither of them will make your heart stop but either are solid options. The real story is the pitching. Brett Myers, Wandy Rodriguez and JA Happ do not strike fear into the hearts of opponents, but they do know where the strike zone is. The rotation will be completed by whoever wins the sweepstakes from among Ryan Rowland-Smith, Nelson Figueroa and Bud Norris who may be the lynchpin to this rotation. At 26, Norris has 200+ IP over 2 seasons but wants to find out what it feels like to make 30-35 starts in the Big Leagues. Rodriguez and Lance Pendelton are as likely to head back to the minors as to grapple for bullpen spots – though the latter is already 27 and a Rule 5 pick so he would have to stay in the majors or be returned to the Yankees system. Jordan Lyles is a possibility. Rowand-Smith should wind up in the bullpen as he would be a valuable veteran lefty. There he would pair with closer Brandon Lyon and sidearming lefty Wesley Wright to anchor a shaky bullpen corps in need of experience.
PREDICTIONS: There is a lot to look forward to in Houston. Manager Brad Mills is optimistic, saying that he will do what is right for the team's long-term growth and that players should check their egos at the door. For example, Mills may move massive Carlos Lee to 1B should Brett Wallace need more seasoning. Mills has also said that he will not be afraid to experiment this season (players at new positions, tinkering with lineup or even using multiple platoons) so long as he thinks it will help the team move forward. The name "Clemens" may appear on the back of an Astros jersey again – this one belonging to Kolby Clemens, who is a first baseman born the year that his father struck out 20 Seattle Mariners while with the Boston Red Sox. Clemens has been reassigned to minor league camp but should start the season at AAA. Look for a lot of travel back and forth between AAA Oklahoma City and Houston for 2011. Do not be surprised to see Carlos Lee dangled as trade bait come Trading Deadline as he will be sought after by teams looking to bring in another big bat. The arrow is pointing up on the Astros.
2011 FINISH: Astros fans should not expect a championship before 2013 but they will see an exciting team when they come out to the ballpark in Houston. The Astros will experience growing pains in their rebirth but a new nucleus of young starts will emerge and this team will soar the cosmos again. 70-92. http://prosportsblogging.com/sports/mlb-baseball/houston-astros/
2010 FINISH: 57-105; 6th NL Central, 34 GB
ADDITIONS: Clint Hurdle, Justin Thomas, Aaron Thompson, Garrett Atkins, Josh Fields, Matt Diaz, Lyle Overbay, Scott Olsen, Fernando Nieve, Andy Marte, Joe Beimel, Garrett Olson
SUBTRACTIONS: John Russell (manager); Javier Lopez, Bobby Crosby, DJ Carrasco, Ryan Church, Brendan Donnelly, Akinori Iwamura, Andy LaRoche, Delwyn Young, Zack Duke, Brian Burress, Lastings Milledge, Will Ledezma http://prosportsblogging.com/sports/mlb-baseball/pittsburgh-pirates/
POSITION BATTLES: SS-Cedeno/Rodriguez; 2B-Walker/Rodriguez; Starting Pitching & Bullpen
STORYLINES: Pride. Passion. Pittsburgh Pirates. Nice slogan but you can't argue with results or history. Nineteen straight losing seasons… if the Bucs can't put it together they will post their 19th straight losing season. Not just losing… but losing painfully – losing abysmally!!! In 123 seasons through 2010, this franchise has amassed 19,015 games for a 9,616-9,399 (.506 win pct) record. 57 wins in 162 games marking just the 7th time in Pirates history that they have posted more than 100 losses (three of those since 1985). However, in the past two decades, the team has averaged 91 losses per season. If the "We Are Familee" Pirates of 1979 could see this team they would do the same thing that PNC Park faithful have done – they would go into the Pirates Relocation Program (a.k.a. MLB teams that will pay players who leave Pittsburgh)! Not since the days of Bobby Bonilla, Barry Bonds (wearing #7 and not resembling the Incredible Hulk), Doug Drabek, Mike LaValliere and Andy Van Slyke have the Pirates seen the postseason. Naturally that ended when former Pirate Sid Bream carried the winning run around third and slid into home for the worst-to-first Atlanta Braves. Doug Drabek's son Kyle is now starting for the Toronto Blue Jays. An entire generation of Pirates fans have grown up losing. Hopefully they know the names Dave Parker, Willie Stargell, Kent Tekulve, Bill Maddlock and John Candaleria – and Hall of Fame inductee Bert Blyleven who started his career at Three Rivers! Clint Hurdle and his staff have a lot of work to do in order to teach this extremely unproven ballclub how to play Major League baseball.
PREDICTIONS: There is talent on this team and the Pirate flag will fly proudly again… someday… Andrew McCutcheon (.286, 16 HR, 56 RBI, 33 SB), Jose Tabata (.299, 4 HR, 35 RBI in 400 AB) and Garrett Jones (.247, 21 HR, 86 RBI) could play together for 10 years. Pedro Alvarez (.256, 16 HR, 64 RBI in 90 games) displays all five tools and may be an All-Star but for now he does everything well and nothing exceptionally. The rest of the roster needs some work. Neil Walker (.296, 12 HR, 66 RBI, 110 G) is the leading candidate at 2B while SS Ronny Cedeno (.256, 8 HR, 38 RBI, 12 SB) is the only person in America who won his job because no one else applied. Lyle Overbay (.250, 25 HR, 80 RBI) will man 1B and no one has distinguished themselves as the dominant catcher. Going into Spring Training with this many jobs up for grabs never modes well for a Major League team – but we all know that the Pirates are a major league team in name only. The pitching would probably do fine so long as they keep up the cage and only have to throw batting practice. A quintet of McDonald, Maholm, Correia, Ohlendorft, Morton, Olson would likely be better served playing in the Pittsburgh Symphony than at PNC Park. Sadly, until beautiful modern Mecca PNC Park sees some fannies in the seats, the payroll will remain low and the Pirates will resemble the Durham Bulls more than the marauding buccaneers of old!
2011 FINISH: It is not all gloom and doom. Andrew McCutcheon is going to become one of the most exciting players in baseball (he may already be among the league's best defensive centerfielders) and the Pirates will win their share of games. The real victory will be when the farm system finally pays off and this team has time to develop their core of players for the next decade. It will take more time but how can you ask the Pittsburgh fans to have more patience with this team? Relocation is not the answer for this proud and storied franchise but bringing in some modicum of talent would do a world of good. In the mid-1980s, the Bucos were pretty bad but they were about to display players named Bonds, Bonilla, Drabek and Bell – who would lead them into contention by 1990. What would be nice would be the expectation of having more than one token Pirate player on the All-Star team when PNC Bank Park hosts the All-Star Game. Aren't fans tired of seeing their players auctioned off to the highest bidder or sent packing at the trading deadline for another influx of prospects? 60-102. 20 years anyone? http://prosportsblogging.com/sports/mlb-baseball/pittsburgh-pirates/
2010 FINISH: 92-70, NL West champs; World Series Champs
ADDITIONS: Javier Lopez, Cody Ross, Pat Burrell, Aubrey Huff (re-signed), Casey Daigle, Miguel Tejada, Brad Eldred, Ryan Vogelsong, Jeff Suppan http://prosportsblogging.com/sports/mlb-baseball/san-francisco-giants-mlb-baseball/
SUBTRACTIONS: Jose Guillen, Chris Ray, Guillermo Mota (re-signed), Juan Uribe
POSITION BATTLES: LF-DeRosa/Burrell, CF-Torres/Rowand; Serious bench deficit
STORYLINES: Critics and haters alike seem to circumvent the fact that the Giants won the World Series and now are defending champions. San Francisco sported the best pitching staff (3.36 combined ERA, ranked #1 for hits allowed, strikeouts and saves) and made the strongest late-season and playoff run grabbing clutch hits when needed… oh and… was it mentioned that the Giants won 11 postseason games to take the 2010 World Championship? Because they have a trophy to prove it in case anyone forgot. Buster Posey (.305, 18 HR, 67 RBI in 406 AB) came out of nowhere to become the Rookie of the Year who played like a veteran. This guy was hitting third or fifth most days, handling the pitching staff and at the same time was still acclimating to life in the major leagues. A full season of Buster will likely bring more success. Help will come from an improved offense – exponentially improved over the fodder from Opening Day lineup 2010. That lineup didn't have Posey, Pat Burrell (.250, 30 HR, 90 RBI) or postseason superstar Cody Ross (.270, 20 HR, 80 RBI). The 2011 version features imports Miguel Tejada (.269, 15 HR, 71 RBI), Mark DeRosa (.272, 20 HR, 75 RBI) and Freddy Sanchez (.292, 10 HR) at the expense of losing Juan Uribe. Andres Torres (.268, 16 HR, 68 RBI, 26 SB in what became his first starting role of his career) will work out playing time with veteran Aaron Rowand (.230 with 11 HR in 105 games) – who has never been the player who posted gaudy numbers with the Phillies in 2007 (.309, 27 JR, 89 RBI). DeRosa may work at 2B with Sanchez to allow Burrell and Nate Schierholtz (only 225 AB in 2010 but hits well and plays sterling defense) some extra AB. Don't sleep on Pablo "Kung Fu Panda" Sandoval who is fighting for his life and his starting job over at 3B. Panda hit .330 with 25 HR & 90 RBI in 2009 but dipped to .268, 13 HR, 63 RBI in one fewer game (152) in 2010. Bench will be seriously weaker in 2011.
PREDICTIONS: Being the champs means that everyone else is gunning for you with the hopes that they will have a shot. Being the champs also means that you need to realize that winning it all in 2010 has no real bearing on your success in 2011. In other words, don't believe your own PR department! You are as good as your next game! The Giants know that. In fact, I think they are hungry for another postseason run because no one picked them as the favorites last year. Can they do it again? Possibly but they will need some improvements. Look for more of the same from Tim Lincecum (16-10, 3.43, 212 IP, 231 K, OBA .242), Matt Cain (13-11, 3.14, 223 IP, .221 OBA), Jonathan Sanchez (13-9, 3.07, 205 K, .204 OBA), Madison Bumgarner (7-6, 3.00 ERA as a 20-year-old rookie)and Jeff Suppan (138 -143 career with 4.69 ERA). Barry Zito (142-120, 3.86 ERA in 10 seasons with .239 OBA and 1.31 WHIP) may have seen the handwriting on the wall when he was left off the postseason roster and subsequently told that his spot in the 2011 rotation is not guaranteed. Signing Suppan indicates that Zito is at a disadvantage. The bullpen looks good led by Brian "Fear the Beard" Wilson (48 of 53 SV, 1.81 ERA, .235 OBA, 26BB/93K). Jeremy Affelt, Javier Lopez and Sergio Romo fill out the group with Santiago Casilla.
2011 FINISH: No reason to think that the Giants won't take the NL West again – and this time with less drama because the only real contender would be Colorado. However, don't expect the Giants to make it deep into the playoffs. Spectacular pitching but mediocre hitting and defense. 90-72, NL West champs. http://prosportsblogging.com/sports/mlb-baseball/san-francisco-giants-mlb-baseball/
2010 FINISH: 83-79, third in NL West, 9 GB
ADDITIONS: Matt Lindstrom, Jose Morales, Ty Wigginton, Jose Lopez, Alfredo Amezaga, Willy Taveras, Joe Crede, Jason Giambi (re-signed), John Maine, Mike Jacobs, Billy Buckner, Greg Smith, Claudio Vargas http://prosportsblogging.com/sports/mlb-baseball/colorado-rockies/
SUBTRACTIONS: Taylor Bucholtz, Octavio Dotel, Clint Barmes, Manuel Corpas, Jason Giambi, Jeff Francis, Melvin Mora, Jay Payton, Joe Beimel, Miguel Olivo, Manny Delcarmen
POSITION BATTLES: 3B/1B-Ty Wigginton/Ian Stewart/Todd Helton; Bullpen
STORYLINES: Don't look now but the Rockies appear to be gearing up for a championship run from 2012-2017. They have the most promising young OF Carlos "CarGO" Gonzalez (.336, 34 HR, 117 RBI) locked up through 2017 and the best SS in the league Troy "Tulo" Tulowitzski (.315, 27 HR, 95 RBI) through 2020. Dexter Fowler (.260, 6 HR, 73 R, 20 SB in 439 AB), Seth Smith (.246, 17 HR, 52 RBI, 55 R in 358 AB), Ian Stewart (.256, 20 HR, 70 RBI) and Chris Ianetta (.234 AVG, 10-15 HR, 60-70 RBI) all have their best seasons ahead while grizzled veteran Todd Helton (.324 career hitter, 2200 hits, 333 HR and 1240 RBI in 14 seasons) is determined to hang around long enough to win a ring with the Rockies.
PREDICTIONS: Dismantle the humidor at Coors Field because these Rockies can throw some serious pitching at you! Ubaldo Jimmenez (19-8, 2.88 ERA, 221 IP, 214 K, .209 OBA, 1.15 WHIP) proved that he is an elite pitcher so far as finishing second in Cy Young voting (between Roy Halladay and Tim Lincecum). Jorge DelaRosa, Jason Hammel, Aaron Cook and Jhoulys Chacin collectively ranked in the second half of team pitching. All showed flashes of brilliance not reflected in their season's numbers.
2011 FINISH: Make no mistake this team is ready to compete right now and into the future. They will hit and pitch and field and make errors and learn from their mistakes but they will also serve as the Giants only real challenger in NL West. Difference would be Rockies Bullpen (Huston Street) is not in the same league as Brian Wilson and the Giants. Additionally the Giants starting rotation is in a class by itself. Rockies fans should feel that the future looks extremely bright. 85-77 will be good for 2nd in NL West. http://prosportsblogging.com/sports/mlb-baseball/colorado-rockies/
2010 FINISH: 80-82, 4th in NL West, 12 GB
ADDITIONS: Don Mattingly (manager), Davey Lopes (coach), Jon Garland, Blake Hawksworth, Juan Uribe, Kazuki Nishijimi, Kazuya Takano, Juan Castro, Matt Guerrier, Dioneer Navarro, Tony Gwynn, Dana Eveland, Gabe Kapler, Oscar Villareal, Marcus Thames, Orlando Mercado, Aaron Miles, Ron Mahay, Mike MacDougal, Lance Cormier, Juan Rincon, Ted Lilly http://prosportsblogging.com/sports/mlb-baseball/los-angeles-dodgers/
SUBTRACTIONS: Joe Torre (ret), Manny Ramirez, Octavio Dotel, Ronnie Belliard, Russell Martin, Ryan Theriot, Scott Podsednik, Jeff Weaver, Reed Johnson, Brad Ausmus, George Sherrill
POSITION BATTLES: LF-Thames/Gwynn/Gibbons; C-Barajas/Navarro
STORYLINES: Much like merging onto the freeway at rush hour, you see a lot of traffic moving at a very rapid rate but it is impossible to focus on anything more than what you are doing – which is trying to get up to speed. Only at the end of Spring Training can we look back on the flurry of moves made by the Dodgers and hope to gain any sort of perspective. Don Mattingly takes over for the retired Joe Torre but Mattingly has been with the Dodgers for years. Davey Lopes is back in Chavez Ravine this time as a coach, a position he held for years with the Phillies (facing the Dodgers in 2008 and 2009 NLCS). Jon Garland and Juan Uribe would seem the most significant free agent moves - that is aside from the end of the Mannywood Era. Garland (200 IP, 14-12, 3.47, OBA .240, WHIP 1.32) becomes the unquestioned best fifth starter in baseball because he has averaged 31 starts per season over ten years along with 14 wins, 200+ IP and usually fewer than 70 walks in those 200 IP. Rotation will consist of Kershaw, Billingsley, Ted Lilly, Garland and then either Vicente Padilla or Hiroki Kuroda. Maybe that makes Garland the #4 starter? Regardless, there are a lot of changes. Matt Kemp (has hit 30 HR, drive in 100 runs, steal 35 bases and hit around .290-.300 – but has yet to do all of those things in the same season) and Andre Ethier (.292, 23 HR, 82 RBI) remain holdovers and look to play prominent roles both offensively and defensively as will first baseman James Loney (.267, 10 HR, 88 RBI, 157 H, 41 2B). Manny Ramirez is in Tampa, replaced by Marcus Thames (in 9 seasons has hit 25+ HR twice and is a career .248 hitter who has never amassed more than 348 AB in a given season) spelled by Jay Gibbons (.260 hitter with 3 seasons of 25 HR but hasn't been within 30 RBI of 100 since the 2003 season), Gabe Kapler (hip flexor and ankle problems limited him to 124 AB in 2010 and he has not had more than 290 any season since 2002; Kapler's .210 average makes him a longshot to make this roster)and Tony Gwynn, Jr. (.244, with virtually no power and pedestrian speed). The infield now sports Uribe (.248, 24 HR, 85 RBI, NLCS helo) at 2B, while SS-Rafael Furcal and 3B-Casey Blake return. Rod Barajas and Dioneer Navarro will split the catching and the bullpen will be a Spring Training decision. Broxton remains the closer but supporting roles will be held by Guerrier, Kuo, Jansen, Hawksworth and a few other candidates.
PREDICTIONS: Dodgers as a team ranked 11 in SV, 3rd in K, 8th in WHIP, 16 in BB and 12 in ERA so Garland will contribute to some improvement – but the bullpen does not look improved and Broxton has a tendency to melt down once his confidence is shaken by any kind of adversity. Their offensive categories were generally in the lower half of the league. There is no reason to believe that this team will be better offensively nor will the bullpen be better than 2010. However, over 500 player games were missed as a result of injury last season so look for Ethier, Loney, Kemp and Blake to rally if healthy.
2011 FINISH: It would be foolish to think that the Dodgers will repeat their 80-82 season from 2010, but indications are that the team could go in either direction. San Diego is not going to be in contention this year so if Mattingly's boys can't secure at least third place they are in serious trouble. 80 wins could garner third place in NL West but the erstwhile trolley Dodgers would really like to see something closer to 85-77. Split the difference and we'll suggest 83-79 or 82-80. http://prosportsblogging.com/sports/mlb-baseball/los-angeles-dodgers/
2010 FINISH: 90-72, 2nd in NL West, 2 GB
ADDITIONS: Ryan Ludwick, Cameron Maybin, Rob Johnson, Orlando Hudson, Jason Bartlett, Dustin Moseley, Aaron Harang, Jorge Cantu, Chad Qualls, Gregg Zaun, Kevin Franzden, Brad Hawpe, Randy Flores, Pat Neshek, Mike Koplove, Geoff Geary, David Newhan
SUBTRACTIONS: Miguel Tejada, David Eckstein, Willy Mo Pena, Chris Young, Tony Gwynn, Jr., Chris Stewart, Edward Mujica, Ryan Webb, Yorvit Torrealba, Jerry Hairston Jr, Kevin Correia, Jon Garland, Matt Stairs, Adrian Gonzalez, Scott Hairston,
POSITION BATTLES: RF-Wil Venable/Chris Denofria; 3B-Chase Headley/Jorge Cantu; 1B-Hawpe/Cantu; Fifth starter, back of bullpen spots are still up for grabs
STORYLINES: What a difference a year makes! Last year the upstart Padres held the division lead an remained in the race right up until the final week of the regular season thanks to Adrian Gonzalez, Miguel Tejada, David Eckstein, Jon Garland and a group of players who bottled the spirit of the average Little League team and found a way to win games – 90 of them in fact, 2 fewer than it would have taken to make the playoffs! Padres boasted the second-best pitching staff in the majors by ERA, K, SV and WHIP (SFG were #1). This is a team whose offense didn't register among the top half of 30 MLB teams in any category. Now the roster is virtually overhauled and the yardstick of success for 2011 will be to avoid another losing season. Is this what passes for progress in the modern Major Leagues? Jason Bartlett (.281, 10 HR, 50 RBI, 15-20 SB, excellent defense) replaces Miguel Tejada so that's an upgrade. Orlando Hudson (.280, 5-10 HR, 30 SB, 80-100 Runs) replaces David "Jiminy Cricket" Eckstein. Upgrade. Cameron Maybin (.250, 13 HR, 50 RBI, 20 SB) is only 23 years old and will take advantage of PETCO Park's cavernous alleys and pinball-action outfield walls. Brad Hawpe, Jorge Cantu and Aaron Harang are all finding their roles on this team in an effort to help fans forget Gonzalez, Garland and Scott Hairston. Nick Hundley, Chase Headley and Ryan Ludwick return but now must become team leaders either by example or mentoring the young players. Orlando Hudson will take care of being the team's unofficial cheerleader, trash talker, color commentator and stand-up comic. Don't look now but this bullpen may be the best in the league. Heath Bell (89 for 98 SV-SVOP in last 2 seasons), gains a lot of support from the combination of Luke Gregorson, Mike Adams, Joe Thatcher and Chad Qualls.
PREDICTIONS: If it is possible to not realize that the second-best pitching staff resided near LaHoya in 2010, it is going to be noticed even less when the Padres fall back into the NL West pack. Mat Latos (14-10, 2.92, 184 IP, 189 K, OBA .217 in his first full season) and Clayton Richard (14-9, 3.75, 201 IP) are 1-2 but with Garland and Young departing, the pool of possibilities must produce some starting pitching for manager Bud Black. These candidates include Tim Stauffer, Dustin Moseley, Cory Luebke, Wade LeBlanc and Aaron Harang to fill 3 spots. ..Hawpe and Cantu will likely revitalize their careers as both have been offensive juggernauts in the past. Can't say that either will elicit comparisons to Gonzalez, Kouzmanoff, Garvey or Nettles but the Padres do upgrade at several positions while decline a bit with their starting pitching. Padres are doing what they can to avoid being victims of Baseballonomics.
2011 FINISH: Night and Day 2010 to 2011 or to be accurate, Day and Night. 80-82, 4th NL West http://prosportsblogging.com/sports/mlb-baseball/san-diego-padres/
2010 FINISH: 65-97, 5th NL West, 27 GB
ADDITIONS: Bobby Crosby, Joe Saunders, Mike Hampton, Brandon Allen, Zach Duke, Juan Miranda, Geoff Blum, Xavier Nady, Henry Blanco, J.J. Putz, Melvin Mora, Brian Sweeney, Armando Galaraga, Micah Owings, Andy Tracy, Mike Hampton (re-signed), David Winfree, Willy Mo Pena, Cody Ransom, Aaron Heilman (re-signed), Willie Bloomquist, Russell Branyan, Sean Burroughs,
SUBTRACTIONS: Edwin Jackson, Dan Haren, Aaron Heilman (re-signed), Kris Benson, Brandon Webb, Rodrigo Lopez, Adam LaRoche, Rusty Ryal, Mark Reynolds, Ryan Church, Augie Ojeda, DJ Carrasco, Blaine Boyer, Mike Hampton (re-signed), AJ Hinch
POSITION BATTLES: 1B-Allen/Miranda/Branyan/Nady/Blum; Bullpen (behind JJ Putz) and Bench
STORYLINES: Kirk Gibson, Don Baylor, Matt Williams and Alan Trammell will endeavor to bring fundamentally sound baseball to the Arizona desert – but as coaches not players. If they are successful, this very young team could grow together for years to come. If not, one or both of them could wind up as part of a vulture breakfast buffet in that watercolor wasteland… Speaking of wasteland, make sure your local classified section indicates that the Arizona Diamondbacks have a "Help Wanted" sign on their clubhouse door. Refugees from the Bad News Bears to the Yomuri Giants are all welcome but make sure that no one suggests the name Charlie Sheen. Even the fictional Wild Thing wouldn't want a place on this roster. There is a lot of talent in the form of Justin Upton (.275, 25 HR, 85 RBI, 20 SB), Steven Drew (.290, 25 HR, could be 20/20 guy depending on his place in lineup but not enough speed to be a true leadoff hitter), Chris Young (.250, 30 HR, 90 RBI, 30 SB) and Miguel Montero (.270, 15 HR, solid defensively). Should Juan Miranda not beat out Brandon Allen the latter will finally have a breakout season with solid power numbers. Veterans Russell Branyan or Xavier Nady could start the season at 1B. Gerardo Parra is the wildcard of this deck. Parra enjoyed a solid rookie campaign in 2009, but he took a step back last season and appears headed for a backup role in '11. He'll likely need to cut back on the strikeouts and rediscover the stolen-base prowess he showed in the Minors before he gets another chance to start on a regular basis. Willie Bloomquist and Xavier Nady would be safer bets to crack the Opening Day lineup. This talented nucleus will stick around until the next Diamondbacks Renaissance but it may be a long wait and could require a lot of excellent drafts over the following couple of years.
PREDICTIONS: 4.81 team ERA put the D'backs 27th overall as a team but they ranked poorly in most pitching categories across the board. Reduced offense with the departure of Reynolds/LaRoche is still not as big a concern as pitching. Joe Saunders (57-39, 4.29 ERa in 128 GS, 1.39 WHIP, .277 OBA), Daniel Hudson (20 GS, 114 IP, 2.61 ERA with 11 HR, 98 K and WHIP of 1.05), Ian Kennedy (46G, 253 IP, 4.33 ERA), Armando Galarraga (famous for his almost perfect game in 87 game career, 475 IP, 186/301 BB/K with .239 OBA), Zach Duke (160 starts, 4.54 ERA, .305 OBA, 1.48 WHIP) and Barry Enright are all recycled from other organizations but it will take more than glue and a resounding rah-rah speech to mold them into a major league pitching staff. Enright shows the most upside though expectations for all are high. Promoted mid-way through the 2010 campaign after fashioning a handsome 1.03 WHIP with an ace-like 5.83 K/BB ratio at Double-A Mobile, Enright gave the D-backs 99 workman-like innings and finished up with 3.91 ERA. His peripherals tell a different story, however, as he wound up stranding nearly 85 percent of the runners that reached base against him — a figure far above the league average of 72.2… JJ Putz leads a bullpen brigade with very little experience who will be called on infrequently.
2011 FINISH: It is sad, but Arizona will have competition for the worst record in the league by season's end. Pittsburgh, Seattle, Washington, Kansas City, Cleveland or Houston will all be in the running (and don't forget how the NY Mets could implode) but there is no prize offered for this feat. Really it depends on the level of competition and Arizona will likely not get pounded quite as much as Pittsburgh and Houston. There is real hope and real talent on this team. The coaches are all sound fundamental baseball men in the tradition of Sparky Anderson, Roger Craig, Earl Weaver and Tommy Lasorda. Fundamentals pay off much easier in the minors or Little League while the Diamondbacks may be seeking the institution of the Mercy Rule. 60-102. NL West Basement.
COMING UP: Playoff Predictions & Postseason Award Predictions
MLB Pitchers Preview: http://prosportsblogging.com/mlb-baseball/aces-wild-in-philadelphia/
AL PREVIW: http://prosportsblogging.com/mlb-baseball/mlb-2011-preview-al-east/
About the Author
Written by Christopher Rowe
Contributing writer Comcast Sports, NY Times contributing stringer 1996-2000, Contributing writer Yahoo Sports (2001 World Series). Contributing writer Newsday Long Island (1992-1994, Jets Training Camp) and Newak Star Ledger. Freelance Copywriter, Editor/Founder Atlantic Times Weekly (1993-2003) fantasy football magazine, produced screenwriter and general humorist. Hofstra University grad, Marist College honorary alum, Salesian; Purveyor of the Value and Valor of Philadelphia Eagles 1960 NFL Championship; Adrent believer that Eagles could have won Super Bowl XV...and Super Bowl XXXIX...plus modern decade of Eagles 5 NFC Championships... Believer in the Broad Street Bullies and the 1983 Sixers... Witness to Philadelphia Phillies World Series championships 1980 & 2008, Suffered Phillies first pro sports team to reach 10,000 losses,witnessed "1980 Cardiac Kids," 1983 "Wheeze Kids," 1993 "Macho Row" and many, many, many not-so-memorable seasons in-between... until the Philadelphia Baseball Renaissance of 21st Century, Five NL East division titles 2007-2011, 3 NLCS appearances 2008-2010, 2 consecutive World Series berths 2008 & 2009. 2008 World Champions of baseball [miss ya Harry and Richie]; "collector" of MLB ballparks (42 stadiums including 15 which are gone); Fantasy Football & Baseball player since 1992. Always a sports fan... Tenui Nec Dimittam Contact me firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
Yeah yeah, still camping out on this plateau, yeah yeah.
My doctor said to basically keep on keepin' on. Tomorrow morning I'm going to the gym for a weigh-in (something I must admit, I haven't done in… months! eek!!), and I'm going to ask them what kind of work-outs I can do, or that I can do differently, to help me out. I know I just need to work out harder, but maybe they can introduce me to some new exercises, too. It hit me the other day that I've been at this weight for like 2 months, and that's 2 months too long.
Late last week I took a quick vacation to Florida. It was a cool trip, full of pretty beaches, dolphins and a bit of a sunburn (whoops), but here's the best part: for the first time in my adult (or teenage, even) life, I wore my swimsuit – JUST my swimsuit, without a cover-up! – to the beach.
For anyone who's ever been overweight, you know how terrifying it can be to step out on to the beach or pool side in just your swimsuit. Since I've been a teenager, I've always worn some kind of cover-up (a T-shirt, shorts or both) over my swimsuit. But this year, it was just me and my pretty red swimsuit. Can't even begin to tell you how awesome that felt!
It was my first official time to wear this swimsuit. I bought it basically 45 pounds ago, last summer. I never got a chance to wear it til last week. It was just a tiny bit too big, but not so much that it looked bad. In fact, it looked great.
I may still be camped out on this plateau, but this accomplishment is big enough that I feel like dancing.


text:
Intensive Glucose Control Lowers Microvascular Risks »
"Intensive glucose lowering in patients with type 2 diabetes significantly reduces the risk for microvascular kidney and eye complications over the longer term, according to the results of an individual-participant-data meta-analysis. The findings"...
Read the Intensive Glucose Control Lowers Microvascular Risks article »
(chlorpropamide) Tablets, USP
For Oral Use
DIABINESE® (chlorpropamide), is an oral blood-glucose-lowering drug of the sulfonylurea class. Chlorpropamide is l-[(p-Chlorophenyl)sulfonyl]-3-propylurea, C10H13ClN2O3S, and has the structural formula:
Chlorpropamide is a white crystalline powder, that has a slight odor. It is practically insoluble in water at pH 7.3 (solubility at pH 6 is 2.2 mg/mL). It is soluble in alcohol and moderately soluble in chloroform. The molecular weight of chlorpropamide is 276.74. DIABINESE (chlorpropamide) is available as 100 mg and 250 mg tablets.
Inert ingredients are: alginic acid; Blue 1 Lake; hydroxypropyl cellulose; magnesium stearate; precipitated calcium carbonate; sodiukm lauryl sulfate; starch.
What are the possible side effects of chlorpropamide (Diabinese)?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is the most common side effect of chlorpropamide. Symptoms include headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, tremors, irritability, trouble concentrating, rapid breathing, fast heartbeat, fainting, or seizure (severe hypoglycemia can be fatal). Carry hard candy or glucose tablets with you in case you have low blood sugar.
Stop taking chlorpropamide and call your doctor at...
Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Diabinese »
What are the precautions when taking chlorpropamide (Diabinese)?
Before taking chlorpropamide, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, liver disease, thyroid problems, poor diet, irregular eating patterns, certain hormonal conditions (adrenal/pituitary insufficiency, syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone-SIADH), electrolyte imbalance (low sodium blood level).
You may experience blurred vision, dizziness, or drowsiness due to extremely low or high blood sugar levels. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any...
Last reviewed on RxList: 4/25/2017
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.
Diabinese FDA Prescribing Information
Additional Diabinese Information
Diabinese - User Reviews
Diabinese User Reviews
Now you can gain knowledge and insight about a drug treatment with Patient Discussions.
Here is a collection of user reviews for the medication Diabinese sorted by most helpful.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Women's Health
Find out what women really need.


text:
Well, I finaly got Linux running on my main machine. This will give me the power to work on my video software and run it too :)
I have just found out that the FTEA conference is next weekend so me and my supervisor are busy getting our presentation ready. We will be talking about using multimedia in our technology classes.


text:
- Admissions
- Academics
- Campus Life
- Athletics
- Cost & Aid
- News & Events
- About Plattsburgh
If you need help finding your way around campus, take a look at our campus maps.
If you need to come by bus or train, please contact one of the following to make your reservations:
When making your reservations, please plan on booking yourself on the train that will arrive at 3:15pm or the bus that will arrive at 3:05pm. We are aware that the arrival of the bus/train coincides with check-in, but we will certainly accommodate you.
To receive a complimentary shuttle ride from the Plattsburgh bus/train station or the Plattsburgh Airport to campus between the hours of 1p.m. and 4p.m. on the day of your session's check-in, please call our office at (518) 564-3282(518) 564-3282 or email us at email@example.com.
We will keep in contact with the bus and train station and will know if there will be a delay. As such, if your bus or train is running late, rest assured that as long as you have pre-arranged a shuttle ride with us, we will be there to pick you up when you arrive.
For families without transportation, we will be running a shuttle from hotels listed on the accommodations page at the beginning and end of each orientation day.
For more information or questions about Student Orientation at SUNY Plattsburgh, please contact:
New Student Orientation
Office: Kehoe 602
Phone: (518) 564-3282
Email: email@example.com


text:
Log In now to add this Gigapan to a group gallery.
Log In now to add this Gigapan to a gallery.
About This GigapanToggle
- Taken by
- Sander Poppe
- Explore score
- 1
- Size
- 0.11 Gigapixels
- Views
- 2476
- Date added
- Nov 25, 2012
- Date taken
- Nov 18, 2012
- Categories
- cityscapes, landscape
- Galleries
- Netherlands, Sander Poppe's Portfolio
- Competitions
- Tags
- Sander Poppe, cspoppe, landscape photography, rotterdam, netherlands, evening, Erasmus bridge, Erasmus MC, Maratime hotel, Nationale Nederlanden, euromast, river, maas
- Description
The skyline from Rotterdam. Beginning on the right with the famous Erasmus bridge, with ending past the Euromast on the left. Photo is shoot on the quay at Hotel New York.
Gigapan Comments (0)Toggle Minimize gigapan_comment
Where in the World is this GigaPan?Toggle
Sorry, this gigapan has no location information.


text:
|Doors Open
|Live Music by DeLeon
|Film Begins
|Filmmaker Q & A
|After Party with FREE Radeberger Pilsner at Fontana's (105 Eldridge St.)
Lower East Side
350 Grand Street, New York, NY 10002
F, J, M, Z to Delancey Street-Essex Street; B, D, Q to Grand Street
The feature debut from director Kevin Asch is an intense drama about Hasidic Jews who get caught up in a drug smuggling ring.
Presented in partnership with: IFC, New York magazine, First Independent Pictures, Radeberger, Open Road NY, New Design High School, Fontanas, the NYC Council Manhattan Delegation & State Senator Daniel L. Squadron
Holy Rollers (Kevin Asch | New York | 89 min.)
Set in Williamsburg's Hasidic enclave, first-time director Kevin Asch's Holy Rollers offers a unique coming-of-age portrait while simultaneously pulling back the veil on the city's gritty drug trade. Jesse Eisenberg plays frustrated Brooklyn dweller Sam Gold, a young Orthodox Jew wilting under the pressure of his religious parents to get married and become a Rabbi. Sam's life gets more interesting when his suave neighbor Yosef (Justin Bartha) introduces him to an Israeli ecstasy dealer, which propels the disillusioned Hasid into a secular world filled with enough hedonistic opportunities to let him escape the burdens of home rituals. But is that what he really wants?
From its immersive opening sequence, Holy Rollers pulls us deep into insular world of the Orthodox Jewish lifestyle that has been imposed on Sam since his birth. Essentially a good kid, Sam initially resists the temptation to expand his horizons and enter a dangerous world. However, his business savvy elevates him to a kind of fast-paced industry he never expected to accept him. As Sam falls deeper into the trappings of the drug trade -- traveling the globe, frequenting parties and developing a fondness for like-minded Jewish rebel Rachel (Ari Graynor) -- he begins to question his newfound allegiances, although it might be too late for another exit strategy.
Asch, a New York native, directed the short film Characters and produced Point & Shoot, which played at the Tribeca Film Festival. In recent years, he has developed into a major new filmmaking talent in the Hollywood scene, a reputation boosted by his debut feature. His directorial style blends painstakingly assembled realism with endless forward-momentum, as evidenced by the way that Holy Rollers begins as a family drama before seamlessly delving into heartbreak and suspense. Asch fulfills the expectations of these genres while remaining true to the central conflict of the story, which continually returns to Sam's relationship with his relentlessly judgmental father, Mendel (Mark Ivanir). The older man's valiant attempts to support his family through a rickety clothing shop provide a touching contrast to Sam's struggle to support himself.
Predominantly shot throughout New York City, mainly on the Lower East Side and Brooklyn, Holy Rollers takes its premise from a true story and provides a fascinating glimpse at the inner workings of the city's Hasidic population as it has rarely appeared in contemporary cinema. Eisenberg (Adventureland) has played scores of young rebels over the course of his successful career, but Sam provides him with the unique challenge of portraying a naive character faced with a serious moral dilemma that could affect the rest of his life. Asch's exhaustive researching of the communities portrayed in the film comes to life with a moving narrative that neither condescends to its subjects nor passes judgment on them, but remains resolutely profound.
An official selection at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, the movie opens in New York on May 21.
-Eric Kohn


text:
Accreditation General Info
Tools and Resources
National Resources
Conferences, Summits,Workshops
A Performance Management, Quality Improvement and Public Health Accreditation Summit was held on May 1, 2012 at The California Endowment facilities in Los Angeles. This Summit was for Local Health Department staff in California who have implemented, or are interested in implementing a Performance Management/Quality Improvement System within their organization, with an ultimate goal of Public Health Accreditation.
This Summit was made possible by the CDC National Public Health Improvement Initiative grant to the California Department of Public Health, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, and County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency. Funding for this Summit was made possible (in part) by the cooperative agreement award number CDC-RFA-CD10-101101PPHF11 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The views expressed in written Summit materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. government.
10:00 a.m. Welcome and Opening Presentation: Quality Improvement, Performance Management & Accreditation (Dr. Ron Chapman)
10:45 a.m. Public Health Department Accreditation: Connections with Quality Improvement (Dr. Alonzo Plough)
12:40 p.m. Panel on Accreditation, Performance Management and Quality Improvement
2:20 p.m. Session 1: Overview of Performance Management (Redwood Room - Pooja Verma)
2:20 p.m. Session 2: Continuous Quality Improvement Tool Demonstration and Exercise (Big Sur Room - Pam Sakamoto, Cynthia Coutee)
3:30 p.m. Session 3: How we set up (or will set up) our Department Continuous Quality Improvement Program (Redwood Room)
3:30 p.m. Session 4: County Examples of Advanced PM/QI Tools and Lean Six Sigma Implementation (Big Sur Room)
| Conditions of Use
| Privacy PolicyCopyright ©


text:
Steady as She Goes
Machine shops are inventive operations. Learn how one uses a steady rest in a different way on one of its two-turret CNC lathes.
I recently wrote this article that explains how an aerospace shop uses a steady rest in an atypical way. The shop integrated a self-centering steady rest from Kitagawa-Northtech onto the lower turret of this two-turret Mori Seiki lathe:
Although the lathe loses a few tool positions, the steady rest enables the lathe to center the OD of a workpiece and perform end machining and boring operations. It can also function as a follower rest to support slender parts that are prone to bend during machining. Plus, the lathe can now take heavier cuts.
This isn't the first time I've seen a turret used in such a way. The cover shot for our July 2010 issue shows a fixture installed on the turret of a turn-mill for added workpiece support:
That shop's owner offered a candid take on turn-mills, by the way. Integrating turn-mills was one of the most challenging endeavors his shop undertook (but he's certainly glad they did it). Learn more in this article.


text:
Regarding ABS personally I would advise to go to FISD and RPF and read the threads where they discussed about fiberglass and ABS. You might find out that the ABS is not the same that was used when SW was released, it evolved a lot during the years. It SURELY doesn't have a 5-10 years shelf life, just look at the old screen used ABS SW helmets, they are still ok today. Yellowed, maybe, but no other problems with them, just read CfO or RS threads. No SW licensee nor fan creator ever made a fiberglass armor exactly because of its fragility and brittleness, and not just because of price. Rubies and Museum Replicas also made ABS armors.
It is not easy to take photos of a big black shiny thing. I'd advise to use as much natural light as possible and go without flash.


text:
I have received the preliminary kill stats for spring 2013.
What a difference a year makes...
The success rate was 18% significantly off the usual 45-50% success rate.
On my blog http://www.charlieelk.com there is a daily chart of turkey kill comparing 2013 to 2012 along with a PDF of all the preliminary numbers. Keep in mind these are preliminary stats will change a bit in the coming weeks.
T&TH site would not let me post the PDF stats or chart.


text:
2013 began with the development of a curriculum for healthcare professionals (HCPs) caring for women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) [2]. The curriculum has since been finalised, HCPs have been trained on how to use it, and supporting tools have been developed. In the fourth quarter of the year a key milestone was reached with the recruitment of the first women with GDM under the WINGS Model of Care.
With dedicated teams at four clinics and hospitals in Chennai, the implementation of the new model approach to care for GDM is now underway. A standard operating protocol was developed and integrated as a full part of the routine activities of the collaborating health facilities in Chennai and suburbs. This protocol is gradually adjusted with feedback received from HCPs working on the field and complementary methodological tools are being developed.
Another innovative achievement of this period was the development of in-house data collection software by the IT department of Dr Mohan's clinics. This tool is the project's main database that captures data from the case report form and follow up activities.
The situation analysis report on GDM in India has been enhanced with additional depth to the retrospective analysis and the pilot screening. Abstracts and scientific papers for publication of its components are progressively presented to the scientific community in and out of India.
In April 2013, the joint IDF and Abbott Fund field visit permitted to see the activities in Chennai, to get familiar with the implementing actors and to identify the operational challenges. Global events, communication and media coverage opportunities have helped to promote the WINGS project at the global level throughout the year. The partial initial findings of the project were presented at the World Diabetes Congress (WDC) in Melbourne, Australia and in Warwick, UK. At WDC in December 2013, the second meeting of the WINGS Expert Committee was held. Expert feedback and contributions were offered by Mr Sonak Pastakia (PharmD, Consultant at the Abbott Fund).


text:
Your Cart is empty
At age forty, author Tosca Reno found herself miserable, overweight, stuck in an unhappy marriage and living an unfulfilled life. Her self-esteem was at an all-time low. She barely recognized the woman she had become. Determined to change her life for the better, she entered the doors of her local gym and never looked back. The minute she hopped on the treadmill she felt like she was taking control of her life again. Her confidence grew as she found the motivation to take care of herselfsomething she had lacked for years. After learning how to eat clean, Tosca's life accelerated to new heights of health, vitality and confidence. As she shed unwanted pounds, Tosca underwent a profound transformation. For the first time in her life she was happy to take center stage. She was confident, joyful and ready to take on the world. At age forty-two, with the support of her now husband, Robert Kennedy, she entered her first physique contest. Undaunted by the younger competitors, Tosca took fifth place in her class.
Tosca knew she had tapped into something wonderful and wanted to share it with the world. She realized that if she could make these small but pivotal changes in her life, anyone could. She began writing a column in Oxygen, a renowned fitness magazine. Tosca shared her personal story of transformation, her triumphs and her challenges, as well as her advice to others. Readers were enthralled with Tosca, flooding her with fan mail and questions. Recognizing that others were as hungry for change as she once was, Tosca decided to record her journey in a book entitled The Eat-Clean Diet®. The book initiated a ten-title series that has sold more than a million copies! The latest in the series is The Eat-Clean Diet® Recharged, a fully revised, redesigned and updated book with fifty new recipes and a ton of information on how to live The Eat-Clean Diet Lifestyle.


text:
Mergent Online
|Company Information
|Materials Covered:
|FIS Online (replacing Moody's Company Data - U.S. and Moody's International Company Data) provides business and financial information for 23,000 U.S. and international companies. SEC filings (real-time and archived to 1993) are included for the 10,000+ NYSE, AMEX and NASDAQ exchange companies. Financials for 10 years (which will build to 15 years) are "as reported" and can be downloaded to spreadsheet software such as Microsoft Excel. Annual reports, where available, begin with 1996 and will be archived. Fact sheets (updated quarterly) giving a company overview, ratios, and prospects are available for 2,000 U.S. companies. Recent news stories about a company are listed for 6 weeks. The database is updated weekly. In basic search mode, you may search by company name or ticker symbol. In advanced search mode, you may search for companies meeting specified criteria such as selected SIC code(s), geographical area(s), revenues, profits, specified words in descriptive text, and more.
|Dates of Coverage:
|Special Features:
Periodicals Indexed
or Full-Text:
|Simultaneous Users:
|Online Help:
|License Info:
|Use Restrictions:
|Available to ALL users in the library; Off campus access is limited to UMD students, staff, and faculty
|Use browser's print button
|Search Assistance:
|For searching assistance contact the Research & Information Desk at 218-726-8100 or email Jim Vileta


text:
Homecoming 2011
Homecoming 2011:
Cyclone State of Mind
ISU Homecoming is October 16-22, 2011!
Calendar of Events
What can I eat on Central Campus all week?
Get Involved:
Cardinal Court
Spirit Displays
Blue Sky Days 5K
Have Fun:
Homecoming Kickoff
Mike Stud
Friday Night Events
Important Cardinal Division Pairing Information here.
See what happened during Homecoming 2010!


text:
Jump directly to a section:
New parents always want to give their babies the very best. When it comes to nutrition, the best first food for babies is breast milk.
Breast-fed babies are healthier and have fewer infections than formula-fed babies, says Erin Paris, registered dietitian and lactation consultant at SIU School of Medicine in Springfield. She explains the benefits of breast-feeding for babies.
"They've shown that babies are less likely to have gastro-intestinal illnesses, upper respiratory infections, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, heart disease and then the I.Q.s that they have actually been studied in babies improved as they get older."
Paris says breast-feeding also has important benefits for mother. It decreases her risk for ovarian and breast cancer as well as the risk for developing osteoporosis. It also results in a faster return to pre-pregnancy weight. She explains breast feeding recommendations.
"The basic standards are four to six months of exclusive breastfeeding. Then at four months of age, some pediatricians do recommend that you can introduce some table foods such as, you know, rice cereals or baby cereals. Then continuing through that first year of life is recommended until the baby has tripled their weight."
New mothers can learn more about breast-feeding by talking with their family physician or obstetrician. Most hospitals have a lactation counselor or offer breast feeding classes to help new mothers.
Ruth Slottag