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The Chicago Cubs are in the middle of what might be the greatest movement of young talent in the history of baseball. I guess that will play itself out; however, that does make finding people to look to bounce back on the offensive side of things difficult. Thank God for the Cubs pitching staff however, because they have two guys that can't get much worse than they were last year. The bad news is that I don't see Edwin Jackson improving. The good news is that Travis Wood's track record suggests that last year was a blip.
In Cincinnati we find the opposite problem as most of their team under-performed last season. In a blind round robin, throw a dart at the board and figure out which offensive player was going to bounce back seemed like as good of a standard as any, but I owe it to you to do a little more work than that. Is Brandon Phillips done? Probably not, but he's closer to the end than he is to the beginning and the Reds will trade him as soon as he's producing. They are already trying to trade Jay Bruce (who I really like), so it's probably not Jay. Joey Votto is going to have to turn it around or soon people will mistake him for Ryan Howard. All of this is nice, and it's easy, but I think that Billy Hamilton is going to have a breakout season. I could see him hitting .288 with a .389 OBP, and with that I see him stealing 75+ bases and becoming the next Kenny Lofton.
Milwaukee is home to a lot of beer companies, and in the non-baseball world I've heard people refer to it as Chicago's trash bin, but thanks to the Cubs… in baseball Milwaukee might as well be Mecca. This one is a slam dunk for me in the fact that Juan Segura has a ton of talent, had a great track record and then broke out big time in 2013 before looking more like a Minnesota Twin than a Major League ball player last season. The only thing I would like to add is that a buddy of mine once told me that Jonathan LuCroy was going to be a real ball player. I laughed. Tony, I was wrong.
My beloved Pittsburgh Pirates have seen a dramatic turnaround from the last 4-5-19 years (haha). McCutchen is about as close to the truth as a Midwest ball player can be, and had he played for a team on the east or west coast it would be a battle between him and Mike Trout for the new face of baseball. However, Andrew disqualifies himself in this post because he's freaking awesome, and that isn't what this is about. I admitted right at the start of this that they are my beloved, and it's hard to say that .291 is a down year, but I think 2015 is the year that Starling Marte becomes a household name. If he can improve on his disgusting habit of striking out far too often he could put up numbers that look more like Cutch than you might expect. I also feel that Gerrit Cole is far better than his numbers suggested last year as well, and I expect him to have a breakout season. Again breakout and bounce back are two different things, and looking at this team the person that let this team down the most was former first round pick and 3rd baseman of the future was "Potato" Alvarez. Sadly, he is what he is and this is going to go to last year's rookie Gregory Polanco, who has been one of the best prospects in baseball for a little while now, and the poor kid was lost at the plate against major league pitchers last year. His talent is too much to be this big of a flop. He's also got an even bigger prospect behind him in the minors, so this is his year to prove he's the man or Austin Meadows will be here in September and Polanco will go the way of Jose Tabata.
The Cardinals are coming off of another stellar season, and have about as well run organization as there is in the game right now. The offseason started out with tragedy when the uber-talented and prized piece of the future Oscar Tavares made the mistake of drinking and driving, which ended his life at 22, and the life of his fiancé. However this is the one team in baseball that always seems to bounce back from adversity and injury. In 2015 they are still the class of this division, and it's hard to see anyone taking a step back. If they stay healthy they will be as dangerous as any team in baseball. Looking for a bounce back player is also rather difficult because they did have a lot of injured players last year that were supposed to contribute chief amongst them is starting pitcher Jamie (hi-me) Garcia. He defines why the Cardinals are great, and sadly will likely be ahead of my Pirates once again come October.
Bouncing Back in 2015: NL East
The Atlanta Braves have a lot of pitchers that were injured last year and players they rely upon who underperformed, so to choose one isn't easy, but I'm a huge Mike Minor fan so that's where I start. He had an awful season last year. His 4.77 era was the worst on the staff, while his 20 more hits than innings pitched didn't seem fitting either. I look for him to have a bounce back season. Offensively, I don't see Andrelton Simmons as a great hitter, but if he can bring his average up to .280's level he will be without a doubt the best SS in baseball for the total package.
In Miami it's even easier… this team will go as far as Giancarlo Stanton's bat and Jose Fernandez's arm will lead them. When healthy those two are spectacular. Mike Redmond did an amazing job last year as the manager, and he could be the next big deal manager. I also want to send a shout out to Chaska's own Brad Hand who had an excellent season with the Marlins last year, but this team's unsung hero will be Christian Yelich… he has a batting title in him in the near future, and if the Marlins contend in 2015 like I think they will the future starts now.
The Mets have always been the NY little sister that had to get crazy to get the tabloid love that the Yankees generate by just being the Yankees. My hope is that they stop that silliness and decide to just ride this pitching staff of young aces all the way to the World Series in the not so distant future. Matt Harvey is healthy, and Zack Wheeler looks solid. Jacob DeGrom was beyond outstanding last year, and phenom Noah Syndergaard might be as good if not better than any of them. However, this team will not go anywhere until David Wright is 100% healthy and puts up the big numbers that he used to be capable of. Now you have idiot Daniel Murphy causing issues with his homophobic rhetoric, and as a result you have more tabloids crap and less focus on the field. The guy I pick to be the bounce back player of the Mets overall is Matt Harvey as I don't trust this offense or defense. The Mets could lead the NL in strikeouts and ERA in 2015 while having the Rookie of the Year, and still finish 7-10 games under .500.
The Phillies are a mess, and Philly fans aren't exactly forgiving. They need a full scale rebuild but are unable to trade Howard, and no one wants to just dump 60 million dollars by cutting him. Keeping him is going to hinder the future a great deal as prize minor leaguer Maikel Franco will most likely have to start the season in AAA. Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels could and should replenish a mostly blah minor league system. A lot of people here in Minnesota believe the Twins should never have given up Ben Revere, and he didn't make their argument less powerful with the yea he had last year, but if the Phillies are to have a future the guy that needs to bounce back is Ryan Howard. The guy who will however is not Howard. I believe it will be a healthy Cliff Lee who will then be traded in June or July for a small ransom with Hamels bringing in the lottery load.
The Nation's Capital is sitting pretty with an excellent team that improved dramatically in the offseason by picking up Max Scherzer in free agency with the most unique contract in a long time. This team is set up for the long haul and right now. I don't need to blow smoke for a team that already proved how good it is last season, and should be even better this year if healthy. The person that stands to be the biggest problem child is also the guy I expect to bounce back and show that the early career comparisons to Mike Trout weren't a waste of our time. That is Bryce Harper, who was mostly boring and sometimes terrible last season when he was healthy. His attitude sucks, and his bat hasn't done what it's capable of. I think it does this year, but it may only further enhance his reputation as the next Barry Bonds (without a hint of crème, clear, or HGH).
Welcome to our next 2015 division preview and prediction here at BBP! After addressing the NL East, a division I expect to be rife with competition despite a surefire first place pick, it's time to turn our attention to a division I expect to be a dumpster fire: the American League Central. Despite being relatively strong the past few years, including hosting two of the last three AL pennant winners, this might be the weakest division in the game in 2015. Basically, if you're looking for the team to win it all, you won't find it in America's heartland. So, with subdued expectations, let's dive in!
1. Detroit Tigers
2014 result: 90-72. 1st Place. Lost ALDS to Baltimore Orioles, 3-0.
A relatively easy pick, albeit none too exciting. Last year's Tigers team was probably the most discordant, lifeless division winner imaginable, barely warding off a mediocre Royals team to seal the division on the last day of the season. After which, of course, they were clubbed by the Orioles in the ALDS to officially extend their championship drought to thirty (!) years. This offseason, they traded Rick Porcello to the Red Sox for Yoenis Cespedes, while Max Scherzer predictably walked for a plump contract in Washington. Cespedes will give their lineup the energy it desperately lacked in 2014, and they still have a formidable rotation with David Price, Anibal Sanchez, and the newly acquired Alfredo Simon. However, they lost a lot of pitching not only with Porcello and Scherzer's departures, but also by trading Drew Smyly to Tampa Bay last summer. (Not to mention, the inexplicable Doug Fister trade in 2013, which is looking worse by the day.)
Moreover, some of their most pivotal players are becoming question marks. Justin Verlander (he of one of the priciest contracts in the game) has declined so significantly that few believe he'll touch his prime form again. Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez, the invaluable heart of the lineup, have been plagued by recent injuries that have made even starting on opening day a question. Altogether, although Detroit will win the division, I don't see much more. By any measure, it looks to be another exhausting, wheezy, and ultimately heartbreaking grab at that elusive championship that'll come up short. I've said many times before that 2013 was their best chance at winning it all. Sadly for the tortured baseball souls of Motown, that still holds true in my eyes. With the Verlander/Cabrera contracts and an awful farm system, the Tigers are likely going to be the AL's answer to the Phillies before you know it.
2015 prediction: 90-72. AL Central Champions.
2. Chicago White Sox
2014 result: 73-89. 4th Place.
Last year, I looked at the White Sox as a team headed for a standard rebuilding cycle, coming off a disastrous 2013 campaign. But this past offseason, they suddenly asserted themselves as a hopeful contender. They snagged ace Jeff Samardzija from the Athletics by trade, signed Adam LaRoche to power up their offense, and also inked Melky Cabrera, Zach Duke and David Robertson. This is enough to build on the foundation of Chris Sale and Jose Abreu, two of my favorite players in the game who deserve to see October action. I see the ChiSox as just a wild card team this year, but there's a legitimate chance they can challenge an aging Tigers team for the division crown. Although, despite Sale's commendable confidence, it doesn't mean they'll even smell the flagged trophy.
2015 prediction: 88-74. 2nd AL Wild Card.
3. Cleveland Indians
2014 result: 85-77. 3rd Place.
Just last year, I was absolutely thrilled by the Indians' dramatic overhaul that took them from 68 wins in 2012 to 92 in 2013, along with a wild card spot. Their 2014 season didn't feature a playoff trip, although they would quietly contend late into the year. While they have the reigning AL Cy Young champion in Corey Kluber, and Terry Francona ever ready at the managerial helm, I'm not quite as bullish on the Tribe this year. They're limited financially, a problem exacerbated by the Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher contracts. With the big money of the Tigers and the ambitious moves of the White Sox, they just don't have enough to get back in the dance in my eyes.
2015 prediction: 83-79. 3rd Place.
4. Kansas City Royals
2014 result: 89-73. 2nd Place. Lost World Series to San Francisco Giants, 4-3.
Wow….it's been months now, and I'm still in a daze from the Royals' miracle run in October. Even though they knocked out my beloved A's in a cruelly heartbreaking wild card game, I still rooted for them with ease for many reasons. One of which is, to be blunt, it was their real shot at that first title since 1985, even if they probably got further than they should have. I said all throughout the 2014 playoffs they wouldn't even be back in October in 2015, and their subsequent offseason has certainly cemented that notion. Key slugger Billy Butler left for Oakland, while the elastic defensive outfield wizard Nori Aoki went to World Series adversary San Francisco. Most importantly, James Shields was snatched up by the Padres. These departures were effectively replaced by a battery of awful signings: Kendrys Morales, Alex Rios and Edinson Volquez, all of whom add up to $48 million total. They may still have that menacing bullpen trio, but even with their youth I just don't see them contending again this year. And let's not lie: They still have an atrocious owner, who may now get to hide behind the afterglow of the pennant run for quite some time.
2015 prediction: 80-82. 4th Place.
5. Minnesota Twins
2014 result: 70-92. 5th Place.
The good news: The Twins finally, finally….FINALLY…..fired their hideously overrated manager Ron Gardenhire, and lost pitching coach Rick Anderson (who oversaw the worst rotations in the game for the past few years) as well. Better yet, they have one of the richest farm systems in the game, one that's earned praise from elite baseball writers such as Grant Brisbee, Keith Law and Will Leitch. The bad news: They didn't do enough to really overhaul the team now. Almost every move they made was painfully pedestrian. First, they hired the unproven Paul Molitor as manager, even with the far more qualified Tony Lovullo and Doug Mientkiewicz also in the running for the job. Rather than upgrade their outfield defense, they wasted $10 million on a 40-year-old Torii Hunter, who should add some pop offensively but is among the worst outfielders statistically in defense. While I admittedly liked the Ervin Santana signing more than I should, I still would have preferred taking fliers on guys like Brandon Morrow and Kris Medlen to make the rotation more ample. A decent rotation and a productive offense, as well as the (at least temporary) shot in the arm from a new manager should keep them above the 60's range in wins. But they still have a lot of work to make the team a contender in time for when the farm system begins to harvest. And sadly, that's awhile from now.
2015 prediction: 70-92. 5th Place.
Well, it's about time! With Spring Training merely days away from starting, one of the most eventful offseasons I can think of will soon be drawing to a close. Thus, it's time for the annual division previews here at BBP, which I'll handle this year. This week, we start with the NL East, whose first and last place picks are among the easiest to make. But it's what's in the middle that's a toss-up. Read on, and let us know what your picks are in the comments!
1. Washington Nationals
2014 result: 96-66. 1st place. Lost NLDS to San Francisco Giants, 3-1.
Surprise! With that beautifully structured (but not unquestionable) Max Scherzer contract, the Nationals put an exclamation point on an already great rotation and team. Of course, we've seen impossibly great teams on paper (remember the Phillies' Four Aces and the upcoming dynasty in the 2011 offseason?), including…well, the Nationals themselves. They won 98 games in 2012 and looked to be on their way to a championship, three outs away from their first NLCS berth…until those damned Cardinals happened. Last year, they boasted the most complete team in the postseason, and sailed into October on Jordan Zimmerman's season-ending no-hitter….and then those damned Giants happened. (Not to mention, one huge Matt Williams managerial brainfart, for which he could be Washington's veritable Grady Little if they don't win a title soon.) And while a Twins and A's fan like me is in no position to lecture about division series heartbreaks, this is all just a reminder that "too good to be true" teams are no guarantees. The only question left: Do they trade Jordan Zimmermann? If that sounds ridiculous, keep in mind that they failed to come to a long-term deal with him, and that money basically just went to Scherzer. Plus, Zimmermann's a free agent after 2015, so trading him now would mean the Nats could get a James Shields/Wade Davis for Wil Myers haul while still having the best rotation in the game. They're wise to trade Zimmermann now, but with or without him, they just might be the best team in MLB this year.
2015 prediction: 97-65. NL East Champions.
2. Miami Marlins
2014 result: 77-85. 4th Place.
Of the many dramatic overhauls of the offseason, the Marlins had among the most deftly handled in how it addressed their every need. While that overhaul sadly didn't include new uniforms (seriously, watching them is like a 9-inning Sunkist commercial), and they still have that ineffable bag of shit Jeffrey Loria as their owner, they had a brilliant offseason. Say what you will about that backloaded contract for Giancarlo Stanton: it's imperative to build a winner around him, and these moves look to do just that. The acquisition of Dee Gordon from the Dodgers gives the Fish serious speed at the top of the lineup, although Gordon is likely to take a step back from his All-Star 2014 season. Michael Morse, who was an invaluable power bat for the Giants' championship run, will provide strong muscle in the lineup alongside fellow outfielders Stanton and Marcell Ozuna. Also, Mat Latos came by way of trade from Cincinnati to beef up the starting rotation. Add even just a pinch of a bounceback Jose Fernandez, and the Marlins should have enough to contend for a wild card spot, whether or not they get it. And when you consider how just getting the wild card panned out for them in 1997 and 2003, that's hardly a raw deal.
2015 prediction: 88-74. 2nd Place. 2nd NL Wild Card.
3. New York Mets
2014 result: 79-83. Tied for 2nd Place with Atlanta.
I'll admit, I was probably a little too eager in praising the Mets' current position as a franchise last year. While they did make some smart acquisitions heading into the 2014 season, this team is still owned by the Wilpons, who would probably be the worst sports owners from New York in a normal world where James Dolan doesn't own even a penny of the Knicks (or Woody Johnson and the Jets). That said, they are getting away from the fallout of the Bernie Madoff scandal, and a glance at their roster this year should have even the most bitter Mets fan optimistic. Not only will Jacob deGrom try to build on his Rookie of the Year season, but Matt Harvey is finally coming back from Tommy John surgery. The rest of the potential rotation is more than up to par: Zack Wheeler, Jonathan Niese, and Bartolo Colon, with other promising young pitchers waiting in the wings. Offseason acquisition Michael Cuddyer has age and injury risk, but if he's healthy, he'll provide some serious muscle for the lineup. The Amazin' Mets probably won't fully rise from the ashes of the 2006/2007 collapse from grace for a couple more years, but a wild card entry isn't out of the question for 2015. They certainly have a better rotation than Miami, but an inferior offense. At this moment, I'd say it's pretty much a coin flip as to who would come out on top in a wild card race.
2015 prediction: 86-76. Third Place.
4. Atlanta Braves
2014 result: 79-83. Tied for 2nd Place with New York.
What to do with these guys? The Braves are a team that usually seem impossible to pick against, given how they seem to make the postseason like clockwork almost every year since 1991. But a majority of their offseason moves have screamed "fire sale" to me. Jason Heyward went to the Cardinals, Justin Upton will now open outfield shop for the revamped Padres, and Evan Gattis went to the Astros. But hey, at least they still have Craig Kimbrel! Altogether, it's going to be a step back for the Braves, who have until their move out of Turner Field in 2017 to build up for a big payoff. Or, as their own official rendering of the upcoming stadium would seem to indicate, another heartbreaking playoff flameout.
2015 prediction: 75-87. 4th Place.
Philadelphia Phillies
2014 result: 73-89. 5th Place.
This is where the game of making predictions is the most comfortable. Aside from the Astros and this blog's beloved Twins, no team in baseball is inevitably consigned to a dead last finish like the Phillies. They traded the beating heart of the franchise, Jimmy Rollins, to the Dodgers, and some rumors indicated an early version of the deal would have included Chase Utley as well. As of this writing, they may still yet trade Cole Hamels as well. And of course, they're still stuck with that frightening, gangrenous monster known as the Ryan Howard contract. Even the old wizard Pat Gillick acknowledged it may take 2-3 years for the Phightins to burn off the fat and fully rebuild. That said, they're pretty fortunate to have had the run they did from 2007-2011, with that cathartic 2008 championship nestled right in the middle. Enjoy it, Phillies fans. The sound of Harry Kalas calling Brad Lidge's nasty final slider to Eric Hinske is gonna have to keep you satiated for a long time.
2015 prediction: 69-93. 5th Place.
Here's a little game called Judge(s), Jury(s), and Executioners that the BBWAA (Baseball Writers Association of America) perform every year. The masses call it the MLB Hall of Fame Ballot. Many will never see it, many will face it, and very few will survive it, but the agony is in the purgatory of being on the ballot year in and year out knowing you are worthy of consideration but not quite making it in. I equate it to when the girl just wants to be your friend. Sometimes she dates a scumbag drug-addicted jerk who beats her, but would never dare ask you. At least when I think of a guy like Dale Murphy, who was on the ballot for his allotted forever and left to die alone just short, or a guy like Jack Morris who she even winked at, but just wasn't what she was looking for.
Well, today I want to pretend to play god over someone else's career as well, so here are my choices. Remember, by the rules of the HOF you have to have played for a certain amount of years to get on the ballot so if you didn't play 10 years you don't even get your name on the ballot. You have to be retired 5 years, and finally even as GOD I am only allowed to have 10 votes… so apparently I'm only a demigod and not as high of a moral authority as the HOF board of directors. HYPERLINK "http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/12115949/jayson-stark-explains-2015-hall-fame-ballot" http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/12115949/jayson-stark-explains-2015-hall-fame-ballot Jayson Stark has a brilliant piece on this for ESPN.com.
I suppose I should give you the list of players eligible, and I almost forgot: you are now only allotted 10 years on the ballot. Think of it as a 40 days and 40 nights kind of thing. Here is your list to choose from… oh wait, you don't choose… I do, but not really, they do! Who are they? They are not you (the fans)! HYPERLINK "http://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hof_2015.shtml" http://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hof_2015.shtml
Randy Johnson. Why? The single most dominating pitcher of my lifetime, slightly ahead of #2 Pedro Martinez, Roger Clemens and maybe even Tom "Terrific" Seaver.
Pedro Martinez. Size isn't everything, stuff is, and Pedro had the cocksure and creativity to beat you with a 94 mph fastball or a 78 MPH curve. He simply knew he was better than you were even if you were on this list or made this list in years past.
Craig Biggio. Catcher, centerfielder, and second baseman…All Star at all three positions, 3000 hits, and when you're not a home run hitter a couple of other stats have to be looked at like oh this one: HYPERLINK "http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/2B_career.shtml" http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/2B_career.shtml this kids is what we like to call gap power. And while he wasn't the best defensive player at his position, 414 stolen bases and a career .363 OBP makes him a top of the lineup nightmare for, oh, about 20 years!
Barry Bonds. But But BUT!!! He did PEDs Brad!!!! Yeah, he also was the best player of the generation, and it's me playing god here not you so judge not lest ye be judged
Roger Clemens. See Bonds but remove the bat and add a pitching rubber.
Mike Piazza. Did he or didn't he? Maybe, but despite being a below average defensive catcher the man was a warrior and an offensive machine for his career. To me the question is do you go in as a Met or a Dodger?
Mike Mussina. Go back and click the link on the HOF ballot and then look at Moose's numbers…realize he left on top after winning 20 games. While he never won a Cy Young award he was a perennial vote getter, and he pitched his entire career in the AL East. Going new school on this one…look at his WAR.
Curt Schilling. Damn it! I hated Schilling as a player…truly one of my all-time least favorite players, but that blind hate did just that… it blinded me from how impressive he truly was. Bloody sock, or bloody moron aside he was big game Curt and no one was ever better over a career.
John Smoltz. He wasn't quite ECK, but for a two way pitcher (starter and closer) no one else compares, and in big games? John didn't get the notoriety that Greg Maddux or Tom Glavine got, but in the postseason they hid behind his back… he was the Braves best chance to advance every season, and a key reason they made the playoffs every year.
Fred McGriff. No steroids, no tabloids, and the only reason he didn't hit the 500 home run club is because his back gave out on him at 493 (the same number that some guy named Lou Gehrig had). 100% class on and off the field. He was a dangerous hitter, a power hitter, and he was a devil to get out with his career OBP, and K rate. And as a god/demigod (pretend)… how can one not have appreciation for The Crime Dog?
Why didn't I vote for the others? Because I'm subject to the laws of the HOF.
11. Don Mattingly 12. Allan Trammell 13. Gary Sheffield 14. Jeff Kent 15. Larry Walker 16. Nomar Garciaparra 17. Carlos Delgado 18. Tim "Sniff" Raines
Another year, another class enshrined in Cooperstown. Usually, my first instinct is to bemoan those excluded and bitch for the trillionth time about how crooked the voting process is. While I still think that process needs to be dramatically overhauled (I say replace the baseball writers with former players, managers, coaches, executives, etc.), I have to admit this year's class is flawless. Not only did Craig Biggio get in before running into perennial snub status, but having John Smoltz, Randy Johnson, and Pedro Martinez in for a resplendent pitching class is a thing of beauty. I already made my case for Biggio in last year's ballot, and I feel Johnson, Smoltz, and Martinez don't need any further explaining or defending. Thus, my piece for 2015 will address only those who I feel were overlooked, and will hopefully get in next year.
Main Ballot
1. Alan Trammell: Man, I've been struggling with this one for years. I've always been a fan of Trammell, both on his own and alongside Lou Whitaker to form perhaps the greatest double play combo in baseball history. Not to mention, he was one of the legendary 1984 Detroit Tigers, easily among the five best teams to ever play the game. But for some reason, I always nudged Trammell into the "really good but not quite great enough" category when it came to being in the Hall of Fame. Nowadays, I'll admit I was dead wrong about that. If anything, he's simply an overlooked player that should be in by any measure. Baseball Reference's WAR generator has him as the 93rd best player of all-time, and he boasts a .285 career average, 2,365 hits, four Gold Gloves, and the 1984 World Series MVP. Those put him in the same arena as inductees Barry Larkin and Ozzie Smith. Time to make him an inductee as well.
2. Mike Mussina: Last year, when I was making my picks for my full ballot, I was cold towards Mussina. He struck me as one of those perennially great pitchers who just wasn't quite superlative enough for a plaque in Cooperstown. (Granted, this wasn't helped at all by playing for many bridesmaid Orioles and Yankees teams.) Not to mention, if you scrutinize his career for the preferred sexy pitching accolades (career ERA, 20-win seasons, Cy Young Awards, etc.), he doesn't look so pristine. However, my colleague Brad was insistent that he belonged, and as I took a closer look I changed my mind. First off, Mussina was a top-tier starter who spent his whole career in the American League, at a time when PED's and the designated hitter coupled together to make the game more explosively offense-oriented. Also, his total numbers are far from shoddy: seven Gold Gloves (one of the best defensive pitchers of his era), 270 wins, and 2,813 strikeouts. Basically, he's just above or next to Jack Morris, without the rings. I say Moose gets in, but I'll admit it's a debatable matter. If I had to pick between him and Trammell, I'd throw all my weight behind Tram.
3. Mike Piazza: I already laid out a good case last year, and while I'm glad to have a pitching-heavy class for 2015. that only kicks the inevitable down the road. 2016 should be Piazza's year to get in, no excuses.
Golden Era Ballot
Alright, this is the nitty gritty of my ballot right here. Again, the main inductee class of Biggio, Johnson, Smoltz and Martinez was a triumph. It's with the Golden Era ballot that the HOF really laid a goose egg this year. 16 members of the committee were presented with 10 candidates, each of whom contributed something seminal to game…and not a single one was inducted. So disgraceful was their snub that even Rolling Stone did a story on it, and rightfully so. Whether or not the BBWAA get it right in a given year, the Golden Era committee should always be relied upon to rectify any snubs and give legends their due. Their failure to do so this year was disheartening, and hopefully will be a distant memory when most (if not all) of the 10 snubs this year get in in the coming years. And hopefully, unlike in Ron Santo's case, before they pass on.
1. Tony Oliva: I'll be honest: For quite some time, I would doubt myself when making Oliva's HOF case. I knew that he had worthy numbers before his career was cut short by gruelling injuries in the early 70's, but I always figured I was letting my Twins bias drive my thinking. Before that cursed injury, though, Oliva packed in a lifetime's worth: three batting titles, a career .304 average and eight All-Star selections. Not to mention, the scenario of having great numbers but being cut short by injury applies to HOF inductee Roy Campanella, whose place I don't dispute one bit. Thus, Oliva is in. If there was one player that should have been a no-brainer for the committee this year, it was him.
2. Maury Wills: Even as a Dodgers lunatic, I hadn't given Wills' numbers a perusal in some time, at least in a "should he be inducted" mindset. Man oh man, should he ever: .281 career average, 2,134 hits, 586 stolen bases, and three World Series championships. Not to mention, he's the man who singlehandedly revived base-stealing with his 104 swipes in 1962, the same year he won NL MVP. He probably had the most complete career of anyone eligible on the Golden Era ballot, making his exclusion all the more perplexing
3. Anyone!: I realize this could dilute my analysis above, but the truth is, any of the 10 candidates could have been justifiably selected. If not for their numbers alone, at least for their personalities as well. That doesn't sound like a cogent case for induction, but the men up for consideration this year (Luis Tiant, Jim Kaat, Gil Hodges, and Minnie Minoso also among them) were some of the best characters the sport has ever known, in addition to being among the greatest players of their time. While I seek to grow in my understanding of statistics, even the most rigorous evaluation of the game should always have room for heart and personality. When the stats are all counted up and documented, it's the fun swagger of a player at the top of their game that sticks with you most (think Tiant smoking his stogies in victory). Or, like Kaat, a good sense of humor that endears you to fans even long after you've hung up the spikes. Even with just one choice, the Golden Era committee could have recognized both talent and heart. Ultimately, they chose neither.
It's getting harder and harder as a baseball fan in Minnesota to be excited about the game. The Twins needed to make some drastic moves, and they didn't make any. They hired the safe, fan-friendly Paul Molitor to be their manager. They topped it off by bringing back or promoting almost every position of his coaching staff from within the organization, which does not give me a single shred of hope for the foreseeable future.
The team needed to upgrade its pitching staff dramatically and to improve the outfield defense. They did upgrade the pitching staff, though not likely enough to make a real difference in this division. Ervin Santana's non-traditional stats prove that he was better than his numbers showed last season, but he was on a much better team than the 2015 Twins are looking to be. They also brought in Tim Stauffer from the Padres to replace Anthony Swarzak, which is going to be a slight upgrade in talent, but it's going to be difficult to imagine he's going to sacrifice himself like Swarzy (ode to Gardy) did for this team. Tommy Millone should be healthy, and a strong competition between him and the two big dogs barking for the major leagues in Trevor May and Alex Meyer will be competing for the 5th spot in the rotation and maybe a bullpen spot. This is hardly breaking news.
The team also needed to upgrade its outfield defense, and it's very likely that they didn't do that because now questionable outfielder Oswaldo (all bat and no glove) Arcia has to learn a new position. Replacing him is Torii Hunter, who at age 39-40 showed to have the worst defensive metrics in all of baseball in Detroit last season. So while Arcia is likely an upgrade over Josh Willingham in LF, is Hunter an upgrade from Arcia, who is already below average?
This is all hardly breaking news… this, however, is all we have in Minnesota.
As for my ideal offseason overhaul: I would have put 4 years and $84 million into James Shields, put 1 year and looked at a 2 year, $20 million dollar deal with Nori Aoki (formerly of the KC Royals as well). Granted, this is more money than what the Twins have shelled out so far, but these players are proven and the contracts would have been productive contracts. I would also have put a contract together for starting pitchers Brandon Morrow and Kris Medlen. As for what I'd do away with, I'd be shopping Trevor Plouffe, Eduardo Escobar, and Ricky Nolasco. Plouffe would have been a much cheaper addition to the Yankees than Chase Headley was, and the Giants were in need of a 3rd baseman pretty badly as well following the departure of Pablo Sandoval. Escobar came out of nowhere and had a slightly better than average year and a much better season than anyone expected. He might have brought us a Stauffer-style pitcher and saved us the free agent.
Why would I go for so many veteran pitchers especially with injury concerns? Because every staff goes through injuries and needs depth and I would rather overpay for too many pitchers than continue to have the worst rotation in baseball.
Oh well, I'm just a writer and a fan. What do I know?
On that note… the Padres still have Cameron Maybin collecting mothballs in San Diego. He would likely be an upgrade at CF over Hicks (who can't hit) and Scott Schaeffer, who caught lightning in a bottle last year here to become an average 4th outfielder.
My hope is that Molitor is more than just another Terry Ryan stooge, and someone who will accept the Twins Way of losing is winning as long as the owners keep making $100,000,000.00 a year in take home.
Hello everyone!
Sorry if things have been a bit quiet around here at BBP. Needless to say, the three of us have been busy with many duties in our daily lives, and mine has been just as crowded, if not more so, than when I was in college mere months ago. I recently finished writing a book about the California Governor's Mansion for the Sacramento Historical Society, as well as a companion e-book for my Presidents Baseball cards (both of which will be available next year). Additionally, I was promoted to lead editor of Last Token Gaming, the video game commentary website my friend Terry Randolph and I started last year. I know I juggled all of these duties throughout the year and produced plenty of articles here, but these things required even more work and time as of late and thus I had to prioritize them. And I won't lie, the soul-crushing (and sadly typical) demise of the Dodgers and A's in the playoffs, followed by the infinitely more important loss of Oscar Taveras, necessitated something of a break from baseball for me.
That said, I want to ensure we'll have plenty of excellent content coming in 2015. We'll have our Hall of Fame ballots and season previews once again, and I'll also be adding a new Twins column in addition to the Artful Dodgers. Next up for me will be a piece on new Twins manager Paul Molitor, his coaching staff, and who I'd rather see in their place.
Thanks as always for your readership and support. 2014 was a fantastic year of baseball and for the site, and I certainly hope BrushBackPitch can be even better next year!
Jim Morrison once wrote "death makes angels of us all." Well, Sunday the St. Louis Cardinals lost their brightest star for the future in Oscar Tavares. His game clinching homer in the playoffs this year, and his steady-but-not-spectacular play as a rookie in 2014 was supposed to be the springboard to a superstar career.
Oscar was a consensus top-five prospect going into both the 2013 and 2014 seasons. He was tabbed to be able to hit for a high average with better than average power. Had he lived up to his hype we could have expected a .300/.480/.385 kind of hitter with 30 doubles and 25 homers most seasons for the next decade if not better.
Sadly he didn't get to live up to the hype … he didn't get to live.
I was Facebook friends with him. His English was improving and, while his interaction with his fans was minimal in a direct way, you could see that with assistance from his management he was trying to embrace the 21st century star athlete role through digital media, the social media and on the field, where it is reported that he planned to come into 2015 in much better shape so he could gain serious playing time with the perennial central division champs.
Sadly, his girlfriend was also in the accident with him, and has passed as well.
It's a tragedy when a Roberto Clemente or Thurman Munson are killed during their careers, but at least they were allowed the chance to have careers. At 22 years old Tavares' was just starting. His ceiling was the stars, and his potential will now be put to rest.
My heart goes out to his family, his friends, his teammates, and to the family and friends of his GF.
Hello all! First, an apology for the long layoff. With the summer of my lifetime giving way to fall, my already crowded writing schedule has only gotten bigger. In addition to wrapping up an e-book for my Presidents Baseball franchise, I've also taken on a second book for the Sacramento Historical Society, this one detailing the Governor's Mansion. (If you can't deduce what the first book is about, well, why are you bothering reading this site?) On top of that, Last Token Gaming, the video game commentary site I've been working on with friends for over a year now, has taken on a bigger staff and following. Even after graduation, I've been busy enough to still need a weekly planner to organize everything. And I wouldn't have it any other way!
This isn't to imply I've had a shortage of things to write about for BBP. We are, after all, in the midst of a surreal playoffs that featured an Orioles vs. Royals ALCS. That alone gives me carte blanche to unspool endless references to the last years either team won the World Series, 1983 and 1985 respectively. (The ultimate question in that vein for the ALCS: "Sister Christian" or "I Want to Know What Love Is"? Which year had the better power ballad?) Or, more dishearteningly, I could write a grueling eulogy for my Los Angeles Dodgers, who saw their season end in a manner so laden with deja vu that Yogi Berra would throw his hands up in a flippant, silent gesture. Seriously, what can I say beyond Clayton Kershaw getting rocked in the seventh inning twice in a series by left-handed batters named Matt, after he had dominated lefty hitters all season? And that, in true "only the goddamn Dodgers" fashion, this isn't the first time a left-handed batter named Matt dressed in red has helped dash LA's World Series dreams in consecutive years?
So, rather than masticate the remainder of the postseason or pathetically try to elicit sorrow for the demise of my $240 million team, I'm going to skip ahead just a hair and lay down my picks for this year's award-winners. This won't be an unbiased guess at who will actually win each one, but rather who I think should. Luckily, this year's probable winners are so clear-cut and widely agreed upon for the most part, that who I think should win and who actually will should end up intersecting 100 percent.
Rookie of the Year:
Jose Abreu, AL: From the get-go of the 2014 season, this was likely going to be an easy pick no matter what. At first, you could have made a Floyd Mayweather-esque bet on Masahiro Tanaka receiving it for the Yankees, but his mostly flawless season was derailed for weeks by a partially torn UCL. Thus, the prime choice for AL Rookie of the Year is another international import: Jose Abreu of the Chicago White Sox. The Cuban first baseman quickly announced himself as one of the most surefire hitters in the entire game, walloping 36 home runs and 107 RBI. And that's alongside a .317 average, proving Abreu is a genuinely resolute batter rather than just a one-note slugger. The White Sox as a whole don't look like an emerging threat in the AL Central right now, but any South Side fan could forget their team's shortcomings while watching Abreu's mammoth shots leave craters in ballparks across the country. Continue reading


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York University strike ends as CUPE 3903 members ratify three-year collective agreement
Most work directly for the province's universities, although some work for contractors on campuses.
OUWCC coordinates university bargaining and province-wide political action on university issues, and facilitates information-sharing between locals. We host an annual spring conference, where we democratically determine our action plan.
Visit the Member Action page to learn more about the great work CUPE members and locals do in the University sector
Send a message to the Ontario University Workers Coordinating Committee – just fill in the form below and we will get back to you.

subset: commoncrawl


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9:37 am
Thu March 14, 2013
NY's Voice of the Catholic Church: "The Americas Can Be Proud"
By Allison Dunne
Argentine Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, whose papal name is Pope Francis, becomes the 266th pope in the history of the Catholic Church. He is the first pontiff from the Americas, and succeeds Pope Benedict XVI, who announced his resignation last month, amid health concerns.
The New York State Catholic Conference represents New York's bishops in matters of public policy. And Dennis Poust is its spokesman.
New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan released a statement, congratulating the newly-elected pope, saying it marks a great milestone in the Catholic Church. Cardinal Dolan was part of the College of Cardinals electing the new pope.
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Places in houston to buy palm trees for pool landscaping
All those in Houston, any recommendations for a nursery to buy palm trees. We are looking to get either Sylvester or canary palms.
Beyond paradise. They have locations in Cypress and Katy.
Just bought two Sylvesters and a triple Pygmy from them. All their palms look great and they will deliver and install.
I got two smaller canarys from Houston Garden Center at 70% off. I'll go there for smaller things I'm willing to risk but their bigger palms aren't a patch on the ones at beyond paradise.
It really depends on what size you buy them at.
I got my Sylvester's for $400/ea and they're 60 gallons (in attached photo). The Pygmy I bought was quite large and was closer to a grand.
If you buy large ones with 10-12 feet of trunk they'll cost you $3k.
I buy all of mine at Houston Garden while they are 70% off. I buy all small plants as if they die I won't think I wasted a ton of money. My 10 dollar Pygmy date palm that I have had for 3 years is selling for over 400 bucks at nursery's. My 10 dollar Queen that was three feet tall 3 years ago is over 15 feet tall now.


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Newton police search for suspect in Thursday night robbery
Newton police are looking for the suspect they believe was involved in the armed robbery of a convenience store Thursday night.
Police were called to the Kangaroo station at 334 E. 20th St. around 11:30 p.m. after a report of an armed robbery.
Officers were told at the scene that the suspect came into the store wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, gas mask and some type of brown glove.
The suspect approached the clerk with a large knife and demanded all the money in the register, according to police.
After the clerk handed over the money, the suspect left through the front entrance and was last seen running west from the store, police said. After reviewing the security camera footage, it appears the suspect left the store the same way that they entered.
Anyone with information on this case or who cane help identify the suspect should call the Newton Police Department: 828-465-7430.
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A new report from the U.S. Conference of Mayors predicts when U.S. metros will return to pre-crisis job levels
A look at where popular music's next superstars are likely to hail from based on the California festival's lineup
Street festival aims to reduce the stigma of Skid Row
A new study shows just how much high-speed rail dominates the Paris-to-London trip and concludes it would compete with air travel from Los Angeles to San Francisco
Feeling connected to a neighborhood is a good thing. But what if where you live doesn't have a real name?
When it comes to winning championships, big cities have some natural assets. But smaller areas can leverage their own advantages too
A round-up of the strangest city highlights from alternative weeklies around the country
Why cities like Green Bay win an outsize number of championships
Los Angeles government officials are preserving some of the art created during Occupy Wall Street, the first major city to do so
The end of the Tampa-Orlando high-speed rail line, the death of a pedestrian near Atlanta and other low points from the year in city travel
The cities with the most singles on Pitchfork's 2011 "Best of" list
A dozen facades that are sure to attract curious shoppers
From New York to Los Angeles to Barcelona to Seoul and beyond
A look back at how far downtown L.A. has come since the turn of the 20th century
A collection of holiday photos to remind us why we need our public spaces
A look at the successes and failures of some prominent American systems
After two coats of paint, a new bike lane in Los Angeles is struggling to take hold
The rapper's take on Los Angeles' architecture would make critics proud
A short list of our favorite verses from public transportation around the globe


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Bloodborne guide: bosses, areas and secrets
Our essential guide to Miyazaki's latest dark adventure.
Pillars of Eternity walkthrough
Our guide to the long-awaited RPG from Obsidian.
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John Gaudiosi has been covering video games for nearly 20 years for outlets like The Washington Post, Reuters, Entertainment Weekly, USA Today Weekend, Wired and Playboy. He currently serves as Editor-in-Chief for video game syndication network Gamerlive.tv.


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Zarine Khan in Transparent Indian Sarees Bollywood Collection 2013
February 5, 2013 by: shafprince 0
Zarine Khan looking beautiful in Pink Saree with Pruple colored Full Sleeved Bloouse
Anothe Pictures of the Cuatest face of bollywood Zarine in Party Wear Transparent Saree with Short Seeves. Latest Pictures of Bollywood Actress in Indian Sarees. Still Pictures of Zarine Khan in a Fashion Photography.
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Around the Region
A look at news around the region, reported by weekly newspapers:
Lyman County
STUDENT NUMBERS UP: More than 200 students are enrolled at Lyman School this fall, according to Superintendent Doug Eppard, who told the board the school is up 30 students from last fall. The board added another bus to the Lower Brule route to handle the increase.
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Archived Story
Vote 'yes' for Proposal 3Published 9:50pm Wednesday, October 10, 2012
To the editor:
I've been reading up on Proposal 3, the ballot initiative requiring 25 percent of Michigan's electricity come from renewables such as wind and solar by 2025.
Prop 3 could keep as much as $2 billion from leaving
Michigan to import coal, according to a report by the Union of Concerned Scientists.
From 2002-2010, Michigan utilities sent nearly $10.4 billion out of state to import coal.
DTE spent $5.4 billion on out-of-state coal and Consumers Energy $3.2 billion.
On Nov. 6, I plan to vote YES on Prop 3 so more of my hard-earned energy dollars go to support homegrown clean energy projects that benefit Michigan communities, and I urge my neighbors and your readers to do the same.
William Griffin


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Quiz: Remember the definition of mal de mer?
1580s, from Latin deficientem (nominative deficiens), present participle of deficere "to desert, revolt, fail," from de- "down, away" (see de-) + facere "to do, perform" (see factitious).
deficient de·fi·cient (dĭ-fĭsh'ənt)
Lacking an essential quality or element.
Inadequate in amount or degree; insufficient.


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Bike Centaur T-Shirt
by Amelia Greenhall and Adam Greenhall
Amelia Greenhall and Adam Greenhall were rad enough to let us make these shirts they designed! Women's cuts (chest): ...View Details
Situationist International Anthology: Revised and Expanded Edition
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In 1957 a few experimental European groups stemming from the radical tradition of dadaism and surrealism, but seeking ...Out of Stock
This is a Boy / This is a Girl T-shirt
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Combat ingrained gender roles! Women's cuts (chest): SM 28-30" ME 32-34" LG 36-38" XL 40-42" 2X 44-46" ...View Details $15.00
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From the authors of the New York Times bestsellers Awkward Family Photos and Awkward Family Pet Photos comes a ...Add to Cart $15.00
Crawl! #8: Firearms!
by Reverend Dak
Rules and tools to introduce firearms to the DCC RPG! Basic Firearms Rules Optional Rules Different Eras of the ...Add to Cart $3.95
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Tater Totter is a variety magazine for kids; with stories, poems, activities, and comics. Much of it's written and ...Add to Cart $5.00
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<< Previous page | Solo Duo and Trios > | Perthshire area >
Solo Singers, Music Duos & Trios for hire in Perthshire area
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Recommended Solo, Duo or Trio for hire in Perthshire area
Exciting, current & experienced, PHD are a quality band with a huge sound! This fantastic three piece perform the latest chart hits plus unforgettable classics!
Recommended Solo, Duo or Trio for hire in Perthshire area
Described by BBC Radio as "simply superb", Athena are an acoustic duo who perform catchy covers to accompany your special event. With something for everyone, Athena's repertoire includes music from Bill Withers, Adele, Bruno Mars, Amy Winehouse & more!2 members Video
Recommended Solo, Duo or Trio for hire in Perthshire area
Duette are a unique & beautiful duo with world-class voices! Specialising in Classical/Pop crossover, Duette's refreshing repertoire includes music from Katherine Jenkins, Les Miserables, Chris Isaac, Eva Cassidy & more!2 members Video
Recommended Solo, Duo or Trio for hire in Perthshire area
Bevlee is an incredible vocalist who can perform music from any genre including R&B, Pop, Jazz, Swing, Opera and many more! Bevlee can provide pleasant background music or she can up the tempo and get your guests on the dance floor moving!1 members Video
Pop The Air
Recommended Solo, Duo or Trio for hire in Perthshire area
A lively, energetic & totally sensational party band. Performing popular sing-a-long hits from all decades (think Beatles, Kings Of Leon, Human League, Amy Winehouse). Guaranteed to get your party started. Free DJ service until midnight.3 members Video
The Duo
Recommended Solo, Duo or Trio for hire in Perthshire area
The Duo are a young, cool & stylish act who share eclectic taste & exceptional talent. With two vocals, guitar & piano, The Duo perform everything from party classics such as MJ's Billie Jean to modern day hits like Bruno Mars's Just The Way You Are.2 members Xmas songs
Something Suburban
Recommended Solo, Duo or Trio for hire in Perthshire area
Something Suburban are an acoustic trio with the perfect repertoire for any event. From upbeat rock & pop classics to subtle jazz standards & ballads, this talented trio can create the atmosphere you want with music from Etta James to Taio Cruz & more!3 members Video
Viva Cello
Recommended Solo, Duo or Trio for hire in Perthshire area
Professional, highly experienced & performing a range of genres from classic & contemporary popular music to classical, folk & jazz, instrumental duo Viva Cello make a beautiful sound that will compliment any occasion!2 members Video
Kitty Brucknell
Recommended Solo, Duo or Trio for hire in Perthshire area
Captivating audiences with her outstanding theatrical performances, Kitty rose to fame in 2011 when she became the most talked about finalist on the 8th season of The X Factor. Now available for your event, Kitty is back & better than ever!1 members Video
The 2weet Arts
Recommended Solo, Duo or Trio for hire in Perthshire area
Take two sassy voices, a collection of popular swing songs, add some sharp dance routines and you have The 2weet Arts, an exciting vintage duo who will give your event the WOW factor!2 members
Other Live Entertainment Available To Hire in Perthshire area
Alive Network hires live bands and live music throughout the whole of the UK. View artists in your area >>
Book Solo Singers and Musicians in Perthshire area | Alive Network
Why should I hire Live Entertainment from Alive Network?
Alive Network are one of Perthshire area's leading Solo, Duo or Trio Agents. Our agency covers not just Perthshire area but also the whole of the UK so we can supply high quality Solo, Duos & Trios in Perthshire area and also many other locations. If you would like to hire a Solo, Duo or Trio please complete an online enquiry or call us on 0845 108 5500.
Alive Network is the UK's largest live music entertainment agency with many Solo, Duos & Trios for hire. Established in 1999, we provide high quality live entertainment for over 7500 events per year. Your own personal entertaiment coordinator will help you to choose exactly the right Solo, Duo or Trio for you, and help to answer any questions or queries that you might have. Booking a Solo, Duo or Trio from Alive Network is easy, safe and secure. Each booking is secured with a legally binding contract giving you complete peace of mind that you're in safe hands. Alive Network personally vets all of the Solo, Duos & Trios that we accept onto our agency and we continually monitor their performance & customer feedback to ensure standards are met.
In short, hiring Solo, Duos & Trios from Alive Network ensures you'll remember your live entertainment for all the right reasons.
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Eager to expand their range of approaches, peacebuilding actors have for some years witnessed a growing interest in the role of art initiatives in conflict management. For their part, increasing numbers of artists are using it as a means to escape traditional art institutions. The professionalisation of the field has led us to consider the role that art could play in peacebuilding, as well as the advantages and associated risks of this approach and the challenges that must be overcome.
A. Situation analysis
Description of the disaster
On the eve of the International Day of Forests, the river banks of the Rioni river are being beautified with the willow, ash-tree, lime-tree, maple, acacia, wild plum tree saplings. 20 900 young trees planted on more than 9 hectares in Samtredia and Tskaltubo municipalities serve quite a practical purpose: they will protect local communities from flooding.
Natural hazards, such as earthquakes, droughts, floods, wildfires, and extreme winter weather, affect a range of countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia (EMCA)1. In addition, rapid urban growth and environmental degradation in some countries have led to overcrowding and settlement in hazard-prone areas. Protracted conflict and limited governmental disaster management capacity in many EMCA countries compound the risks associated with natural disasters.
Rome, 17 February 2015 – The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) announced today a new nationwide project worth more than US$30 million to help small-scale farmers in Georgia raise their incomes and increase their climate resilience.
Nodar Khaduri, Minister of Finance of Georgia, and Kanayo F. Nwanze, IFAD President, signed an agreement for the Agricultural Modernization, Market Access and Resilience project (AMMAR) consisting of a $13.3 million IFAD loan and $5.3 Global Environment Facility (GEF) grant.
The MISP Readiness assessment tool was developed by the Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG) on Reproductive Health (RH) in Crises for Eastern Europe and Central Asia in 2013 to help country teams assess their readiness to provide the Minimum Initial Service Package for Reproductive Health in case of a humanitarian crisis.
By Madhavi Malalgoda Ariyabandu
BISHKEK, 10 February 2015 – Ministers from Central Asia and the South Caucasus have called for a stronger regional approach to disaster resilience, as they step up effort to tackle the increasingly 'trans-boundary' nature of disaster risk.
With only 40 days to go before the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, the officials said such inclusive partnership was crucial to future efforts to strengthen disaster resilience in an increasingly complex and interlinked world.
IWPR takes Georgian reporters to a village on the fragile boundary with South Ossetia.
By Heather Yundt
Down a road thick with mud, through several villages, and past two Georgian police checkpoints, we reach our destination, the administrative boundary with South Ossetia.
At the third and final checkpoint, Georgian police in camouflage stand at the ready with guns at their sides.
About 100 metres further along the road, Russian soldiers watch us from their own checkpoint.
7361st Meeting (AM & PM)
During a day-long debate featuring nearly eighty speakers and presided over by the President of Chile, the Security Council today urged a common United Nations approach to inclusive development as a key for preventing conflict and enabling sustainable peace.
ALMATY, 12 January 2015 – Two capital cities, Tbilisi and Bishkek, are among eight towns and cities from Central Asia and the Caucasus, joining UNISDR's Making Cities Resilient Campaign in the new year.
The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) and the European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO) have agreed a new partnership to strengthen the resilience of cities to disasters in Central Asia and the South Caucasus.
December saw a significant deterioration of the security situation – compared to the previous month – in nine countries or conflict situations in the world, including in South Asia (Pakistan and India), and East Africa (South Sudan and Kenya). There is a risk of increased violence in the coming month in Sudan, where major offensives are anticipated on the heels of a failure in the peace talks; in Sri Lanka, in the context of the 8 January elections; and in Haiti, where the current president could rule by decree unless parliament's mandate, due to expire on 12 January, is extended.
New Report Showcases U.S. Global Leadership in Landmine Clearance and Conventional Weapons Destruction
| Overview |
Working environment
(Tbilisi, 24 November) – Government representatives from Central Asia, South Caucasus regions and Ukraine are taking part in a three-day workshop on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Tbilisi.
GIS are powerful systems that can provide solid situational analysis, thus improving decision-making in response to humanitarian emergencies. In his opening remarks to the workshop, Mr. Niels Scott, UN Resident Coordinator in Georgia, stressed that "timely and cooperative information management is essential to effective disaster preparedness and response".
Following a revision of the means required to fully implement the Commission's Strategy for Humanitarian Aid, the European Commission has decided to reduce the budget allocated to the 2014 DIPECHO HIP for Central Asia and Caucasus region by an amount of EUR 260 000. The total budget of this revised DIPECHO HIP is now EUR 7 740 000.
Robert T. Perry, MD1, Marta Gacic-Dobo, MSc1, Alya Dabbagh, PhD1, Mick N. Mulders, PhD1, Peter M. Strebel, MBChB1, Jean-Marie Okwo-Bele, MD1, Paul A. Rota, PhD2, James L. Goodson, MPH3 (Author affiliations at end of text)
Bangkok, Thailand, 13 Nov 2014 -- A global initiative to improve the way agricultural statistics are compiled at country level has taken another step forward in Asia and the Pacific, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) announced today.
28 Oct - 1 Nov 2014 Almaty, Kazakhstan
On 28 October 2014 a 4-day regional learning workshop on Mainstreaming DRR into Development was held in Almaty. Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, UNISDR and the Kazakhstan Red Crescent Society jointly organized the workshop. The workshop aimed to discuss the linkages between disasters and development and review the development planning practices and trends in the context of DRR in Central Asia and the South Caucuses.
8 November coincided with the anniversary of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, Oxfam calls on governments around the world to start acting to protect their citizens against climate change. And across the Caucasus, we use using this global moment to push for more action on disaster risk reduction. The threat of climate change is still a reality for millions of people across the Caucasus, and many people still remember the effects of the deadly Spitak earthquake in Armenia, while many communities across the region still regularly face numerous landslides, storms and droughts.


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Planning a project
Gantt charts, critical path analysis, SMART objectives and estimation skills are just...
Gantt charts, critical path analysis, SMART objectives and estimation skills are just some of the topics covered in this unit to help you understand how to plan for a project. You will gain an appreciation of the range of planning techniques available and the situations in which it is appropriate to use them.
At the end of this unit you should be able to:
- develop plans with relevant people to achieve the project's goals;
- break work down into tasks and determine handover procedures;
- identify links and dependencies, and schedule to achieve deliverables;
- estimate and cost the human and physical resources required, and make plans to obtain the necessary resources;
- allocate roles with clear lines of responsibility and accountability;
- allocate tasks that are realistic and equitable and accommodate other work loads;
- establish appropriate and agreed meeting schedules, as well as reporting, control and communication methods.
- Duration 8 hours
- Updated Monday 11th July 2011
- Masters level
- Posted under Business Studies
- Current section: Introduction
- Learning outcomes
- 1 The planning phase
- 2 Taking an overview
- 3 Where do I start?
- 4 Identifying deliverables
- 5 Mapping tasks and activities
- 6 Scheduling
- 7 Estimating costs, revenues and intangible benefits
- 8 Drawing up the implementation plan
- 9 Summary
- References
- Acknowledgements
Planning a project
This unit will help you to develop the skills required when planning a project. You will examine the various components of a project plan, and be introduced to a number of tools and techniques to aid planning.
This material is from our archive and is an adapted extract from Fundamentals of Senior Management (B713) which is no longer taught by The Open University. If you want to study formally with us, you may wish to explore other courses we offer in this subject area [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] .
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After receiving 21 reports of roofs detaching from 2005 and 2006 Corvette coupes, GM issued a formal recall to fix what is being called a delamination problem. Initially thought to effect only 2005 Corvettes, for which a recall notice was already issued, GM expanded it to include 2006 Coupes after learning that roofs also flew off those coupes as well.
The recall applies only to 2005 and 2006 Corvette Coupes with the painted removable roof panel, not the transparent panel. The unintentional separation occurs when adhesive that holds the base of the roof to the car frame weakens and fails, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said today on its Web site.
GM spokesman Alan Adler said that owners with problem roofs may notice water leaks or a snapping noise when going over a bump. In addition to the 21 reports of the roof actually flying off, GM received 395 reports of partial separating of the roof.
Technorati Tags: Corvette | GM | Recall
Vettes in the News
After receiving 21 reports of roofs detaching from 2005 and 2006 Corvette coupes, GM issued a formal recall to fix what is being called a delamination problem. Initially thought to effect only 2005 Corvettes, for which a recall notice was already issued, GM expanded it to include 2006 Coupes after learning that roofs also flew off those coupes as well.
The recall applies only to 2005 and 2006 Corvette Coupes with the painted removable roof panel, not the transparent panel. The unintentional separation occurs when adhesive that holds the base of the roof to the car frame weakens and fails, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said today on its Web site.
GM spokesman Alan Adler said that owners with problem roofs may notice water leaks or a snapping noise when going over a bump. In addition to the 21 reports of the roof actually flying off, GM received 395 reports of partial separating of the roof.
CorvetteConti.com shared some interesting statistics about the current 2006 production including a breakdown of options and colors ordered on the Coupe, Convertible and Z06 Corvette through April 7, 2006. Top colors continue to be Black and the two reds: Monterey Red and Victory Red. Daytona Sunset and Artic White are the colors least chosen. 2006 Corvette Exterior and Interior Colors:
|Exterior Colors
|Artic White
|Daytona Sunset Orange
|LeMans Blue
|Machine Silver
|Monterey Red
|Velocity Yellow
|Victory Red
|Interior Colors
|Titanium Gray
Technorati Tags: Corvette
GM's Bob Lutz spoke with Channel4.com's Mike Rutherford on a variety of subjects ranging from his love of MG's to how GM has matched Toyota in build quality. But most interesting to us is his comments about the Corvette. "…best sports car in the world" Being reminded that he said the same about the Viper over a decade ago when he was employed by Dodge, Lutz responds:
"Corvette is dead easy to drive and has a better power-to-weight ratio. The Z06 version is the absolute killer car. I think it's going to boggle minds when people drive that thing with its aluminum chassis, carbon fibre body panels and all. So yeah, Corvette is a solid hit."This is a great article to read if you're interested in knowing more about the man that probably has the most influence over the future development of the Corvette. Click here for The World According to Bob…part one at Channel4.com Via: LeftLaneNews.com
Technorati Tags: Corvette | GM | Viper
Noted automotive consulting firm AutoPacific, Inc. released the results of their annual Owner Satistaction survey and the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette won Best in Class for the Sports car category. The Hyundai Azera was named the Top Car while the Lincoln Navigator won the Top Truck award. In addition to the Corvette, GM has two other models win their categories. Cadillac CTS was #1 in Entry Luxury and the Chevrolet Silverado HD was #1 in Large, Heavy Duty Trucks.
"Owners of the new C6 Chevrolet Corvette return the car to the top of the Sports Car category with a decisive class-winning performance for 2006. The new Corvette is perhaps the best value in the entire Sports Car arena. The C6 Corvette is a more satisfying car than any previous Corvette — great styling, more finesse, super performance, great handling and a more supple ride. Still immediately identifiable as a Corvette, the C6 is clearly new across the board." said George Peterson of AutoPacific.In addition to identifying segment winners, VSA also establishes numerical satisfaction ratings for virtually every passenger car and light truck in the North American market. This results from calculating owner satisfaction across 44 specific areas related to a vehicle's operation, comfort, safety and the overall purchase/lease experience. The 2006 ratings reflect input from buyers and lessees of new vehicles acquired September 2005 through January 2006. Click here for full results of the survey. Image Credit: CorvetteImages.com
Technorati Tags: Corvette | AutoPacific
Leave it to Jeremy Clarkson of BBC's Top Gear to completely miss the point of the new Z06 Corvette. The first clip has Jeremy driving the Z06 on their test course and from the looks of it, he couldn't be happier than throwing the Vette through a couple of 1.2 + lateral G curves, or from a dead stop he puts the car in 5th gear and goes from 0-175 mph before he has to back it down because he is out of runway. The second clip has the Corvette in the Top Gear studio and this is where Clarkson misses the point. He complains the car is unmanageable off the track and "…the ride is awful, the engine sounds like it's being fuelled by spanners, it's too wide, it will shake your bones to dust and the gearbox feels like it's out of a tractor." Jeremy, while the above description is certainly not as bad as you portray (or perhaps your English roads are just quite up to the par of American roads), that experience is why you spend the $25K more for the Z06 than a regular Coupe. The Z06 even ranks 12 on your Power Lap board, all this for just £60,000. What's amazing is that the only thing you didn't bash was the interior. And one last thing, jeremy. It's pronouced 'Zee-Oh-Six', not 'Zed-Oh-Six.'
Technorati Tags: Corvette | Z06 | Reviews | Top Gear
A stolen Corvette equipped with a LoJack vehicle tracking device led investigators to crack a major auto-theft ring based in northern Illinois that specialized in the theft of high end muscle cars.
Illinois State Police picked up the LoJack signal in March and tracked it to a house in Grand Detour, Illinois. When police converged on the house, they found not only the Corvette they were looking for, but a second stolen Corvette, a Honda motorcycle and other stolen vehicle parts. A suspect was arrested and the investigation that followed led police to other stolen cars including Z06 Corvettes, Ford Cobra's, Dodge Vipers and Ford F-250 Diesels.
Police tracked down another suspect and found a stolen Ford Mustang Cobra, along with 23 pounds of marijuana, 20 guns, cash and $30,000 in chop shop tools. The Mustang was one of three Cobra's stolen from the same dealership in one night. Additional searches led to the recovery of a computer that was used to program Ford transponder keys that had been stolen from a dealership.
Read the entire account of this story.
Technorati Tags: Corvette | LoJack
Robert Cummings house is for sale. Three bedrooms and four baths, 2525 square feet and access to a 600 acre lake in a suburb of Detroit. The house features a home theater with built-in flat panel televisions and a multi-room audio and intercom system. But what really separates his house from the many others for sale is what's in the garage. Robert is offering a 1995 Red Convertible Corvette as part of the package.
"I just thought it would be a unique approach to selling a home," he said. "It's a way to differentiate the house from other houses." "The Corvette is flawless inside and out with about 40,000 miles." The car is not driven in the winter or even in the rain. It features automatic transmission, air conditioning, power windows and a CD player.While I've seen this once or twice of the last couple of years, this is the first time I've seen the offer with a Corvette. Robert's real estate agent was obviously thrilled with the idea. "If it make us stand out above our competition, then we're all for it," Christy Brown-Ambrose of RE/MAX 100 said. "If it motivates a buyer to pick up the phone and make that call, then it's a good incentive." Interested? Click here for the article from the Novi News
Photo by John Heider/Novi News
Technorati Tags: Corvette | Real Estate | RE/MAX
Peter DeLorenzo is quickly becoming one of my favorite reads. In March, Peter ripped GM for not doing anything to celebrate Corvette's win at The 12 Hours of Sebring, America's top road race event, which coincidentally was also the 50th anniversary of Corvette Racing. This week, Peter had a chance to drive the 2006 Z06 Corvette and came away from the experience with the same reaction by the majority of auto journalists that have preceded him:
"The Corvette ZO6 is simply the most seductive combination of power, speed, drivability, value and overall efficiency that exists in the world today. A high-performance super car for the real world, it is a milestone achievement that deserves recognition as much for its capabilities, as for the people behind it."Peter quickly turns his commentary from his driving experience in the Z06 to the culture of "True Believers" at GM who made building the sports car possible. If the "True Believers" where able to be set free from the "Bean Counters" on their most pressing new model rollouts including the Impala, DeLorenzo argues, then the company "would be able to build the kinds of desirable cars and trucks that consumers want to come in and buy of their own volition." The Z06 is that kind of car and the resurgent success of the Corvette in recent years is once again beginning to fuel the innovation in other GM brands, namely the Cadillac V series, Pontiac Solstice and the Saturn Sky and Aura models. It took Corvette's "True Believer" in Dave Hill to make that happen. Other brands within GM should also be working hard to find their own Dave Hill. Great rant, Peter. Read it at AutoExtremist.com. And while your there, make sure you read the "RoadKill" article which contains another of their writer's review of the Z06 Corvette.
Technorati Tags: Corvette | Z06 | GM
AutoWeek is reporting that Corvette's Chief Engineer Tom Wallace has confirmed that GM will be building the "Blue Devil" Corvette, a high-end variant of the Z06 which will reportedly have around 600 horsepower. Wallace tells AutoWeek the biggest challenge facing the so-called Blue Devil Corvette is figuring out how to get 600 hp to the ground in such a way that it can be handled by a driver with the money to buy the car.
Wallace said GM is considering requiring that Blue Devil—and even Z06—buyers attend a driver school as part of the price of admission.
Source: AutoWeek
Photo: AmericanCarFans.com
Technorati Tags: Corvette | Z06 | Blue Devil
GM Parts Supplier Delphi has received a contract to supply the new Ferrari GTB Fiorano with its MagneRide Suspension, the same that is used in both the Corvette Coupe and Convertible models, as well as the Cadillac STS and other premium GM models. The MagneRide suspension uses shock absorbers filled with a fluid capable of changing damping characteristics on the fly.
MagneRide is not used on the Z06 Corvette or the Cadillac STS-V.
Delphi also supplies the dual zone climate control system as well as the electrial/electronic systems to Ferrari. Some are saying "If it's good enough for Ferrari…" while I say, "If it's good enough for the Corvette, it's good enough for Ferrari at three times the price!"
Source: Inside Line
Technorati Tags: Corvette | Museum | Delphi