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Meal Alternative
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Macro:Meal is a comprehensive blend of protein, carbohydrates and essential fatty acids designed for those looking to consume healthy nutrients in one convenient meal replacement shake. Specifically designed for those who lead a hectic lifestyle or are continually on the go. The formula provides a great alternative to unhealthy snacks and fast food.
The protein content is a blend of fast, moderate and slow release proteins (Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Egg White and Milk Protein, respectively) to provide a tapered release of amino acids which will help with the maintanance of lean mass and also satisfies your hunger for an extended period of time helping with reducing body fat levels. The carbohydrates are sourced from the low GI blend of Fine Scottish Oats and Activated Barley in order to provide a slow release of energy and prevent an insulin spike.
The essential fatty acids (EFAs) in this formula are from Flax Seed powder and the Activated Barley. EFAs play a vital role in energy production, effective functioning of the nervous system, digestive efficiency, and effective immune response.
Please note that the labelling on this product is provided in English as a minimum. French, Italian, German, Spanish, Danish, Swedish and Finnish may also be present on a product by product basis.
This shake has been designed to provide a balanced (1:1) ratio of protein which contributes to the growth of muscle mass, and carbohydrates which promote muscle recovery† after exercise. We recommend adding one packet (80g) to 250-350ml of water or milk in a Myprotein shaker 30 minutes before and/or after your workout. Alternatively consume any time of day to increase your daily calorie intake. †Beneficial effect is obtained through consumption of carbohydrates, from all sources, at a total intake of 4 g per kg body weight, at doses within the first 4 hours and no later than 6 hours of exercise.
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. This product is intended to be used alongside an active lifestyle and a balanced diet. Suitable for vegetarians.
For allergens, including cereals containing gluten, see ingredients in bold.
Chocolate Smooth Flavour: Carbohydrate Blend (38%) (Ground Oats, Aktivated*®* Barley Starch Powder), Protein Blend (34%) (Whey Protein Concentrate (Milk), Milk Protein Concentrate, Whey Protein Isolate (Milk), Egg White Powder), Flaxseed Powder (Cold Milled) (6%), Emulsifier (Soy Lecithin), Cocoa Powder, Flavouring, Sweetener (Sucralose)
Strawberry Cream Flavour: Carbohydrate Blend (38%) (Ground Oats, Aktivated*®* Barley Starch Powder), Protein Blend (34%) (Whey Protein Concentrate (Milk), Milk Protein Concentrate, Whey Protein Isolate (Milk), Egg White Powder), Flaxseed Powder (Cold Milled) (6%), Emulsifier (Soy Lecithin), Flavouring, Colour (Beetroot Red), Sweetener (Sucralose)
Unflavoured: Carbohydrate Blend (38%) (Ground Oats, Aktivated*®* Barley Starch Powder), Protein Blend (34%) (Whey Protein Concentrate (Milk), Milk Protein Concentrate, Whey Protein Isolate (Milk), Egg White Powder), Flaxseed Powder (Cold Milled) (6%), Emulsifier (Soy Lecithin)
Vanilla Flavour: Carbohydrate Blend (38%) (Ground Oats, Aktivated*®* Barley Starch Powder), Protein Blend (34%) (Whey Protein Concentrate (Milk), Milk Protein Concentrate, Whey Protein Isolate (Milk), Egg White Powder), Flaxseed Powder (Cold Milled) (6%), Emulsifier (Soy Lecithin), Flavouring, Sweetener (Sucralose),
Serving Size - 1 serving (80g)
Servings Per Container - 30 (2.4kg)
|Per 100g
|Per Serving
|1576 kJ/374 kcal
|1261 kJ/299 kcal
|7.6 g
|6.1 g
|of which saturates
|1.8 g
|1.4 g
|38 g
|30 g
|of which sugars
|1.9 g
|1.5 g
|35 g
|28 g
|0.50 g
|0.40 g
* Reference intake of an average adult (8400 kJ/2000 kcal)
The nutritional information is based on the Unflavoured version, when choosing an alternative flavour the nutritional values may vary by up to 10%
Where reviews refer to foods or cosmetic products, results may vary from person to person. Customer reviews are independent and do not represent the views of The Hut Group.
(132 reviews)
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As a nutrition science student I highly recommend this . This is what I always visioned as the perfect shake ;low gi carbs (no diabetes inducing sugar spikes) , multiple sources of protein for rebuilding muscle tissue, covering a wide range of amino acids And healthy fat for low inflammation. I would add a greens powder for multiple vitamins to make this the ultimate shake. But that doesn't take any credit from this great product. This shake combined with healthy eating and intense training throughout will guarentee you results either fat loss or muscle gain, I know I have from using it! Well done My Protein you aced it with this one.
My review for this comes from a different point of view from most who would buy this. I was advised by my doctor to try meal replacement shakes due to a severe lack of appetite that had a danger of developing into an eating disorder. This stuff mixes well and tastes great, especially with milk. I've gone from averaging about 4-5 meals a week to at least 1 shake a day and a evening meal. It's helped me put the weight back on I had lost through my lack of appetite. I always make sure I have one every day for breakfast which I something i have never eaten and I feel so much better for it. Thank you MyProtein!
I use Macro:Meal as a substitute for breakfast and lunch in addition to a healthy evening meal. My main reason for purchasing the product was the fact my day starts at 6am and I cannot stomach food at that time of the day so I would often skip breakfast which resulted in gorging at lunch and snacking throughout the remainder of the day. the shake fills me up and enables me to go about my daily business with no hassle. I have even convinced my other half to start using it as she too would often skip meals. After just two weeks of using it I have started to notice changes both in my physical appearance and in my attitude towards a healthy lifestyle.Goes Well With:water or milk
I love this product, I have been bulking up and this has helped no end. As I have always been a small eater I have found it hard to gain weight. Since using Total MRP I have been able to put on a stone in no time. It just helps to get the extra meals in though out the day. Tastes good, easy to mix, cheap and again one big thing for me it doesnt cause me to have really bad spots, well no spots at all, so very happy.Goes Well With:Water or Milk
I used to have lunch with an Impact Whey Protein shake, but since I've started exercising again, I was very hungry by the end of the day. I've been trying this, and I feel much more satisfied, and now I can last the whole day. The blend of proteins, fats and carbohydrates is quite effective, and now I use the proteins only as an after-gym snack. As many people reported, it forms little clumps. It's an effect of the flaxseed poweder, and the only way to avoid it is to blend it: no amount of manual shaking will remove it. Still, the clumps are very small, I do not find it unpleasant to swallow, the shake is thick and won't leave excess residue on the bottom. Goes Well With:I got it unflavored, so I can vary its flavour by mixing it with milk or juice, and adding cocoa powder, instant coffee or other aromas. Goes quite well with the flavdrops.
Taste: great Mixability: not to great some times but that's not a big deal. Effectiveness: very good. If you are looking for a meal replacement this is the one. Take to work, college anywhere. Helps you fill full for a long time and also stops cravings!! If your goal is to lower body fat and are worried about what to eat when away from home ! This low carb shake is the answer😉Goes Well With:Water or milk depends if you want those extra carbs for extra energy?!
While I have had the strawberry cream flavour previously and enjoyed it, I have found that the chocolate flavour has an after-taste of rotting fruit. MyProtein confirms that this is how that flavour is supposed to taste and are unwilling to, for example, taste a sample of this packet to confirm all is in order .
Can be a little gritty if not mixed properly. Really like the chocolate and vanilla. Great breakfast replacement. Goes Well With:Milk
I've never had the best of appetites and it seems to be getting worse as I get older. That, coupled with running my own business leads to skipped meals and less than optimum performance when I do hit the gym. I'm not a huge fan of supplements - especially the "snake oil" marketed by some companies, but protein powders are something that I've used in the past. Most powders are too sweet for my taste and I rarely finish the packet. If I wanted a "Double Chocolate Cookie Dough With Peanut Butter Whatever" I'll buy the real thing and have it *ONCE*; not try and force one down my throat a couple of times a day for weeks on end! Rant over and on with the review. I bought and finished(!) a pouch of the unflavoured Macro:Meal. My next pouch is on order. The taste reminds me of the soya flour I used to use as a protein supplement in my poor student days, but it's not unpleasant - just bland. I'll add cocoa powder or vanilla essence if I want a change of flavour. The powder mixes easy enough in a shaker. It's quick to make up and only takes a minute to drink. I feel better hydrated and nourished after adding this to my daily routine. Thanks MyProtein for producing no-nonsense products.
I purchase all my products through MP. They quality and price are the main reasons for moving from other more expensive products. I love the macro meals... I tend to have 2 a day but mix 1 scoop of unflavoured and one of flavoured! Ok, you get the odd lump - but who cares! I also mix in my Creatine - BCAA's - and additional scoops of whey protein to give the the volume of protein my body needs. LOVE IT! and I find it really very filling. In fact, my wife has also started taking them in the evening as by the time we get our gorgeous daughter into bed and I get back from training it is too late to eat! A note to MP - keep up the great work... keep the prices low but the quality as great as all your products are!Goes Well With:I only take this with semi-skimmed milk as trying to cut.
I've been using protein products for a couple of years now mainly to aid in IBS and metabolism issues. Macro:Meal I've been using as meal replacements for meetings, long drives, days out etc where safe food isn't easy to come by or I don't want to keep eating safe carbs only (biscuits, chocolate etc - not filling, too much sugar, etc etc great with a cuppa though!). Cookies & Cream tastes nice, mixes pretty well and goes down very easily. Can keep me going for a couple of hours before needing more food but that's the same with any meal I eat. I'm fortunate with my IBS that I can have diary products so I mix this with milk or half milk / half water. At a push it can replace a dessert after a meal, if you can fool yourself into believing it's a treat. It almost tastes good enough. Since starting weight training I'm using it more often along with some other products.Goes Well With:Milk (Skimmed works well enough, semi skimmed for creamier taste) IBS issues
Wow !! I love the smooth chocolate , it tastes great and is really filling ! I have 2 shakes through the day and a cooked meal in the evening . Great for weight loss, another happy customer.
A good choice if you haven't time to eat normally.
I bought this after reading too many reviews but unfortunately there is a huge a gap between this product and reviews and marketing. People just reviewed it in one week. This product don't have any effect on your muscles or body it's just u r drinking water but sweet water everyday. I'm feeling hungry in two hours after drinking this. My workout routine and all other things r going as per routine. Goes Well With:Water, milk Didn't try with anything else.
I use the unflavoured version for a quick breakfast and also post workout. Keeps me nice and full in the morning until lunch and leaves me feeling replenished and satisfied after my workout. I love this shake as it has a good macro profile consisting of no-nonsense ingredients and no high-GI carbs/sugars. As others have said, unflavoured is very bland but not unpleasant - the closest the taste comes to is an unsweetened rusk biscuit.Goes Well With:Water, Milk
Tastes as good as milkshakes you would buy from a supermarket. My only negative with the product is that the end of my shake is a bit too grainy.
How many grams are in one scoop? How many required for 80g?
Excellent product keeps me full no problem at all. Sadly I didn't select the flavour I wanted so unflavoured arrived I've given it a go buts it's awful. I'll order again but make sure I order a flavour next time
Nice flavour. Not too sweet. Keeps me going until lunch. Will be buying again.Goes Well With:Soya milk
Tastes nice enough to enjoy it for breakfast, fills me up and fuels my midday gym session before lunch!Goes Well With:Water
Mixed in blender with Blueberries as it is unflavoured, very good.Goes Well With:Blueberries
My son uses My Protein and recommended it,i bought this as a meal replacement to help me lose weight along with healthy eating i wasnt sure i would like it as i can't drink smoothies due to the texture :/ but this shake is delicious i opted for the strawberry flavour, i look forward to actually having it lol :-) i make it with skimmed milk as i dont fancy the water option it makes a lovely creamy texture/flavour, wasn't sure it would be filling enough for lunch replacement as a 250ml portion is not a lot so at the moment im having it for breakfast may replace lunch with 1 too and have a salad as i eat late in the evenings due to work,im sure i will try other products soon.
Tried this product before but went chocolate, and thought i would try unflavoured and get some FlavDrops so i can have lots of flavours out of one shake so they don't get boring. I came across Strawberry FlavDrop and Unflavoured Macro:Meal, used about 200ml of water and 9/10 drops of Strawberry and mixed, then put in two scoops of macro:meal, shook again and it tasted like porridge with strawberry jam. The next day it hit me, i want that warm and have it for breakfast. So i mixed it up*, put into a microwave safe cup/bowl and 1min-1min30** in the microwave later***. Thick porridge like shake that tastes amazing. * I Found best result to mix water and FlavDrops first then mix in the powder, then transfer to bowl or cup **It was trial and error, go 30 sec at a time and mix until thick and hot enough ***DO NOT use hot water in the shakers, it doesn't end well. DO NOT Microwave your shaker either.Goes Well With:Water and FlavDrops
Tastes great and fills you up as a nutritionally balanced breakfast or lunch replacement when work or my two children ruin routines Goes Well With:Cold semi skimmed milk
Great taste and very handy quick meal replacement
I have heard that some protein shakes taste awful.....not this one! I bought it after seeing it recommended in an article about protein powders, their varieties and their uses. It suits my requirements as a meal replacement perfectly as I work long shifts and can sometimes struggle to take on the right foods at the right times. I blend a banana, some almond or soya milk and a scoop and a half of powder for a really quick and tasty breakfast solution! It really kick starts the day, quicker to consume than some cereal and I can drink it on the go and means I dont feel the need to eat until lunch. I prefer to use a little extra than the recommended 1 scoop as it makes a thicker shake which gives me a fuller feeling for longer. I will be buying this again and again!Goes Well With:Blended with a banana and some soya/almond milk. For a real treat try chocolate soya or almond milk.
The taste is pretty good (strawberry), but I found it hard to get mixed. There are always bumps when I mix it with water in a regular shaker. So I do suggest you use a mixer for this product. :) Otherwise, the product is really good. I usually eat it when I'm at uni and have no time for eating anything else. It does keep hunger at bay, and makes you feel full and what's even better... contains lot's of protein :D it's my perfect post workout post protein post uni meal before i get home in the evening :)Goes Well With:not sure, have to try other options, so far only tried water and it is ok (read above)
My favourite product from MyProtein. Tastes great and keeps hunger at bay nicely.
Helps starts my day without having to eat anything heavy in the morning. Very filling and I don't have to snack until lunch!
I brought this to help me with my busy lifestyle and not having enough time to get all my meals in. I was super excited to try this product but I find it doesn't mix well with water and tastes a little bitty and powdery still! The taste is compromised with the water which is such a shame! Goes Well With:Not water!
i bought this as a better/ bodybuilding version of slimfast to an extent, so i had more control and regularity over what i was eating each day, to help with consistency in my diet. Also i struggle to find time for breakfast and as such i cant really stomach food if i do ever get the time. i find this works well for me all round, i normally brew some coffee last thing at night and put it in the fridge, then mix it in with my shake in the morning - breakfast and coffee hit in one go! i find it makes life much easier all round, i used to get bloat and cramps after lunch most days and i could never pinpoint what food was causing it. i dont get that with this, so its worth it just for that in my mind. this is a myprotein staple now for me, it mixes fine initially, will settle if placed for a while / in the fridge but i normally just turn my shaker upside down for 5 minutes on my desk before i open it and it is perfectly mixed again. cannot rate it enough, i bought the unflavoured last time which still drinks fine on its own, am going to try the vanilla next, although hopefully that will still mix ok with coffee! Goes Well With:coffee coconut milk water
Absolutely love it! I'm a construction worker so I'm up really early and can't eat breakfast because of the time this supplement gives me that option now and iv never felt better more awake and more energised!
Excellent website with easy to purchase items. The quality of the products offered are amazing and mix/taste really well with just plain water, although a bit of milk does make it taste even nicer if you'd prefer. All in all 10/10 and will be purchasing from again!
Great taste and easy to mix. Works well as meal replacement
I don't tend to leave reviews for these sort of things but thought I should for this product. I bought this as an easy meal the first thing I wake up in the morning to save time and for convenience. I use two large scoops as a serving alongside 300ml with water as suggested. I found that this doesnt blend very well at all. Some of the power blends in but after you let it stand for a minute you get a considerable amount of powder at the bottom that doesnt blend. I was surprised that I saw no other reviews mention this, as it means that drinking it isnt very enjoyable. The taste is good (I had chocolate) but it is just bitty from the unmixed powder. I have only been taking it for two weeks but it is suitable and convenient product, so I cannot comment on the results. I have never had a problem with myprotein products not blending but this seems to be the only one.
Been using these as a meal replacement once a day and really happy, bought the unflavoured which on its own made with water isn't the most pleasant although is drinkable ( slightly bitter oat water flavour) however with some sort of flavouring either a few berries blitzed in or myprotein flavour drops) tastes lovely , very filling and easy to mix up .
I bought this to replace breakfast at work as I'm normally tight for time in the mornings. Been using it for a week now and I love it! I got the Chocolate and it tastes great, mixes well too. I've been mixing in Creatine which does make it a bit more 'bitty' but still goes down a treat.Goes Well With:Water, Creatine, Green Tea Extract
I bought this product to replace my mid day/ meal in work. In work is where I am tempted the most to eat by the guidance of my mood. Bad mood- loads of junk, good mood- loads of junk. The macro meal has definitely filled a gap and has helped with my dietary control. Both myself and my wife use the Macro-Meal shake although my wife is not as keen on the taste and texture (not sure if she continue taking), I tend to mix it with half milk and half water where as my wife mixes it solely with milk. There is a grainy after taste, but in my experience this is consistent with all protein based drinks. I use a pro-mix so mixability is not an issue. Overall a good product, can't really give a 5 Star for anything as yet as it is still early doors in regards to its overall effectiveness in my diet and training plan.Goes Well With:Milk/Water- not tried with anything else
Bought the plain flavour as though would be adding to soups etc. Instead drink with milk, add banana and tastes fantastic. Keeps you full for hours. Highly recommended.Goes Well With:Fruit, honey
Taste good, got the strawberry and cream flavour, and mixed with full fat milk. Mixes ok and tastes great, i love the oat like texture and taste, its a very filling shake, would like to see more flavours though! Recommended Goes Well With:Milk. Total greek yogurt
Great product. Used with a decent diet really helped drop the pounds off. Tastes great, mixes well, a really good meal replacement.
Product is amazing! It tastes great and very cost effective.
Good mixability and neutral but sober flavour. I have tried similar products before and this one is the best so far. Perfect particle size for the application.Goes Well With:Chocolate, nuts, cinnamon, rock and/or dance music.
Got the unflavoured version, very pleased with it. It's not about how it mixes or how it tastes, it's the results that count. Will be getting more in very soon, 2 bags this time.Goes Well With:Milk
Very good stuff if you do not have time to make your food. However you should not abuse with that.Goes Well With:Gym and water
Tell everyone to mix with a bit of water and simmer slowly untill thick, smooth as can be, it is no gritty feel in the mouth, then add your favourite flavour. I just mixed a couple of teaspoons of it this aftrenoon because I had a feeling it would thicken like porridge with having the oats in it.just think of all the recipes you could use it in. Excelent texture the best meal replacement ive ever tried. Goes Well With:Whatever you fancy
Great MRP product with a solid macro ratio. Bought the Vanilla flavour and both me and my girlfriend love the taste (she's usually very fussy). Definitely a future purchase of mine and highly recommendable to anyone who's looking for a quick, instant and healthy meal replacement !Goes Well With:Skimmed milk, plain yoghurt, even water.
At times when I'm hungry, I'll either skip a meal out of laziness, or eat poorly. With this I have a great tasting, quick to prepare and thoroughly nutritious meal in the space of minute! It mixes perfectly, no lumps or grainy mouth feel, and the Chocolate Smooth taste is impeccable for a supplement! You can't argue with the price, the quality or the amount, and for me, this could easily become my one and only protein supplement.Goes Well With:Semi-skimmed milk and instant oats
I love Total MRP. I have tried a number of protein supplements and generally find them pretty nasty. Mostly they are either too sweet, artificial or just taste horrible - they also give you serious flatulence! Not nice for ladies (or guys either come to that!). It may be that I use MRP in a slightly different way to others - I am a Remedial Sports therapist, sometimes my days can be very long and I need sustenance but have no time to eat a proper meal. MRP tastes very good to me, oaty and neutral - I don't go for the flavoured versions. It tastes a bit like thin ready brek. It's filling, has plenty of carbs to keep me ticking but protein to stave off hunger and it keeps me going for a good few hours without the feeling that I could eat a scabby horse by the end of a long hard day. The other bonus, it keeps me the shape I want to be without compromise. It's good stuff! One minor negative, I prefer mine mixed with milk, often I just measure doses with the relevant amount of milk powder and add water from the cooler when I am hungry - even with a wire ball in my shaker and a good hard shake I sill get lumps - they taste nice but would be better without. Also it settles very quickly, which is a bit of a nuisance to me because I have to take gulps whilst I work and then I end up with sludge at the bottom because I don't have time to stop, re-seal the lid, give it another shake and drink a bit more. Apart from that, big thumbs up!Goes Well With:a long day of physical work
Brilliant product I'd highly recommend either on the go, post workout or as a replacement meal. I have two shakes a day; one a second breakfast with 1% milk and fills me up until lunch time, my second comes straight after the gym with a piece of fruit and find it has all the right macros after a gruelling workout. After a gym session I also add 3G HMB and 5g glutamine to find I lack any DOMS with no aches or paints the day after. This is a must try product!!


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18th Annual Neil Edgeworth Memorial Banked Slalom
March 20th - 22nd, 2015
This is the biggest weekend to be a snowboarder at Big White! Every year this Memorial event gets bigger and bigger! This event is so much more than a contest, but a real gathering of all riders young and young at heart!
The Inland Snowboard Big White Banked slalom first began in 1987. When Neil passed away in an avalanche in France we started this memorial event. We have all lost a few along the way like Greg Todds and Craig Kelly. This is a gathering for friends old and new to remember the true soul of the sport.
Registration Now Open!
Reserve your spot ASAP for the 18th Annual Neil Edgeworth Memorial Banked Slalom.
Previous years we had 262 riders gather for this weekend of soulfulness. The Canadian Snowcross National team was there with Olympic gold medalist Maelle Ricker capturing first place in the Pro women and Rob Fagan taking home the gold in the Pro mens division.
Taking part in this historical snowboard event is more about fun and friendship than winning, although there are many prizes to be awarded worth well over $20,000!
|Age groups for Men & Women are:
|11 and Under
12yrs to 14yrs
19yrs to 24yrs
25yrs to 34yrs
|35yrs to 44yrs
45yrs to 49yrs
50yrs +
Snow Skates M/F combined
Helmets are mandatory for all competitors
The entry fee is $63 for amateurs and $88 for pros. This includes a contest T-shirt, 25% off lift tickets, a banquet dinner, a board draw on Saturday night and final awards on Sunday with many, many draw-prizes to be won!
A single run format gets you one timed run on Saturday and one timed run on Sunday. Your best run counts as your time for the weekend. We like to run the event in this format, so everyone gets the same amount of runs, and everyone is around for the whole weekend to have fun and enjoy all Big White Ski Resort has to offer.
Don't miss out on being a part of this one of a kind weekend!

subset: commoncrawl


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Structure Uncertain: Charles Town to begin demolition on city's uninhabitable structures
March 27, 2013
CHARLES TOWN – As of 9 a.m. today, the first of the two dozen uninhabitable structures in Charles Town will become a pile of rubble and dus....
OK, lets get the full story here. Unfortunately Bringewatt (who is running for office and used this story for a press release), takes all the credit for this. Good, I hope the black community remembers this. He is very insensitive to the black community. Bringewatt, a white councilman could care less about this area of town and he and his surrogates even tried to block a parade in certain areas of Charles town by saying the area where the blacks live is the less desirable end of town. Many blacks own and are trying to fix these houses up, but because they are not up to Bringewatts standards, he is knocking them down. That's the story.
1 Agrees | 2 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
"..OH I FORGOT, it is free advertising for him running for Council. This Washington DC Lobbyist needs to get off Council."
local politics at it's finest !!!
1 Agrees | 2 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
Really.......Rich Bringewatt said in a released statement that vacant properties in the city.......Bringetot taking the credit for all of City Council, I guess he speaks for all of Council since he released a press release, OH I FORGOT, it is free advertising for him running for Council. This Washington DC Lobbyist needs to get off Council. He spends our tax dollars and could care less about us.
3 Agrees | 1 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
"Say Hallelujah, I have seen the light".
Sorry Rev, it's just the reflection of your eyeballs in your glasses.
1 Agrees | 0 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
Where will the homeless go, what about the bats & swifts
1 Agrees | 2 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
So there , they did accomplish something.
2 Agrees | 0 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
Showing 6 of 6 comments


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It's not often I get excited about an upcoming game, but then, as a lover of the artistic (quite literally) side of the medium, it's not every day you get to look forward to a game featuring the work of, among others, Half-Life 2 legend Viktor Antonov.
The concept art you're going to see in this gallery is so good at evoking the mood and setting the developers are shooting for, in fact, that it might cause a problem when we get our hands on the game if it can't live up to it!
Developed by Arkane and published by Bethesda, Dishonored will be out on PC, 360 and PS3 in October.
To see the larger pics in all their glory (or so you can save them as wallpaper), right-click on them below and select "open in new tab".
Fine Art is a celebration of the work of video game artists, showcasing the best of both their professional and personal portfolios. If you're in the business and have some concept, environment or character art you'd like to share, drop us a line!


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Caroline Manzo and her brood will be followed by a crew of cameras in Manzo'd with Children, a spin-off pilot that Bravo announced Tuesday.
The show will follow Caroline's doting husband Al, her son Albie's exploits on the dating scene, daughter Lauren's deliberations about marrying long-term beau Vito Scalia, and son Chris's latest entrepreneurial schemes – you might remember his infamous stripper/car wash idea from Real Housewives of New Jersey.
Caroline's sister, Fran, – who made an unforgettable cameo with a rescued pet pig on Real Housewives of New Jersey – will also be a part of the series.
As Bravo says, the Manzo resident is a "crowded house filled with personality, laughter and ham ... in both pig and honey-baked forms."
You never know! xo RT @jillianbowe @CarolineManzo will viewers see a return of the ham game on your show? ;)— Caroline Manzo (@CarolineManzo) September 16, 2013


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CANTON - Khaleal McCormick's dunk with 2:57 left put the Dragons up for good, and his free throws with 14 seconds on the clock were the game's final points as Tiffin University edged Malone, 68-65.
McCormick scored eight points off the TU bench, helping Tiffin improve to 9-15, 6-12 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic conference.
"We were pleased with the way our execution was in the last minute and a half," Tiffin coach John Hill said.
Joe Graessle had another stellar outing for the Dragons, collecting a game-high 24 points to go with four steals, four assists and three boards. Cody Dennison added 11 points, nine in the second half.
"Cody Dennison played a great second half," Hill said. "They were doubling Joe every chance they could."
Mike Boan had eight points and six rebounds for TU, while Michael Bouley had nine rebounds off the bench. Jonathan Sutherlin and Eric Roby added eight points each.
Hill said he was pleased with Tiffin's defense, which held the Pioneers to just 22 of 61 shooting, and forced them into 20 turnovers.
Cory Veldhuizen had 15 points to lead Malone (11-11, 8-10).
Dragons slip at Malone
CANTON - In the final minutes of Thursday's game against Malone, Tiffin University's women's basketball team needed to come up with some big plays.
It didn't happen.
The Dragons, down just 41-38 with 4:06 remaining in regulation, didn't score a basket after that and lost to the Pioneers, 55-44.
Tiffin made just three field goals in the second half, shooting about 10 percent (3 of 29) from the floor.
"I think the biggest thing was to be able to go and make plays," Tiffin coach Pam Oswald said. "We left a lot of points on the floor; we didn't finish very well."
Tiffin stayed in the game because it kept getting to the foul line. It went 28 times, making 21.
Malone, which is coached by former Oswald assistant Jason Mishler, didn't shoot particularly well either (19 of 54), but got a big game from Sydney Penn, who had 16 points and 10 rebounds. Malone improved to 13-9, 9-9 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
Tiffin (10-12, 7-11) was led by Jessica Harris, who had 13 points and 11 rebounds. Stephanie Kelly also had 13 points for the Dragons, who were without Jordan Fraley, who was injured Saturday against Findlay.
"I felt like we lost our composure," Oswald said. "We rushed some things that weren't there."


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Not saving lives, just making himself more useful: Volunteering in disaster areas
02 August 2006
And that is the little-known truth regarding disaster relief volunteers. No, said Dr Jeyathesan, he is not rich. And he does not want to talk about himself. He would rather this interview be about the organization for which he has been volunteering for 28 years – the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS).
And no, doctors do not only offer medical services as a volunteer. They have to do everything, just like everyone else. A volunteer does not just work in her or his area of expertise.
"There are lots of people needed in the field, from drivers to journalists and IT experts," Dr Jeyathesan explained. "Today, in disaster relief, there are so many components. You won't get food, support and donations if there are no journalists covering the disaster. At the same time, you also need IT. So it's not just the doctors and truck drivers who make up the disaster relief team."
What usually happens is that in the initial stages of disaster relief work, during the state of emergency, food, shelter and other essentials are distributed.
Later on, other things that have a longer-term effect are distributed, and this goes into reconstruction, as the victims are helped to rebuild their lives.
Dr Jeyathesan, 38, who has done disaster relief work in Pakistan, Yogjakarta and in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami, has been involved in the MRCS since he was in primary school. The MRCS is not all about marching, carrying stretchers and blood donation drives, he said.
There are ongoing community programmes apart from the international disaster relief efforts, and volunteers cover a wide range of expertise. The MRCS is not politically driven, and neither is it religiously motivated. What it is, is purely volunteerism.
"The MRCS has been around for over 140 years," said Dr Jeyathesan. "We do everything, from taking care of cattle, to giving training in first aid, to driving trucks and cooking ... you name it, we do it. We have journalists whom we call reporting delegates, who report to the whole world and to our donors about what is needed.
"Before anyone established disaster relief in Malaysia, we were here. We are the biggest humanitarian organization on the ground."
He said disaster relief services are something for which one needs to be trained. The work is tough and volunteers sometimes have to sleep on hard floors, and still spend the whole of the next day helping the victims. He said the only thing they could do in facing the horror, devastation and suffering in a disaster is to laugh.
"People always wonder what is wrong with us because we are always laughing. But what else can we do? How long can we cry?" said Dr Jeyathesan with a smile.
He said he loves the challenge of trying to understand humanity and how to put a smile on the face of someone who is suffering.
"I really never think that I'm saving someone else's life," he said. "I always think that I'm saving my own life. I've just made myself more useful, that's all. People say, 'Why are you doing this for free? Are you crazy? Do you think people will help you in return?'
"But the answer is, yes, somebody is going to help you. You won't know who or when it will be, but you'll be surprised that somebody out there is going to help you. It has happened to me many times."


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Baker can earn $1.5 million in performance bonuses, in addition to his $5.5 million base salary, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney.
The 31-year-old is returning from Tommy John surgery, and could be ready in the early part of the season, barring setbacks.
The views expressed are not those of this site, this station or its affiliated companies. By posting your comments you agree to accept our terms of use.blog comments powered by Disqus


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Even with a jackpot of $320 million, local ticket sales remain lacking
March 23, 2013
MARTINSBURG — Not everyone has Powerball fever, even though tonight's drawing will be for at least $320 million — and possibly more depending on sales. Local resident S....
Rev never figured you for a old testament guy. If I win rev I'll buy you a house and finally get you out of your parents home. Maybe beep can move in and you two can moan about the wealthy in stereo.
2 Agrees | 1 Disagrees | Report Abuse »
Rev: "Pray to God that you win -- but be prepared to give the Lord more than 50 percent of your winnings. Otherwise He will smite you with madness and with blindness and with bewilderment of the heart. In addition, He will kill your kid sister, murder your dad, rip the lashes off your eyes, slaughter all your cattle and burn all your crops."
I kind of figured something really bad happened to you, but that wasn't my first guess.
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Yes, Grant Hazell, a married father of two who hails from Suffolk and lives in Perth, Australia, has an unusual – and fortunate – dilemma: People constantly approach him on the street because they think he's Ryan Gosling.
Hazell was a police officer until May, when his wife, Caroline, decided to capitalize on his winning the genetic lottery, and sent his photo off to a talent agency. Now, the former cop torments hearts instead of criminals at his new gig: He's a professional Gosling look-alike, a gig that earns him around $320 per night.
For his part, Hazell's taking it all in stride: "He's a cool guy and a great actor," he said to The Sun about Gosling. "It's not a bad thing to look like one of Hollywood's most wanted men."
We'll agree.


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- Exhibits & Animals
- IMAX Movies
- Visit the Aquarium
- Fun & Learning
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The re-energized focus on Long Island Sound's story is obvious in the colorfully redesigned main hall, which has been renamed Newman's Own Hall in celebration of a $1.2 million grant from Newman's Own Foundation."
– The Norwalk Citizen
Scientific literacy is more important than ever. How else can we choose a computer and wireless network or make decisions about medical care without an understanding of science? With US students ranking 23rd of 65 industrial countries in science, many … Continue reading


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Toledo Stories: Romancing the River: A Maumee Love Story
Thursday, January 3 at 8:00 p.m.
In the summer of 2011, Steve Pollick, former Outdoors Editor for The Blade, and his team paddled the entire length of the Maumee River – four days and 122.8 miles from Fort Wayne to downtown Toledo.
Their "Fort to Port" adventure is chronicled in this compelling and beautiful new film, produced by Lou Hebert.
Also along for the expedition: Matt Horvat, Maumee River Coordinator for the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments, and well-known Black Swamp naturalist John Jaeger.
"Romancing the River: A Maumee Love Story" provides a unique perspective of the river -- through the heart of the Great Black Swamp-- from Fort Wayne's Kreager Park to Antwerp, Defiance, Grand Rapids and Toledo.


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Sondra Lee Ruzzi, 74, Gallitzin, died Wednesday at Altoona Regional.
She was born in Portage, daughter of the late Steward and Janet (Moel) Burkett.
Surviving are her loving husband of 55 years, Gene P. Ruzzi; four children: Darrell and wife, Laura, of Cresson, Douglas in New Jersey, Darren of Gallitzin and Danette Madonna and husband, J.J., of Gallitzin; four grandchildren; two sisters: Patricia Muffie of Pittsburgh and Karen Gaida in Florida; a brother-in-law, Bill Ruzzi of Harrisburg; and a sister-in-law, Pauline Delassandro of Cresson.
A service will be private at the family's request. Arrangements are by Hindman Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc. Condolences may be offered at HindmanFuneralHomes.com.


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Gold Rush Alaskan Mining Placer Gold Nuggets - 2 Pennyweights
Within this glass vial you will find Gold Rush Alaskan Mining Placer Gold Nuggets taken from the same terrain where the men of GOLD RUSH have placed their stake in hopes of finding enough gold to make them rich. The placer gold nuggets are screened for consistency and precisely weighed for a total of 2 Pennyweight or 1/10th of a troy ounce. This glass vial is securely sealed and enclosed in a leather poke - that is what miner's call where they put their stash - that's been hot-stamped in gold foil with the GOLD RUSH name. This vial of Gold Rush Alaskan Mining Placer Gold Nuggets includes a Certificate of Authenticity from Northwest Territorial Mint and a GOLD RUSH story card.
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Friday, April 25, 2014
A couple of three-run hits were the big difference in Tuesdays game between the Lady Green Wave and the Lady Swamp Foxes.
The Summerville softball team got back on track in region play by earning an 8-2 win over Ashley Ridge. Summerville (19-4, 6-2 in Region 8-AAAA) lost two region games the week before spring break so it now needs to win its final two regular-season contests and have a fellow region team defeat Bluffton in order to claim a piece of the region title. Ashley Ridge (7-5, 4-5) entered its final game of the regular season Wednesday looking to break even in the region.
Both Summerville and Ashley Ridge only committed two errors Tuesday. Combined the teams only surrendered three walks. However, the Green Wave out hit the Swamp Foxes nine to five.
Summerville pitcher Summer Jenkins had a three-hit shutout going into the final inning but yielded two hits and 2 runs in the top of the seventh. She only walked one batter while striking out two during the complete-game effort.
This is a good win for us, Summerville shortstop Sarah Windham said. We are getting back into our grind and trying to get everything settled before the playoffs. We played well tonight. We are working as a team and what not.
Dani Halajcsik got things started for the Wave, reaching on an error in the bottom of the second inning. Hannah Horton and Brittany Olean followed with singles to push her across the plate. Then Taylor Powell grounded out to drive in Horton for a 2-0 Summerville lead.
Windham cushioned the lead in the fifth with a three-run homer to left-center field that plated Powell and Lauren Keefer, who came in to run the bases for catcher Taylor Belfiore.
Summerville strung hits by Halajcsik, Olean and Powell together with fielders choice at bats by Horton and Anna Gluhosky to keep the bases loaded for much of the sixth inning. It finally paid off when Jenkins singled to drive in 3 runs for an 8-0 Summerville lead.
Amber Watson opened the Swamp Foxes final turn at bat with a single. Ashley Ridge then loaded the bases on a walk and a Summerville error.
Cam Alverson drove in the Swamp Foxes first run with a grounder and then Nicole Snow made it an 8-2 game with an RBI-single. However, she was tagged making her way back to first and the officials ruled she had made a turn toward second before attempting to return so the game ended on the tag.
Snow led all batters in the game, going 3 for 3 at the plate.
Olean led Summerville, going 2 for 3 with an RBI. Powell was 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored. Belfiore reached base three times for Summerville.
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Top Definition
Front Mount Intercooler
That is a bar and plate FMIC.
от NICK DIBLASI / STEALTH-WRX 02 януари 2005
Trending Now
Can you define these popular missing words?
To get so pissed off at your internet connection for lack of reliability or lack of speed. Generally a problem with real time applications such as playing games online.
Simply: F**k My Internet Connection
Simply: F**k My Internet Connection
I just got killed because my bullets went through the guy! FMIC...
от EF5 Tornado 21 юни 2009


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on January 19, 2013 - 3:12 PM
, updated January 19, 2013 at 3:48 PM
For almost two hours, they waved their American flags proudly in the breeze that whipped through Niagara Square. They held up handmade signs, with messages that included "Gun Control Is Not About Guns. It Is About Control," and they lustily booed their favorite political targets, including those they termed the "dysfunctional liberals in Albany," the "terrorists in chief" in the state Capitol and Washington, D.C., and "Herr Cuomo."
An enthusiastic crowd of roughly 1,500 to 2,000 gun-rights enthusiasts braved mid-40s temperatures and a stiff wind Saturday afternoon to make their presence – and their numbers – known at a Gun Appreciation Day and Second Amendment Rights Protest.
If there was one common theme, it's that these gun-rights supporters are willing to fight for their right to bear arms.
"My weapon is my declaration that I am ready to fight," Len Roberto, founder of Primary Challenge and a former congressional candidate, told the crowd. "If they want a fight, we will bring it to them.
"They are not going to come into our homes and steal our weapons, unless they want my ammo – one piece at a time."
The crowd roared.
That crowd represented a cross-section of Western New Yorkers, a large majority of them male, almost all of them white, and many of them from the suburbs, small towns and throughout the Southern Tier. Many wore camouflage clothing and fatigues. Some proudly displayed their NRA baseball caps. And a few wrapped themselves in American flags.
J.J. Cherry, a 53-year-old Amherst man, came dressed as a civilian militia member from Revolutionary War days, to make his point.
"I'm here in support of Second Amendment rights and not supporting new knee-jerk laws that are really unenforceable and don't do anything, in my view, to prevent these types of mass shootings that have occurred," he said.
Cherry then looked out at the sea of faces peering at him from the northern end of Niagara Square, describing the crowd as a bunch of normal, law-abiding citizens who are not going to roll over when others infringe on their rights.
"They only need to force us to give up one right, then all the rest are free for the taking," he said.
The protest coincided with dozens of "Guns Across America" rallies throughout the United States in the wake of New York's new gun legislation and a sweeping package of federal gun-control proposals unveiled last week at the White House.
Among the largest protests was the one in Albany, where an estimated 2,000 people gathered.
Republican Assemblyman Steven McLaughlin told a crowd at the state Capitol that New York's new law was an "abuse of power" by the governor.
In Buffalo, a unifying theme in the speeches from the Niagara Square steps and the private comments from the crowd touched on the historical aspect of this constitutional fight, with activists referring to Sandy Hook, Columbine, Sept. 11, World War II, the Civil War and the Revolutionary War.
"What they don't understand is that the Second Amendment is the linchpin that holds all the amendments together," said the Rev. Rob Palaszewski, of My Father's House church in Elma.
One sign held aloft in the breeze read, "Guns: Protecting American Families Since 1776."
Rally organizer and Tea Party leader Rus Thompson said in opening the rally, "Welcome, patriots."
The crowd in Niagara Square included young couples, senior citizens, fathers with their sons, and mothers concerned about the future of their families.
"I believe in the Second Amendment, and I am a gun owner," said West Seneca resident Elaine Winter, a member of the East Aurora Fish and Game Club. "I support what these people are saying up here today."
Winter said she came to the rally with about 20 members of the East Aurora club. She said she is raising her 19-year-old daughter and 17-year-old son to shoot and to respect the Constitution's protection for gun use and ownership.
"We are hunters. They are both lifetime members of the NRA," Winter said of her children.
She added that she was saddened by Cuomo's action.
"I'm proud to be an American, but I'm really ashamed of our government," she said. "You lose the Second Amendment, you lose all the other amendments."
One father in the crowd, Jeff Gerde, was there with three of his eight children – sons ages 8, 10 and 13.
The Strykersville resident said he brought his boys to the rally – driving half an hour each way to do so – to let them witness "freedom in action."
"We own guns. We have guns. We're law-abiding citizens," said Gerde, who is a self-employed builder of barns and other structures.
Gazing around at the mass of people in front of City Hall, Gerde added, "I think it's fantastic. It's our country at work."
Lancaster resident Kimberly Allaire, 23, who said she was taught to shoot by her father and has been hunting since age 16, said she thinks it's "absurd" that gun ownership for someone like her would be endangered.
"There is nothing wrong with guns," said Allaire, who works in private health care. "The whole state of New York is pretty pissed off about this whole thing. How can you take the Second Amendment and throw it in the trash?"
But, Allaire added, she does not necessarily think such gun restriction will work.
"They tried to ban alcohol," she said. "Did that work?"
The crowd was extremely responsive to the parade of speakers on the steps of the Niagara Square monument, cheering loudly for Thompson's roll call of state legislators who opposed the new state SAFE Act and saving its lustiest boos for Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and President Obama, as well as State Sens. Mark J. Grisanti and Timothy M. Kennedy, the two state lawmakers from Western New York who voted in favor of the latest New York gun restrictions.
The congenial but feisty mood was punctuated by some strident tones, including a few signs with large swastikas and others that included Hitler-style mustaches on photos of Cuomo and Grisanti.
The crowd didn't start chanting until former gubernatorial candidate Carl P. Paladino took to the microphone.
Paladino cited the watered-down version of the legislation that passed Albany last week and was quickly signed into law by Cuomo.
"All he wanted was a cosmetic bill so he could pound his chest and say, 'Look what I did for the state of New York. … I am Andrew Cuomo,' " Paladino said.
"Impeach Cuomo!" the crowd chanted. "Impeach Cuomo!"
Paladino then implored the crowd not to remain quiet on the issues when government continues chipping away at people's rights.
"No more," he said, before leading the crowd in a lengthy back and forth: "No more. No more. No more. …"
The Associated Press contributed to this report. email: firstname.lastname@example.com and email@example.com


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You Won't Believe This, But...
The Cubs have re-signed FA RHP Chad Fox to a 2009 minor league contract, and Foxy also gets an NRI to Spring Training. Because he signed his minor league contract prior to December 11th, he will be eligible for selection in next week's Rule 5 Draft, and I'm sure he'll be in great demand.
While the 38-year old righthander will be eligible for selection in the Rule 5 Draft, he will not be eligible to receive the automatic "no trade" rights through 6/15 that an Article XX free-agent normally would get, because a player has to sign a major league contract in order to qualify for the automatic NTC.
Fox spent most of the 2008 season on the 60-day DL with some kind of necro-elbow problem (calling Dr. Cubster!), and in fact his presence on the DL gave the Cubs a post-season roster exemption they otherwise would not have had. So it wasn't like he was totally useless. Perhaps the Cubs plan to use him the same way in 2009, or maybe it's simply a matter of Fox having incriminating photos of Jim Hendry at the Tribune Company picnic.
But it's not like Fox spent the entire 2008 on the DL. He did manage to pitch in three games (3.1 IP) with the Cubs this past season, going 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA. And he spent some time on a rehab assignment at Fitch Park, too, where he threw in a couple of EXST intrasquad games.
Kerry Wood... eat your heart out!
Re: You Won't Believe This, But...
I think it was Real Neal that nailed the loophole on this....
sign Fox, put him on the 25-man roster then place him on the 60-day DL and you get a free playoff roster spot every year.
Re: You Won't Believe This, But...
I have no idea what signing Chad Fox has to do with not signing Kerry Wood, but oh well.
This actually isn't a bad move. It is extremely cheap, and it makes sure that the Cubs have someone to stash on the 60-day DL come playoff roster time.
Market for Dunn
The Braves, Mariners and Nationals are among the teams interested in Dunn, major-league sources say, and his list of suitors could grow quickly.
from Rosenthal
Peavy stuff
Despite reports to the contrary, the Cubs remain engaged in talks to acquire Jake Peavy from the Padres.
Indeed, a Padres source said the club had uncovered two teams which could provide the players to complete a trade. The Orioles are believed to be one.
Re: Peavy stuff
Is Jake Peavy our official 2009 offseason Brian Roberts?
Re: You Won't Believe This, But...
giants sign home run howry. 1/2.75.
Re: You Won't Believe This, But...
Well, the only way a Peavy trade WILL get done is if there IS a third team not named the Orioles. Honestly, screw those idiots, they are hopeless to deal with. All Hendry does is spin his wheels when he could be working on deals with a more significant probability of a successful outcome.
Good call on the Fox signing Real Neal or whomever. It's a dirt-cheap option to have a guaranteed "26th man" available for post-season rosters. And who knows, maybe Fox DOES have incriminating photos of Crane Kenney.
Re: You Won't Believe This, But...
The other thing I am wondering about this signing... how did Fox get into a game last year when the decision was in doubt? I hope it was in the 14th inning...
Re: You Won't Believe This, But...
Oh yeah, and if Fox is still trying to pitch with that chewed shoestring of an arm he's one tough mf'er.
Re: You Won't Believe This, But...
Fox has a pretty decent changeup when his arm is working.
By the way, Rich Hill faced four batters in relief last night.
1) HBP to load the bases
2) walked to force in run
3) popped out foul
4) walked to force in run
Re: You Won't Believe This, But...
Re: You Won't Believe This, But...
Maybe Hill's problem is that he is actually righthanded even though he somehow learned to pitch lefty. I can't hit the wastebasket with a kleenex lefty, I have no idea how somebody could command pitches at the major league level. Although I did once get beat at bocce by a 75-year-old woman who was playing lefty because she had dislocated her right shoulder.
Re: You Won't Believe This, But...
Billy Wagner is right handed.
Re: You Won't Believe This, But...
great! sign him up. multiple years.
Re: You Won't Believe This, But...
Where am I? This is confusing.
Chad Fox in 2008 - this shoudn't take long
May 2 @ STL
After Rich Hill gave the Cubs two-thirds of a befuddling inning, Wuertz, Lieber, Marshall, Howry and Wood do their best to get the Cubs into extra innings. Entering into the bottom of the 10th, he gets Ludwick, Molina and Izturis to line out to center. The 11th goes less smoothly, as leadoff pinch-hitter Miles singles. He advances to second on a wild pitch and takes third on a sacrifice, but that's irrelevant after Schumaker homers to right to give Fox his first decision since 2004.
May 5 @ CIN
Fox enters with his team down by two, one on and two out in the seventh. He strikes out Brandon Phillips. Cubs lose the game.
May 11 vs. ARZ
Fox relieves Gallagher in the fifth, one out, bases loaded, game tied at two. He immediately walks Conor Jackson, then immediately walks Justin Upton. Drew pops out, Reynolds flies out. His sixth inning goes pop out, walk, foul out to catcher, pickoff. The Cubs later tie on a Reed Johnson homer and take the lead on a 2-run double by Ward as they go on to win.
And we're all caught up.
Re: Chad Fox in 2008 - this shoudn't take long
damn u dusty!!!
lol...ordinary baseball occurrences.
Re: You Won't Believe This, But...
ST schedules on the trib site:
I highly recommend a week in Phoenix for those who are in the position to do so. Planned well you can catch three games in a day, and you can get a lot closer to the players than you will be able to during the regular season.
Re: You Won't Believe This, But...
I went to ST last year in Phoenix, had a GREAT time. We golfed our asses off and caught 5 Cubs games; it would have been six, but we got an invite to play at Lookout Mountain and decided to skip the road trip to Tucson that day.
Our only disappointment was that none of the star players were EVER around to sign for us. It was just the rooks and NRIs that would hang out by the outfield entrance or mosey over from the dugout to sign a few autographs and that was it. Hey, Sam Fuld was an auto-signing MACHINE, but that's not exactly what we were hoping for. Fonzie walked right by us; I'm pretty sure he was smirking.
We did stand next to Jim Hendry behind home plate for one of the games and small-talked him for about 3 minutes, that was somewhat cool.
I'd like to check out the Dodgers' new digs this year.
Bruce Miles latest
thinks Cubs should go after Bradley, but nothing coming from the Cubs on that
standard stuff about Peavy and having to move some $$$
Re: Bruce Miles latest
He goes on to say in the comments about a leadoff hitter:
"At this point, it may still be (gulp) Soriano. But wait, there's still time. I don't believe that either Furcal or Roberts will be with the Cubs in 2009. They're up against it budget-wise, and I can't see either guy fitting, especially if they still want to make a run at Peavy"
Re: You Won't Believe This, But...
So its bad if Soriano is still hitting leadoff? People bitched about Pierre so we went out and got the anti-Pierre and people still bitch.
Re: You Won't Believe This, But...
They do share at least one trait - the inability to take walks.
Re: You Won't Believe This, But...
The combination of low obp and low slugging were what made Pierre a poor hitter and even worse leadoff hitter. Soriano has low obp, which makes him somewhat ill-suited to be a leadoff hitter, but still a valuable hitter overall in that he can hit for some power (and like Pierre maintain a decent average).
But Soriano really isn't the anti-Pierre. That would be Dunn, I believe.
Re: You Won't Believe This, But...
Barry Bonds?
Re: You Won't Believe This, But...
at least pierre could stay healthy enough to accumulate 700 impotent at bats. soriano's turned into a glass doll since we've acquired him.
Re: You Won't Believe This, But...
Despite all the Pierre hate the man had 204 hits the year he was with us with 32 doubles, 13 triples and 58 SB's. Which means 50% of the time he got a hit he was in scoring position. Thats pretty awesome in my opinion, but hey he was shitty beyond shitty to most people. Whatever.
Re: You Won't Believe This, But...
no Mike, you don't get it. All that matters here is outs made. Since Pierre made a lot of them, anything good he does is negated.
Re: Pierre
How quickly they forget. Pierre didn't show up til the middle of JUNE 2006. After a horrendous April he pulled a .226 .267 .290 out of his bucket-sized cap in May and finished the month with a total of 4 RBI's on the year.
The Cubs were 7-22 in May. Pierre didn't start hitting until the season was effectively over.
But that didn't stop Dustbag from giving him 700 at bats.
JP had a similar start for Joe Torre last year and Joe unceremoniously benched him and kept him on the bench the second half.
Re: Pierre
Aramis hit .197 in April that year, to Pierre's .258.
I don't like Pierre's arm, and an outfielder should be able to slug a little, but his OBP means nothing to me. Pitchers aren't stupid: you don't walk a guy who steals a lot of bases and hits very few doubles or home runs. You throw strikes; and so he gets a lot of hits and makes a lot of outs.
When I see a guy like Burrell or Dunn or Bradley with a high OBP, I just figure he can't run and pitchers are more comfortable with a guy like that at first than at the plate. How many walks and singles does it take to get someone like Pat Burrell home from first? Three, right? Pierre only needs one single.
Did someone say, base-clogging?
Re: Pierre
I agree,
If a guy can't run, or be involved in a hit-and-run. Then he is just clogging up the bases for somebody who can run.
Blacks and Latino's play better in the sun.
Re: Pierre
And through all that managers still walked Barry Bonds 120 intentionally in 2004.
Re: Aramis hit .197 in April that year, to Pierre's .258.
Talk about apples and oranges, Who cares what Aramis hit in April 2006?! He had a great year. And the Cubs were 13-10 in April. Not out of it by any means.
No, I'm remembering May.. May when the Cubs fell 13.5 games behind the Cardinals and JP continued to be a total bust.
Re: You Won't Believe This, But...
Pierre is the only guy in the history of the game to gather 200 hits in a season and still fail to hit .300 or higher. That says a lot. 200 hits don't mean as much if you only have a .330 OBP and .388 slugging (that's actually a better slugging percentage than I would've expected, but still nothing to admire when coupled with such a low OBP).
Contact and speed were all he had. Not a particularly valuable hitter, certainly not a leadoff hitter. And yes, he had a lot of stolen bases, but he also was caught stealing 20 times giving him a SB% of 74.4%. I'm not exactly a great stat guy, but I know there's a school of statheads out there that argue base stealers mostly don't benefit their team unless they steal around an 80% rate or higher. He also has the throwing arm of a jelly fish and made up for mediocre routes with great speed. Having Juan Pierre would've been okay if he'd been a 7th or 8th hitter and Hendry hadn't given up two decent pitching prospects for him (Nolasco and Pinto).
But, um, you're the one who brought this up, right? No one was hating on Pierre until you decided to compare him to Soriano, whom some commenters would like to see out of the leadoff spot. My initial comment was just to point out that Soriano and Pierre's weak OBPs are exactly what make both of them less-than-ideal leadoff hitters. Oh, and I still stand by Dunn as the anti-Pierre. Poor contact skills, crazy patience, great power, no speed, no range, decent arm.
Re: You Won't Believe This, But...
It actually varies depending on who you are taking to, and the run environment (i.e. average runs per game), but most people would say it is less than 80%.
Tango says that it is around 68%. Others say 75%.
Pierre's career 75% rate is probably right around, or above, the minimum rate needed to help his team.
Re: You Won't Believe This, But...
Thanks. Me trying to remember things I heard or read once hasn't been working out so well.
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The point is people are going to bitch just to bitch. We had alot of complainers about Pierre and his non-slugging ability, so the team goes out and gets the ultimate slugging lead-off hitter and guess what? People still bitch.
Hey guess what though? Jose Reyes collected 200 hits and hit less than .300 last year. Bill Buckner did it in 85 with Boston also But hey i am sure there are others out there that did that, but i dont have time to correct your mistakes.
But that still doesn't take away from the fact that getting 200 hits in a season is an extremly hard thing to do once in your career much less doing it 4 times like Pierre has done.
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Actually, someone already did that legwork for you (although they have SOriano on their list with average above .300 for some reason...):
That's what I get for trying to remember something I heard during a broadcast. Clearly I was wrong. But it's 9 total in history. Still, 200 hits and .330 OBP is not great, but probably not as horrible as it seamed to me. I just compared Soriano, Pierre, Brian Roberts and Theriot in a really idiotic stat analysis that I don't recommend anyone read. Here's what I came up with: using that % of the time a guy comes to the plate that he gets himself into scoring position, Pierre, Soriano, and Roberts all compare, while Theriot is horrid. Difference is, Soriano has a great slugging percentage and good RBI ability, B-Rob has a better slugging percentage than Pierre, OK RBI ability, works deeper counts, and doesn't make nearly as many outs.
Maybe what I misremembered was the stat that Soriano had managed the lowest batting average of anyone to collect 200 hits or more, and that he managed the most hits on that list while also the lowest batting average (but not the lowest OBP).
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"Which means 50% of the time he got a hit he was in scoring position."
Oh, and as long as we're tallying percentages here, the 20 caught stealings mean that at least 8% of the time he got on base, he erased himself turning that into an out (20/(204+32 BB+8 HBP)). (I couldn't find pickoffs, but there's probably only handful of them, and some may have been picked off and caught stealing, which screws up the stats here.)
Also, this is nit picking, but he may not have been in scoring position 103 teams, since some of those stolen bases may have been third base, not second, so he would've moved from scoring position to scoring position. That probably doesn't significantly affect the percentage, though.
But let's say he got into scoring position 106 (I added his 3 homeruns) times out of the 244 times he reached base (not counting errors, because I couldn't find that stat). That means that 43.4% of the time he reached base he got into scoring position.
His OBP was .330, indicating he got on base approximately 33% of the time. 43.4% of 33% is 14.32%. 14.32% of the times he came to the place he ended got himself into scoring position.
In 2008 Alfonso Soriano had 127 hits (29 HR, 27 2B, 0 3B). He also walked 43 times and was hit by pitches 3 times. He stole 19 bases (caught 3 times). So, let's say that he put himself in scoring position 75 times, and he got on base (not via an error) 173 times. This means that 43.35% of the times he reached base, he got into scoring position, almost exactly what Pierre did in 2006. Soriano had a slightly higher OBP at .344, though. So 43.35% of 34.4% is 14.9%. 14.9% of the time Soriano came to the plate, he got himself into scoring position (according to the way we calculated that for Pierre). That's pretty much identical. Of course, Soriano drove in a few more runs than Pierre (75 RBI in 2008 compared to Pierre's 40 in 2006, though they batted in different lineups, Pierre had 247 more plate appearances than Soriano).
But if some of us are arguing that neither is a leadoff hitter, and MikeC proposes the player's ability to get himself into scoring position as the measure of a leadoff hitter (that may not be exactly what he's saying), then we've got to compare them to someone else, right? I'll try to pick someone who appears to be a great leadoff hitter, and then I'll try to compare these guys to one of the Cubs' other current options for the leadoff spot (ugh).
Okay, I guess I'll use Brian Roberts as a prototypical leadoff hitter (also someone the Cubs could acquire that would push Soriano out of the spot). 2008 was among B-Rob's best seasons, but that's the one I'll look at. Looks like he managed 181 hits (51 2B, 8 3B, and 9 HR). He also walked 82 times and was hit by a pitch only twice. He managed 40 stolen bases (with 10 caught stealing for exactly an 80% success rate). So, same method of calculation, he reached base about 265 times, and got himself into scoring position 108 times for a percentage of 40.75%, a little lower than either Soriano or Pierre. But B-Rob managed an OBP of .378. Again, 40.75% of 37.8% is 15.4%. 15.4% of the time he reached base, B-Rob got himself into scoring position, slightly higher than either Pierre or Soriano, but not an enormous difference.
Okay, this one is a stretch. I personally think there are a few other options for the leadoff spot, including DeRosa and Fontenot, but Theriot is closest to the stereotypical leadoff hitter, particularly considering his 2008 stats. I figured I'd look at him because he's in-house, he's a full-time player, and the value of his offensive contributions are as contended as Pierre's and Soriano's, if not more. Buckle up, here we go: TheRiot tallied 178 hits in 2008 (19 2B, 4 3B, the obligatory 1 HR, and an overwhelming 154 one-baggers). He also walked 73 times and was hit by a pitch 3 times. He stole 22 bases (caught a horrid 13 times for a stolen base percentage I don't care to calculate, and I know some of these were third base, but we didn't do it for the others, so...). So he got himself into scoring position 46 times, less than anyone else considered here. 46 out of 254 (that's right, he reached base more total times than Pierre given fewer plate appearances), he got himself into scoring position a measly 18.11% of the time he got on base. Oh, this isn't gonna feel good. Even considering his .387 OBP, higher than anyone else listed here... well, 18.11% of 38.7% is only 7%. And now we know why Lou became hesitant to bat Riot above 8th.
I don't think this is the best measure of the value of a leadoff hitter, but it is something to consider. (I'm not sure how accurate "scoring position is," since you can score from first on some doubles and all homeruns, but clearly it's easier to score from second or third in most cases.) I should really extend this, to be fair, but boy am I ready to be done, and if anyone reads this far I will be amazed. But just looking at this ridiculously small sample, it looks like Soriano and Pierre are comparable to B-Rob, and Theriot is comparable to...well, probably Cesar Izturis.
Still doesn't deal with the question of whether the team would be better off with Soriano in another position in the batting order or whether other hitters might do better than him at setting the table, but it should add a little perspective.
Also, I realize that I could've simply divided the number of times each guy got in scoring position by the total plate appearances, but MikeC set the precedent of % of times he got a hit, which I adapted to % of times he got on base, and then I decided to be moronic from there. Oh boy.
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Thanks Charlie!
Really interesting analysis (with the emphasis on "anal" - I KEED!! ;)
Agreed - Theriot seems like batting 9th would suit him - then again, not with Z in the lineup.
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I read your analysis Charlie. It looks accurate and it's definitely not something you will find anywhere else.
Regarding Pierre though, I think it's important, because he had a history of playing every game (2003-2007)and always batting first, to compare him not versus individual players but versus what teams do in aggregate batting #1.
e.g., last year the Cubs composite #1 hitter batted .279 .342 .474 .817, hit 33 HR, scored 117 R, and batted in 100.
Pierre in 2006 for the Cubs batted .292 .330 .388 .718, hit 3 HR, scored 87 R, and batted in 40.
I'd say we're much improved.
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Now paging Strawman.
Just an FYI. It doesn't make sense to compare runs scored and RBI's, without deducting home runs. In your analysis, every HR that the Lead Off hitter scored us two runs, when in fact, it only scored us one (plus whoever was on base).
Really it's 184 vs 124.
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"Really it's 184 vs 124."
Still much improved.
And your suggestion, navigator, makes sense. I've just wasted way too much of my day here already.
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I have a simpler stat I like to use...
Soriano>>>>>>>>>>>>Juan Pierre = Cubs '07 and '08 >>>>>> Cubs '06
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I did good on the ISTEP.
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that's why he cost 10m+ less.
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with some kind of necro-elbow problem (calling Dr. Cubster!),
Hi from vacation on St.Maartin in the Carribean...
"Necro" in latin and in medical terminology means DEAD (please hold the necro-philia jokes). So a dead elbow is a bad thing, but not a true diagnostic medical term. Fox has had two ulnar collateral surgeries though and when his medial elbow started to hurt last spring after the miracle medical recovery (as in failure of surgery #2 but a MIRACLE medical recovery more than a year later after pitching to a local school team and then subsequent Hendry re-signing #2, well after the 2nd surgery blew out from Dusty's abuse (blowout #2), they just said "Foxy, you're up shit creek". There's only so much duct tape in the universe to help some of the poor souls out there.
Nice pickup though.
Especially valuable when one considers such a signing only in the realm of a 60 day DL option going into the playoffs. I think a #22 signing was plan B, but Chad Fox was a no brainer in cost comparision.
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and Bruce Miles says:
"(Fox is) the nicest and most decent guys I've ever met in all my years of covering baseball. He'll make for another nice human-interest story come spring training."
The Fox signing is good Karma for sportswriters plus...
Straight from the Dalai Lama (after Hendry and the Lama finished 18 holes of golf):
So for this signing...on Hendry's deathbed, (Hendry) will receive TOTAL CONSCIOUSNESS...so he's got that going for him...which is nice!
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Dr. Hecht -- I live in Munster and I often drive by your medical offices on 45th Street, just down the road from the very noticeable Family Christian Center. The weather here is crappy. Stay in St. Martin as long as you can.
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"So for this signing...on Hendry's deathbed, (Hendry) will receive TOTAL CONSCIOUSNESS...so he's got that going for him...which is nice!"
You must be thinking of the Lilly signing.
Teaser for Sportscenter....
"Cubs reportedly going after Jake Peavy and a big bat."
I turned and caught a split second of the video... looked like footage of Abreu was being shown.
Anyone see this or heard any report-worthy news about us "going after a big bat?"
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"Straight from the Dalai Lama (after Hendry and the Lama finished 18 holes of golf):
So for this signing...on Hendry's deathbed, (Hendry) will receive TOTAL CONSCIOUSNESS...so he's got that going for him...which is nice!"
Gunga Ga-lunga
And if there was a post-season roster flexibility benefit in having Fox in '08, is Henrdy officially crazy like a fox? And tell me again why Marquis was out there this year.
"Anyone see this or heard any report-worthy news about us "going after a big bat?""
I saw that. Adding Abreu would seem the perfect addition in my amateur opinion.
If they add Peavy and deal off Marquis as well, there will be no temptation for me to edit the roster on my favorite baseball video game. I'm still thrilled from the Harden acquisition. Further improvements will surely get my expectations too high [again]. I'd still like to add another arm in the pen, be it Wood or somebody else. Or is this Wuertz's opportunity?
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I don't know if it's feasible but if we could pay for half of Marquis is crazy salary and get some sort of pitching prospect to complete this deal for Peavy and keep Pie and platoon him in CF (cheaper option) with Reed Johnson and still have room for an OF that would be pretty nice. I just don't see harm on keeping a project like Pie when you have a solid team and the luxury of a great hitting catcher (soto)....you could bat Pie 9th when Zambrano and Dempster pitch...let him develop in the majors (give him 350 abs straight and see what happens) Wish we could have learned from the Corey Patterson (5-tool superstar). If we wait long enough (Dunn, Bradley, Ibanez, Abreu) one of the LF bats will become available relatively cheaper then expected with this economy.
Pitching staff: Peavy, Zambrano, Harden, Depmster, Lilly is SICK!
Hendry seems to find someone to take our crap....ie Hundley...years ago maybe he can fix his mess of a contract.
Can't wait til Monday.
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sounds like Khalil Greene is headed to the Cardinals.
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From a Cubs perspective, I'm happy it'll be Greene and not E-Rent at SS for the Deadbirds in 09. Renteria had some monster numbers for St Louis in the past, I just had a sinking feeling he was going to do it all over again. Glad to see that karma is gone.
Greene sucks; he's Alex Gonzalez, the Sequel. People get excited because he can hit 20 HR a year and plays strong defense, but the fact is, he has NO plate discipline, MISERABLE OBP, and after watching him for an extended period of time, you're reading to poke your own eyes out with a rusty stick. Sounds exactly like our experience with the Game Six Goat.
I do think this makes it more likely that Towers deals Peavy to the Braves and not the Cubs. Escobar makes sense now for the Padres, if they throw in the right prospects in addition, I think that deal gets done.
Cubs should move on to the RF discussion. Bradley, Abreu, Dunn, et al.
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Very true, although the Braves still maintain they're no longer interested. I don't buy it either. Of course, if they keep trading Tyler Flowers-type prospects, they won't have anything left that the Pads like.
Bradley, Abreu, and Dunn all have their various downsides. I don't see any of them being any cheaper than Peavy next year. So, is it one or the other?
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But...but...what about Itzturis??? How could they let him go? CHAD?
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They upgraded. It happens. Izturis is still better than what we have.
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Better than we have at what, making reverse chalupas?
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he have a singles hitting shortstop that can't field. that to me is pretty worthless.
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As opposed to an even weaker hitter (with no patience) who is more sure-handed but doesn't have significantly more range? Oh, and who is more expensive and more of an injury risk.
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I think if the Braves can't get Burnett or another free agent i bet they reopen up talks for Peavy...Let's hope the cubs don't over pay for these RF's...the prices should come down!
As for Greene going to the Cards...i think it's a good pick up he had such a down year and will likely play better in a hitters park...upside wise he's good. Then again crappy Itzturis in a Cards uni is great to see.
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Perrotto from BP, subscription only. Apparently the Orioles want Pie and Cedeno to help out the Cubs get Peavy.
If that's all it is, I'm guessing the only thing holding this deal up is ... the Cubs' payroll problems? Which, up until a month ago, we haven't had in three or four years. Unreal.
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Why the Orioles, who have one starter and a pretty good young CF'r are willing to trade a young 'high upside' starter for another CF'r isn't really clear to me.
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If they want Cedeno, I offer to drive him to the airport myself.
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JAck Wilson to the Tigres, thru the Rumor site...
Burnett still "mulling" Braves offer...
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I first heard about the Burnett offer by the Braves on ESPN, and they messed up their graphic and listed it at 5 years, 140 milllion (an extra l in there for the crazy amount), and i almost threw up and thought "Dempster at 13m a year is awesome!"...but alas, they corrected it, too lazy to look, what are the terms of the deal, or not disclosed?
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I'm so bored. I hope something happens soon.
And then - it went away...
HA HA! Now Jack Wilson is "not" traded. Thru The favorite rumor site - the aggregator of truth and accuracy on the internet.
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Paul Sullivan claims that Chad Gaudin may be a non-tender candidate:
Gaudin, who had a 6.26 ERA after arriving with Rich Harden from Oakland, is arbitration-eligible. It wouldn't be surprising at all if the Cubs non-tendered him
Seriously? Am I the only one who would pretty shocked if Gaudin got non-tendered?
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Wow. That would really leave the bullpen vulnerable, even moreso than it already is. We'd have a great rotation but no one to pitch in the 6th or 7th and and Gregg and Marmol would have to pitch the 8th and 9th almost every day.
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I disagree. Wuertz is nothing, he spent most of the second half in Iowa, which shows how much confidence Lou has in him. Cotts stinks. Period. And Gaudin showed us nothing, maybe he was hurt, but if not, he isn't worth $2+MM. These are not significant losses.
The depth would indeed need to be addressed in this case, but it's not as bleak as you suggest. Samardzija would be right back in that 7th inning role. Between Marshall (if he isn't dealt), Atkins and Hart, you've got your long reliever. The Gooz will get his big chance this year to finally stick on a roster, he could be a very nice middle reliever for the Cubs a-la Juan Cruz.
Really, the Cubs pen only needs a bona-fide LOOGY and perhaps a veteran set-up man. Gaudin, Wuertz and Cotts do not fill those roles adequately.
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Have you seen Kevin Hart at a game? In 2008? I did - including the reliever's "Blow Up Game" that they won in extras against the Giants on July 12.
He is a complete head case - after being very effective in Iowa (b/c he couldn't find the plate after ST broke last year), he came up and stunk. Several times. HE got time in September only b/c Wuertz and Howry were also unreliable. They had no one left!
Hart has "potential", but he really had problems last year when he got to The Show.
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Yeah, Marshall and Hart can cover the 5th and 6th, at least until one or both of them are needed to fill in for injured rotation guys. Atkins may or may not be effective.
Counting on Samninja to repeat his rookie success is ill-advised. Maybe he turned a corner, or maybe he'll be as unpredictable as he has been so far in his minor league career. I'd kind of like him working toward a starting job anyway (in AAA) if possible, but that's me.
Guzman's issues haven't so much been lack of success at the majors (although he hasn't been great yet) as his inability to stay healthy. Counting on him to be healthy and contribute is really risky too.
That could be acceptable. Or Samardzija could lose his breaking ball and his command of the strikezone, Gregg could be thoroughly average, Guzman could get hurt, Marshall could get hurt or be needed to start, Atkins could be a minor leaguer, and Hart could suck. Lots of risk in order to avoid paying Gaudin, who could also be rotation insurance, and Wuertz and Cotts.
If we believe The Real Neal and some others, Peavy is a major injury risk (I don't really know), and Z may be an injury risk as well. Harden is clearly an injury risk if he's not already dealing with shoulder problems. Lilly's getting older and so I have to wonder when he's going to visit the DL (I hope not any time in the next two years), and Marquis is a risk to just plain suck. Marshall and Gaudin/Atkins/Samardzija/Hart being needed in the rotation seems like a good bet to me. But I don't gamble. No money.
But I've forgotten Dempster! So which starter becomes a reliever? Marquis is the least effective, Dempster has the most experience, and Harden might make sense for health reasons. Any of those could help out, though I don't imagine any of them want to make that move.
Oh, and isn't Marshall rumored to be trade bait? So if they do in fact get Peavy, might have to take him out of that.
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If Cubs keep Marshall he will be in rotation by May, I can't believe we are counting on a full year from Harden.
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I think Gaudin and Weurtz would be more likely make more money in free agency than through arbitration.
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What about trading Marquis and Fukudome. That should clear up about 22 Million off of the payroll.
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I think there's less demand for $12 million .220 hitting outfielderst than there are for league average starters with $10 million one-year contracts. Trading Fukudome, at best would free up like $5 million, I'd guess.
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I was Joking.
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I think you have to arbitrate them....if Howry can make 2.5 mil on the FA that means if we let these guys go and expect to sign anybody better than Howry. that would cost us at LEAST 3 mil per year if not 4 and then we would be competing with everyone who needs bullpen help..which is EVERYONE!
I agree with the health of our potential starting rotation it will be imperative that we have somebody who can fill in for injury or to rest Harden/Peavy. We don't have that cheap option in the minors if Marshall is in the deal. Gaudin is a good long reliever and spot starter and is valuable. Wuertz/Cotts aren't barn burners but who cares they fit the bill and are relatively cheaper options that what we could find in the FA.
If a trade for peavy goes down our poor farm system will have to take up too much slack if we do indeed not arbitrate...and the season could go down hill really fast.
Not the risk I would want to take to save a few million dollars. Someone will take Marquis even if we eat some contract!
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I agree..Arizona Phil...that was my point...some will take Marquis...we may have to eat a few million...after getting Peavy...giving up Marquis and a few mil isn't a bad move! We would end up saving 6-8 million. If Hendry can get rid of Todd Hundley a few years back some one will definetly take Marquis.
myself...i'd call cutting wuertz at this point in his career a mistake. i don't see the guy making more than 1.25-2m, myself, at best.
i don't expect a future closer...i expect him to keep the ball down with 2 above average pitches.
i also expect to see more control than i did last year, too.
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personally i expect wuertz to be in pinellas dog house
by march i dont see any reason to keep him
c. gaudin i would definately keep short-long-starter
Recent comments
J-Hey not finishing with an offensive onslaught.
If Geoff Blum could be a Playoff hero, there is hope still...
Giants scare me. I think you're wrong about Bumgarner, he would pitch on short rest for Game 2 and then full rest for Game 5. Cueto would go Game 1, then short rest in game 4. Add in some really tough outs in that lineup and I want nothing to do with them. With that rotation they can easily steal a series.
Cards are a tough matchup. The rivalry evens out their comparable lack of talent. And like someone said, they love HRs, which is how to beat the Cubs. The upside is that I would feel really good about Lester twice against STL.
j.buchanan with a nice start...5ip 2h 1bb 3k, 0r/er
zobrist with 2HR and a double through 8
heyward 0-4 :(
Mark Gonzales @MDGonzales
Soler likely to return Sunday, Maddon says
Right now, I'd like to see the Mets first, Giants 2nd.
I believe that since most of the team from last years' NLCS is on the squad this year, they will really amp their game up even more to kick their ass in payback for 2015.
The Giants just do not have the depth in years past, and I think all things equal - and at Wrigley - they could handle them.
I do not want to see the Cards, period. Or their fans, media, or Joe Buck.
I don't want to play Braves in the first round. Any friggin team in the league can win 3 of 5..I hate the first round. Furthermore, I wanted to play the Marlins in 2003 and the Mets over Dodgers last year.
With that said in reverse order:
3. Cardinals: It will be devastating to lose in the first round, but even worse to their main rival. It is increased incentive for the Cardinals, especially after last year. Cards would have nothing to lose, Cubs have everything to lose.
2. Giants: Rotation in the playoffs scare me a bit, but what a lousy team.
1. Mets--because of the losses in the rotation
2. Giants--because they're not the team they were BUT they maybe have bullshit even-year magic?
3. Cardinals--because rivalry and not making the playoffs hurts them more than losing in the NLDS plus getting eliminated by them in the playoffs would make for horrible sports commentary next throughout next season.
Who's asking?
CLE/DET rained out last night already, possible rain-outs in New York (vs. Baltimore), Boston(vs. Toronto) and Philly(vs. Mets) this weekend too.
Not only games involving playoff spots that would need to be played, but any that involve home field advantage.
I got the first one! Second one I'm not even sure what even/odd betting is.
any opponent preference for NLDS?
Mets are down to 1 great pitcher instead of 4. Syndegaard may pitch Sunday which means if Mets win the WC game, he'd be set up for Game 1. There's a chance they clinch a spot by Sunday so he'd pitch the WC and then we'd probably get Colon for Game 1. They've certainly had the hottest bats over the last week and month out of the WC options.
A couple of Cub related puzzles.
Can't teach height and thinness
Hopefully Pirates don't call up A. Lincoln.
j.buchanan going friday...should be...baseball...or something like it.
Wow. I didn't know they could do that.
Nice for Willson, not so much for Addy.


text:
MINNEAPOLIS — As a paramedic, Peter Carlson is used to racing to people's homes. But on his way to see 86-year-old Erika Bruvelis recently, he stopped for coffee and parked outside her Minneapolis house for several minutes, hesitant to arrive early.
In this case, no one had called 911, and with luck, no one would go to the hospital.
Carlson, 28, is one in the first wave of "community paramedics" in Minnesota and the nation. Instead of responding to emergencies, his job is to try to prevent them.
Since October, Carlson has been paying house calls on dozens of patients as part of an innovative program to keep the frail and elderly out of the ER. Depending on what they need, he might do a blood test, call Meals on Wheels or help arrange for a wheelchair ramp. Over Christmas, he even baked cookies for one of his patients.
In the last two years, Minnesota has become the epicenter of the community paramedic movement, which advocates say could save a fortune in health care costs if it helps patients stay out of the hospital.
In 2011, the U.S.' first training program opened at Hennepin Technical College and Minnesota became the first state to adopt a formal certification program. The first graduates, including Carlson, were certified last summer.
"We are kind of inventing this," admits Carlson, one of nine community paramedics employed by North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale, Minn.
After five years as a traditional paramedic, Carlson volunteered to get the extra training for his new role, which is more about chronic-illness issues than gunshot wounds and heart attacks. Now he rotates between the two roles: two days in an ambulance, one day as a community paramedic, driving his Honda Accord to scheduled appointments.
"The way that we're looking at it, it is a lot cheaper in the long run," said Barb Andrews, who coordinates North Memorial's community paramedic program.
As a paramedic herself, Andrews said she was struck by how many emergency calls seem eminently preventable — when an elderly patient mixes up his meds, for example, or slips and falls on a throw rug.
Carlson dropped his oversized backpack on the bed and greeted his patient, who was perched on a wicker chair in the corner of her bedroom.
"How are you feeling?" he said, raising his voice so she could hear him.
Bruvelis put on a game face. "Feeling OK today," she said softly. But she clearly was not.
"Today is kind of a low-energy day," explained her 44-year-old son, Paul Bruvelis. For the last three weeks, he said, his mother had been too weak to leave the second-floor bedroom of her century-old house. Normally, she's a "very independent woman" who loves to cook and bake and garden, he said.
When he called her doctor's office several weeks back, a nurse suggested sending a community paramedic to check on her. "I'd never really heard of it," Paul Bruvelis said, but he was grateful. He dreaded having to take his mother to the clinic in this condition.
This was Carlson's third visit, and he chatted with mother and son like old friends.
He unzipped his backpack and took out a stethoscope and blood pressure cuff, and a couple of kits for blood and urine samples.
"Are you dizzy?" he asked. She nodded.
Carlson suspected a urinary tract infection, but he would have to send the samples to the lab for testing to be sure.
There's no calling 911 to get a community paramedic. All visits are scheduled by a doctor or clinic.
"The doctors really see the paramedic as an extension of their eyes and ears out into the community," said Dr. Mark Bixby, medical director for North Memorial's 12 primary care clinics.
Bixby said paramedics can be especially helpful when patients are struggling with chronic illness.
As a doctor, he said, he might wonder why a patient with diabetes is having trouble controlling his blood pressure or blood sugar. By going into their home, the community paramedic may spot the trouble: Maybe the patient didn't fill a prescription. Or the refrigerator is empty. "They can figure out stuff that you can't do from an office."
Not all patients like the idea, Bixby said.
"People are private," he said, and some "see this as an intrusion." But already, there's evidence that it's kept numerous patients out of the emergency room.
Carlson sees himself as a troubleshooter and he's armed with a long list of social services to refer to patients who need extra help.
"We don't look to be in somebody's life for a long time," he said. "I don't like the idea of forming dependency. We like to get in, figure out what needs to be done, and 'See you later.' "
For now, there's no charge for his visit. North Memorial is covering the cost for patients at its own clinics, said Andrews, the program coordinator. They expect insurers to cover it eventually and, by state law, Medical Assistance will pay $60 an hour.
In the long run, as health reform changes the way hospitals are paid, they stand to share in the savings if they can reduce ER visits and ambulance runs.
For Bruvelis, the visit paid off quickly: Lab tests later that day confirmed that she had a bladder infection, and she got antibiotics right away.
"It has made a world of difference," said Paul Bruvelis. "I think this service has been a godsend."
North Memorial Ambulance community paramedic Peter Carlson begins his day at the facility's garage, where he gathers up gear and supples for his day's home visits in Minneapolis. (David Joles/Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT)×
While arriving for a home visit, North Memorial Ambulance community paramedic Peter Carlson waves to Paul Bruvelis, caregiver to his mother, 86-year-old Ericka Bruvelis, before being welcomed in to their Minneapolis home.×


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Quality Education in the Benedictine Tradition
Dr. Mary Beth Spore, DeanSchool of Social Sciences, Communication, and EducationPhone: 724-805-2950Fax: 724-532-5083 email@example.com
Dr. Mary Beth Spore is the Dean of the School of Social Sciences, Communication, and Education as well as an Associate Professor in Education. She teaches children's and young-adult literature. Prior to joining Saint Vincent College, Dr. Spore was an Associate Professor of English and Senior Assistant to the President at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. She has been awarded many honors, including the University of Pittsburgh's Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching Award, Distinguished Professional Development Award, and President's Award for Excellence. Dr. Spore has published a book and scholarly journal articles and has presented numerous conference papers. She is a member of the American Educational Research Association's Arts-Based Education Research Special Interest Group. Dr. Spore received her Bachelor's Degree at Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN, and both her Master's and Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh.
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