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In the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico, the scene is set to play out the fate of United States equids.
There has been a flurry of filings in the Front Range Equine Rescue et al vs. USDA court case. Most of the filings have been from those seeking to intervene in the case, including the state of New Mexico (for the plaintiffs) and the Confederated Yakima Tribes (for the defendants).
Other companies wanting to open horse slaughter plants have also sought to intervene, and the list of plaintiffs has grown considerably.
The plaintiffs filed an amended complaint, and the USDA has filed an opposition to the preliminary injunction.
A bill titled the Safeguard American Food Exports Act (H.R. 1094/S. 541) sits before Congress to amend the "Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prohibit the sale or transport (importing or exporting) of equines or their parts (including flesh, meat, and viscera) ... in the United States, by any person who knows or should have known that such equines are to be slaughtered for human consumption as food."
The House Appropriations Committee approved the fiscal year 2014 Agriculture Appropriations bill, which adopted an amendment prohibiting funding for inspections of horse slaughter facilities in the U.S. on June 13 — now headed to the House floor for consideration.
Also, beginning in December of 2011, applications for federal inspections were submitted to USDA/FSIS. Upon USDA/FSIS issuing grants of approval for these establishments in 2013, a storm of animal rights organization activities ensued.
With such fervent legislative activity, embroiled legal cases and propaganda, aimed at ending the slaughter of horses in the United States, including their transport to process across U.S. borders, the question arises again: "Why?"
The following is from an April 1973 story in the Honolulu Advertiser:
"About 25 persons on horseback and on foot paraded outside Carlson's Mart yesterday to protest the store's selling horse meat as a cheap substitute for beef. 'I think the slaughter of horses for human consumption in this country is disgraceful,' said protest organizer Richard Gallagher. 'We are not at a stage yet in the United States where we are forced to kill horses for meat. Horses are to be loved and ridden.' In other words, horses are shown affection, where cattle that are raised for beef ... they've never had someone pet them or brush them, or anything like that. To buy someone's horse up and slaughter it, that, I just don't see it.'
"The market began selling horsemeat as 'equine round,' 'horsemeat porterhouse' and 'horse burger' on Tuesday, and owner Kenneth Carlson said about 20,000 pounds were sold in the first week."
Here is a list of the claims made in the AHSA (Anti Horse Slaughter Advocates) campaign against horse slaughter, along with evidence debunking the claims:
1) Horse slaughter, whether in U.S. or foreign plants, was never and cannot be humane.
According to Terry Whiting of the Manitoba Agriculture Department, "The welfare of horses for slaughter in the abattoir has been protected ... by the same federal veterinary infrastructure and safeguards that assure the humane slaughter of beef cattle and swine. In addition, specific legislation to protect the transport of horses for slaughter has been in force in the USA since 1996."
Animal welfare expert Temple Grandin states, "There are some horse welfare advocates who are against resuming horse slaughter in the U.S. My biggest concern is that horses going to totally unregulated slaughter facilities in Mexico is much worse than even a poorly run U.S. plant. A plant in the U.S. would be monitored by the USDA/FSIS, and the conditions for both transport and slaughter would be better."
2) Horses are often seriously injured or killed in transit.
According to the Slaughter Horse Transport Program, one of APHIS/VS's responsibilities under the 1996 Farm Bill is to regulate the commercial transportation of horses to slaughter. Prior to the establishment of the SHTP in 2001, a study titled, "Prevalence of severe welfare problems in horses that arrive at slaughter plants" returned these results: "Ninety-two percent of the horses arrived in good condition, and 7.7 percent had a condition that was rated a serious welfare problem, including body condition scores of 1 or 2, lacerations or injuries from bites, foot and limb problems, etc. Abuse or neglect by owners was the cause of 77 percent of the severe welfare problems observed.
The final rule on humane transportation of horses to slaughter was published in the Federal Register on Dec. 7, 2001. The recommendations of the study were incorporated into the regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations.
3) Horse slaughter in the U.S. will have a negative financial impact on taxpayers.
It will divert precious financial resources away from U.S. products and food safety. According to Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va., quoting the USDA, "each horse slaughter facility opened in the U.S. would cost U.S. taxpayers over $400,000 per year in operation costs."
However, the financial impact on taxpayers is offset by the economic benefit of domestic horse processing.
A conservative estimate of the total economic cost of a ban on horse processing for export has been reported to be $152 million to $222 million per year, according to a paper on the Animal Welfare Council's website.
4) The federal government cannot ensure the safety of horse meat.
The USDA has no system in place to track horses' lifetime medical histories, and the reputation of the entire U.S. meat industry is at risk, they say.
The USDA has no system in place that track the lifetime medical histories of other animals intended for the human food chain. The position of the USDA/FSIS is well-defined in the FSIS Final Response to Petition: "FSIS has concluded that its existing authority ... and regulations which include requirements for the disposition of livestock ... will allow the Agency to ensure that carcasses and horsemeat products that bear the mark of inspection are safe for human food."
5) Horse slaughter plants have proved to be economic and environmental nightmares for the communities that house them.
These plants pollute local water, decrease property values, permeate the air with a foul stench, drain local economies, and damage the environment.
Again, a conservative estimate of the total economic impact of a ban on horse processing for export has been reported to be $152 million to $222 million per year. That paper also calculates the cumulative annual cost to maintain horse inventory that could have been processed at $513 million dollars in 2005. The economic impact of the horse slaughter industry is, indeed, enormously beneficial to the countries and communities who employ them.
In the U.S., specific regulations apply to the transport of horses for slaughter, a provision not extended to other food producing animals. Horses are seldom seriously injured or killed in transit. The low cost of providing FSIS inspections is greatly offset by the economic impact of over a half billion dollars.
The basis of the controversy are those who view horses as pets, similar to dogs, as subjects in American Society versus those who view horses similar to other livestock intended for human uses.
The issues posed by the AHSA are truly cultural and emotional. Anti-Horse Slaughter Advocates do not apply the same rationale to other animals intended for human consumption, while Pro-Horse Slaughter Advocates do.
Pro Horse Slaughter Advocates understand veterinarian-approved euthanasia — methods resulting in less fear and anxiety, that are more rapid, painless, humane and practical — are used in U.S. horse slaughter houses.
The welfare of horses intended for slaughter has been protected in the U.S. by the same federal agencies and regulations that are applied in the humane slaughter of other animals.
In the U.S., specific regulations apply to the transport of horses for slaughter, a provision not extended to other food-producing animals. Horses are seldom seriously injured or killed in transit. The low cost of providing FSIS inspections is greatly offset by the economic impact of over a half billion dollars.
Additionally, the federal government can ensure the safety of horse meat for human consumption.
Finally, the claims of alleged economic and environmental harm caused by horse slaughter plants have been disproved — instead showing horse slaughter plants were scapegoats for the actual failure of city management. ❖


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EDITOR'S NOTE: The following letter was submitted last week to the Truckee-Donner Recreation & Park District Board of Directors.As you may recall, we have previously addressed the Board with concerns regarding the potential sale of the Veteran's Hall to the Tahoe Forest Church. Our concerns are many, including transferring public property to private, the Rocking Stone, and of course, the substantial traffic impacts from a second church in such a small neighborhood.Another issue we would like to bring to your attention is the need to look to the future. This property was purchased for an absolute bargain of $1. It's a prime piece of real estate in the heart of downtown providing recreational uses to the community.While it may be currently underutilized now that the new rec. center has been built, it is still being used regularly and we must also look to future recreational needs. Inevitably, Truckee will continue to grow and the demands for recreational uses will grow along with the town.Once this property is sold, it's lost forever - there will be no opportunities to purchase additional property for such a bargain. As taxpayers and citizens, we would not support future bond measures to build new facilities if this property which is already an asset were to be sold.Please consider current and future recreational needs of our community when weighing the pros and cons of this potential sale. Thank you,Wes and Tonya BeyerTruckee
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February 25, 2013
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Drivers warned of salt shortage
January 22, 2014
SALEM — Motorists in Salem are being asked to use extra caution in their travels while the street department tries to conserve salt due to supply delivery issues....
Isn't this type salt a normal commodity this time of year ?
Is the salt co. playing games again like they did several yrs. back to fix the prices ??
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I agree. It seems there have actually been quite a few unexplained shortages in the various markets over the last few years but don't question them.
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So why don't Jim quit wasting his daily calls on the delivery service and contact the state that oversees the purchasing program. Lodge a complaint and demand an investigation into the matter.
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Find out who is ripping off the taxpayers.
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Traffic Study: WVDOH analyze busy intersections
March 30, 2013
CHARLES TOWN — After the new and final section of W.Va....
And to the Rev, anybody who would say "The Jesus" would have no problem praising "The Donald."
Get a new schtick.
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The resident curmudgeon, who can't spell, reminds me once again the need to proofread.
The panhandle does NOT need a commercial transportation connection to our east. Any needs in that direction are more than covered by US 340 to both Frederick and big ol' Berryville.
As far as 9 in VA is concerned, when western Loudoun became wine country the probability that the Commonwealth would upgrade 7 resembled the chances for VA to upgrade it's portion of Corridor H.
I do feel for the commuters who have little choice but to deal with Hillsbora, et al., but Robert Byrd bears no responsibility for the ability of Virginia to act like bloated a**holes.
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Yeah, upgrading US 340 is a no brainer, but Rt 9 in VA is not so important as is the notion that the panhandle needs a 4-lane commercial connection to our eastern neighbors.
Byrd's wisdom is reflected in the nature of the reconstructed 9 ... Jefferson County now has a high quality connection to arguably the most important commercial trucking route in the east ... I-81.
The real sin is the lack of effort in extending this connection to Berkeley Springs, US 522, and Breezewood.
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Technical information
|Starting point:
|Rinderberg mountain station (Zweisimmen)
|Horneggli mountain station (Schönried)
|Getting to the starting point:
|Car or train from Gstaad or Spiez to Zweisimmen
|Back from the destination:
|Car or train to Gstaad or Zweisimmen
|Physical fitness:
|Difference in elevation:
|Ascent 168 m, descent 402 m
|Hiking time:
|June to October (note the timetable class="res-table" !)
|Note: Special return tickets are available.
The tour which connects Mt. Rinderberg above Zwiesimmen and Mt. Hornberg near Gstaad is a ridge hike that is a dream come true: it is fairly easy and the hiking trails are very well-kept. The entire hike takes place at about an altitude of 2000 meters. The views are of the impressive peaks, firns and glaciers of the Altels, Doldenhorn, Wildstrubel in the East, the Diablerets chain, Wildhorn and Arpelistock in the South, and the Pays d'Enhaut in the West. One vantage point trades places with the next: Rinderberg, Ussere Parwenge, Hornflue, Uf de Chessle, die Bergstation Horneggli. But just as attractive are the flower-filled alpine meadows, sporting rare alpine flowers. Adter a pleasant hike which lasts about two hours, one reaches the mountain station of the chairlift to Schönried. One may also choose to continue hiking to Gstaad, Schönried or Saanenmöser
How to get there:
Drive or take public transportation to Zweisimmen vie Thun. From there take the chairlift to Mt. Rinderberg, in Horneggli take the chairlift to Schönried.
Tour Overview
3D hiking map Download GPX coordinates Download KMZ (GoogleEarth)
The careful planning of a tour will ensure that you also derive the maximum pleasure and enjoyment from it. Please take the time to contact the local information centre and enquire about route and weather conditions before setting off. Your intended trail may be fully or partially closed, depending on the time of year and weather conditions.


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on April 27, 2013 - 11:07 PM
Jan. 20, 1918 – March 29, 2013
Robert R. Kreuger, a contractor and trucking company executive, died March 29 in Putnam Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Holmes, where he had been a resident for several years. He was 95.
Born in Buffalo, he was a 1935 graduate of East High School, where he was the star player on two championship football teams.
In 1937, he was accepted to Niagara University but turned down college to continue to work for his father's fledgling trucking company.
During World War II, the Kreuger Trucking Co. carried PT boat hulls from Bethlehem Steel Corp. in Lackawanna to the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The company won a contract in 1950 to haul steel girders for construction of all the bridges on the Thruway.
Mr. Kreuger remained a vice president of the trucking company when he left in 1952 to help run his wife's family's steel erection business, Kenmore Contracting Co., after the death of her father.
When her mother died in 1972, he became owner of Kenmore Contracting and the offshoot that he launched in the mid-1950s, Kenmore Construction Equipment, which rented out scaffolding and assembled it.
Kenmore Contracting built numerous banks, hospitals and additions to schools and factories in the Buffalo area and the Southern Tier. Its projects included the stadium for the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park and the stadium's additional skyboxes in a later project. Kreuger Trucking hauled for the steel for the projects.
A Williamsville resident from 1945 to 1979 when he retired, Mr. Kreuger was instrumental in the construction of the North Forest Civic Association Building and served as the association's treasurer until he moved away. He lived in Sarasota, Fla., for 27 years.
Active in Republican politics, he was a committeeman in the North Forest District.
His hobby for many years was breeding and racing homing pigeons, winning more than 100 trophies before he gave away his pigeons in 1979.
His greatest accomplishment in pigeon racing came in 1954, when one of his birds completed a 600-mile flight through Hurricane Hazel, which downed nearly 1,000 other birds.
He was a member of Charles W. Cushman Lodge 879, Free & Accepted Masons, for more than 65 years.
He also was a member of the Buffalo Athletic Club, the Buffalo Trap and Field Club and many contracting and trucking associations. His wife of 65 years, the former Harriet Williams, died in 2004.
Surviving are a daughter, Karen Rae Fraser; and a close family friend, Linda Holt Rekate, whom he considered his "second daughter."
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Dietrich Funeral Home, 2480 Kensington Ave., Amherst.


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The United States of America is turning 237 years old on Thursday, and we the people will be throwing a big birthday party in its honor.
Regardless of our political beliefs, hardships or downright frustration with the state of the union, most of us will agree that the birth of our nation is something worth celebrating.
So round up your friends and family, lay out your best jean shorts and get ready for a day of sunshine, rock 'n' roll and the greatest American tradition of all: the cookout.
Here's a rundown of all the groceries you'll need for the party, with only the best prices, of course.
Nothing says American pride like the art of grilling meat. And this week, grocery stores are running specials on everything you'd ever want to throw on a grill.
Piggly Wiggly had some of the most impressive deals of all the meat selections at local supermarkets. Boneless chicken breast and pork spare ribs are $1.79 per pound, and a rack of St. Louis Style ribs is $10.
For hamburgers, get the best deal on ground chuck at Piggly Wiggly or Food Lion for $2.99 per pound.
Hot dogs were on sale at most stores. Oscar Mayer dogs are buy one, get one free at Bi-Lo and Piggly Wiggly; Nathan's hot dogs are BOGO at Food Lion; and Ball Park Franks are BOGO at Publix. Piggly Wiggly's brand of hamburger and hot dog buns are 97 cents a pack.
Side dishes
As every American knows, potato chips and French fries are the yin to the hamburger's yang. Find Lay's potato chips for BOGO at Publix, Harris Teeter and Piggly Wiggly.
Cape Cod chips are usually one of the most expensive brands of chips, but this week, they're on sale at Food Lion for buy one, get one free. Ore-Ida frozen potatoes and French fries are BOGO at Publix.
You may want to throw in some fresh summer vegetables to add a little variety to the Independence Day cuisine.
Yellow and zucchini squash is 99 cents per pound at Piggly Wiggly and asparagus is $3.79 per pound at Harris Teeter.
Fresh Express salad mix is on sale for buy one, get one free at Publix and Harris Teeter. You also can get a bag of free coleslaw when you buy Marzetti Original Slaw Dressing at Publix.
At the Vegetable Bin, you can find local produce for lower prices than at most supermarkets.
This week, green peanuts from Lexington are 1.99 per pound, which are great for boiling and taking out on the water. The store also has Johns Island watermelons for $4.99 each and Johns Island tomatoes for 99 cents a pound.
If you're making a 4th of July-themed shortcake for your family's celebration, you can find the best deal on blueberries, raspberries and strawberries with a two for $5 deal at Piggly Wiggly and Publix.
If you're not feeling so creative, the bakery sections have you covered. Piggly Wiggly's apple pie is $3.49 and the store's brand of ice cream is $1.99 for a half gallon.
At Publix, holiday-themed cupcakes, apple pies and lemon meringue pies are $3.99.
Fill your cooler with your favorite drinks and the cookout checklist is complete. Find the best deals on Pepsi products at Piggly Wiggly, with 18 packs of cans for $4.99 or get five six-packs of bottles for $10. When you buy two 12-packs of Coca-Cola products at Publix, you get two for free.
Sweet tea from the deli at Publix is also buy one, get one free.
As for beer, domestics are the cheapest at Harris Teeter with 24-packs of Budweiser, Bud Light, Coors, Miller and Yuengling on sale for $13.99. If you prefer the hoppy taste, go for Sierra Nevada, on sale for $12.99 per 12-pack at Publix.
Reach Abigail Darlington at charlestonsavvyshopper@postand courier.com.


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Event Calendar
Throughout the year, Ojai hosts a steady stream of cultural events, culinary delights, concerts, and festivals. Check out what's happening in Ojai California, as well as at Ojai Valley Inn & Spa.
Adult Drop-In Tennis Clinic
When: 05/07/2014, 05/14/2014, 05/21/2014, 05/28/2014
Tennis Ojai | 9 AM
Join Director of Tennis, Tom Rohrbacher, and his instructional team this summer for a morning of tennis basics and play. Cost is $20 per person. No reservations necessary.


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By Larry Tobin
Tomahawk Leader Publisher
There have been some pretty radical schemes concocted over the years in the name of environmentalism. A few have even advocated violence like some of the efforts of groups like Greenpeace. Undoubtedly the most bizarre concept I've heard of yet, however, is a movement called The Wildlands Project.
This effort is headquartered in Richmond, Vermont, but it has groups from all over North America working on individual projects that blend in with the ultimate goal. It's well organized and well funded ($1.4-million in contributions in 2000 alone). The Ted Turner Foundation is one of the largest monetary supporters.
The project's goal: to turn 50% of the North American Continent into wilderness within 100 years!
That is, to gradually remove people and raw material production from the rural United States with no definite stopping point. In the groups' own words, the Wildlands Project calls for reserves established to protect wild habitat, biodiversity, ecological integrity, ecological services, and evolutionary processes.
"We reject the notion that wilderness is merely remote, scenic terrain suitable for backpacking. Rather we see wilderness as the home for unfettered life, free from human technological and industrial intervention."
In their view, to function properly, nature needs vast landscapes without roads, dams, motorized vehicles, power lines, airplane over-flights, and other artifacts of civilization.
One such project currently underway in the Wildlands goal includes all of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, as well as virtually all of Wisconsin and Minnesota north of I-94.
You may see this all as insane and not at all possible. Yet, if you look at some of the efforts being undertaken, they've already scored some successes.
For one thing, these groups rely on naivete and lack of education on the part of large population groups. They use the term "wilderness" loosely to include all national forests, parks, and existing true wilderness. People think closing roads in national forests is protecting wilderness. It's not! It's closing access to large tracts of resources that were created and intended to be managed for public use and benefit. That's why they're under the supervision of the Dept. of Agriculture, not the Park Service.
This notion is perpetrated - unwittingly or otherwise - by our mass media. Check the headline in a recent issue of USA Today: "Snowmobiles may be limited in parks." The story - a full third of a page or more - was entirely about national forests. Not once in the body text was the word "park" ever mentioned. Yet, when the misrepresentation in the headline was pointed out, USA Today editors refused to acknowledge the error.
The Wildlands Project is also getting support - again, unwittingly or not - from the U.S. Forest Service. Throughout the West, huge areas of national forest are being increasingly closed down to human activity, whether designated as roadless, shutting off snowmobile use, and ending ATV access. Such closures have already taken effect or are proposed for the Gallatin, Lewis and Clark, Helena, and other national forests in Montana alone.
One thing people need to understand is that parks, national forests, and wilderness are three separate entities. We have parks like Yellowstone, Glacier, Yosemite, and the like. Certain opportunities like hunting and off-roading are restricted in those areas.
National forests, as noted earlier, were created under the direction of the Dept. of Agriculture to manage a continuing supply of lumber and other resources, including recrreational opportunities.
Then, there are wilderness areas. These restrict many human activities. You cannot take any motorized vehicle into a wilderness area. In fact, you can't even take a chainsaw to use for cutting firewood for your own campfire. You can, however, hunt and fish in wilderness areas. Under plans for the Wildlands Project, though, even those activities would be denied.
We have lots of wilderness land already designated. For example, of the Gallatin National Forest's 1.9-million acres, 900 thousand acres are already designated as the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Area. That's nearly half of one national forest. We have wilderness areas all over the West, in Alaska, and even places like Northern Minnesota.
Yet currently under proposal by the U.S. Forest Service are plans to remove nearly all of the remaining portions of many of our national forests from snowmobile and ATV travel. Much of these areas has already been declared roadless. You can be assured that, once these people are successful in the West, places like the Nicolet and Chequamegon National Forests will be next.
The Wildlands Project organizers received a great boost in the late 1990s when then-President Clinton issued his roadless directive. Then Clinton proposed to breach dams on the Columbia River, and he closed off huge areas to public access by manipulating them into "national monuments" in ways that the law never intended.
You may think this is all frivolous and impossible for any group to accomplish, but all you need is to consider what they're accomplishing already. Their goal is half the North American Continent turned to wilderness in the next 100 years. That may not be realized but, even if they're 10% successful, think of the havoc that could impose on civilization as we know it.
And, if you think I'm exaggerating or blowing their goals out of proportion, all you have to do is go to their website: http://www.twp.org. There are also links to dozens of other websites for each portion of the project, as well as other organizations involved. At one website, you can even see how much money has been donated and for what specific purpose.
It's scary.


text: Solidisco delivers another fantastic remix, this time for Icona Pop's 'Just Another Night.' Bongos and handclaps and horns, oh my! Magical & majestic tune that just makes you want to get up and move. Great remix from start to finish – a perfect blend of pop and disco going on here. This one ought to carry you right into and through the weekend. You can pick it up on iTunes… and don't forget, if you're in San Francisco you can catch Solidisco DJ'ing tonight at DNA Lounge w/ Starfucker & Slaptop.


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Instead of taking a plea deal with the potential for less prison time, Deangelo Mitchell decided to take his chances at trial and fight accusations that he convinced his brother to ingest a fatal dose of cocaine.
The case
The chargesDeangelo Mitchell is charged with involuntary manslaughter, trafficking cocaine and distribution of cocaine. Offer on the tableMitchell rejected a plea deal made by the prosecution that would have sentenced him to 15 years in prison for the drug charges and would have incorporated a five-year sentence for the involuntary manslaughter to be served concurrently. What's nextUnless Mitchell accepts the plea offer made by prosecutors by today, it's off the table and Mitchell's attorney and prosecutors will begin preparing for the trial against him. He faces a minimum sentence of 25 years in prison because, if convicted, these drug charges would be Mitchell's third drug offense, according to State Law Enforcement Division records.
Mitchell, 24, of Clements Avenue in Charleston, rejected a deal offered by prosecutors Thursday that would have kept him locked up for 15 years. He decided instead to go trial, where he could face a minimum of 25 years if he is convicted by a jury, according to a judge.
Mitchell is charged with drug possession, cocaine trafficking and involuntary manslaughter for the death of his brother, 20-year-old Wayne Joshua Mitchell.
In court, Circuit Judge Markley Dennis went to great lengths to warn to Mitchell about the potential ramifications of his decision to reject the plea.
"If you don't accept the offer, it's gone," Dennis told Mitchell. "I'm not trying to frighten you. I'm just trying to tell you straight-up."
Mitchell said he wanted to see the prosecution's evidence against him, which he said he has not been able to review.
"Do you have any law degree?" Dennis asked Mitchell. "What benefit would it be for you to analyze anything?"
Mitchell answered, "They ain't never get no drugs from me."
Dennis made sure Mitchell's attorney, Robert Howe, went over the deal carefully with his client. "As thoroughly as possible," Howe said.
Because Mitchell rejected the plea offer, the case will be placed on the docket for trial. There is no indication yet when it might go before a jury.
Mitchell and his brother were arrested on the night of Nov. 30, 2011, on cocaine trafficking charges. On a video made of the two brothers handcuffed and sitting in the back seat of a North Charleston police cruiser, they can be seen and heard discussing their arrests.
Although both suspects are cuffed behind their backs, the video appears to show Deangelo Mitchell contorting to pull something from the rear portion of his clothes. He passes it to his brother, who manages to get his hands by his sides and place the object to his mouth. Wayne Mitchell then appears to be chewing something.
Wayne Mitchell suffered a seizure and died less than an hour later.
Charleston County Coroner Rae Wooten has said her investigation backs police conclusions concerning the death. She said an autopsy and toxicology tests determined that Wayne Mitchell died from acute cocaine toxicity.
After his arrest, Deangelo Mitchell, who had been out on bail, was rearrested on July 26, 2012, on a charge of violating the conditions of his bail. He has remained in jail since.
Judge Markley Dennis questioned Deangelo Mitchell's law background when Mitchell insisted in reviewing prosecutor's evidence against him. He rejected a plea deal offered to him Thursday.×


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Blessed Pope John Paul II's Prayer for Life
In 2009, the Vatican confirmed the first miracle attributed to Pope John Paul II's intercession—curing a French nun of Parkinson 's disease—and Pope Benedict XVI signed the decree beatifying him in 2011. Last month, the Vatican confirmed the second miracle—curing a Costa Rican woman of a severe brain injury.
Well now it's official. On Friday of last week, Pope Francis approved the second miracle, paving the way for Pope John Paul II to be canonized a saint by the end of 2013.
Pope John XXIII will also be canonized a saint.
These men are still examples for us today. With the Texas State Legislature likely voting this week on the fetal pain bill, I urge you to join me in prayer in honor of these two great men and servants of the Lord and those in Texas carrying the torch for the sanctity of life
Prayer for Life by Pope John Paul II
O Mary, bright dawn of the new world, Mother of the living, to you do we entrust the cause of life: Look down, O Mother, upon the vast numbers of babies not allowed to be born, of the poor whose lives are made difficult, of men and women who are victims of brutal violence, of the elderly and the sick killed by indifference or out of misguided mercy. Grant that all who believe in your son may proclaim the Gospel of life with honesty and love to the people of our time. Obtain for them the grace to accept that Gospel as a gift ever new, the joy of celebrating it with gratitude throughout their lives, and the courage to bear witness to it resolutely, in order to build, together with all people of good will, the civilization of truth and love, to the praise and glory of God, the Creator and lover of life.
Blessed Pope John Paul II, pray for us…
Blessed Pope John XXIII, pray for us…


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Sources: BBC News, SeattlePI
quote: If we go that route we might as well ban cars that go over 75MPH, meals that are greater than 400-600 calories depending on your size, all fast food and desserts, and television/computers/forms of stationary entertainment. All of those cause more deaths than guns, its the only logical solution right.
quote: Yes, it is indeed a slippery slope.


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Current GOP strategy creating "fiscal crisis" has cost us millions of jobs. Their obstruction has diminished the group of GDP by nearly two percent. Congress' fiscal-cliff and debt-ceiling antics have unsettled employers and markets, kept investors cautious, and crippled the free market with uncertainty according to long-time renowned Republican deficit hawk, Pete Peterson, of Macroeconomic Advisors, a non-partisan consulting firm.
Today's GOP sabotages recovery for political gain and their treasonous political obstruction continues under GOP-held state houses, whether through mandating unneeded voting restrictions, or impeding the role of healthcare navigators. Their strategy of obstruction isn't conservative. True conservatives recognize vigorous economic activity results in more tax dollars through higher employment and consumption, the remedies that best shrink the deficit and stimulate growth without increasing taxes.
Manipulated by Citizens United's millions, or the fear and anger promoted by Fox News and the Tea Party, a small percentage exert economically damaging influence on GOP congressmen who value their jobs far more than yours, and are apparently motivated solely by political gain in 2014 through misinformation, not economic growth nor employment of the middle class. It's time for the many to get involved in stopping their economic terrorism. We cannot afford their obstruction.
— Michael Cannariato, Rockford
Location, ST | website.com


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The Victoria 33" Fire pit w/ Grill - Black will be a beautiful addition to your patio, back yard or outdoor entertainment area. It adds beauty, style and functionality. This fire pit is perfect for any small space, or to accent a larger space. Constructed of durable cast iron it also features a hardened powder coat finish for years of beauty. This fire pit grill can fit three to five logs or use charcoal for grilling.
- Black Powder Coat finish
- Constructed from durable iron
- 33"L x 33"W x 27"H
- Wood burning unit
- Fade, chip and crack resistant
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COLUMBIANA The school district ranked no. 7 in the nation in technology is working toward achieving the top spot.
Superintendent Don Mook said the Columbiana district is creating a partnership with Youngstown-based Turning Technologies to possibly outfit 18 middle school classrooms with a remote response system that gauges student learning in the classroom.
"You can get some real quick formative assessments on what is going on in the classroom. A teacher can quickly collect data on what a student or class as a whole understands" based on what is discussed in class, he said.
Company representatives John Wilson and Chuck Reigrut presented information to the board of education this week. The men are looking to showcase some of their technology in districts across the nation, and Mook said he'd like for Columbiana to be the one selected.
"They think it makes a lot more sense to be an Ohio company and showcase an Ohio school, and we certainly want to work with them to be that school," he said.
Through the partnership the district will work on grant funding opportunities to purchase the technology that will be offered at a discounted rate. The company will also provide matching grant funds for additional technology, Mook said.
Some of the company's technology is already being used by district teachers.
Mook said that prior to the company's presentation to the board, he and Reigrut sat down and "had a very good meeting on what their strategy is to market an Ohio school and our strategy to see that we are marketable with 21st Century schools."
He is hopeful that as more technology is embraced in the district it will result in the top ranking nationwide.
"Maybe we'll reach that point of no. 1," he said.
The district earned the no. 7 ranking in U.S. News and World Report for being "most connected" after implementing a 1:1 initiative that provided netbooks to every student.
In other business, the board approved:
- An increase in the substitute support staff hourly rate, effective Jan. 1, to $7.85 an hour to match the new minimum wage rate effective the same date.
- Participation in the National Purchasing Cooperative at no cost for membership.
- Accepting the resignation of Joe Carbon, South Side Middle School tutor, effective Oct. 10.
- Shirley Ferrand and Vicki Garrett as tutors at a rate of $25.25 per hour; Mary Alice Hawkins, Stacey Pavlik as substitute teachers, and Tabitha Gravalt and Harrold (Jan) Winnale as substitute support staff.
- Contracting with the parents of nine students for payment in lieu of transportation services for the 2012-13 school year.
- Six people as girls skills development basketball volunteers, one as assistant wrestling coach volunteer and 24 as elementary school volunteers.
- Awarding supplemental contracts to Jodi Taylor, girls track head coach; Greg Kibler, boys track head coach; Alexandra Marsco, science fair advisor; and Holly Ferguson, detention monitor.
- Jerry Beltempto as softball head coach, and Larry Gilbert for sixth grade boys skills basketball development. Also, Amanda Moore as district concert accompanist and Don Groubert as meet manager, and Jeffrey Heaton to operate the scoreboard.
- Contracting with the Mahoning County Educational Service Center for student enrollment in PACE, alternative program at a cost of $80 per day. The contract is awarded annually.
The board also approved the September and October financial reports and section 125 of the Flexible Benefit Plan Adoption Agreement.


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on July 14, 2013 - 11:23 PM
So many little things, so many big things. The Buffalo Bisons did them all well Sunday in a tidy 7-1 win over Scranton/Wilkes-Barre at Coca-Cola Field. If we're going to see playoff baseball in these parts for the first time since 2005, this was the kind of game this team has to put together more often.
The Bisons hit the All-Star break at 49-47 after Sunday's win. They're only 3ø games out in the North Division race and just 1½ back in the wild card. It's not like the 17-7 April but it's a big improvement over what this club put on the field through most of May and June.
The Bisons haven't been in the postseason since manager Marty Brown's last tour of duty here ended in '05. He has a chance to end the drought that covers the final three years of the Cleveland affiliation and the miserable four years with the New York Mets.
And Brown has a pretty easy theory on what this club needs going forward.
"It's just consistency on the offensive side and understanding we're not the same club we were in April either," Brown said. "Pitching wise, I think we're OK. Our starters have done a pretty good job the last couple weeks and in our bullpen we've got some pretty good arms as well."
Even though the Bisons are taking the next three days off for the All-Star break, don't get lulled into thinking it's the halfway point of anything. In Triple-A, remember, the season finale is on Labor Day. When play resumes Thursday, there will be only 48 games left – or just one-third of the 144-game season.
The Bisons were 10 games out of first place on June 27 but are back in the race because the Pawtucket Red Sox have endured a gruesome 3-15 stretch.
Buffalo won five straight but got back to town just past 3:30 a.m. Saturday after Friday's game at Lehigh Valley was rained out. Playing a twinbill that night is not usually any recipe for success. In 14 innings spanning nearly 4ø hours, the Bisons scored one run.
"It was two games where we were pretty low on energy," Brown said.
Ricky Romero looked like a big-leaguer on the mound again Sunday, and Munenori Kawasaki helped in the energy department as well. In his first game in Buffalo since April 9, the Japanese second baseman got huge applause for every at-bat as a conquering hero from Toronto after becoming one of the great curiosities anywhere in the majors. He smallballed the game's first run and then turned a rolling catch of a looper in right into an acrobatic double play.
Said Brown: "He makes everybody enjoy the game more, even if you're tired."
Where the Blue Jays have succeeded compared to the Mets is filling in holes from Double-A and even making adjustments during the season.
IL home run leader Mauro Gomez was an April waiver pickup from the Red Sox, for whom he was the MVP last year in Pawtucket. Outfielder Kevin Pillar has been a revelation from the Double-A club in Manchester, N.H., and catcher/first baseman Sean Ochinko opened the sixth inning with his third home run since his promotion.
"The Blue Jays do a good job in this system bringing guys along at the right time," said Ochinko. "The coaches do the job of taking guys in slowly and making them comfortable and that really helps. I know a bunch of guys from spring training but I haven't played in a real season with a lot of them either.
"They have major-league time, a lot of experience overall so I just wanted to make sure I show those guys respect and do the job for them."
The Bisons have sold more than 110,000 tickets in their last 10 home dates and whether they're from Buffalo or Southern Ontario, they've been into more than just the Chicken Wing race.
They'd like to see some baseball deep into September.
email: firstname.lastname@example.com


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iPads and other tablets have become important classroom tools for learning. Put a table in the hands of students they are able to manage their learning with apps they download, calendars that keep them up to date, watch lectures on line and research for information.
Faculty can use the iPads for in class writing and peer review, note taking by groups, showing illustrations and managing assignments and other activities. Students are in control of the technology and faculty can spend more time, one-on-one, with students in discussions and other projects.
Tools - Apps
Apps are available as tools for students. For almost any activity, there is an app. The best is that there are often different types of apps for the same function. This allows students to choose the one that best suits their learning style. Visit our a href="iPadApps.aspx">App Page to see what is available.
Tables and apps allow faculty and students to choose different types of activities that suit their individual learning style. Click here for examples.
Writing tools
Students can use different tools for work processing, spreadsheets, and even presentations. Visit here for resources.
The University of Texas at Brownsville website uses Javascript.
To access this page as it is meant to function please use a Javascript
enabled browser.


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Cliff Vancura/Durango Herald
Cliff Vancura/Durango Herald
With about one in every nine people on the planet on Facebook, the question of privacy in the digital age is one that affects nearly everyone.
�It seems odd to think about, but social networking and a lot of the digital media we�re surrounded by have not been around that long,� said Stephanie Vie, an assistant professor of composition and rhetoric at Fort Lewis College.
Without a doubt, the perception of privacy in the digital age has changed. What is less clear is what this means. In many ways, we�re all involved in a global social experiment � of which even experts can only guess the outcome.
With so much change, so quickly, some are exercising increased caution in their online lives.
Preston Pitcher, 29, youth pastor for First Baptist Church in Durango, took the plunge into social networking between 2007 and 2008 when he created a Facebook profile.
�I was a little late to get one,� Pitcher said. �I finally just gave in because it became the norm � everyone starting talking about it.�
For Pitcher, social networking has become �second nature.� He now uses it to communicate with the youths of his church.
�More often than not, the only way to get a hold of the youth is a blast Facebook post,� Pitcher said. �I even have a youth-group page set up to where that has been the best way to communicate.�
Even younger kids without phones have a Facebook page, Pitcher said.
�It�s been very effective updating the youth and their parents,� he said.
While Facebook makes communicating easy, it comes with costs.
Vie, who wrote her doctoral dissertation about digital privacy, said that unless users enable privacy settings or otherwise restrict their information, content posted to the Internet is there for everyone to see.
�There is a perception that public and private has sort of meshed in a way that it previously did not because we are living so much of our lives online these days,� Vie said.
She said we�re still figuring out the ramifications of those blurred lines.
For Pitcher, this initially came as a surprise.
�I didn�t even know what my settings were, so I went and checked � I was full public, completely public to where anyone could see everything,� Pitcher said. �It was kind of scary. This was something that I just discovered yesterday after being a member for so long.�
Vie said that having a public profile is important to certain people for a number of reasons, socially or professionally.
�If you choose to have a public profile, you are also running that risk of making your content more public than your intended audience might be,� Vie said. �Once you put information on the Internet, you lose your control over it in a number of ways.�
For example, she said, �I might put a photo of myself online, but in a way, I�ve relinquished control of that photo and what others might say about it and what they can do to modify or adapt it.�
As Pitcher has become more savvy in social media, he�s also become more leery.
�Even if we say our profile is private, how do we actually know?� he asked. �Is Mark Zuckerberg (the creator of Facebook) up there saying, �Oh, yeah, it�s private,� and keeping a file on everyone?�
Josh, a 26-year-old Durango resident who asked that only his first name be used, said that he will never create an online profile.
�You never know what information that you share might come back to haunt you in 10 years, or even 20 years,� he said. �To me, sharing information online is like sending it up to this floating island of information, I don�t understand it, and I don�t know the extent of who can access that information even if I think that I�m keeping it private.�
Josh also has concerns about potential employers holding information that they find online against him when he is looking for a job.
On March 30, Facebook said in a public statement that reports of businesses asking potential employees for passwords in order to view private posts and pictures as part of the job-application process were �alarming.�
In a survey released by Microsoft Research in 2010, 70 percent of recruiters said they�d rejected applicants based on information they found online.
But before you delete or deactivate your Facebook account, note that the research also identified the opposite: 68 percent of job granters said social-networking profiles contributed to a candidate getting hired.
Josh acknowledged that social media may not always be a negative in the job search, but that didn�t change his mind.
�When I am applying for jobs, that employer should look at my credentials, not my personal life,� he said.
In February, the Obama Administration released a proposed �Bill Of Rights� for online privacy.
The bill�s main purpose is to enable users to easily tell Internet companies with a single click whether they want their online activity tracked.
Josh�s preference is clear.
�I just think that it�s better to be safe than to be sorry,� he said.


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Patrick Urick, 9, son of Cullen and Elena Urick of St. Louis, Mo., died at his home Monday, March 11, 2013, after bravely battling Ewings sarcoma bone cancer for two-and-a-half years. A visitation was held March 17 and funeral March 18 at Bopp Funeral Chapel, Kirkwood, Mo. Interment was in Jefferson Barracks National Military Cemetery, St. Louis.
Survivors include his parents; half-brother, Simon Springmeyer of St. Louis; grandparents, Vance Urick and Barbara Urick of St. Louis; Lydia Epanchin of Russia and the late Vladmir Epanchin; great grandparents, Dean and Lucille Urick of Geneseo and Maria Martinez of Las Vegas, Nev.; great uncle and aunt, Kevin and Karen Urick of Prophetstown; aunts and uncles; cousins; and many friends.
Location, ST | website.com


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Music Photos
Photos: Pink can fly! See pop star and her fans at wild Dallas show
Photo: Brandon Wade/Special Contributor
Pink fans pose for a photo before the concert at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Saturday, November 16, 2013.
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Pound for pound, no other Highlander accomplished more on the gridiron — and in more different ways — than Kyle Clouthier.
The recently graduated senior was, in the words of his Incline football coach, "Mr. Versatility."
"Kyle is the one who did the most for us," said Incline head coach Mike Evans. "He was our running back, receiver, defensive back, he played linebacker, punt returner, kick returner ..."
That all-around ability did not go unnoticed by Williamette University head football coach Glen Fowles.
"He had to do a lot of everything for his (Incline) team, and sometimes at a smaller school like that, you have to ask your better players to do a lot. We noticed that," Fowles said. "We like versatile kids, especially ones who are really smart. He can play a lot of different positions and he's a good kid from a good family, so we lucked out in that way."
More impressive yet, Fowles said, is the fact that Clouthier is just as well rounded in the classroom. It's a major reason Williamette University, an academically rigorous Division III college in Salem, Ore., awarded him an academic scholarship.
"The first thing we really like about him is his academics. He's a brilliant kid, and that goes a long way," said Fowles, who's entering his first year as head coach. "Education is important to us."
Fowles said he envisions Clouthier, who's listed at 5-9 and 155 pounds, playing slot receiver for the Bearcats. He said Clouthier will have the opportunity to earn playing time as a freshmen, although there are some more experienced upperclassmen on the roster ahead of him.
"We expect him to come in and be a slot type of guy, kind of a tailback-receiver — a lot of what he did at Incline. We're basically looking for a guy who can catch the ball and run with it," Fowles said. "At that position there are a couple of seniors there. It's an awesome situation to come into. He has some seniors that he can learn a ton from, and then as they graduate, it opens the door.
"So our expectation for Kyle is to come in and compete like crazy, absorb as much as he can and learn from the seniors that are in front of him."
At Incline, Clouthier served as co-captain his senior year, when he received All-League second team honors at both running back and defensive back. Had carried the ball 65 times for 267 yards, had a team-high 35 catches and 332 yards receiving, and scored three touchdowns.
He looked at several schools in his college scouting process, all in the Pacific Northwest, and decided on Williamette after meeting the coaching staff and enjoying his campus visit. He said he looks forward to joining the Bearcats later this summer.
"I'm really excited, because I always dreamed of being a college athlete and playing college football, so it's kind of a dream come true to be able to get the opportunity," Clouthier said. "And I'm just really excited to keep playing another four years after high school."
While excited, Clouthier said he'll miss the close relationships he developed with Incline football teammates.
"I'm sure I'll get it in college, too, but I played with so many good friends, all the seniors this year. We're really close and always hang out, and I'll miss that camaraderie a lot," he said. "I'll also miss playing under the lights. Friday night lights of high school football was always fun, so I'll miss that too."


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The entire article is here:
Babcock cited his former assistant, the late Brad McCrimmon, in describing a good way to judge a player's importance: "When you're thinking of trading somebody, make sure they get hurt for two weeks and evaluate your team without them.
"I think the appreciation for Jonathan Ericsson went through the roof when we lost everybody. When Big E wasn't there, our penalty kill wasn't even close. And since he's gotten back, we seem to be back on track."
Having Ericsson back has been helpful for the goaltenders, too.
"He does a great job on the PK of blocking shots and using his long stick to his advantage," Jimmy Howard said. "Having a big body out there like that makes a goalie's life a little bit easier."


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on May 22, 2013 - 4:23 PM
A Lackawanna man has pleaded guilty in Erie County Court to selling crack cocaine and illegally possessing a weapon, the District Attorney's Office announced Wednesday.
Kenneth Morris, 35, of Franklin Street, pleaded guilty to second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance; two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, the office said.
His convictions stem from three incidents.
Police officers from the towns of Hamburg and Orchard Park and the city of Lackawanna seized a loaded, unlicensed semi-automatic pistol and crack cocaine packaged for sale during an Orchard Park raid on Sept. 20. Morris admitted the gun and drugs belonged to him, prosecutors said.
Morris posted bail after his arrest.
Morris sold 17 bags of crack cocaine on Feb. 14 in Lackawanna, and a warrant for his arrest was issued, according to the District Attorney's Office.
When arrested on Feb. 27, Morris was found with crack cocaine, also packaged for sale.
Morris faces a maximum prison sentence of 15 years when sentenced Aug. 5 by Erie County Judge Michael L. D'Amico.


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More techniques for hand-painted cakes
|Cake Decorating
Closed Captioned
Student-Led Discussions
Add an entirely new skill to your cake decorating repertoire and customize your next creation with paint! In this class you'll learn how to add dynamic floral designs to fondant as Erin guides you through the delicate process of painting confectionery canvases with dimension and depth.
Welcome to your free Craftsy mini-class!
Meet Erin, learn about your free mini-class and see the projects you'll be completing together.
Inspiration is all around you! Erin shares her secrets for finding cake designs in unusual places. She'll also discuss how to sketch your unique ideas.
Get the right colors to mix the right shades and test them on your fondant with Erin's attention to detail and help.
Get your design onto your cake with Erin's easy tracing transfer method. You'll be outlining and painting beautiful roses and leaves in no time!
Learn how to freehand paint your cake. Erin will demonstrate with peonies, leaves and blossoms before showing you how to move the cake to a decorative base.
"I didn't have idea how she painted this beautiful cake, and then there it is, so easy ! I love to paint. I didn't know I'd enjoy it so much, now this is one of my favorite techniques. This class is obviously a great deal, you're won't get a valuable class like this one for free any where else."
- morninglorie


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Prepare to see more of Lisa Whelchel.
Almost 25 years after The Facts of Life went off the air, Whelchel, 49, has joined the cast of Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas.
But instead of playing a spoiled prep school student, she'll be someone in charge. "I play the role of Nancy Porter, the country school principal," Whelchel tells PEOPLE. "I'm having fun!"
Since The Facts of Life ended, Whelchel has put her career on hold to raise her three children, acting in just two TV movies. (Her last role was a Facts of Life reunion in 2001.)
She returned to the spotlight last fall as a contestant on Survivor: Philippines. At the time, she told PEOPLE that she was exploring new opportunities after her stint on reality TV. "I'd host," she said. "I'd do a sitcom. Really, I've got a lot of opportunities."
After placing second on Survivor – and winning an extra $100,000 as fan favorite – Whelchel signed with Hollywood agency David Shapira and Associates. Her audition for Madea was her first in 33 years; three hours after reading for the part, she was offered the role.
Whelchel tells PEOPLE that she loves working on the film, which started production in Atlanta this week. "Tyler Perry is such a brilliant man," she says. "He's a nice guy, and so funny when he gets in his Madea garb."
But there's more going on in Whelchel's career. Still a massive Survivor fan, she's keeping close to the show that put her back on the map.
After guest hosting several episodes of Jeff Probst's talk show, she agreed to host the TV Guide Survivor special next week. "In my view," she says, "that's equivalent to working on a Spielberg film!"
Lisa Whelchel Returns to Acting in a Tyler Perry Movie
Scott Kirkland/PictureGroup
updated 01/17/2013 AT 04:00 PM EST
•originally published 01/17/2013 AT 03:00 PM EST


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We teach children that if they are in public and feel threatened, they should seek out a police officer for protection. But what if the threat is the officer? And what if the courts punish his victims?
At least in this country, such a scenario is difficult to comprehend. But there was a time when it happened on a horrendous scale.
It has been two-thirds of a century since World War II ended and the terror that was The Holocaust was revealed. No one really knows with any specificity how many victims it claimed. Six million, most of them Jews, were killed by the genocidal Nazi machine.
Even many Americans who lived through that era could not understand how it could have happened. The passing of time has made The Holocaust seem more incomprehensible. It becomes easier and easier to reassure ourselves that "never again" is a vow that can be kept.
Genocide still occurs, sometimes on a wide scale, of course. But what occurred in Germany and the areas it conquered before and during World War II remains the sickening model for institutionalized slaughter.
This fall, in a program organized by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, more than 450 Ohio judges are to learn more about what happened during the Nazi era and, more important, how it occurred.
Museum Director Sara Bloomfield explained the program was set up to address the question of how police and courts could become persecutors instead of protectors.
It happened on an enormous scale unimaginable to most people today. Tens of thousands of German police and judges helped arrest Jews and other "undesirables" and send them to death camps. Millions of Germans were part of the process, in ways small and large.
It happened, and that means the only thing preventing it from occurring again is knowledge of how the process of perverting justice occurred in Germany.
Members of the Ohio Supreme Court have been active in seeking answers to that. Judges planning to participate in the fall training are to be commended for understanding special efforts must be made to prevent another Holocaust.


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Cubs Send Lendy Castillo Outright to Iowa
The Cubs have sent RHP Lendy Castillo outright to AAA Iowa. Castillo was Designated for Assignment on January 26th when RHP Carlos Villanueva (MLB Article XX-B free-agent signed by the Cubs last month) was added to the 40-man roster.
As most of you know, Castillo was selected by the Cubs off the reserve list of the Phillies AAA Lehigh Valley affiliate in the Major League Phase of the December 2011 Rule 5 Draft. He was signed out of the Dominican Republic by Philadelphia as a 17-year old shortstop in December 2006, but was converted to pitcher in 2010 after hitting a combined 239/287/313 (with 23 SB) in 132 games in the DSL and GCL 2007-09. So when the Cubs acquired him, Castillo had been a pitcher for only two years, and had never pitched higher than Lo-A (equivalent to Peoria or Kane County).
In order to fulfill Rule 5 obligations, Castillo needed to spend the entire 2012 season on the Cubs 40-man roster and/or 60-day DL, with at least 90 days spent on the Cubs MLB Active List (25-man roster). And he just barely made it, too, spending a total of 96 days on the Cubs MLB Active List after being placed on the 15-day DL with a "groin strain" in May. But placing Castillo on the DL allowed the Cubs to send the young RHP on a minor league rehab assignment for 30 days in July, which was spent first in Mesa with the AZL Cubs, and then later at Daytona (which is where he should have been all year) and AA Tennessee. He pitched a total of 20 minor league innings in 14 games at the three stops, allowing just three runs (two ER) on 13 hits (no HR) and 6/22 BB/K, with a sparkling 0.90 ERA and 0.95 WHIP. However, he was cuffed around in twelve games in the Dominican Winter League (DWL) post-2012, allowing 15 hits and 10 runs (7 ER) in 7.1 IP. (The DWL is approximately equivalent to AA).
It is not unusual for clubs to use the Disabled List to try and manipulate the MLB rules to get a Rule 5 player through a season with minimum MLB exposure, placing the player on the DL with some vague soft-tissue injury that can't be medically proven (or disproven), especially if the Rule 5 player is young and not ready for the big leagues (as was the case with Lendy Castillo). And by placing the player on the DL and leaving him there for a while, the club can eventually get the player 20 or 30 days of minor league time during the course of the player's "Rule 5 season" by way of a minor league rehab assignment (up to 20 days for a position player and up to 30 days for a pitcher). But even with the 14 minor league games (20.0 IP) while on the 30-day minor league rehab assignment and another 13 games (16.0 IP) while performing occasional mop-up duty at the big league level when he was on the Cubs MLB Active List (25-man roster), 2012 would probably have to be considered essentially a "lost season" in terms of development for Lendy, and now he will have an opportunity to get regular work at either Tennessee or Daytona in 2013 (depending upon where he is assigned at the end of Minor League Camp).
Castillo is just 23 years old (he will be 24 in April), he's athletic, he throws hard, and and he has been pitching only three years, so it's not like he's some 4-A retread. (Baseball America recently ranked Castillo as the Cubs #28 prospect). If he is not added back to an MLB 40-man roster in the meantime, Castillo will be a Six-Year Minor League Free-Agent after the 2014 season.
The Cubs made another Rule 5 selection in the Major League Phase of the December 2012 Rule 5 Draft, this time drafting RHP Hector Rondon off the reserve list of the Cleveland Indians AAA Columbus affiliate. The 24-year old Rondon was a former Indians Top 10 Prospect who missed much of the past three seasons while recovering from TJS. However, he pitched well as a set-up man for Caracas in the Venezulan Winter League (VWL) post-2012, at least proving he was (finally) healthy. (He pitched in more games in the VWL post-2012 than he did in the minor leagues over three previous seasons combined).
The thing is, unlike Lendy Castillo, Rondon has been outrighted previously in his career, and so he can elect free-agency if he is outrighted to the minors. And he is also out of minor league options, so even if the Cubs can secure waivers and even if the Indians opt not to reclaim him, he can't be optioned to the minors, and if he's outrighted (either by virtue of being re-claimed by Cleveland or outrighted by the Cubs), he can refuse the assignment and elect free-agency. So it's probably pretty much "Wrigley Field or Bust" for Rondon in 2013. He either makes the Cubs Opening Day 25-man roster (or starts the season on the 15-day or 60-day DL), or he's probably gone. In that sense, the Rondon Rule 5 selection was basically a glorified waiver claim of a player who is out of minor league options, with immediate results required for it to pay off.
Whatever ends up happening, Rondon (as a Rule 5 Player) can be traded at any time, but he cannot be placed on Outright Waivers until 25 days prior to MLB Opening Day, and he cannot be re-claimed by the Indians, outrighted by the Cubs, or released any earlier than 20 days prior to MLB Opening Day.
The Cubs will have to drop another player from the MLB 40-man roster whenever Scott Hairston is added. Like Carlos Villanueva, Hairston was an MLB Article XX-B FA, and thus the Cubs do not have to add him to the 40 until the contract is filed with the MLB Office. And the Cubs have up to 20 days to file the contract after Hairston signs on the line which is dotted. So depending on when Hairston actually signed, it's very possible that the Cubs will be able to wait to add Hairston to the 40-man roster until after the start of Spring Training, and then place either Arodys Vizcaino orScott Baker (both TJS rehab) on the 60-day DL at the same time.
Another possibility would be to try and outright 3B Ian Stewart to the minors, like the Cubs did with Manny Corpas and Blake DeWitt this time last year. Stewart was non-tendered on November 30th and then re-signed with the Cubs in December, getting a non-guaranteed 2013 major league contract with a $2M salary and another $500K in potential performance bonuses. If he were to be placed on Outright Waivers and waivers are secured, Stewart could be outrighted to the minors (and removed from the 40-man roster), although he would still be at Spring Training (as an NRI) with the exact same salary and opportunity to make the Cubs MLB Opening Day 25-man roster as he had when he was on the 40-man roster. Although Stewart could elect free-agency if outrighted (he has more than three years of MLB Service Time), it is unlikely that he would opt out since he would have gone unclaimned off waivers, and thus he (and his agent) would know that no other club was interested in him enough to make a claim (at least for that salary and a spot on the claiming club's MLB 40-man roster).
Great to hear from you PHIL.
Great to hear from you PHIL. Hope your the new year finds you well and in good health! Looking forward as always to your birds-eye view of our prospects in action out there.
With your "scout's hat on", looking at the Cubs current big-club bullpen, does Castillo have a shot at making the club in 2013 even as a September call-up? McLeod has been quoted that Castillo certainly has a "lively arm" - but he didn't progress much this winter it would seem. Thanks.
"Mets signed OF Corey
"Mets signed OF Corey Patterson to a minor league contract."
"Nationals signed 1B Micah Owings to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training."
yes, that says 1B.
I was going to say I thought
I was going to say I thought he was pitcher.
Phil, do you think Justin
Phil, do you think Justin Bour is a legitimate 1B prospect at this time, or is his ceiling as a LHPH?
Speaking of LaHair, I saw an
Speaking of LaHair, I saw an article on Bleacher Report dated yesterday that stated LaHair was one of 10 reasons the Cubs would win the WS sometime in the next 5 years. And people claim Japan has lost its influence. Bah on that! It is going to be interesting if Vogelbomb keeps developing. I don't see any way he or Rizzo moves to the outfield.
Great to hear from AZ Phil! I
Great to hear from AZ Phil! I was wondering what you thought about one of my sleepers for the Cubs Michael Jensen? I watched him pitch for Peoria last season and to my very untrained eye he flashed the best curveball I saw in the Midwest league last season.
another day, another slew of
another day, another slew of names linked to the PED-clinic.
judging by the cubs performance couple of years it's probably safe to assume the cubs will make it out 100% clean on this latest scandal.
I think I know the answer,
I think I know the answer, but am not 100% sure. If Hairston is not added to the 40 man or signed prior to spring training, I assume he cannot particpate. Is that correct? If so, they should be adding him in the next week.
The first full squad workout
The first full squad workout is on the 17th. AZ Phil said they could place someone (Baker, Vizcaino) on the 60 day DL next week. So that would open a spot on the 40 for Hairston prior to full workouts.
Jason McLeod will be on XM
Jason McLeod will be on XM radio with Mike Ferrin and Jim Duquette's show today.
McLeod Interview...
McLeod Interview... (typed as fast as I could but it's not a transcript, just tried to get key points into text):
Duke: Not easy to jump your system. Go to Theo and ask for a big raise.
JM: Looking at our draft last year where we took pitching and Almora at the top plus the international signings
MF: Fans in Boston and Chicago get excited. Is there a way to temper this excitement.
JM: We've been through this before. Take a volume approach and try to get as much upside as you can
Duke: Does Baez profile out as a SS?
JM: Yes, I see him as a SS. Instinctive, soft hands, plenty of arm strength. Slows things down in the field. I don't see why he can't play a major league SS.
MF: Soler and Almora get people excited. Soler, is he more advanced?
JM: Considering how long it was from when he hadn't seen live pitching, we were happy with what he did. Now that he's more aclimated, we're looking forward to see what he can do.
Duke: Junior Lake, scouts saw him as a SS and some liked him in the OF. When do you decide to make a positional move? Often it happens at AA/AAA level. Junior is big, a Hanley Ramirez sized SS. He's athletic and we have some options with him. Plan in 2013 is 3B but we'll move him around.
MF: Overall, you and Jed/Theo in SD and Boston had the equivalent of "the Cubs Way". How do you outline it for the players.
JM: Staff gets together as to how we want to teach and develop players. That goes into a manual and we discuss this with each individual player. Discuss strengths and weaknesses and tell them what they need to do to progress. Being open with communications with players is important.
Duke: Brett Jackson. Made some swing adjustments this winter to address high K rate.
JM: Brett is a talented kid based on what he can do on the field. Multiple tools. Brett knew there were some mechanical adjustments he need to made. He's going to have to take that into live BP and games this spring. Give himself a chance to make contact.
MF: Theo said we need waves and waves of pitching. Are there potential starters in the system?
JM: Trying to build that up. Upper level pitching has some depth (mentions Raley and Rusin). There are some guys that could come up and help. Power pitching is at lower levels.
Duke: This years draft?
JM: Always feel like the draft isn't strong enough. At #2 there are always some good options. College season starts next friday so we're excited.
MF: Goals for minor league players?
JM: We sat down with them all at the end of last season. Had several winter programs. Will sit down with individual plans in spring training. What they need to do to move up.
MF: Enjoy the trip to AZ. Balmy day in Chicago.
MF: I remember stories of him and Theo just going to high school games. JM is the equivalent of a gym rat. Nonetheless, the Cubs future is still a long ways away.
Duke: They better have a good pitching program
MF: Derek Johnson came from Vanderbilt was hired as minors pitching coordinator. Highly respected. If they want to go college arm in the draft, there are 3 higher impact arms (mentions Stanek, Appel and Manea) if that is the path they want to go on.
Thanks Arizona Phil. If I was
Thanks Arizona Phil. If I was Hairston I wouldn't even leave my room until a contract was signed. Even just taking batting practise could result in an injury. Why take a chance.
I hereby request a cubby blue
I hereby request a cubby blue watercolor of AZ phil dodging the garbage truck
now i wish i could remember
now i wish i could remember the thread where everyone mused about what AZ Phil looked like in their minds...i don't remember the consensus, but it was quite majestic in imagination.
Artist rendering of Az Phil..
Nicely done!
Nicely done!
I have AZ Phil as a 68yr old
I have AZ Phil as a 68yr old retired lawyer/judge. Gray hair, slightly round in the middle, and rather refined in most areas of taste. All due respect AZ!
Having met AZ Phil, I'm
Having met AZ Phil, I'm enjoying all of the speculation -- and the "photos".
Curt Schilling is still an a
Curt Schilling is still an a-hole
Said "former Red Sox oganization" people suggested he used PED's in 2007.
B/N has a transcript of Jed
B/N has a transcript of Jed Hoyer's remarks from an interview earlier today on WSCR...
link to the audio...
Hoyer: The first I'd ever heard of that was this morning, so it didn't really ring true. It's "preposterous" that Theo or I would be involved in that or would ever encourage PED use. I wasn't there, so I don't know the story he's talking about. It wasn't Theo or me.
King Felix gets record
King Felix gets record breaking 7/175 from the Mariners.
It buys out 2/39.5, so it's a
It buys out 2/39.5, so it's a new 5/135.5, aka 27.1 mill a year on the extension. Source; Nightengale Twitter.
And to think 3/44 was the
And to think 3/44 was the standard oh so recently...
is brian roberts a cub yet?
is brian roberts a cub yet?
Things certainly have changed
Damn!!! Hoping he would be a
Damn!!! Hoping he would be a Cub in 2015
they could always give
they could always give kershaw a bazillion dollars.
"Indians signed LHP Rich Hill
"Indians signed LHP Rich Hill to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training."
...was wondering when he was gonna sign...and what team...
"Mariners designated RHP
"Mariners designated RHP Shawn Kelley for assignment."
unless he's injured, this seems like a perfect theocorp-type pickup.
he's owed 935K this year, but he's got a good fastball/slider combo with control...setup role upside.
i can't imagine him escaping waivers...even with the nearly-$1m pricetag on him. he's got a few years of club control left on him, too.
Law's Top 10
Law's Top 10
Baez, Almora, Soler, Vizcaino, Candelario, Underwood, Paniagua, P. Johnson, Blackburn, Alcantara
Guess he's not a Vogelbach
Guess he's not a Vogelbach believer . . .
Yeah..it's a popular opinion
Yeah..it's a popular opinion that Vogelbach has no real position, that even if he loses a bunch of weight and gets in shape....which will improve he flexibility and agility...and if he works with the Cubs coaches..he'll neeeeever be able to be any better and become even a passable 1B, I mean he is 20 after all....almost over the hill.
Please note sarcasm
paul goldschmidt never made
paul goldschmidt never made anyone's top 100 prospect list...or many (if any) team top 10 list...just saying.
there's guys with "he'll grow into it" power because of their contact...and there's guys that just plain mash. vogel and goldschmidt are/were pure mashers. they can turn off-contact into something that goes over a fence.
vogel's not just a pull power hitter, either...he's power everywhere.
he may never lose enough weight or gain enough mobility to be anything but a 1st/DH, but it'd be nice to have him hitting so well that "who are the cubs gonna trade rizzo for?" can come up legitimately 3-4 years from now...or sooner.
fwiw, prince fielder is 5'11"...vogel being crapped on for his weight/height won't hold him back off prospect lists with another season like last year's.
He can continue to raise his
He can continue to raise his value to the team with another good season. He doesn't have to be a Cub someday to bring a return to the team. Keep hitting big boy. Beyond that, it's impressive what he's done physically. I think the ability to get his weight under control indicates a strong work ethic, which can't hurt his value.
Keith Law just on Espn radio
Keith Law just on Espn radio in Chicago-
Likes Baez, only concern is plate dicipline. Doesn't expect him to turn out like Pie and KPAt because "this organization will work with him on it" ....Hi Hendry!
No immediate pitching help, lot of good pitchers who were in short season leagues last year, they may get full seasons this year. I forgot the names.
Duane Underwood, Pierce
Duane Underwood, Pierce Johnson, and Paul Blackburn....none of whom are anywhere near major league ready. None of these 3 are above age 20...none have played even a short season at Boise. All higher draft picks, but who the hell knows if any of the 3 will ever sniff the majors. I'd have rather heard about Michael Jensen, Nick Struck, or Eric Jokisch.
nick stuck's story is a great
nick stuck's story is a great reason to balance your numbers scouting with eyes on the ground scouting. mechanically he's an entirely different pitcher than he was less than a year ago...you might as well throw out most of his early career at this point.
he's a whole lot quicker to the plate, hides the ball better, and gets a lot more out of his 90-92mph arm than some get out of their 94+mph arms. he's got a decent cutter and curve, too...gives him L/R balance on the hitters...ever-developing changeup.
it wouldn't surprise me to see him throw 3.00-ish ERA ball with a low whip in AAA next year. i doubt he'll ever be an ace, but his end-rotation upside is starting to look a more like middle-rotation upside. his final 3 months in AA last year was awesome...he probably should have spent that last month at AAA.
Mark Prior in the present
Mark Prior in the present tense
Former big league ace has found virtue in quest to return to the Majors
Breaks my heart about him.
Breaks my heart about him.
and by the way FU Dusty-
"They talked, as they had a few times a year since 2006. They made their points. Prior had never blamed Baker for his injuries the way so many Cubs fans had, but he did ask his former manager about the strategy in Game 2 of the 2003 NLCS, leaving him in for so long despite such a big lead. Baker had come to accept that he'd be forever pilloried by Cubs fans and the stat gurus he called "propeller-heads," with all that data to back up their claims, but who knew at the time? Throwing a baseball is an unnatural motion. Even the healthiest pitcher can get hurt. He told Prior he had learned from it. Prior said he understood."
Paul Sullivan tweets that
Paul Sullivan tweets that ESPN tonight tour of Cactus League teams will skip Cubs camp this year. WSux featured on Feb 22.
figgins finally signs...
figgins finally signs...
"Marlins signed INF/OF Chone Figgins to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training."
Podcast: Keith Law talks
Over at that "Boys of Spring"
Over at that "Boys of Spring" website that was linked to in the Twitter box (a term which sounds dirty to me), Darwin Barney is looking a little pumped up. Also, Anthony Rizzo looks like a different person with hair. Kind of reminds me of this kid from Coraline: http://images.wikia.com/coraline/images/f/f3/Pictu...
Boys of Spring links:
Even in the batting cages,
Even in the batting cages, Darwin should just bring his glove.
Yeah, and I don't see muscles
Yeah, and I don't see muscles helping him hit much better. His problems are plate discipline and a bad case of arm bar (possibly among others).
at least dusty isn't around..
at least dusty isn't around...he might bat him 2nd and give him nearly 600+ PA a year. only him!
lulz. sigh. maybe his muscles will get him enough power to break the .675 OPS mark this year...at least he's playing for minimum wage at a time the cubs aren't competitive, i guess.
all joking aside, if he's gonna swing at everything (which he does...doesn't K much, doesn't seem to ever want to take a walk) he might as well have more pop in his bat.
if he can keep his D solid and up this homers to 15-ish a year he's got a slew of $5+m paydays ahead of him if history is any indication.
I'm afraid the Coraline
I'm afraid the Coraline observation is eerily accurate.
MLB Network is showing game 2
MLB Network is showing game 2 of the Australian Baseball Championship...neat...a game, though not live.
hell, i'll watch any baseball that doesn't use an aluminum bat.
based on this game no one in
based on this game no one in australia knows how to throw a baseball aside from the pitchers...these guys make starlin castro look good.
I don't know if this is a
I don't know if this is a Chrome browser thing or not, but when I type in a comment as a reply to someone else's comment, the first part shows up as the title to the comment but the entire text I write in the box disappears after I press the "save" button. It just shows an empty box on the comment page. If I hit "edit", re-type the comment into the box and hit save, then it finally shows up. In essence, I have to type in my response comment 2X to get it to show up on the comment page.
testing comment in chrome 24
testing comment in chrome 24.0.1312.57
-edit- cannot replicate issue on my end. it showed up perfectly the 1st time.
It's happened to me more than
It's happened to me more than once.
-edit- but not this time.
It happened to me once, but I
It happened to me once, but I rarely use Chrome, so it was probably in Safari.
It happened to me on an iPad.
It happened to me on an iPad. I'm on one now so if you see this it means it's a hard bug to reproduce. normally I'd blame Michael Barrett but instead I'll point the finger at Drupal..
Has happened to me in Firefox
Has happened to me in Firefox, which is all I use
so much lulz...screw you
MLB should step in and force
MLB should step in and force them to sell the team. I guess that would be pretty difficult from a legal standpoint but you'd think the commish could invoke some kind of for the good of baseball clause
Maybe part of the problem is
Maybe part of the problem is that they're charging high-demand prices. I just looked up a Thurs night game in April against the Cubs, and it's over 100 behind the plate, 50 down the lines, and 12 at the very least to get into the park. Detroit didn't even charge that until last season. If they'd get their prices in line with KC, Pittsburgh, and other bottom-feeder markets, then attendance would have to go up.
Also, don't suck at running your team.
I guess in that sense we're
I guess in that sense we're pretty lucky. Theocorp is building, or trying to build, at least, a core of young kids that we have all already started to follow. Naturally, some of them will be traded, but it's conceivable that there will be a solid core that we will all follow for a long time, since I suspect they will try to lock the better ones into long term contracts rather than Loria them off the team once they get good. The Oakland A's sort of did what Florida does, but somehow it wasn't as gross. I think they tended to send guys away piecemeal rather than one firesale after another.
i hope this is the last
i hope this is the last season of running the cubs like they're a small/mid market team.
if BOS/LAD + MIA/TOR has showed us anything lately, it's that you can turn smart investments + bad baggage into prospects if you're willing to dump them. it's not anything new or revolutionary, but i don't want to hear any more from the cubs about how they shouldn't be spending money because it might hinder what one of the richest teams in MLB is trying to do in the future. plus, they got a chunk of new TV money coming around the corner.
2014 FA class doesn't exactly look great, but whether it's trade or FA i don't want to see another offseason like the last couple of seasons.
The difference next offseason
The difference next offseason will be that they'll be willing to give 2-year deals to guys who aren't long-term building blocks, but I still expect it'll be 2 years before they start spending on big contracts, potentially with Ninja and Rizzo being the first two.
As for the TV money, the Cubs absolutely cannot count on that unless a contract is signed, because it is definitely a bubble, and once general cable/satellite customers start to buck, it could burst, and no one knows for sure when that'll happen.
live sports is a cable/sat
live sports is a cable/sat cash cow in this era...especially with a team like the cubs that has national appeal.
you get a 3+ hour programming block with loyal fans and an advertising base ready to throw money at it. i expect the cubs to bank rather nicely on the two contract blocks they have coming to a renewal period over the next few years.
Hairston signed 2 years,
Hairston signed 2 years, Campana dfa'd
Maybe the Cubs think Vizcaino
Maybe the Cubs think Vizcaino and Baker are both within 60 days of being ready? The timing seems strange on this.
they expect baker to break
they expect baker to break with the team and being able to throw 75+ pitches by the time ST ends via their most recent chatter.
also, given that campy has ++++ speed and plays CF, i can't imagine him surviving waivers. he's a nice 4th/5th OF for a team that can afford to stash him away to "dave roberts" his use as a pinch runner in a leverage situation and give guys rest in blowouts.
re: latest on/from baker...
re: latest on/from baker...
"I do (feel healthy)," Baker said. "I would love to, if they allow me, to just jump in there and have a normal spring training, whatever that entails with the way the Cubs run their camp. I don't know if they'll let me do that, but that's the ideal thing. I do plan on being ready for the opening part of the season. I know I'm not 21 years old anymore. There's going to be some aches and pains. There's going to be some speed bumps, but this rehab has gone about as well as it possibly could."
"Baker, if he stays on schedule that's laid out for him now -- he's up to about 75 pitches by the end of March," Cubs president Theo Epstein said last month. "So we'll just make a call from there."
Now he can come back and
Now he can come back and finish shoveling my drive.
/kids these days
Tony C highlight...
The real reason Brenly left
The real reason Brenly left was because he was tired of groaning every game.
Concern grew when he tried to
Concern grew when he tried to sign the contract with his left hand
Not pretty...and I'm not
Not pretty...and I'm not referring to the 2013 Cubs!
ESPNChiCubs: Video: State of the Cubs
Recent comments
Friday's games will be in Washington, Chicago, Arlington, and Cleveland or Boston. Someone's game is starting laaaaaaaate - 50-50 chance it's the CDT Cubs.
Meh, I messed that up. Mets are in.
Cards and Giants can still tie though.
Kershaw gets hurt by his defense and gave up 2 more runs. Blach has 8 shutout innings.
Mets already won as did Cards.
tomorrow is gonna be helluva fun if Giants hold on. We're all rooting for a 3-way tie I presume.
good news is now 5 K's for Lester through 4 (in a quest for 200 for season). Bad news is he's already at 86 pitches.
be curious how long Maddon sticks with Lester to try and let offense get back into it and get him the win (4-2 as I type, was 4-0)
Fwiw, he needed 2.1 IP to cross 200 for season so he got that at least. He also needs 9 K's for 200K's on season and he has 4 through 3.
cubs score 2 runs thanks to predictable reds pitching and horrible CIN defense...cubs only down by 1 now. heyward even got a gift 2rbi double out of an easy popout. neat.
something named Ty Blach has outpitched Clayton Kershaw through 6 innings (1-0 Giants).
not that finishing 2nd place will matter much nor did this game, but have to think if Hendricks pitches well tomorrow, he could leapfrog Lester in Cy Young voting. Don't see anyway Scherzer doesn't win it regardless and it doesnt' look like Lester has any incentive clauses that matter. Also might give Cueto some votes.
Rather remarkable how many teams have really good 1-2 options this year.
Nats: Scherzer and Roark (and Strasburg was great before injuries)
Cubs: Lester and Hendricks (and Arrietta is still damn good just not as consistently lately)
pretty much what I'm gathering from this thread is that it doesn't matter who you play in 5-game series, but no one wants to have to deal with Cardinal fans if we end up losing.
I can respect that.
first game for lester giving up more than 2 runs since july 24th. hell of a run.
doh, yes...dunno what happened there. jake arrieta is all "bro wut?"
lester going for #20...cubs haven't had a LH (thanks jpep for the correction) 20 game winner since d.ellsworth in 1963.
fwiw, all the games are free on mlb.tv
Short rest for MadBum would be 2 days. WC game is Wed., Games 1 & 2 are Friday/Saturday.
A left-handed one...
J-Hey not finishing with an offensive onslaught.
If Geoff Blum could be a Playoff hero, there is hope still...


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"To me, he was a star," Sheila Nevins, president of HBO Documentary Films, told PEOPLE on Sunday morning, calling news of Sam's death "devastating."
Last October, the cable network aired its film Life According to Sam, and a determined Sam personally attended its premiere showing in New York City – but watched his story unfold onscreen all by himself in an adjoining room.
Afterward, a silent Sam walked into the main screening room and unfolded a napkin before him, on which he had written: "AWESOME!"
"We were so relieved," said Nevins.
At the start of the documentary, Sam, a precocious student and devoted sports fan, said: "I didn't put myself in front of you to have you feel bad for me. I put myself in front of you to let you know you don't need to feel bad for me. I want you to know me. This is my life, and progeria is part of it. It's not a major part of it, but it is part of it."
Also mourning Sam is New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who said he had invited the teen to be the team's honorary captain for Saturday night's playoff game and was looking forward to spending time with him, reports the Associated Press.
"I loved Sam Berns and am richer for having known him," Kraft said in a statement Saturday.
In 2003, PEOPLE profiled Sam, then a kindergartener. "Sam was devastatingly rare: He's among the estimated 1 in 4 million children born with progeria, an incurable genetic disorder that rapidly transforms them into wizened old men and women.
HBO Documentary Films
So did Sam, who possessed the most winning personality one could ever hope to meet.
His parents founded the nonprofit foundation after encountering a lack of information and research on the fatal condition, whose victims live an average of 13 years. Sam was diagnosed at 22 months.
Sam's motto was "nothing is impossible." Bolstered by a daily shot of human growth hormone, which helped help him get bigger and stronger, Sam underwent physical therapy to work on flexibility and range of motion.
"The kids play chase all the time, and he keeps up," kindergarten teacher Laurie Waterman, who placed Sam in the top reading group, told PEOPLE in 2003.
After school he played youth baseball. "I can really hit," boasted the remarkable Sam Berns. "I practice at home – I'm really good."