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Results tagged ' James Loney '
Price Is Right? …
In August 2009, the Angels acquired Scott Kazmir from the Rays in a four-player trade.
In July 2012, Peter Bourjos was so close to being dealt to the Rays — presumably for James Shields, but that part is unconfirmed — that they basically had his uniform ready in St. Petersburg.
This offseason, perhaps the two can come together again — this time for ace pitcher David Price.
The two haven't been linked heavily in trade talks — yet — but it's a pairing that would seem to make sense for both sides. The Rays are believed throughout the industry to be shopping Price this winter. It's the kind of thing they'd do. The starting-pitching market is thin, which would maximize Price's value; the 28-year-old left-hander is projected to make about $13 million in his second year of arbitration; and Tampa Bay has a gluttony of young, cost-controlled starting pitching, which could free the front office up to trade Price for the offense that may finally balance out their roster.
Meet the Angels. They'll spend all offseason looking for pitching via the trade market and are more than willing to dangle offensive pieces to get it. Price only comes with two years of control, which doesn't exactly meet the profile of cost-controlled arms that Jerry Dipoto specifically targets. But here's the thing: The Angels don't just have to improve the rotation. They have to get a lot better. Their staff ranked 11th in the American League in ERA last year, Jered Weaver basically loses a tick or two off his fastball every season, C.J. Wilson can drive you nuts every five days, Garrett Richards is still developing and Jason Vargas (if resigned) is 64th in ERA over the last four years.
This rotation looks a whole lot better if you slide Price at the top and move everyone down a spot.
Heck, it may rival some of the best in the league.
Will it happen? Maybe; most likely not, given how difficult it is to pull off trades this big. But it's an interesting one to think about at this point. (Even a little fun, no?) Who would the Angels have to give up to get Price, you ask? One guy the Rays may really want — perhaps even demand — is Richards, and I can see that being the difference between real dialogue taking place or this being nothing more than a pipe dream. Besides Richards, Mark Trumbo — who you'd hate to lose, but would probably be willing to give up if it means getting someone this good — is probably a guy who would go to Tampa Bay, since he'd be a perfect fit in the middle of their lineup and first baseman James Loney is now a free agent. Maybe Bourjos gets thrown in there again, perhaps second baseman Howie Kendrick — born and raised in nearby Jacksonville — gets added to the mix, maybe some prospects, maybe all of them.
Two things are certain …
- The Angels would face a whole lot of competition, especially if Japanese sensation Masahiro Tanaka isn't posted. And the Rays will seek a significant return since they don't really have to trade Price this offseason.
- The Angels may have to take on money, since a big reason the Rays would do it in the first place is to free up some payroll flexibility. (I estimate that the Angels have something in the neighborhood of $15 million of wiggle room for 2014. Parting ways with Trumbo saves about $6 million for next season, while Kendrick saves about $9 million and Bourjos saves about $1.5 million.)
Vargas — without the $14.1 million qualifying offer — officially joined the free-agent pool of starting pitchers at 9:01 p.m. PT on Monday, when teams were given the green light to start negotiating with all eligible free agents. The Angels would be interested in bringing him back. And though their best bet to bolster their starting rotation will come via the trade market, the free-agent list is worth looking at nonetheless.
So, with that in mind, below is a categorical look at the unimpressive-but-perhaps-useful pool. Off the bat, I eliminated Ervin Santana, Ubaldo Jimenez and Hiroki Kuroda, the three starters who were tendered the qualifying offer and figure to be out of the Angels' price range. Also not mentioned are Far East stars Tanaka and Suk-Min Yoon (Korea), who have yet to be posted.
Have a look. (Warning: It ain't pretty.)
Matt Garza
Ricky Nolasco
The Next Tier
Bronson Arroyo
A.J. Burnett
Tim Hudson
Big Names, Big Reclamations
Roy Halladay
Josh Johnson
Johan Santana
Ryan Vogelsong
Reunion Candidates
Bartolo Colon
Dan Haren
Joe Saunders
Steady, Albeit-Uninspiring Veterans
Erik Bedard
Bruce Chen
Jason Hammel
Paul Maholm
Jake Westbrook
Coming Back From Injury
Chris Capuano
Jeff Karstens
John Lannan
Colby Lewis
James McDonald
Clayton Richard
Potential Minor League Options
Freddy Garcia
Aaron Harang
Ted Lilly
Shaun Marcum
Daisuke Matsuzaka
Roy Oswalt
Tsuyoshi Wada
Chien-Ming Wang
Some Upside Left?
Scott Baker
Scott Feldman
Phil Hughes
Sean O'Sullivan
Mike Pelfrey
Greg Reynolds
Edinson Volquez
Anything Left?
Jeff Francis
Jon Garland
Roberto Hernandez
Barry Zito
— Alden
What can the Angels get for Kendrys Morales? …
The ideal chip for the Angels' next, seemingly inevitable trade for a starting pitcher is Kendrys Morales.
It's hard to deny that. Morales is coming into his final season before free agency and — given his representation (Scott Boras) and his desire to be more than a full-time DH — will leave after 2013.
Trading him now would give the Angels an outfield foursome of Mike Trout, Josh Hamilton, Peter Bourjos and Mark Trumbo (with Vernon Wells' contract probably still lingering). Trout, Bourjos and Trumbo are still in their pre-arbitration years and all four are under club control until at least 2016. Trout (probably left field), Bourjos (center) and Hamilton (right) would make up one of the game's best outfields — offensively and defensively — and would give the Angels somewhat of a revolving door at DH. Trumbo would get the most reps there, but his versatility would allow Hamilton and Albert Pujols, who need to stay on the field to maximize their nine-figure contracts, can start there, too, when needed.
But what kind of starting pitcher can Morales bring back?
The Angels will seemingly be selling pretty high on the 29-year-old switch-hitter. He's coming off his first healthy season since 2009, batting .273 with 22 homers, 73 RBIs and a .787 OPS. Morales, who missed almost two full seasons with a couple of ankle surgeries, even proved he can still handle first base. Then there's the belief that he'll be even better in 2013, with the motivation of an expiring contract and a full season under his belt. That's a pretty good package for a guy who will make about $4 million next year, and teams desperate for power — particularly from the left side of the plate — would no doubt love to have him.
Still, though, his market is limited, because you'd be hard-pressed to find a National League club willing to gamble on him as their everyday first baseman and because we're at a point in the offseason when most teams no longer have big holes to fill. Of course, the Angels would love to move Wells, but I can't imagine them getting back any significant starter for him, even if they eat the vast majority of the $42 million owed to him the next two years. They'll also keep listening on Bourjos and Trumbo, and may pull the trigger if blown away by a top-tier, cost-controlled starter. But as Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com wrote on Twitter recently, the priority is to deal Morales for an innings-eater.
Who can they get?
Here are three potential (and purely speculative) AL fits …
Rays: I know, it's the first place everyone goes. But Tampa Bay always seems like an ideal match because they're (still) rich in starters and could always use offense. Right now the Rays have James Loney at first base, with somewhat of a platoon at DH with the right-handed-hitting Ryan Roberts and the left-handed-hitting Sam Fuld. Morales would give them a big upgrade, and someone who can protect Evan Longoria. But he wouldn't get the Angels Jeremy Hellickson or Matt Moore, or probably even Alex Cobb. Maybe Jeff Niemann, who's under club control for two more years and would cost about $3 million in arbitration in 2013? The Rays did pick up some flexibility for the rotation by signing Roberto Hernandez on Tuesday.
Orioles: They still seek a middle-of-the-order bat, have a spot open at DH and seemingly have some pitching they can afford to part ways with. Righties Jake Arrieta and Chris Tillman, and lefties Zach Britton and Brian Matusz are all young with upside, but with the exception of Tillman, they all struggled last year. Would the O's be willing to part ways with the 24-year-old Tillman, one of few bright spots in an eclectic starting staff that ranked ninth in the AL in ERA last year? And given his past inconsistencies, can the Angels do better?
Indians: They're trying to woo free-agent outfielder Nick Swisher, but could always use more offense, and Morales could split time at DH and first base with the right-handed-hitting Mark Reynolds. What about Justin Masterson, who had a rough 2012 season but has topped 200 innings the last two years and is signed for two more years? Well, he isn't an ace, but he's listed as Cleveland's No. 1 pitcher, so they'd probably be very hesitant to give him up for K-Mo. Here's another intriguing name: Ubaldo Jimenez. He's been a shell of himself the last couple years, but he's been relatively healthy, will make $5.75 million in 2013 and has an $8 million option for 2014. Perhaps working with his old catcher, Chris Iannetta, can get him back on track.
The important thing to ask yourself is whether any of these guys would be an upgrade over the 24-year-old Garrett Richards, who has yet to start a full season in the Majors but has a lot of upside. Adding another starter would likely push Richards to Triple-A, with Jered Weaver, C.J. Wilson, Tommy Hanson and Joe Blanton making up the rest of the staff, and Jerome Williams likely returning to the long-relief role. The Angels' front office will have some important decisions to make before Spring Training (and perhaps they'll linger beyond that). Do they hold onto Bourjos and Trumbo, keeping their position-player roster deep but not improving the rotation a whole lot? Or do they trade one of those two — or both, or more — to land the impact starter they could still use?
— Alden
Game 131: Red Sox-Angels …
With a win tonight, the Angels can sweep their first season series against the Red Sox in club history. The Angels have won seven straight against Boston dating back to May 4 of last year, representing their third-longest winning streak ever against them. While going 5-0 against the Red Sox this year — sweeping a three-game set at Fenway Park at the start of last week, taking the first two here — the Angels have outscored them 42-27.
Red Sox (62-69)
Scott Podsednik, LF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
James Loney, 1B
Cody Ross, RF
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, DH
Ryan Lavarnway, C
Mike Aviles, SS
Pedro Ciriaco, 3B
Pitching: LH Jon Lester (8-10, 4.98 ERA)
Angels (68-62)
Mike Trout, CF
Torii Hunter, RF
Albert Pujols, DH
Mark Trumbo, 1B
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Erick Aybar, SS
Maicer Izturis, 3B
Vernon Wells, LF
Chris Iannetta, C
Pitching: RH Zack Greinke (2-2, 5.22 ERA)
- No further updates on Scott Downs, who left the team Sunday night and was placed on the family medical emergency list prior to their next game. Mike Scioscia spoke to him, but wouldn't go into details about his situation. Asked if he could return for the weekend series against the Mariners, Scioscia said: "We'll see. It's going to be one step at a time with Downs. We'll just see whenever he's ready to go."
- Pujols, as you probably noticed, is at DH for the third straight game since returning from a right calf injury on Tuesday. Still no word on when he'll return to first base, but Scioscia was thinking he could take grounders pregame.
- It seems like the Angels' rotation (minus the one constant, Jered Weaver) struggled mightily as a group, and recently has turned it around as a group. Over a 44-game stretch beginning in July, they combined to post a 5.48 ERA that ranked 13th in the American League. Over their last eight games, it's been a 4.18 (with the Angels going 6-2 in that span). Not great, but not terrible. Along the way, Ervin Santana has been much better, with C.J. Wilson, Dan Haren and Greinke each coming off starts you can consider a step forward. "I think there's definitely some positive momentum that can be created, but one good thing about it is the teams we've had here, we've always been able to limit the downside of some of the things going on here because we've had, especially on the pitching side, we've had deep staffs that can go out there and limit some stuff. And that's what we anticipated this year. We just haven't seen it as much as we need to." Maybe they're starting to?
- Kendrick heads into today's game riding a 15-game hitting streak (three shy of his career-high) and is batting .344 in August. Quietly, his slash line is .292/.332/.405 for the year. "It's just been a process, trying to get better. I've just been watching some of the guys around me, getting ideas from them, and just trying to get better overall. Trying to be more patient at the plate has helped. And just getting pitches to hit." More on him later.
— Alden
Game 129: Red Sox-Angels …
Coming off a 4-2 road trip, and back-to-back losses to put a sour end to it, the Angels return home (rather briefly). They'll play three against the Red Sox team they swept at Fenway Park last week before opening up a six-game road trip through Seattle and Oakland.
"That was a tough loss, Saturday was," veteran outfielder Torii Hunter said. "Sunday, we were either going to hit him [Max Scherzer] or we weren't. But Saturday, I think we should've come through with that game. We had the lead in the eighth inning and just blew it."
But with his team still 4 1/2 out of the Wild Card and a solid 10 games back in the AL West, Hunter prefers to look at the positive.
"Four of six on the road," he said. "That's pretty good for baseball. And now we're coming home with four [wins] in our last six, it's just like we won two series."
Red Sox (62-67)
Scott Podsednik, LF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Ryan Lavarnway, C
James Loney, 1B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, DH
Ryan Kalish, RF
Jose Iglesias, SS
Pedro Ciriaco, 3B
Pitching: RH Clay Buchholz (11-4, 4.47 ERA)
Angels (66-62)
Mike Trout, CF
Hunter, RF
Albert Pujols, DH
Kendrys Morales, 1B
Mark Trumbo, LF
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Maicer Izturis, 3B
Erick Aybar, SS
Chris Iannetta, C
Pitching: RH Jered Weaver (16-3, 2.74 ERA)
- Pujols still doesn't feel 100 percent, but he showed enough during some pregame agility and baserunning drills to return to the lineup for the first time since suffering an injury to his right calf at Fenway Park on Wednesday. "Obviously, I'm not where I want to be," Pujols said, "but it's good to be back in the lineup. I'm still going to be taking it easy. It doesn't bother me swinging, but running I'm still a little bit sore."
- Asked when he could return to first base, Pujols said: "I don't have a magic ball, so whenever I feel good. If it's tomorrow, where I can go and take some grounders and feel good, I'll go and play my position. But I don't think that's a problem here. We have two good first basemen here who can play the position, so as long as I'm in the lineup, that's more important than anything else."
- Mike Scioscia couldn't divulge much regarding Scott Downs' departure from the team, saying only: "Right now we're not sure [how long he'll be out]. Hopefully as a little time goes on, we'll get a little more clarity as to Scott's situation." Downs left Sunday night, flying back home to Kentucky.
- Without Downs, and with Hisanori Takahashi being claimed by the Pirates on Friday, the Angels have no lefties in their bullpen. The Red Sox, at least, are without lefty sluggers David Ortiz (DL) and Adrian Gonzalez (trade).
- Garrett Richards has had three stints as a reliever. One went well (a two-out save against the Tigers on Friday), but he gave up two runs to the Red Sox on Thursday and three to the Tigers on Saturday. Asked about his bullpen role moving forward, Scioscia said: "I think he's got a power arm that can possibly play in the back end of a 'pen. We'll slot him in where we think he can help us, depending on who's available on a given night."
— Alden
Game 71: Dodgers-Angels …
The scene shifts for the Freeway Series tonight, with the Angels hosting the second leg and looking to build on an 11-4 mark against the crosstown-rival Dodgers over their last 15 games. Mike Scioscia, on the significance of it all: "I don't think there really is as far as our clubhouse or anybody in their clubhouse, but I do know the media and the fans obviously have more interest in a game because of the geographical rivalry that's here, with the two teams being so close. But for us, it's another game. They're a good team, we have to do things well if we're going to beat them, and that's what we're going to focus on."
Dodgers (42-28)
Dee Gordon, SS
Jerry Hairston, 2B
Andre Ethier, RF
Bobby Abreu, DH
Juan Rivera, LF
James Loney, 1B
Adam Kennedy, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Tony Gwynn Jr., CF
Pitching: RH Chad Billingsley (4-5, 3.75 ERA)
Angels (38-32)
Mike Trout, CF
Torii Hunter, RF
Albert Pujols, 1B
Kendrys Morales, DH
Mark Trumbo, LF
Alberto Callaspo, 3B
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Erick Aybar, SS
Bobby Wilson, C
Pitching: RH Dan Haren (4-7, 3.96 ERA)
Some pregame notes …
- Jerome Williams (breathing problems) has been medically cleared to do everything, meaning he can begin the process of long-tossing, then getting in bullpen sessions, being stretched out and ultimately returning to the Angels' pitching staff. Will that be as a starter or a reliever? That remains to be seen. But Scioscia said he's received no indication from the medical staff that Williams would not be allowed to start.
- Chris Iannetta (wrist surgery and forearm strain) will restart his throwing program Saturday, but is still a ways away from getting in a rehab assignment.
- Scioscia, on how Weaver's feeling after his Wednesday start: "He feels really good. I think he feels just some normal stiffness you would get from going out there and pitching, nothing connected at all with what put him on the disabled list, so that's encouraging."
- Every Angels starter will be on at least six days' rest coming up, which can be good (it's a long season) and bad (starters for the most part hate breaking routing). "I think long term it's a good thing, for guys to maybe catch their breath," Scioscia said. "Some guys aren't sharp historically on six days, and some guys are very good on six days. There's no rhyme or reason or one thing you can point to that's going to make your staff better, but especially this time of year, these guys have been grinding a lot."
- Scott Downs and Ernesto Frieri have the best combined ERA of any Major League relief tandem, at 0.66 (or four runs in 54 2/3 innings). Minimum for this was 20 innings per player.
- Erick Aybar is on a seven-game hitting streak and is batting .417 over his last 10 games.
Some Angels.com links from Thursday …
- Jean Segura to represent Angels in Futures Game
- Angels Draft pick Michael Roth nearly perfect in CWS win
- Preview, on the Haren-Billingsley matchup
- Blog post on the Angels' starting-pitching depth
Some AL West links …
- Mike Bauman: Roy Oswalt resuming career on his own terms
- Walk-off homer by Yoenis Cespedes caps A's win
- The Mariners' top prospects will pitch in the Futures Game
And in case you missed it, MY HEAT WON THE 'SHIP!
— Alden
Game 62: Angels-Dodgers …
OK, at the start of the year, how many of you had the Dodgers sporting the better record by the time these two kicked off their annual Freeway Series? Come on, be honest. The Angels, at least, have been looking a lot more like the team many expected them to be, coming off a three-game sweep of the Rockies, winning nine straight road games and sporting a Major League-best 14-4 record since May 22. The Dodgers just completed a 7-3 road trip — though they got no-hit by the Mariners in one of those games — and own baseball's best record despite the absence of superstar Matt Kemp.
Here are the lineups for their first meeting at Dodger Stadium …
Angels (32-29)
Mike Trout, CF
Torii Hunter, RF
Albert Pujols, 1B
Mark Trumbo, LF
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Alberto Callaspo, 3B
Erick Aybar, SS
John Hester, C
Garrett Richards, SP (RH, 1-0, 1.13 ERA)
Dodgers (39-22)
Dee Gordon, SS
Elian Herrera, 3B
Andre Ethier, RF
Bobby Abreu, LF
Jerry Hairston Jr., 2B
James Loney, 1B
A.J. Ellis, C
Tony Gwynn Jr., CF
Chris Capuano, SP (LH, 8-2, 2.82 ERA)
Some pregame notes …
- The Angels signed 11 of their Draft picks, including third-round right-handed reliever R.J. Alvarez.
- Trout, Torii were named AL Co-Players of the Week.
- Pujols is fifth in All-Star Game voting at first base, with no other Angels really in the running to start.
- Kendrys Morales is expected to start at first base tomorrow.
- Jered Weaver threw off the front part of the mound today. If he feels fine tomorrow, he'll have a full bullpen. After that, he could be one bullpen and one sim game away from returning.
- Chris Iannetta, who had a setback a couple days ago with his forearm, is back doing baseball activities now. He's expected to get back into games in the middle of the week, with manager Mike Scioscia thinking he'll need four or five rehab games behind the plate before being activated.
- Bobby Wilson (concussion) has been cleared for baseball activities and hopes to be back over the weekend.
Some Angels links from Sunday …
- Trout, Trumbo power Angels to sweep
- Notebook, on (not) reeling in Trout, Bourjos' status and riding the momentum
- Richards look to keep making case for rotation
Some AL West links …
- Alexi Ogando's status unknown following MRI
- Brandon League could return to the Mariners' closers role
- Athletics Inbox, on the closer situation and a bunch of other stuff
And in case you hadn't heard … The Heat are in the NBA Finals!!! (sorry)
— Alden
Angels 12, Dodgers 3 … ('Big A' opener)
Dan Haren was crisp in his final spring tune-up, Mark Trumbo homered and the Angels cranked out 14 hits for the blowout in Game 1 of the Freeway Series.
The good
Howie Kendrick, Peter Bourjos and Torii Hunter each went 2-for-4.
Trumbo hit a line-drive three-run homer that just cleared the left-field wall, giving him five on the spring.
Haren gave up just one run on six hits in 5 2/3 innings, walking none and striking out five. Through 26 2/3 big league spring innings, Haren has posted a 2.05 ERA and — get this — has walked just two batters while striking out 25. Best of all for him on Monday, he got over that "dead arm" issue he had been dealing with.
The bad
Trumbo had a bit of an adventure at third base in the second inning, when he awkwardly charged a slow roller by Juan Rivera, resulting in an infield single, and had a hard time tracking a high popup by James Loney before recovering.
Jason Isringhausen struggled for his second straight outing, giving up four singles and a run while only recording one out in the seventh. That's six runs, nine hits and four outs he's registered in two outings since being added to the 40-man roster.
Albert Pujols update: 0-for-3 in his first game at Angel Stadium, though he also drove in a run with a walk and was robbed of a single on a slick play by third baseman Juan Uribe.
Best quote
Pujols, on the pressure of a big contract and a new team: "To tell you the truth, there's [three] times that I feel pressure: my first at-bat in Spring Training, first at-bat Opening Day and first at-bat in the playoffs. The rest is just baseball. My dad always told me you can't be afraid of making a mistake; you always need to learn from your mistakes. And there's no pressure at all. I'm playing the game that I love."
Best play (that I saw)
In the second inning, Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp robbed Trumbo of extra bases, diving to his right to snare a line drive in the gap.
— Alden
Game 31: Dodgers-Angels …
Dodgers (14-13)
Dee Gordon, SS
Mark Ellis, 2B
Matt Kemp, CF
Andre Ethier, RF
Juan Rivera, LF
James Loney, 1B
Juan Uribe, 3B
A.J. Ellis, C
Adam Kennedy, DH
SP: RH Jamey Wright
Angels (17-11-2)
Erick Aybar, SS
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Albert Pujols, 1B
Kendrys Morales, DH
Torii Hunter, RF
Vernon Wells, LF
Mark Trumbo, 3B
Chris Iannetta, C
Peter Bourjos, CF
SP: RH Dan Haren
Some notes from this morning …
- Big day for the Angels fans who decide to make it out to The Big A tonight. It'll be their first time seeing Morales since that fateful May 29, 2010, game that saw him suffer a broken left ankle on a walk-off grand slam. And, of course, it'll be their first time ever watching Pujols in an Angels uniform. Pujols, on the pressure of living up to his new contract: "I've been feeling pressure for 12 1/2 years, 13 years since being a professional. To tell you the truth, there's [three] times that I feel pressure — my first at-bat in Spring Training, my first at-bat Opening Day and first at-bat in the playoffs. The rest is just baseball."
- No more Gatorade at the Angel Stadium clubhouses and dugouts. It's all — from the coolers to the cups to the towels — "Oh Yeah!", a nutritional company Pujols is a major spokesman for.
- Big night for bullpen sages LaTroy Hawkins (Kansas State fan because his godson, Elijah Johnson, plays for the team) and Scott Downs (who played at the University of Kentucky). Both are rocking their gear, neither is scheduled to pitch today and both are hoping they can watch a little bit of the action from the clubhouse TVs.
- Mike Scioscia, on the decision to slot C.J. Wilson as the No. 4 starter (though that hasn't been officially declared yet): "If you have an abundance of lefties, you might want to break it up. You're certainly breaking up length with a guy who's not going to get deep enough, but that's definitely not the issue we're dealing with here. Maybe the No. 5 guy, if we have a guy who doesn't have a lot of length we would have length surrounding him. The way this was set up is really the versatility to move who ever's in the fourth spot forward if we had to, and it gave us a way to get a good look at the start of the season. Once the season starts, there's no 1, 2, 3 and 4. We have four guys who are front-end-of-the-rotation guys, so that's the way we're going to look at it."
Some links from Sunday …
- With Pujols and C.J., Angels are aiming high in 2012
- Freeway Series signals dawn of new season
- Kendrys' recovery nears long-sought end
- Jered Weaver awaits Opening Day fate
- Fifth starter between Garrett Richards and Jerome Williams continues
- Blog post on the potential dilemma between the two final roster decisions
- Weaver endures rough ending to spring slate
Some AL West links …
- The Rangers have finalized their bench
- Weary A's adjusting to exhibitions after Japan trip
- Scary moment for the Mariners, as Jesus Montero was drilled in the head
And the Miami Heat's road struggles continue. On Sunday, they got torched by the Celtics at The Garden.
— Alden
Where will the top free agents sign? Here's a guess …
Two things about the free-agent market this offseason: It sure is thin, and it sure is top heavy. If you're looking for a lights-out closer, there are many. If you're looking for a front-line starter, there are little. And if you want a premier slugger, you better be prepared to pay up.
Without further ado, here's my guess (with emphasis on the word "guess") at the destination of who I consider to be the top five free agents …
Albert Pujols: Cardinals
The notion that Tony La Russa's retirement somehow has some relevance with regards to Pujols' situation is silly. Pujols is signing a deal that could reach 10 years. And even if La Russa, at 67, did come back, he'd only manage for another, what, two years? Pujols knows this. And this may just be me falling victim to the moment, but I can't see Pujols signing with a different organization just because he'll be making a few extra millions. With the Cardinals, Pujols goes to a city where he's revered, an organization where he basically makes the rules and a team that consistently has a chance to win. The Cardinals' contract offers may not have been lucrative enough before, but they got some extra money with a World Series run, restructuring Chris Carpenter's contract and signing Lance Berkman to a rather bargain deal. Plus, if they make third-base coach (and Pujols' buddy) Jose Oquendo the manager, their chances of him staying are even greater. It'll be a long, drama-filled battle. But in the end, I've got the Redbirds. … Perhaps it's just that part of me that wants to believe a star player can stay with one franchise.
Other options: Rangers, Cubs, Giants, Dodgers, Marlins, Blue Jays, Nationals
Prince Fielder: Dodgers
I can't see Fielder picking his team until Pujols signs first and, thus, sets the market for him. And though Brewers owner Mark Attansio expressed his team would "be in the game" for Fielder, it's long been considered a foregone conclusion that the 2011 season was Fielder's last in Milwaukee. The West coast seems to be the logical landing spot for the big vegetarian. It's a big market, Prince and Matt Kemp are pals, the Dodgers badly want to improve their offense, and general manager Ned Colletti is expected to have $25 million to spend on free agents this offseason. Of course, a lot of this will hinge on how quickly the sale of the Dodgers goes through and who buys them. But if this gets done quickly, and MLB proclaims it will be, the Dodgers and Prince look like a great match.
Other options: Brewers, Rangers, Cubs, Giants, Mariners, Marlins, Blue Jays, Nationals
Jose Reyes: Tigers
The Tigers are right there. They just need to improve their defense and get some sort of consistency out of the top of their order. Hello, Jose Reyes. The Tigers' biggest deficiency in 2011 was third base, but that can easily be solved by moving the defensively-inept Jhonny Peralta — signed through next year, with a team option for 2013 — over to his more comfortable position of third base and obtaining Reyes, who would allow Austin Jackson and his .317 on-base percentage to move lower in the order. Two things that may stand in the way: GM Dave Dombrowski has said he prefers to keep Peralta at shortstop, and the Tigers already have two players making $20-plus million a year in Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander. But owner Mike Ilitch has shown he'll do what it takes to build a championship-contending club, and the Tigers may be a Reyes away from that. The Mets will give it a valiant effort, but barring significant payroll-shedding moves, they don't have the capital to keep up.
Other options: Mets, Marlins, Red Sox, Cardinals (if no Pujols)
C.J. Wilson: Marlins
The Marlins have money to spend, and they keep telling everybody they're going to be in play for the major free agents. That includes Wilson, who would give Florida something it badly needs headed into its new ballpark: A frontline starting pitcher, particularly a left-hander. The price for Wilson will be high, considering he's clearly the best of what's a shallow free-agent pool of starters and plays a position that's always coveted. Projections have him attaining something in the range of the five-year, $82.5 million deals A.J. Burnett and John Lackey previously signed in free agency. But he may get an ever bigger deal. Regardless, the Marlins want to prioritize the rotation and, for one of the rare times in franchise history, have the means to do it. Wilson would give them a solid No. 2 behind Josh Johnson.
Other options: Rangers, Yankees, Blue Jays, Padres, Nationals, Red Sox, Twins, Orioles, Rockies, Royals
Yu Darvish: Yankees
The Yankees are prioritizing the rotation once again, but reports say they don't want to go all-in on Wilson. If he's posted, the Japanese Darvish seems like the perfect answer for general manager Brian Cashman, who continues to put a premium on accumulating young starting pitching (something he showed while refusing to trade his top prospects for Ubaldo Jimenez at the non-waiver Trade Deadline). Darvish will have a much cheaper contract than Wilson because he's only 25, but because of the posting fee that would come with him — remember, Daisuke Matsuzaka required a $52 million posting fee, and that was five years ago — he won't be much cheaper. The Yanks will face a lot of competition for Darvish, but when it comes down to dollars, they usually win if they have enough desire. And they definitely desire another rotation piece.
Other options: Rangers, Blue Jays, Nationals, Red Sox, Mariners, Twins, Orioles, Rockies, Royals (and probably a bunch of others)
* Filed this week: The Cardinals will be fine, even without Albert Pujols; a look at the curious free agent case of one C.J. Wilson.
** Photo courtesy of The Associated Press.
— Alden
6 Divisions in 6 Days: NL West
With this being the final week of Spring Training (crazy, right?), I figured it'd be justified to take a look at all 30 clubs and examine where they stand, what they need and where it looks like they'll finish heading into the 2010 season. So, leading up to Opening Night between the Red Sox and Yankees, I'll touch on one of the six divisions each day Monday-Saturday. Today, Day 5, we look at the National League West …


text:
|Referrals, a photo by gccrepair on Flickr.
How did you find out where to have your hair cut, or where to find reliable and reasonably priced auto service? Have you noticed lawn signs in your neighborhood showing that the same company is painting five adjacent houses?
You probably rely on referrals to trusted product and service providers more than you realize. When you need to purchase something important you go to someone you trust and find out who they trust to provide it. (Of course you'll also be warned off of replicating their bad experiences, and these stories might be quicker to come to the surface!)
You and your business could be generating more new business from referrals. But if you're like many businesses, you haven't developed and implemented a strategy to make it happen. Here are some of the reasons we've been told:
- "I just don't ask routinely."
- "I don't want them to think that I need the business and am begging."
- "What if they didn't like what I did all that much? I'm a little worried that they wouldn't refer me."
- "I don't know whether I should pay them in some way, or whether that's even ethical."
The foundation for customer referrals
If you want referrals you need to start by creating service experiences that are referable. Service that consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty can create positive buzz about your business. Sometimes showmanship in how you serve customers creates a reason for people to choose to buy from you rather than from Brand X. If you don't have your quality buttoned down, start there. Fix the things that you know right now might not be showing you in your best light.
If you're throwing up your hands because of some recent boo-boo that has gotten you down, relax. You don't have to be perfect to generate more referrals. You will have some customers that love you because you work hard on their behalf, even if things don't go exactly right every time. Good recovery when mistakes happen can help you solidify a good customer relationship.
Setting customer referrals up from the outset
Let prospective clients know from the beginning that your goal is to provide the kind of experience and results for them that will make them want to tell somebody else about you. By doing this you're creating a positive expectation, and the expectation will help your client notice the good things you're doing. If there are specific standards that you strive to meet, tell them - like "We ship within 24 hours of receiving your order." But only promise what you will consistently deliver.
If you will be asking them who they know that might benefit from your services, let them know. You might go as far as to make that part of your deal. A coach we know quotes the investment for his coaching services as "$_______ plus two referrals." And he's specific about what the word referral means. "A referral isn't a sales lead. A referral is when you make my phone ring two times from someone who is seriously considering using my services."
If you're setting up the referral expectation at the outset, follow through on the expectation along the way by asking your customer who they think might benefit from the same thing that they purchased from you. Of course it's only reasonable to expect a referral if they like what you're doing, so you might have to be partway through your process before they are comfortable enough to vouch for you with somebody in their circle.
Non-customer referrals
Sometimes a helpful prospect or a center of influence will provide a referral to you even if they are not in the position to buy. For this to happen the referral will be on the basis of you and your relationship with them, not on the service or product you provide. If you want a referral you will need to ask for one, and since this individual will not have bought from you (yet,) you will help them refer to you more effectively - and help to jog their memory - if you provide a description of your ideal client. Tell them the circumstances that lead people to buy from you, or demographic or psychographic information about your customer base that will help them sort their contacts for a good fit with you.
Paying for referrals
This is a matter of taste in some instances, and a matter of ethics in others. For retail services you might provide an across-the-board referral bonus. For professional services though, consider this: does the referral lose some of its credibility if the referrer stands to gain financially? We have a policy not to refer in exchange for money specifically because of that conflict of interest.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Skip to comments.Tally of MASSIVE Tea Party violence/destruction/arrests to date
Posted on 04/19/2010 10:43:43 AM PDT by DTogo
Tea Party rallies: thousands
Tea Party participants: millions
Tea Party squabbles with Law Enforcement: 0
Tea Parties confronted by riot police: 0
Tea Parties dispersed by tear gas: 0
Tea Party arrests: 0
Tea Parties causing violence/injuries: 0
Tea Parties causing property damage: 0
Tea Parties responsible for the death of anybody: 0
bump for later
Too bad it won't fit in a "tagling"...
Tea Party rallies: thousands
Tea Party participants: millions
Tea Party squabbles with Law Enforcement: 0
Tea Parties confronted by riot police: 0
Tea Parties dispersed by tear gas: 0
Tea Party arrests: 0
Tea Parties causing violence/injuries: 0
Tea Parties causing property damage: 0
Tea Parties responsible for the death of anybody: 0
It would appear that, on average, you're safer at a Tea Party than a music awards ceremony.
"...Randys offense: Failing to appear for a court hearing..."
...that was scheduled on a different date from what was in his official notification.
That upheaval is coming, we shall see how quickly this fall.
The finale: "Tea Party fear in the eyes of Liberals: priceless."
That's the strange (nowadays) "peace" of many Tea Party rallies, that you don't fear for your personal safety or your wallet, and everyone seems like an unknown friend.
Nobody locks their car doors, except if they go to town in the summer. If you don't, people will leave grocery bags full of surplus zucchini from their garden in your car while you're gone.
So true. I've really enjoyed it. It feels like the old days when you could leave your door unlocked, or a good old fashioned hometown Independence Day celebration. It's a slice of America that many of us treasure and others seem to have forgotten or never known.
But I still like deer hunting in Missour"uh" every fall! :)
And that's a slice of America the Tea Party wants to make the norm in America for our posterity!!
Mine came to Missouri from Glascow County, KY. back in the late 1800's, and were among the original half dozen or so families that originally settled and established the town.
And we pick up the trash on the way out.................and in November we'll take out the garbage..................
Well put Red Badger!!!
-"Tea Party nut jobs"
-"it was all proven!" congressional members spit on and called 'N' word
-"it's a white movement" people of color were not present at tea party
-"why do you associate yourself with 'these' people?" to Tom Tancredo regarding tea party participants
-" do you have a problem with people of color?" also to Tom Tancredo
I was in DC for the health care protest and decided to ask one of the cops about the crowd. He said he liked working the Tea Party gatherings the most since people didn't cause any problems.
He also said that he'd never be that far away from his SUV for any of the other crowds - he was about 20 yards away from it talking to us.
He also said that they didn't even bother deploying snipers on the roof of the Capitol except when Obama was there.
Later on I saw a piece of blowing paper and had to chase it around trying to pick it up and when I looked up the SUV full of cops were watching me and grinning.
They know who the bad guys are, and it ain't us.
Cases of B.O. reported: 0
The negative press is yet another example of this regime marginalizing voters.
One of the best pictures I ever saw was after the first march on DC - where the "mall" was a sea of people - and after they left - there was not one piece of paper anywhere on the grounds where they had been.
Fast-forward to Obama's party after his election ...... and another sea of people on the mall .. after THEY left .. it was a horrible mess.
This is so typical of the right and left. The right has respect for property .. and respect for the monuments in DC. The left on the otherhand, has no respect for anybody or anything.
That made me laugh...even though I kinda knew what the
answer was going to be!
And then quote similar stats on the last several mass rallies of Lefties at a WTO, G20, etc.
If we're the "Far Right" then let's compare our protest Rap Sheet to the "Far Left's."
Actually, the infant is alive and well today, albeit no longer an infant.
14 year old Sammy Weaver was the one you meant, I think. He was the first Weaver to die.
You're right. Some hours after my posted response I remembered the boy shot while fleeing. I believe Vicki was holding her baby when she was shot.
You'd think LEO would point that out or that SOMEONE would bring it up as a point in a discussion. It's a subtle trait that underscores a tremendous difference in character, demeanor, and behavior between Tea Partiers and your usual left-wing rent-a-mob.
Tea Partiers give a damn!
The one that I went to was perfectly safe.
I'd not bring my kids to one, because 1) I'm a firm believer that kids and politics don't mix, ever. and 2) Who knows what NON-TEAPARTY nutjob will show up (there was one at ours, quickly handled). But....those points aside, I'd have been fine with my kids attending. It was perfectly safe, must've been easy duty for the cops who were there.
It wasn't a whole lot different from a church service. Same type people. Less sermonizing.
If you're in an area where lots of businesses are protected by bars in their windows, you're probably in a Democratic precinct.
Wasn't there a US Marshall killed, also?
Do you mean at Ruby Ridge? I'm quite sure that did not occur. But I'm open to proof to the contrary. I live on the southern fringe of Northern Idaho, am an avid consumer of news reports, and do not remember Randy W. or any of his family being charged with killing, or even injuring a federal agent. That would have been completely out of character for Randy Weaver, IMO.
I'm embarrassed with my lack of knowledge about Ruby Ridge, since I worked in Jackson, WY from 1989-1995, and we usually traveled to Idaho Falls at least twice a month.
But there used to be a 10K road race back here in Massachusetts that was in memory of US Marshal William Degan. I ran in it every year until it folded, and I seem to recall the references to Ruby Ridge.
So I Googled "Degan" and ended up reading all about Ruby Ridge as well. Degan was killed at Ruby Ridge by Kevin Harris. In what has to be the ultimate irony, the feds ended up settling a civil suit by paying Harris $380,000.
Thanks for refreshing my knowledge of that sad incident.
........And so it begins..........
True story - Freeper Mike Evers gave the opening speech on April 15th Tea Party in Orlando, Fl. Part of Mike's Tea Party speeches has included throwing pink slips (pink slips of paper about 5" x 5")into the audience while telling them to throw the Dems this November. At this particular Tea Party I helped Mike throw out the papers - and collect them.
After his speech was finished, I went around to collect the slips and was met by people holding out handful after handful of the slips; people were literally chasing me down as I made the rounds to hand over their pile. By the time I made one trip through the area I could not find a single slip left - the crowd had assured the area was clean without having to be told or asked to do it.
As we were leaving I did happen to see one slip that had blown into a large tree planter. Out of literally hundreds of pieces of paper only one could be considered litter. Yes, I grabbed it and threw it away in a trash can.
It is not a joke when we say "and we don't litter" in fact we leave the area cleaner then how we found it.
Contrast this to a few liberal events - say the Dem Convention in Denver, Obama's coronation, the so-called Million Man March etc etc etc.
Is it no wonder the left has to make up lies about the Tea Parties?
Given the caliber of people who attend these events even litterbugs are hard to find. And yet, the media wants people to believe we are a bunch of violent, racist, anarchists, hell-bent on destroying Obama because of the color of his skin.
Thanks again for helping pick up those pink slips. I'll be using them again and again as we head toward November.
More like hell-bent on restoring the Constitution!
Being at the Tea Party ending the Tea Party Express II last year I remember the great crowd and fantastic presentation by locals and the TPX crew
I have a suggestion for those pink slips.
Ask the people that are inspired to do so to write a member of congress' name on it and snail mail it to him/her.
Then you will have fewer to recover and will have many of them sent to those that need to be ousted in the House and Senate
Hopefully TPX IV (To be "injected" into every state) will come close to Orlando later this year!
We Floridians have nice big pink slips waiting for the DEMS in every Congressional district! And some RINO's will be in line for their pink slips too!
************* Right now it is time to watch the upcoming SPECIAL ELECTION in PA Congressional District 12 to fill Murtha's old seat and help spread the word about Bill Russell! Donations to a REAL CONSERVATIVE can be made here:
Veterans For Bill Russell:
(WE PATRIOTS WILL NOT SUPPORT THE RNC ELITE PICK you saw Newt and Hannity push named Tim Burns, ie same,same friend of Gleason and Murtha!)
I can picture it now...
"The Tea Party is responsible for creating a lack of work for our police, sanitation and window repair workers..."/s
Looks like Bill Russell is in the right place at the right time.
Think so. And I can't vote for him but sure hope all PA Freepers will give him their support in any way they can! The election is only 24 days away!
I'll be voting for him soon.
I like it!
"Peaceful Tea Parties cause nationwide police fitness crisis!"
That looks more like Jesus than Mohammed ;^)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.


text:
The journey of Embracing Hope Ethiopia began in 2006 when Jerry & Christy Shannon first started exploring international adoption. They were happily serving the Lancaster Vineyard Church in Lancaster, PA which they had planted in 2001, yet they felt God stirring things deep in their hearts specifically focused on demonstrating mercy among the poor.
In 2008 they traveled to Ethiopia to adopt their daughter Hanna. It was a life changing experience for them. (During this trip they met Alayu Tadesse who founded the local NGO named Embracing Hope Ethiopia alongside of the Shannons.) After returning to the US they felt as if God continued to do a deepening in their hearts for the people of Ethiopia. Over time through a series of astonishing God directed events they felt led to move to Ethiopia to serve with the poor and children. So, in 2009 their family moved to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
As they spent time on the ground in Addis Ababa, they realized that the people who were most in their hearts were orphans or those children whom were living in such poverty that their family was vulnerable to needing to give their children up, unless there was intervention. What also started to grow deep in their hearts was Psalm 68:6 "God sets the lonely in families." Out of this a vision developed for ways to help keep families together and to prevent orphans among the poorest of the poor. At the same time that God was deepening a vision in them, He also was deepening it in a number of Ethiopians who had a desire to sacrificially serve the poor.
A vision started to come into focus of some practical ways that families could be served and helped to become more sustainable while also overcoming not just the physical causes and effects of poverty, but also the emotional, psychological, social and spiritual causes and effects of poverty.
In 2010 this vision started becoming a reality as a team of Ethiopians including Alayu Tadesse sacrificially gave of their time, energy and service to form a Board of Directors, get licensed and get all of the necessary project approvals. Alayu and his team volunteered so much during this time – freely given as an act of worship to our God on behalf of the poor.
In 2010 EHE also was incorporated in the State of Pennsylvania and registered with the IRS as a Non Profit 501c3 Charity. In Ethiopia we work as a Local NGO named Embracing Hope Ethiopia which has been licensed by the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Charities and Societies Agency since January 2011. In April of 2011 we opened our doors to provide Day Care and holistic interventions to the first 20 children and their Moms.
In 2012 EHE also opened a School. Starting as a Nursery School and Kindergarten, this school continues to add 1 grade level per year and as of Fall 2015 will have over 150 children attending.
In 2013 because of the need to also see spiritual impact in the lives of Moms and children, EHE Spiritual Ministry was registered with the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Ministry of Federal Affairs. This ministry is able to care of the spiritual needs of Moms and Children both that EHE has previously served as well as others in the community and beyond the Kore' community.
Our focus is the poor, children and orphans who live in a section of Addis Ababa known as Kore' (or Korah). This area of the city is very poor and is known as a forsaken place. It began decades ago as a leper colony, later become the site of the city trash dump and now has become a slum of 120,000 residents, many of them the poorest of the poor. We believe that the message of hope that Jesus brings to the whole person is a needed expression in this section of the city in cooperation with other individuals, churches and organizations who are already expressing His hope in this holistic ways..
Since its beginning in 2011, EHE has grown to now serve 196 children from 180 families, all of them young and vulnerable. The ministry has grown to now include a Day Care Center, School, Skills Center and Ministry Training Center. EHE now employs 53 Ethiopian staff who diligently serve children and mothers in holistic ways.
We'd love to hear from you. Please contact us using the form below. Send an email to The Shannons Powered by Fast Secure Contact Form
Send an email to The Shannons
Powered by Fast Secure Contact Form


text:
I'm copying this from my journal. Yesterday was day 30. I'm really pleased with the whole thing. I never did get the big burst of energy (maybe that's somehow related to being primal for over 2 years at this point?), and have a lot of headaches the past 3 weeks, but energy levels have been steadily improving over the last week, as the headaches have been decreasing.
The W30 experience is done. It was much easier that I thought. I suppose, for me anyway, cutting the extras (dairy, sugar and wine) was more of a mindset, and is completely doable. I will include wine back into my life, and butter (though not necessarily every day, ghee is plenty fine for almost everything), and good cheese here and there.
Through the month, I've also been walking regularly, and made a conscious effort (finally) to get more sleep. Getting to bed earlier has not been a chore, and I feel better through the day on closer to 8 hours regularly, rather than the 6-7 that had become my norm. That's okay to function, but not function well.
As for quantitative results, here's the tally:
Day 1 ***************** Day 15************Day 30
Height: 5 ft 6 in
Weight: 150.6***********145.2 (-5.4 lb) *******143.6 (-7 lb)
waist: 29.5 in************28.75 in (-0.75 in)*****28.25 (-1.25 in)
belly (at navel): 33 in*******31.5 in (-1.5 in)******31 (-2 in)
hips: 39.25 in************38.5 in (-0.75 in)******38.25 (-1 in)
right thigh: 23 in**********22.5 in (-0.5 in).******22.25 (-0.75 in)
I'm pretty pleased with the results. I have seen the scale nearly another pound less (142.8) a couple of times, so that will come. Thinking that something like another 10 lb of fat loss will be about right to get rid of the remaining extra stuff. I plan to return to the plan after the vacation, and hopefully get rid of that last bit by Christmas. Finally. Probably aim for some sustained ketosis for a change and see how that feels.
I thought about indulging a bit tonight, but really wasn't interested. The raw milk cheese I bought on the weekend is still untouched. I looked at my dark chocolate stash, but that held no particular appeal. I did add 2 drops of stevia to the coconut milk I topped my frozen blueberries with tonight just to see how that was, and it was fine, but it's just as fine without.
I am, however, having a glass of wine. The homemade stuff we bottled about 3 weeks ago, untasted till today. It's good.
Hang in there the rest of you, there's definitely a feeling of self satisfaction at actually staying the course and making it to the end.


text:
CBS Sportsline critiques the Browns' first day moves:
Their 2009 draft class is loaded with academic high achievers. They completed their draft on Sunday by taking:
• Southern California linebacker Kaluka Maiava in the fourth round.
• Norfolk State cornerback Don Carey in the sixth round.
• San Jose State cornerback Coye Francies in the sixth round.
• Clemson running back James Davis in the sixth round.
Carey earned several numerous academic scholarship offers out of high school and was accepted at Yale, but couldn't afford the tuition.
All four of their first-day selections earned national or conference all-academic honors and top pick Alex Mack won the Draddy Trophy as the sport's top scholar athlete.
Were the Browns as smart as their new players? Let's review their major moves made over the two days of the draft.
1. Traded No. 5 pick to New York Jets for No. 17 and No. 52, and three players.
The Browns counted themselves as the fortunate team able to move out of the top five. This deal was forged by the relationship between Eric Mangini and Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum.
It would not have happened without Mangini's infatuation with his former players, because the Jets couldn't pay the market price in draft picks alone.
Trading down was the right thing to do after the Browns took the temperature of their fan base and determined trading Brady Quinn or adding another young QB to the mix might be economic suicide.
Bill Belichick traded down in the first round two times in his five seasons as Browns coach. In 1993, he moved down three spots with Denver for a third-round pick. Belichick took center Steve Everitt in the first round and undersized linebacker Mike Caldwell in the third round.
In 1995, Belichick moved down 20 spots and took Ohio State linebacker Craig Powell, a loud bust, at No. 30. Belichick whiffed on extra picks in the third and fourth rounds. The back end of the deal included San Francisco's No. 1 in '96, which the Belichick-less Baltimore Ravens then used to take linebacker Ray Lewis.
The only previous Browns trade-down in their expansion era backfired famously. Phil Savage moved down one spot and allowed the rival Ravens to select tackle Haloti Ngata. The Browns favored linebacker Kamerion Wimbley and compounded the error by wasting the sixth-round throw-in they received on undersized nose tackle Baba Oshinowo.
Sanchez, of course, is the key to this year's deal. If he develops quickly into an elite quarterback, Mangini will have done more good for the Jets after he was fired than in three years as coach.
2. Added three more Jets players -- defensive end Kenyon Coleman, safety Abram Elam and quarterback Brett Ratliff.
Coleman, stout against the run, is a probable starter at right end. Elam, a backup for new Jets coach Rex Ryan, likely will start here. At best, Ratliff is a potential No. 2 quarterback.
They join four other ex-Jets Mangini signed in free agency -- defensive lineman C.J. Mosley, linebackers David Bowens and Eric Barton, and cornerback Hank Poteat.
None of the seven, frankly, will be missed by the new regime in New York, but all except Ratliff figure to be key contributors here. Mangini feels comfortable having former players on hand to spread his gospel. It's not uncommon for a new coach, but seven would constitute 13 percent of the final 53-player roster.
Taking a center is never glamorous, but the Browns felt they had to upgrade the strength at the position to effectively run the ball.
Mack is the third center taken in the first round by the Browns in recent times. But unlike Everitt (14th overall in '93) and Jeff Faine (21st in '03), Mack is a physical 300-plus pounder and not a finesse center. He also can play a respectable guard; the others could not.
Mack should have an immediate impact on the running game. If the Browns went into the draft owning the 21st overall pick, rather than trading down three times to get there, this would have been hailed as an outstanding selection.
Robiskie was one of the safest picks in the entire draft. If he doesn't have a long career, a lot of experts will be proved wrong. Like former OSU teammate Anthony Gonzalez, he'll probably settle in as a No. 2 receiver -- dependable, savvy and a joy to coach.
Massaquoi can be a similar complementary receiver. He's a physical contributor in the running game as a blocker, but must conquer the dropsies to stay on the field.
Veikune may be a career backup and special teamer or may blossom down the road as a "find" at outside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme. Most projections had him going in the third round, but the Browns didn't have a third-round pick so they took him at No. 52.
5. Bypassed Rey Maualuga, Clay Matthews and other touted linebackers.
It's evident that the background checks on Maualuga privy only to team personnel were bad enough to scare away most teams. Not surprisingly, Cincinnati bit at No. 38. A better situation for Maualuga would have been to go to a team with a strong locker room, such as Baltimore, but the Ravens passed him for offensive tackle Michael Oher at No. 23.
In all, the Browns watched seven linebackers taken between Aaron Curry at No. 4 and Veikune at No. 52.
The Browns passed on USC's Brian Cushing (No. 15), Northern Illinois' Larry English (No. 16), USC's Matthews (No. 26), Ohio State's James Laurinitis (No. 35), USC's Maualuga (No. 38), Florida State's Everette Brown (No. 43) and Cincinnati's Connor Barwin (No. 46).
6. Did not trade Braylon Edwards.
The restraint was admirable. Edwards is a first-round talent despite his bad year in 2008. A fire sale would have sent the wrong message.
Edwards knows he must have a big year to set himself up for free agency in 2010. If the labor impasse is not resolved by October and the salary cap is abolished next year, Edwards, a five-year player, can only be a restricted free agent. The Browns could tender him a contract and let him walk for first- and third-round picks.
Without Edwards, the Browns would have no proven receiver threat. Even Robiskie, as polished as he is, will struggle early on. Approximately 90 percent of rookie receivers do.
The Giants are the ones who should be questioned for not using their No. 1 pick to make this deal, not the Browns.


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6/26 Happy anniversary
There was no cake or balloons in the clubhouse, but Wednesday was a milestone day, marking the one-year anniversary of when Anthony Rizzo was called up from the Minor Leagues to the Cubs. In his Cubs debut, the first baseman was 2-for-4 with a game-winning RBI double in the fourth against the Mets.
"There was a lot of uncertainty, to be honest, because of what happened to me in San Diego, and that was fresh in my mind," said Rizzo, who batted .141 in 49 games with the Padres in 2011 in his first Major League action.
"Coming up and doing well at first was the best thing to ever happen to me, to get that whole San Diego thing out of my head completely," he said. "I can finally say it's way in the past."
Since June 26, 2012, Rizzo has appeared in 161 games, hit 27 home runs, and driven in 92 runs. His 65 extra-base hits in that span are second most among National League first baseman, trailing Arizona's Paul Goldschmidt (70).
"When he got here, he took off right away and had a great first six weeks, and then tailed off and finished up pretty well," Cubs manager Dale Sveum said of Rizzo, who batted .330 last July to be named NL Rookie of the Month.
"He's one of those guys who is all in to his defense and his work ethic and trying to make himself a better player every day," Sveum said. "The rest falls into place when you have that kind of mentality. The hands are there, the ability to hit is there. He's already produced at the big league level. The power numbers — they only get better when you have that kind of work ethic and mindset."
Rizzo is sporting the same cropped hair cut he did when called up last year.
"I got sick of my hair — I had long hair last year in Triple-A," Rizzo said. "I cut it two days before I got called up. [This year] I cut it three days ago."
So, could he win NL Player of the Month honors again?
"Yeah, let's repeat that," Rizzo said, smiling.
— Carrie Muskat


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Print publication: Sunday, April 8
Sustainable business?
Though I hate the thought of billions of plastic bottles pouring out of a new Nestlé plant and ending up on beaches and landfills, I appreciate Cascade Locks' need for jobs ("Quenching Cascade Locks' job thirst," editorial, April 2).
But there are two red flags for me: First, water rights should never be turned over to some private company. Water belongs to all of us; any right to use it must be limited and revocable. Second, the plant will double property tax revenue and become a major customer of the city's utility. That means Nestlé will own Cascade Locks.
The city will have sold its soul and must do whatever the company wants. Given a choice, I'd go with the casino, because it would employ more people and be easier to control.
Southeast Portland
I think it is important that we question Nestlé's motives. The company promises 50 jobs, but it offers no guarantee that it will hire locals to fill those positions. Furthermore, given that it is not a locally based company and has investors who are looking for profits, it seems clear that little of the money generated in this enterprise would stay in the local economy.
Nestlé wants to use our water to line its coffers. We can do better with our resources. If we really want to create jobs, we should focus on incentivizing the creation of local enterprises that will operate sustainably.
Southeast Portland
Dear voters
I would just like to say to Portland voters that when you vote for Portland's mayor or City Council members, it affects more than you. It affects people who work in Portland, shop in Portland and visit Portland.
I hope you know that when you vote for a candidate who has been endorsed by Vera Katz, Randy Leonard or Sam Adams, you are voting for more of the same. Vote wisely; it affects all of us.
We literally can't afford the same old horse trading that mistakenly equates progress with the number of pet projects completed. Brady's "get it done" attitude and track record are refreshing and offer the most potential. Portland needs Brady now.
Southwest Portland
Portland schools
Portland Public Schools Superintendent Carole Smith's new budget includes $4.5 million in raises for remaining teachers ("110 teaching jobs face ax," April 3). At the same time, she's willing to cut more than 100 teachers to pay for part of this. Does this really make sense when her mission should be to promote education? And can't raises wait until the economy improves? It seems like her priorities are far from what we want from any public (or private) school leader.
Northeast Portland
Gibson has three children in PPS schools.
Southeast Portland
Willard is a teacher at Cleveland High School.
It should not be unusual for an English teacher to assign an essay, but reading and grading 180 essays takes so much time that teachers are forced to cut back on such assignments. A reasonable time estimate for an experienced teacher to read, comment on and evaluate a single essay is about 10 minutes. Multiply that 180 times and you find that the teacher needs 30 solid hours of doing nothing else, just for that one assignment.
That should strike us as an unusual burden, if not a cruel one.
Northeast Portland
In terms of religion
Nancy Haught's story on religion and its diverse use of terms ("'Religion' carries baggage," April 5) intrigued this retired pastor after 41 1/2 years of parish ministry. She says that "the vocabulary of Christianity shows signs of breaking down." She is right.
One of the terms I have used to describe what it means to be a Christian is "Christ-like" in life and behavior toward others. It bothers me that people who claim to be Christian seem to have made their "dogma" their God, which separates them from those who do not espouse the same system of beliefs they hold. Thank you for sharing this Holy Week message with us.
By bike or by car?
Regarding the arguments between letter writer Gerard Nelson (April 1), who claims bicyclists don't pay road taxes, and letter writer Barbara Chapnick (April 4), who says many bicyclists also have cars that help pay for roads -- both miss the point. Discussion on the Williams Avenue plan should be about usage, not who pays their fair share of the transportation bill. If only about 6 percent of commuters bike, then the city has chosen to cut out half of the road space by eliminating one of the two northbound lanes that is used by the majority who commute by car or public transit.
This makes no sense if your goal is to reduce congestion and make a faster commute for Portlanders. It does if your goal is to try to force people out of cars by making their commutes as unbearable as possible.
Northeast Portland
Natural healing
I am a native North Portlander with seven brothers, and many days were spent pan-fishing and "carping" in the Swan Island Lagoon along the main Willamette River. Carp fishing was done with light tackle and a hook full of sweet corn. We didn't eat carp, but this fishing was good practice for, later on, salmon and steelhead fishing on the lower Columbia. The lagoon was teeming with bass, catfish, white and black crappie, and ringtail (perch), which my family enjoyed eating.
I currently work along the Willamette, near Milwaukie, and have to admit that this "gift" of a river that runs through our city has improved vastly over what it was like in my early years. Generations of industrial eco-sins are difficult to atone for. I believe dredging is the wrong solution, unless one were to dredge the entire river bottom to bedrock, from Ross Island to Linnton (miles, not acres).
My suggestion: Stop using the Willamette as an industrial sewer, and let the natural processes of the river work to heal itself.


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It's amazing what two $20 bills will do. When I arrived at Los Angeles International Airport last week, I had no intention of lugging my seven heavy boxes through the airport by myself to the regular check-in counter. Instead, I stuffed my fist with cash and walked up to the Sky Cap counter, which had a line 40-some people deep.
Two nights before, a reader named Eileen had shared a valuable but expensive lesson on luggage. "My mother taught me this," Eileen said. "If you ever need help at the airport, put a fifty dollar bill in your raised hand and ask if anyone can help. Someone will find you."
Eileen was right. With $40 in my left hand, I approached the Sky Cap counter.
"I have seven boxes to check. Is it okay if I put them right here while I wait in line?"
Two junior Sky Caps conferred and decided it would be okay to tuck my bags off to the side so I wouldn't have to inch them forward as I waited in line. I think they saw my $20 bills.
I put my cash back in my pocket and began unloading boxes from my friend's car. A senior Sky Cap came over while I dropped off box number three and I double checked that it was okay to stockpile my boxes while waiting in line. It was.
When I dropped off the last box he was waiting for me. Had he seen my money? I'm pretty sure.
"How many are you flying with?"
"Just me."
"We're going to have to charge you for those extra bags, unfortunately."
"That's fine. I did the math and Southwest is the cheapest."
The senior Sky Cap asked for my full name and suggested I step down two counters so he could check me in. What? No line?
He DEFINITELY saw my $20 bills. Because he offered to let me cut, I didn't protest.
I checked in and was free of my burdensome bags within 10 minutes. I paid $250 for my seven pieces of luggage (the first two bags are free on Southwest and each bag after that up to 10 bags is $50). Not a single bag was weighed – at least that I saw.
Bags over 50 pounds are $100 and one of my pieces was awfully heavy. Did my big tip save me an overweight baggage fee? I'll never know.
I jumped into the security line and wondered if big spenders regularly experienced the ease and comfort I had. My $40 saved me time, reduced my stress and got me out of the mid-day heat.
I rarely sympathize with big spenders — I have been known to scoff at overt displays of wealth — but after my $40 worked wonders at the airport I have a new perspective. Spending money, and not just saving it, can bring peace of mind.
So if a Sky Cap at my destination airport happens to notice my fresh twenties and offers to lug my seven boxes across baggage claim?
Well, I'm going to smile and say thank you.
What was your most worthwhile splurge? Weigh in at BargainBabe.com.
Julia Scott writes the savvy-spending blog BargainBabe.com and shares coupons and deals at WalletPop.com.


text:
A refreshing collection of new Hawaiian songs
Product DescriptionWINNER! 51st Annual Grammy Awards for Best Hawaiian Music Album
Hawai`i Music Awards Winner for Best Contemporary Hawaiian Album
This striking collection of all new Hawaiian-language songs offers contemporary reflections on growing up in Hawai'i, and the pieces of Hawai'i that remain with us through life. From the exquisite voice of GRAMMY-nominated singer Tia Carrere, the diverse range of musical inspirations of GRAMMY Award-winning producer Daniel Ho, and introducing new poet/lyricist Amy Ku'uleialoha Stillman.
Song List.....
1. The Spam Song 2. Welo 3. Kuæu Ipo My Darling 4. Hula in Seven 5. Pule no Malia 6. Keanuhea 7. The Breakfast Song (Pineapple Mango) 8. O Ia Uka 9. Na æIkena Like æOle 10. Papahanaumoku (Earth Mother) 11. Pomaikaæi (The Blessing)
Click on link at bottom of page for demo
Liner Notes.....
Origin stories often contain unexpected twists. Our project has its genesis in a kani ka pila session at Keoki KahumokuÆs Hawaiian music camp in Pahala, where Daniel had a sudden desire to create new songs that might make their way into the hands of musicians and hula dancers. In a matter of seconds he was on the phone calling me in Michigan (where the November temperature was approximately half of what it was on the Big Island), and pitching this idea to collaborate on an album of brand new Hawaiian songsŚin the Hawaiian language. After over a year of emailing ideas, tunes, and lyrics, along with Hawaiian-language coaching via phone and mp3 files back and forth across the continent, you, dear listeners, are holding the results in your hands.
This collection of original Hawaiian-language songs represents the serendipity of unexpected journeys. We each planted seeds of ideas, and made our way down the paths that converge in this album. Each of us has demonstrated commitment to our Hawaiæi roots in our own ways. My scholarship on Hawaiian music and dance has taken me into archives the world over. DanielÆs commitment to promoting opportunities for Hawaiian musicians has been recognized with three Grammy Awards in Hawaiian music to date. TiaÆs 2007 Grammy-nominated album, Hawaiiana, emphasized her childhood connection to Hawaiæi and the friendships that have endured over the years. Daniel and TiaÆs collaboration dates back to music-making at St. Louis High School, Sacred Hearts Academy, and Brown Bags to Stardom; Daniel and I came to a mutual fascination with exploring the malleability of cultural boundaries while working on its inverseüEdocumenting contemporary settings of archival poetic repertoire by members of the organization Kulia i ka Punwai (Kumu Hula Association of Southern California), brought to fruition with two critically-acclaimed CDs to date, Kalakaua and Kapiæolani.
For all three of us, our challenge was not only how we might do right by Hawaiian music, but indeed how we might contribute to its continued growth. It was liberating to discover that I had much to express, and Hawaiian poetry became a creative alternative to the occasionally maddening exactitude of scholarly writing. Daniel, already an accomplished songwriter and recording artist, wanted to experience composing music for Hawaiian- language lyrics. To this partnership, Tia brought her incredibleŚand incredibly sensitiveüEvocal talents.
Some of our songs began with the tune. When Daniel asked if I could write some lyrics to the already popular instrumental ōPineapple Mango,üEI wanted to craft a connection to the fruits in the songÆs title. What evolved was a litany of breakfast foods prepared while still not fully awakeŚresulting in burnt toast. The fun of one food song made me determined to celebrate another of HawaiiÆs favorite foodsŚSpam, and thus was born ōThe Spam Song,üEregaling youthful haunts that, it turned out, we had all sharedüEpicnicking on spam and eggs in Kapiæolani Park, eating spam musubi in Kaimuki, and watching submarine races at Diamond Head lighthouse.
All kidding aside, Hawaiian poetry offers many elegant ways to express feelings of affection for Hawaiæi that have remained important to us even as we make our way through life thousands of miles away from our birthland. From the zen-like journeys spoken of in ōWelo,üEto the realization that lifeÆs simplest pleasures are among the most meaningful in ōNa æIkena Like æOle,üEwe offer this collection in the hope that the economy of language and music craftsmanship here brings the pleasure of resonance to you, dear listeners and audiences.
Amy Kuæuleialoha Stillman 36,000 feet above sea level, aboard NWA 337 one sunny day.
Tia Carrere - vocals
Daniel Ho - vocals, guitars, æukulele, piano, ipu heke, acoustic bass guitar on The Spam Song, recording, mixing, mastering, graphic design
Steve Billman - bass
Brian Kilgore - percussion on The Breakfast Song (Pineapple Mango)
Amy Kuæuleialoha Stillman - liner notes
Lydia Miyashiro - photos of Tia and Daniel, graphic design
Doug Katsumoto - photography, graphic design
Produced by Daniel Ho and Amy Kuæuleialoha Stillman.
Daniel plays YAMAHA guitars and KoAloha æukuleles.
Record Label: Daniel Ho Creations
Release Date: September 2, 2008


text:
Producing a lot of big swings on a consistent basis would've been the ideal situation for the LSU offense Friday night against Auburn when the teams started their weekend series at Alex Box Stadium. Instead, three key hacks in three different innings proved to be plenty.
Ignited by Raph Rhymes' three-run home run in the 1st inning, No. 3-ranked LSU jolted Auburn early and then extended the lead twice more to give Aaron Nola enough cushion on a night when delivered a mixed bag of results.
LSU claimed the opener 9-4, as Mason Katz drilled his 10th home run for a pair of runs and Christian Ibarra zapped a two-out bases-loaded single in the 5th to supply some breathing room.
"We didn't have a whole lot of hits in the first 5 innings, but we got the three big ones we needed to take control," LSU coach Paul Mainieri said. "Guys came through when they had to."
Nobody more so that Rhymes.
Auburn left-hander Daniel Koger got JaCoby Jones to start the home 1st, but ran into trouble when Mark Laird tapped a ball through the middle with just enough bounced to let his speed carry him to first for an infield single. Alex Bregman roped another hit to left field to bring up Rhymes, who hasn't produced a ton of big hits this season despite a .346 average when the night began.
Koger nibbled away a few times and wound up behind 3-and-1. When he came at Rhymes to try and get a strike, Mainieri put both runners in motion but they were able to slow to a trot when Rhymes hammered the pitch into the left-field bleachers for his first home run of the season.
"Coach Mainieri put the runners in motion and told me to be aggressive," Rhymes said. "I knew if we could get out to a lead early, it would be big for our team. I put a good swing on the ball and it got out of here."
That's a feeling Katz has gotten awfully cozy with this season, especially the last few weeks.
Because of a recent power surge, Katz has had to adjust his approach at times and pounce on pitches early in the count, and that paid big dividends Friday.
Laird walked to start the 3rd, but Koger got two fly-ball outs to steady himself. He tried to zip a fastball by Katz and he jacked it just over the fence in left field for a 5-2 cushion, regaining the advantage that Nola flirted with giving away.
That have Nola some wiggle room, and he needed it.
Auburn (15-7, 0-4 SEC) produced 9 hits in Nola's 6.2 innings, but he also struck out 9. Of AU's nine hits, five came with two-strike counts. The good news for LSU (20-2, 3-1), though, was that only two produced runs -- Blake Austin's two-out single in the 2nd and Garrett Cooper's double into the right-field corner in the 3rd.
"I gave up a lot of hits, too many hits," Nola said. "I didn't even realize I had 9 strikeouts until I came out. The biggest thing to me, though, was that I put up four zeroes (on the scoreboard) and kept my team in the game.
"It's always frustrating when you're ahead in the count and they get a hit off you. I'd get (ahead) 0-and-2 and then fall behind, and that's what kind of killed me."
What finally killed Auburn was a gritty at-bat by Ibarra that didn't start out all that well.
Bregman laced a leadoff single to start the 5th and Rhymes and Katz drew walks against AU reliever Jay Wade. Ibarra looked at the first pitch for a strike, which apparently wasn't the plan.
"I took a first-pitch fastball and thought it was high and away and when I looked at (Mainieri), I think he wanted to kill me," Ibarra said with a chuckle.
"I just wanted to go up there battle. I wanted to at least hit a fly ball and not ground into a double play. We had to have something out of that after we got the bases loaded with no outs."
He wound up winning the battle in a big way.
Ibarra came back to work the count full, fouled off a pitch and then slammed a wicked line drive right past Wade and into center field for a two-run single and 7-2 LSU lead.
That was LSU's seventh hit in the first 5 innings, three of them producing 7 runs.
"Christian probably knew what he was doing," Mainieri said with a wistful smile. "We had practiced that situation earlier this week and it was a point of emphasis and he basically did the opposite of what I told him to do. When he had two strikes, he had a little bit of pressure on him because I'm sure he didn't want to come back to the dugout and hear from me."
Mainieri pointed out Ibarra's single also had a long-term affect.
"Had he not come through Katz would not have seen another pitch to hit this series, so that was big for us," he said.
Wade suffered a serious injury as he tried to avoid the line drive, appearing to severely sprain his right ankle. He had to be carted off the field and went to a local hospital for X-rays.
Auburn got a spark from his replacement, Reid Carter. Not only did he snuff out LSU's 5th inning by getting the next three hitters out, Carter also kept LSU from doing any more damage in the 6th and 7th frames.
By then, though, LSU's three swings for seven runs had taken a toll.
"They jumped up early, we got back in it at 3-2 but they put another big swing on it," Auburn coach John Pawlowski said. "Two big swings and they score five runs and that's tough to overcome and we couldn't do that (Friday)."
LSU finally added a pair of runs in the 8th inning. Carter's wild pitch scored Jones, who walked, stole second and moved to third base on a fly ball. And Katz's two-out single chased home Bregman, with those two runs offsetting two late Auburn runs against the bullpen.
Bregman finished 3-for-4, his fourth three-hit game this season.
The teams meet again at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Ryan Eades (4-0) will take the mound for LSU and will face Auburn's Michael O'Neal (4-1), another southpaw.
FRIDAY: LSU 9, Auburn 4
SATURDAY: 6:30 p.m.
SUNDAY: 1 p.m.
WHERE: Alex Box Stadium
RECORDS: Auburn 15-7, 0-4 SEC; LSU 20-2, 3-1 SEC
RADIO: 98.1-FM. TV: CST (Sunday)
INTERNET: NOLA.com/lsu (Reporter Posts)
TWITTER: @RandyRosetta
Saturday -- Auburn, Jr. LH Michael O'Neal (4-1, 1.99 ERA, 31.2 IP, 15 SO/7 BB, .196 opp. BA) vs. LSU, Jr. RH Ryan Eades (4-0, 1.69 ERA, 32 IP, 36 SO/7 BB, .244 opp. BA)
Sunday -- Auburn, TBA vs. LSU, So. LH Cody Glenn (3-1, 2.25, 28 IP, 14 SO/6 BB, .220 opp. BA)


text:
George Michael confirms split from Kenny Goss
Post your comment
Comments on this article are now closed.
Reader comments
Sorry to see them split up. Maybe they will find new loves and a better life without substance or alcohol abuse.
I hope they both find happiness. Drugs including alcohol cause heartbreak in many of our lives and relationships, just because he is famous does not protect George. Ironically he sang an Amy Winehouse song, yet another life ruined with drugs.
hey george …. give me a call ….
….Theres a queue! lol
I am dreadfully sorry to hear that they broke up 28 mths ago.
I guess this means George is now 'fair game' thus I'm pitching a tent permanently on Hampstead Heath as my base of 'Operation: Get George'.
In this weather that's real commitment !!!
Good luck to both of them and hope they find new love soon.
Or contentment as independent single mature men – just as valid an option, though often difficult given the relentless pressure society puts on us to be coupled.
You sound old and lonely. :)
Only old (or "middle-aged", even though I really have no intention of living past 100).
they will find new "love" no doubt! are open relationships more likely to fail? am not judging – just opening the issue to debate!
Reassuring to see PN is still there with the major news stories that really matter. Keep up the sterling news Pink!
Hmm. I always assumed (wrongly?) that George had learned well from past 'issues' that not being entirely open and honest about himself was never the best option. However, I do believe wholeheartedly that this is HIS business and none of us have an automatic right to be privy to any information about his private life. But. Why bring this up 2.5 years after the event? Ah, sorry I was forgetting, ANY news is good news when you have a tour to promote – nice one George, just drag yours AND Kenny's muck through the press! I didn't know that Kenny had alcohol issues 'til I read this…
Oh dear!
He is a great singer and a paragomn of moral virtue.
His new release 'Blindfold Barebacking' will be an instant classic!
Yes, I expect that will be your secret fantasy anthem, Keith.
No "gay" relationship lasts. They should have told him that before he switched over as a 26-year-old. He might have been happier if he'd have settled down with a nice Greek girl.
The increased demand for gay marriage around the world shows that more gay people are inclined to make a commitment rather than stay single. Please do some research before making stupid statements like this.
you can't switch sexualities
you are either hetero, gay or bi as a guy
That's the biggest load of crap I've ever heard in my life. There are gay and lesbian couples who have been together for decades – some for even longer than it's been legal to actually have gay sex. You clearly have no idea what you're talking about.
I've been with my man for 18 years Michaelangelo. Many of my friends have been together for a few years. 'Gay' relationships last just as long as most other people, Gay, Lesbian, Straight or otherwise.
Oh thanks for that Michaelangelo, I must remember to tell that to the 2 dozen gay couples I know who've been together for more than a decade (3 couples for over 25 years), I'm sure they'll be fascinated by your authoritative opinion.
You know Pink News is ever more successful when its comment sections attracts loads of anti-gay people.
Anwyay, hope George Michael and his ex are happy.
Good luck to them both and well done to Pinknews for covering the story in an unsensationalist way
I'm sure George Michaels is a nice person, however I must say I don't particularly like the messages he sends out as a representation of gay men in the mainstream media.
1) looking for sex in public toilets (gross)
3) Substance abuse and drink driving
Anyways, sad news about his break up…but why take 2 years to tell people they have broke up? bit weird.
You cannot behave in such criminal ways AND be a nice person.
Your so right, I mean look at you. Prime example.
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text:
There was an upside last weekend for the Hershey Bears, who treaded water by collecting three of a possible six points.
Many of the teams chasing them in the Eastern Conference playoff race struggled, leaving the Bears perched in eighth place.
"It's good that we strengthened our spot in the standings," Bears winger Casey Wellman said, "but I think that we wanted to play some better hockey last weekend."
No club is more emblematic of providing the Bears a helping hand than the Albany Devils, who have lost six in a row to waste advantages in regulation losses and games in hand.
The Bears are scheduled to visit the Devils Friday night before hosting the Providence Bruins Saturday night in their first home game since March 17. Hershey has gone 1-2-0-0 against Albany.
"I think it's really important that we just look at our game," Bears head coach Mark French said Thursday. "We have to understand the situation of our opponent, but at the same time we've done the best when we've focused on our game and doing the right things that it takes for us to win."
The Manchester Monarchs were riding a three-game losing streak, noted Bears centerman Mike Carman, when they overcame a 3-0 deficit to shock Hershey 6-4 last Saturday.
"They came out hard and gave us their best," Carman said. "We sat back a little bit in the second period there and eventually it's what cost us the game.
"We know they're going to be a desperate, hungry team [in Albany] and they're going to be dangerous."
Wellman, who had two goals and two assists when the Bears lost 6-4 to Albany on Feb. 24 at Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall, has produced 21 points in 22 games with Hershey since being acquired in a trade with the Florida Panthers organization in exchange for Zach Hamill on Jan. 31. The Washington Capitals re-signed Wellman to a two-year contract extension on Thursday.
"I've been happy with him," French said. "I think he's added pretty close to what we wanted to add in theory when we did make the trade. Zach Hamill was a very good player for us.
"I think Casey's brought maybe a little more of a dynamic quality to our offense. We can see that in games. He's a guy who, I'm sure, defenders take notice of when he's on the ice because of the pace that he plays the game and his overall skill set."
While Albany has been slumping, Providence has been rolling and has reduced its magic number to clinch a playoff berth to seven points.
The P-Bruins, who haven't played Hershey yet in 2012-13, have gone 8-2-0-0 in their last 10 and 20-4-0-2 since Jan. 25.
Former Bears winger Chris Bourque is injured and won't be making a Giant Center homecoming with Providence, and former Bears centerman Christian Hanson is questionable. Thus, all the ex-Bear onus may be on winger Graham Mink.
"Obviously, Chris, being who he is and the type of player he is," French said, "certainly will be missed in their lineup."
Hershey entered last weekend with the task of playing 11 of its final 14 games on the road. With three road games subtracted, the hill has gotten smaller (eight of the remaining 11 on the road).
The Bears get to concentrate on playing two games this weekend instead of facing another three-in-three.
"It's definitely nice with how many three-in-threes we've played lately," Carman said.
"It's nice to have this weekend be where you have only two games. You get a little more chance to rest. It doesn't beat you up quite as bad. One game does make a big difference. It also doesn't change the fact that we need a 60-minute effort both nights."
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