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This is The Dip, a column penned by our regular commenter, The Dipsy.
Contrary to popular opinion, I happen to be a big Phillies fan. But, perhaps my type of fandom flies in the face of the traditional method of rooting and team support; in that tend to criticize, loudly and resolutely, the very team that I have pledged my undying love to. Today I return to one of my cause célèbre, that being the absolute necessity that Ryan Howard be dropped to sixth in the batting order against left-handed pitching. The fact that this has not been tried already, never mind discussed, just boggles my mind.
Below is a sampling, and I seriously only went through half the teams, of how NL first basemen fared against left handed pitching last year:
Player HR/RBI/AVG
Fielder – 13/47/.292
Dunn – 7/28/.268
Helton – 1/28/.311
Votto – 7/27/.329
Howard – 6/33/.207
Joey Votto? .207! And all those mentioned above are lefties. Quite simply, Ryan's numbers against lefties have progressively gotten worse each year to the point where his spot in the order is now the place where baserunners go to die when a left handed pitcher is on the mound.
Look, Ryan is a stud. A once-in-a-generation power hitter – an institution maybe. But the fact remains that while he is lethal against righties, he is horrible against southpaws. The disparity of performance is so marked that the whisper "he's great but he has trouble with lefties" is one bad month away from morphing into the dreaded "can't hit lefties" (because he can't) moniker, and that's hard to shake. Anyone with two eyes and watches games knows that Ryan has the plate discipline of a six-year old at a piñata party. Consequently, he sees a steady diet of head high fastballs and off speed slop that breaks five feet off the plate. So that's what he swings at. Frankly, now that I think about it, I'm tired of analyzing the "whys".
Just make the move. No excuses. "Ooohhh, you'll take away his aggressiveness". "Oooooh, who'll drive in all those runs?". "But, we're paying him 20 million dollars". "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". Baloney. Drop him to sixth. Let Jason and Raul hit 4-5. Jason kills lefties and Raul hits them. It will be a better lineup. We will score more runs. So, why not do it? I haven't the faintest idea. All one needs is the courage to change.
67 Comments
Joey Votto is a beast. Would have gotten some MVP votes last year if he played all season (put on the DL for depression or somethin)
Howard's OPS against lefties in his 4 full seasons:
2006 – .923
2007 – .826
2008 – .746
2009 – .653
That's a terrible trend, and I doubt he will improve much. A player with a .653 OPS should lose his job.
On the other hand, Howard's career OPS against righties is 1.070. If he only had to face righties, Howard would be behind only Ruth, Williams and Gehrig in the history of baseball. Howard's overall career OPS (against both righties and lefties) of .961 ranks 19th in the history of baseball, just behind ARod.
We have a real dilemma. We can't really platoon him, but we probably should rest him in 10 more games each season against tough lefties. I also agree with your suggestion of dropping him to 6th in the order against lefties.
My bottom line? Sign him to a four- or five-year extension at up to $25 million per.
This is why signing Jayson Werth long term, moving Utley to 1B and trading Howard after this season would be a smart move. Boston has a deep farm system and I would think they'd have strong interest in Howard as a DH.
I never doubted your phandom, Dipsy, never. Your logic though… lets take productivity as the key stat. Runs produced, rallies prolonged, hits that count.
I cannot figure out the stats but, its like firing a mortar or a 30mm cannon, right?
I know there is a huge drop off from the best to Ryan but, I would believe after watching his defense improve dramatically that the Big Piece will be working on his hitting this year.
Imagine even a slight improvement in average – when he comes to bat there are a lot of men on base. I quiver at the thought!
Dipsy, nice article. I'd be curious to hear Jayson's numbers against righties becuase if we start Jayson in the 4 spot against lefties, then early in the game we have a substitution, then we'd have the same problem with Jayson wouldn't we?
I agree 100% but I was talking about this a long time before today. This is hardly a new request from Phillies fans.
geez, way to bash on howard…..sounds like everyone on here should be a coach. im never coming back to this shit site,
phillies fan
go howard!
Give up Ryan Howard, and it puts the Phils in the pack with the Dodgers, Rockies, Cards – who are always behind the Phils.
We shall see.
Joepa – Jason is better against righties than Howard is against lefties.
Oh, and by the way, as good as our lineup CAN be, Victorino in the 7 hole. Thats dysfunctional. Buy its either him or Polanco. I guess. I would think that if Vic is in the 7 hole, we would at least have the option of stealing 2nd with two outs and getting a run on a Ruiz single. Maybe Polanco should bat 7th. I don't know.
The Dipsy
Werth's OPS vs Righties
2007 – .760
2008 – .767
2009 – .805
Match that up with his OPS vs Lefties
2007 – 1.058
2008 – 1.020
2009 – 1.080
Yep…that's where I invest long term…in Werth. Like Paul said…Howard is not far off from being someones lefty off the bench at either 1B or DH. Trade Howard after this year, fine with me.
Brooks – All those things you note – they all happen against righties. He wreaks havoc. Against lefties – I mean, half the time he can't even move the runner – a productive out. My kingdom for a "productive out". Last year he struck out 83 times in 252 at bats against lefties – just about 1/3 of the time.
The Dipsy
Trade Ryan Howard to the Astros for cash!
Definitely a scary trend against lefties, but what happened? Did Howard change his approach, or did the lefty pitchers find the hole (up/in fasball)? If he could get back to 2007 numbers, I'd be happy with him sticking at cleanup, minimizinf tinkering with theline-up.
Agree that Vic batting 7th is a waste, but putting Polanco there would be worse. My dream line up for Lefties:
For Righties,
If you have guys on base with speed, the 7 hole can be an RBI spot. Putting speed at 7 does little.
I saw the same games Dipsy – I think he can and will improve on his hitting, this team will be nearly invincible if he can bring his average up by say another 15 to 20 pts.
No one is accusing you of not being a fan but you're not a Howard fan… the fact that he HAS posted better numbers against lefties than he did in 2009 is probably enough to leave him there. I would not be surprised if he saw more days off against lefties, like someone else suggested, but you're not going to move him out of the cleanup spot… he is our cleanup hitter and he deserves to be there. He needs to get better against lefties but he'll work on it and I think that he can correct it. Say what you want, the guy is a hard worker and he's a hell of an athlete… a special ballplayer. Given what he has done for this team and this city, I think that he deserves a free pass… I know this much, moving him down in the order might give us a more balanced lineup or whatever but it could also affect his confidence and in my opinion, it's not worth risking it and it's not the way that Charlie does things (see Rollins, Jimmy).
you don't drop Howard to 6th, because after the 6th-7th inning, when the pressure heats up and the game really gets on the line … and the other team has their crappy Right Handed reliever in the game …. you want Howard getting an at-bat in the 4-spot, because he's one of the most dominant hitters in the game today.
I agree with you OCP. But he has languished in the 4 hole against lefties for two seasons. Two seasons where he has been terrible. Do I think he can correct it? Sure do. Hey, and I AM a Howard fan. I love the guy. I want him to correct it. Just hit .240. For all he has done for the team, the fans, and the city, how mucher long does his free pass last for? Eternity? Against lefties he is an automatic out. He's a rally killer when he's batting 4th. It is what it is. If Charlie wants to keep him in the 4 hole, given his ineffectiveness, I say Manuel is doing his team a disservice. Now, I'll just lump Charlie in, too. Leaving him there is bad managing. Plain and simple.
The Dipsy
Wishful thinking. Ryan Howard will be our clean-up hitter in 2010, and hopefully beyond, regardless of what hand the opposing starting pitcher throws with. We all know what you're talking about, every one of us, but Charlie is not going to make that change and you ought to know that by now. It is a fact that Ryan gets killed by left-handed pitching, but on the bright side he really can't get any worse. There is only room for improvement at this point, and his strong work ethic makes me believe that he will step it up in the future, even if it's only by a little bit. How much longer does his free pass last for? As long as he is playing in Philadelphia. People just don't seem to realize what this guy has done and will continue to do for this ballclub…
Alot of good ideas here – but the one absolute no-brainer is to break up Utley and Howard in the line-up at all times. How many LOOGY's came in during the playoffs to get Utley and Howard in order – and at times made it look easy?
Gotta go Utley, Werth, Howard – Werth has earned the right to be a cleanup guy, and has decent speed so won't clog up the bases in front of Howard.
"Werth has earned the right to be a cleanup guy" …..
Werth is a very good player… Ryan Howard is a BEAST
I personally like Werth more than Howard, but Im not going to move one of the greatest Power Hitters in the game today, and drop him from the cleanup spot because he doesn't have a great batting average against LHP … you look at his overall body of work, and realize that there aren't many guys you would rather have than Howard . . .Howard is, and will continue to be our #4 hitter, and we should stop trying to fix things that ain't broken
You people have to get a hold of a concept. While Ryan Howard is one of the "greatest power hitters the world has ever known", which sets him apart from other players, so does the gap, or yawning chasm, of what he can do against lefties as opposed to righties. This is an anomaly. I, personally, have never seen anything like it. You can deal with it or ignore it. So, I guess your options are: 1) Drop him down; OR 2) Leave him in against LHP because he is so great against RHP, which is in essence what you would be doing, and because he is "our guy" or "thats just not what Charlie does". F that. In my mind, the sole criterion by which a manager should consider when to make a move or not make a move should be: "By doing this would I be making us a better team". I mean, am I the one that's high here?
The Dipsy
It sounds good and all folks, but it just ain't gonna happen. Especially not to the 6 hole that will never happen. As frustrating as it is to watch Ryan lunge at breaking balls away like watching a moron reach for a dollar bill on a string trick. It is incredibly gratifying to watch or hear the crack of his bat put a ball damn near close to the Bull's Barbecue!
You are not the one that is high here. You are trying to make an argument that looks good with pure numbers, but in the reality of it all will never happen. There are many cliches that I refuse to say such as…"if it ain't broke… Let me ask you this no matter where you put him in the lineup he will be a liability against lefties and a monster against righties. You are never going to take him out against lefties alltogether and there are a hell of a lot more RHPs than LHPs in baseball in general and a ton more relief RHPs than LHPs, so when this lefty starter comes out and the other team uses their Loogy once through and their RH closer is in and there is two outs and Utley gets on who do you want facing this closer Werth or Howard? Remember Werth had a great year. One great year! He is not a proven guy yet. When the game is on the line I don't want that beast in the on deck circle.
Pure….numbers? Pure….numbers? 95% of baseball is….pure numbers. Richie, its about getting the best hitters the most at-bats, not leaving Ryan on deck when Werth is up there hitting. When we fixate on the image it skews the bigger picture, that being making this offense better. And remember, a homer run that goes 500 feet still only counts for one run. What does it say to you that, with the game on the line, the opposing manager is probably dying to have his stud lefty matched up against Howard?
The Dipsy
I understand your point I really do. I am trying to play devil's advocate while being an advocate to keep Werth and get the most value for Howard this fall. The point I guess I am trying to make is that you never see done what you are asking Charlie to do. Never is a successful clean-up hitter (Ortiz, Dunn, etc.) albeit only against righties dropped in the order against lefty starters. I was saying that it probably has something to do with the fact that the majority of the pitchers in baseball are RHPs (starters and relievers). We are probably the most lefty favored pitching staff in all of baseballe and we still aren't 50-50. Truthfully I think with a good hitting instructor (not Milt Thompson) he might be able to start going the other way like he did in 06 and early 07. I am just as frustrated as you are Dip belive me I just don't think it will ever happen that's all.
Frankly, this is only a concern in games where there is LHP that lasts 6 full innings or more. I don't care who's on the mound I want to see Howard at the plate because he gets the job done. Dipsy, there's a new "stat" in Fangraphs, called "Clutch" I believe. Correct me if I'm wrong but Ryan Howard was No.1 in baseball in that category (for 09). That's looking beneath the numbers… You want Howard up there swinging his bat, especially in the later innings…
If any change was ever made.. it would be Werth 4th, Howard 5th … but I just don't see it happening .. .
LOOGY get used once.. whenever the situation calls for it.. often in the 7th inning, and usually a closer/stopper is in for the 9th … most times those guys are RHP .. so I would much rather have Howard getting the extra at-bat regardless of who the starter is
Also.. our lineup will be so good this year that I can't see many starters from the other teams making it 3 times through our lineup ..
Basically this is the perfect topic because there is no right or wrong answers….
We all want Werth vs. LHP
and Howard vs. RHP
but overall I don't know if you can definitely make an arguement for swapping them from their normal spots based on the opposing starting pitcher of each game
I really don't think starters will last that long against the Phillies this year.. if anyone goes 7-8 innings against us, it will be amazing
The problem with moving him to the 6 hole is NOT that Werth wouldn't do a better job against lefties (because he would)… the problem is that it opens Pandoras box to a lot of things that you don't want to see happen: Howard loses confidence and feels that the team has lost confidence in him…. Howard struggles AND walks when it comes time to leave (the same reason you don't let your stars go to arbitration). Jayson Werth starts to feel like he is a cleanup hitter, which he's not… he either slumps OR he leaves because he feels like he deserves to be a cleanup hitter full time (ends up in a place like San Diego, where the money is right).
Even if this is a good idea, its a moot point because Charlie would never do it. I agree that if he is gonna move Ryan at all, it would be to the 5th spot.
Wasn't everyone asking this question last October? Seems like a no-brainer to me.
It's nice that he showed up early to ST to work on his fielding skills, but wouldn't that time be better spent trying to solve lefties? Utley learned, maybe he has a few pointers….
Utley has a short-compact swing… which makes it easier for him to adjust to pitches ….. but gives him less power
Howard has a big, long, power-hitter swing.. which makes it tough for him to lay-off a pitch that looks good from the pitcher's hand … but also allows him to smash the ball, and drive in runs at record-setting paces
I'll take Howard just the way he is, because despite some faults, overall, he's awesome
I'm sure he'll improve his average against LHP too, he just needs to regain that confidence to flip the ball into LF instead of trying to always hit it hard somewhere
Jayson Werth isn't a clean-up guy…on the Phillies…but he could be on any other team where there's no Ryan Howard-type player already.
Dipsy…I see your argument..and understand it to a point…BUT…IT'S NOT GONNA HAPPEN…it's probably better to not mess with it in the lon-run…and…besides…Charlie won't do it anyway.
What does Ryan Howard have to do with whether Jason Werth is a clean up type guy or not? Fact is, if he batted cleanup last year he would had at least a 120 RBI's. Let's approach this from another angle. If Charlie came out tomorrow and said he was gonna make this switch and then told us why, would you have a problem with it?
The Dipsy
Howard does a decent job of hitting the outside ball hard to left, even off lefties (at least well enough to stress other ptichers) – the bigger issue is the up and in fastball from lefties. The only way to punch that into left is with the Jeter inside out swing, and that is too dramatic of a change for Howard. A drag bunt here and there (just to keep the other team honest, get them out of the shift a little) would have the same impact, but wouldn't screw up his swing.
I'm not willing to say the East is already won, but barring multiple major injuries, offense won't be the problem, even if Howard bats lead off and Polanco hits clean-up. It's an interesting discussion, but the bottom line is to put guys in the role they are comfortable. Most have their "fantasy thoughts" on lineups (I have a few), but more than anything, baseball is about repetition and staying within your role. Charlie is a master at working the egos in the clubhouse, something fantasy managers don't have to deal with.
Someone earlier suggested that Werth should bat clean-up…that he's "earned" it. I don't think he earned it…but I think he could do it….just not on the Phillies…because Ryan is there already.
If Charlie came out and said he was gonna make the switch…then ok…I'll support it…because I trust Charlie "overall" (not every single in-game decision) to make good decisions for the team and the lineup..
BUT…as I said…it won't happen…because Charlie probably isn't gonna do it anyway.
To that same measure… if you stick Houston's or San Diego's cleanup hitters in the same spot in our lineup, they won't produce the same as Howard, because they aren't as good
There are VERY FEW guys that would produce the numbers that Ryan Howard does . . . even the guys that are close. . Adrian Gonzalez, Prince Fielder, etc … wouldn't produce the same
so you can't blame Howard for who he has in front of him.. its their job to get on base, and it's his job to knock them in …….. for the past 3 seasons, everyone in the Phillies lineup has done their job exceptionally well
I wouldn't have a problem with any move that Charlie made and could justify… he knows how to manage a winning baseball team . .
Werth = at least 120 rbi's
Howard = 141 rbi's …
i'll take Howard
Are we measuring players by OPS now or what? Werth's OPS would have been higher than Howard's, I do believe. Werth walks. Werth steals. Werth homers. And this is not an argument as to who the better hitter is, Don. Its Howard.
The Dipsy
Now im confused..
If we agree the better hitter, and the more productive offense threat is Ryan Howard … then you leave him in the 4th spot regardless of who the Starting Pitcher is …. because most often, the STARTING pitcher only pitches about 6 innings ..
Werth is the better ALL AROUND player… but Howard is clearly the best "cleanup hitter" on the team
Dip – I trust Charlie. If he made that announcement, I would be ok with it because I trust him. I trust that prior to making the announcement, he discussed it with everyone that would be affected it and determined that everything was ok… he can do that, I can't. All I'm saying is that a huge factor in making this type of move falls in that 5% of baseball that is not pure numbers… confidence is important. If everything went according to the numbers, Madson would make a good closer but we've all read that book before and it doesn't end well. I'm not saying that what you're suggesting doesn't make sense but it does defy a certain baseball logic which says that you don't mess with your cleanup hitter.
You could make a solid argument for putting Werth at cleanup…IF you didn't have Howard. I think you just have to accept the fact that for a few at-bats in games where the starter is la lefty….that Howard is gonna take the collar more than you might want…
BUT…in the long run…leaving him in there is probably the best scenario..
And…again…if Charlie were to decide otherwise…the I would have no problem with that either….because I see the logic for THAT argument as well.
I trust Charlie but I wouldn't necessarily agree with the decision…
Howard is our best player in the clutch… if you put him in the 6 hole, he'll never see a pitch late in the game. He's our best run producer… one of the best in baseball. I think that he's earned the right to bat cleanup… against every pitcher.
jeff, Chase Utley will not be playing first base full time in the near future. putting him at first would be a complete waste of the best second baseman in the league. Also, Dipsy, how can you say howard is a once in the life time player, and then go on to bash him. You're contradicting yourself.
MOVING HOWARD TO 7?!?! utley, and werth's numbers would free fall. They would loose so my protection in the lineup. Charlie isn't an idiot he's not moving Howard.
Anyone else notice that of the five left handed first basemen The Dipsy used as examples, Howard is second in RBIs? He must be doing a little that's right.
Even though I don't believe, like so many others, that Manuel will never change his lineup, I don't believe he will in this case. At cleanup, Howard would definitely have more opportunities to hit late in games, when a lefty may no longer be pitching. He hasn't the speed of Werth, and speed isn't that important at number four. (Werth's speed/power combination would actually be good in the number three hole, but Utley rightly has that.) And with Werth behind him, even a lefty would be afraid to pitch around Howard for fear of what Werth might do.
Lineups are, I think, trickier than just plugging in numbers. Even lefties know that if they make the tiniest mistake against Howard, the ball is in the seats; that can affect their entire approach to the rest of the team.
All that being said, my plan "A" came in the mail today.
= )
All that said, I believe that Ryan is going to really improve against lefties this year. He can hit them. He's shown that he can. AND, I don't think this problem has gone unnoticed by Charlie and Ruben. The article was written based on the premise that he would stay woeful against LHP. I wonder if Ryan knows thats its ok to take a walk when there are men on base and Jason and Raul behind him.
The Dipsy
driving in runs is a skill …. the most pressure is on when there are men on base
and when you are at the plate with men on base, it is your job to drive them in
Ryan Howard does that as well as anyone in baseball..
How many pressure-filled, meaningful games did Adrian Gonzalez play in last year? Im pretty sure Howard plays his best when it matters most… I can't think of anyone that plays better baseball in August and September
protection isn't a myth at all….
you are much less likely to walk Ryan Howard if he's got Werth and Ibanez behind him rather than if he's got Victorino and Ruiz behind him . . .
Look at the Dodger's numbers when Manny Ramirez joined there team.. those guys all got more pitches to hit
Protection is not a myth, Paul. Chase Utley gets more fastballs to hit because he hits in front of Howard. And thats a fact.
The Dipsy
Fastballs Paul. That are in the strike zone. Not on the black.
Curveballs. That break through the strike zone as opposed to ones that start in the zone and up low or at the feet.
Better pitches.
The Dipsy
Yes, The Dipsy, you are the one that's high here because you're getting so worked up over this for no reason. You can try to make your point all day long but you can't seem to accept the truth of the matter which is that Ryan Howard is NOT going to be moved from the clean-up spot. I won't even say that you don't make some valid points, but unfortunately you're just some guy. Just like me. Just a guy spending his free time typing away on a computer. Until your name becomes Charlie Manuel there is nothing you can do about Ryan Howard's inability to hit lefties.
Sorry Paul, liked your stuff so far but the idea that protection is a myth is absolutely is a myth itself.
David Ortiz with Manny Ramirez…
David Ortiz without Manny Ramirez…
tell me again that protection is a myth.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Paul…with all due respect….you're wrong. Period. Protection in a lineup is a very valid and real thing….look at the examples so far.
I can't believe that someone with your supposed knowledge of the game would say something so ridiculous..
This is what I read blogs for, honest criticism. The answer is for Howard to improve his hitting left handers. And lets hope that is what he is in Clearwater now working on!
Thank you Dipsy for being a real fan!
David ortiz with Manny= someone to help with the syringe
David ortiz without Manny= having to use pills vs injection because u don't have the help to stick urself on the backside
From Baseball Prospectus ….
""One aspect of seeing better pitches that this would not measure is when they are thrown. In theory, a guy with a 3-2 count and Michael Bourn on deck could see a tricky slider designed to strike him out, but which may walk him. With Manny, they don't want to put someone on ahead of him, so Ethier may be more likely to see fastballs in these types of situations. Given his increase in pitches per PA batting ahead of Manny he is also exhibiting more patience at the plate and working the count, quite possibly into his favor.""
My point from the arguement about "protection" is because I heard and read lots of interviews with Dodgers players saying that they were getting more pitches to hit, etc.. with Manny in the lineup . . . and I look at how when Burrell was batting #5 and in a slump.. teams didn't care about pitching around Howard to get to Burrell because they had confidence that Burrell wouldn't hurt them even with runners on base
when the Phillies have Werth, Ibanez, Victorino.. all batting behind Utley and Howard, .. teams won't want to put the first two guys on base .. .the only guy that will be an "easy out" in our lineup is Ruiz
And even Chooch has demostrated being able to hit in the clutch at times…
I LOVE our lineup!!


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Mathematics and statistics students present at Miami University Conference
Mathematics and mathematical statistics majors, Emily Barbee, a senior from Kingwood, Texas; Hannah DePriest, a senior from Findlay, Ohio; Johnathan Neville, a sophomore from Sidney, Ohio; James Rader, a sophomore from Findlay, Ohio, and Joanna Snyder, a senior from Fort Recovery, Ohio, presentedpapers at the Pi Mu Epsilon Student Section of the recent 40th Miami University Mathematics and Statistics Conference.
Barbee's talk, "Are the Statistics Really Statistics?" dealt with misuses of statistics.
DePriest's paper, "How Much Does One Point Matter?" considered some statistical aspects of the game of tennis.
Neville examined the role of a single game win/loss in the NFL playing season in his paper, "What Difference Can A Single Game Make?"
Rader's talk, "Quantifying Defensive Ability in Baseball," dealt with modifications of a player's fielding percentage as a measure of defensive ability.
In her paper, "The Hot Hand," Snyder considered the statistics of free throws to analyze basketball players' shooting streaks.
The collective work of the ONU students was impressive; indeed, one whole session was devoted to our students' presentations, says their advisors Dr. Larry Robinson, associate professor of statistics, and Dr. Ryan Rahrig, assistant professor of statistics.


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Oxford campus users only.
An index to articles in scholarly humanities and social science journals from 1907-1984, this provides very good author and subject indexing of the most important journals in these fields. Combines the indexing of International Index (1907-1965), the Social Sciences and Humanities Index (1965-74), Humanities Index (1974-84), and Social Sciences Index (1974-84).
Miami University has a long and proud tradition of student involvement in both radio and television productions. This exhibit will celebrate five decades of students in broadcasting. Many of these productions can be found online in the WMUB Archives. For questions about the exhibit, contact Marcus Ladd at email@example.com or (513) 529-0462.
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Staff Spotlight—Thom Gerrish
New in November: Leisure Reading
ALA President Dr. Julie Todaro Releases Statement on Libraries, the Association, Diversity and Inclusion
Leonard Cohen (1934-2016): playlist and notable resources


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Less of a Fan
Baseball is an expensive game for the fan. For the average American family, it could cost upward to $200 to attend a game. You've got the tickets, the food, the gas, the time, the memoribilia. MLB's memorbilia is expensive, man. My family can't really afford baseball. So sometimes I wonder: am I less of a fan?
Sometimes I feel less of a fan when I go to the ballpark. Strange, I know. Maybe it's because I don't get to go to the ballpark that often. I'm not there all the time. When I go to a game, I hang around the field level a lot beforehand. I see the ticket holders laughing and talking with each other, the players, and the ushers. They all know each other, the players know them, and they belong there. It makes me feel pretty small. I feel like I'm less of a fan because the players don't know me by name, and the season ticket holders aren't my best buddies. The season ticket holders seem kind of inferior to the "lower" fans, because they "care" about the team more. Now, I'm not saying that season ticket holders are bad people. I would love to be a season ticket holder, myself. But they are a special, set apart group. It just seems like they are lifted higher than the average fan, and I think they are. But that does not make me less of a fan. I am a Padres fan. Don't think that I don't have season tickets because I don't want too. No, if I was able and had the money, I would move into left field, buy season tickets and a huge collection of memoribilia, and be at every game and event at Petco. But that's the lifestyle of the rich and famous. I am not rich and famous.
Now, when I get up to my usual seats in the nosebleeds, I am much more comfortable. Up there are the people who are at my rank. The people who might be tight on money but can afford the $14 ticket. But they are great seats. Over the few games I've attended up there, I've realized that I am one of the loudest, and I really don't care. I love cheering for my Padres up there. It's really fun up there, but of course I would love to be closer to the field.
I can't watch the games on TV. I listen to them on the radio. I can't attended many games, mostly because of money and distance. I have a modest collection of memoribilia, but nothing like some of the fans out there have. I did buy a new Padres shirt yesterday…at Wal-Mart. I have sat at field level…in the outfield for $10. I'm not buying from MLB Shop, 'cause frankly, it's too expensive. It really looks like I am less of a fan.
But no way am I less of a fan. NO WAY. I wear my Padres gear all the time. I follow the team on the internet very closely. I know the status of all our players. If there's anything new on the Padres' website, I'm on it. I know my team. I'm the go-to person among my friends if anyone wants to know something about the Padres. I know their history, their successes, their failures. Listening to the games on the radio is cool. You catch a lot more than when you're actually watching it. And going to the ballpark only once in a while is OK. Each game is just extremely exciting to me, and I cherish them more because it's such a rare occasion. Whenever I start thinking that I'm less of a fan, I remind myself that I'm also one of the few extremely consistent Padres blogs here. That's gotta count for something.
10 Comments
Hey, Kaybee …
Reading your "posts" here on your mlblog, I would say, you are a "great" Padres fan; "very loyal" to your team !!! … We all follow our teams in many different ways; and, even though it would be great to have season tickets, and attend every home game, there are only so many seats available making it impossible for every fan to attend even "one" or "two" games every year !!! … I have only been to a few Yankee games at Yankee Stadium over the last "five" years, or, so; but, I have watched just about every Yankees game on T.V. [Yes Network, MY9, Fox], or listened to the games on the radio — and, I consider myself one of the biggest Yankee fans of all-time [a life-long / die-hard Yankees fan, "for life"] … Don't get me wrong, 'cause many years ago a friend of mine had a season ticket package of about 25 games a year at the Stadium, great field level seats, just behind first base, about 30 rows back … He had this package for two years, and it really was much more fun watching the games from inside the Stadium !!! … But, I didn't consider myself any more of a Yankee fan, just because I was in the ball park … We are all fans, following our teams in all the ways you mentioned on your above post … But, more importantly, we are all "Baseball Fans", and that's what makes it so much fun to follow our "teams" … Being a "fan" of any team is priceless; and, that's something money can't buy !!! … The new baseball season will be here soon; so, "Think Spring" … Take care, Kaybee !!! … Jimmy [27NYY]
Kaybee – I too go to very few games because of the expense and it is just too darn hard to get tickets to Fenway. Does that make me less of a fan? Heck no! Being a fan is not measured by how many games you attend or how many "things" you have. It's the feeling you have inside when your team takes the field. The joy you feel with each win and the sadness of each lose. DO NOT let anyone tell you anything different! Your blog shows all of us who read it what a great fan you are! Keep it up and keep the faith as only a true fan can! Happy New Year Kayee and remember – less then 2 months until pitchers & catchers report!
$14? You must be rich–I pay $7 for my edge-of-the-world tickets in my favorite section. I can see the whole city if they open the roof.
Being a fan isn't about spending money. Often, spending money is about showing off, not fanhood at all. My favorite way to shop is spending $3 for a new pack of Topps in the team store, showing up early to get promos, and staking out the MLB Shop clearance section. Most of my favorite stuff came from the clearance section–my "meet me at the Rock Pile" shirt, for example.
I can't say that baseball isn't about money–Mark Texeira and the rest of the Yankees would immediately prove that wrong–but fanhood most certainly isn't.
You go, girl.
Kylie — http://kylie.mlblogs.com
The simple fact is the world needs all type of fans. From the uber annoying fan who only rattles off stats and cant enjoy the simplicity and beauty to the brand new hat wearing I'm only goin to look cool fan. It's ok to want better seats and just as cool to sit in the nosebleeds. What's most important is the wisdom to know the difference. Kinda like the serenity prayer in a way.
I have sat five rows up from the field and saw Brad Lidges amazingly beautiful slider and way up in the nosebleeds watching the sun set on the rockies with a cool breeze blowing off the mountains. Both were just as good in their own way.
Sometimes all the money in the world can't make you a better fan or happier person. If I ran into you at Petco I bet you would a very enjoyable fan to see the game with and that's really all that matters.
It's kind of like church. When your pastor tells you to give according to what you have, he means that if you can afford to sign a $1000 check, by all means, they'll take it. But if you can only afford to drop a $10 bill on the plate, then give that too. No gift is better or more appreciated than the other, you just gave according to what you were able.
If you can afford season tickets and all the schwag, then go for it and support your team in that way. If you can't, then do what you can. Be a fan.
To me, what makes you a fan is when you still keep up and root for the team even when times aren't joyous. The Padres haven't done extremely well recently, but you're still here sporting the khaki and navy, so I'd say you're a good fan.
Great post! You are NOT less of a fan! After reading your post, it makes me think, "Am I less of a fan?" Because I can't go to their games often or I don't have Jake Peavy jersey or whatever. Yes, I want to be a season-ticket holder also. I get jealous watching those people you know. I love to listen to Padre broadcast on the radio. My siblings say I should stop listening because it's stupid or whatever but.. I don't listen to them! They don't support them. So what, you don't go to the ballpark often. That doesn't mean you're not a Padre fan. As long as you're a true Padre fan, cheer on them all the time, it won't matter. I believe you are MORE of a fan!
I know people say "winning isn't everything, it's the only thing" but I don't agree with that. I think that the game itself is what's worth it. Anyway, research for that assignment was fun research! I learned some really cool things.
And Kaybee, just because you don't sit in the best seats at the park or have the most memorabilia, doesn't make you less of a fan. Baseball is for everyone… we all watch the game, we all get that same feeling of intense passion that we can't even explain (well, those who ACTUALLY care like you) but it just doesn't matter who you are. Because baseball doesn't care who you are, baseball will always be there for you from spring-fall, and for everyone else who cares about it. What else can you rely on like that? Just because some people have better seats, they can't control the game. No one can, we're all putting our faith in something that we can't control
If you're less of a fan for sitting in the nosebleeds or for having less memorabilia than others, then I must be too because I'm the same way with my White Sox. I would LOVE to have season tickets, but since I'm in San Diego, that's a little bit impossible. I stream the audio for the Sox games on their station's website. And I was able to splurge ONCE for field level seats. But like you, I'm the go-to girl for basically anything related to my boys. I say as long as we stick around through the good times and bad, we're fans. And we're the type of people our teams need.
Being a fan means that you stand by your team through good times and bad. I feel that many teams make it where it's too expensive for people to attend. I do consider myself fortunate that our city, Corpus Christi, has a Minor League Double A team, those season tickets are very affordable . I love my Minnesota Twins but I'm content following them over the television and internet. I cannot pass up the opportunity to enjoy what I have here. I am a fan of a Minor League and Major League Team.
Thank you all, so much, for your encouraging and insightful comments. I definitely understand a lot more now. Being a fan is supporting your team through thick and thin (especially thin). Doesn't matter if you go to a lot of games or can't go to any. As long as you follow your team all the time, in whatever way you can, and you stick by them, you are a great fan. Being a fan is the feelings you get when your team wins or loses. Intense excitement or extreme diappointment. I'll tell you what, supporting the Padres isn't easy. But sometimes enduring hard things just make you a stronger fan. Wow, we have a great group of TRUE fans here. So, thank you Jimmy, Julia, Kylie, Tom, Joey, Hyun Young, Elizabeth, Jen, and Dan. You guys have great insights, and I am so thankful to be in this community of supportive baseball fans. We are NOT lesser fans. Not at all.


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Investors, Keep Your Cool About Special Dividends
NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- The plot thickens in the race for companies with excess cash to distribute a portion of that bounty to shareholders in the form of special dividends.
Fearful that a deal won't be reached to avert the fiscal cliff and prevent the tax rate on dividends from jumping, these companies are opting for the certainty that shareholders won't pay more than 15% in taxes on qualified dividends in 2012.
On Monday I wrote about this subject in "Lemmings Grasp Special Dividends Ahead of Fiscal Cliff ."
During the past few days more names have joined the special dividend party, and this just added to the curiosity of this "mini-phenomenon." I call it that only because the market's reaction to some of these announcements has been very interesting.
For instance, after the close of Monday's trading, Electro Scientific Industries (ESIO) , which I've owned for a few years, announced that it will be paying a $2.00 special dividend. The company certainly has the liquidity to make this move, having ended its' latest quarter with nearly $195 million, or $6.63 per share, in cash and short-term investments. In fact, the dividend, which should total about $59 million, will still leave the company with more than $136 million.
ESIO Cash and ST Investments data by YCharts
What was so surprising was the market's reaction to ESIO's announcement. Shares rose more than 10% at the opening and finished the day up about 6.5% on more than four times the average volume. This was all because the company is forking over some cash to shareholders.
Although I'm happy whenever a stock I own jumps 6.5% in one day, the reaction makes no sense. Perhaps current shareholders are happy to have some cash returned to them, but why would this announcement, by itself, attract any new buyers?
When a company pays a dividend, it is transferring capital back to shareholders, capital the company will no longer have access to. In the case of the one-off special dividend, some people interpret these payments as a signal that the company has no better opportunities for using that cash and generating a reasonable return on capital. As much as shareholders love cash in their pockets, they also want to know that the companies they own can find opportunities to grow their businesses.
In theory, once a stock trades ex-dividend, its price should adjust downward to account for the dividend. We rarely notice this adjustment with ordinary dividends, because the dividend amounts are relatively small, and the adjustment is often obscured by other factors affecting the stock.
But with the size of some of the special cash dividends, you should see a noticeable decrease in stock prices on the ex-dividend date. In Electro Scientific Industries' case, all else being equal, this will be a $9 stock ex-dividend. (Shares were trading Wednesday morning at $11.36, up 15 cents on the session.)


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On Saturday, Feb. 15 at 1 p.m. the museum will screen the 1938 film version of The Girl of the Golden West, based on the play by David Belasco, featuring Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy.
On Saturday, March 8 at 1 p.m. the museum will present a panel discussion on "The Operatic West" (Myths and Realities of the 19th Century West) with Eiteljorg vice president and chief curatorial officer James Nottage, Indianapolis Opera's artistic director James Caraher and guest stage director John Hoomes.
Both events at the Eiteljorg are free with museum admission. Members of the Indianapolis Opera
Ensemble will present live performances prior to each event.
What: The Girl of the Golden West (1938 film)
When: Saturday, Feb. 15 at 1 p.m.
What: "The Operatic West"(Myths and Realities of the 19th Century West)
When: Saturday, Mar. 8 at 1 p.m.
Where: Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art
500 W. Washington St. Indianapolis, IN 46204
Who: Indianapolis Opera's production of Giacomo Puccini's The Girl of the Golden West (March 21 &
23) will be live, on stage, at Clowes Memorial Hall. This classic western is set during the 1849 Gold Rush and features a handsome outlaw in disguise, a sheriff in hot pursuit and a heroine that will do anything for the man that she loves. Founded in 1975, Indianapolis Opera is the only professional opera company in Indiana. In 2013-14, Indianapolis Opera's 39th Season is comprised exclusively of 20th century works and IO debuts.
The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western art seeks to inspire an appreciation and understanding of the art, history and cultures of the American West and the indigenous peoples of North America. This year, the Eiteljorg celebrates 25 years of telling amazing stories. The museum's 25thanniversary is presented by Oxford Financial Group. LTD. The Eiteljorg is located in Downtown Indianapolis' White River State Park, at 500 West Washington, Indianapolis, IN 46204. For general information about the museum and to learn more about exhibits and events, call 317.636.WEST (9378) or visit www.eiteljorg.org.
Tickets: Both events at the Eiteljorg are free with museum admission.


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Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC)
The Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC) was established in 1995 to strengthen cooperation and increase coordination in the field of chemical safety.
The IOMC is the pre-eminent mechanism for initiating, facilitating and coordinating international action to achieve the WSSD 2020 goal for sound management of chemicals.
The nine Participating Organizations (POs) of the IOMC are listed below and details of their chemicals related programmes and activities can be found by clicking on the links.
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
- International Labour Organization (ILO)
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
- United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
- United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- World Bank
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
The WHO is the administering organization for the IOMC and provides secretariat services to the Inter-Organization Coordinating Committee (IOCC).


text: My mother and mother-in-law insist that I have a bowl of oatmeal every morning. They believe it will help me produce milk. Is that true? If so, are there any other foods that will help me produce milk. My supply is doing ok. I just want to ensure that I will be able to produce milk for my dd until she is at least one year old. I still have 9 more months to go.


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More Than Decoration
1. Beyond the jack-o'-lantern, dinner. Most pumpkins are carved or canned. They end up as ghouls or pies. But pumpkin is squash, squash is healthy and tasty, and this particular squash has a rich, sweet, fresh flavor that lends itself to soups, stews, risottos, or a simple mash—made sweet with butter, maple syrup, and nutmeg or savory with browned butter, sage, and grated Parmesan.
2. That said, carving pumpkins are not really eating pumpkins. Small, thinner-skinned eating varieties are grown for sweetness and flavor that the more fibrous jack-o'-lantern pumpkins lack. So if you're cooking fresh rather than canned, look for varieties like Small Sugar, New England Pie, and Long Island Cheese (which got its name from its wheel-of-curds shape and cooks beautifully). Sure, you can eat the carving kind, but it will taste more like potato than pumpkin.


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- Girls Duvet Covers
- Girls Quilts + Comforters
- Girls Sheet Sets
- Guys Duvet Covers
- Guys Quilts + Comforters
- Guys Sheet Sets
- Value Comforter Set
- Deluxe Comforter Set
- Duvet Bedding Set
- Pillows + Throws
- Bedding Basics
- Headboards
PBteen has all of the special little touches to make campus dorms feel more like home at bedtime. Order a few of our comfy pillow inserts and place them in soft and inspirational pillow covers that coordinate with bedding to make a cozy and personal retreat. Add organic cotton, plush and woven throws for extra warmth and softness. Many of our pillow covers and throws may be monogrammed with names, initials or Greek letters to make a dorm bed a familiar and personal space. Loyal college fans will adore needlepoint pillows and warm blankets featuring their favorite collegiate teams.
Plan for spills and accidents by ordering a few extra sets of sheets for dorm beds. A percale spring set and a flannel winter girls sheet set will keep the bed comfortable in all seasons. Coordinate sheet colors and patterns with our reversible comforters and quilts to create several looks using different sheets. This helps keep the dorm looking fresh and inspiring. Organic cotton, T-shirt fabric and soft jersey knit are all favorite bed linen materials for students and our girls and guys sheet set collections give you all of these options in your choice of colors, stripes, plaids and patterns.


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A wayward dolphin has been spotted in a southern Brooklyn creek, and police are trying to get the animal to safety.
The New York Police Department Emergency Service Unit and members of the Harbor Patrol are in the Bath Beach section of Brooklyn trying to rescue the dolphin along Coney Island Creek.
The NYPD has already moved a boom flotation that serves as a retainer. The NYPD is hoping that the adjustment of the boom will be the opening the dolphin needs to find the harbor in the midst of a low tide.
The state of the dolphin's health is not yet clear, but the fact that it is wandering near the shore could be an indication of a fatal illness.


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There's science behind that magic
January 29, 2014 —
HONESDALE, PA — Last Saturday afternoon, Bob Friedhoffer, aka Professor Bob, of Damascus Township, PA and New York City, took to the stage at The Cooperage to a room crowded with children to present his Scientific Magic Show. On the theory that young people not only like magic shows, but also want to know how things work, Friedhoffer entertained everyone—children and adults alike—with a collection of magic tricks. But then, unlike other magicians, he revealed not only how he accomplished the tricks, but also some of the scientific principles involved.
In one trick, the Professor began by partially filling a clear plastic cup with water. Next, he placed an ordinary postcard on the open top of the cup, and then, with one hand holding the cup and the other holding the postcard in place, he turned everything upside down. After saying the magic words "Honesdale is cool," (much to the amusement of the audience), he removed his hand from the postcard, and there it stayed, holding the water in the inverted cup. Not a drop was spilled. A small voice from the back of the room was heard to say, "That's cool," and another, "It's magic." The audience applauded. At the end of the trick, in response to a few more magic words, the postcard fell from the cup and the water spilled into a bucket below.
Next, the Professor revealed the secret of the trick: the cup had been prepared beforehand by drilling a hole in its side near the bottom of the cup, but when he filled the cup, his thumb covered the hole preventing the water from escaping, and when he turned the cup upside down (still keeping his thumb over the hole) a vacuum was created, holding the postcard (and thus the water, too) in place. "The air pressure inside the glass is less than the air pressure outside the glass, and the pressure outside the glass is so strong it holds the postcard in place," Professor Bob told the crowd. When he suddenly released his finger from the hole in the cup, the postcard fell and the water spilled out,. "Your perception, or what you think you see, is not necessarily what is happening," he said. Later he revealed that this trick really "is a very old science demonstration."
Among the many scientific principles Friedhoffer pointed out during the show were explanations of the nature of gravity and balance; the properties of elasticity and adhesion; a mention of Isaac Newton's three principles of motion, and of Copernicus' 14th century theory that the earth travels around the sun and not vice versa; and more.


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The Portales News Tribune reported that the Roosevelt County Commission approved a measure put forth by Sheriff Stanley Bilberry to use air travel to transport Roosevelt County prisoners if the extraditions were over 600 miles. Under the current policy, the prisoners had to be driven, no matter what the distance.
Jan. 19, 1981
January 12, 2009


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Crackdown 2 ReviewBy Morgan Webb - Posted Jul 05, 2010
Crackdown 2 delivers all of the orb-snatching, high-jumping fun of the 2007 original with a few twists. Some quirks and issues keep it from reaching its full potential, but you'll still find plenty of fun amidst the chaos.
The Pros
- Drop-in co-op with up to 4 friends
- Orb-collection is addictive and fun
- It's a playground for stunts and tricks
The Cons
- Controls aren't always responsive enough
- Not enough mission variety
- Bland multiplayer
Crackdown 2 drops you right back into the same environment you played in Realtime Worlds' 2007 sleeper hit, though with a few twists. It's a decade later, and you're fighting on two fronts. It's a fantastic game that largely recreates the fun of the original, although it doesn't take any major leaps and strides to drive the experience to the next level. That's unfortunate, but if you have the itch to collect and hoard more orbs, then this one will scratch for days.
The premise is simple. You are a clone - a mindless, overpowered oppressor enforcing the will of a corporation on the disaffected populace. Your mission is to single-handedly destroy the grassroots rebellion, called the Cell, as well as cleanse Pacific City of the extremely aggressive population of mutant Freaks.
Skills for Kills, Agent, Skills for Kills
You start out your mission only slightly overpowered. You can level up 5 skills - agility, strength, guns, explosives, and driving. You mostly level up your agility by finding green orbs on the rooftops. In all the other categories, you get skills for kills, meaning if you kill a Freak with a kick to the face, you will receive levelling orbs in the strength category. If you run over a Cell rebel with your car, you will receive levelling orbs for the driving skill. You will unlikely be able to fully level your character during your first play through, adding a huge incentive to keep playing so you can unlock some really grand abilities.
It is the hunt for orbs that really defines Crackdown and this new sequel. You're not in the game for the story, which is thankfully light. You're not in it because it's a great shooter -- it's an easy lock-on system that loves focusing on the wrong thing. You're not in it because it's a great brawler -- half the time you can't even seem to punch an enemy if he's right in front of you, so you do a bit of flailing and a lot of button mashing. There is, however, something so delicious about the hunt for orbs, something about the sound they make when you get close, something about the joy of being able to scale a 50 story building and leap between the rooftops, that makes you forgive many of the game's mechanical shortcomings.
Woah...Deja vu
If you played Crackdown, it will dawn on you at some point that you've been here before. You are playing in the same city, though it has gotten the requisite coat of graphical polish.
The feeling of familiarity will run a little deeper when you realize that the mission structure lacks any variety. Once you've done one mission set, you've pretty much done them all. First, you need to locate three solar Absorption Units that are linked to a specific Beacon drop point. You activate an Absorption Unit by standing on an adjacent pad for a few seconds, then you head to the next one. When three Absorption Units are activated, you then guard a Beacon from an endless stream of sometimes monstrous enemies. You then either start the pattern again, or you can choose to take over one of the rebel Cell strongholds, and then go in search of another Absorption Unit.
If you get too bored of the mission structure, however, there are some other activities. You can search for a number of different types of special orbs, like Renegade Orbs, which speed away as soon as you get close. There are footraces that have you leaping across rooftops to earn extra agility, and car races to level your driving. Neither race type is particularly fun, but they're not horrible, and lets be honest -- you're just in it for the orbs.
The Freaks Come Out at Night
As virtual worlds go, Pacific City has a dual personality. During the day, the city is full of citizens who always get in the way of your car/shotgun/rocket launcher. You are mildly admonished for the untimely demise of innocent bystanders, but in general the unwashed masses just get in the way -- and pay dearly for their mistake.
At night, Pacific City is home to thousands of shambling zombies, or Freaks, that in some areas are packed in shoulder to shoulder. They come in a number of flavors - big bruisers, quick jumpers, spitters, and even some giants that are two stories high.
Freaks are fodder in the best possible sense. You will start drooling when you see a hundred freaks packed in a small area. Level your explosives skill by lobbing in grenade after grenade, or get in the center of the pack and smash their brains out with a lamp post. Freaks are there for level grinding, and they bring the player endless amounts of joy.
It's nice to have two different gaming environments in one city, and you will find yourself alternately looking forward to the sunset when the fodder comes out to play, and looking forward to the dawn when you can walk around in peace.
Can I Take the Subway?
Driving, especially in slower cars, is improved. Though it's a minor gripe, handling gets a bit more finicky when you get into the faster vehicles. Climbing buildings and flying across rooftops is one of the best things about Crackdown 2, and sometimes one of the most frustrating. Your mortal enemy, worse than any Freak or Cell operative, is the awning. You will curse a 6-inch overhang more than you will ever curse the hordes of Freaks. Your agent just can't seem to grab onto any ledge that isn't exactly flush with the one he left, which begs the question of why Ruffian put those overhangs in the game in the first place.
The building design is often frustrating as well. You are often circling a building trying to figure out how to get to the Absorption Unit at the top, then you start circling other buildings in the vicinity in an ever widening radius. This doesn't come across as a fun puzzle; it comes off as bad design and it's annoying, especially since the sense of freedom in approach is what Crackdown is all about.
You eventually get used to the irritating controls and you learn to overlook them, but get ready to fall a lot. You forgive the game because it's still fun, but it's sad to think of how amazing the game truly could have been.
An Army of Four
The series really succeeds when you're playing co-op, so the drop-in/drop-out online of Crackdown 2 is more than welcome. You're to the wall trying to take a Cell stronghold, and without warning, your friend comes flying into view to save the day! There is another type of orb just for online play, the Live orbs, which you and at least one friend need to stand near in order to activate. These are a fun distraction and the mission is often happily interrupted to collect them.
The absolute best part of Crackdown 2 is that its a stunter's paradise. When you and your friends get bored of doing missions, you can collect gas cans and oxygen tanks and create huge explosions. You'll find gigantic balls you can carry around and throw (Freak bowling, anyone?), even find trucks with stunt ramps on the back, so you can position them for the perfect trick -- which will undoubtedly also involve all those gas cans. The map is littered with fun toys, and you have some great weapons in your arsenal, so get creative and don't forget to record some of your best stunts.
Multiplayer is not going to be anyone's favorite mode of Crackdown 2, but it's a passable experience. Rocket Tag, where one player has the orb and the rest chase him down with infinite rocket launchers, sounds better in theory than it is in practice, mostly because the maps seem poorly designed for this purpose -- too many nooks and crannies feel easily exploitable. In one match, a player scaled a nearly-inaccessible point and camped for two minutes. Not fun. The other options are deathmatch and team deathmatch, though the winner of each mode is "whoever found the rocket launcher first," followed by "whoever found the sniper rifle first." There are vehicles available, and you can even fly a helicopter around the map and spam the ground with rockets, but it's a novelty more than a winning strategy -- you're a sitting duck up there.
Happy Days are Here Again
Crackdown 2 is a great game, but not one without some glaring flaws. It would have been nice to see more from it -- more polish, more work on the design, and a lot more work on the controls. You can't help wondering what Ruffian did with all the development time they had, because it feels like they just threw a few twists into the game we saw three years ago. What ultimately saves it, though, is what saved it the first time -- it's fun to be an awesome supercop, and it's even more fun to be awesome with friends. Despite the quirks that rob it of the heights of true greatness, Crackdown 2 is a good time, and it's still very much worth the price of admission.


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(8 reviews)
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Waste of Money Don't Buy
Hastings on Hudson NY
About Me
Best Uses
Comments about
WoodRiver 29 Piece Fractional Inch Brad Point Drill Bit Index Set
I can't believe I wasted my money on this. I usually buy higher end stuff but i checked these bits out and they all seemed sharp and I knew I wasn't going to use them heavily. The worked great the first time I used them. I didn't need any of the small bits for the first month but after that I chucked one up and it was warped. It was so warped you could see it just by looking at it. I checked out the others and every single one of the smaller sizes was warp. At this point they are useless. It was a complete waste of money. I never bought anything from the Wood River brand before and based on this I never would again.
Bottom Line
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Needs Better Quality Control
J. Moriarty Guitars
Burr Ridge, IL
I had read the reviews so when I was at the store I took a couple of bits out and rolled them on a flat surface. The ones I tested seemed straight. Once in the drill press, the wobble was obvious.
The bits don't cut clean holes. They feel sharp but once you cut into, and especially through the wood, the poor quality is evident.
The three smallest sizes are standard bits. I bought the set because one of my smaller brad-tipped bits vanished and I needed one quick. I failed to check at the store and when I got them back to the shop I found the size I needed was a standard bit.
These will be used only for rough work or where a clean cut isn't critical. You get what you pay for.
So far so good
Gregg the Greene man
Bethlehem, PA
About Me
Avid Do-It-Yourselfer
Not top quality, but good for the price. So far, I've not had any problems.
Bottom Line
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Good value
Alfie Blu
Houston, TX
About Me
Casual Do-It-Yourselfer
Drills worked as expected, easily cut cleanly through hardwoods.
Poor quality control
The bits that were straight did a great job, but over half the bits I received weren't straight. On the plus side, Woodcraft accepted the return no questions asked
Looks like good deal-but don't do it
Phantom Bear
Bel Air, MD
I bought this set to use for crafting pens/drilling blanks. It had increments of 64ths. Of the bits I have used so far none of them have been straight. I will be returning the set to the store as soon as I get time.
You get what you pay for
South Dakota
I bought this set of brad point bits many months ago when they were on sale and i wasn't very impressed with the quality. nearly half the bits were not straight when i chucked them up but the ones that were straight cut very well. no tear out and very clean holes.
the plastic case is very nice, fractions are well marked on the case.
woodcraft did replace the bits but same problem with the next set so wasn't happy about that.
overall, if the bits were all straight this would be a really fantastic deal, but im still happy with the bits and case i got for the price i paid.
Good Enough
Bedford Va
Fills the need
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here you can pos your thoughts, wishes, speculations about them.
also there is a male pegasus knight..... has this happened before or is it a new thing?
also krom on a pegasus!!!!! *squeal*
(im new to this site so bear with me.....)
Edited by pegasusmage, 16 March 2012 - 09:12 PM.


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One of the greatest gifts God ever bestowed upon me was the courage to open my heart and welcome a child in need.
I feel so honored and privileged to introduce you to this special friend of mine. While considered ordinary when looked at through the eyes of the world, in my eyes, everything about my friend embodies the word extraordinary.
My hope in sharing her story is that you find encouragement. May her testimony serve as a reminder for us that even the simple things we do can have eternal significance.
Answering the Call
I am never shy about telling others that answering the call and becoming a sponsor at the age of 21 was the best decision I've ever made.
God blessed me with the honor of cheering on my precious friend, Katerin, starting when she was 10 until she graduated from the Child Sponsorship Program at age 17. And when opportunity knocked in the form of a sponsor tour to Peru, I happily answered.
As I reflect on that special time, meeting Katerin proved to be a life-changing experience in many ways. God provided me an up-close-and-personal encounter with Katerin, her family, and many of the precious angels who so gracefully reflect Jesus' love to all the children at the Forjadores de Esperanza Student Center in Peru.
During this visit there were four things that Katerin helped validate:
- She Prays
"How is your dad?" were the first words that came out of her mouth.
My dad had been stricken with cancer. While I never maintained any suspicions, clearly Katerin's concern demonstrated that indeed she was doing as she said in her letters. And in that moment, I could not help but imagine this precious little girl on her knees interceding faithfully on behalf of my father.
- Letters Matter
Upon arriving at her home for a visit, Katerin dashed inside. Before I could blink an eye she was outside again, trotting toward me with arms outstretched. From a distance she appeared to be holding something.
As she motioned for me to accept her folder, there must have been a dust storm or something because right then, as I opened the folder, my eyes began to moisten at the sight of items once very familiar. Yes, those letters and other simple-but-sincere acts of love really do mean something to our sponsored kids.
- Winning Isn't Everything
On child-visit day I learned that when you delegate sole power to your child, in effect empowering her to choose which activity to participate in, don't be surprised when you soon are strapping it on in the three-legged race. With a satisfied smile, Katerin later reminded me, "Padrino, we did our best."
- Mom Is Supportive
Katerin's mom was her world. Bless her heart, on child-visit day I admittedly was not at all prepared to accept the following words spoken by her mother: "I quit my job to be here today."
Knowing that she was the lone provider at home, I needed clarification and was relieved to learn that "quitting her job" equated to not working (as a seller in the market) on that particular day.
Less than a year after meeting Katerin, the anticipated-but-never-really-quite-ready-for final letter arrived in my mailbox.
Among other things, she expressed her goal and dream of one day studying and furthering her career through university training. In my mind I imagined the possibility of one day receiving an email or letter saying,
"Padrino, I did it. With God's help I am now learning in the university."
Since I didn't fully understand the possibility of communication beyond sponsorship, Compassion kindly helped guide me through this delicate process. Essentially it meant that all inherent risks (on both ends) were fully weighed and considered.
If I was still interested, I was told, I needed to fully agree upon and sign a waiver form. Local Compassion staff would then pass along my desire to Katerin, who in turn would be responsible for initiating the first dialogue (if interested and/or able).
About three months later, in 2006, I welcomed her first greeting. Although I have never taken this privilege of communication beyond sponsorship for granted, I would be misleading if I suggested that the years to come were without heartache.
While details such as working and attending to her church and family life seemed to encompass most of Katerin's messages, the next couple of years afforded me a beautiful glimpse inside her heart. Not surprisingly, Katerin continued to prove that she was wired just like so many of our dear, sponsored children — with that refuse-to-give-up attitude.
This attitude would soon be put to the test.
Hope, Despair and Answered Prayer
In 2009, the words Where are you, God? echoed from deep within my heart. This after learning that Katerin's mother had died, succumbing to cancer after a courageous fight.
As is often the case with this disease, her death was preceded by a painful, heartbreaking, prolonged decline in bodily function. The decline and death of Katerin's mother left the children in deep despair.
You need to understand that the loss of her mother wasn't an ordinary loss, as callous as that may sound (with due respect to the order of life). For Katerin and her two siblings, you see, their mother was the rock. While their father is alive today, for reasons unbeknownst to me he has not been a regular part of their lives.
Thankfully the local church and Compassion graciously provided an umbrella of support, tangibly illuminating God's love through merciful hands of compassion.
One month after Katerin's mother died, I had the privilege of sharing a conversation with Katerin on Messenger. With all the strength she could muster she reassured my doubting heart:
"I will be okay. I will continue on. This is what my mother would have wanted, after all."
Fighting back feelings of despair, Katerin dug deeper:
"If God would have allowed, I willingly would have traded places with my mother."
I could not have been more proud of my friend than at that moment.
Less than a year after her mother's death, I received an email. Receiving that email was no different than if I had reached into my mailbox and found one of those unmistakable letters.
You know – those letters that contain arguably the five most beautiful words ever: Message from your sponsored child.
Katerin's message came stamped with the very signature of God with this news: She would begin studying in college! God in all His faithfulness had answered Katerin's prayer to attend college.
What Is Katerin Up to Today?
This year, thanks to God, Katerin celebrated her 23rd birthday. Studying in college has been put on hold (Lord willing, for only a season). Earlier this year she became pregnant and recently she welcomed into the world a precious little baby boy.
Katerin named him Jeremy.
The name Jeremy was chosen out of honor, she said. Although I admit to being a little biased, in one of the most precious messages I've ever received (you know the type — those capable of making grown men cry) she told me why she chose the name Jeremy.
The name she chose for her baby makes my heart smile with more pride than you will ever know (after all, come on now, Jeremy is a pretty amazing name, right?). But in all seriousness, her story is really OUR story. Her story is YOUR story.
May you always remember that, as a sponsor, you are making an eternal difference in the life of your child(ren). Whenever you bless another with an act of kindness or an affirming, encouraging word, don't forget to smile because you, my friend, are bringing a little heaven to earth.
Your sacrifices help spread God's love and truth to your child and family.
- Your faithfulness reminds your child how much you love him or her.
- Your prayers reinforce the truth that God is listening and always able.
- Your encouragement helps fan the flame of hope, keeping your child's candle lit.
- Your letters of love inspire your child to dream and imagine.
If Katerin could say one thing to you today, I imagine she would begin by saying "thank you." Then with all her strength, undoubtedly, she would challenge you to have the courage to sponsor a child. Or another.
As I have come to know my friend Katerin, time and time again I have been humbled by her uncommon resolve, her perseverance to discover a way when everything around might suggest tossing in the towel. Within her exists a courageous, never-say-never attitude very much reflective of sponsors just like you.
Included in her final correspondence letter was a challenge to me. As a way of honoring Katerin, I'd like to share her challenge with you:
"Have the courage to sponsor another child so you can give him/her the same help, because there are many here who need it."
Do you know someone who may have this courage that Katerin speaks of? Who may be waiting for an invitation to make a significant difference?
With God actively at work and always going before you, imagine the power and potential of your testimony as a Compassion child sponsor. Might it even hold the key to unlock someone's heart?
May God bless you and may you always go forth with courage!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jeremy Vance became a sponsor in 1997 and then became an advocate in 2006. Currently he sponsors seven children and is a correspondent sponsor with nine more. He lives in Grand Rapids, Mich.


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This study is provided by ICPSR. ICPSR provides leadership and training in data access, curation, and methods of analysis for a diverse and expanding social science research community.
Career Values in Brazil, 1960 (ICPSR 7042)
Principal Investigator(s): Kahl, Joseph
This is the first of two studies conducted by Kahl concerning career patterns and values in Latin American countries (see also CAREER VALUES IN MEXICO, 1963 [ICPSR 7058]). The present study was carried out in 1960 in the Brazilian states of Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, and Rio Grande do Sul. The study assessed the respondents' occupations at the time they were interviewed, the length of their employment, what they liked most and least about their jobs, and their incomes. Variables further explored past occupations, the highest level of education attained, and the extent to which lack of education had handicapped respondents' careers. A major portion of the study probed the respondents' feelings about the nature of jobs and people: the importance of ambition and determination in one's job, individual versus group interests, how best to "get ahead," importance of family ties, tendency to trust others, and corruption in the urban centers. A number of recodes and derived measures are included.
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Study Description
Kahl, Joseph. Career Values in Brazil, 1960. ICPSR07042-v2. Ann Arbor, MI: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor], 2009-05-08. http://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR07042.v2
Persistent URL: http://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR07042.v2
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Scope of Study
Subject Terms: ambition, aspirations, career goals, corruption, family relations, income, job history, job satisfaction, job tenure, occupations, urban areas, work
Geographic Coverage: Brazil, Global, Latin America, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, South America
Time Period:
- 1960
Date of Collection:
- 1960
Universe: Employees of private enterprises and government offices in Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, and Rio Grande do Sul, in Brazil.
Data Types: survey data
Sample: inap.
Data Source:
personal interviews
Extent of Processing: ICPSR data undergo a confidentiality review and are altered when necessary to limit the risk of disclosure. ICPSR also routinely creates ready-to-go data files along with setups in the major statistical software formats as well as standard codebooks to accompany the data. In addition to these procedures, ICPSR performed the following processing steps for this data collection:
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Original ICPSR Release: 1984-05-10
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- 2009-05-08 SAS, SPSS, and Stata setups have been added to this data collection.
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