Greg Vaughn, Left Fielder
Milwaukee Brewers 1989-1996
San Diego Padres 1996-1998
Cincinnati Reds 1999
Tampa Bay Devil Rays 2000-2002
Colorado Rockies 2003
Awards
1998 NL Silver Slugger - OF
All-Star Selections: 4 (1993, 1996, 1998, 2001)
League Leader
None
Career Ranks
Homeruns: 73rd
Best Performance
September 7, 1999 - Cincinnati at Chicago (Game 2 of DH)
Hits three homeruns against the Cubs.
Hall of Fame Stats
Gray Ink: Batting - 22 (928) (Average HOFer ≈ 144)
HOF Standards: Batting - 25.0 (418) (Average HOFer ≈ 50)
HOF Monitor: Batting - 50.0 (368) (Likely HOFer > 100)
Similar Batters in HOF: None
Top 10 Similar Batters: Jeromy Burnitz, Ron Gant, Rocky Colavito, Roy Sievers, Andruw Jones, Darryl Strawberry, David Justice, Greg Luzinski, Dave Kingman, Jack Clark
Year-by-Year Win Shares & Wins Above Replacement Level (WARP3)
1989: 6/1.1
1990: 10/1.3
1991: 20/8.4
1992: 16/6.4
1993: 22/6.7
1994: 9/4.9
1995: 5/1.2
1996: 17/6.3
1997: 8/1.8
1998: 30/10.6
1999: 24/7.2
2000: 16/5.1
2001: 15/3.8
2002: 1/0.6
2003: 1/0.4
Career Win Shares: 199
Career WARP3: 65.3
My Stupid Opinion
Vaughn was your prototypical low batting average slugger. His one really standout year in 1998 was of course completely overshadowed by a couple of other sluggers who's names escape me at the moment. Really nothing special about him outside of his power.
Ten years ago, Baseball America started listing top prospects by team. The Phillies at the time had a weak system, and BA chose reliever Ryan Brannan as the Phillies' top prospect. Brannan never reached the major leagues. Over ten years have passed, so now it is apparent whether any of the Phillies' farm products at the time became successes or failures. Looking back, could any of their players made better picks as top prospects? I drew up a list of the top ten based on current career win shares. Players in the organization as of January 1, 1998 and claimed rookie eligibility status.
1. Jimmy Rollins, SS (18 years old)
Sally League: 270/332/370, 46 stolen bases
Impressive second year, as Rollins displayed a bit of pop, plate discipline, lots of speed. A shortstop who happened to be one of the youngest players in the league AND exceeded the league OPS is certainly a top prospect.
2. Randy Wolf, LHP (20 years old)
NY-Penn League: 4-0, 1.57 ERA, 40 IP, 8 BBs, 53 K's.
Wolf was the Phillies' second round pick in the 1997 draft. It is hard to put a lot of stock in 40 innings. Michael Cisco would qualify as a top prospect under the same criteria. It would be interesting to go back and read scouting reports on this one.
3. Marlon Anderson, 2B (23 years old)
Eastern League: 266/318/374, 27 steals in 42 attempts.
Those numbers are hardly impressive at all. Low average, little power, high caught stealing rate. Anderson would explode for 62 extra base hits the next year in AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Anderson spent a couple years playing second base for the Phillies before settling in as a valuable spare part for the New York Mets.
4. Desi Relaford, SS (23 years old)
International League: 267/323/400, 29 steals.
You want a higher batting average, but that's not bad from a 23 year old SS in AAA. Relaford bombed as a starter though in 1998. Relaford got mileage out of a career as a utility infielder. His placement on the list is due to longevity rather than real ability.
5. Johnny Estrada, C (21 years old)
NY-Penn League: 314/341/489.
223 at bats, 9 walks and 15 strikeouts? How do you evaluate a player like that? Estrada never got his OBP up. He reached the Majors in 2001 thanks to an injury to Mike Lieberthal, but was terrible. He had a solid year with the Braves in 2004, but otherwise he was a poor hitter. A player like this lives and dies on his batting average and when you do that, it better be closer to .320-.330.[/i]
6. Carlos Silva, RHP (18 years old)
Appy League: 2-2, 5.12 ERA, 58 IP, 14 BBs, 31 K's.
Home run rates are unavailable, so I don't know if Silva's ground ball tendencies were readily apparent. While Silva crashed and burned in 2008, he's had a fine career thus far as a starting pitcher.
7. Adam Eaton, RHP (19 years old)
Sally League: 5-6, 4.18 ERA, 71 IP, 30 BBs, 57 K's.
Nothing in the stat line really stands out. The Phillies packaged Eaton to the Padres for Alan Ashby before the 2000 season. Eaton had a 4.13 ERA in 2000 and since then has NEVER posted a better than average ERA in a season of any length.
8. Bobby Estalella, C (22 years old)
International League: 233/321/418
A beast. Estalella had power to spare, and was built like a truck. Unfortunately he had yet to hit for an acceptable average. Estalella exploded the following season in Scranton, posting a .993 OPS in 76 games. Estalella hit just .216 though in 904 MLB at bats.
9. Wayne Gomes, RHP (24 years old)
International League: 38 IP, 24 BB's, 36 K's, 2.37 ERA
MLB: 42.7 IP, 24 BBs, 24 K's, 5.27 ERA
How the heck did this guy ever come around with those peripherals. Gomes had three decent seasons from 1998-2000, before losing effectiveness.
10. Derrick Turnbow, RHP (19 years old)
Appy League: 24 IP, 16 BB, 7 K's, 7.50 ERA.
Wow. Turnbow found his stuff for one good season in Milwaukee, but otherwise he had extreme control issues his entire career.
I think Rollins and Wolf were obvious talents at the time. The rest are generally a collection of journeymen who had lengthy careers as reserves. In retrospect, Rollins probably should have been the number one prospect.
Link.
Arrested? Uncle Sam ought to be making you in charge of Social Security. I guess the government cracks down on those in direct competition with its own Ponzi scheme.
You guys are a supposed to be a news organization. You're supposed to up 24/7 trying to get the latest scoop and all that hippie stuff. Then how come there was nobody available for comment for this story? Granted the payroll is more than 100 warm bodies lighter, but still. I love it when media outlets clam up like the organizations they report about. Maybe you could print up another batch of "Osama Elected" SPECIAL EDITIONS for some quick cash.
10 p.m.
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. That's all I'm going to say.
• So it was 7:20 p.m. and the better half and I were getting frisky. And by frisky I mean...
Don't say I didn't warn you, because you were.
Now Thursday is when I get some peace and quiet Mrs. kkk's night for watching network television. She watches Survivor, CSI and some other crappy show after that. Now it was 40 minutes until Survivor, so I made a joke about what if you miss tonight's episode. "It's on On Demand," she replied. I go into the bedroom to, well, you know...
...and I'm still waiting. The heck? It doesn't take that long to swallow a birth control pill. I walk out into the living room and what do I see?
She's setting the DVR to record Survivor. Glad the thought of my beefstick still gets her scampering off onto the love mattress.
And for the record, she finished in time for Survivor's opening segment.
• I generally don't like McDonald's ads, but I like this batch.
The hell?
When have attack ads NOT been popular?
Then again, I don't think I'd want these two going at it head-to-head.
Oh heck, if you've made it through today's entry you deserve it...
Best Horror Movie: Let the Right One In. Honerable Mention: Inside, The Lost, The Signal, Stuck, Splinter, Teeth, Eden Lake, The Strangers, Machine Girl, Tokyo Gore Police, Cloverfield, Dance of the Dead, Doomsday.
Worst Horror Movie: The Happening. Honerable Mention: Prom Night (remake-also, a PG-13 slasher flick? Really?), One Missed Call (remake), Shutter (remake), Rest Stop 2, Otto: Or up With Dead People, Cthulhu, Funny Games, Feast II, Untraceable.
Most Disappointing: Tie between Mother of Tears and Diary of the Dead. Honerable mention goes to The Ruins, Cthulhu, Blindness, Rogue, My Name Is Bruce.
Best Kill: Mom and son kick the bucket (Machine Girl) Honerable mention goes to Head exploding shotgun blast (Frontier(s)), Scissor Stabbing (Inside), accidentally shooting friend in the head (The Strangers), Amish Scythe Suicide (Diary of the Dead)
Most Cringe Worthy Scene: Scissors cock stab (Inside), Tendon removal (Frontier(s)), actually, most of Inside, "Just like Sharon Tate..." (The Lost), Deep fired hand (Machine Girl)
Goriest Movie: Tie between Machine Girl and Tokyo Gore Police.
Best Actor: Mark Senter (The Lost), A.J. Bown (Signal)
Best Actress: Lina Leandersson (Let The Right One In), Beatrice Dalle (Inside)
Best Cast: The Lost. Honerable Mention: Stuck.
Best Villain: Ray Pye (Mark Senter) in The Lost. Honerable mention goes to The Woman (Beatrice Dalle) in Inside, Lewis Denton (A.J. Bowen) in The Signal, The Strangers in The Strangers.
Best Independent Horror Movie: The Lost. Honerable Mention goes to The Signal, Stuck, Splinter, Teeth, Dance of the Dead.
Best Foreign Horror Movie: Let The Right One In. Honerable Mention goes to Eden Lake, Machine Girl, Tokyo Gore Police.
Best Hollywood Horror: The Strangers. Honerable Mention goes to Cloverfield and Doomsday.
Most Pleasant Suprise: Dance of the Dead
Guilty Pleasure: Doomsday
Best Quote: "Because you were home." (The Strangers)
I have been doing some thinking and I have been wondering if Detroit goaltender Chris Osgood is a Hall of Famer. There have been many debates on Hfboards about his worthiness. Most the people on there hate him. I decided to use the Keltner list to determine if he makes or not. (I am really bored.)
1. Was he ever regarded as the best player in hockey? Did anybody, while he was active, ever suggest that he was the best player in hockey?
No, he played mostly in the era of Roy, Hasek, Brodeur, and other goaltenders who were better than him.
Actually after a little bit of research, he won the Jennings Trophy twice but he has never won the Vezina.
2. Was he the best player on his team?
No. Steve Yzerman, Nicklas Lidstrom, and possibly Chris Chelios are going to the HOF. It's hard to compare goalies to forwards and defensemen though.
3. Was he the best player in hockey at his position? Was he the best player in the league at his position?
No. See above.
4. Did he have an impact on a number of playoff races?
He played on Detroit teams were usually division leaders or in second place. He did well in Long Island and St. Louis also. I would say yes.
5. Was he a good enough player that he could continue to play regularly after passing his prime?
This season is probably the first season where he is showing his age. His GAA is 3.17 so far this season. His record is 11-1-4. The Red Wings are scoring a lot of goals to make up for his poor play
6. Is he the very best player in hockey history who is not in the Hall of Fame?
Hasek and Brodeur aren't in yet. I could see Belfour in Hall and maybe Curtis Joseph.
7. Are most players who have comparable career statistics in the Hall of Fame?
Billy Smith, Gump Worsley, and Harry Lumley have less wins than Osgood and they are in the HOF.
8. Do the player's numbers meet Hall of Fame standards?
His win totals make him HOF worthy. His career GAA is around 2.4. It isn't good. For comparison Roy's was 2.5.
9. Is there any evidence to suggest that the player was significantly better or worse than is suggested by his statistics?
People would say that he didn't deserve a lot of those wins because he was a goaltender during Detroit's dominance. His stats carried over to St. Louis and the Islanders. His performance didn't decline during his non-Detroit years.
10. Is he the best player at his position who is eligible for the Hall of Fame but not in?
He isn't eligible yet but that would be no. Hasek and Belfour will be in before Osgood.
11. How many MVP-type seasons did he have? Did he ever win an MVP award? If not, how many times was he close?
I'm going to guess that he carried the Islanders and the Blues to playoffs, so that would probably make him a MVP for those times. It's hard being a goaltender in the NHL and winning the Hart trophy. The last guy they gave it declined after that and ended up partying Paris Hilton.
12. How many All-Star-type seasons did he have? How many All-Star games did he play in? Did most of the other players who played in this many go to the Hall of Fame?
He was a four time all star. I'm not really sure about the last question.
13. If this man were the best player on his team, would it be likely that the team could win the playoffs?
No, he couldn't do it for Islanders or Blues.
14. What impact did the player have on baseball history? Was he responsible for any rule changes? Did he introduce any new equipment? Did he change the game in any way?
No.
15. Did the player uphold the standards of sportsmanship and character that the Hall of Fame, in its written guidelines, instructs us to consider?
He wasn't a troublemaker and he hasn't been caught using PEDs.
In my opinion, he is a borderline HOF'er. I think he gets based on his win totals. Hockey fans will probably complain about because the Red Wings were and are a good team. Most people won't credit him with the wins because a HOF defenseman played in front of him among the other top talents the Red Wings acquired during his stints.. Of course, no one brings up the trap when talking about Brodeur and his shutouts. Osgood played on two other teams and did really well on them and he has four rings, which means he'll get in eventually.
OVW TV Report for December 6, 2008
- Show open...
- Dean Hill and Kenny Bolin are at the desk informing the viewers that over the next few weeks we will see the Thanksgiving Thunder tag team tournament to determine the number one contenders for the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship in it's entirety over the next few weeks. This week we will see the opening round.
Opening Round Match #1
- Theta Lambda Psi (El Maestro & Moose w/Reggie) vs. Eugene & OVW Heavyweight Champion Aaron "The Idol" Stevens
Hill and Bolin are joined by one-half of the Southern Tag Team Champions Dirty Money and his manager Josie. Theta Lambda Psi enters first. El Maestro is new FCW Developmental Talent Gavin Garrison under a mask. I have no idea why Idol and Dinsmore are teaming, particularly when Idol is the Heavyweight Champion, but whatever. Hill notes that both are former WWE Superstars. Bill Clark is the referee. Maestro and Idol start out. Idol takes control with some amateur wrestling moves. Idol goes for a quick pin that only gets a one count. Big shoulderblock by Idol sends Maestro to the mat and he makes a tag to Moose. Moose says he wants Eugene and Idol obliges. Moose works the headlock but Eugene whips Moose into the ropes. Eugene starts a criss-cross and dives out of the ring to chase after Reggie (who is looking pretty hot in her skirt, by the way). Moose attacks Eugene coming back into the ring. Tag brings Maestro back in. Maestro knocks Eugene down with a shoulderblock and goes for the pin, but only gets 2. Tag brings in Moose, who goes to work on Eugene's arm. Moose goes for a big elbow drop, but Eugene rolls out of the way. Eugene and Moose both make tags and Idol comes in on fire. He unloads on Maestro and Moose. Maestro takes a double stomp to the gut by Idol. Idol hits the ropes and drills him with a sweet sliding clothesline on the seated Maestro. Idol only gets 2, as moose breaks the pin. Moose tries to send Idol into the ropes, but Eugene catches him and bites his ass. Brilliant scientific wrestling there by Nick Dinsmore. Idol Stevens hits the Idolizer on Maestro and that's all she wrote. * Match went nowhere and resulted in a patched together team of singles wrestlers beating an established team.
- Interview with Totally Awesome (The Kamikaze Kid & Sucio). They say that Thanksgiving Thunder will be the night of the underdogs.
- Commercial break
Opening Round Match #2
- Totally Awesome vs. Los Rojos Uno & Shiloh
I don't know why Los Rojos Uno isn't teaming with Los Rojos Dos. Uno decides to take his chances in the tournament with a brand new partner, which seems to go against conventional wisdom. Apparently Sucio has gone from being an ambiguously gay wrestler to being a young high flyer. I guess he gets to switch between his DCW persona and his OVW persona as he pleases. Joe Wheeler is your referee. Shiloh and Kamikaze Kid will start. After lots of stalling by TKK, he tags in Sucio without ever locking up with Shiloh. Finally a lock up which is won by Shiloh. He doesn't take control long, as they trade hammerlocks. Pin attempt by Sucio gets 2. Rojos tags in and snapmares Sucio to the mat. He does the Macrena before dropping an elbow, but he danced too long and Sucio moved. TKK tags in and hits Rojos with a leg lariat. TKK slams Rojos down and tags in Sucio. Sucio slingshots himself in, dropping an elbow on Rojos. Rojos reverses an Irish whip and Shiloh nails Sucio with a knee in the back. Rojos makes the tag and Shiloh chops away at Sucio. Shiloh slams Sucio to the mat and works the chinlock. Sucio fails at his first attempt to fight out and almost gets out on a second attempt, but Shiloh hammers him back down and tags in Rojos. Rojos tries a splash from the second turnbuckle, but Sucio is able to roll out of the way. Shiloh tries coming into the ring, but Sucio pushes Rojos into his own partner. Here comes TKK in the ring. He sets up Rojos in a backbreaker position. Sucio into the ropes... nice double stomp! That will get the 3 count. * 1/2. Not much better than the opening match, but there were some decent offensive maneuvers.
-Commercial Break
Opening Round Match #3
- Rudy Switchblade & Johnny Punch vs. Sergio & Supergloves Dos
I've never seen Supergloves Uno, so don't even ask me to explain. Apparently Sergio needed someone to replace Chris Cage. Switchblade and Punch are pretty popular with the OVW crowd. Ruben Ramos is your referee. Supergloves and Rudy will start. Rudy pushes Supergolves into the ropes, but we get a clean break. Rudy and Supergloves trade hammerlocks and waistlocks. Supergloves gets a quick takedown, but Rudy was ready. Switchblade goes for the pin, but Supergloves is quick to kick out at one. Punch tags in and goes to work on the arm. Punch goes for the pin, but only gets 2. Supergloves makes a blind tag and Sergio goes to work, hammering away on Punch. Sergio locks in an abdominal stretch. Sergio wants Supergloves to help him get some additional leverage, but Supergloves refuses. Why did they patch together a heel and a face? Sergio didn't have the stretch lock in strong enough and Punch flips him over. Rudy tags in and hiptosses Sergio. Rudy takes down Sergio with a leg sweep and follows that up with a senton. Pin attempt only gets 2. Sergio gets the advantage and slams Rudy off the top rope. Sergio nails Johnny Punch to draw him into the ring. Sergio tries to convince Supergloves to illegally double team Rudy Switchblade while Ramos is distracted, but Supergloves will have no part of it. Punch tags in and whips Sergio from one corner to the other. Punch sets Sergio up for a reverse powerbomb and Rudy comes off the top rope with a splash. Beautiful double team maneuver. That's good enough for 3. ** It made no sense for Sergio to team up with Supergloves, but Switchblade and Punch made it watchable.
- Commercial Break
Opening Round Match #4
- Anthony Bravado & Pat "The" Buck vs. Apoc & Raul Locos
Buck is no longer part of The Insurgency. Bravado is no longer OVW Champion. No word on where Ramon Locos (Raul's usual partner) or Vaughan Lilas (Apoc's usual partner) are. Bill Clark is the referee and Raul and The Buck will start. Raul takes control with a wristlock, but Buck gets to the ropes to break the hold. Raul and Buck trade wristlocks. Apoc and Bravado tag in. Bravado tries to take control with his power, but Apoc is too quick. He send Bravado into the corner and follows in with a big elbow. Raul tags back in and drops a double ax handle on Bravado. Bravado is able to use his power against Raul and drop him with a shoulder block. The Buck tags in and hits Raul with some quick, stiff kicks. Bravado tags back in and headbutts Raul in the ribs. Big vertical suplex by Bravado. Arrogant pin only gets one. Bravado locks in a bearhug on Raul. Kenny Bolin is going to town with Mexican jokes on commentary. Big clap breaks the breahug and Raul is able to tag in Apoc. Apoc pushes away on Bravado. He sends him into the ropes and catches Bravado with a huge spinebuster. Raul tags back in. Irish whip and Bravado runs into a double flapjack. Buck comes in to even the odds. Apoc runs at Buck in the corner, but misses a flying knee and sails to the floor of the Davis Arena. Clark goes outside to check on Apoc. Raul hits Bravado with a flying forearm and goes for the pin, but Buck breaks it up before Clark can even get in position to count. Bravado rolls over and a nasty kick to Raul's head and gets the three count. *** Acceptable tag team wrestling. The matches are at least improving, though I don't get these makeshift teams.
- Commercial break
Opening Round Match #5
- Outlaw & Hog Wild vs. Al Barone & Los Rojos Dos
Again, more makeshift teams. Outlaw (OVW TV Champion) typically teams with Lightfoot as The War Party. We saw Los Rojos Uno earlier teaming with Shiloh. Hog Wild is a douche stuck in the 70's. Barone has been working with JD Michaels, so you would think they would team together. Rojos and Hog Wild will start out. Wild tries to get the crowd to do the "Hangin' Tough" (yes, THAT Hangin' Tough) chant to no avail. Rojos is able to get the crows on his side, but Wild attacks and pounds away on Rojos. Outlaw tags in. Outlaw tries an atomic drop, but Rojos quickly turns that into a cross body. Barone tags in and goes to work on Outlaw's arm. Outlaw tries a sunset flip, but can't get Barone over. Barone drags Outlaw, still fighting for the flip, and tags in Rojos. Outlaw doesn't see the tag and Rojos tries to pin the distracted Outlaw, but only gets 2. Hog Wild tags back in to work an armbar. Wild tries a pin, but only gets 2. Rojos is basically getting thrown around the ring by Hog Wild. Outlaw back in. Outlaw draws Barone in to distract referee Joe Wheeler so they can do some dastardly, illegal double team moves. Outlaw covers Rojos, but only gets 2. Hog Wild back in and he's doing the cabbage patch. Hog Wild proves that he is the dumbest wrestler ever by trying a splash after Rojos rolled out of the way before he even jumped. Rojos makes the tag to Barone and he decks Hog Wild. Outlaw isn't paying attention, so Barone walks over and decks him for good measure. Barone tags in Rojos, just so he can make the pin. DUD. Awful match.
-Interview with The Mobilehomers (Adam Revolver & Ted McNaler). Whoopee.
- Commercial Break
Opening Round Match #6
- The Mobilehomers w/ OVW Femme Fatale Champion Melody vs. "The Welsh Warrior" Matt Bond & Turcan Celik
At least one of these teams are a real team. Who knows where Ali Akbar and Bin Hamin are. Ray Ramsey is on referee duty. Turcan and Adam Revolver to start. Turcan celebrates winning a tie up by praising Allah. Turcan wins another tie up, but gets caught with a dropkick while praising Allah. McNaler tags in and doesn't keep the advantage for long. Bond tags in and works a headlock. McNaler quickly reverses and put on his own headlock. For some reason (not that anything tonight has made sense) Matt Bond has Vaughn on his tights. Knowing OVW production values, it could be a real possibility that the graphics people heard Bond out of Vaughn. Revolver tags in and takes Bond down with a bulldog. Turcan sneaks in a clips Revolver's knee while Ramsey escorts McNaler out of the ring. Turcan tags in and goes to work on Revolver's knee. Bond tags back in and works over the knee. Turcan is quickly back in and drops a leg across Revolver's knee. Bond back in and kicks away at the knee of Revolver. Revolver tries to fight back, but to no avail. Turcan tags in. Turcan tags in and tries to Irish whip Revolver across the ring, but his knee gives out. Turcan wastes a lot of time praising Allah and gets caught in a small package.... 1-2-3. The Mobilehomers move on. ** Nothing offensive, but Turcan not having his regular tag team partner hurt the match. There is plenty of back story between The Mobilehomers and The Insurgency. I don't know why they just couldn't have done that match. Turcan gets in an extra shot at Revolver's knee after the bell.
- Dean Hill and Kenny Bolin recap the first round for us. No explanation on how the tournament will fill out with just 6 teams. Again, no surprise since nothing has made sense tonight. I don't know what is going on with airing the tournament over 2 weeks instead of giving us new wrestling, but whatever. Next week we get the quarters, the semis and the finals which was held in a steel cage.
As most all of you know I'm not a big college football fan. However, for the past year or so I've tried getting into the sport more. And if I accept the fact that these are nothing more than meaningless exhibition games post-conference championships, I'm mostly OK with it all. However, this means I've missed the past 100 or so years of this sport, so there are some things that I need explained to me. Here's one. I'm looking at all the divisions out there, and notice there are some "independents," such as Notre Dame, Army and Navy. I knew there were some of these teams out there. (Notre Dame for one; I also know Penn State used to be one before joining the Big 11 10. Army and Navy all by themselves? Sure, I get that. (It's a little odd Air Force is in a conference but whatever.) But why is Western Kentucky all by its lonesome? Did they pee in the punchbowl one year or what?
On another subject, I have a question about teams becoming "bowel eligible." Does that mean they automatically go to a bowel game or does that mean they have the chance to do so but still risk not playing in one of these meaningless exhibitions if nobody wants them?
Here at TSM, we don't always get always get along-actually, we usually don't. So here's to my annual "posters who suck" list.
-Deon-He was finally banned, and for good reason. One of the worst posters of all time, he sucks in every way imaginable. His banning was a long time coming, and is something of a blessing really.
-Marvinisalunatic-GLENN BECK! SARAH PALIN! HD TV! 3 DOORS DOWN! He's hated by virtually everyone, yet will never be banned.
-Leena-Was banned (asked to be), and can't quit bitching. Bitch please, you must have a mental disease, assume the position and get back down on your knees.
-SuperJerk-An argumentative, self loathing, unfunny, misogynistic shell of a man who made me embarressed to like Obama. There's being a supporter, and personally going out to consume shit, and Jerk crossed that line many a time. What's there to love? Oh yeah, that's right-nothing.
-Marney-A racist, insane, xenophobic, ultra conservative lesbian with a penchant for making up stories.
-cabbageboy and DarKnight-Mouthbreathing cousins who are terrible in so many ways, and just more proof of how much the WWE folder sucks usually. See also: Enigma, Canadian Dragon, Marvin, Chazz, J-Pop, Grungy Punk, and others.
-Grungy Punk-Speak of the devil, here's a treasure trove. Incredibly annoying and stupid, prone to making dumb comments-I could go on.
-bob barron-To be fair, bob doesn't suck really. Sure, he complains, but he's the Ombudsman, or whatever. Thing is, he's gotten even whinier and bitchier over the last few weeks, and it's getting intolerable.
-Bruiser Brody-I know, it's a PBP. He's not doing anything he hasn't done already. He's gone from amusing to really annoying and contrived though. And shut the fuck up about your Uncle. Oh, and he really, really isn't funny. He's terrible. Should he be banned? No, but he still sucks. Look at Milky: He's a deviant, but you can actually have a regular conversation with him. Brody can't even do that, he just drives the gimmick to the ground.
-Canadia Dragon-CM PUNK IS BEING BURIED!!! Shut the fuck up. Punk is lucky he's gotten this far. A lot of guys in the business wish they were going that far.
-Chazz-Oh, go ahead and respond Chazz. What are you going to do? Are you going to come up with terrible comebacks and insults? Call Obama "Osama" (oh, so edgy!)? Call me bitch? PM an insult to me? Bitch about the WWE?
-Jingus-From bitching about misogyny constantly (when he does this, I think of Rob Schneider as The Sensative Naked Man talking), dissing my man Dario Argento (though to be fair, "Mother of Tears was a serious letdown), calling the splatter comedy "Machine Girl" torture porn (Hint: it's a movie with a chick with a machine gun for an arm. You aren't supposed to take this seriously you know) and having something of a victim complex, I only had to save him for last. It makes sense really. He even PM'd me asking me what my problem was, but I deleted it. Here's my problem Jingus: you suck and nobody likes you. Quite being a whiney bitch and
-gary floyd-I hate that faggot.
I haven't written anything here in a while and I've been thinking about doing a video game column. I know I'll lose intrest in it quickly but here we go.
I had this weird obsession over Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo since in came out in the arcades in the mid 90's. Maybe because the arcade I went to as kid didn't have it or it never made it to the 16 bit systems. Back then, I thought it should have happened but in retrospect it was a good idea because it's predecessor didn't do very well.
Anyway, time passed and Super Turbo made on every home system since the 16 bit era. Nothing changed with the ports and the graphics became really dated. 2D sprites on your 100 inch television set tend to look really bad. Capcom decided to release the game once again with pretty graphics.
I don't know what to say. Capcom and it's partners did an excellent job with this remake. To be blunt, I didn't like the bigger, redrawn graphics. It looked like the developers zoomed into screen. After awhile I got use to this change. The characters look like the anime version of Street Fighter. If you want to see how the characters would look on your display, there is an option to toggle the old sprites. They look rawful.
The music was remixed by the good folks at OverClocked Remixed. You can download a different version of the soundtrack of their website. It's really, really good if you like the Street Fighter background music in the first place.You can also listen to the old soundtrack by toggling it in options.
In Remixed mode, they changed a few of the motions like the Spinning Piledriver to make it easier to perform. I love this feature because I can't normally do one. There were a few minor tweaks done to certain moves. Guile's Flash Kick shoots up towards your opponent and instead of straight up. I don't have problem with 360's controls but I'm sure some people will use joysttcks.
The only problem that I have with it that there isn't much substance to it. There aren't any bonus features. Arcade mode is easy to go through and then you are stuck with playing people online. That too can be frustrating because you will run in to the one guy WHO CAN'T STOP DOING THE PSYCHO CRUSHER OVER AND OVER AGAIN!. Also, jerks who pulls. THey suck also.
If you are a Street Fighter fan Iw would definitely recommend it.
Jesse Orosco, Relief Pitcher
New York Mets 1979-1987
Los Angeles Dodgers 1988, 2001-2002
Cleveland Indians 1989-1991
Milwaukee Brewers 1992-1994
Baltimore Orioles 1995-1999
St. Louis Cardinals 2000
San Diego Padres 2003
New York Yankees 2003
Minnesota Twins 2003
Awards
None
All-Star Selections: 2 (1983, 1984)
League Leader
Games: 1995
Career Ranks
Games: 1st
Saves: 69th
ERA+: 62nd
K/9: 23rd
H/9: 24th
Best Performance
October 27, 1986 - Boston at New York (N)
In Game 7 of the '86 World Series, comes in the 8th inning with none out after a Dwight Evans' two-run double off Roger McDowell pulls the Red Sox with a run. Orosco strands the tying run at 2nd by retiring Rich Gedman, Dave Henderson, and Don Baylor in order and then pitches a perfect 9th to clinch the championship for the Mets.
Hall of Fame Stats
Black Ink: Pitching - 1 (822) (Average HOFer ≈ 40)
Gray Ink: Pitching - 17 (1143) (Average HOFer ≈ 185)
HOF Standards: Pitching - 13.0 (589) (Average HOFer ≈ 50)
HOF Monitor: Pitching - 62.0 (199) (Likely HOFer > 100)
Similar Pitchers in HOF: None
Top 10 Similar Pitchers: Tug McGraw, Don McMahon, Gary Lavelle, John Hiller, Dan Plesac, Kent Tekulve, Darold Knowles, Mike Timlin, Mike Stanton, Ron Perranoski
Year-by-Year Win Shares & Wins Above Replacement Level (WARP3)
1979: 0/0.4
1981: 2/0.9
1982: 9/4.5
1983: 20/8.0
1984: 17/6.3
1985: 10/4.5
1986: 13/5.4
1987: 5/2.3
1988: 6/2.0
1989: 10/4.1
1990: 3/1.8
1991: 3/1.4
1992: 3/1.4
1993: 7/3.4
1994: 2/1.0
1995: 6/2.9
1996: 6/2.3
1997: 7/3.5
1998: 7/2.9
1999: 1/0.6
2000: 0/0.0
2001: 1/0.5
2002: 3/1.0
2003: 0/-0.2
Career Win Shares: 141
Career WARP3: 60.9
My Stupid Opinion
I have to say it's remarkable a player from the 19th century is a first time nominee on the writer's ballot. Okay not quite, but Orosco and Rickey Henderson will be the last players to make their MLB debut in the 1970s and be a first timer on the ballot. Orosco is purely on the ballot due to his longevity and his career games pitched record might stand for a while but obviously he's not a HOF.
Utah/Boise State isn't my dream matchup for the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, but when you play a REGULAR SEASON TOURNAMENT you never know what can happen each week. Great system there.
7 a.m.
• So I was doing some YouTube research for my "Askkking You" thread at the other place, and I took a trip down memory lane with the remix of Craig Mack's "Flava in Your Ear."
Then I saw one of the comments to this video.
This was released in '94-'95. It's not OLD SKOOL! I was in COLLEGE at the time!
Then again, when I was 8 years old, Run DMC's Rock Box came out and I consider that OLD SKOOL. And at the time I'm sure someone who grew up listening to Parliament-Funkadelic wondered what this shit was that those three rappers from Queens were doing. Looks like I may have edit my response to "Name an event which made you think, 'Fuck, I'm getting older.'"
Perhaps the "real killers" are already in jail, making your quest to find them all the easier.
9 p.m.
• So the home furnace went bye-bye last night. Awesome. DAMN YOU BUSH ECONOMY~!
Yeah, the financial hit sucks, but you know what? That's why there's something called a RAINY DAY FUND. This way, when something like this happens you go, "Oh shit. Well, now it'll take a bit of time to work my checking account back up to the amount I want it to be at a minimum." Rather than "OMG I CAN'T AFFORD IT FORECLOSURE FOR ME DAMN YOU GEORGE W. BUSH~!~!"
But here's the best part of the whole ordeal.
While I was at work, the better half told the furnace guy was over and told her we had one of two options. One was a patchwork deal that would last a few years before something else on the furnace goes on the fritz. The whole contraption has about 4 years left. The other option is to replace the thing. Now Mrs. kkk is having a fucking MELTDOWN over all this, although to be fair most of it was because of her layoff. So I'm trying to be the rational one and telling her what are the plusses and minuses of getting a new furnace and doing a stopgap.
My preliminary decision was this: I wanted the new furnace. However, I did not want to spend the money for it right now. We had more than enough in the bank, but because Mrs. kkk hasn't gotten gainful employment, I didn't want to chance making a purchase like this, especially when the initial "estimate" had a $2,000 margin of error. Until we got a more accurate estimate/price quote, I was leaning to the stopgap measure. That way we'd be fine this winter and we could go an save for a new furnace over the next year or two.
Mrs. kkk's reaction? "GWWARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR." And I didn't even know she was a fan of the group.
After talking with her in this state of mind, I said I wanted to think about this. We had time because the "more accurate quote" would be done later that day. I wanted my boss' opinion on the situation, so we talked for a few minutes. It wasn't a "woe is me" type conversation. I just wanted to get her insight on the whole thing. She then tells me that I was going to get a $1500 Christmas bonus this year, and after hearing that my mind was made up on getting the furnace.
So after our chat I told the better half of this development. And what were her first words upon hearing this?
"Why are you getting such a large amount?"
"Why are you getting such a large amount?"
The fuck? Because I don't work for a bunch of dickheads anymore, I bust my ass and I'm actually APPRECIATED for what I do. Good Christ.
Let's run with this. Some of the rankings might be off by one or two. I'll never be satisfied as a whole, and in general it's impossible to really create a solid list. I just hope to avoid making some stupid mistakes.
1. Carlos Carrasco, RHP
A strikeout an inning at AA and AAA, just 21 years old.
2. Jason Donald, SS
Gotta love a shortstop who can post a .500+ slugging percentage.
3. Dominic Brown, OF
The scouts love him. I'll buy into the hype.
4. Lou Marson, C
I have qualms about his power, but it's much easier to go with the flow on this one.
5. Michael Taylor, OF
Took a huge jump in one season.
6. Kyle Drabek, RHP
Looks great in the Hawai'ian league. Ace potential.
7. Travis D'Arnaud, C
8. Zachary Collier, OF
9. Joe Savery, LHP
Bad season, but peripherals weren't terrible. Deserves another look.
10. Jason Knapp, RHP
11. Sebastian Valle, C
12. Vance Worley, RHP
13. J.A. Happ, LHP
I'm leary even rating him this high. He walks far too many batters for a pitcher without blow away stuff.
14. John Mayberry Jr., OF
Hard to dismiss this kind of power potential. Doesn't strike out as much as you'd think for a player of this profile.
15. Michael Stutes, RHP
Statistics are impressive, but really lacks impressive stuff. Even watching him, you think nothing of it and all the sudden, you have 8 K's marked on your scorecard.
16. Antonio Bastardo, LHP
Big HR rate in Reading is a red flag.
17. Freddy Galvis, SS
Bat is iffy, but I LOVE the defense. This is a guy I want to watch.
18. Julian Sampson, RHP
While not striking out batters, extremely low HR rate is a good sign for a young pitcher. Keep an eye on this one as a possible Chien-Ming Wang type.
19. Michael Cisco, RHP
Completely under the radar, but posted a 30/0 K:BB ratio as a starter in Lakewood, with no home runs.
20. Drew Naylor, RHP
21. Edgar Garcia, RHP
Never impressive, but still very young.
22. Quintin Berry, OF
Should make a fifth outfielder someday with his speed. Complete lack of power.
23. Andrew Carpenter, RHP
Seemed to recover as the season developed. Thanks to an inning of mopup relief, he's forever a champion.
24. Sergio Escalona, LHP
25. Anthony Hewitt, SS
Performance was awful, but there's potential if he can learn to make contact.
26. Anthony Gose, OF
27. Michael Schwimer, RHP
6'8" reliever, posted high strikeout rates in Williamsport and did not allow a single HR.
28. Jeremy Slayden, OF
Why on earth has he never been pushed a level?
29. Chance Chapman, RHP
Old for Lakewood, but I think he has a future career as a reliever.
30. Brad Harman, 2B/SS
Performance was bad, but he's still quite young, plays defense well and has some power. Possibly a utility infielder in the future. He put on a show at the last World Baseball Classic for Australia, and should get another chance this time around.
Just what is your problem with football contests? Is it because I haven't posted the results of our final baseball standings match-up? Don't worry, I will one day when I feel like showing how I got pummeled.
9 p.m.
• So I saw the series finale of The Shield (the second part of the two-parter). I own the first four seasons on DVD, but I tuned out during Season 5 when it was on FX because I didn't feel like following the show week after week. When the DVDs are on sale I'll pick them up one day. Besides, I'd rather watch a season's worth of shows one after another rather than having to wait week after week. However, I was curious to see how everything played out. Here are my insta-thoughts. SpOiLeRz 'n stuff.
1) Vic's a bitch for setting up Ronnie for the fall. Whenever I watched this show one topic of discussion was is Vic a "good" guy or "bad" guy. He a cop that breaks the law but also gets baddies off the street. I mean, sure he abuses people, but they're mostly black or Mexican so what's the big deal? I'm not sure if the last few seasons shed light on this good/bad conflict, but I'm marking him down as "bad" in my book. And fuck only getting 3 years behind a desk. Make it 10. And don't forget your TPS reports.
2) Shane. I dunno. I'm glad that bitch of a wife is finally dead, but she actually seemed somewhat vulnerable during that last show, especially when she couldn't wipe after a pee. Once again, I'm not sure of her role in the last few seasons, but I couldn't stand her when she came onto the scene.
3) Not sure what's become of Gay Julian or Dani, but from reading the TSM thread about this show it appears not much has been done with either of them. LOL'd at Gay Julian's peeping of the queer couple in the show.
4) Out of all the things in the show, the one thing I'm glad to see is that Dutch is still kicking. He was by far my favorite character, even if he killed that one cat a few years back. Man, when the better half saw where that scene was going she ordered me to stop the DVD and has not seen an episode since. I also liked Claudette, but not as much as Dutch. And these two had a great chemistry.
• Hey, if we're going to tax this can't we tax people who stink? Don't bathe and sit next to me on a plane? You bought my ticket, bitch.
LOL at the EPA saying the price estimate is incorrect. It'll probably be at least twice that amount.
• Here is one big reason I am against the proposed "Big Auto" bailout. Well, this and that I fucking HATE General Motors after the experience I had with my last Chevy and the pisspoor auto service I received that ruined the car with just one payment remaining. Go Japan!
You got three votes in this world. You vote in the booth. You vote with your pocketbook. You vote with your feet. I intend to vote with my pocketbook regarding GM automobiles for the rest of my life.
Best Hip Hop
6.) Why?-Alopecia
5.) Wale-The Mixtape About Nothing
4.) Flying Lotus-Los Angeles
3.) Re-Up Gang-We Got it For Cheap Vol. 3
2.) The Cool Kids-The Bake Sale EP
1.) Q-Tip-The Renaissance
Best Rock
6.) Caina-Temporary Antennae
5.) Celestial Sea-Deep Inside The Cold
4.) Spiritualized-Songs in A & E
3.) Earth-The Bees Made Honey in the Lion's Skull
2.) Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds-Dig Lazerus! Dig!
1.) TV On the Radio-Dear Science
Best Electronic
7.) Hercules and Love Affair-Hercules and Love Affair
6.) Cut Copy-In Ghost Colors
5.) Ad.ver.sary-Bone Music
4.) Flying Lotus-Los Angeles
3.) DJ / Rupture-Uproot
2.) The Bug-London Zoo
1.) Portishead-Third
Best Metal
10.) Metallica-Death Magnetic
9.) Boris-Smile
8.) Scar Symmetry-Holographic Universe
7.) Made Out Of Babies-The Ruiner
6.) Velnias-Soverign Nocturnal
5.) Cynic-Traced in Air
4.) Darkspace-Darkspace III
3.) Gates of Slumber-Conquerer
2.) Nachtmystium-Assassins: Black Meddle Pt. 1
1.) Origin-Antithesis
Compilation of the year
Basic Channel-BCD 2
Overrated
Lil Wayne-The Carter III
Krallice-Krallice
Underrated
Velnias-Soverign Nocturnal
Caina-Temporary Antennae
Ad.ver.sary-Bone Music
Celestial Sea-Deep Inside The Cold
Worst Album
Cryptopsy-The King Beneath
Dan Plesac, Relief Pitcher
Milwaukee Brewers 1986-1992
Chicago Cubs 1993-1994
Pittsburgh Pirates 1995-1996
Toronto Blue Jays 1997-1999, 2001-2002
Arizona Diamondbacks 1999-2000
Philadelphia Phillies 2002-2003
Awards
None
All-Star Selections: 3 (1987, 1988, 1989)
League Leader
None
Career Ranks
Games: 6th
Saves: 59th
K/9: 10th
K/BB: 61st
Best Performance
April 25, 1990 - Kansas City at Milwaukee
Comes in with the bases loaded, none out in the 8th inning with a 1-0 lead and George Brett coming up. Brett pops out and then Willie Wilson grounds into an inning ending double play. Plesac retires the side in order in the 9th.
Hall of Fame Stats
Gray Ink: Pitching - 17 (1143) (Average HOFer ≈ 185)
HOF Standards: Pitching - 8.0 (981) (Average HOFer ≈ 50)
HOF Monitor: Pitching - 54.0 (231) (Likely HOFer > 100)
Similar Pitchers in HOF: None
Top 10 Similar Pitchers: Mike Jackson, Mike Timlin, Mike Stanton, Willie Hernandez, Dave LaRoche, Darold Knowles, Craig Lefferts, Roger McDowell, Paul Assenmacher, Roberto Hernandez
Year-by-Year Win Shares & Wins Above Replacement Level (WARP3)
1986: 13/6.4
1987: 14/6.2
1988: 10/4.1
1989: 11/5.5
1990: 6/3.1
1991: 4/2.0
1992: 6/2.8
1993: 3/0.8
1994: 2/1.3
1995: 6/3.2
1996: 8/3.2
1997: 5/2.2
1998: 7/2.4
1999: 2/1.2
2000: 4/1.7
2001: 5/3.2
2002: 3/1.7
2003: 4/1.4
Career Win Shares: 113
Career WARP3: 52.5
My Stupid Opinion
Along with Jesse Orosco, I'm pretty sure Plesac is the first pitcher to make the HOF ballot who was primarily a middle reliever. Closers are gaining more acceptance when it comes to HOF voting but just a hunch we are way off from LOOGYs gaining enshrinement. Maybe if they open a middle reliever wing of the HOF Plesac would be worthy of consideration but for the real HOF he's no where close.
