Woody Getting Shelled Today

[Noe]

Do-Ray now talking about serious misgivings about Woody making the team out of spring.  6 Million reasons of course to keep him around.  But it just seems that Woody might be this year's candidate for the Shane Reynolds Award of being let go because he just doesn't have it any more.

The Tiggers are just tee-ing off on Woody, nothing cheap about the hit parade either.

[remy]

Listening to it... extremely painful.  $6M batting practice hurler.  Ugh...

Houston   IP   H   R   ER   BB   SO   HR   ERA
Williams    3.0   10   8   8   0   0   4   15.26
   

[pravata]

Not that they shouldn't take the best 5 starters, but I think Woody might get the benefit of the doubt today, Tigers have a ridiculous lineup.

[Lefty]

It struck me a couple of weeks ago when I read Coop talking about how Woody didn't necessarily have a spot nailed down.  Woody has also talked before about how he'd hang it up if he didn't have it anymore.   A reduced rate buyout isn't out of the question.

[Hornstros]

Listening to it... extremely painful. 

Roger that.  Even the outs Woody is getting are mostly fly ball outs going to the warning track

[Mr. Happy]

Do-Ray now talking about serious misgivings about Woody making the team out of spring.  6 Million reasons of course to keep him around.  But it just seems that Woody might be this year's candidate for the Shane Reynolds Award of being let go because he just doesn't have it any more.

The Tiggers are just tee-ing off on Woody, nothing cheap about the hit parade either.

Even though I had listed Woody as questionable to make the club, I've worried about him since last season. I thought that he didn't have much left, if anything. And he often pitched that way, although he did pitch better in July and August, but he didn't finish well.

[MusicMan]

Dear WadeSmith:

Repat after me... "sunk costs".

[Bench]

Not that they shouldn't take the best 5 starters, but I think Woody might get the benefit of the doubt today, Tigers have a ridiculous lineup.

So during the season he'll only get to pitch against the Marlins?

[MusicMan]

Not that they shouldn't take the best 5 starters, but I think Woody might get the benefit of the doubt today, Tigers have a ridiculous lineup.

Except that 2 of the HR are from a now-very-average Pudge.

[pravata]

So during the season he'll only get to pitch against the Marlins?

Of course, that's how it works.  Mostly he'll pitch against the Cubs, Brewers, Reds, Cardinals, and Pirates.  But he wont pitch against the Tigers.  What I'm saying is, the big panic, and it's going on in other boards than here, notably in the Astros radio booth, might be a little overblown considering the competition.

[pravata]

Except that 2 of the HR are from a now-very-average Pudge.

I was assured by DoRay that Pudge is a Hall of Famer definitely not at the end of his career.  In fact, I heard so much about the Tigers that the only pitch they identified from Williams was a high fastball that Renteria swung through.  I have no idea what he was throwing. 

[MusicMan]

I was assured by DoRay that Pudge is a Hall of Famer definitely not at the end of his career. 

They got the first part right.

[pravata]

Unless the Astros make a trade, this is what they have to work with for 4 and 5 starters, Williams, but we've cut him, Sampson, Cooper says they're planning to stretch him out when he gets over the crick in his neck.  Right now he's gone 5 innings. Then there's  Chacon, Runelvys Hernandez, Jack Cassel, Mark McLemore, all with 7 innings or more.

[Noe]

Of course, that's how it works.  Mostly he'll pitch against the Cubs, Brewers, Reds, Cardinals, and Pirates.  But he wont pitch against the Tigers.  What I'm saying is, the big panic, and it's going on in other boards than here, notably in the Astros radio booth, might be a little overblown considering the competition.

Woody Williams might be working on just honing in on the strikezone.  The type of hits they were getting off him today indicated being high in the strikezone, which is not good.  Woody needs to stay in the lower half of the zone.  Obviously, given what the Astros seem to be preaching to the pitchers, throwing strikes is a must.  What may be happening is Woody is working on breaking down the arm and also honing in on the location of his pitches.

What Woody has done with his spring performances so far, is taken him from a #3 starter to the #4 or #5 in the rotation.  Guys like Backe, Chacon and Wandy may leap frog him when the spring is done.

[MusicMan]

Unless the Astros make a trade, this is what they have to work with for 4 and 5 starters, Williams, but we've cut him, Sampson, Cooper says they're planning to stretch him out when he gets over the crick in his neck.  Right now he's gone 5 innings. Then there's  Chacon, Runelvys Hernandez, Jack Cassel, Mark McLemore, all with 7 innings or more.

I would say that I still think it is unlikely that he's cut in ST - for the above reason, unless they think Cassel can hit the zone - but that his ST performance might well make his regular season leash much shorter.

[Limey]

I have no idea what he was throwing. 

Shit.  But they can't say that on the radio.

[MusicMan]

Shit.  But they can't say that on the radio.

"You can't say damn on the air!"

[BudGirl]

"You can't say damn on the air!"

Who cares, no one is listening anyway.

[Jacksonian]

I would say that I still think it is unlikely that he's cut in ST - for the above reason, unless they think Cassel can hit the zone - but that his ST performance might well make his regular season leash much shorter.

I agree it's unlikely they'll cut Woody.  In the event they do though I'd expect 4 and 5 to be Chacon and Sampson.

[Bench]

Woody Williams might be working on just honing in on the strikezone. 

He certainly didn't walk anyone, which is a good sign of that.

[Noe]

Unless the Astros make a trade, this is what they have to work with for 4 and 5 starters, Williams, but we've cut him, Sampson, Cooper says they're planning to stretch him out when he gets over the crick in his neck.  Right now he's gone 5 innings. Then there's  Chacon, Runelvys Hernandez, Jack Cassel, Mark McLemore, all with 7 innings or more.

The thing about the #4 and #5 guys in the rotation, unless you're in Tony LaRussa's team, the rotation will not shift much once the season begins.  So while you're facing some pretty stout hitters on the opposition, your opponent on the mound is not going to be the ACE of the other club either.  So the onus of a #4 and #5 is to know how to keep the damage to a minimum and give your team a chance to do equal or more damage on the opponent's #4 or #5.  Also keep the manager from having to wave in a reliever in the third inning because you can't hold a seven run lead!

So does Woody Williams have the savvy to handle a #4 or #5 spot?  Yes he does, but he's not going to be a #2 or #3 on this club as it looks like now.  Woody just needs to continue to work on breaking down the arm, honing in on the lower half of the zone, forget about giving up three or four runs, it may not be hard for the Astros to make those runs up, and use his veteran savvy to keep himself in a run away game like that because Houston may actually be able to win such games this season.

So unless he's just plain lost it, Woody isn't going to be let go this spring (much as I tabbed him as a candidate of the Shaner Award).  But he has to show he can have one good outing before spring is over where he throws five or so innings of respectable baseball.

[Bench]

The thing about the #4 and #5 guys in the rotation, unless you're in Tony LaRussa's team, the rotation will not shift much once the season begins.  So while you're facing some pretty stout hitters on the opposition, your opponent on the mound is not going to be the ACE of the other club either. 

Is this true? I always thought that after a couple of weeks the different schedules operate to make pitching matches a jumble. Being the opening day starter is an honor, but after that the "order" doesn't matter beyond sticking a lefty between two righties.

[pravata]

...So unless he's just plain lost it, ...

And because the people announcing the game didn't tell us what Williams was throwing and really aren't qualified to accurately describe pitches anyway, we have no idea what really happened today. 

[Noe]

He certainly didn't walk anyone, which is a good sign of that.

Eggszactly.  Dude just may be working on his location and breaking down the arm.  Not a good showing, but if he's working and Coop knows what he's doing, he gets what Coop wants and is trying to work towards that as an effective starter for this staff.

Doesn't matter what Do-Ray say in that case.

[Noe]

Is this true? I always thought that after a couple of weeks the different schedules operate to make pitching matches a double. Being the opening day starter is an honor, but after that the "order" doesn't matter beyond sticking a lefty between two righties.

The changes in rotation order might include the occasional ACE facing off with a #5, but overall if you keep Woody at #4 or #5, you have a better chance of using him correctly against the opposition.  IMHO of course, I have no statistical evidence to the contrary.

[Mr. Happy]

Oh well. I'll take a dive into the perdiction pool and say that there will be a buyout of Woody that will be blamed on Purpura.

[JimR]

They ain't cutting Woody in ST unles he's hurt, imo.

[Mr. Happy]

They ain't cutting Woody in ST unles he's hurt, imo.

Alas, you're probably right.

[MusicMan]

If I didn't make my "sunk costs" point clearly... I have no problem keeping Woody if he's one of the 5 best current alternatives, due to injuries/inability to get stretched out/etc.  But the contract is not a good reason to plug him into the rotation - they're paying it no matter what.

[pravata]

If I didn't make my "sunk costs" point clearly... I have no problem keeping Woody if he's one of the 5 best current alternatives, due to injuries/inability to get stretched out/etc.  But the contract is not a good reason to plug him into the rotation - they're paying it no matter what.

Astros wouldn't be unique if they did put him in the rotation because of his contract.  The Brewers have a similar situation with Bush and Capuano having an edge on the rookie Parra that Jim mentioned.   Alternately, I wouldn't be shocked if Williams stepped aside on his own, money or no. 

[MusicMan]

Agreed - I know full well it happens; I just hate it when it happens, esp. in the last year of a deal.  Capuano has 2 years left, IIRC.

[Mr. Happy]

If I didn't make my "sunk costs" point clearly... I have no problem keeping Woody if he's one of the 5 best current alternatives, due to injuries/inability to get stretched out/etc.  But the contract is not a good reason to plug him into the rotation - they're paying it no matter what.

I say cut losses and move on.

[Bench]

Astros wouldn't be unique if they did put him in the rotation because of his contract.  The Brewers have a similar situation with Bush and Capuano having an edge on the rookie Parra that Jim mentioned.   Alternately, I wouldn't be shocked if Williams stepped aside on his own, money or no. 

Bush and Capuano are pitchers with major league track records and aren't at the end of their career age-wise.

[JimR]

Woody Williams is all class and deserves to be treated well.:e does not deserve "cut losses and move on"

[pravata]

Bush and Capuano are pitchers with major league track records and aren't at the end of their career age-wise.

However, Parra is showing the ability to be a major league pitcher.  Williams isnt Capuano or Bush, but Parra isn't Sampson, Hernandez or McLemore.

[Mr. Happy]

Woody Williams is all class and deserves to be treated well.:e does not deserve "cut losses and move on"

I didn't mean to say that the club should do it in a crappy way like the Padres apparently did to Geoff Blum. You're right; Woody is all class. I bet that he doesn't want to embarrass himself on the field, and the club will give him every opportunity to go out gracefully.

[MusicMan]

Woody Williams is all class and deserves to be treated well.:e does not deserve "cut losses and move on"

Fair point.  If the Astros make a baseball decision that he can't cut it, I sincerely hope they give him the opportunity to announce his retirement first.

[subnuclear]

Listening to it... extremely painful.  $6M batting practice hurler.  Ugh...

Houston   IP   H   R   ER   BB   SO   HR   ERA
Williams    3.0   10   8   8   0   0   4   15.26
   

I remember him being crummy last year in ST, so I looked at his stats :

Code: [Select]

PLAYER        W  L  S  ERA   G GS CG SHO    IP   H   R  ER
------        -  -  -  ---   - -- -- ---    --   -   -  --
W Williams    0  3  0  9.92  4  4  0   0  16.1  26  19  18

He may need a little extra time to get things going.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

Fair point.  If the Astros make a baseball decision that he can't cut it, I sincerely hope they give him the opportunity to announce his retirement first.

The Astros could do a hell of alot worse than bringing Woody Williams into the organization as a coach, once his playing days are done.  His stuff isn't what it used to be, but some of his outings are just pure guts and know-how.  If he could pass along a fraction of that to young pitchers, he'd provide value. 

[Jacksonian]

The Astros could do a hell of alot worse than bringing Woody Williams into the organization as a coach, once his playing days are done.  His stuff isn't what it used to be, but some of his outings are just pure guts and know-how.  If he could pass along a fraction of that to young pitchers, he'd provide value. 

You don't think he'd be doing that as part of the pitching staff anyway?

[Mr. Happy]

I remember him being crummy last year in ST, so I looked at his stats :

Code: [Select]

PLAYER        W  L  S  ERA   G GS CG SHO    IP   H   R  ER
------        -  -  -  ---   - -- -- ---    --   -   -  --
W Williams    0  3  0  9.92  4  4  0   0  16.1  26  19  18

He may need a little extra time to get things going.

Woody also was a poor finisher last year with a 7+ ERA in September, albeit some of which was in relief.

[BizidyDizidy]

Woody also was a poor finisher last year with a 7+ ERA in September, albeit some of which was in relief.

He had a 5+ ERA for the whole year, so it wasn't exactly great altogether either.

[Noe]

This whole thread was started by me because of the reaction of Do-Ray.  I reacted to their reaction and felt that perhaps they knew something I didn't... which is always a good thing to think (and no, I'm not kidding).  Is the Do-Ray disgust with Woodrow a personal disgust or are they speaking along the lines of what the whispers are in camp about the man?

I dunno.

I'm not so sure we'll get a real good feel for what is happening with Woody, especially after today, because very rarely do you get *reasons* for bad outings, just opinions (like mine) about what it means when a pitcher has one in spring.  Or better still, just opinions about the pitcher's prowess and that is that.

The reality may be that Do-Ray don't know squat and all this is much ado about nothing.  Woody may well have taken the mound to work on some strikezone location and to continue to break down the arm.  I'm sure Coop knows what is going on or if he didn't before, he does now because I have all the confidence in the world that Coop went to Woody and asked "whazzup?".  If Woody has an explanation, the manager will hear about it and sign off.  If not, then the whispers are probably going to grow louder as the spring winds down.

We shall see.

[pravata]

You don't think he'd be doing that as part of the pitching staff anyway?

Last season, we saw him talking to Wandy all the time. 

[Mr. Happy]

Brocail also is having a poor spring training--one good outing and four pretty poor outings.

[Taras Bulba]

This whole thread was started by me because of the reaction of Do-Ray.  I reacted to their reaction and felt that perhaps they knew something I didn't... which is always a good thing to think (and no, I'm not kidding).  Is the Do-Ray disgust with Woodrow a personal disgust or are they speaking along the lines of what the whispers are in camp about the man?

I dunno.

I'm not so sure we'll get a real good feel for what is happening with Woody, especially after today, because very rarely do you get *reasons* for bad outings, just opinions (like mine) about what it means when a pitcher has one in spring.  Or better still, just opinions about the pitcher's prowess and that is that.

The reality may be that Do-Ray don't know squat and all this is much ado about nothing.  Woody may well have taken the mound to work on some strikezone location and to continue to break down the arm.  I'm sure Coop knows what is going on or if he didn't before, he does now because I have all the confidence in the world that Coop went to Woody and asked "whazzup?".  If Woody has an explanation, the manager will hear about it and sign off.  If not, then the whispers are probably going to grow louder as the spring winds down.

We shall see.

Reading between the lines of Cooper's and Williams' comments after the game, it doesn't look too promising for him.

[pravata]

Reading between the lines of Cooper's and Williams' comments after the game, it doesn't look too promising for him.

What did they say?

[Jacksonian]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bb/5614014.html

“It left me scratching my head to tell you the truth,” Williams said.

“The clock is ticking as we say,” Cooper said. “He’s got to earn spot. That’s the way it is. We’ve got some other options. We don’t want to go in that direction necessarily. We want to give him every opportunity.”

“All four home runs were pitches I want to throw,” Williams said.

[Bench]

Reading between the lines of Cooper's and Williams' comments after the game, it doesn't look too promising for him.

Some highlights: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5614014.html

“It left me scratching my head to tell you the truth,” Williams said.

“The clock is ticking as we say,” Cooper said. “He’s got to earn spot. That’s the way it is. We’ve got some other options. We don’t want to go in that direction necessarily. We want to give him every opportunity.”

[legs_of_eggs]

I think the point is Woody needs to worry about his results more now rather than his feel of things and stretching out. This post-game quote is anything but comforting “All four home runs were pitches I want to throw,” Williams said.

[MusicMan]

Coop sounds like a guy that wants Woody to have the job, but Woody's making it awfully hard for him to give it to him.

[JimR]

I'd like to hear what these "other options" are. It is flipping spring training. Let's see if he stinks in April. If so, ok.

[legs_of_eggs]

I'm actually impressed by Moehler this spring, don't know how it translates to the regular season but he's certainly done more to warrant a rotation spot over Woody.

[Andyzipp]

I'm actually impressed by Moehler this spring, don't know how it translates to the regular season but he's certainly done more to warrant a rotation spot over Woody.

Which is generally why decisions about veterans aren't made soley based on Spring Training results.

[legs_of_eggs]

Which is generally why decisions about veterans aren't made soley based on Spring Training results.

Oh I agree generally they aren't but Woody isn't just having a bad spring it sounds a lot worse than that.  That said I didn't see what he was throwing so I can't make this judgement.  I have seen Moehler throw on the televised spring games here and thought he looked like at worst a safe #5 starter for our situation.

[Mr. Happy]

Which is generally why decisions about veterans aren't made soley based on Spring Training results.

But... Moehler is a veteran too. From what noises Cooper has been making, I see Moehler as "one of the options." I don't see Williams and Moehler both making the club.

[Jacksonian]

I'd like to hear what these "other options" are. It is flipping spring training. Let's see if he stinks in April. If so, ok.

Those other options are whoever of Chacon, Sampson, Cassel, McLemore, etc that doesn't earn the 5th spot in the rotation.  That also means the guy who wins the 5th spot would move up to #4.  Not exactly encouraging.

I still think he'll be there in April unless he retires.

[pravata]

Footer stuck around and got the full quote,

"I'm disappointed that I gave up all the runs. I'm not disappointed with the way I threw the ball," Williams said. "For someone to look at that and say, 'Oh, he must have had a bad day.' ... Numbers-wise, I had a terrible day. When they hit pitches you want to throw, there's nothing you can do except tip your hat and try to get the next guy out."
http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080312&content_id=2422128&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou

[JimR]

A lot of you guys must have been tremendous players. I vote to wait and see.

[Mr. Happy]

A lot of you guys must have been tremendous players. I vote to wait and see.

The money is already committed to Woody. How long would you wait and see? I think that you have to also consider his poor performance of last season.

[legs_of_eggs]

The money is already committed to Woody. How long would you wait and see? I think that you have to also consider his poor performance of last season.

I give him April with a short leash in each start

[Bench]

Footer stuck around and got the full quote,

"I'm disappointed that I gave up all the runs. I'm not disappointed with the way I threw the ball," Williams said. "For someone to look at that and say, 'Oh, he must have had a bad day.' ... Numbers-wise, I had a terrible day. When they hit pitches you want to throw, there's nothing you can do except tip your hat and try to get the next guy out."
http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080312&content_id=2422128&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou

How dare she! How dare she do actual journalistic work! My god, she gave the entire quote. That is totally irresponsible.

[toddthebod]

How dare she! How dare she do actual journalistic work! My god, she gave the entire quote. That is totally irresponsible.

Actually she didn't give the entire quote.  See those ellipses, those things right there?  That means she is taking things out of the quote.  Nonetheless, I think we can all agree that Footer is a better reporter than the hacks at the Comical. 

[Twoniner]

  The guy is 41 years old and had the league slug .495 against him last season.  I doubt Woody would cheat enough with PEDs to halt decline at his age.   Realistically, a repeat of last season is most of his upside.   The good news is that he has a better lineup, and worse starting pitching behind him.   4 runs through 6 innings could win a few games this year.

[Noe]

4 runs through 6 innings could win a few games this year.

*DING, DING, DING*

[Noe]

Reading between the lines of Cooper's and Williams' comments after the game, it doesn't look too promising for him.

Just read the comments, especially from Coop.  Ahum... no, it doesn't look promising for Woodrow.  May mean that Coop is moving Woody to the #5 spot pretty soon and Woodrow will be pitching to save his job for the first few months of the season.

Sampson would be wise to be prepared in case the worse happens to Woody.

[legs_of_eggs]

Actually she didn't give the entire quote.  See those ellipses, those things right there?  That means she is taking things out of the quote.  Nonetheless, I think we can all agree that Footer is a better reporter than the hacks at the Comical. 

Big difference: She's not trying to sell newspapers

[hostros7]

I don't think anyone tries to sell newpapers anymore, especially not in Houston.  They are trying to promote themselves and move to bigger markets, TV, and increase their readership and viewership, and thus mas $$$.

[Mr. Happy]

Just read the comments, especially from Coop.  Ahum... no, it doesn't look promising for Woodrow.  May mean that Coop is moving Woody to the #5 spot pretty soon and Woodrow will be pitching to save his job for the first few months of the season.

Sampson would be wise to be prepared in case the worse happens to Woody.

It wasn't the first time that Cooper has made remarks to the effect that Woody has to earn a spot. Woody was brought in by the prior regime. There's a new sheriff and mayor in town.

[homer]

I'd like to hear what these "other options" are. It is flipping spring training. Let's see if he stinks in April. If so, ok.

"Flipping"? what the fuck? Does the Blackberry have some sort of filter?

[MRaup]

"Flipping"? what the fuck? Does the Blackberry have some sort of filter?

There were probably kids sitting near him, and he didn't want them to hear him typing "fucking".

[homer]

There were probably kids sitting near him, and he didn't want them to hear him typing "fucking".

Does he move his lips when he types?

[Jose Cruz III]

For what it's worth, I was at a ST game one time and heard Wagner tell his bullpen buds that he was going in for the 9th to work on a cutter. He gave up 6 runs working on that cutter. And the outs he got nearly took AE's head off at short and went to the warning track. Finally he said screw it and blew away some kid to end it. And they were hitting some pitches that Wagner wanted to make.

If Woody loses his job it will be after he puts together some umimpressive performances when it counts, imo.

[Lefty]

Does he move his lips when he types?

He tips his bitches?

[otterjb]

He seems like a great guy and it'd be wonderful if he could be an innings eater for the team, it just doesn't seem very likely at this point.

[MikeyBoy]

He tips his bitches?

That would be Spitzer.

[Outlawscotty]

That would be Spitzer.

Evidently not.

[Limey]

That would be Spitzer.

Worth it?

[toddthebod]

Worth it?

Nice knobs.

[Bench]

Worth it?

At those prices the packaging better not be the best thing.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

She doesn't look like a crack head. Poor impulse control.

[Andyzipp]

At those prices the packaging better not be the best thing.

To paraphrase Chris Rock, there had better be a red cape with a big "S" on it involved somehow

[MikeyBoy]

Worth it?

Not unless her nose serves as a suction pump apparatus.

[MusicMan]

I'd like to thank Ms. Footer for reminding me this morning that Woody was a Type A FA signing.

[das]

I remember him being crummy last year in ST, so I looked at his stats :

Code: [Select]

PLAYER        W  L  S  ERA   G GS CG SHO    IP   H   R  ER
------        -  -  -  ---   - -- -- ---    --   -   -  --
W Williams    0  3  0  9.92  4  4  0   0  16.1  26  19  18

He may need a little extra time to get things going.

He did not get things going until July last year.  Maybe he can be a coach until then this year...

[MusicMan]

At those prices the packaging better not be the best thing.

Clay Buchholz is getting this for "free".

[remy]

Clay Buchholz is getting this for "free".

Thank you google image search.  Speaking of woodies..

[ValpoCory]

Clay Buchholz is getting this for "free".

"“It doesn’t surprsie me any,” said Clay’s dad. “Last year up in Boston he was dating a Victoria’s Secret model, so he’s moving up the ladder . . . . I mean, he’s got pretty good taste.”"


Nice one Dad.  Respect those women.

[Jacksonian]

I'd like to thank Ms. Footer for reminding me this morning that Woody was a Type A FA signing.

Mitigated a bit by the fact that the Astos also signed Lee that year so Woody cost the Astros their 2nd round pick not their first round pick.  It's unlikely Eric Sogard will contribute at the major league level as much as Woody has with the Astros as a pitcher and mentor.

[MusicMan]

Mitigated a bit by the fact that the Astos also signed Lee that year so Woody cost the Astros their 2nd round pick not their first round pick.  It's unlikely Eric Sogard will contribute at the major league level as much as Woody has with the Astros as a pitcher and mentor.

OK, that does mitigate it.

[Jacksonian]

OK, that does mitigate it.

You see that silver lining?  That silver lining right there.

[Astroholic]

Clay Buchholz is getting this for "free".

Nothing is free.

[Limey]

You see that silver lining?  That silver lining right there.

Maybe a better metaphor involves turds and peanuts/corn.

[Bench]

From the Chron's Woody article: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5615159.html

"Since the Astros were playing on the road, Williams has no video to dissect his performance."

Am I the only person who finds it odd that a multi-million dollar modern organization in an industry in which watching film is a fairly important aspect of analysis and preparation doesn't have video of half of its spring training games? The very spring training games whose sole purpose is to analyze and prepare the team for the season? Is this normal?

[Limey]

From the Chron's Woody article: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5615159.html

"Since the Astros were playing on the road, Williams has no video to dissect his performance."

Am I the only person who finds it odd that a multi-million dollar modern organization is an industry in which watching film is a fairly important aspect of analysis and preparation doesn't have video of half of its spring training games? The very spring training games whose sole purpose is to analyze and prepare the team for the season? Is this normal?

Every single one of them has a video camera in their pocket (unless they have an iPhone).

[Jacksonian]

Every single one of them has a video camera in their pocket (unless they have an iPhone iTaser).

FIFY

[Astroholic]

From the Chron's Woody article: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5615159.html

"Since the Astros were playing on the road, Williams has no video to dissect his performance."

Am I the only person who finds it odd that a multi-million dollar modern organization in an industry in which watching film is a fairly important aspect of analysis and preparation doesn't have video of half of its spring training games? The very spring training games whose sole purpose is to analyze and prepare the team for the season? Is this normal?

Bet ya the Pats have some tape of it.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

"“It doesn’t surprsie me any,” said Clay’s dad. “Last year up in Boston he was dating a Victoria’s Secret model, so he’s moving up the ladder . . . . I mean, he’s got pretty good taste.”"


Nice one Dad.  Respect those women.

Up the ladder...

Going from a girl who models lingerie to one who poses fully nude with her hoo-hoo in full display for the world to see.

Up the ladder? What's on the top rung? A porn starlet? Clay's so classy he could be a Yankee.

[MusicMan]

Nothing is free.

Thus the quotes.

[homer]

Not unless her nose serves as a suction pump apparatus.

more pictures of spitzer's friend

[Bench]

more pictures of spitzer's friend

That was going fine until the final picture, which is evidently from her high school yearbook. That creeped me out a little.

[Limey]

more pictures of spitzer's friend

She has a touch of Dominique about her.  Just less profound.

[Ty in Tampa]

Worth it?

Supposedly, the inflated amount was as much for the discretion and anonymity as the performance. Go figure.

[Limey]

Supposedly, the inflated amount was as much for the discretion and anonymity as the performance. Go figure.

To be fair, neither she, nor her employers, outed him.  So that element of it was worth it.

Never talk when you can nod, and never nod when you can wink. And never write an email — because its death. You’re giving prosecutors all the evidence we need.

In Spitzer’s defense, he probably forgot he had said that because it’s hard to concentrate when you’re getting a $2000 blowjob.

[Andyzipp]

She has a touch of Dominique about her.  Just less profound.

She has a lot of growing up to do to fill Dominique's....shoes.