What the hell is in LA's water?

[MusicMan]

First the Dodgers give Pierre 5/$45M, and now  the Angels are ready to offer Matthews 5/$55M???

[Alkie]

So, it is becoming clear that one of two things is going to happen.

1) Baseball has gone totally berserk.  Teams will now need a $150m payroll just to field a team.  The Astros better find some new revenue streams.

2) Baseball has gone totally berserk.  Teams will now need a $250m payroll to make the playoffs.  We better find a new sport to follow.

[I'm Richies Dad]

It's just stupid.  And it will come back to bite those teams. The Angels spend spend spend and still can't beat the A's with a fraction of the payroll.  You won't see Beane doing something stupid.  The Cubs are just overpaying because frankly they have no talent on the team or in the minors they only way they'll get better is to overpay.

[Alkie]

I agree with you on all points.  That being said...the Cubs are actually starting to scare me.  Even without Wood in the rotation and the fact that Prior will probably never start more than 10 games in a season, they're pitching staff is certainly not bad.  They have a lot of talented arms.

With their new lineup, I hate to say it, and I'll wait to see the results myself, but I don't think this Cubs team should be taken lightly.

[austro]

Well, the next owner who comes pleading to the local populace with hat in hand about needing a handout for a new stadium is likely to get a slightly less welcoming reception.  I do not understand why it is accepted practice to use public monies to finance tools that are used almost exclusively for private gain.  What a nice racket.

[MusicMan]

Quote:
Well, the next owner who comes pleading to the local populace with hat in hand about needing a handout for a new stadium is likely to get a slightly less welcoming reception.  I do not understand why it is accepted practice to use public monies to finance tools that are used almost exclusively for private gain.  What a nice racket.

The backlash against this is well underway.  The "gilded age" of public stadia is just about over.

[pravata]

Quote:

Quote:
Well, the next owner who comes pleading to the local populace with hat in hand about needing a handout for a new stadium is likely to get a slightly less welcoming reception.  I do not understand why it is accepted practice to use public monies to finance tools that are used almost exclusively for private gain.  What a nice racket.

The backlash against this is well underway.  The "gilded age" of public stadia is just about over.

The Link

[Alkie]

That sure is a nice login screen.

[pravata]

Quote:
So, it is becoming clear that one of two things is going to happen.

1) Baseball has gone totally berserk.  Teams will now need a $150m payroll just to field a team.  The Astros better find some new revenue streams.

2) Baseball has gone totally berserk.  Teams will now need a $250m payroll to make the playoffs.  We better find a new sport to follow.

The transition to ashes cricket will be eased when the Astros have their 2008 ticket increase and proudly announce that a family of 4 can sill enjoy a day at the ballpark for $200.  (see offers on specially marked liter bottles of Mountain Dew, offer applies as long as seats in section 405 are available.)  Then, we'll see an extra charge on our cable bill for every very special episode of Major League Baseball.

[MikeyBoy]

Quote:
the Cubs are actually starting to scare me.

Indeed, the Cubs often seem scary in December, but they usually manage to fuck it up sometime between April and September.

[pravata]

Quote:
That sure is a nice login screen.

sunsabitches.... The Link (click through the print option) that's what happens in a world where Google is trading at $500.  For advertisements.  The company HAS NO PRODUCT PEOPLE!

[pravata]

Quote:

Quote:
the Cubs are actually starting to scare me.

Indeed, the Cubs often seem scary in December, but they usually manage to fuck it up sometime between April and September.

You're only saying that because they have in the past.

[Alkie]

I gotta tell you.  I used to say the exact same thing about Google.  

Then I started spending $200 a month on Google Ads (the ONLY method I use to advertise my business) and I would GLADLY fork over 10x that.  

Google Ads, and I don't say this in jest, have changed my life.

[pravata]

Quote:
I gotta tell you.  I used to say the exact same thing about Google.  

Then I started spending $200 a month on Google Ads (the ONLY method I use to advertise my business) and I would GLADLY fork over 10x that.  

Google Ads, and I don't say this in jest, have changed my life.

Internet ads, there's nothing magic, other than habit, about Google.

[MusicMan]

The same could be said about Coke vs. the store cola.

And yet one is a much bigger seller.

[BizidyDizidy]

Quote:


Internet ads, there's nothing magic, other than habit, about Google.

Or, you know, Coke - but they do alright.

[Alkie]

Deny it if you want.  It is the single greatest advertising tool in the history of earth.  

Instead of spending tens of thousands of dollars force feeding your brand to EVERYONE, you spend less than a buck feeding your brand (and website) to someone looking for exactly what you sell.

The first 10 months of business, I set my Google Ads budget at $60/mo.  And we were doing 8-10x the business we had anticipated; revenue wise.  

Three months ago, I ran a targeted ad in 2 trade journals that go out to the folks we're trying to get to hire us...$720/mo...literally ZERO clients.  

Tell me that isn't magic.

[Bench]

Quote:
The same could be said about Coke vs. the store cola.

And yet one is a much bigger seller.

I like red cans and curvy script (cursive, you say?). That's why I don't buy the store cola.

[toddthebod]

I disagree.  Diet Coke is a good product.  I don't like any of the other diet colas -- not even the other diet sodas from the Coca Cola company.  Coke Zero --- sucks.

[pravata]

Quote:
Deny it if you want.  It is the single greatest advertising tool in the history of earth.  

Instead of spending tens of thousands of dollars force feeding your brand to EVERYONE, you spend less than a buck feeding your brand (and website) to someone looking for exactly what you sell.

The first 10 months of business, I set my Google Ads budget at $60/mo.  And we were doing 8-10x the business we had anticipated; revenue wise.  

Three months ago, I ran a targeted ad in 2 trade journals that go out to the folks we're trying to get to hire us...$720/mo...literally ZERO clients.  

Tell me that isn't magic.

I wouldn't dare.  I'm not saying that the Internet isn't the greatest advertising medium ever invented, heck I've been saying, and teaching, that for literally 10 years now,  I'm saying there's no magic to Google particularly.  Altavista, Lycos, Jeeves, could be trading at $500 if they had only got up the hill first.

[Alkie]

Quote:
Altavista, Lycos, Jeeves, could be trading at $500 if they had only got up the hill first.

Well, seriously, couldn't you say that about any company that "got there first"?

If you'da figured out people like their food "fast" rather than "tasty" and figured out a way to serve it to them in their CARS (!!), OWA would have a gold plated jacuzzi full of beer instead of an online forum.

[BizidyDizidy]

And it's not even true that they got there first - they got there close to last, but best (at least at the time).

[pravata]

Quote:

Quote:
Altavista, Lycos, Jeeves, could be trading at $500 if they had only got up the hill first.

Well, seriously, couldn't you say that about any company that "got there first"?

If you'da figured out people like their food "fast" rather than "tasty" and figured out a way to serve it to them in their CARS (!!), OWA would have a gold plated jacuzzi full of beer instead of an online forum.

Google, as has been noted before, can be compared to Coke, nothing but sugar water.  As soon as people realize that it's not the only, or best way to find information, they'll move on to something else.  I give Google another 5-6 hundred years, tops.

[MusicMan]

Quote:
OWA would have a gold plated jacuzzi full of beer instead of an online forum.

I hear that you actually find that jacuzzi when you reach "pope" status.

Why else would I be posting on the day before Thanksgiving?

[Alkie]

Because there ain't SHIT to do at work today??  Same reason the rest of us are here.

[Foghorn]

Quote:
First the Dodgers give Pierre 5/$45M, and now  the Angels are ready to offer Matthews 5/$55M???

Baseball has never been better off financially than right now.

Zito is going to break the fucking bank.  

Berkman and Oswalt are now signed about 25%-40% under market value.  

Carlos Lee will get $15M per season in his contract.  If it is between paying Lee $15M or a much lesser player $10M (Mathews/Pierre), give me Lee at $15M.

[Alkie]

Quote:
I give Google another 5-6 hundred years, tops.

I've actually laid awake at night, scared shitless of this; or that Google would wise up and start charging 100 times as much.

I just need them to keep on keepin' on for like 14 years.

[Alkie]

Quote:
Berkman and Oswalt are now signed about 25%-40% under market value.

That's becoming completely obvious.  We absolutely stole Lance and Roy.  

Thanks, gerry.

[pravata]

Quote:
And it's not even true that they got there first - they got there close to last, but best (at least at the time).

The model for click through advertising is what got them where they are.  Everyone else got distracted by portal sites. You're not suggesting that Google is at $500 because it allowed you to cut and paste your homework are you?

[pravata]

Quote:

Quote:
I give Google another 5-6 hundred years, tops.

I've actually laid awake at night, scared shitless of this; or that Google would wise up and start charging 100 times as much.

I just need them to keep on keepin' on for like 14 years.

No chance, volume is what they want.

[Alkie]

Sure sure, but once they figure out that people are getting 30,000% return on their advertising investment vs the 250% return on print advertising investment.....you figure they gotta jack the price at some point.

[pravata]

Quote:

Quote:
OWA would have a gold plated jacuzzi full of beer instead of an online forum.

I hear that you actually find that jacuzzi when you reach "pope" status.

Why else would I be posting on the day before Thanksgiving?

Let me tell you this, sitting on all that beer is not as much fun as you'd think.  Especially the long neck bottles.

[pravata]

Quote:
Sure sure, but once they figure out that people are getting 30,000% return on their advertising investment vs the 250% return on print advertising investment.....you figure they gotta jack the price at some point.

Oh, that they'll do.  But you'd be ridiculous rich by then and have sold your company to a group of private equity schmoes.

[Alkie]

Quote:
But you'd be ridiculous rich by then and have sold your company to a group of private equity schmoes.

God.

I.  Can't.  Wait.

[VirtualBob]

Quote:
And it's not even true that they got there first - they got there close to last, but best (at least at the time).

Second-mover advantage ... Someone else figured out the right business model by expensive trial and error, then Google swooped in with the right technical support for that model from the get-go.

[BizidyDizidy]

You're kind of right - the first step, though, was becoming the premier search engine. It wasn't until they accomplished that that they also figured out the best way to monetize that accomplishment.

[Limey]

Quote:
sunsabitches.... The Link (click through the print option) that's what happens in a world where Google is trading at $500.  For advertisements.  The company HAS NO PRODUCT PEOPLE!

"OAFs".  That's good.

[pravata]

Quote:
You're kind of right - the first step, though, was becoming the premier search engine. It wasn't until they accomplished that that they also figured out the best way to monetize that accomplishment.

Reverse that. There's nothing exceptional about Google, other than convienence.

[Limey]

Quote:
Deny it if you want.  It is the single greatest advertising tool in the history of earth.  

Instead of spending tens of thousands of dollars force feeding your brand to EVERYONE, you spend less than a buck feeding your brand (and website) to someone looking for exactly what you sell.

The first 10 months of business, I set my Google Ads budget at $60/mo.  And we were doing 8-10x the business we had anticipated; revenue wise.  

Three months ago, I ran a targeted ad in 2 trade journals that go out to the folks we're trying to get to hire us...$720/mo...literally ZERO clients.  

Tell me that isn't magic.

You put your photo in the press ad, right?

[Limey]

Quote:
...that's what happens in a world where Google is trading at $500.  For advertisements.  The company HAS NO PRODUCT PEOPLE!

Google has no product, and they just bought YouTube for $1.65bn.  That's a whole lot of nothing.

[pravata]

Quote:

Quote:
...that's what happens in a world where Google is trading at $500.  For advertisements.  The company HAS NO PRODUCT PEOPLE!

Google has no product, and they just bought YouTube for $1.65bn.  That's a whole lot of nothing.

I'm still in hysterics over that.

[Limey]

Quote:
You're kind of right - the first step, though, was becoming the premier search engine. It wasn't until they accomplished that that they also figured out the best way to monetize that accomplishment.

The also have the advantage of their name being the generic term for what they do.  Like Hoover and TiVo (and Coke).

[Craig]

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:
OWA would have a gold plated jacuzzi full of beer instead of an online forum.

I hear that you actually find that jacuzzi when you reach "pope" status.

Why else would I be posting on the day before Thanksgiving?

Let me tell you this, sitting on all that beer is not as much fun as you'd think.  Especially the long neck bottles.

I hear Katie Couric prefers Mickey's Wide Mouth.

[OldBlevins]

Quote:

Quote:
Berkman and Oswalt are now signed about 25%-40% under market value.

That's becoming completely obvious.  We absolutely stole Lance and Roy.  

Thanks, gerry.

Didn't Purpura sign Roy?

[austro]

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:
Berkman and Oswalt are now signed about 25%-40% under market value.

That's becoming completely obvious.  We absolutely stole Lance and Roy.  

Thanks, gerry.

Didn't Purpura sign Roy?

Thanks, Purp.

[Bench]

Quote:
First the Dodgers give Pierre 5/$45M, and now  the Angels are ready to offer Matthews 5/$55M???

It is now  official.

Edited to add: At 5 years, $50 million.

[austro]

Quote:

Quote:
First the Dodgers give Pierre 5/$45M, and now  the Angels are ready to offer Matthews 5/$55M???

It is now  official.

Edited to add: At 5 years, $50 million.

Damn, Matthews was my dark-horse pick for a spot in the Astros outfield, but I imagine that the Astros would be reluctant to do more than 3 years or so, given his age and track record (if they were even talking to him).  If somebody else is willing to give him 5 years, well, I guess you move on to your next option.

[MRaup]

Quote:

Quote:
But you'd be ridiculous rich by then and have sold your company to a group of private equity schmoes.

God.

I.  Can't.  Wait.

I'm still waiting for that lucritive job offer as your bodyguard...

[Billy Zabka]

Quote:
The also have the advantage of their name being the generic term for what they do.  Like Hoover and TiVo (and Coke).

I have read speculation that Google was going to buy TiVo and start delivering the same personalized ads on television shows (obviously quite a few years away).

That would be scary good advertising.

[Limey]

Quote:
I have read speculation that Google was going to buy TiVo and start delivering the same personalized ads on television shows (obviously quite a few years away).

That would be scary good advertising.

At least that way, while it'll still see the same ads repeated ad nauseam, it'd be for stuff I might like rather than Bud and  Chevies.

[Arky Vaughan]

Quote:

Quote:
Well, the next owner who comes pleading to the local populace with hat in hand about needing a handout for a new stadium is likely to get a slightly less welcoming reception.  I do not understand why it is accepted practice to use public monies to finance tools that are used almost exclusively for private gain.  What a nice racket.

The backlash against this is well underway.  The "gilded age" of public stadia is just about over.

It's over because the majority of teams have already built their ballparks. Who's left without one that hasn't been built or isn't planned?

Braves -- Yes
Mets -- Yes
Nationals -- Yes
Phillies -- Yes
Marlins -- No

Cardinals -- Yes
Astros -- Yes
Reds -- Yes
Pirates -- Yes
Brewers -- Yes
Cubs -- No

Giants -- Yes
Padres -- Yes
Rockies -- Yes
Diamondbacks -- Yes
Dodgers -- No

Yankees -- Yes
Blue Jays -- Yes
Orioles -- Yes
Devil Rays -- No
Red Sox -- No

White Sox -- Yes
Indians -- Yes
Tigers -- Yes
Twins -- No
Royals -- No

Rangers -- Yes
Mariners -- Yes
Athletics -- No
Angels -- No

Of the nine teams not playing in or slated to play in a new park, four of them, the Cubs, Dodgers, Red Sox and Angels don't have to worry about revenue in their current facilities (the Angels play in a virtually rebuilt park anyway). The other five, the Marlins, Devil Rays, Twins, Royals and Athletics have had their existence threatened.

So, really, only five of 30 teams have failed to get what they wanted in the way of a new park -- a fairly remarkable campaign on the part of MLB and its owners. It's a little late for the backlash now.

[Trey]

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:
...that's what happens in a world where Google is trading at $500.  For advertisements.  The company HAS NO PRODUCT PEOPLE!

Google has no product, and they just bought YouTube for $1.65bn.  That's a whole lot of nothing.

I'm still in hysterics over that.

From what I've heard, that deal was all about impression on the market.  Yahoo! was trying to get a deal done and Google "swept in and took it away."  Their market cap went up by more than the 1.65 bn after the deal, plus it makes Yahoo! look bad.

Of course, in these matter, I'm lower than a novice, so someone feel free to point out what an idiot I am.

[Limey]

Quote:
The other five, the Marlins, Devil Rays, Twins, Royals and Athletics have had their existence threatened.

Don't the Twins have referendum approval for public financing of a new park?  I seem to remember something about that from earlier this year.

[pravata]

Quote:

Quote:
The other five, the Marlins, Devil Rays, Twins, Royals and Athletics have had their existence threatened.

Don't the Twins have referendum approval for public financing of a new park?  I seem to remember something about that from earlier this year.

Hennepin County commissioners approved the tax without a referendum.  However, in the subsequent county election, the commissioners who voted for the ballpark were reelected. The Link The Link The proponents of the stadium took that as a defacto referendum.
In contrast, cities with more confidence, Seattle, Sacramento, San Diego, ok, Oakland, but not Fremont, (where they are hesitant to put the question to the voters, The Link )  have rejected building stadiums with public money.

[No? in Austin]

Quote:
I agree with you on all points.  That being said...the Cubs are actually starting to scare me.  Even without Wood in the rotation and the fact that Prior will probably never start more than 10 games in a season, they're pitching staff is certainly not bad.  They have a lot of talented arms.

With their new lineup, I hate to say it, and I'll wait to see the results myself, but I don't think this Cubs team should be taken lightly.

That should be taken as seriously as the Texas Rangers were two years ago when Soriano was in the same lineup with Michael Young, Hank Blalock and Mark Texiera.  Look a little like the current Cub lineup to you?  Of course, no pitching made the Rangers swoon in July and August, even though they had a slight push towards the end of August.

That being said, I think people tend to forget about Lou Pinella's reputation, which baffles me in light of what Dusty Baker was known for as well.  Both are meat grinders when it comes to young pitchers.  And Pinella hates to use a bullpen and will ride his starters hard for an entire year.  Works a bit in the AL where you have the DH, but in the NL he better put together a Nasty Boys version2 bullpen over on West Addison Blvd.  You need a 7th, 8th and 9th inning guy to win consistently in the NL nowadays and you need to know how to use them effectively.  In Cincy, other than Rijo, Pinella had no choice but to ride his pen. Does he have that in Chicago or will he ride the young arms until their arms pop out of the shoulder socket?

I think that will be worth watching as a story in Chicago this year.  The lineup will be a side show to make the bleacher drunks happy, but for winning baseball it will be about Lou Pinella and how he handles the pitching.