SinceThe70s

I probably missed your 'offensive' posts - or maybe I'm not easily offended. Always considered you to be a venerable poster. But I'll agree that Covid/Hapless was a bad combo. The pinned 'facts only' covid thread was a low point for the site IMO. As to the current state of the site - I miss the times where the trolls would get called out for crusading. I've been here for awhile and always considered it a sign of weakness to block someone. That changed for me the past year.

This is just a courtesy call This is just a matter of policy This is just an act of kindness To let you know that your time is up

Appreciate your perspective. I'm a milquetoast poster who has never received a warning so my perspective is from the outside looking in. With that said, the self-policing I was referring to pre-dates the Hapless years afaik

I'm a big fan of self-policing. I'm sure I've posted this before but one of the greatest lines ever came from Mets closer Braden Looper after a beanball game when he was asked whether he intentionally hit a batter after a Met had been hit. To paraphrase: Sometimes things happen in baseball. And then sometimes other things happen. Off topic - this site was much better at self-policing when I first stumbled upon it.

Vogelsnacks has definitely worn out his welcome. He's not a good enough hitter to be a one-dimensional player. Agreed on Verlander. But a lot has been said about the Mets punting on 2024 and being in position to go for it in 2025. My sense if that they aren't throwing in the towel on 2024 - they just won't be all-in for contracts like they gave to Verlander and almost gave to Correa. I'll be very interested to see how the Ohtani situation plays out this off-season - it got more complicated with his latest injury. Also agree that the shine is off the Showalter apple. The Buck scowl every time a Met got hit last year was cute, but at some point I'd like to see the Mets retaliate. There have also been hints at clubhouse issues, but nothing concrete afaik - but my radar is up and if there's any meat on that bone than Buck would bear some responsibility.

That explains why nobody ever says it to me

A work-related one that happens during the Q&A part of a presentation: "That's a good question". I always wonder what the presenter really thinks about the question.

"The <insert-persons-name>'s of the world" Whoever the person is, there is only one of them dammit! Another pet peeve I have is really just a malaprop: "It's a mute point".

Many years ago I read all of the Tom Clancy books. An awesome story line would be that this guy faked Putin out and wasn't on the plane.

Watching the Crankees struggle definitely helps. I've been keeping my eye on Rodon cuz I think there was an argument to be made that the Mets should have gone after him instead of Verlander (or Senga or Quintana). Based on early returns I'm glad we steered clear, but that could change. In hindsight it's a good thing the Correa deal fell through. A few random thoughts: Lindor: what a great shortstop. Unfortunately, in my eyes he still has to overcome the rotten stench of his first season at the plate with the Mets - to some extent it reminds me of how Beltran's one caught looking overshadows the rest of his Mets career. It would help if Lindor got his average above .280, doesn't seem like a big ask given his salary. Quintana: he's been as advertised. Too bad he missed the first half, he could've made a difference. Marte: I've been checking milk cartons for his picture. Mets (and Marte) haven't been the same since his injury last year. Pete: there was some smoke recently about clubhouse issues, but I haven't read anything definitive and so far now I'll chalk it up to talking heads stirring the pot. The relief pitchers: who the hell are these guys? Every game it's someone new that I've never heard of. The rebuilt farm system: what I've been wondering about lately is where tis he line drawn between drafting/acquiring exceptional talent vs. developing the talent you have. We've upgraded the talent level down on the farm but we need to convert that into exceptional MLB players. His current slump notwithstanding Alvarez looks like a keeper. I'm much less convinced about Baty or Vientos.

It was in the middle of suburbia - they suspected an issue with a hot water tank. https://nypost.com/2023/08/17/pennsylvania-house-explosion-leaves-sixth-person-dead-from-injuries/

That's the second one I saw in the past week or so. I think the other one was near Pittsburgh and caught on a Ring cam. Tragic.

I did not see Taz - dude grew up minutes from my childhood home. Meters are on my main playlist, I'm always amazed at how I can run into music put out decades ago that I had never heard (i.e - The Meters). It's summer, so I am listening to lighter stuff. Check this one out - and stay to the end, the outro makes this song IMO: As mentioned in the past this is one of my favorite bands. They range from hard-core punk to sugary pop. This one is the latter: And just to show that I haven't completely lost my edge, been listening to these guys too:

Mea culpa that this reply comes 2+ weeks from your post. My 7th grade social studies teacher devoted extensive time to map folding. We got graded on it and there was extra credit if you could fold your map with one hand. He considered it a life skill. I considered it a waste of time - perhaps because I sucked at map folding

There's no bread let them eat cake There's no end to what they'll take Flaunt the fruits of noble birth Wash the salt into the earth

Her arms were open, open wide; Her invitation's a changing tide. I could remember not long ago We took a cruise down on Hotel Row.

Are you an Orioles fan? If so is Brown really good? The ground swell of vitriol against the Orioles coming from established broadcasters has been striking. I'm left wondering whether they spoke out to protect the profession, Kevin Brown or both. To put my question in context, the Mets broadcaster spoke glowingly of Kevin Brown and I had to question how much he knew of him given there are 30 teams and it seems unlikely he's heard of and has a score card on all, but maybe there's a buzz around Brown - as a Mets fan we saw early on how good Kevin Burkhardt was so for all I know Brown is on a similar path.

People can no longer cover their eyes If this disturbs you then walk away You will remember the night you were struck by the sight of Ten thousand fists in the air

Sitting here like uninvited company Wallowing in my own obscenities I share a cigarette with negativity Sitting here like wet ashes With x's in my eyes and drawing flies

In my hour of need Heh, no, you're not there And though I reached out for you Wouldn't lend a hand Through the darkest hour Your grace did not shine on me Feels so cold, very cold No one cares for me

Loopy says he likes it up on top Yes, he knows if he ever lets go The pretty machine Will swallow him whole

How do you know I'm not?

Yup it was Gary. In between innings they put the camera on him specifically for his comments. Here's the main excerpt: "Let me just say one thing to the Baltimore Orioles management, you draped yourself in humiliation when you fired John Miller and you’re doing it again. And if you don’t want Kevin Brown there are 29 other teams that do. It’s a horrendous decision by the Orioles. I don’t know what they were thinking, but they’ve gotten exactly the reaction that they’ve deserved. It’s just a shame because the Orioles have played so well and now they’ve diverted attention from that. And now have made themselves a laughingstock.” https://nypost.com/2023/08/07/broadcasters-blast-orioles-after-report-they-suspended-kevin-brown/

I was watching the Mets game last night and they went out of their way to have the Mets lead announcer rip into the Orioles - they even had a camera on him during the tirade. I think some other announcers did the same on other broadcasts.