Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Pierre (and cash) Traded for Nothing



Juan Pierre was traded today for two minor league players (the famous player(s) to be named later).  McCourt also will send $10.5 million next year, followed by $3 million the following year.  I can not remember the last time a "player to be named later" turned out to be worth anything.

So this looks/smells like a salary dump.

Business as usual, huh?

Dodger GM Ned Colletti says "This frees us up."  The Dodgers will gain $8 million dollars of savings this year, which is about what they saved when Manny was suspended last year.

Forgive me for not seeing the light on how this will free up anything.  The Dodgers did ZIP, NADA, NOTHING with the money saved from Manny getting caught on the pill.

It is feared that the Dodgers might trade a young player or two who is due a major raise.  Andre Ethier is the name I am reading.

I am just a fan, and by no way proclaim I know how to fix the problems the Dodgers are facing, but as a fan I sure don't like how things are going.  I'm all for keeping the plan under wraps to keep an edge on dealings, but right now it looks like a yard sale.  I hope to post later about what a nice job the Dodgers did to rebound to get their team in position to contend for a World Series.  Only time will tell...and time keeps on slipping.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Brian Regan



Brian Regan is my favorite comedian.  Here is a sample of his work.  If you haven't heard of him, check out his bits on Youtube.

Enjoy.

Tiger Joke


I've heard many jokes about Tiger Woods lately and have received many forward emails about Woods and his ladies.  Out of all the jokes I like this one the most.  (Credit to Jay Leno)

Q: What is the difference between Tiger Woods and Santa Claus?



A: Santa stops after three hoes.

(Battabing!)

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Monday, December 7, 2009

BCS Championship Game - Two Smart Teams



Alabama vs. Texas.  Congrats to you both for running the table.  Both teams made certain that if they won out in their conference that they would go undefeated.

Here are the non-conference games each played:

Alabama
Virgina Tech (neutral site)
vs, Florida International
vs. North Texas
vs. Chattanooga

Virgina Tech is a real game, but the other three are like playing The Sisters of the Poor, The School of the Blind, and Team Patti-cake.

Texas
vs. Louisiana-Monroe
@ Wyoming
vs. UTEP
vs. Central Florida

Not exactly stellar opponents either.

I'm not a fan of either team, but I'd say Texas will have their hands full.

With all the crap that gets talked about the BCS, rightfully so, they did get it right this year.  Their job is to pit the two best teams against each other in the National Championship Game.  So congrats to Boise State, Cincinnati, and TCU for their undefeated seasons. 



All the other BCS games are about MONEY.  Even if there are three undefeated teams when all is said and done, nothing will change until the MONEY mandates a playoff. 

NCAA division I football I believe is the only sport that does not have a playoff.  Even Little League has one.  If they do institute a playoff system, I believe that it would be bigger than March Madness.  It's a shame we won't have one anytime soon. 

Winter Meetings


The MLB Winter Meetings is an exciting time for baseball fans.  Trades and signing free agents happen there, along with a plethora of rumors (most of which never pan out.)  It is fun to follow the rumors and see what may or may not happen.  Unfortunately the Dodgers will be on the sidelines for any respectable free agent (rumored to be dumpster diving to fill bench spots and the rotation), and any trades will be to get rid of guys up for a bigger payday.

Here is an example of what the Dodgers are rumored to be mulling:

"FOXSports.com reports that the Dodgers are shopping setup man George Sherrill.

Since he spent two-thirds of the season as a closer before being traded to the Dodgers, Sherrill figures to make $4 million-$4.5 million in arbitration. He is worth it: he had a 1.70 ERA in 69 innings for the season and a 0.65 ERA in 27 2/3 innings after joining the Dodgers. Still, the ugly ownership situation in L.A. may result in him moving on again."

Sherrill was a stud for us, but he's going to make some cash, so out he goes.  

The Dodgers traded one of their top prospects for Sherrill, so if he indeed is traded, I hope the Dodgers get a return like the one they gave up.

We'll see what happens.  Here is one projection of the Dodger starting line up and rotation.  Let's just say there is a vast chasm in the rotation and at 2nd base.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Who Am I?

I've had a thought going through my head lately and I thought I'd write about it and see if I can gain some knowledge. 

Who is Jesus?




As a Christian I have a view of who He is and what He was about while He was here on Earth.  But I've been thinking about what other people think/believe.

So when you want to find info nowadays you just Google it.  (I informed Rebecca of my online searches on Islam and Muslim beliefs so that if we get a call or a visit from Big Brother, or put on a terrorist list, she'll know why.)  I was wondering what other religions think and I came across this website's chart.  The website's chart has 13 religions listed and asked the following questions: 1) God/Man  2) Who Jesus was  3) Jesus' Purpose  4) Resurrection Happened

Now I have a long way to go to understand each religion's view of Jesus and their top principles, but I am interested in having a basic understanding of other religions.  Islam, Mormonism, & Jehovah's Witness are the big three that I am trying to educate myself on (Islam is the one I lack the most on.)

The reason for the interest is to have intelligent conversations with non-Christians about who Jesus is.  I actually look forward to talking to the Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses who come by our neighborhood.

For me, there is only one place to find the truth about Jesus, which is the Bible.  John 14:6 says, "For I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me."  So I then go to look about what other religions say about Jesus.  Since I believe Jesus is the key to salvation, then I think He is a subject I should be well versed on.

In my opinion people should have radical view of Jesus.  Either He is who He says He is, or He was a crazy person.  Many people claim to be the Son of God, and all of them except Jesus are crazy people in my mind.

So as we get ready to celebrate His birth, I have Him on my mind...