rezzdogg's Blog

Re: Sheppard steps down

Living in Central New York, I listen to a lot of Yankee games on my car radio driving home from work and on the weekends.  From what I understand, Sheppard's health has been an an issue for some time, and the Stadium has used pre-recordings to announce players and such for awhile.  That's quite a tribute to him, and I would hope they continue to do this.

Re: Hot Stove

 "Latest rumour on XM has Seattle and Detroit talkin Granderson and Jackson for Branden Morrow and two others. Seems Detroit looking to dump alot of salary."
--bhaas

bhaas,
I'm responding in the Hot Stove thread, so we can try to put all the off-season trades 'n' stuff together into one location.
-seajaw

Members,

A reminder and clarification regarding our site rules to avoid any potential confusion:

Urging or requesting other members to consolidate discussion under one’s own thread is considered an attempt to moderate the site.  It is contrary to the site’s set-up and intent.

From our posted site rules:

-- We purposely run a minimally moderated site to allow all members to have a greater voice and presence here.  Please do not assume the role of an unofficial moderator or host on behalf of the site.  The ball has already been called for.

-- This site and its rules have been constructed to allow for all members to have a voice and host their own threads and discussions. 

-- No special privileges are granted to veteran members or top posters here. 

-- Rules apply to all members and all site officials; no one is exempted from them.

-- We have no interest in pestering members who may once in awhile veer off course from the rules; our intent is to correct the behavior of repeat and chronic offenders who are often at risk of discouraging other members from posting, or pushing other members away from the site.

I’ve been a member of a site where veteran members/site officials dominated the board, discussions, fostered a contentious environment, and overshadowed other members.  It became routine and caused many members to leave the site, and significantly reduced member participation.  The Village was started with the specific intent of being free of this type of behavior.  This has been a key part of our success and friendly environment here. 

Repeated efforts to establish this type of behavior here – which is in opposition to the site’s intent - will continue to be addressed both on and off the board until it is stopped.

Thank you,

rezzdogg

moderator/admin

Re: 1939 Yankees vs. 1927 Yankees, best 4 of 7

Larry,

Great series!  Any plans for '39 NYY to face '98 NYY?

Ken

Re: GREATEST OF ALL TIME REPLAY

stratrolla.

Great first write up!

Not sure what the issue is.  You have not done anything wrong.  Well, you did keep us on pins and needles waiting for your project . . .

Without more detail, here's my first guess:

- The posting box allows up to a maximum of 100,000 characters.  If you're posting text only, this is typically plenty of room for just about anybody but me.

- If your post includes a box score or other tables of significant length, you can exceed this posting capacity pretty quickly.

- After you attempt to post, check and read the site detail thorughly.  If you have exceeded your posting capacity, it will indicate that 100,000 characters is the maximum, along with how many characters you're currently using.  You will also note the post button no longer says "Submit Reply," and instead says something like "Be Heard."

- You will need to edit your current post, and split it into 2-3 separate posts.  If you look at my recent posts in "Field Trip to Jimbo's Ultimate Tournament," you can see how I had to do this to include my box scores.  It may take a couple of tries to reduce it to under 100,000 characters.

If this isn't the problem, please send me a PM with more details and I will help walk you through it.

Keep postin',

rezzdogg
moderator

Thanksgiving 2009 Message from the Front Office

Guys,

Some of you are aware that I am Native American (Onondaga).  My nation is a part of the Six Nations Confederacy (Mohawk, , Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, Tuscarora), or Haudenosaunee, which means “People of the Longhouse.”

Giving thanks is a big part of our traditional culture and who we are.  Whenever traditional Haudenosaunee gather, the Thanksgiving Address is recited in the Native language, to give thanks for the Creation “from the ground up.”  There is a long and short version, and it is very similar from nation to nation, language to language.  In our Native language we call it “The Words Before All Else.” 

Below is a short version in English.  I give thanks for all of you who have made the Village such a great place, and have helped us to build this fraternity of Strat (a Straternity?).  I have shared this before on a former Strat site, and I share this now  again as my thanks to all of you.

Nya wenha! (Thank you!)

Ken

Thanksgiving Address

GREETINGS TO THE NATURAL WORLD!

Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as People.

Now our minds are one.

We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our Mother, we send greetings and thanks.

Now our minds are one.

We give thanks to all the Waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. We know its power in many forms - waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the spirit of water.

Now our minds are one.

We turn our minds to all the Fish life in the water. They were instructed to cleanse and purify the water. They also give themselves to us as food. We are grateful that we can still find pure water. So, we turn now to the Fish and send our greetings and thanks.

Now our minds are one.

Now we turn toward the vast fields of Plant life. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life for many generations to come.

Now our minds are one.

With one mind, we turn to honor and thank all the Food Plants we harvest from the garden. Since the beginning of time, the grains, vegetables, beans and berries have helped the people survive. Many other living things draw strength from them too. We gather all the Plant Foods together as one and send them a greeting and thanks.

Now our minds are one.

Now we turn to all the Medicine herbs of the world. From the beginning, they were instructed to take away sickness. They are always waiting and ready to heal us. We are happy there are still among us those special few who remember how to use these plants for healing. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the Medicines and to the keepers of the Medicines.

Now our minds are one.

We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people. We see them near our homes and in the deep forests. We are glad they are still here and we hope that it will always be so.

Now our minds are one.

We now turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has many families of Trees who have their own instructions and uses. Some provide us with shelter and shade, others with fruit, beauty and other useful things. Many peoples of the world use a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength. With one mind, we greet and thank the Tree life.

Now our minds are one.

We put our minds together as one and thank all the Birds who move and fly about over our heads. The Creator gave them beautiful songs. Each day they remind us to enjoy and appreciate life. The Eagle was chosen to be their leader. To all the Birds - from the smallest to the largest - we send our joyful greetings and thanks.

Now our minds are one.

We are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we breathe. They help to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they come, bringing us messages and giving us strength. With one mind, we send our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds.

Now our minds are one.

Now we turn to the west where our Grandfathers, the Thunder Beings, live. With lightning and thundering voices, they bring with them the water that renews life. We bring our minds together as one to send greetings and thanks to our Grandfathers, the Thunderers.

Now our minds are one.

We now send greetings and thanks to our eldest Brother, the Sun. Each day without fail he travels the sky from east to west, bringing the light of a new day. He is the source of all the fires of life. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Brother, the Sun.

Now our minds are one.

We put our minds together and give thanks to our oldest grandmother, the Moon, who lights the night-time sky. She is the leader of women all over the world, and she governs the movement of the ocean tides. By her changing face we measure time, and it is the Moon who watches over the arrival of children here on Earth. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Grandmother, the Moon.

Now our minds are one.

We give thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky like jewelry. We see them in the night, helping the Moon to light the darkness and bringing dew to the gardens and growing things. When we travel at night, they guide us home. With our minds gathered together as one, we send greetings and thanks to all the Stars.

Now our minds are one.

We gather our minds to greet and thank the enlightened Teachers who have come to help throughout the ages. When we forget how to live in harmony, they remind us of the way we were instructed to live as people. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to these caring Teachers.

Now our minds are one.

Now we turn our thoughts to the Creator, or Great Spirit, and send greetings and thanks for the gifts of Creation. Everything we need to live a good life is here on this Mother Earth. For all the love that is still around us, we gather our minds together as one and send our choicest words of greetings and thanks to the Creator.

Now our minds are one.

We have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the things we have named, it was not our intention to leave anything out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings and thanks in their own way.

Now our minds are one.

Re: El loco

Rob,

You have a much wider assortment of great modern era teams here than in some of the more recent great team projects in Doubleday.  It will be interesting to see how they fare against the likes of the '27 Yankees and '30 A's.

Ken

Re: The 1876-2008 FREE National Pastime Almanac is ready for download

Guys,
 
I would also add that we have had the Almanac listed among our links here on our side bar.
 
Ken

Re: Happy Thanksgiving

Art,

Thanks for the nice thoughts.  It's great having you with us regularly and all that you bring to the site.

Have an enjoyable Thanksgiving!

Ken

Re: The 1876-2008 FREE National Pastime Almanac is ready for download

Larry,

I have visited it a few times but not downloaded it.

Ken

Re: FIELD TRIP TO JIMBO’S ULTIMATE TOURNAMENT

Hi Rezz!WOW!!!! And they face the damaged sinker baller Randy next!Predict they win tho'!Ken, can't remember what exactly ruined his baseball life.Bad shoulder????...he sure was good for awhile tho'!Remember when the NYM took him on. Boy did they get soaked!Great stuff Rezz!Thanks!Jim 
[image]

-jim1951

Jones had tremendous seasons in '75 and '76.  He threw 315 innings in '76 while winning the Cy Young.  He was 16-3 at the All-Star break in '76 and became a phenomemon.  He had some nerve damage in his shoulder in his final game in '76, and was never the same again.  He threw 3 consecutive shutouts in '80 but had an overall bad season and was injured.  We'll see what he's got in Game #2.

Ken

Re: Kommish's Korner

Guys,

Some thoughts on the future direction of the site:

1)  CATEGORY FORMAT

We have in less than a year become the best SOM site for baseball replays.  We now routinely have more than 20 active replay threads in Doubleday.  While this is fantastic, it also leaves real estate in Doubleday at a premium.  With only 20 slots on Page 1 of each category, we regularly have active replays getting bumped onto Page 2 of Doubleday, which does not get a lot of views.

One possible solution would be to add multiple replay categories.  This could give us 40 or even 60 slots over multiple Page 1s.  The question would be how should we break up these replay categories?

Option A

--  Category 1: Tournaments

--  Category 2: Season/Single Team Season/World Series/ Other Historical Replays

--  Category 3: All-Star/Negro League/Best Card/Fantasy/All Other Projects

Option B

-- Category 1: Cards and Dice Replays/Projects

-- Category 2: Computer Replays/Projects

Option C

-- Something Else

I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions on this before making any decisions.  I think we’ll at some point need to expand to multiple replay categories, probably sooner rather than later.  While I don’t think we’ll ever go back to allowing multiple threads per project, I would like to go back to allowing a second thread for those of us who like to have a running side bar thread (seajaw, for one) as a part of their detailed and lengthy replay narratives.  Right now, as things are with only one replay category and our current rules, we can’t allow this.

2)  IMAGE POSTING

We currently have no rules limiting image posting.  Few of us currently post images, likely because few of us have the capacity to host our own images.  Our own jim1951 has played an unofficial role on the site mega posting images, adding a visual component to many members’ posts.  From everything I’ve seen, Jim’s efforts have provided a helpful service, and have been extremely well received by the membership.

Our current site status:

-- We currently have a free site, supported by ads, limited to 2 GB of storage, and 10 GB bandwith per month.

-- We are currently at NO immediate danger of exceeding our free capacity.

-- Mega image posting will move us toward our current capacity sooner.

-- When we eventually surpass our free capacity, my plan is to upgrade to one of lefora’s pay site options.  The basic package is $20 per month, or a custom package is likely a lot more.  When an upgrade becomes necessary, I will cover the costs out-of-pocket with profits generated from my SOM Black Market team sales. 

I see several key issues down the road:

-- The capacity to host one’s own images will be more commonplace within the next year or so.

-- Our membership will continue to grow.  We will be seeing more members posting images, and possibly other mega image posters.

-- My team sales provide a small but necessary second income for me.  My hope is that by the time we upgrade to a pay site, I’ll be generating enough from team sales so that the costs of a pay site will not require a significantly large portion of my monthly sales income.

-- We will increasingly be moving faster toward our free capacity, perhaps at a rate much faster than we’d like without any rules or guidelines in place.

By addressing this early, we can minimize future problems, and create more options for managing our growth. 

I’m now considering whether there may be a need to have rules or guidelines in place regarding this.  I’d love to hear from members on this as well before any decision is finalized.

Some possible options to help preserve our free capacity and better manage our growth:

-- Developing general guidelines for image posting.  This would be an interim step before posting formal rules becomes necessary.  These would be non-mandatory suggestions to encourage members to conserve capacity, and could help slow our use of capacity to a more manageable rate.

-- Start with formal rules for image posting now.  This would allow for the highest degree of managing our growth, ensuring that income from my team sales will be sufficient by the time we need to upgrade.  Rules could address one or more restrictions around: limiting the number of images per post, limiting images in others’ topics, limiting the number of larger size images, and so on.  This would obviously be the most restrictive option, but would not have to start with all restrictions at once.

-- If he’s interested, designate jim1951 as our semi-official image specialist, providing his service to those expressing an interest.  There would be general rules for this mega image posting to help better conserve capacity, and restrictions to discourage other future mega image posters.

-- Other suggestions.

-- Any combination of the above.

This is your site, and any input from you is welcome.  You can post your thoughts and suggestions here, or contact me through PM.

Thanks,

Ken

Re: FIELD TRIP TO JIMBO’S ULTIMATE TOURNAMENT

I didn't realize that the 1980 Pad's were as good as that.  Some good names in their lineup.

-gwloar

They really weren't that good, finishing in last place in the NL West at 73-89.  The franchise gave up on these guys after the season.  The pitching staff was riddled with injuries and ineffectiveness.  Despite throwing 3 consecutive shutouts in 1980, Randy Jones was nowhere near the level of effectiveness he showed in 1975-76.  Winfield had an off year in 1980 and went to the Yankees as a free agent in 1981.  Fingers had a bad year in 1979, a decent comeback in 1980, but was gone to the Brewers for a Cy Young season in 1981.  Broderick Perkins and Luis Salazar did not live up to their great starts, and Manager Jerry Coleman was replaced by Dick Williams after his one and only season as manager.  Young star Ozzie Smith was gone after 1981; the oft injured Randy Jones was gone after 1982.

The Padres started rebuilding in 1981, were competitive by '82, and won the pennant by '84.  New stars Terry Kennedy and Tony Gwynn, and an entirely new pitching staff of youngsters (Lollar, Whitson, Dravecky, Show, Lefferts) formed the nucleus, with veterans Garvey, Gossage, and Nettles in the mix, put them over the top.

Ken

Re: my S-O-M World Series Project

The Braves appear to have been bitten by the replay hoodoo as well!

Re: FIELD TRIP TO JIMBO’S ULTIMATE TOURNAMENT

John Curtis and those spectacles he wore had a nasty sinker, great summary rezz.

-cwsfn

Thanks, Art!

Curtis had a few good seasons with the Red Sox and Cardinals before ending his career with the Padres in 1981.

Re: What's On the Horizon for Everyone

Art,

Great topic!

My first priority is re-establishing some continuity with my Field of Dreams League, now way back in our Doubleday archives covered with cobwebbs.  I've gotten as far as Game 3 of the 54 game regular season, but I've been bogged down trying to find time to finish the Spring Training write-ups.  The NL is nearly done, with all of the AL still to be completed. I expect FOD to be my main project over the next 3-4 years.  For those of you who haven't yet linked to my Official FOD site, you can see first hand all of the graphics and images that go into my write-ups.

I'll be finishing up my current side project, a best-of-five series that's part of Jimbo's Ultimate Tournament very soon.  I have two games completed and one written up and posted.

Beyond these, I've been looking at some other shorter term side project possibilities:

1)  Orioles Vengeance Tour.  This would be a replay of great Orioles series that should have been: '69 World Series, '71 World Series, '73 ALCS, '74 ALCS, '79 World Series, '82 final regular season game against the Brewers, '97 ALCS, etc.

2)   'Back in Black' Barnstorm.  I've already scheduled an FOD vs. Negro League All-Star Game, but I'd like to make this a larger Negro League project, with a number of games/series leading up to the All-Star Game: perhaps some games against some all-time great teams, games against the all-time D-Backs and Rays teams (who didn't make the cut for the FOD League), and perhaps a surprise opponent or two.  It would give me a chance to build some momentum for the big All-Star Game.

3)  Native American All-Star Team.  I am an enrolled member of the Onondaga Nation and have done a little research into Native American major leaguers.  An all-star team would be pretty competitive with the likes of: Albert Bender (Ojibwe), Ed Summers (Kickapoo), Allie Reynolds (Muscogee), Jesse Petty (Cherokee), John Meyers (Cahilla), Rudy York (Cherokee), Pepper Martin (Osage), Zack Wheat (Cherokee), Louis Sockalexis (Penobscot), Bob Johnson (Cherokee), and Jacoby Ellsbury (Winnebago), to name the top stars.  It could also include several players of Native American descent (Johnny Bench, Willy Stargell, Early Wynn, and Bucky Dent).  I haven't found a second baseman yet, but perhaps this wouldn't be too much of a stretch for Jim Thorpe!  I've already gotten some tremendous help from Larry K with creating a few cards for me.  I'd love to play these guys against the Negro Leaguers and see what happens!

Re: FIELD TRIP TO JIMBO’S ULTIMATE TOURNAMENT

1983 Orioles v. 1980 Padres

PADRES UPSET ORIOLES IN GAME #1, 4-2 (continued)

ON DECK

Game #2:

Baltimore, McGregor (L), 18-7, 3.18 ERA

v. San Diego, Jones (L), 5-13, 3.92 ERA

Re: FIELD TRIP TO JIMBO’S ULTIMATE TOURNAMENT

1983 Orioles v. 1980 Padres

PADRES UPSET ORIOLES IN GAME #1, 4-2 (continued)

Re: FIELD TRIP TO JIMBO’S ULTIMATE TOURNAMENT

1983 Orioles v. 1980 Padres

PADRES UPSET ORIOLES IN GAME #1, 4-2

Curtis shuts down Birds for victory

SAN DIEGO - Lefty John Curtis threw 8 strong innings for the Padres, giving up 5 hits and surrendering only 2 runs to keep Baltimore in check.  Big Dave Winfield added 2 RBIs as San Diego took a 1-0 series lead on their home field.

The Padres stayed in control the entire game.  They opened up the scoring in the bottom of the first.  Gene Richards led off reaching on an error by pitcher Mike Boddicker, and was sacrificed to second by Ozzie Smith.  Dave Winfield singled home Richards for a 1-0 lead.  Broderick Perkins then doubled to right-center for what may have broken the game wide open, but Orioles’ center fielder John Shelby threw a perfect relay to Cal Ripken, who nailed Winfield trying to score from first.

Richards led off the third with a single to start another rally.  Ozzie Smith followed with double in the left-center gap, and another Shelby-to-Ripken relay nailed Richards at the plate.  Winfield followed with a double to score Smith, putting the padres in the lead again at 2-1.

The Padres’ running game was entirely shut down.  San Diego, threatened by Oriole Rick Dempsey’s cannon behind the dish, never attempted a steal.  On the base paths, the Padres were cut down at the plate three times by great throws from the outfield.  In spite of this, the Padres found other ways to win.

With the score tied at 2-2 going into the bottom of the eighth, the Padres struck again and finally got to O’s starter Mike Boddicker.  Perkins led off with a double, followed by a Gene Tenace walk.  Jerry Turner doubled to bring home Perkins with the go ahead run.  Luis Salazar singled to right to score Tenace, but Turner was gunned down at the plate by O’s right fielder Tito Landrum.

The Padres took a 4-2 lead, and Rollie Fingers pitched a scoreless ninth to finish the Birds and pick up the save.  Said Dave Winfield after the game: “John had a great game and gave us the chance to win.  When our starters pitch the way they’re capable, good things happen.  Our guys at the top of the order got on base and we had runners in scoring position throughout the game.  We got some timely hits and cashed them in.”

Despite the decisive loss, Baltimore fought back throughout the contest.  Down 1-0, Eddie Murray hit a solo homerun to lead off the second and tie it.  Down 2-1, John Shelby and Tito Landrum led off the sixth with singles, with Shelby moving to third.  Rich Dauer hit a sac fly to again tie the score.  Murray’s 2 out single put runners on the corners again, Gary Roenicke popped out to short to end the rally.  The Orioles made a final comeback attempt in the ninth with singles by Murray and Jim Dwyer, but ken Singleton grounded to second to end the game with the tying runs aboard.

Orioles skipper Joe Altobelli was nonetheless pleased with his team’s effort:   “These guys have fought hard all year and they never give up.  The Padres outplayed us today, but they still need two more wins to move on, and this is a veteran team that won’t get down after one loss.”

(continued)

Re: my S-O-M World Series Project

Art,

You left out Baltimore in your team records!

Ken

Re: Life-Long Collector's Updated For Sale List

I have dealt with Dave several times, and he has provided me with accurate descriptions, timely follow-ups and communication, and square dealing!

Ken

Re: All-Time 9's

ESPN had done something similar last season (voting on their web site and reporting results on Baseball Tonight, I believe), and Baseball Digest has been posting letters from readers on their favorite team's all-time nines for a number of months.

It's been fun for me matching up others' lists with my choices for FOD.  ESPN's project really seemed to favor more recent players.  Baseball Digest, whose readership includes a lot of older fans like many of us here, featured a lot of selections that mixed some all-time greats with favorites from a particular past era.

Re: My all-time AL SOM Tourney

On the Horizon- The Orioles Franchise.  Who to play?? Coming up (probably after Thanksgiving) will be the Orioles franchise.  Come on Rezzdog (I think you are a Baltimore fan) - give me some help on choosing 8 teams.  Here is what I have carded:
Shoe In's - 1966 Orioles, 1969 Orioles, 1971 Orioles, 1983 Orioles
Probables - 1922 Browns, 1996 Orioles (arrive today!)
The Rest:  1930 Browns, 1956 Orioles, 1961 Orioles, 1977 Orioles, 1988 Orioles (arrive today!), 2006 Orioles (arrive today!), 1994 Orioles.
I need two from "The Rest" group.  Any favorites out there?  Some of these teams are stink'O's but maybe there's a favorite player or two.  I'm leaning towards the 1977 and 1961 teams but I could be swayed.  Either way, they will get stuck playing the 1969 or 1971 team in the opening round.
Any Orioles/Browns fan can chime in (or anyone else!)
Thanks

-gwloar

I can't agree more with your top 6 choices!  The other two I'd pick would be '61 and '77.  Both won over 90 games, were contenders, and have some big cards.

'88 would be a real manager's challenge.  This was the team that lost its first 21 games or so, and you'd be doing well if you could get these guys to win one game!

Ken

Re: How do we know who is "online" here at the Village?

Hey Rich!
 
This site does not have the greatest features for identifying who's currently online.  Some options for you:
 
1)  Further down our side bar, there is 'Recently Online' area.  Member icons that have a little green dot on them are supposed to be currently online.  The number of members listed online in the 'Community Info' section at the top of the side bar does not always match the number of member icons with a little green dot.  It appears that the 'Recently Online' listing is not in real time, but a few minutes behind.

2)  Go to the bottom of the 'Forum' page, and click on 'Recent Posts'.  This gives you a listing of all recent posts.  You can also see anyone who has just posted in the last few minutes, and who may still be online.

3)  Using the above info, you can go to the black bar at the top of the page to 'messages'.  You can send a personal message (PM) to any member this way, including to guys who have just been online.  Presuming these guys are also checking the 'messages' area on the black bar (it will indicate if they have a new PM), they can then get back to you.

I hope this is helpful!

Ken

Re: Gold Gloves

From the few O's games I saw on TV this year, Jones appears to have all of the skills.  Can't say I saw him enough to say he's one of the 3 top defensive outfielders, however, although I'm not entirely surprised by the selection.

Going back to the first base discussion: I've always thought Eddie Murray - who was never a media favorite - was robbed of at leat 2-3 Gold Gloves.  During his prime, I thought he was the best AL defensive first baseman for several years.  Nobody made the 3-6-3 DP better than Eddie!

Re: my S-O-M World Series Project

Despite all the big bats behind him, I still can't figure out how Vuke managed 18 victories that year!