tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19126167.post4936020510550355851..comments2023-10-29T01:50:44.089-07:00Comments on Reflections on music, movies, TV, sports, American History, and other stuff.: MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL: THEN AND NOWJim McAllisterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13973524943250404193noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19126167.post-1665690572247606882017-05-12T15:22:36.804-07:002017-05-12T15:22:36.804-07:00Jen said we're keeping the farm. A friend in C...Jen said we're keeping the farm. A friend in Colorado said we should buy some land out there. Something to camp on. And I talked to the VA rep and he said I have nothing to worry about. Colorado Springs. Lots of studios, both in film and music there. Hobby.<br /><br />The complicated thing is, Jimmy, is any kind of medical procedure will require painkillers. More liver damage. And Colorado has legal marijuana for the prevention and treatment of men's kind of cancer. Don said the type they are talking about is slow progressing anyway.<br /><br />I'd rather go see the Rockies than the Cardinals. Don't have to worry about stray bullets so much.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09268265056850010999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19126167.post-78717944091122085032017-05-05T11:42:15.199-07:002017-05-05T11:42:15.199-07:00Rick,
I saw that in the paper the other day about...Rick,<br /><br />I saw that in the paper the other day about the bullet hitting that woman at the ball game.<br /><br />St. Louis has been steadily becoming a scary place for a while now.<br /><br />Jim McAllisterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13973524943250404193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19126167.post-37152785577956589962017-05-05T06:35:21.483-07:002017-05-05T06:35:21.483-07:00St. Louis is supposed to be the most dangerous cit...St. Louis is supposed to be the most dangerous city in America. I went to a SN concert there in 2008 and waded through the crack addicts buying from their dealers at the gas station. It was like softly walking through the African grass while lions were feeding as so not to attract their attention!<br /><br />Woman shot at St. Louis Cardinals baseball game from a bullet fired blocks away! https://sports.yahoo.com/news/women-hit-stray-bullet-sitting-seat-st-louis-cardinals-game-181205851.html?utm_content=socialflow&utm_campaign=yahoosports&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=socialAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09268265056850010999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19126167.post-61780458247129446832017-05-05T04:49:36.921-07:002017-05-05T04:49:36.921-07:00Lightning is a really big problem in ball games. I...Lightning is a really big problem in ball games. I live in the forest and I see the damage that lightning causes all the time! Besides the strike itself, people can also get hit by flying debris and shrapnel! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1nL5OE4VGIAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09268265056850010999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19126167.post-12620788570373457752017-05-04T12:48:56.520-07:002017-05-04T12:48:56.520-07:00Jim,
Some of the snowbirds in Sun City are leavin...Jim,<br /><br />Some of the snowbirds in Sun City are leaving already. It's a beautiful thing. To an Arizona native this is the most wonderful time of the year.Mike Slaternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19126167.post-38467744938632181742017-05-03T13:35:19.411-07:002017-05-03T13:35:19.411-07:00Watch the videos. I tried to find the one of the h...Watch the videos. I tried to find the one of the house floating down the Big Piney, but all I could find was the aftermath at the Devils Elbow Bridge that was just restored after a great fight to prevent it's replacement! http://www.route66news.com/2017/05/02/emergency-manager-devils-elbow-gone/<br /><br />Highway crews were going to try to replace the asphalt removed by the floodwaters today to get the interstate reopened in a week, but likely not gonna happen. <br /><br />Went to the doc today. She was rather dismal saying that everyone has to die sometime. I think I'll buy a projector for Jen and then we can fake being in Colorado on the Green Screen. Project a concert or baseball game on the wall and film ourselves in it. Too funny. Yep, everyone goes sometime.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09268265056850010999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19126167.post-3784751120508279252017-05-03T12:23:39.463-07:002017-05-03T12:23:39.463-07:00Mike,
I agree. I love it when the hot weather hi...Mike,<br /><br />I agree. I love it when the hot weather hits and I see them leave. It's nothing personal; I just like it when things are a bit slower her with less traffic, etc.<br /><br />One of the most beautiful sights in the spring is a loaded auto transport truck heading north!Jim McAllisterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13973524943250404193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19126167.post-69623748351572526582017-05-03T12:13:10.780-07:002017-05-03T12:13:10.780-07:00Jim,
Reading Rick's comments makes me glad th...Jim,<br /><br />Reading Rick's comments makes me glad that we live in the Valley of the Sun.No flooding, tornadoes, earthquakes or snow. This is the ideal place to live.<br /><br />Now that's it's May the snowbirds will be leaving. It's my favorite time of year. Mike Slaternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19126167.post-48044772466987886072017-05-02T13:34:50.275-07:002017-05-02T13:34:50.275-07:00Sorry to hear of all the devastation in your area ...Sorry to hear of all the devastation in your area Rick. I remember the Spring rains when I was stationed in Western Missouri.Jim McAllisterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13973524943250404193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19126167.post-55457161560603227312017-05-01T16:28:23.442-07:002017-05-01T16:28:23.442-07:00Test driving a new computer for the studio. The pr...Test driving a new computer for the studio. The programs are getting so massive that the RAM speeds are astronomically expensive! I rented one for about a year after my last one quit. Finally I found an HP for a decent price slightly faster than the superduper computer rental! So maybe I can get back to video work.<br /><br />Day 2 of Spring Floods 2017. I just saw a video of I-44 where it was flooded and it could be a week or two before the road is fixed. Looks like a bulldozer went through there! Just local traffic on the interstate! Folks lost their homes, cars and lightning killed a herd of 31 cattle in Texas County Missouri down in a holler! <br /><br />I was thinking that having a concert to raise money in the Waynesville Mo. city park, but the baseball field and everything else is under water. <br /><br />For anyone who has ever been to the world famous Devils Elbow Mo. and the Elbow Bar and Grill; it's gone. The town is gone, the paper says. http://www.waynesvilledailyguide.com/news/20170501/flood-claims-one-life-and-destroys-devils-elbowAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09268265056850010999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19126167.post-29907219437259602442017-04-30T07:48:38.132-07:002017-04-30T07:48:38.132-07:00Holy shit! That other stuff is bad news but base...Holy shit! That other stuff is bad news but baseball practice is cancelled? Now, THERE is a crisis!Jim McAllisterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13973524943250404193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19126167.post-59333368001109188012017-04-30T06:25:06.342-07:002017-04-30T06:25:06.342-07:00Morning. Power is out again in the Missouri Ozarks...Morning. Power is out again in the Missouri Ozarks. I-44 is closed due to flooding. Some small town creek bridges collapsed. And I'm nearly out of Folgers dark roast coffee. Things could get ugly if I run out! Really. Coffee price gouging! All baseball practice is cancelled.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09268265056850010999noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19126167.post-66639690059971061132017-04-29T17:27:25.269-07:002017-04-29T17:27:25.269-07:00Mike,
I remember when Mecham cancelled the King h...Mike,<br /><br />I remember when Mecham cancelled the King holiday saying it was illegal but, as you said, it was played anyway finally in '96 after Mecham was gone in spite of the fan's disinterest.<br /><br />This guy explains it perfectly. I remember it well. It's just one more reason why I have drifted away from watching pro sports. It wouldn't bother me a bit if the Cardinals, Diamondbacks, and Suns all left town. They are just a bunch of losing whiners always threatening to leave anyway if they don't get taxpayers to pay their way. Screw them!<br /><br />Jim McAllisterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13973524943250404193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19126167.post-64889651659997103402017-04-29T13:19:14.340-07:002017-04-29T13:19:14.340-07:00Jim,
Never underestimate the stupidity of voters...Jim,<br /><br /> Never underestimate the stupidity of voters when it comes to sports. Back in the 90's we had a vote for a MLK holiday. It was defeated and then the NFL said no Super Bowls in Arizona with out the holiday. We had another vote and of course it passed.<br /><br />Now the taxpayers in Las Vegas will find out what it will cost to have the Raiders.Mike Slaternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19126167.post-47415704070733093172017-04-28T16:07:44.320-07:002017-04-28T16:07:44.320-07:00....and to show what suckers the voters were, they.......and to show what suckers the voters were, they they fell for the Bidwill line that they would build some kids' play fields if the voters voted for the stadium. Sure enough, they voted it in. I don't blame you for moving. Sun City people are more wary of such bullsh-t, they would have told them to stick it where the sun doesn't shine.Jim McAllisterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13973524943250404193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19126167.post-73051031682548048052017-04-28T13:32:10.018-07:002017-04-28T13:32:10.018-07:00Jim,
We voted no on the Cardinal stadium but foot...Jim,<br /><br />We voted no on the Cardinal stadium but football fans outnumbered us. The Glendale City Government sold their soul to the devil to have pro sports and the taxpayers got stuck with the bill. That's what made us move to Sun City.<br /><br />You're right about the Bidwill's. Mike Slaternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19126167.post-75226110601258232692017-04-27T22:22:26.654-07:002017-04-27T22:22:26.654-07:00Mike,
I agree totally. The Suns are especially a...Mike,<br /><br />I agree totally. The Suns are especially annoying as they basically admitted they were starting weak lineups at the end of the season so they would be sure to lose thus ensuring a better draft choice next season. Plus, they have a coach who is clueless. <br /><br />I've always disliked the Cardinals from the days I lived in Kansas City and they were in St. Louis. The Bidwill family is probably the worst ownership in sports. It's too bad the voters knuckled under and bought them the stadium in Glendale. If they wouldn't have thrown in a clause to build playgrounds for kids, they probably wouldn't have had the votes to win that election for their stadium.<br /><br />As far as hockey, I knew that would flop in Glendale. All the hockey fans are in Scottsdale and the area is too far away.<br /><br />I'm definitely not the sports fan I used to be.Jim McAllisterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13973524943250404193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19126167.post-75443429946147994522017-04-27T14:03:30.849-07:002017-04-27T14:03:30.849-07:00Jim,
It's not like these teams are racking up...Jim,<br /><br />It's not like these teams are racking up championships either. They're mediocre teams at best. I wouldn't pay to go see any of them or pay outlandish prices for food and drinks.<br /><br />The Suns have been here for 49 years with nothing to show for it. The D-backs have 1 championship which was the only time I ever rooted for the Yankees. The Cardinals haven't won a title since 1947. I'm not a hockey fan so I could care less about the Coyotes.<br /><br />If any of them want to leave I'm sure Delta Air Lines is ready when they are.Mike Slaternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19126167.post-78551850324896170112017-04-27T11:27:59.517-07:002017-04-27T11:27:59.517-07:00Mike,
I agree. I wish they would all leave if th...Mike,<br /><br />I agree. I wish they would all leave if they don't like where they play. <br /><br />The Diamondbacks are the worst of all. They have a beautiful 18 year old stadium paid for by taxes and they are demanding the taxpayers buy them a new one. I loved the comment by one of the county supervisors when he told the head guy to "Take your f---ing team and go back to West Virginia." I wish they would.<br /><br />The Coyotes and Suns aren't quite as bad but they want new places too. The good news is that the public gets to vote on it so I don't see them getting the votes. They can all leave as far as I am concerned.<br /><br />The Salt River Tribe over here is pretty tight with the Diamondbacks and provide them with a spring training park. Maybe they will step in and build something for them. They have lots of money and lots of land to build on.Jim McAllisterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13973524943250404193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19126167.post-35728204906423520342017-04-26T15:02:49.976-07:002017-04-26T15:02:49.976-07:00Jim,
Another thing you rarely see in Baseball or ...Jim,<br /><br />Another thing you rarely see in Baseball or any pro sport is ownership getting private funding for their stadiums. As a taxpayer I don't like being tax for millionaire play grounds.<br /><br />I remember when the D-Backs were<br /><br /> formed the Maricopa Board of Supervisors levied a tax to help pay for the new stadium. We didn't even get to vote on it.<br /><br />One Supervisor get shot over it and one later ran for Congress and was soundly defeated. <br /><br />When I lived in Gledale at least I had a chance to vote on the Cardinal stadium. <br /><br />Now we see the Coyotes want a new arena and the D-Backs complainging about thier stadium. If they don't get whant they want they always threaten to leave.<br /><br />I liked the Valley much better when there were no pro sports teams. Mike Slaternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19126167.post-19916943871942330302017-04-24T15:07:12.469-07:002017-04-24T15:07:12.469-07:00Mike,
Yeah, the 300 inning guys are long gone. M...Mike,<br /><br />Yeah, the 300 inning guys are long gone. Many years ago it wasn't uncommon for one guy to pitch both games of a double header. Speaking of double headers, that's another thing that has pretty much disappeared.<br /><br />Today a guy is considered a workhorse if he can go seven innings. Dizzy Dean would be embarrassed to admit he went less than nine.<br /><br />You're right about Gibby and Don: They did some pinch hitting. I think it was a pride thing for guys like them.Jim McAllisterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13973524943250404193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19126167.post-1876886508097784982017-04-24T10:24:20.414-07:002017-04-24T10:24:20.414-07:00Jim,
I miss those guys too. Todays players aren&#...Jim,<br /><br />I miss those guys too. Todays players aren't the same. You don't see pitchers with 300 innings a year anymore. Now they have pitch counts and relievers. It's something for a pitcher to win 20 games anymore. Another thing you rarely see is a pitcher pinch hitting. Drysdale and Gibson were good with a bat and on occasion would have the highest batting average on the team.<br /><br />My brother is a big Baseball fan and I told him about your blog. He may check it out. If you see a Steve Slater that's him.Mike Slaternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19126167.post-70804278156299510202017-04-23T12:27:05.162-07:002017-04-23T12:27:05.162-07:00Mike,
No question about it; Gibby was one of the ...Mike,<br /><br />No question about it; Gibby was one of the best. He was very serious on the mound and didn't want to hear any crap from anyone including his catcher Tim McCarver. <br /><br />During the '68 Series against Detroit Gibson was having a bit of control problems so Tim went out to the mound to see if he could help in some way. Gibson stared at him and said "Get the hell out of here! The only thing you know about pitching is that it's hard to hit!"<br /><br />Lesson learned by McCarver: Don't mess with Bob Gibson when he is pissed off.<br /><br />I miss guys like that. Today most of the guys are just a bunch of overpaid twerps. They are making millions hitting .220 whereas they couldn't even make the roster in the past.Jim McAllisterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13973524943250404193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19126167.post-6720733566621475342017-04-23T11:48:49.788-07:002017-04-23T11:48:49.788-07:00Jim,
Another great pitcher of that era I enjoyed ...Jim,<br /><br />Another great pitcher of that era I enjoyed watching was Bob Gibson of the Cardinals. Much like Drysdale Gibson would intimidate batters and being a former Golden Gloves boxer wasn't afraid to mix it up with a batter.<br /><br />In the 1968 season he had a 1.12 era which is unheard of today. In the first game of the 68 World Series he struck out 17 Tigers breaking the record of 15 that Koufax had in 63.<br /><br />Could you imagine if a team had Koufax, Drysdale and Gibson?Mike Slaternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19126167.post-70664601755993522892017-04-22T10:33:22.960-07:002017-04-22T10:33:22.960-07:00Rick,
Love your quote "This chick I like, I ...Rick,<br /><br />Love your quote "This chick I like, I overheard her on the phone telling someone that she doesn't want material things, but just to be loved, while just a moment before she just asked me for a hundred bucks!"<br /><br />Just more reinforcement of what we have all learned over the years about some chicks. She will probably tell you that "Hell, I gotta eat!" Jim McAllisterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13973524943250404193noreply@blogger.com