Hamhock

I'm a lifelong Phillies fan, and at this point I want them to fail spectacularly at their offseason attempts at signing/trading.

Adam LaRoche to the White Sox; two years, $25MM

The aging process for Flair seemed to kick into hyper drive in late 2002. Just a couple of years later, it looked like Flair had aged a decade. I've always assumed it was the drinking, like he had gotten himself into great shape for his return in late 2001 but then started hitting the sauce heavier again in mid-2002.

There *had* to be a tag match with Flair against Tully/Wahoo in 1984 somewhere...

A.J. Burnett returns to the Pirates; one year, 8.5 million.

The Phillies have finally achieved their many-yeared quest to land Jeff Francouer, signing him to a minor-league contract.

Sheamus passes out again, Rusev refuses to release the hold and gets DQ'd. Ryback picks him up into the Shellshock and throws him backward out of the ring. There, how's that?

Jose Abreu is a unanimous winner of the AL Rookie of the Year.

Silver Slugger Awards announced: National League 1B Adrian Gonzalez, Dodgers 2B Neil Walker, Pirates 3B Anthony Rendon, Nationals SS Ian Desmond, Nationals OF Andrew McCutchen, Pirates OF Justin Upton, Braves OF Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins C Buster Posey, Giants P Madison Bumgarner, Giants American League 1B Jose Abreu, White Sox 2B Jose Altuve, Astros 3B Adrian Beltre, Rangers SS Alexei Ramirez, White Sox OF Mike Trout, Angels OF Jose Bautista, Blue Jays OF Michael Brantley, Indians C Yan Gomes, Indians DH Victor Martinez, Tigers

Gold Glove winners announced: AL first baseman: Royals' Eric Hosmer AL second baseman: Red Sox's Dustin Pedroia AL shortstop: Orioles' J.J. Hardy AL third baseman: Mariners' Kyle Seager AL left fielder: Royals' Alex Gordon AL center fielder: Orioles' Adam Jones AL right fielder: Orioles' Nick Markakis AL pitcher: Astros' Dallas Keuchel AL catcher: Royals' Salvador Perez NL first baseman: Dodgers' Adrian Gonzalez NL second baseman: Rockies' DJ LeMahieu NL shortstop: Braves' Andrelton Simmons NL third baseman: Rockies' Nolan Arenado NL left fielder: Marlins' Christian Yelich NL center fielder: Mets' Juan Lagares NL right fielder: Braves' Jason Heyward NL pitcher: Dodgers' Zack Greinke NL catcher: Cardinals' Yadier Molina

BBWAA finalists announced... NL MVP Award (winner announced Thurs. 11/13) Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton AL MVP Award (winner announced Thurs. 11/13) Indians left fielder Michael Brantley Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez Angels center fielder Mike Trout NL Cy Young Award (winner announced Wed. 11/12) Reds right-hander Johnny Cueto Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw Cardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright AL Cy Young Award (winner announced Wed. 11/12) Mariners right-hander Felix Hernandez Indians right-hander Corey Kluber White Sox left-hander Chris Sale NL Manager of the Year Award (winner announced Tues. 11/11) Giants manager Bruce Bochy Pirates manager Clint Hurdle Nationals manager Matt Williams AL Manager of the Year Award (winner announced Tues. 11/11) Angels manager Mike Scioscia Orioles manager Buck Showalter Royals manager Ned Yost NL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award (winner announced Mon. 11/10) Mets right-hander Jacob deGrom Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong AL Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award (winner announced Mon. 11/10) White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu Yankees right-hander Dellin Betances Angels right-hander Matt Shoemaker

Yeah, this is a win-win for Burnett and the Phillies. They can set fire to the money with some other stopgap signings, and he can try to latch on to a contender for one more year.

They are going to have clocks up in multiple spots for the 20 seconds:

Experimental pace of game rules to be tested at the Arizona Fall League: · Batter’s Box Rule: (batter shall keep at least one foot in the batter’s box throughout his at-bat) · No-Pitch Intentional Walks · 20-Second Rule [at 17 Salt River Fields home games only]: A modified version of Rule 8.04, which discourages unnecessary delays by the pitcher, shall apply. Rule 8.04 requires the pitcher to deliver the ball to the batter within 12 seconds after he receives the ball with the bases unoccupied. The penalty prescribed by Rule 8.04 for a pitcher’s violation of the Rule is that the umpire shall call “Ball.” · 2:05 Inning Break Clock · 2:30 Pitching Change Break Clock · Three “Time Out” Limit: Each team shall be permitted only three “Time Out” conferences per game (including extra innings). Such conferences shall include player conferences with the pitcher (including the catcher), manager or coach conferences with the pitcher, and coach conferences with a batter. Conferences during pitching changes, and time outs called as a result of an injury or other emergency, shall not be counted towards this limit.

...and good riddance Frank Wren, it appears...

I first saw those at Busch Stadium last year. It'd be cool to have the novelty helmet, and $17 for such a monstrous amount of food really isn't bad by ballpark standards, but I know there's no way I could (or would want to) polish it off. Then I'm stuck with a slimy Cardinals helmet on the train ride home, plus I know it would just end up being used as a puking vessel for one of the SLU or Washington University students who can't handle their Busch Light. Maybe it would be worth it to pay off one of the plentiful cherubic tykes in my section to eat the nachos and I could keep the helmet when they're finished, I don't know. Have you seen the White Sox Sundae Helmet? There's a goddamn funnel cake in there below the sundae.

Because he's a rich and famous athlete; they get probation and counseling where the rest of society gets jail time.

Chris Davis of the Orioles just got suspended 25 games for amphetamines.

If Bryan did face Lesnar, I'd like to see something where Bryan can somehow always cling onto Brock's arm/shoulder during the F5, so that he can never be hurled. Over and over throughout the match, Lesnar keeps attempting the F5, and Bryan just can't be shaken loose, to the point where Brock begins freaking out, screaming "GET OFF OF ME! LET GO!"

The ricochet of the ball was so strong off his skull that it went straight into the air like a popup and was caught by the shortstop for the out.

The White Sox are down 15-0, and Adam Dunn has taken the mound to pitch in the 9th inning. Dunn's line: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 9.00 ERA

Am I the only one watching the MLB Draft?

Some more 1972 Carlton fun: 9 of his 27 wins had final scores of 2-1, 2-0, or 1-0. In 5 of his 10 losses, the Phillies scored 1 or 0 runs. The other Phillies starting pitchers had records of: 2-15, 4-14, 4-10.

I have no idea what they were recording the old house shows on back in the day, but I'm wondering if it was U-Matic 3/4", as that might explain some of the decent resolution of the source material.

Coincidentally, Clammy Sosa was at yesterday's Phillies game to celebrate the Phanatic's birthday, and ate an umpire (or, more accurately, an actor dressed up like an umpire).