MLB taking over the Dodgers

Major League Baseball - Bud Selig:

Pursuant to my authority as Commissioner, I informed Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt today that I will appoint a representative to oversee all aspects of the business and the day-to-day operations of the Club.  I have taken this action because of my deep concerns regarding the finances and operations of the Dodgers and to protect the best interests of the Club, its great fans and all of Major League Baseball. My office will continue its thorough investigation into the operations and finances of the Dodgers and related entities during the period of Mr. McCourt's ownership.  I will announce the name of my representative in the next several days.

The Dodgers have been one of the most prestigious franchises in all of sports, and we owe it to their legion of loyal fans to ensure that this club is being operated properly now and will be guided appropriately in the future.

It is really sad when small market teams cannot make the budget work.

via [MSTI & L.A. Times]

XPaul out, Sands in

Dodgers DFA Xavier Paul and call up Jerry Sands.

What are the odds Sands will be starting over Gwynn and Thames?  Knowing the Dodgers, not likely.

@BillShaikin has Sands starting in LF tonight and batting 7th.  Here's to the future and hope to see you soon XPaul.

[MLB Trade Rumors]

[Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness]

One Single Life

I haven't been this nervous playing a video game since Diablo 2 hardmode.  

The premise is simple, successfully jump from roof to roof and you live (very similar to Canabalt); miss the jump and you die. The catch here is when you die the game is over. Forever. No hearts, no healthpacks, no retries, just game over.  

Available Now [iTunes & freshTONE Games] Free

The Science of Why We Don't Believe Science

From Chris Mooney

We apply fight-or-flight reflexes not only to predators, but to data itself.

Loved that quote.

In other words, when we think we're reasoning, we may instead be rationalizing. Or to use an analogy offered by University of Virginia psychologist Jonathan Haidt: We may think we're being scientists, but we're actually being lawyers (PDF). Our "reasoning" is a means to a predetermined end—winning our "case"—and is shot through with biases. They include "confirmation bias," in which we give greater heed to evidence and arguments that bolster our beliefs, and "disconfirmation bias," in which we expend disproportionate energy trying to debunk or refute views and arguments that we find uncongenial.

The description of a fanboy/girl.

[Mother Jones]

It's a Not-So-Wonderful Life(style)

from Uni Watch

But here’s something interesting: I have never — not one single time — heard anyone accusing me of giving Majestic a free pass.

Now why is that?

The main reason, I submit, is that Majestic generally doesn’t need a free pass. They don’t come up with ridiculous uniform designs, they don’t plaster their logo all over everything that moves, they don’t promote their own brand in a way that eclipses the brands of the teams they outfit, they don’t pander to 19-year-olds in a way that embarrasses all of us. In short, they don’t engage in much corporate douchebaggery.

Awesome article about the difference between Majestic and the giants of Nike, Adidas and Reebok.

Uni Watch is a great blog for geeking out about uniform stuff, very well written.

 

Here's to you Mr. Robinson

Once again it is Jackie Robinson Day,  the day everyone wears 42. Back in 2004 Bud Selig announced the league wide retiring of number 42 and that every April 15th would be known as Jackie Robinson Day.  On this day every major league player wears the retired number and pays honor to the great man that broke the MLB color barrier, Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson.

Since the honoring of Jackie commenced in 2004 the Dodgers have not lost on his day.  That first year they beat the Padres with a score of 7 to 5 and have kept the trend since.  Here's to hoping they can keep it up.  It's your day Jackie, you deserve it.

Dodger Jackie Robinson Day record

2004 Padres 7-5

2005 Padres 4-0

2006 Giants 3-1

2007 Padres 9-3

2008 Pirates 11-2

2009 Giants 5-4

2010 Diamondbacks 6-5

2011 Cardinals ?

 

Amazon Kindle, now with ads!

This week Amazon announced they are now offering a version of their popular Kindle ebook reader at a $25 discount as long as you're willing to look at a few ads.  When I first heard about the idea it sounded horrible to me.  One of my favorite things about my Kindle is getting lost in the book you are reading.  I don't want that broken up with some ad popping up or flashing at the bottom of the page.

Since my early trepidations I have been made aware that the reading experience is unchanged.  The ads will only be on the screensaver and the bottom of the home screen.  Amazon describes these ads as "special offers", which again sounds like they are glossing over the truth but again it turns out they are pretty decent.

From Amazon: 

You'll receive special offers directly on your Kindle. Examples include:

• $10 for $20 Amazon.com Gift Card


• $6 for 6 Audible Books (normally $68)


• $1 for an album in the Amazon MP3 Store (choose from over 1 million albums)


• $10 for $30 of products in the Amazon Denim Shop or Amazon Swim Shop

If Amazon can push the price down another $15 they would very much be in the impulse buy territory at $99.  Looks like a killing blow to the Nook possibly. 

Golden anniversary for a slew of debuts

I'm a day behind commenting on this but San Diego mexican food did a number on me.  Monday had some golden anniversaries.

Via The Hardball Times

First off, an entire team debuted: The Angels. They won their franchise opener 7-2 over the Orioles. To date, it's the only time their cumulative franchise record has ever been over .500. The American League's other expansion franchise, the new Washington Senators, had its debut the day before.

According to Baseball Reference the Angels are currently 35 games under .500 as a franchise, also known as a .428 win percentage.  In contrast the Dodgers, Los Angeles' only true team, is 937 games over as a club with a win percentage of .524.  This is good enough for third place all time, only being eclipsed by the Giants (1477 .538) and of course the Yankees (2310 .568).

Strangely enough, the Yankees don't even make the top five of all time club wins.  Then again all the teams above them have about 18 years of a headstart.

In case you were wondering, the worst win percentage and most games under .500 come from the same team.  Ladies and gentleman, your Philadelphia Phillies! With a franchise record of 9,142 wins and 10,234 loses for a win percentage of .472 which is 1,092 games under .500.  With the way their rotation is currently built they look to be working on getting the franchise over .500.  Good luck fellas.

Butler fans at Hinkle Fieldhouse

Butler fans at Hinkle Fieldhouse from Danese Kenon on Vimeo.

So this is what the agony of defeat looks like.  

via [Chitwood & Hobbs]