1984Echoes

I think conservative women will vote conservative, regardless of the cost of groceries... And women outraged by the overturning of Roe will vote Dem, regardless of the cost of groceries. It is Independent men who will backslide.

Absolutely. Of course. I'm motivated. Always have been. And it's not only women's responsibility. It's EVERYONE's responsibility who prefer to live in a democracy versus a fascist state, in a democracy versus a theocracy, in country of freedoms that aren't trampled upon by others, including freedom to vote, freedom to live and not be senselessly gunned down, freedom to make one's own choices about personal health care, personal sexuality, personal marital choices... etc. But what I am talking to is specifically where the swing votes will come from. Sometimes it's from Independents who swing an election one way or the other. Sometimes it's enthusiasm by the base. Sometimes people really harp on the youth vote getting out and voting which is an exceptionally difficult demographic to motivate. Sometimes it is suburban women who are the swing voters. These things ebb and flow each election. Regardless, I have 1,001 reasons to vote straight ticket Dem. And I will absolutely do so. From local councils all the way to the highest position on the ticket up for a vote this cycle. But I'm also being realistic. I believe that in order for Dems to retain the House and Senate... that the women's vote is critical. This cycle. And maybe for the next several. Guys will waver (not me) and say "Oh but the economy." I'll say this again, and I mean it: I am hoping that motivated women outvote the backsliding Independent men that I know are out there.

Only one side cares about that. I'm still hoping motivated women voters outvote the "but the economy" backsliders.

It needs to be DeSantis who is impeached. Talked briefly with a Trumper about 6 months ago at dinner, with multiple other guests at the same table, listening in (a mix with the others)... I think I just made a brief comment like: "Tired of trump shitting all over the constitution..." He wasn't happy, but quickly pivoted... to: "I understand the frustration with Trump. What about anyone else but Trump? How about DeSantis?" Oh, also, the Trumper is my boss, at work... I don't think my "DeSantis is another contemptible fascist that I will never, ever vote for..." was very well received either...

After I obtain a Lakeland, Florida winter home (or nearby) so I can annually watch Tigers Spring Training once I retire... I have two cousins in Colorado... Both are tremendous fun and have a range of politics and interests/ hobbies; and never let their politics transcend their personalities... My first choice for a non-ST home.

We should also hope that: Jake Rogers performs better than Tucker Barnhart circa 2022 Eduardo Rodriguez performs better than Eduardo Rodriguez circa 2022 Javier Baez performs better than Javier Baez circa 2022 Austin Meadows performs better than Austin Meadows circa 2022 Matt Manning performs better than Matt Manning circa 2022 Akil Baddoo performs better than Akil Baddoo circa 2022 Kerry Carpenter is real and not a mirage Does Alex Lange take the next step and take over the Closer position, pushing Soto to set-up? Or is that Joe Jimenez that gets his old job back (if he's worth it)? Miggy plays no more than 40 games and spends the rest of his time on the 60-day IL Dingler and Keith make it to AAA and excel (I'll throw Parker Meadows in here as well...) and show themselves to have a real chance to make it in MLB, perhaps even a September call-up for each... Beau Brieske shows himself to be a competent Major League 4th/ 5th starter, no matter where he's actually pitching... Just a few thoughts... thinking out loud...

PS: I actually wanted to stick this specific line in my prior post and it completely slipped out of my mind (the perfect description of an Al Avila player): "A guy who sticks in your craw."

I was thinking the opposite: Someone who is forgettable well... you sorta don't think about them if you can't even remember them. As opposed to someone that annoys or particularly vexes you (meaning anyone, not specifically "you")... because they hang around for multiple years antagonizing everyone with their mediocrity or less than mediocrity... Niko antagonized Tigers fans for 4 years and almost 1,500 PA's of mediocrity. Willi 4 years of annoying 1,200 PA's... Dawel Lugo was 3 years and 400 PA's of completely abysmal... And all (3) heavily weigh upon our thoughts of how Avila F'd up with his choices; and that these names will never be forgotten for their less-than-mediocre, abysmal performances...

Everyone knows they have a track record... right. Marjorie Taylor-Greene. 'Nuff said.

To be honest... He also needs to be memorable. And I don't even really remember Ronny Rodriguez. When did we sign him? I think the name is weakly, barely familiar... but so barely as to not even register.

Add in...: 4) He waded into politics unnecessarily. Every dim-witted businessman who has a few dollars in his/ her pockets thinks their IQ went up 50 points and they can now solve all the world's problems... He made a good move to send assistance to Ukraine... But that doesn't now mean he has all the answers. Especially when...: 5) He spewed Vladimir Putin talking points, right after speaking to him... WTF? Did he think he was going to get positive responses from Ukraine or the U.S. for regurgitating Putin-speak?

You need to do this by Category: 1) Trade acquisition that Avila was needlessly hyped over, but ended up as nothing but Hot Garbage: Dawel Lugo 2) Worst Starter on the market that Avila somehow felt was worth making a #3 starter. Who was, indeed, the worst starter on the market: Mike Pelfrey 3) Pitcher coming off an arm injury that seemed to be OK but also quite risky with recent underperformance compared to career norms in addition to the injury risk... That Spectacularly Blew Up in Avila's face: Jordan Zimmerman 4) Over-drafted "hitter" that had ZERO hit tool, some power, and a complete inability to field any position: Christin Stewart 5) Over-drafted "hitter" that had ZERO hit tool, some power, with a hit tool so bad no MLB, no ability to get to said power, Mendoza-like even in the MINORS, drafted in the top 2 rounds, and now every no-hit Tigers prospect is now compared to: Rey Rivera. 6) Awesome potential but injuries destroyed any chance to see the guy in MLB, immediately after we just traded our HOF Pitcher Justin Verlander for this key prospect: Franklyn Perez. 7) Below Replacement Level but we held onto him anyways because Avila couldn't find anyone better so he ended up with vastly more playing time as a Tiger than he EVER would have deserved with ANY other team in MLB: 4-way tie between Buck Farmer, Niko Goodrum, Christin Stewart, Harold Castro. (Feel free to expand this list to your heart's delight). Or add as many additional categories... as needed.

This team just looks... sad. Disappointing. Weak. Dysfunctional on offense. And on defense. And... the season hasn't even started yet.

It's pretty sad though, even if he has a "great attitude", that he can't even open up on the 3rd line. Just... sad.

I thought Russia/ Putin was hinting that they were going to start being more restrictive with their athletes... maybe heard that within the past year...? If the future is so bright for this kid then I have no problem whatsoever with Yzerman taking that chance...

None of these guys are proven to be "the answer" as a utility IF'er due to one deficiency or another (experience, glove, bat...): W Castro, H Castro, Short, Kreidler, Palacios But... The very first guy I show the door is Short. There's just not enough there... Second guy has to be Willi. It might be a tough debate for some between Willi and Harold... but no, show Willi the door. Next comes Harold.

The corpse of Evan Longoria is 37 years old. This is your idea of building a Tigers' playoff team for the future? No. He is not better than taking a chance on a Candy recovery year. Not at all.

I've been wondering this. Is he better if surrounded by better talent, as G2 points out? Or are we better off obtaining a true dominant #1 center and pushing Larkin to the 2nd line? Does Kasper develop into that...? Or is he just Larkin 2.0 and a better 2nd line center than first line? Where do we find/ obtain, or otherwise get this supposed superstar Centerman?

I would want to do that with Soto. Offer him arb and then trade them. He has value IMO, and someone will want him, and overpay for him. Maybe I'm wrong... But I think he has the highest trade value of anyone that the Tigers might want to trade...

Looks like a weird chihuahua until you get down to the wings...

Hahaha! Yeah... that most likely is what is staying his hand...! Or public voice in this case...

I've been impressed with Elmer's speed down the ice. That I believe, was the biggest knock on him, his overall speed... but the U.S. ice is smaller, and once he "pistons" his legs a few times, he's a runaway freight train cruising down the ice. The announcers were commenting on it Friday night, and you could see it. Maybe there are faster skaters out there... but I view it as less a liability on defense than I was led to believe as long as he plays it smart defensively. (PS: and keeps moving his skates like I've seen him do...). The positives: that he's so agile on his skates in short areas, doesn't get knocked off the puck (what Ras has struggled with in previous years... he's improved there though, right?), his stick handling, reach, and creativity are off the charts, and he has the ability to get the puck into the net... demand that they find a spot for him. He could make the 3rd line dangerous depending on who else he shares that line with...

That why I both agree with what you've stated her as well as my earlier comment that Xi should speak more loudly and clearly that he wants this "ended now". Not that he could directly affect Putin's decision-making... But the clarion call would rattle the Kremlin soundly methinks...

Germany should be sending its first IRIS-T air defense system to Ukraine within the week... And the US has two NASAM's going there within the month I believe. And Putin is stupid. I agree with your other comment: bomb the Kerch (too lazy to type out the full russian name... I'ma justa going to keep calling it Kerch) Bridge again, as soon as they possibly can. If they can hit another tanker train, directly, I think the resulting "selfie" videos we've seen over the past week will be even more spectacular...!

Score a TD with 3 minutes left... miss the 2-point conversion. Onside kick recovery. We kick a FG with a minute 38 sec's left...