1776

It’s called denial. Given some space maybe the left will open their eyes and accept the fact that she wasn’t a viable candidate. Maybe…

So of my two bold predictions, I missed on my second prediction when Flaherty didn’t receive a vote in the Cy Young voting. Splitting the season between the two leagues probably didn’t help.

The longer the Democratic Party holds on to the belief that Harris didn’t win because of her gender/color, the longer it will be before they learn from the huge mistake they made in believing Harris was a viable candidate. If she runs in 2028, she’ll likely be the first out of the primaries…again.

So what’s your take on Hillary getting more votes than Trump in 2016? Level playing field?

Automated ball/strike zones to get a look in spring training at some parks. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5938669/2024/11/21/mlb-robot-umpires-testing-spring-training/

A little more detail. https://www.acenet.edu/News-Room/Pages/Court-Strikes-Down-Biden-Overtime-Rule.aspx

The International Criminal Court said Thursday it has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, along with top Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif. The ICC issued the warrant for Deif, who has been reported killed and who helped orchestrate the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on Israel that left 1,200 people dead and more than 240 taken hostage, on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The court’s prosecutor is continuing to gather information. The ICC’s warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant allege they committed war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip, including the use of starvation as a weapon and directing attacks against civilians. WSJ

I wondered that as well.

The Tigers spring training single game tickets go on sale December 14 at 10:00.

I can’t argue with Vogt winning it. Hinch deserves a ton of credit for getting his team in the playoffs but Cleveland finished first in the division and went deeper into the playoffs than the other Central division teams.

For the first time in my life, I quit sodas a couple of weeks ago. So far, so good. I did love my Coke Zero though. Now I need to slow down on the caffeinated coffee. I’ve got a concoction of really good caffeinated coffee with so-so decaf going right now. Hard to find a good tasting decaf. Yes, water is the best. I’m doing pretty well with that too. Every now and then I do indulge in a sugar free Powerade.

Top three finalists were AL Central managers. Not bad for the worst division in 2023.

As long as they don’t ban my Coke Zero…

More and more it looks as if the Rays have played their last games in St. Pete. https://www.mysuncoast.com/2024/11/19/tampa-bay-rays-stadium-deal-jeopardy-team-tells-commissioners-hours-before-vote/

A McConnell/Trump fight would be much more entertaining than the Tyson/Paul fight. My money would definitely be on McConnell and the sooner the better.

Definitely looking bad for a Rays future in Florida. https://www.si.com/fannation/mlb/fastball/news/tampa-bay-rays-get-horrible-news-new-stadium-deal-could-be-dead-leading-to-future-uncertainty-possible-relocation

The assumed .25 rate cut for December may well not happen per talking heads in the Fed. I’m good with this. I disagreed with the November cut and didn’t like the December plan.

The plan for the Tampa Tarpons has not been determine as yet regarding their game locations.

The Tampa Bay Rays, for the first time in their history, will actually play their home games in Tampa. The team’s home slate will take place at George M. Steinbrenner Field, the spring training home of the New York Yankees.

Encouraging: https://www.carolinajournal.com/libertarians-played-spoiler-in-key-nc-elections-prompting-dialogue-with-major-parties/

Interesting read: WSJ Going to war is now a rational economic choice in Russia’s impoverished hinterlands. Facing heavy losses in Ukraine, Russia is offering high salaries and bonuses to entice new recruits. In some of the country’s poorest regions, a military wage is as much as five times the average. The families of those who die on the front lines receive large compensation payments from the government. These are life-changing sums for those left behind. Russian economist Vladislav Inozemtsev calculates that the family of a 35-year-old man who fights for a year and is then killed on the battlefield would receive around 14.5 million rubles, equivalent to $150,000, from his soldier’s salary and death compensation. That is more than he would have earned cumulatively working as a civilian until the age of 60 in some regions. Families are eligible for other bonuses and insurance payouts, too. “Going to the front and being killed a year later is economically more profitable than a man’s further life,” Inozemtsev said, a phenomenon he calls “deathonomics.”

I agree with all your points. I honestly, as of right now, would put the Rays at a 50/50 chance of leaving Florida permanently before 2028. The November 21 vote will go a long way in revealing the local sentiment. To me, this is the most interesting MLB story this offseason to this point.

I have always found the Yankees to be offensive 😉

This is a really good piece on the challenges the Rays new ballpark faces going forward. https://www.draysbay.com/2024/11/11/24293445/the-rays-new-stadium-plan-might-lose-its-funding

Indeed. I read that as well. I think they did that only a year ago. Perfect timing!