Archived comment by Black Goat:
"Modern technology and medicine has totally screwed true evolution."

No, it's just changed the environment organisms need to evolve in...There are still traits that will be selected for. You cannot stop true evolution. I would bet that humans that are attractive to the majority of people, healthy, social, charming, friendly, capable of violence but only when needed, intelligent, optimistic, energetic, etc will still be the ones that will tend to reproduce, while lazy, unattractive assholes will tend to die off a little more without breeding...

Archived comment by Parental Unit:
Hey Joe! You there??? Escape from the zombies???

Archived comment by Parental Unit:
On the subject of baseball and why y'all should root for the Giants. The paper yesterday (look it up at SF Gate if you want the whole story) talked about the 'International' Giants. They got guys from Puerto Rico (Santiago), Cuba (Hernandez), the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Venezula, Japan and the US. It's as multi-cultural as it can be.

So... If you're in favor of ethnic diversity you should root for the Giants!

And no marinerd you can't have our manager. You already got our football coach. (Holmgren's from the Bay Area). Geezzz we already gave our good baseball manager to St. Louis and 'Chuckie' went to Tampa Bay...

Archived comment by marinerd:
Hockey is fun to watch, though field games (hockey, soccer, etc.) are confusing. Too many lines, and so many rules about who can be where on the field when anything happens to the ball! But exciting.

Parental, I'm looking forward to seeing if we can steal Dusty away from you guys. Isn't it odd how often a team's ownership/management suddenly decides they no longer want their manager, no matter how succussful he's been? I'll never figure it out. But he's said he'd love to come to Seattle. And we unfortunately have a vacancy...

Archived comment by Joe Napalm:

The rules are pretty simple...no icing, no high-sticking, and if this is your first night at Fight Club, you must fight.

-Jn-
Efreeti Sophist

Archived comment by Parental Unit:
You too marinerd, as you know Dusty Baker calls me for advice, so I had a lot to do with it...

And I too have a lot of respect for hockey, as I can't ice skate worth squat, but the rules are incomprehensible.

Archived comment by marinerd:
Congratulations on Game 1, Parental Unit!

Archived comment by umrguy:
*pointedly ignoring further talk of baseball* Ah, yes, hockey season is here... how 'bout the Blues winning these last two games with a 4th string goalie, eh? A guy who made his NHL debut in the previous game, and his first NHL start tonight. A little shakey tonight, but the offense helped him out. And our captain's out till at least January, and probably longer with the new surgery he's gonna have on Monday.

Oh, and the saying I've heard is: "I went to a boxing match the other day and a hockey game broke out."

Archived comment by Jon:
What's that line about watching a riot/fight when a hockey game broke out? :)
That said, I have the utmost respect for those who can ice skate and play hockey. Let's just say that even my *roller* skating is flawed, at best.
(That admiration of skills goes for other sports, too, hockey is just the most recently noted example)

Archived comment by steff:
hockeyhockeyhockeyhockeyhockey

Archived comment by Parental Unit:
Well marinerd thanks for the support, but let me tell you my personal experience with 'chin music'. I've watched my son get hit with pitches that're about 70 mph and be in serious pain. And most MLB pitchers throw in the 90's. It is, in fact, a weapon. And yes David Bell is great, thanks for giving (trading) him to us.

Intelligirly - just cover your eyes it'll be over in a week :-)

Archived comment by marinerd:
I'm not too fond of Barry, but there are unpleasant people in every profession, we just don't hear about them or see them on TV. He's a great player and fun to watch. It's wonderful to see if pitchers have the nerve to pitch to him or not, or if they try to but get timid and end up making a mistake (and you know what he does with mistakes).

And as for pitching inside, pitchers HAVE to pitch inside to be successful. As long as they don't go with the chin music, I think it's just fine. And what about all the players who don't even try to get out of the way? They should outlaw armor, and only award 1st base to players who at least try to avoid getting hit.

And though I'm rooting for the Giants (I can't root for an AL West team!), I still think Kenny Lofton is a whiny crybaby. The pitch that caused the benches to clear wasn't even that close! I've seen him cry about being thrown at for years. What a baby. On the other hand, David Bell is everything a baseball player should be. My team was insane to let him go!

Archived comment by Parental Unit:
(Can't believe I'm defending Bonds...)

But umrguy, the reason A-Rod and Sosa had so many HRs is that they were 'pitched to'. I.e. - Bonds had a Major League record walks (and intentional walks too, though that's unofficial). I mean the RedBoys were so afraid of Bonds in Game 4 that they walked him which set up Benito's HR to drive in both of them and win the game. How good a player is it when the other teams are SO afraid of you that they'll put you on base for free???

Archived comment by umrguy:
Umm, ParU, actually, what I said was, the OTHER year (not necessarily this year), and "up there", not necessarily at the top, I don't keep up with all the exact stats.

Oh, and WHO won the homerun race this year? Gee, looks like... A-Rod! (Granted, on a losing team, but still...) Looks like Barry came in at best third, behind Rodriguez and Sosa. (Sorry, postseason don't count, and even if it did, at best he might hit 60 this season.)

Archived comment by Montygirl:
If I had a baseball, I'd throw it at Barry, too!

Now, I'd tend to Vina's wounds anyday!

tim, how do you know steff is in the bedroom? And what the hell is that rope for?!

Archived comment by Jon:
Crikey, that one's got teeth!

Archived comment by tim:
" Let's listen in as steff cleans the bedroom...."

Archived comment by steff:
hmm... what's this rope doing here? ewww.. and why is it wet?

Archived comment by hypoxic:
See PU I can't root for the Giants as they are in the NL West. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, ergo I am an Angels fan now.

Archived comment by tim:
Gosh...I wonder why??

Archived comment by Parental Unit:
Actually umrguy, the leader in Hit by Pitches is that guy you all hate, Barry Bonds. He's also the leader in Batting (370), intentional walks, walks, slugging percentages, etc., etc.

It ain't bragging if you can do it.

Archived comment by umrguy:
ParU, don't look at me, I didn't talk about headhunting. I didn't watch most of the games so as to keep my stress levels down and sanity intact. (Did I mention that I get way too emotionally involved?)

As far as putting the ball where they want to, I've seen a fair number of pitchers (on all sides) throw close to a batter, often to keep him a little back from the plate. Occasionally, the ball slips, or the guy moves just a bit, and they get hit. (Yes, sometimes they intentionally hit 'em, but I like to think that most of the time it's either an accident by the pitcher, or a really good batter... if memory serves, the other year Fernando Vina of the Cards was WAY up there in HBP, indicating that either they were trying to hit him, or more likely that he was good at drawing them.)

Archived comment by Parental Unit:
Well hypoxic you gotta root for the Giants then. Cause their hottest player right now (NLCS MVP) used to be a Padre. Benito!

And as long as we're discussing 'headhunting' how 'bout the Cards throwing at Kenny Lofton (and hitting him in the last game). You can't tell me Major League pitchers can't put the ball where they want to.

Oh yeah, Ty Cobb had the reputation as 'the Meanest man in Baseball'. He used to knock over the 1st baseman just to see if he could do it. (For those who don't know/care 1st base is the only base you can overrun and thus miss colliding with the guy catching the ball. To physically hit the guy there you have to try to do it).

And yes, I too like Tom Hanks. (But he's from Oakland, so he's a Bay Area guy too!).

Archived comment by tim:
hy- If your only reason for not liking Pedro is that he's a headhunter..I can name a few other pitchers who are guilty of the same thing.
And from what I'VE seen it's only in retaliation.

penguinchick...yes i know...( I always Hope...but I'm 43 and I just don't see it happening in MY lifetime...Yours maybe )
: )

Archived comment by umrguy:
I'm with Montygirl - I'll be rooting for the Angels. (I would be rooting for the Twins, unless it had come to a Cards-Twins series obviously, but well...)

And from the stuff I've heard, this is more confirmation that Baby Barry is an asshole. From what I understand, he was on like the Tonight Show or something like that last year after setting the record, and told Tom Hanks to his face that he sucked (apparently said "Tom, you suck" and didn't appear to be kidding about it). From what I heard, the show cut to a commercial, and when they came back, Tom was still there. Barry was not.

Now, I'm not saying Tom Hanks is the greatest actor in the world, but he HAS been nominated for 5 oscars and won 2, so even if you don't like him, it's still considered polite to use some tact. (Now don't try and point out McGwire, I'm not saying what he's done has always been tactful either. But he at least was usually pretty respectable in interviews and on TV and stuff.)

Anyway, Mark and Tony came from Oakland, not SanFran. Same geographic location, different team - hell, different league.

And, why do you think a lot of baseball players come to St. Louis and stay? Because we fans are the greatest, that's why. Just an example, Scott Rolen (yes, the injured guy you didn't see, and don't think we didn't wish we'd had him) recently signed a deal with the Cards that from my understanding was virtually identical to the one the Phillies had been offering him for years.

St. Louis itself (the city) has also produced such legends as Jack Buck and Yogi Berra.

Oh, and by the way, the Cards have won 9 World Series (tied for second most behind the Yankees, I don't know who with but I doubt it's the Giants), and quite a few more NL pennants.

So ParU, neener neener neener back. :o�

Archived comment by Montygirl:
Helloooo?! Big Mac and LaRussa left the Bay to GET AWAY from Bonds!

And, yes, I will bitch as much as I want about him, thankyouverymuch! :P

Archived comment by penguinchick:
Tim- I live in MA too, but I refuse to admit that the Red Sox will never win a World Series in my lifetime. I cant do it. No matter how often I've been disappointed, I just cant give up hope. *g* I guess I'm just one of those freakish "the glass is half full and the Red Sox have a chance" people.

Archived comment by hypoxic:
I'd like to start out and say that I am not a Bonds fan. But boorish baseball players are a part of the norm. Look at Mantle and Ty Cobb. Not super friendly. But I will admit Bonds is a hell of a player even though he beats the crap out of my team.

Also concerning Pedro, HE SUCKS! I'm still bitter about when he pitched for the Expos. Head hunting bastard!

Sorry disgruntled Padres Fan.

Archived comment by Parental Unit:
Yes Montygirl, but where did Big Mac start out? Why here of course. And where did your manager come from (and still live in the offseason)?

Also, bitch about Barry all you wish, but he's playing while the Cards are watchin...

Archived comment by Montygirl:
Mark McGuire isn't my favorite guy in the world, but I'd rather spend time with him that Barryboy any day. Barry may hold the record, but he'll never be half the man Mark (or Sammy, for that matter) is.

Too bad all that money can't buy Mr. Bonds a little class.

Go Angels!

ParUnit - pbppbllttttttt!

Archived comment by tim:
Yeah I love being called timmy......UNIT
: P~~

The Sox will never win a world series in my lifetime...but..living here we accept that.
It's a given
And I'll watch Pedro over Clemens or Bonds anyday.

Archived comment by ParU:
Yeah timmy (and I just know how you love being called that) -- remember the curse of the Bambino.

So what're the Red Sox doing right now???


Neener, neener, neener... *g*

Archived comment by tim:
*begin rant*
Awwww poor Barry...forced to do interviews.
What a tough life...playing baseball and making millions.
And he's unimpressed with people?
Well...I'm unimpressed with him.
He's an ego brat.
And just because he puts up the " numbers" doesn't excuse him from having basic courtesy.
I'm sure he'd be the first to complain if someone serving him had an " attitude"

Maybe he should take some of that money he makes and buy a personality.
Sorry..but the guy is a dick.
*end rant*

Archived comment by ParU:
In defense of Barry Bonds (for all you Midwesterners who are sulking), he kinda is a private guy, forced to do interviews all the time and he's also kinda unimpressed with a lot of people. But his numbers speak for themselves. (Mark who?).

Besides the Giants won the NLCS on teamwork. The MVP was a 37 yr old catcher. You Cardinals fans are just having sour grapes.

Neener, neener, neener...

Archived comment by Montygirl:
I loved Jack Buck.
I like Joe Buck.
I HATE HATE HATE Barry Bonds.
So, I'll be cheering for the Angels!

Archived comment by Jon:
To quote Beth Goza (namelink): i dunno.
If dogs are so great, why does the www.mydoglovesyou.com just link to a boring pet supply store? Where's the love there? :)

Archived comment by J:
I said CATLINK.
Hrmmph.

Archived comment by J:
A must have catlink. Go bootsy!
Site seems to disappear sometimes though.

And to counter some of the cats-are-wonderful-stories:
The reason for this may be that after falling five stories or so, cats reach a terminal velocity.
Nyuk nyuk nyuk.

One more just for the road?

Archived comment by Monk:
*pilfering from a radio interview this morning on the Bob & Tom Show*

[see namelink for shameless plug - work approp]

Joe Buck (sports broadcaster extraordinaire and from St Louis) described meeting Barry Bonds in early 90's. He commented to the Cardinal's pitching coach while watching Bonds take batting practice, "It's sad, so much talent and he doesn't seem to enjoy the game, is surly, is a loner etc etc"

The coach replies that Bonds is actually very personable once you get to know him. So he walks Buck over and introduces the two, "Barry, this is Joe Buck, his dad is Jack Buck. He's a broadcaster for the Cards, and he wanted to meet you"

Barry says, "So?"

Epilogue - Buck is now the play by play announcer that will be broadcasting the world series on FOX that Bonds will be playing in.

Archived comment by tim:
I have to root against Barry Bonds...just on principle.
But I was dancin' when the Angels won against the Yankees.
Muhuhhahaha
So ..I'm for the Angels

Archived comment by Parental Unit:
Yeah I know Montygirl, but I was trying to live down those early years...

Hey, how 'bout them Giants!! (and no that doesn't relate to the top part of this comment).

Archived comment by Inuki:
*pokes the cool point* Hmm, I think you're right. Good thing, too... The tape I have is really bad for holding anything up. Thanks, Montygirl.

Apple, are you sure you're not? :D

Archived comment by Apple:
I first read that as "on something." Hehehe!

Archived comment by Montygirl:
And, yes, I know I'm asking for it when I mention Monk and porn in the same sentence!

Archived comment by Montygirl:
Inuki, if you haven't noticed, you can just stick the cool point to the wall.

Apple, I think you're on to something...

Parental Unit, Monk must have been referring to your porn name. "The Unit" ... take it as a compliment, and let's never discuss this again.

Archived comment by Inuki:
Yay! I get a cool point!

*hangs cool point on the wall like a poster* Hopefully the tape will hold...

Archived comment by Parental Unit:
New word for IP lexicon - 'tribbles' of fur. Quite appropriate. Good job Inuki - one cool pt.

Archived comment by Apple:
"and sometimes disguise themselves as priests or nuns, to fool those who encounter them."

8^o Monk??? You got some 'splainin' to do!

Hee! Tribbles of shed fur! My mom's Alaskan Samoyed was the same way! Whiter than white tribbles! Woo!

Archived comment by Inuki (F):
Amazing what a quick Google search will turn up. Apparently tengu can change shape at will. They often have long noses. One kind of tengu looks like a human with a crow's head, wings, and tail.

And yes, I do feel sorry for my husky in the summer... She sheds so much when it's hot. My mom brushes her outside because the "tribbles" of shed fur get to be huge.

Archived comment by Denise:
That was cute, Paul...

Cat people always annoyed me. Now, I'm becoming one. Ohh.. the irony...

KW should name her bat Jelly.

*snicker*