http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/ Societal Critic at Large: Scott Long en-us Mon, 2 Feb 2009 20:11:00 PST Mon, 2 Feb 2009 00:00:00 PST support2007@baseballtoaster.com 60 http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1204605.html (Go to nsfwsports.com if you want to find Scott's new blog site.) http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1204605.html Mon, 2 Feb 2009 20:11:00 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1203595.html At the age of 10 my Dad decided that it was time for me to get a paper route. I mean I was in 4th grade, so why not give a child of one whole decade on this earth a job which required 7 days of work for 365 days a year. Sure no one else has a job that you are responsible doing every day, including holidays, but hey, with a generous pay package of 15 dollars a week, who wouldn't want that for their child? http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1203595.html Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:19:00 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1202774.html If there is a better comic under the age of 30 than Tommy Johnagin, I haven't seen him. This Friday night, Tommy's Comedy Central special will debut at 10:00 pm EST. A couple of years ago, Tommy wrote a great road story for this site. Since then, he has had a meteoric rise in the comedy biz, which includes a highly coveted spot on Lettermen in 2008. (Very few standups get on with Dave.) Now comes the Comedy Central special, which I'm pretty confident you will love. http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1202774.html Mon, 26 Jan 2009 22:34:00 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1202382.html Are you officially a network if no one is watching? OK, maybe that is a bit harsh, but what a colossal bore the new baseball network has been. Unless you have never seen Ken Burns' wonderful PBS documentary or you are a historian of old game highlights, the only thing the network offers of any quality is its Hot Stove show. Yes, I know that it is January and it will amp up when spring training and the WBC begins, but that is no excuse for not coming out of the gate with more intriguing programming. http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1202382.html Sun, 25 Jan 2009 20:09:00 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1200760.html Note: This is not a picture of recently signed Sox free-agent Bartolo Colon. http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1200760.html Tue, 20 Jan 2009 19:38:00 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1200342.html A recent CBS/NY Times poll reports that 79% of Americans are optimistic about the next 4 years under Barack Obama. Here's my thoughts on that question. I feel Obama is the right person for the job, but it is the job itself that is the problem. Even though Obama mentions the disaster our current economy is in, most Americans seem to have little understanding of how bad it really is since it hasn't really hit like it will. Unless you live in a state like Michigan or Ohio, you don't have a great feel of how it will be in the near future. http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1200342.html Mon, 19 Jan 2009 21:27:00 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1200318.html Back in September of 2004, I wrote that for the Democrats, winning the election might not be the best thing in the long run. I further added this prediction of the future. http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1200318.html Mon, 19 Jan 2009 20:39:00 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1198441.html Let me begin by sharing this little nugget. Jim Rice was my favorite player during the time of his career. I can remember when he came up with the Red Sox in 1975 and believing, despite Fred Lynn winning the rookie of the year, that Rice would have won it, if not getting hurt in September I am not an unbiased person when it comes to his candidacy. Despite all these wistful feelings for him, I realize that Rice was not a Hall of Fame player. http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1198441.html Tue, 13 Jan 2009 19:00:00 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1193548.html Who else would reference Britney, MSNBC Lockdown, the Wu Tang Clan, and Strom Thurmond while they were doing a bowl game review? Also included is how the Pac-10 is getting jobbed and USC is the best team in the nation. http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1193548.html Thu, 1 Jan 2009 22:43:53 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1193332.html As most of you know, this site has been pretty stagnant lately. I just haven't been that motivated to write, as I haven't felt like I have anything unique to offer. Before I was asked by Will to join him at the blog, I had an idea where I would create a place with uncensored sports talk, which would also feature other X-rated elements. Obviously, the Toaster wasn't the place to do this, as the sites here have a classy sensibility to them. I decided that beginning in 2009, I would explore this idea by starting a new site called NSFW Sports. Below is what I put under the category of about the site. http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1193332.html Wed, 31 Dec 2008 23:46:00 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1190420.html Update. I just discovered a new release this year from a band named Frightened Rabbit. Another great Scottish band that I think will have some staying power. Put them at number 3 on my list. Bump everybody down one. Uh, wait a second....another revision. Bump Girl Talk up to number 4, as that record is just too much fun to groove to. I wouldn't be surprised if in a couple of years, Girl Talk will end up being the record I listened to the most in 2008. Now, go back to your NYE festivities. http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1190420.html Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:54:00 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1189084.html Every year we've been blogging, we've done a year-end music list. This one's no exception. Scott's list will be up on Friday. http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1189084.html Wed, 17 Dec 2008 12:46:00 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1188053.html http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1188053.html Mon, 15 Dec 2008 19:35:47 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1178424.html Perhaps the most anticipated and near-mythological album of all time is now out, at least over at MySpace Music. (I'll try not to bag on that too much, but the experience is terrible there.) So with the reviews starting to come, I decided to give it a first listen and give my initial impressions. Chuck Klosterman's review hits the big question - "Throughout Chinese Democracy, the most compelling question is never, "What was Axl doing here?" but "What did Axl think he was doing here?"" I'm not going to even try to answer or even contemplate that here. I just want to listen and react to what I think is presciently being called "The Last Album." Let's work through the narcissism, overdubs, and see if there's any 'there' inside this: http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1178424.html Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:59:00 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1178197.html I spent the last ten minutes looking at a prospect list. There's a ton of them out there. Some are good, some are bad, and all to me are like stock analysis. There are reasons that they're written that are very valid and yet the outcome might be completely different for a number of reasons. For me, they're entertainment at a point in the season where there's not much else. Baseball America has done them for years. John Sickels and Kevin Goldstein do a nice job. The others? Well, I come back to the thing I realized a couple years ago. http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1178197.html Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:58:00 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1176369.html Hard to see how I can top last week's EASY 5-star cover with Cal, but we will see if I can get on another hot streak. http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1176369.html Sat, 15 Nov 2008 00:24:00 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1174635.html I hate wires. One of the reasons I bought my Macbook Air was the push towards "pure" wireless. I don't need a lot of ports, I don't need a lot of size, and up to a point, I don't need a lot of processing power. I took a peak approach to deciding whether or not an Air would work for me, though I did it blindly, pre-ordering after lusting on it during a Stevenote. http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1174635.html Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:56:36 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1174395.html A lot of people in a lot of places are telling Barack Obama what his first act as President should be. Obama shouldn't listen to any of them, but I'll toss mine into the ring. http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1174395.html Sun, 9 Nov 2008 17:41:24 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1174267.html Colleges http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1174267.html Sat, 8 Nov 2008 14:27:00 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1172727.html This article gives some great examples of what this tax increase on the wealthy really looks like. To a player making $10 million a year, the proposed change of the tax rate would cost them about $400 thousand a year. That means Derek Jeter will pay about $900 thousand on his $20 million '09 salary. That's six games worth of pay, more or less. http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1172727.html Tue, 4 Nov 2008 22:02:26 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1172375.html With the call of New Mexico for Obama, it's over. With the currently called states and near certainties in California, Washington, and Hawaii, Barack Hussein Obama has crossed 270. Theoretically, and stranger things have happened. http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1172375.html Tue, 4 Nov 2008 18:53:33 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1172107.html Watching the political coverage today and talking with some covering it, I've noticed one thing and it appears that exit poll numbers is capturing it as well. I'm calling it the 'iPod Effect.' With younger, more affluent voters and long lines around the country, it seems that those same voters, which tilt to Obama, are prepped and enthusiastic. By taking their iPods (or books, magazines, or anything), they prepared to wait it out, no matter the wait time. Older voters seem more unwilling to wait. Many are saying they've never seen lines like this, can't stand this long, and some number, which polls suggest could be as much as 5%, are just bored and leave. There are a million things in play, but the iPod effect is in full effect. Next time HDNet* shows video of the lines, try and count how many white cords you see. http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1172107.html Tue, 4 Nov 2008 16:12:50 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1171523.html With the election on the eve of destruction for the Republican Party, I thought I would publish again what I wrote 4 years ago. The only criticism I have of my analysis is that I wasn't harsh enough on the dire circumstances that the Bush administration and Republican Congress (especially the House) could bring to this nation. http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1171523.html Mon, 3 Nov 2008 19:43:25 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1171138.html I voted for Barack Obama. http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1171138.html Mon, 3 Nov 2008 09:55:19 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1170968.html First, let me be clear -- I love Kevin Smith movies. I love the concept of most of his movies and what he's done for a new generation, including Judd Apatow. That said, I was very disappointed by "Zack And Miri Make A Porno." We have a great cast, a great concept, and yet ... it just never comes together. As I walked out of the theater, I realized that in his third attempt to make a "commercial" movie, Smith had once again missed the mark. He simply doesn't have it in him to be anything but himself. http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1170968.html Sat, 1 Nov 2008 14:45:51 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1170882.html ...but I still have a winning overall record. I am freaking amazing! Well, let's see what kind of wild streak I will go on this week. http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1170882.html Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:19:00 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1169854.html I can't wait to do our annual Top Ten albums list this year. I could probably do twenty, where last year, I could barely do ten and had to stretch to find ten *great* albums. Even better, I think I've found more good music this year as the paradigm shifted somewhere along the way. I can't quite put my finger on it, but things like lala.com, iTunes' Genius function, and social networks have given us ways to find new music where radio has failed. With a couple albums left to drop that could squeeze their way in if they're not massive disappointments like the new Snow Patrol, really good albums like Coldplay's "Viva La Vida" are likely to be on the outside looking in. http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1169854.html Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:32:54 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1169676.html http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1169676.html Tue, 28 Oct 2008 23:46:00 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1167708.html Even John McCain is saying that he's no Dubya, so the one thing that we can all agree on is that Bush has done his damndest to wreck this great country. What better way to demonstrate your Patriotic nature than with this new Scott Long t-shirt creation. Wear it to the polls on November 4th. Remember it does make a great Xmas Present. Just $15 dollars (plus $4 SH). Operators are Standing By Now! http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1167708.html Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:04:00 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1169006.html I was discussing Alan Greenspan with a friend and she was unaware of his connection with Ayn Rand. In fact, she wasn't aware of objectivism and hadn't read any of Rand's work. It stunned me, since she's smart and well-read. So it got me thinking ... what's the one book and one album people *have* to have read and heard to be culturally aware? http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1169006.html Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:04:21 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1168148.html Just a week ago, everything was going well on the betting front. 21-9 overall in the colleges. Then came last Saturday, when I went 0-6. Hey, but I'm still 21-15, so that isn't so bad, right? http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1168148.html Fri, 24 Oct 2008 22:53:00 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1167673.html The county I live in has no Democrats running for office this year. Not one. http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1167673.html Thu, 23 Oct 2008 22:37:36 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1166569.html It's actually been more than a year since I stood in line outside an AT&T store, expecting a shortage that never came. The iPhone was everything I expected and more, but does it hold up? As Apple reports that it's sold 10 million of the buggers, does that make them less cool? http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1166569.html Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:14:04 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1165978.html We talk about music more than baseball here at The Juice, so when we find a new album we love, we usually talk about it. Instead, I'm going to tell you about a new web service at Lala.com that looks to be the online iTunes. It's more fun to explore and find all the features, but here's the key ones: http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1165978.html Tue, 21 Oct 2008 08:30:04 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1165450.html I've followed the Rays for a couple years now. It started because I really liked watching Carl Crawford play, but grew when two BPers shifted to their front office (It's now at three.) Over the last two years, I've travelled down several times to do events or just watch some ball. http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1165450.html Sun, 19 Oct 2008 21:04:23 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1163860.html So last week I continued my mastery of the colleges with a 5-1 week, including hitting my first 4-star play with Michigan State, who covered by 16. In the pro's I went 3-2, but did lose my first pro 4-star play. (Houston won, but just missed the spread number) For the year I'm 10-6 on Top Plays. http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1163860.html Thu, 16 Oct 2008 19:43:00 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1158069.html College http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1158069.html Sat, 11 Oct 2008 07:40:00 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1155528.html Two things you'd expect to find on this site now finally are! http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1155528.html Thu, 9 Oct 2008 10:36:09 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1154931.html I've started thinking about who might fill the Obama Cabinet. There's going to be a lot of discussion about this in coming days, as Obama's lead solidifies I thought Obama missed an opportunity to win the question last night about who would be his Treasury Secretary by not having a ready answer. Warren Buffett? I don't think so. Who do I think? Let's go down the list: http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1154931.html Wed, 8 Oct 2008 08:02:00 PST http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1149567.html I have been bringing winners here week after week, so let see what we can do this time around. For those keeping track, even my NFL picks are 8-6, so everything is clicking. http://thejuice.baseballtoaster.com/archives/1149567.html Thu, 2 Oct 2008 15:13:00 PST