Thursday, August 13, 2009

Off-Day Puzzle #14: It's All Coming Together

Two years ago, with flashes of brilliance from the Dodger youngsters, we dreamed of what could be. Last year, with a deep playoff run, that dream seemed within grasp. And now this year, with the best record in the ma-, er I mean second best record in-, uhhh yeah ok third best record in the majors, has the Dodgers' young core officially and finally come together?

Maybe, maybe not. Either way, it brings us to today's puzzle:

(click image to enlarge)

What message do Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Russell Martin, and James Loney have for us?

Hint #1 (8:30am): There is a hint near the end of the opening paragraph.

Hint #2 (9:43am): Scissors and a strong light source might help.

Hint #3 (10:45am): A non-baseball fan can conceivably solve this, but it's easier for those who know some basics about who Martin, Kemp, Ethier, and Loney are...

Solution: click here.

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Puzzle Rules: Comment freely in the thread, but if you have the solution, please don't give it away to everyone in the comments section. Instead, do the following:

  • Email us with the message. And please include your screen name somewhere in the email; and
  • Post a comment simply saying you have emailed your solution attempt. I may not be able to reply to your original email promptly, so please be patient and check back on the comment thread for the latest news; I may confirm correct answers there.

You have until midnight PT tonight to submit your answer. Good luck!

General Puzzle Note: Thanks to Josh S for pointing out that there are actually 19 off-days this season, not 18 as we had thought. This means there will be 7 puzzles in the last third of the season, not 6. Because of this oversight, the rolling 7-puzzle succubus mistress will, for the last day of the puzzle season only (Oct 1), become an 8-puzzle succubus mistress so that Grand Slam Puzzle #12 will count in the final PCS Point tally.

Not familiar with SoSG's off-day puzzle competition? Have no idea what the above paragraph means? Read up here. And join the fun!

40 comments:

Josh S. said...

If anyone solves this before a hint is posted, they have my unending respect.

Mike Scioscia's tragic illness said...

I believe they're saying, "no game today on account of crazy sideways rain."

ubragg said...

answer sent!

Eric Karros said...

First correct answer goes to M.S.T.I.!

Er, I mean Ubragg! Apparently he is equally strong at numerical puzzles, word puzzles, and visual ones.

Hint to be posted within an hour...

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I'm with Josh.

Eric Karros said...

Hint posted.

Josh S. said...

The hint confirms my rationale, but I haven't had time to work on it yet.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I was thinking along those lines.

Josh S. said...

! have to go into a meeting in 10 minutes! Curses!

QuadSevens said...

Damn! Completely forgot today was a puzzle and I'm in a class all day. Ubragg is insane on these puzzles too! I'll keep checking back for hints.

Josh S. said...

Frak! I'm out for now. I feel like I'm on the verge of a breakthrough, though.

Eric Karros said...

Hint #2 posted

Josh S. said...

It's so frustrating to find out I'm on the right track but can't see the answer.

Eric Karros said...

I'll post another hint around 10:30am, give or take -

rbnlaw said...

I knew I was on the right track. . .for once.

Eric Karros said...

ok 3rd hint posted...

rbnlaw said...

Answer sent.

Never thought I'd type those words.

Josh S. said...

I need to score points. The succubus is at my door.

Eric Karros said...

Josh S is in! Rbnlaw is only about 2/3 correct, so I can't give it to him yet...

1. Ubragg
2. Josh S

Seems a bit quiet today...where is Mr Customer, BWrightson, etc?

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

I don't have enough patience for this.

rbnlaw said...

Revised answer sent.

Keven C said...

Answered.

drewdez said...

Answer in!

rbnlaw said...

MLASF,
The package from the Mountain Loggers arrived safely. Thanks again.
Daughter #2 is excited to go.

Eric Karros said...

Flurry of correct answers! Good job all:

1. Ubragg
2. Josh S
3. rbnlaw
4. Keven C
5. drewdez
6. J Steve

rbnlaw said...

I'm playing the spoiler right now. . .and loving it.

MR.F said...

Ahh. Just saw this.

Mr. LA Sports Czar said...

Good to hear it, Rbnlaw. Have fun.

Josh S. said...

I'm convinced UBragg has a Firefox add-on that reveals the answer as soon as the puzzle is posted. Then, he just stalls a few minutes so he doesn't raise suspicion.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

Inquiry sent.

Neeebs (The Original) said...

If RBN can do this, then DAMNIT, I can too.

Matt said...

answer sent

Eric Karros said...

Good job Matt!

1. Ubragg
2. Josh S
3. rbnlaw
4. Keven C
5. drewdez
6. J Steve
7. Matt

Eric Karros said...

anyone out there still working on this? another hint?

ubragg said...

Josh, how did you know about my Firefox add-on? I've just got a few more bugs to work out, like the fact it has problems with baseball card identification, but I may distribute a beta version soon... ;)

MR.F said...

Answer sent... methinks.

rbnlaw said...

Thanks, Neeebs.
The view from under the bus is fantastic.

Eric Karros said...

Yes Fanerman!

1. Ubragg
2. Josh S
3. rbnlaw
4. Keven C
5. drewdez
6. J Steve
7. Matt
8. Fanerman

jose said...

Nice puzzle! Answer sent.

Eric Karros said...

Congrats jose:

1. Ubragg
2. Josh S
3. rbnlaw
4. Keven C
5. drewdez
6. J Steve
7. Matt
8. Fanerman
9. jose