Hope all you SoSG-maniacs are out of harm's way, and getting your important news from any other channel or website than NBC-LAme.
And for the record, the Delino is officially not bored with Kristin Stewart stripping.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Stay Classy, NBC LA
Two firefighters have lost their lives. Hundreds are evacuating. Fires are raging. And NBC LA's there, providing us with the hard-hitting coverage we need.
Manny Proves To Be Adequate Fill In For Pierre
Saturday marked Manny's 50th game since his return from suspension. How did those 50 games stack up against JP's 50 games during the suspension?:
| Player | |||||||||
| Juan Pierre1 | |||||||||
| Manny Ramirez2 |
150-game period during Manny's suspension (5/7 - 7/1)
250-game period following suspension (7/3 - 8/29)
It's debatable whose numbers are better, but is Juan Pierre suddenly looking like a relative bargain? Interestingly, both Manny and Juan seem to suffer from the same 20-game letdown phenomenon. We showed you JP's 20/30 game splits. Let's take a look at Manny's.
Manny Ramirez's first 50 post-suspension games:
| Games 1-20 | ||||||
| Games 21-50 |
Hopefully he'll soon revert to his pre-suspension production levels. Stay tuned...
Mystery Competition Revealed: The Assassins' Circle
If you were brave (fool?) enough to sign up for our latest mystery competition, you are hereby initiated into "The Assassins' Circle".
(pause to allow gravity of situation to sink in)
If you hope to survive, I strongly suggest you read the following carefully...but if it's just too many words, skip down to the bottom "In Summary" for the Cliffs Notes version:
General Concept
- Find yourself in the circle above. Make note of the person to whom your arrow is pointing. He/she is your 'Kill Target.' The person whose arrow is pointing at you is your 'Stalker' and is trying to kill you.
- Your objective is to eliminate your Kill Target while avoiding elimination from your Stalker.
- If you eliminate your Target, in the following round that person's Target is your new Target.
- For example, Fred's Brim is targeting rbnlaw, who is targeting Dr. Geek. If Fred's Brim successfully knocks off rbnlaw, his new Target for the following round is Dr. Geek (assuming Dr. Geek wasn't also eliminated, in which case Fred Brim's new Target would be SoSG Karros).
- After every round, the Assassins' Circle will be updated by removing the eliminated players.
How to Kill Your Kill Target
- Starting tomorrow and on each subsequent weekday (excluding Labor Day), an Assassins' Circle "Kill Thread" will be posted at 9:00am PT. That post will be in play until 3:00pm PT.
- You kill your target by making a comment in the Kill Thread immediately following the comment of your target. If there are any 'live' comments (defined 2 bullets below) in between yours and that of your Target, no kill has taken place.
- In a given round, each player can eliminate only his/her target and can thus make at most one kill per round.
- With the exception of 'The Initiator' (explained below), only the first comment in a given day by a given player is a 'live' comment. All subsequent comments will be factored out of the game (ignored) when I tally up the bloodshed at the end of the day.
- Similarly, any comments made by those not playing, by those already eliminated, or those made after 3pm are not considered 'live' comments and also will be factored out. For clarification: 3:00pm comments are accepted. 3:01 is too late.
- No posting under usernames similar to your own to decoy your competitors (the "Dr. Geek Rule").
- New Rule for 2010 onward: No making side-deals or alliances with your stalker/target such as agreeing not to kill them in return for a shield (the "Faberuben" rule, named after Fred's Brim and rbnlaw who used this strategy brilliantly last year)
- Remaining competitors cannot delete their own comments. Incidentally, we can see who deleted their own comments, so we can still score correctly, but it adds administrative tedium.
- Any player who does not comment in the Kill Thread by 3:00pm PT is eliminated.
The Initiator
- Because the first comment in a given thread cannot kill anyone, and thus one would be sacrificing their ability to kill if they commented first, whoever comments first is given a 2nd comment he/she can use to kill his target. This person is dubbed 'The Initiator' for that round, and his 2nd comment is called his 'kill comment'.
- The Initiator himself cannot be killed via his 'kill comment'. In other words, The Initiator's Stalker kills him by commenting immediately following The Initiator's initial comment, not his subsequent kill comment.
- Even if The Initiator is killed in a given round, he still gets his kill comment for that round and can try to take his Kill Target down with him (presumably out of spite).
- The Initiator's kill comment can shield others, but it cannot shield The Initiator himself.
- A new Initiator is determined each round by whoever comments first.
The Endgame
- Throughout the rounds, players are eliminated either by being killed by their Stalkers, or by failing to comment by 3pm.
- In addition to tracking who is eliminated, we will also track how many kills each player makes.
- Kills are only awarded for explicit kills. If someone is eliminated because they failed to comment by 3pm, their Stalker is not awarded a kill.
- If the last round eliminates all but 1 player, the game ends and that last player is declared the winner.
- If the last round eliminates all but 2 players, the game ends. Of the two remaining players, the one who has made the most kills throughout the game will be declared the winner (if they're tied, well, we'll cross that bridge if we get to it). Thus, to win the game, you cannot just sit back and hope others are eliminated via the 3pm rule.
- If the last round eliminates all players, the last one to die in that round wins.
Examples:
To illustrate, let's look at a few example scenarios with only 4 players. Here's Example 1:
Given this configuration, let's walk through the following sample Kill Thread:
- 9:30am - Player C comments - Because he commented first, C is The Initiator. He cannot kill anyone with this comment (as there is no preceding comment), but will has a 2nd comment (his 'kill comment') he can later use to kill his target.
- 1:00pm - D comments - This comment is harmless because it immediately follows C, and C is not D's target. And in fact, with his comment, D has just protected C from being eliminated that round.
- 2:15pm - B comments - This comment is also harmless because D is not B's target. B has just protected D from getting eliminated that round.
- 2:30pm - C comments - This comment is also harmless, and C has just protected B from getting eliminated that round.
- 3:00pm - B comments - Although B's comment immediately follows his target C, it is a harmless comment as well because it is B's 2nd comment, and only his 1st comment counts.
- 3:01pm - A comment - It is after 3pm, too late. A is eliminated, although nobody is credited with the kill.
- Result of Round: A is eliminated and removed from the circle, although nobody gets a kill. For the subsequent round, D's new target is B.
Example 2 (using same sample configuration):
- 9:30am - A comments - A is now The Initiator. He gets a 2nd comment he can use to kill his target.
- 2:00pm - B comments - This comment is harmless because it immediately followed A, and A is not B's target.
- 2:15pm - A comments - A, who is The Initiator, uses his kill comment. It immediately follows his target B, so A has eliminated B. A is credited with a kill.
- 2:30pm - D comments - D's comment immediately follows his target A. However it is harmless because it was A's kill comment, not his initial comment, and The Initiator can only be killed through his initial comment.
- 3:30pm - C comments - Although C's comment immediately followed his target D, it came too late (after 3pm), and thus C is eliminated, although nobody is credited with a kill.
- Result of Round: B and C are eliminated. Only two players remain, A and D, and A had more kills (1) than D (0), and is thus declared the winner.
In summary: It may seem complicated, but you really just need to remember 3 things: 1) comment in each day's Kill Thread on or before 3pm, 2) hope that your Stalker doesn't make a comment immediately after yours, and 3) try to comment immediately after your target so you can get credited with a kill, which you will eventually need to win the game.
Hey, we told you it was highly experimental. We do not guarantee the complete absence of rule loopholes, so please let us know if you think you see one (or if you have any questions in general). I expect the game to become self-explanatory after the first round or two. And just FYI, I'm a little scared of what I've gotten myself into administration-wise.
Anyhow, the game starts tomorrow with the first Kill Thread to be posted tomorrow, 9am PT!
New Advertising Hot Spot: Bus Benches
First, District 9 took the advertising route normally favored by local real estate agents:
Now, "Cougar Town" returns the bus bench ad to its roots — but in a national, meta sort of way:
No idea what happens when you call those numbers. Anyone want to waste 30 seconds of their day to find out?
Earlier advertising content at SoSG: Three Random Thoughts While Driving To Work Today
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Pick Me A Winner
Phillies relief pitcher Scott Eyre demonstrating the world's oldest pre-appearance ritual:
Hope you found what you're looking for, Scott. And considering that he went on with runners at first and second, no outs, and allowed nobody to score, I suppose he did.
Belly-Whopper
Dodgers acquire Belliard from Nationals (Dodgers.com)
Take it away, SoSG readers!
JuanLove said...
idk if it was posted in the GT, but Dodgers acquired Ronnie Belliard for A-ball Pitcher Luis Garcia and a PTBNLNic j said...
Two belli's on the team now?Dusty Baker said...
Three bellies if you count Broxton's.
Hell Yeah Post-Games 130 & 131 Thread: *burp*
Yesterday: DODGERS 11, REDS 4
Today: DODGERS 3, REDS 2 (12)
After feasting on Cincy pitching yesterday, the Dodger bats played like they consumed one too many servings of Skyline Chili today. The Dodgers stranded nine runners after tying the game at two in the fifth inning, including grounding into double plays in the ninth and tenth innings. But they managed to push a run across in the 12th inning after an unexpected Juan Castro double and a Matt Kemp sacrifice fly.
Jonathan Broxton pitched another tightrope inning (BB - K - PB - BB - K - K) for his 29th save.
Look out, Ray Wolf: Clayton Kershaw was great again (7.0 IP, 2 ER, 11K; 1-for-2 at the plate with an RBI), but gets his 12th ND, one behind Wolf's 13.
Player of the series: Kemp: 5-for-13, 2 HR, 5 RBIs.
Last Call!
So we have one last open spot for the upcoming SoSG Mystery Competition. First one to comment gets the spot.
Tomorrow I'll reveal what the competition is, and Tuesday it begins. Stay tuned. And here's who's filling the other 29 spots:
- Fred’s Brim
- rbnlaw
- Dr. Geek
- SoSG EK
- J Steve
- Loney Fan
- QuadSevens
- Mr. Customer
- John G
- Josh S
- Dusty Baker
- Gagne’s lucky glasses
- Lauro
- neeebs
- karina
- Wicks
- Paul
- Keven C
- drewdez
- Dusto
- SoSG Orel
- Matt
- Danielle
- SoSG Sax
- djansson
- MLASF
- Felix Pardalis
- UBragg
- BruceAlmighty
Game 131 Thread: August 30 @ Cincy, 10a
Clayton Kershaw (8-7, 2.96) vs. Bronson Arroyo (11-12, 4.43).
COMMENTS: "I love these bounce back wins, but I also get leery at scoring so many in one game," wrote SoSG reader rbnlaw, and he has a point: Every time the Dodgers have scored at least nine runs in a game this month, they've followed up by losing the next day. It's happened four times, most memorably when the Dodgers outscored the Brewers 23-14 in a series — and lost two of the three games. Now that takes some skill.
Kershaw may have a winning record, but he's winless in his past seven starts. Arroyo may have a losing record, but he has a 1.89 ERA in his past five starts. So the Dodgers are battling a few negative trends today. Let's hope the Rockies and Giants continue to beat each other up, and the Boys in Blue can outleg the Small Red Machine.
Oh, and if you've actually had Skyline Chili, please describe the experience in the comments section. I can feel my arteries thickening just by looking at that picture...but I'm strangely attracted at the same time.
I Smell Pulitzer
photo by Chris Carlson/AP
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Recommended Reading
We're spoiled with Vin Scully, but it's good to know there are other inspiring MLB announcers out there:
Tampa Bay's Enrique Oliu has a great ear for color (Kevin Baxter, LA Times)
Game 130 Thread: August 29 @ Commies, 1p
Charlie Haeger (1-1, 1.93) vs. Matt Maloney (0-2, 6.11).
COMMENTS: After yesterday's disappointing effort, in which the Dodger bats decided not to show up until the ninth inning, while Chad Billingsley exited before the sixth, the Dodgers try to stop the Big Red Machine from rolling toward a sixth straight victory (not bad for a 56-71 team). Come on, let's stop Keaton ourselves; we should be pounding this team into the ground.
Haeger goes for his second Dodger victory and tries to demonstrate why he Warrens a place in the rotation, Sorvino up some more knuckleball specials. Meanwhile, Rafael Furcal looks to build off two straight promising games at the plate and further raise his Beatty average from the ~.250 doldrums unfit for a leadoff hitter. Let's get a victory today over the commie rats at the Great American Ballpark.
How Many Mascots Does One Team Need?
Earlier at SoSG: Could This Be Love?
Rosie photo by Just Above Sunset Photography; Gapper photo by Steve Feitl/MyCentralJersey.com
Friday, August 28, 2009
LA News Leaves Delino Dazed, Confused, and (see pull-down menu)
Sometimes, I need to actually get news from the LA News Websites. Like tonight, when I can breathe smoke just by stepping out of my house and have to decide "Hey, maybe the Delinos should get away from the fire-covered mountain." And what does my wandering eye see on the NBC LA site?
Does this story make me sad? Actually... it makes me FURIOUS. Fortunately, that's an option in the f-ing PULL-DOWN MENU.
I'm not alone, however, because...
Ooo. Scratch that. While I'm writing this, LA has apparently turned its attention to much more pressing matters:
I try not to be a dreaded "East Coast Snob." Actually, I don't try that hard. But I do expect my city's news service to be a half-step more legit than my own reporting on all things Cookie Puss, Man-E-Faces, and Living Dead. And on a night like tonight, when the local news sites spend more space covering Jacko's anesthetic habits than possible evacuation instructions, I'm reminded of the fine words of Steve Martin...
Look! I have to maintain my dignity. People have to believe what I say. This is news! This is truth! (WEATHER REPORT BEGINS) Hey, it's time for the wac-wac-Wacky Weekend Weather! Let's look at our weather map. There's a low coming in over Pasedna... that's Pasadena, here, no, there...There were clouds here but the Council decided against it, so there's no rain in Beverly Hills. We'll just have some sun, and snow is what we'll have. And now the car phone report. Sunspot activity is at a minimum, so there will be little interference. So make that big important call. You probably won't be disconnected."
Post-Game 129 Thread: Homer Shuts Us Down
The Dodgers left everything they had on the playing field yesterday, which can be the only explanation to why they showed up only in gesture today in Cincinnati, losing 4-2. Leadoff singles from Rafael Furcal in the sixth and eighth inning--a great sign, since Raffy went 3-for-5 coming off of yesterday's GWRBI--went for naught as the Dodgers squandered almost every scoring opportunity.
Andre Ethier went 0-for-4 and narrowly missed making the last out of the game after he reached after a dropped strike three; Ethier left that honor to Ramirez, who went 1-for-5 and took a called strike three to end the game with the tying run in scoring position. Chad Billingsley had nothing, giving up 4 ER over 5.0 IP and 99 pitches. James Loney homered in the ninth but went 1-for-4. The Dodgers made a champ out of Homer Bailey, who went 8.0 IP and had 115 pitches, unusual marks for a guy who often can't get out of the sixth inning. Reds win their fifth in a row.
Well, at least we can save our vitriol for the Rockies @ Giants game. Ubaldo Jimenez and Tim Lincecum are tied through two, and Eric Young Jr. just singled with two out in the top of the third to break up the no-hitter. I suppose we want to root for the Giants now. But only after those two teams go through 25 innings of play.
Game 129 Thread: August 28 @ Natti, 4p
Chad Billingsley (12-7, 3.73) vs. Homer Bailey (3-4, 6.82).
COMMENTS: "Billingsley is 3-1 with a 1.40 ERA lifetime against the Reds and 1-1 with a 1.59 ERA at Great American Ball Park," writes Ken Gurnick at Dodgers.com. "Scary moment: Manny Ramirez got plunked on the left hand by an errant Homer Bailey pitch in the the third inning," I wrote in July. Manny still seems to be suffering the after-effects of that HBP, so let's pay Bailey back the best way we can — by shelling him back to the Stone Age.
By the way, the day Manny got hit on the hand, the Dodgers were 26 games over .500. They enter today's game 24 games over. It may not be progress, but it's still respectable.
Oh Boy, It's a Boy, Boyee!
One of the best things about this season — besides all the winning! — has been the community of readers that participates in our comment sections (see the Top Commenters widget in our sidebar). So I was happy and flattered when reader Josh S. shared the good news with us:
Hey SoSG! Wifi is really spotty in this new room, but baby Lucas S. was born at 7:02 pm Pacific last night. Mom and baby are doing great. He already asked me why Torre didn't use Broxton on Tuesday.
Congrats, Josh and Mrs. Josh! We wish you a lifetime of references filled with these three:
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