http://achewood.com/index.php?date=12222008

Do they still have Waldenbooks? I haven't been to a shopping mall in so long.

Today I'm gonna hit up you guys for advice on fun things to do in Berlin and Amsterdam. I'm going to Germany next week for work, and taking the week off after for fun. These are the last two major western European cities I haven't visited yet, so I'm unsure of non-touristy stuff to do.

So.... any ideas? I'm talking stuff I won't find out about reading Lonely Planet.

If you don't believe the mental game gets ratcheted up, or choose to disregard its importance, in the playoffs or in a major market explain Ed Whitson, Andy Hawkins or Barry Bonds in those situations.

If Epstein is such a frigging genius why is Manny making such a splash in the sox season. Somebody misjudged the noise dude was making back in spring training.

You make a good point about Manny, but I think it's because Epstein knows you can get a better return for a star player when you trade him to a desperate team at the deadline. GMs are thinking more rationally at the beginning of the season, maybe? But I think it speaks to the dude's skill as a GM that even with Manny losing it once and for all and Ortiz falling to pieces, the team is still right near the top of the division.

And as for the postseason thing, our little debate here is just an example of the stats vs scouts debate that never gets anyone anywhere when argued on the internets. So we'll agree to disagree there. (But as one last parting shot: Manny Ramirez is the owner of a .247 BA in the World Series. I couldn't resist.)

Just to talk more local baseball: WTF Dodgers!?! I mean thanks for helping to cripple up a team the Angels just took the broom to but where the hell is this move supposed to take anybody?

You mean the Red Sox? Crippled? This is a great move by the Red Sox. Jason Bay is a very good offensive player and a slightly above average fielder. Manny is a great offensive player and an absolutely atrocious defender. Net gain for the Red Sox, even when you don't consider how batshit insane Manny is.

The Pirates are the Pirates. Nobody knows what the fuck they're doing.

The Dodgers aren't very smart. I wouldn't be thanking them for winding up on the bad end of a great Theo Epstein trade.

The trade is more of a fan-pleasing gesture than anything else. It's not going to make that big of a difference.

A) Considering the standings, the Angels are all but guaranteed to make the playoffs no matter if Teixera, Kotchman, or the ghost of Bengie Molina is playing first. So we're not talking about improving their odds over the long haul, we're talking about improving their odds on a per-game basis in the playoffs.

B) Both players are quality defenders, so from that perspective it's a wash.

C) Offensively, you're replacing a .287 / .327 / .448 hitter with a 283  / .390  / .512 one. Over the full season, that's big. But on a per-game basis, that's not such a monumental upgrade. I've seen the difference in the offense pegged at 4.8 runs per game versus 5 runs per game. Not that significant, especially when you consider you've just traded...

D) 3 more years of Kotchman for the playoff performance of Teixera. Again, they're guaranteed to make the playoffs, so this is all about how much better Tex makes them in the postseason.

So, yeah, it certainly helps, but I don't necessarily think it was worth the price.

You know, I'd really like to finish this sentence by I got to drain the meat dildo.

I played the first level of that game and I was very creeped out by commies invading my hometown. Keep away from the Kingdome, you damned Reds!

Dude. This comic made me laugh so hard. It's difficult to explain to your co-workers why a drawing of a bear using the word "bonch" just made you spit water on your desk.

But, man, was it worth it.