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Post by rizzuto on Oct 4, 2023 19:06:43 GMT -5
Pipps' spy work obviously took him to many countries in South America.  I would have been only too happy to have Uncle Sugar pick up the tab for me to infiltrate Carneval acting under cover as a recruiter for the Samba Schools, but alas all of our travel to South America came out of our own stash. South America is vastly under-appreciated by U.S. foreign travelers who think only in terms of Europe or the Caribbean. Rio and Buenos Aires definitely rank in my top echelon of cities to visit -- and it's not South America, but Mexico City would be my third for South of the Border great cities. And make room for Bogota in there too. About altitude -- around 15 years ago Mrs. Pipps and I did the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. After a few days prowling around Lima (sea level) to eat ceviche and drink pisco sours, we flew to where the trail begins in the spectacular town of Cusco, elevation 11,500. We stayed at this wonderful joint called Monasterio -- as the name indicates, a former monastery -- and when you arrive, before you even check in, they sit you down in the lobby and provide you endless coca-leaf tea and supply you with oxygen. They had enough flat-landers coming in and passing out in the lobby. But it's amazing how quickly you adjust. After a day acclimating in town, we were out on the trail. One of life's great experiences, BTW. We do these things so that others don't have to.  Man, Peru sounds really fun, and I enjoy Pisco sours. How was the coca-leaf tea? Argentina has always intrigued me, and I love Mexico City, even though they no longer have la corrida - bull fights at that wonderful bull ring. Fantastic restaurants, history everywhere you turn, markets, outside art galleries, and Amalia Hernanez's Ballet Folklorico at the Bellas Artes, with it's Tiffany stained glass curtain. |
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Post by pippsheadache on Oct 4, 2023 19:12:18 GMT -5
Twins win a post-season series for the first time since 2002. The AL East not looking good so far. Both Toronto and Tampa Bay played lousy baseball. They wasted their bolt just making the playoffs out of the American League East. Much like the Los Angeles Lakers had a much easier path to the NBA Championship in the West than Boston ever had in the East, with deeper teams and much more physical play. Tampa Bay for sure never looked so fundamentally poor during the season. Plus they're down several big arms and lose a lot without Wander Franco. Toronto mystified me all year. The whole never aligned with the sum of the parts. |
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Post by rizzuto on Oct 4, 2023 19:23:28 GMT -5
They wasted their bolt just making the playoffs out of the American League East. Much like the Los Angeles Lakers had a much easier path to the NBA Championship in the West than Boston ever had in the East, with deeper teams and much more physical play. Tampa Bay for sure never looked so fundamentally poor during the season. Plus they're down several big arms and lose a lot without Wander Franco. Toronto mystified me all year. The whole never aligned with the sum of the parts. It is amazing Cash again almost guided that injury-plagued team to another division title. I did not expect them to make any noise in the playoffs. Toronto is so much better on paper than on the field. If we had Bo Bichette, there is no way we wouldn't have make the playoffs. I hate that pest, but he's exactly the type of hitter we need. Fiesty little bastard. |
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Post by pippsheadache on Oct 4, 2023 19:32:30 GMT -5
Tampa Bay for sure never looked so fundamentally poor during the season. Plus they're down several big arms and lose a lot without Wander Franco. Toronto mystified me all year. The whole never aligned with the sum of the parts. It is amazing Cash again almost guided that injury-plagued team to another division title. I did not expect them to make any noise in the playoffs. Toronto is so much better on paper than on the field. If we had Bo Bichette, there is no way we wouldn't have make the playoffs. I hate that pest, but he's exactly the type of hitter we need. Fiesty little bastard. Concur on all points. Bichette is a hell of a player. Tampa Bay took way too many hits to the pitching. Of course so did the Dodgers but they just kept rolling. Injuries all over MLB were out of control this year. It's affecting the game. As many injuries as the Yanks had, they were only tied with San Diego for sixth/seventh most players who spent time on the IL. The Angels led by far -- 35 different players spent time on the IL. The Dodgers were second. MLB needs to take a serious look at training and medical practices. |
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Post by kaybli on Oct 4, 2023 19:56:21 GMT -5
Bye bye Tampa Bay and Toronto. Both swept out of the wildcard. You love to see it. 😆
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Post by chiyankee on Oct 4, 2023 20:24:01 GMT -5
They're not bringing the Brewers much luck but at least Adames looks good.
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Post by pippsheadache on Oct 4, 2023 20:27:01 GMT -5
I would have been only too happy to have Uncle Sugar pick up the tab for me to infiltrate Carneval acting under cover as a recruiter for the Samba Schools, but alas all of our travel to South America came out of our own stash. South America is vastly under-appreciated by U.S. foreign travelers who think only in terms of Europe or the Caribbean. Rio and Buenos Aires definitely rank in my top echelon of cities to visit -- and it's not South America, but Mexico City would be my third for South of the Border great cities. And make room for Bogota in there too. About altitude -- around 15 years ago Mrs. Pipps and I did the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. After a few days prowling around Lima (sea level) to eat ceviche and drink pisco sours, we flew to where the trail begins in the spectacular town of Cusco, elevation 11,500. We stayed at this wonderful joint called Monasterio -- as the name indicates, a former monastery -- and when you arrive, before you even check in, they sit you down in the lobby and provide you endless coca-leaf tea and supply you with oxygen. They had enough flat-landers coming in and passing out in the lobby. But it's amazing how quickly you adjust. After a day acclimating in town, we were out on the trail. One of life's great experiences, BTW. We do these things so that others don't have to. Man, Peru sounds really fun, and I enjoy Pisco sours. How was the coca-leaf tea? Argentina has always intrigued me, and I love Mexico City, even though they no longer have la corrida - bull fights at that wonderful bull ring. Fantastic restaurants, history everywhere you turn, markets, outside art galleries, and Amalia Hernanez's Ballet Folklorico at the Bellas Artes, with it's Tiffany stained glass curtain. Peru is great fun for sure. Interesting culture, and Machu Picchu is one of the world's most amazing sites. Although I could do without the pan flutes on every corner. At some point we've had enough of "El Condor Pasa." I thought the coca-leaf tea as a remedy for altitude sickness was a myth, but it definitely helps. My wife is much more susceptible to altitude problems than me -- I'm pretty much oblivious to all harmful phenomena -- but regular consumption of the tea kept her operating smoothly without becoming a dope fiend. Glad you like Mexico City. It's terribly unappreciated but is in fact a great world-class city. So many great neighborhoods and history and architecture and parks and restaurants. I want to get back, but then again I could say that about hundreds of places. Rio de Janeiro is one of the most beautifully situated cities on the planet. Right in there with San Francisco and Cape Town and Sydney and Hong Kong. It feels like Bossa Nova everywhere you go. Buenos Aires is the most European city in South America. Heavily Italian to this day. The economy is always screwed up, but it doesn't seem to stop people from living pleasant lives. Great wide boulevards and graceful architecture. And tango joints everywhere. Even old coffee shops will put on low-key tango performances. And top-notch beef everywhere. Jeez I feel like heading to the airport. |
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Post by chiyankee on Oct 4, 2023 21:13:31 GMT -5
I wonder what Cashman thinks of all of this?
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Post by kaybli on Oct 4, 2023 21:23:18 GMT -5
Man, this makes me miss watching Yankee playoff baseball... 
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Post by chiyankee on Oct 4, 2023 21:29:00 GMT -5
So, all four series will end in sweeps and there will be no baseball on Thursday & Friday.
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Post by chiyankee on Oct 4, 2023 21:49:32 GMT -5
Someone should this to Arod and all the other small ball lovers.
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Post by nyborn on Oct 5, 2023 2:55:54 GMT -5
I wonder what Cashman thinks of all of this? Was going to post the same. Congrats to the front office. We couldn't have NOT DONE it without you! Morons. |
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Post by pippsheadache on Oct 5, 2023 4:12:34 GMT -5
So, all four series will end in sweeps and there will be no baseball on Thursday & Friday. Yep. Great way to keep interest alive. Three of the eight teams in the division series -- Arizona, Texas and Baltimore -- lost over 100 games just two years ago. I wouldn't be shocked if Kansas City was in that position two years from now. |
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Post by desousa on Oct 5, 2023 7:08:49 GMT -5
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Post by pippsheadache on Oct 5, 2023 8:16:32 GMT -5
Yep, insane game management. Schneider spouted some mumbo-jumbo about having several plans in place and wanting to get the whole team involved. This obviously was some pre-planned move by the brain trust with only the precise timing left to the manager. Good for Merrifield to speak out. Most teams operate this way, although this was an extreme example. By having these committee decisions, no individual can be held accountable and if every team does it, well then that makes it scientific. Typical corporate/government BS approach. Oh yeah, both Toronto and Tampa Bay have lost seven straight playoff games. They need to play each other. |
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