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I've written before about the media being ultra-positive to today's ball players and clubs when describing action.
It gets sickening to me after awhile and I have to turn the sound off.
I can only take so much fawning over these players.
They make mistakes. They screw up. Big deal.
Don't try and cover those mistakes and screw up by being a fluffer for them,

Anyway, here are a few of the things said, followed by a few things never said.....

Said-
"Up to the plate steps Joey Rickard. Rickard is like having another leadoff hitter, only at the ninth spot.
Good speed in the nine-hole."

Never said-
"Up to the plate comes Billy Hamilton. Hamilton is a leadoff hitter who gives us the look of having two number nine hitters in the lineup.
He can run, but he doesn't hit well. First for speed, last for bat."

Said-
Gallo has so much power that when he connects, the ball goes forever!"

Never said-

Gallo has so much miss that when he does connect for power, I'm surprised!"

Said-
"Miguel Cabrera is just so adept at putting the bat on the ball."

Never said-
"Where in the Hell has Cabrera's power gone?"

Said-
"He's a good little player that can fill in for our best hitter!"

Never said-
"How much 'rest' does our best hitter need?"

Said-
"Ubaldo is a great veteran presence."

Never said-
"Opposing batters love seeing Ubaldo being present for each inning on the mound."

Said-
"Even though they are 30 games under .500, they still fight".

Never said-
"If they would have not given up earlier, they wouldn't be 30 games under .500"

Said-
"Doug Fister is throwing so good that I am neck up in kissing his ass!"- Jonny Gomes, 'color broadcaster for NESN

Never mind, that's just what I was thinking in listening to Gomes describe Fister

Said: Steve Bartman has received an official Chicago Cubs 2016 World Series Championship ring as a special gift from the Ricketts family and the Cubs organization.A rguably the team's most infamous fan, Bartman is remembered for tipping a foul ball that left fielder Moises Alou unsuccessfully tried to catch in Game 6 of the 2003 National League Championship Series. Now, 14 years later, Cubs owner Tom Ricketts thought it was high time to extend an olive branch.

Not said: Bartman was and probably still is a clueless asshole, but he can come out of his basement now.

I was talking to a Boston Red Sox scout the other day before our minor league game here.
I'd name drop, but never got his name.
He explained that he had been a scout in the organization for almost 30 years.
When the Red Sox won their titles in '04, '07, and '13, he received rings for each Championship.
They also received a bonus of several thousand dollars.
He said the tough thing for him was that scouts do not make the kind of money as others receiving the rings do.
As he put it, "I can spend and pay bills with the money, I can't spend the ring."
When tax time came, he couldn't even spend his bonus.
Both the bonus and ring were taxed. The bonus, not enough to cover the taxes on the ring.

I asked why he didn't wear the ring(s).
"They're at home in a safe. In my line of work, there are too many car and hotel thefts to bring them on trips."
He showed me a picture of each ring on his phone.
He was like a housewife with a mink coat.
Proud to own it, but seldom worn.

Bartman won't have to pay taxes on his ring since it's a gift.
I doubt that he would wear the ring with any pride at all.
He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He did what many fans would do.
The media (and Alou) made way too much of the foul ball.
His life, never the same.
It's a stupid way for a life to be changed.

At the same time, giving Bartman a ring is just as stupid.
He did nothing to earn the ring.
The ring signifies 'Champion'.
The ring signifies 'Best'.
The ring signifies that the receiver played a part in achieving a Championship.
Bartman played no part in the 2016 Cubs Championship.
If so, then Tinkers, Evers, Chance, Alex Gonzalez, Harry Carey, and a certain goat should also receive 2016 rings.
It's a pity f***.
Give a ring to a 100 year old long suffering Cubs fan over a fan hazed by the media. That would make more sense.
Then again, Donald Trump is our President.
Sense is not as common these days.

it depends on how much fair market value is on that ring. you can't just give someone a gift of any amount and have it not be taxed. for example if edward kings sent you 1 million bags of doritos- you might owe some taxes- if caught.

Good! I hope he does have to pay taxes on it.
The first taxed pity f*** !

headhunters wrote:it depends on how much fair market value is on that ring. you can't just give someone a gift of any amount and have it not be taxed. for example if edward kings sent you 1 million bags of doritos- you might owe some taxes- if caught.

$14,000 has been the maximum amount per person gifting annually. So if multiple members of the Ricketts "family" participated in the gift, I am guessing no taxes (especially as I am guessing the jewels for Bartman's ring would be semi-precious at best).

As to the million bags of Dorito's, the fleet of trucks are on their way to your house right now Dan. But there was an issue with the order. They are all the "plain" variety!

It's the thought that counts, Wayne!