Ask Grandstander

[Grandstander]

Originally Posted by perfectstormhits

Did that dude really touch home plate with the winning run last night?

If not, is it too late to tag him out?

The replay picture isn't sharp enough so that one may say with utter certainty. As best as I can tell, his hand went around the catcher's foot and he did not touch the plate.

And there was a tag put on Helton a second after he was called safe.

However...as others have pointed out, the Padres catcher was blocking the plate without the ball, so the correct ruling should have been safe on obstruction. The ump didn't call obstruction, he just called the runner safe thinking he had touched the plate. His view of the critical part of the play was blocked, so he had to guess one way or the other. It worked out okay in the end other than putting a sour note on a terrific game.

[skrable]

sir, a wrapped package has just arrived at hq, with airholes punched through the box. what should we do with it?

[Grandstander]

Originally Posted by skrable

sir, a wrapped package has just arrived at hq, with airholes punched through the box. what should we do with it?

I think that's the leopard I ordered for the big combined Ask G anniversary/Kromfest bash tonight at Hawk's place.

See if it's hungry.

[Nighthawk]

Why do you insist on storing all the animals at my place? After what happened at your 'Four legs good, two legs better' party I don't want them anywhere near me.

[Grandstander]

Originally Posted by Nighthawk

Why do you insist on storing all the animals at my place? After what happened at your 'Four legs good, two legs better' party I don't want them anywhere near me.

Oh yeah, like you remember anything that ever takes place at a Kromfest gathering. Each year, the day after it's been the same things from you.
"Really? I did that? In the punchbowl?"
"I don't even remember getting in skrable's car, much less driving it into the swimming pool."
"She was a nun? How was I supposed to know?"

[skrable]

didn't Hawk think the nun was a penguin?

[Grandstander]

Originally Posted by skrable

didn't Hawk think the nun was a penguin?

You may be confusing that incident with the year he assaulted a waiter.

[vtred]

Is there any Kromfest memorabilia available at AskG Inc?

[Grandstander]

Originally Posted by vtred

Is there any Kromfest memorabilia available at AskG Inc?

You bet, we're having a sale on Krom art. Take your pick, $19,999 each or three for $50,000.

[bedir than average]

I didn't know Krom was so popular amongst Arabic speakers. how did that happen?

[Grandstander]

Originally Posted by bedir than average

I didn't know Krom was so popular amongst Arabic speakers. how did that happen?

You know that high pitched OOO-OOO-OOO chirping noise that the Arab women are so good at doing?

Well....what are the main precepts of Kromism?
1) Crush enemies
2) See them driven before you
3) Hear the lamentations of their women.


No one laments with such color and passion as the Arab women.

[jtur88]

Why do the networks believe they have to start post-season games at 3 pm local time, and then have their announcers constantly complaining about how impossible it is to play a sensible game at that time of day?

[Grandstander]

Originally Posted by jtur88

Why do the networks believe they have to start post-season games at 3 pm local time, and then have their announcers constantly complaining about how impossible it is to play a sensible game at that time of day?

I would think that you could figure this out rather easily. The game start times are set so as to maximize the number of viewers. The announcers complain so as to establish a fake solidarity with the viewers whose convenience was incongruent with the start time.

[skrable]

let's say that you've been named the GM of a longtime poor franchise ... the pirates or the lions or the democrats. you know you won't win immediately. what's your strategery for improvement?

[Grandstander]

Originally Posted by skrable

let's say that you've been named the GM of a longtime poor franchise ... the pirates or the lions or the democrats. you know you won't win immediately. what's your strategery for improvement?

MY first step would be in clearing all the dead wood. Anyone on the roster who I thought was not likely to be around when the team was finally ready to contend, I would instantly dump. Why have some high paid aging veteran filling a spot and consuming money when he isn't going to have anything to do with the club after it has been repaired?

Next I suppose that I would search for a Billy Martin style manager, a kick em in the butts sort who works best with younger players and has a track record of generating quick improvements. There really isn't anyone around who comes close to Martin's extraordinary ability to transform a franchise instantly, but if Davey Johnson was willing to unretire, I'd take a chance on him. If not Davey Johnson, then perhaps Buck Showalter.

It's difficult to say what would be next in the absense of knowing the specifics. Am I running a wealthy, underachieving franchise or a shoe string budget operation?