195 replies to this topic

[Sille Skrub]

I'm gonna try something here.

We promoted about 10 people yesterday and are always looking for more quality members. To remain the premiere sports messageboard on the internet™, we need to keep things fresh with new members that bring something to the table. I've run out of ideas, so I'm open to trying anything at this point. I love bringing on new, quality posters.

This is what I look for in a new member. As always, signal > noise.

No promises, but here's a chance to toot your own horn. If you don't want to post it, feel free to PM me. If my inbox becomes full (it's close), email me at redsoxmike@gmail.com. I promise I will read everything, but don't be sad if I don't respond. You *might* get membership from this or you may at least get a little attention put on you because of it. Who knows? Again, no promises.

I reserve the right to close this thread if it starts to become annoying.

Be fabulous.

Go.

[URI]

To second what Skrub said, we're looking for new blood.

So you can hit me up too, if you have an intristic fear of my Lando Calrissian looking friend. Inbox is best, e-mail would be cool too...jkuhn22 at gmail.com

[JohnnyK]

I'd probably be the only member from Austria...

Seriously though, I'm somewhat surprised by this. I don't think I am what you are looking for (I often see that I'm a much better reader than writer when it comes to baseball), but as a reader I enjoy the member areas I can see - so I wondering why you are looking for new members so desperately? Especially since the quality of posts in the lurker areas has IMHO decreased since I first started reading here, so it seems many of the newer posters (and again, I don't exclude myself here) aren't really SOSH material.

Just curious, I guess.

[Sille Skrub]

1) Well, we're not actually desperate for new people.
2) The third sentence of my initial post should answer your question.

[RedSoxTarheel38]

I'd probably be the only member from Austria...

Seriously though, I'm somewhat surprised by this. I don't think I am what you are looking for (I often see that I'm a much better reader than writer when it comes to baseball), but as a reader I enjoy the member areas I can see - so I wondering why you are looking for new members so desperately? Especially since the quality of posts in the lurker areas has IMHO decreased since I first started reading here, so it seems many of the newer posters (and again, I don't exclude myself here) aren't really SOSH material.

Just curious, I guess.

I agree with this completely. I feel like a lot of the conversations have moved from serious baseball conversation to mostly speculative conversation. I've enjoyed this forum tremendously because I rarely get to talk Red Sox with serious fans here in North Carolina, but I find myself reading the main thread for most of my news.

[CodPiece XL]

1) Well, we're not actually desperate for new people.
2) The third sentence of my initial post should answer your question.

I was just curious; I think it was in 2004 I signed up with SOSH under a different name. Back then there was no Sandbox where you could leave a mark (good or Bad) to grab some attention. There was an option where you could write a blurb about yourself as to why you should be accepted as a full member, almost a kin to a job interview. Do you still do that? I signed up again this June because work had taken me out to Africa and other less hospitable regions the last couple of years and surfing the net wasn't an option. I can't for the life of me remember was the "write an application process" available in June.

I do like the option of the Sandbox as well as the option in this thread. You should consider "publishing" the names of the new members who went from Lurker to Member, it would be like a "Graduation Hall Of fame From Lurkerville Wall " where we can pay homage knowing that there is still hope for us all. Perhaps it's just me, but looking at a lot of threads at this time of year is not a pleasant sight. The speculation regarding trades has been out of control and for the most part I have kept out of it. I've migrated more to the other sports threads since the seasons are on-going. I know that the Dopes want more baseball related posts than anything else as a prerequisite. I just find less reason to post on the Red Sox at this time of year because I would just be rehashing most of what has already been said in the more "speculative" threads.

Anyway, thanks for thinking of us and trying to give us more options.

[Sille Skrub]

We are doing that now. When you sign up for a new account, there is a space for it and I am doing it here. If you don't like me, feel free to PM one of the dopes you like. Any dope can grant membership.

Again, be fabulous because if a dope lets in someone who becomes a bad member, they hear it from the other dopes (continously). We all are somewhat responsible for anyone we let in. AFAIC, anyone I let in represents me and quite frankly, I consider myself the toughest dope to convince. I also consider myself a super-nerd, but that is besides the point.

We also have a thread in the member section where members can recommend lurkers. Some of the ex-lurkers who have been promoted have been recommending some of you.

FYI, here's who we promoted yesterday:

Sprowl
Savin Hillbilly
dynomite
Kevin Youkulele
Andrew
NomarRS05
DustyPetra
OrlandoMerced
patman
doc

Bellhorn put in good words for all of these folks. Others (including longtime members) did as well.

[CodPiece XL]

We are doing that now. When you sign up for a new account, there is a space for it and I am doing it here. If you don't like me, feel free to PM one of the dopes you like. Any dope can grant membership.

Again, be fabulous because if a dope lets in someone who is a bad member, they hear it from the other dopes (continously). AFAIC, anyone I let in represents me and quite frankly, I consider myself the toughest dope to convince. I also consider myself a super-nerd, but that is besides the point.

We also have a thread in the member section where members can recommend lurkers. Some of the ex-lurkers who have been promoted have been recommending some of you.

FYI, here's who we promoted yesterday:

Sprowl
Savin Hillbilly
dynomite
Kevin Youkulele
Andrew
NomarRS05
DustyPetra
OrlandoMerced
patman
doc

They indeed would be the usual suspects and congrats to them all. I think it's pretty obvious who is member material when they post in the S.B. Ok I didn't mean to hijack the thread aways for it's intended purpose.....I have only one last thought...."Oh to be a fly on the wall on that recommendation thread"

[Effa]

FYI, here's who we promoted yesterday:

Sprowl
Savin Hillbilly
dynomite
Kevin Youkulele
Andrew
NomarRS05
DustyPetra
OrlandoMerced
patman
doc

There goes the neighborhood...(the sandbox neighborhood, that is)

But, congrats to all of you!

[budcrew08]

I'm gonna try something here.
No promises, but here's a chance to toot your own horn. If you don't want to post it, feel free to PM me. If my inbox becomes full (it's close), email me at redsoxmike@gmail.com. I promise I will read everything, but don't be sad if I don't respond. You *might* get membership from this or you may at least get a little attention put on you because of it. Who knows? Again, no promises.

I'll toot my own horn -- Why the hell not?
I haven't been on the board that long -- in fact, when I signed up, I didn't come on very often. But during the season, I started to use the SoSH board as a way to follow some of the game threads when I couldn't watch or listen to the game (with those work obligations and the like.)
Every day during the playoffs, my fiancee and I would follow the SoSH board to read all of the things being talked about back and forth while the game was going on... It was a source of humor, some really great quoteable lines, and most importantly, a place to hear what other fans are thinking right in the heat of the moment during a game.
I also use SoSH as a way to get not only news about the Sox, but about all the Boston sports -- and hell, even some of the other teams! Working in the media, this is really key for me because we can see if a trade is imminent, or a signing is about to take place, well before other groups have the information. I might say to my boss something like, "SoSH has it that G38 re-signed. Let's check it out on ESPN or FoxSports or the Associated Press to see if they have the right information." It's really helpful in this regard. Also, I think I can return the favor if I see something breaking on the wire or on a reputable Web site.
I think I could be a good member, despite the fact that I don't post a whole hell of a lot, because I think I can contribute quality discussionto a forum or a thread. I'm not a big stats guy (but I'm working on it!) and many times, I like to argue/discuss sports by my gut feeling. For example, last night in the Santana trade thread, it seems like some of the people don't have a problem trading a good prospect like Jed Lowrie away, and I seem to be in the minority of those who want to keep a really good high-level talent who has proven himself better than the option now (Lugo ... the reaction during a lot of the regular season about our SS).
I used stats to back up my argument, but I would rather use my gut feeling about a guy to start a point of discussion.

Another point I would like to make about this site and why it is a terrific thing (I know, my lips are starting to turn brown from all the butt-kissing ) This site is a great place to ask a question about anything Red Sox-related. I had a question about when tickets start to go on sale for 2008, and I think it wasn't any more than five minutes before I had two responses in the thread, and a PM explaining to me what exactly was going on, how I could buy them, the different options, etc. I would like to think that by becoming a member, I could help others (both lurkers and members) to find answers to the questions they have, may they be stat-related or otherwise.

Thank you for your time and reading my post.

EDIT: To clean up Sille Skrub's quote, keeping the thread a little cleaner. Thanks for the tip, sir.

Edited by budcrew08, 01 December 2007 - 11:55 AM.

[Sille Skrub]

Just a tip...

Feel free to quote particular sections of posts when responding if need be, but don't quote entire posts when responding.

Thanks for the post, though.

[JohnnyK]

1) Well, we're not actually desperate for new people.

Maybe "desperate" is the wrong word then (English is not my first language). But this thread sends vibes that I personally do not associate with how I got to know SOSH. Might just be perception, though.
Of course, maybe the whole point is that you dopes can't read all the stuff in the lurker areas anymore, so this is a better way for people to step up.

2) The third sentence of my initial post should answer your question.

Not sure I agree with that premise, but hey - not my call.

[Sille Skrub]

Of course, maybe the whole point is that you dopes can't read all the stuff in the lurker areas anymore, so this is a better way for people to step up.

Huh? The lurker areas are open for anyone to see.

Oh I get it, you mean don't have the time to read all of it. I read quite a bit of it, believe it or not.

[IpswichSox]

There goes the neighborhood...(the sandbox neighborhood, that is)

But, congrats to all of you!

Yeah, no kidding. The collective IQ of the Sandbox just dropped by 60 percent. But this creates an opportunity for new blood here in the box, too -- new voices, fresh perspectives and chance to shine. Let's all step it up.

[Jnai]

Because it would be embarassing to promote OrlandoMerced without someone fluent* in Smileys to translate for him.

I rest my case.



Edit for barely serious part of post:
SoSH, to me, is a community before a resource. I'm in Iowa, and the friends I watched the World Series with were on the Internet. Do I love the sabermetrics? Yeah. Do I love the baseball insights? Sure. But for me, first and foremost, it's a community. Maybe that makes me part of the noise, but for a lot of us that watched the team together through the year, I think it's the fundamental part of the signal.






*Disclaimer:
CoRP does not count, he is only fluent in booty shorts.
Sprowl does not count, he is only fluent in Canadian.
Bellhorn does not count, he is barely fluent in anything.
DustyPetra does not count, he is not a he.

Edited by Jnai, 01 December 2007 - 12:16 PM.

[foulkehampshire]

Yeah, no kidding. The collective IQ of the Sandbox just dropped by 60 percent. But this creates an opportunity for new blood here in the box, too -- new voices, fresh perspectives and chance to shine. Let's all step it up.

Game threads will never be the same. Lets hope some of the "alumni" grace us with their presence now and again next season.

SOSH: I like long walks on the beach, Vodka, sarcasm, and yes, baseball. Let me in. Get it done. Word.

Edited by foulkehampshire, 01 December 2007 - 12:23 PM.

[Sille Skrub]

SoSH, to me, is a community before a resource. I'm in Iowa, and the friends I watched the World Series with were on the Internet. Do I love the sabermetrics? Yeah. Do I love the baseball insights? Sure. But for me, first and foremost, it's a community. Maybe that makes me part of the noise, but for a lot of us that watched the team together through the year, I think it's the fundamental part of the signal.

I'm in the minority(ha), but I whole-heartedly agree with a lot of this (except the loving sabermetrics part, of course). Outstanding and well said. Fabulous, even!

Thanks for that.

However, first and foremost for the dopes is making sure the Red Sox discussion here is better here than anywhere else.

[Jnai]

However, first and foremost for the dopes is making sure the Red Sox discussion here is better here than anywhere else.

Thankfully, they're not mutually exclusive. =)

Maybe it's a bad habit, but most of the boards I read are the gamethreads (in season, of course), the main board, and the football boards (in season, again). It's personally a little tough to contribute to a discussion where someone seriously wants to trade Josh Beckett right now. I would wager lots of people feel the same way.

Where do you get the resources for the statistical analysis? What's the optimum break on a curveball? Who are the Red Sox offering for Santana? How did it feel to pitch Game 2 of the World Series? How did it feel to watch it unfold from your couch?

These are all questions SoSH members could answer. As a guy with a big background in math and computers, I'd love to know the answer to #1; as a baseball fan, I'd love to know the answer to #2; as someone interested in next year, I can read for #3; we all know why I can get the answer to #4; and from gamethread posts, I know everyone's answer to #5. So that's why I come back to this website.

But now I'm off to be the worst kind of bandwagon BC fan.

[pdub]

Here goes...

I believe I should be a member of SoSH for many reasons. I've been a New England sports fan for half of my life, roughly, and while I'm not exactly gifted with respect to understanding certain statistical elements and features of the sport, I've always attempted to expand my baseball knowledge in the past. I have been an avid poster over at Red Sox Nation for almost 4 years, and I also have a blog over at Fox Sports that I recently started. I own 5 Red Sox hats, Red Sox shoes, a Red Sox bracelet, a Red Sox chain, a Red Sox jacket, a Red Sox hoodie, and the team away jersey. You could say I'm a very huge supporter of the team, and I feel like my ideas could contribute towards the growth of this board. Many times I would read a post over in the forum and have a reply I would like to make...only to not be able to. While I understand that I may still not be promoted even with this post, I'd like to think at least that whoever reads this can understand that I am just a simple fan who would like to contribute towards new ideas and thoughts.

P.S. I've also been known to have some humor from time to time

[P'tucket, rhymes with...]

Huh? The lurker areas are open for anyone to see.

Oh I get it, you mean don't have the time to read all of it. I read quite a bit of it, believe it or not.

Between this and the notion of inviting us to bury you under PMs, you're looking like a candidate for a diagnosis of clinical masochism.

[boggartlaura]

I have a very different perspective than most other SoSHers because I'm also an Orioles fan. (And yes, I do know that's very weird.) I don't see the AL East just as the Red Sox versus Yankees. And having never lived anywhere in New England, I've been subjected to different media influences. As a result, I have a few opinions that aren't even considered by many Red Sox fans and vise-versa. (To be fair, my opinion on the Yankees is pretty much the same as any other Sox fan. ) I know various facts and stats about baseball - generally Orioles related - that most Sox fans don't, just from having watched or listened to hundreds of Orioles games. I would also like to think it makes me more objective about the Sox, but that may be wishful thinking on my part.

I don't post a ton. I probably won't make any brilliant threads containing stunning analysis, but I make insightful comments (most of the time) and generally try to have a sense of humor about the whole thing. I'm good about linking to relevant articles with interesting bits of information that have not been posted. When I'm biased about an issue, I generally know it and admit it before hand. I'd like to consider myself witty, but that too may be wishful thinking.

Mostly, I love baseball and love talking about it. I'll join boards for teams I barely follow if there is interesting baseball discussions going on. But I love the Red Sox, so I prefer discussing baseball with people who feel the same.

Also, I donate all my income to the poor and my cure for cancer will be announced later today, right after the peace treaty I brokered for the Middle East is signed.

[Catcher Block]

I think one of the more virtuous elements to be able to post in all areas of the site is not that everything you say has to be right, but if you infer something, and someone else knows better, you learn from that. Even the posters who a lot of members love to hate get under others' skin and make them either prove their points or do a little more work beyond just speculation. This isn't supposed to be some sort of big sports encyclopedia, even though a lot of the members here appear to be just that. Every post in the Red Sox Forum isn't pure gold, but reading it every day makes us all better baseball fans because of the wide range of opinion, and I can't think of anyone who doesn't want ot be a part of that.

[Sille Skrub]

Opes has used this thread to his advantage (and hopefully ours as well).

Welcome aboard.

[P'tucket, rhymes with...]

Mostly, I love baseball and love talking about it. I'll join boards for teams I barely follow if there is interesting baseball discussions going on. But I love the Red Sox, so I prefer discussing baseball with people who feel the same.

Also, I donate all my income to the poor and my cure for cancer will be announced later today, right after the peace treaty I brokered for the Middle East is signed.

Pfft. Jack Cust beat you to both.

[pdub]

Just in case it has gone unnoticed, my response is at the bottom of page 1. I didn't want to quote it due to length.

[Sille Skrub]

Yes, we do know how to read multiple pages here at SoSH.

[CodPiece XL]

I suppose bribery is entirely out of the question?

[RedSoxTarheel38]

I suppose bribery is entirely out of the question?

I hope not. I have a specific off-shore account dedicated to SoSH bribery.

[Sille Skrub]

I suppose bribery is entirely out of the question?

Sadly, yes.

[URI]

Maybe for you.

I only accept payment in Deutchmarks though.

[rembrat]

anyone I let in represents me

Does this mean not even Jesus Christ could touch me?


[Sorry, I couldn’t stop myself from posting this one liner even though I know it's frowned upon. Cool points if you know where this is from.]

[Skeesix]

What sort of qualifications are you guys looking for? Captain of the debate team? PhD in statistics? An otherworldly ability to find new and interesting internet porn?

I couldn't lay claim to any of those, but I come pretty close on two of the three.

Moreover, I've been around message boards since my script-kiddie days in the heyday of the BBS(well, my heyday was what everyone else considers the dawn of the http when I wasn't cool enough for windows or a faster modem than 2400 baud). I've seen virtually every sort of debate, argument, flame war and more invocations of Godwin's law than I can count. I'm interested in pretty much everything the world over and you can see that in the variety of forums I post in. Just check my history, here or even at other sports boards.

Search by Author for Skeesix

http://www.realgm.co...ards/search.php

Or look here

http://www.kffl.com/...searchid=826154

Only you can decide if you want my crazy ass in the inner sanctum. Let me know what you think.

[Sille Skrub]

This has been pretty great. Thanks for all the messages. If there are more, use my email because my inbox here is full.

I definitely owe some of you some responses, hang in there - I'll be back to you. I'm headed out for the night.

Go Sooners!

[WestMassExpat]

Skrub -- here's my application:

1) I believe I can fly
2) 40 posts since 2005 -- little "noise"
3) I promose not to start a game thread on the day G38 is supposed to do it

Anyway, here's hoping we here at the little board can get our act together.

Edit:
4) I've got a full Nexis account -- would be happy to find a day after story on the Slocumb/Tek/Lowe trade if anyone wants it.
//end blatant bribery

Edited by WestMassExpat, 01 December 2007 - 05:04 PM.

[Burgmeier In LF]

I'm a Joker, I'm a smoker, I'm a midnight toker....errr Poster...I meant POSTER. Anyways, I've always been a huge Sox fan here in Western Mass and have been lurking officially since 2005. Played ball through college and also attended the Ted Williams Camp in Lakeville for three years. Teddy Ballgame is hands down my favorite of all time, even though he was retired for eight years before I was even born! I guess my Dad was a pretty good story teller! I'm not the biggest "stathead" of all time, mostly just the basics please, but have learned to at least check out the threads that get into details and have increased my understanding of why some value these stats. Did I say GO Sooners!!! I also think I can add some perspectives on the 70's, 80's & 90's Sox that might be of value to some others on the site. GO Sooners!! Let me part of the "new blood"..................

[pdub]

Skrub -- here's my application:

1) I believe I can fly
2) 40 posts since 2005 -- little "noise"
3) I promose not to start a game thread on the day G38 is supposed to do it

Anyway, here's hoping we here at the little board can get our act together.

Edit:
4) I've got a full Nexis account -- would be happy to find a day after story on the Slocumb/Tek/Lowe trade if anyone wants it.
//end blatant bribery

Your post just gave me a good laugh. Thanks for that, my friend!

[joewoodfan]

Never too great at advocating for myself, but I'll give it a shot.

I don't post a hell of a lot, but I give forethought to what I have to say, often taking the time to get some basic research down before giving my perspective.

But here's a list, real quick:

• My posts are thorough and well-written.
• While I don't start threads every day, the ones I offer are attempts at different and new topics (Black Sox archives, Gagne before '07 started up, court decisions related to use of stats are some examples). I think the perspectives are unique and come from new angles for readers.
• Similarly on existing threads, I feel I bring in some new perspective that's helpful, whether it's unpacking a GM's myriad motivations for bad trades, breaking down some performance nicks in NL closers, etc.
• I like to look at Jennifer Love Hewitt or goosewptc's avatar. As a member I'm sure this appreciation will be enhanced.
• I won't make an ass out of myself---except perhaps on Friday's after lunch.
• I enjoy posting various compendia on the wiki, whether it's a list of players who've been banned from baseball (as far as I can tell, a centralized list of this didn't exist anywhere else before I put it on SOSH), or suspensions for PIDs.

Alright that's where I'm at.

Please, I'd like to feel Lugo's joy.

Edited by joewoodfan, 01 December 2007 - 08:06 PM.

[No0neAtAll]

Why I should be a member.
Besides being a Sox fan since 1978 and remember Ron Guidry shutting down my beloved Sox at the first game I attended in person That game started my passionate hate for the MFY's.
Besides being a long time Sox fan granted not as long as some of the members here but definitely pre-pink hat days
I was also full fledged member back of SoSH back in the pre 2k4 days and actually traveled up from Florida to hang with the SoSHer's during the World Series victory parade.
I was the very young looking quiet young man know simply as Jeff Grey.
I had a great time meeting Stiffy, Manilla Sox Fan and Jose M to name just a few and had a blast with all of you when we went to dinner after the parade.
Shortly after that time I suffered a serious car wreck which caused many surgeries and cut down on my posting time by alot!
It was sometime during this post surgery recovery time that SoSH moved to the new servers and I some how went poof during the change over.[/sympathy]
While I did not post often on the main board I was a semi-frequent poster in the game threads as well as P&G.
I feel that the last year as a lurker on this site has greatly improved my knowledge on the math side of the game since I felt I was already strong on the fundemental side.
I used to take pride in saying I was a full fledged member of SoSH even if it got the inevitable strange looks from non Sox fans here in Central Florida
I currently am a season ticket holder to the Vero dodgers and feel I could bring some info in on that team especially during Spring Traing.

I would like the opportunity to brag again to my friends that aren't as privelidged to be members

While I do not feel I would be a strong main board poster I feel my sense of humor and sarcasm and sense of fanning the flames would be an assest to the Game Threads and P&G once again.

Kevin O aka Jeff Grey aka No0neAtAll

Edited by No0neAtAll, 01 December 2007 - 08:22 PM.

[HughesMiester]

I want to become a full-fledged member of SOSH because I know that I would only help the fraternity that has already been established as the best sports messageboard on the net. I'm not someone that is going to post just for posting's sake; if I have an intelligent thought, I share it. Granted, I have under 20 posts, so what does that say for my intelligence level? Haha...But that's just because I'm reading the main-board so much that I'm unable to even make a post, yet have wanted to contribute so many times. I'd think of it as a privilege to even be considered for membership at SOSH.

I work in the Sports Department of a newspaper in Massachusetts (won't say where on here, but PM me if curious) and I recognize that the news on here is so much more reliable than anything printed in my paper in years and I want to be a part of it. All in all, please consider me, I will give every post my all and show SOSH membership the respect it deserves.

[PrimusSucks626]

I'm trying to do the best I can to contribute here under my circumstances (high school student with lots of hard courses, so not a lot of computer time except on weekends), and while I admittedly need to get a better understanding of the stats and prospects sides of the game, I think I would make a good contributor to the main board (except for the fact that I'm dead broke and can't pay the membership subscriptions). I usually get to go to at least one game each year (not sure why people are bringing up how many games they go to, but meh), and Fenway is one of my favorite places to go.

Also, the main board isn't metal enough. I could help with that.

[foulkehampshire]

You have unleashed a demon, Sille Skrub.

Do you want any references and the past 5 places of employment added to my application? Does SOSH offer a 401K and health insurance? I'd prefer stock options, if available. I mean, dental would be great, but its not crucial.

[Sille Skrub]

You have unleashed a demon, Sille Skrub.

No kidding. Jeez.

Amazing response guys/gals. Thank you! I wish some of the regular members would show the passion you guys have shown here.

It's going to take me some time to sort through all of these messages but I promise you I will read them all.

Fabulous!

[CapeCodsBabyBull]

I think I'm almost happier in the box for now. I don't feel the need to try and prove myself, sorry no offense. I've seen what some members have to offer outside the main board and I have not been that impressed, there are some unbelievable posters on the main board though. Unfortunately depleting the box just perpetuates the Box cycle of mundain questions and creates a constant loss of any quality, so eventually for all it's damned if you don't or can't move up. If I like what someone has posted or have a question about something written on the main board. I just PM the member who wrote it and I have done that a bunch of times. They have almost all responded usually engaging my question(s), that's really all I can ask for. Plus I really can't spell, I try to use observation as opposed to statistics, and I have more of a philosophical (outside the box) approach and when added together might add up to just noise

Edited by CapeCodsBabyBull, 02 December 2007 - 12:34 AM.

[Burgmeier In LF]

Enjoy the box....2 minute penalty

[budcrew08]

I try to use observation as opposed to statistics

I totally agree with this. Having the stats are nice, and it's a good way to prove why you are saying what you are saying, but dammit, there are some times where I just want to say, "You know what? I've watched the last week of games, and Lugo has sucked." Not from the actual stats, but just watching the games.

[January]

Honestly, I would think everyone tries to make clear, well thought-out posts. Even here in the sandbox it is very educational and interesting, so I would like to thank everyone for that.

One thing I would mention is: Lurkers can actually post everywhere they can see BUT the main board. I'm not sure if those count though.

[jthursto]

I believe good defense and bad defense are like pornography; I know it when I see it. Therefore, I'm sceptical of most defensive metrics. However, I don't believe I'm too sceptical.
I respect what the sabremetrics crowd does and find what they offer to be occasionally enlightening. I like that they challenge convention frequently and because, as the good general said, "If everyone's thinking alike, then no one is thinking." That said, a lot of times I think they're trying to pee on my leg and tell me it's raining.
If SoSH is a community, or a village, I'd probably be the idiot because I believe 80% of what you need know about a player statistically can be gleaned from the back of a baseball card. I'd tell you how I calculated 80% but I signed a non-disclosure agreement with the unnamed MLB franchise I was working with but I promise I won't reference this in every single post I make.
Dogs like me but I have no respect at all for their genitals.
I've got more kids than Shawn Kemp.
I've been to one World Series game. Saw Seaver faceoff against Catfish Hunter and saw Willie Mays pinch hit. Also saw a Mets fan vomit all over himself which for a kid is almost as memorable as the game. The Twin Towers were brand new and I remember my Dad pointing them out on skyline from the concourse. Now that he's gone, I think of all the baseball memories he supplied me.
My introduction to the rivalry; an early season double-header at Yankee Stadium on a day so cold, drizzly, and overcast my memory seems like black and white. Yup, saw Mantle that day.
I grew up on the front lines in Connecticut, on the wall, holding back the Yankee horde. And I know, while my presence in the Sandbox is grotesque and incomprehensible to you, that in places deep down inside which you don't talk about at SoSH bashes, you wanted me on that wall.
I recognize I might be disqualified for not hating Dan Shaughnessy while simultaneously being a G38 fan.
I don't own a Red Sox jersey.
Somewhere in Mogadishu, there's a Somali with a Red Sox hat.
I believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone.
I hate the term Red Sox Nation and that whole membership card BS.
I took solace in the arms of a beautiful woman after the ball went through Buckner's legs.
I'd support any SoSH member who took one for the team if it meant getting beer vendors back.
I've quit band, the Boy Scouts, jobs, the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, the Army and I'd probably quit SoSH too.

[YouLookAdopted]

Well, since Wiki contributions are supposed to be the easiest way in, I'll point out some of the stuff I've done there:

Created:
California League (Including each team page)
Mendoza Line
Ruben Rivera
Chien-Ming Wang
Sam Lynn Ballpark

Contributed:
Greenville Drive
Phil Seibel
West End Field
John Burkett

I also created the League Infobox template that seems to have sparked JimRiceHOFer to begin cataloging every single league in professional baseball.

I really enjoy working on the Wiki, although I haven't had much time to do it for two months. I'd like to go back through the Cal League stuff and add some rosters and more detailed histories. I'd also like to "adopt" a league or two to update and maintain in the future. (I'd also like to see a Wiki Forum!)

Aside from that, I work in the front office of a High A, American League affiliate here in California. Last season I twice ran in to information about roster moves that were made public up to 72 hours later (travel itineraries, agents talking to players). I might be willing to share next season's spoils to the nice mod that promotes me.

EDIT: I was probably also the first one on SoSH to mention Taylor Teagarden as a target for the Sox.

Edited by YouLookAdopted, 02 December 2007 - 02:37 AM.

[Groovenstein]

Hello

I returned home this evening after playing a rock show at a little club here in Lincoln, Nebraska, called the Box Awesome. My guitar player/roommate/best friend/automaton nuclear neo-human android and I dropped his lady friend off at the homestead, and then hit up the nearby Taco John's for some eats. (Frolic and detour: Why do these taco places out here insist upon giving tater tots some silly name? They're freaking tater tots. It's like the infomercial for that electric razor that includes as a free gift a "quick dry hair wrap," which upon cursory examination is quite clearly a towel. Call it a towel. Kthxbai.)

I spent the rest of the evening eating, watching Michael Angelo and Dennis Chambers videos, and crying as I watched Oklahoma embarrass Missouri. (I'm a Husker fan. Enemy of my enemy and such.) Then I proceeded to read a little SoSH as I generally do each day. I stumbled upon this thread. Imagine my delight upon learning that I had been given the chance to present my case for membership to the Supreme Court of the Sons of Sam Horn. And so, having demonstrated that I can make a joke here and there, I heed Skrub's tip #6 and will now take that chance.

You have asked me why I should be a member of Sons of Sam Horn. The general answer, of course, is that I think I would benefit the lives of its members, contributors, and readers. I now offer for your consideration specific points presented under two general categories: posts and personality.

Posts

Skrub's tips: "3) Provide intelligent, informed, well thought out and logical posts"; "8) Use proper Capitalization, spallng and grammer"

As you can see in this post, I can present a case in an organized, well-considered way with attention to the details that make the reader's job easier.

I like visual cues, so I try to make more visually appealing posts by providing headings or tables. I am far from being a computer guy, but I have learned a little about HTML-type stuff, and I'm sure I will learn more about how to make a better visual post using, for example, graphs.

I value proper spelling and grammar. It shows respect for the reader by not requiring him to sort through sloppy writing, and it benefits me by keeping him focused on substance. I hope this post bears that out.

As far as substance goes, there are things I can offer and things I can not. At least not yet. I still need to learn some of the more advanced baseball terminology, but I have enough of a baseball knowledge that I can speak intelligently on many subjects. For the things I need to learn in more detail, I have James' Baseball Abstract and the internet.

I expect that the substance I can offer will sometimes--perhaps often, at first--be in the form of intelligently considered questions. Asking questions can help both to expand a discussion and to keep it on track. With respect to keeping a discussion on track, I am proud of my ability to determine what exactly is being discussed and to make my contributions accordingly. In short, I am a good judge of what is relevant to a topic.

Personality

Skrub's tip: "1) Be baseball first. It's the reason we're here"

Agreed. Minding that, here's a little bit of insight into who I am.

I was born in San Diego in 1981, but I grew up in Massachusetts. I lived some in Framingham and Boston, but mostly in Marlboro. My dad hails from Maryland where he became an Orioles fan. Although he retains some of that Orioles love now, he began his Red Sox fandom when we moved to Massachusetts.

I began noticing baseball in my grade school years. I was a bandwagon sports fan at that point, so even though I got the Orioles and Sox love from Dad, I was a fan of the Bash Brothers-led A's. One of my coolest memories of this time relates to my A's love. I got hit by a car and had to spend ten miserable days at UMass Medical Center in Worcester. One of those days was not so miserable when my parents gave me one of my Dennis Eckersley cards that had a personalized autograph added to it. Apparently the doctor who was taking care of me knew Dr. Pappas, who of course knew Eck and got the card autographed personally for me. My opinion of those three men will always be a warm one. I'm sure you can imagine what that meant to a scared 7-year-old in a hospital bed.

As I started going to Sox games, I became more of a Sox fan and less of a bandwagoner. I grew up on Boggs, Greenwell, Brunansky, Burks, Frank Viola. One of the coolest memories of my high school years was after school one day when I went to get in my car and head home, and there's Dad waiting for me in his car with a pair of Sox tickets for that night that I had no idea were coming.

1999 was my freshman year in college, during which I had the pleasure of watching the ALCS in my friend's dorm room with some obnoxious Yankee fans. In 2003, my band was playing a four-hour cover show in Kearney, Nebraska, and we hit the stage with the Sox having a 5-2 lead in the 8th, so I felt good. I found out during a break that the Sox had lost. I was miserable finishing that show.

In 2004, I was in law school. I had to watch one of the Anaheim games in between classes. I watched every moment of the CS outside my apartment while smoking and chewing my nails off. In the waning moments of games 4 and 5, I would pace away from the TV between pitches. When they won game 7, I ran into the street and screamed while my roommate called a random bar in Boston and asked them to hold the phone up just so he could hear the celebration and pretend we were there.

As for non-baseball stuff, I'm a musician, a fairly new lawyer, a lover of Guinness, and a fan of comedy like Family Guy and Mitch Hedberg.

Good-bye

I may not have Corsi's scoops, Mike F's spring training reports, or Jose's razor wit. (In fact, compared to Jose's, my wit's sharpness is more accurately described as "dulled Oldowan tool.") However, I am confident that I have demonstrated why I would be a positive addition to the Sons of Sam Horn community. I hope you agree, but regardless of whether you do, I thank you for the chance to present my case to you and for the chance to continue to read the site and to post in some capacity, be it member or lurker.

Seeing as how the very first word in this post is a dash of humor in homage to a beloved member, I will make the very last words a dash of humor in homage to a certain ALCS-related thread:

SoSN [sic] RoolZ!!!1!!

[mstar1]

Dear Mr Lucchino

Please accept my membership to Red Sox Nation. Im a good boy, I take out the trash and wear my hat in front of the TV for every game...Im good to my mom......

------------------------------------------


I'd like access rights and I'd pay for the membership privileges.

Im not a dolt, I am 52, lived all over the world and am lucky enough to be near or at the top of my profession.

I have been following the Red Sox since 1966, --my parents and grandparents since the early 1900's.
The Red Sox are part of my DNA.
I rarely miss a game... in my non cyber life, they are generally the first topic of conversation to nearly anyone...
I dont post a lot, nor most likely would I on the main board right away unless it was drawn out of me as I have grown very used (and been trained) to not post here, having lurked for five+ years...From time to time there have been obvious gaps in threads that need to be pointed out, or comments and insights that should be made. If I had rights Im sure that my batting eye for posting here would sharpen considerably

As it is, Im not some 'prospect' who is trying to set the main board on fire, but I have been around, observed the game, life and the Red Sox for a very long time at some depth and breadth. I have lived through or been exposed to, just about every possible scenario.
The passion is real for me and more alive than it has ever been,

At my age and experience I have a large tool box of things that would be an addition to the SoSH community,

Unfortunately, grovelling really isnt my thing, nor is tooting my own horn.

I am who I am,
I love the quality of SoSH, Id like to be a part of it.

thats all

you decide