OK, so I guess I was the WNST "Oriole Apologist of the Day" on Monday. Let's see what Glenn Clark had to say about it:
Congratulations to our “Apologist of the Morning”, as selected by “The Great Arbitrator” Drew Forrester. “Heath” from Dempsey’s Army is no stranger to the AOTM-but this morning he received the award for citing Fangraphs in opining that Juan Samuel was wrong for trying to have Matt Wieters bunt last week. I don’t often credit Drew for being funny, but labeling a group of people as “Fangraph-sexuals” was pretty damn humorous.
Normally, I wouldn't mention this at all but I had to address a couple of things.
I use stats in a lot of my posts. This is not a purely analytic baseball but I am literate in advanced baseball stats and use them when warranted. I try not to overwhelm with every new stat that comes down the pike but I will incorporate newer stats that I feel are relevant. For example, I am starting to work in wOBA into the mix while still using OPS and "slash lines" as points of reference.
Thus, you're going to find stats on many of my posts on this site. They are not scary. And if you are interested in learning more about them, they are readily available from BaseballReference.com, MinorLeagueSplits.com, MiLB.com and, yes, FanGraphs.com. And I think that while stats do not tell the whole story, they tell you a lot and, these days, they tell you more than they ever have before.
I did not hear Drew's show so I have to address Glenn's summation; Fangraphs.com is the leading source for advanced baseball statistics anywhere. I write a blog about a baseball team. I am never going to apologize for using the best sources of baseball knowledge when formulating my posts. I am also not going to bother defending "sabermetrics" and their validity in baseball analysis. That would be redundant. And if Drew wants to make unfunny, thinly-veiled homophobic references to try to discredit "sabermetrics" or readers of FanGraphs.com, well, that's pretty much par for the course.
But the supreme irony is this; on the same morning I was reportedly mocked for utilizing a site that provides advanced baseball statistics, Drew had Joe Sheehan on to talk baseball. You know, the Joe Sheehan from Baseball Prospectus! A guy whose columns on BP routinely contained references to EqA, VOPR, EQR, SNLVAR and PECOTA projections, stats far less known to baseball fans because you can't access them without a subscription! Really? The very same morning you paint me as a flouncy stat dweeb you have one of the founders of Baseball Prospectus on your show?
So Drew either has no self-awareness whatsoever or is disingenuous beyond words. I'll go with the latter. (Drew/Glenn: "Latter" means the last thing I said...)
But while we're at it, I wanted to address a couple things from this...
On the Oriole blogs:
I read them all - casually - just about every day, and I’m amazed at how transparent most of them are these days. They’re nothing more than a cheerleading forum. Rah, rah, rah. And on the outside chance something happens that deserves an unquestionable volley of criticism, most of the bloggers throw the word “but” in there about 15 times. ”I’ll point out the wrong…but I have to follow it up with something else that takes the team off the hook a little bit.”
Right. God forbid you write ONE piece where you actually take the team to task for something and then leave it at that.
Well, that shows that you DON"T really read the blogs on a regular basis. There are plenty of critical posts on a lot of the Oriole blogs. Especially on Camden Chat, the one Drew claims to read the most. Now, perhaps they are not 100% negative ALL the time (some other media outlet has cornered the market on that), but there is a fair amount of criticism in the Oriole blogosphere but it contains two things absent at WNST; nuance and a sense of perspective. Oh, and no froth from the mouth. It's no wonder they don't understand it.
Back to my blog yesterday that I wrote at WNST.net concerning Free The Birds.
Here, for your review, is the front page of Camden Chat from Tuesday, May 11. You’ll notice 16 different topics or stories under “Bird Droppings”. Heck, there’s even info in there about John Smoltz trying to qualify for the U.S. Open golf championship. That’s interesting...
What DON’T you notice?
Yep. My blog from Monday about Free The Birds is nowhere to be found...
However…Tuesday rolls around and the powers-that-be (and frankly, I don’t know who makes the front-page decisions and never asked Stacey) list 16 different stories about the baseball team but none of them were worthy of being replaced by my piece on Free The Birds.
And that’s what you get when you deal with bloggers. Afraid to let “the other side” have their say. Because if you do that - some folks who read the piece might even think, “hmmm…that’s a valid point or two.”
WAAAAAHHHHHH!!!! They didn't like to my post! Wah, wah wah...
Honestly? You can't possibly be that thin-skinned.
I write several posts a week. If I'm lucky, I may get a link from Camden Chat once every couple of weeks. But that's OK. Why? Because if my post is worth linking to, by definition, someone will link to it. I'm not sure how or why anyone would feel slighted if Camden Chat or any of the other blogs linked to them or not. It's hardly personal.
But WNST made it personal when they accused Stacey and crew of excluding them because they didn't want Drew ("the other side") to have his say. It's infantile and insulting.
I don't know why Stacy no longer appears on WNST but I would imagine it has less to do with their viewpoints and more to do with the fact that they are colossal babies.
When the guy at WNST.net who “doesn’t like the team” writes a piece and beats them up for their stupid tickets and media relations policies, that doesn’t get linked or posted at Camden Chat or ANY OTHER SITE IN TOWN (of course).
Again, Drew obviously doesn't regularly read the blogs. WNST is and has been linked to by several blogs. Even with all the barbs I've thrown at WNST and Nestor over the years, I have linked to his stories and opinions that I actually agree with.
So I guess I have nothing else to say except that I wear their scorn as a badge of honor.
OK, resume party....
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Dustin the Wind
Big hitter Dustin Johnson, the guy who blew a three shot lead on the last day of the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach responds to a question about how that felt.
Mr. Johnson, a follow-up? Is it is true you're a zombie? And do you think that's an advantage for a professional golfer?
Mr. Johnson, a follow-up? Is it is true you're a zombie? And do you think that's an advantage for a professional golfer?
A Little Feel Good Deal
Near the entrance gate here the Military Care Package Tent can be found.
Sponsored by Lockheed Martin, visitors can put together care packages and write a personal note that will be received by a soldier, sailor, or airman overseas.
Here's Tracy Carter Dougherty to explain:
It only takes a couple of minutes to stuff a plastic bag with AT&T calling cards, toiletries, puzzle books, snacks etc. and it costs nothing. The whole thing is paid for by Lockheed.
But you're welcome to make a donation to the U.S.O. and pick-up a rubber camouflage U.S.O Budweiser "Here's To The Heroes" wristlet.
I did.
The defense contractor also has a tent down by the 17th tee open to all military ticket holders.
Sponsored by Lockheed Martin, visitors can put together care packages and write a personal note that will be received by a soldier, sailor, or airman overseas.
Here's Tracy Carter Dougherty to explain:
It only takes a couple of minutes to stuff a plastic bag with AT&T calling cards, toiletries, puzzle books, snacks etc. and it costs nothing. The whole thing is paid for by Lockheed.
But you're welcome to make a donation to the U.S.O. and pick-up a rubber camouflage U.S.O Budweiser "Here's To The Heroes" wristlet.
I did.
The defense contractor also has a tent down by the 17th tee open to all military ticket holders.
Live at the AT&Tiger
Being new at this sort of thing, one of the things that I was surprised to see yesterday during Tiger Wood's press conference was the presence of a working court stenographer.
I didn't know if she worked for the Tiger Woods Foundation, which is handling most of the p.r. for the event, or if she'd been sent by Mrs. Woods attorneys.
It turned out the former, which was great for us media types. Within 15 minutes of the interview we all had a transcript of the session. This service is good for both Tiger and golf writers. It helps them (us) get his quotes exactly right... and quickly.
Nice!
I didn't know if she worked for the Tiger Woods Foundation, which is handling most of the p.r. for the event, or if she'd been sent by Mrs. Woods attorneys.
It turned out the former, which was great for us media types. Within 15 minutes of the interview we all had a transcript of the session. This service is good for both Tiger and golf writers. It helps them (us) get his quotes exactly right... and quickly.
Nice!
Stop Me Before I Boink Again!
Is Tiger Woods a sex addict? Is anyone? My print column is up.
UPDATE: Tara Martin, "38 and single" for one, is willing to entertain the possibility, but in the end it doesn't seem to cut any ice with her.
UPDATE: Tara Martin, "38 and single" for one, is willing to entertain the possibility, but in the end it doesn't seem to cut any ice with her.
Our Bumbling Budgetors
A quick look at the proposed state budget reveals a 4.5 percent increase in education spending (read teachers' salaries and benefits) a $1 billion more for mandated spending to take care of the poor, state employees' pensions, and incarcerated citizens.
SPENDING CUTS include Agriculture Department, 11.7 percent; Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 11 percent: Department of Labor and Industry, 10 percent; Environmental Protection Department, 9.2 percent; Libraries, 9.1 percent; Governor's Office, 7.5 percent; State Parks, 7.3 percent; State Health Care Centers, 6.9 percent.
Me, I'd rather see public libraries stay open than teachers in failing public schools get raises. But then, people aren't required by law to go to libraries. Maybe that's why they are generally such peaceful and nice places. Places where motivated and curious kids and adults can actually learn things.
The rest of those departments and agencies could probably stand cuts closer to 20 percent, (though maybe not the health clinics.)
Unmentioned is that whole tentative budget agreement depends on the state getting $850 million from the federal government to tide us over for another year.
Oy vey!
SPENDING CUTS include Agriculture Department, 11.7 percent; Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 11 percent: Department of Labor and Industry, 10 percent; Environmental Protection Department, 9.2 percent; Libraries, 9.1 percent; Governor's Office, 7.5 percent; State Parks, 7.3 percent; State Health Care Centers, 6.9 percent.
Me, I'd rather see public libraries stay open than teachers in failing public schools get raises. But then, people aren't required by law to go to libraries. Maybe that's why they are generally such peaceful and nice places. Places where motivated and curious kids and adults can actually learn things.
The rest of those departments and agencies could probably stand cuts closer to 20 percent, (though maybe not the health clinics.)
Unmentioned is that whole tentative budget agreement depends on the state getting $850 million from the federal government to tide us over for another year.
Oy vey!
Kagan's Abortion Distortion
Did Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan rewrite a scientitific/medical analysis concerning partial birth abortion when she was a Clinton White House policy advisor?
Attorney Shannen Coffin reports:
It will be interesting to see is any senator asks her about this today as her hearing continues.
Attorney Shannen Coffin reports:
When President Obama promised in his inaugural address to “restore science to its rightful place,” he never explained what that rightful place would be. Documents recently released in connection with the Supreme Court nomination of Solicitor General Elena Kagan suggest an answer: wherever it can best be used to skew political debate and judicial outcomes.Read the whole thing.
The documents involved date from the Clinton White House. They show Miss Kagan’s willingness to manipulate medical science to fit the Democratic party’s political agenda on the hot-button issue of abortion. As such, they reflect poorly on both the author and the president who nominated her to the Supreme Court.
It will be interesting to see is any senator asks her about this today as her hearing continues.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Rose Champagne that has the cutest designed ice cover ever! - Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Rose Champagne
On my birthday I received the cutest rose champagne gift. Well not the actual champagne but the ice jacket cover was super cute and would make great favors for a wedding or bridal shower.
The champagne company is veuve-clicquot champagne
The product name is: VEUVE CLICQUOT CHAMPAGNE BRUT ROSÉ SAKURA ICE JACKET NV 75CL
You can buy them online too! by going here:
The Champagne Company
Check it out!
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The champagne company is veuve-clicquot champagne
The product name is: VEUVE CLICQUOT CHAMPAGNE BRUT ROSÉ SAKURA ICE JACKET NV 75CL
You can buy them online too! by going here:
The Champagne Company
Check it out!
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How Berken and Hernandez Emerged From the Crucible
Last season, the Oriole rotation was so suspect that you had to expect that some young pitchers were going to be thrown to the wolves. And they were. One was 25-year-old Jason Berken, a right handed pitcher with a total of 5 AAA starts under his belt and another was 24-year-old David Hernandez (who only had 11 starts in Norfolk), another righty. Neither was on any top prospect lists. There were no expectations.Hernandez posted a 5.42 ERA (6.61 FIP, 5.60 xFIP) over 101.1 innings and Berken posted a 6.54 ERA (5.34 FIP, 5.10 xFIP) over 119.2 innings. It wasn't pretty and it appeared that the Orioles were fine with using these two "non-prospects" as cannon fodder.
Berken and Hernandez will always be linked in my mind. They were called up around the same time, they both were rushed, they both struggled mightily...and they both showed a lot of guts in the process. These guys got absolutely shelled in 2009 but they never seemed to get discouraged. There were no slumped shoulders or Daniel Cabrera-style implosions when things went badly. They stuck to the plan, kept working and did the best they could.
Neither were locks to make the team out of spring training but they both made the team; Berken in the bullpen and Hernandez in the rotation. Hernandez struggled again as a starter but has joined Berken in the pen to form a nice 1-2 late inning combo.
Berken has a 1.66 ERA (3.09 FIP, 3.93 xFIP) over 43.1 innings. His strikeout rate is up, his walk and home run rate is down. Hernandez has a 2.11 ERA over 12.1 innings since moving to the pen and his strikeout rate has doubled. They look to be big pieces of the Oriole bullpen in the years to come.
We certainly know they have the makeup to handle the assignment.
Sex Addiction? Are You Kidding Me?
So as I said, the Question of the Day: Is sex addiction a real disease or is it something made up by psychologists to collect from health insurance companies and give wayward husbands and wives an medical excuse for their lousy behavior
First up Jim Prince, 37, from Birdsboro
First up Jim Prince, 37, from Birdsboro
Sex and Golf: It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This!
NEWTOWN SQUARE - I've just arrived at the Media Center here at Aronimink for the AT&T National. If I'm not mistaken, it's converted from an indoor tennis court(s). It's beautiful, air-conditioned and state of the art - technologically speaking. In front of me is a electronic scoreboard as well as a TV broadcasting the World Cup. PAR is playing JPN.
Not a lot of action here yet.
The big question I have for spectators today is "What do you think about the idea of sexual addiction? Is it a real disease? Or was it something invented by mental health professionals to fleece insurance companies and to give wayward men and women a medical excuse for behaving badly?"
Of course, this is a pertinent question given that the most famous golfer in the world and the unofficial host of this tournament has tacitly admitted to a problem along these lines. It has been reported that after the sex scandal exploded in the media last November, Tiger Woods checked into a posh rehab for sex addicts.
Is bedding porn stars and cocktail waitresses an uncontrollable and compulsive act requiring a 12-step intervention or simply reckless and morally objectionable?
I have my own opinion on this I'll be sharing later. I'll be very interested in what others have to say about it. But I doubt it will be brought up at Tiger's press conference this afternoon. We'll see.
Not a lot of action here yet.
The big question I have for spectators today is "What do you think about the idea of sexual addiction? Is it a real disease? Or was it something invented by mental health professionals to fleece insurance companies and to give wayward men and women a medical excuse for behaving badly?"
Of course, this is a pertinent question given that the most famous golfer in the world and the unofficial host of this tournament has tacitly admitted to a problem along these lines. It has been reported that after the sex scandal exploded in the media last November, Tiger Woods checked into a posh rehab for sex addicts.
Is bedding porn stars and cocktail waitresses an uncontrollable and compulsive act requiring a 12-step intervention or simply reckless and morally objectionable?
I have my own opinion on this I'll be sharing later. I'll be very interested in what others have to say about it. But I doubt it will be brought up at Tiger's press conference this afternoon. We'll see.
A Ferry Nice Idea
Our Chris Vito has an excellent idea for the parking problem down at Chester's new soccer stadium: A ferry to N.J.
Chatting With Spencer
Tomorrow (Wednesday) at noon I will be available for a live online chat. I'm hoping I'll be able to do it from the press tent at Aronimink. (I'll find out about that later this afternoon.) But questions and any discussion will not be limited to golf.
Just click on the Daily Times web site and it should be pretty easy to figure out.
Just click on the Daily Times web site and it should be pretty easy to figure out.
Job Hunters: A Cautionary Tale
Need a job? Here are eight mistakes job hunters make.
This link is just an excuse to show THIS! (Warning: A couple of bad words and bathroom humor make this clip unsuitable for adults. Teenagers, however, will love it.)
This link is just an excuse to show THIS! (Warning: A couple of bad words and bathroom humor make this clip unsuitable for adults. Teenagers, however, will love it.)
AT&T Stands for "All Tiger & (more) Tiger"
I'm on my way out to Aronimink today to get the lay of the land for this weekend's big tournament and listen to Tiger Woods answer a few questions from the media.
I was at Tiger's last presser in May. There were no bold questions about the sex scandal that caused him to leave the tour for six months. Their was one mild one. Tiger was asked if his neck injury was in anyway related to the car accident he had in November.
"Zero," Tiger said. And that was it. His curt, one-word reply ended any line of inquiry along those lines.
For my own part, I wrote a column about Scandalina, the Tiger Woods Sex Scandal Elephant. She was in the room that day and we all ignored her. While she will be there again this afternoon, I can't imagine she will get any more attention than she did in May. Afterall, what is there left for Tiger to say about any of that? He was a naughty husband. A very naughty husband and he is suffering the consequences of that; divorce and separation from his children. (Above is the couple in happier times.)
How that all plays out will be interesting to the People Magazine crowd but for golf fans watching Tiger attempt to claw his way back to the top of his profession is what is has our attention. If he is in contention this week (and who will be surprised if he is?) with every Tiger birdie the roars at Aroninmink will be heard all the way to Aston.
Tiger's first post-scandal PGA Tour win will be international news. And if it is here in Newtown Square, the world will take notice.
Stay tuned.
I was at Tiger's last presser in May. There were no bold questions about the sex scandal that caused him to leave the tour for six months. Their was one mild one. Tiger was asked if his neck injury was in anyway related to the car accident he had in November.
"Zero," Tiger said. And that was it. His curt, one-word reply ended any line of inquiry along those lines.
For my own part, I wrote a column about Scandalina, the Tiger Woods Sex Scandal Elephant. She was in the room that day and we all ignored her. While she will be there again this afternoon, I can't imagine she will get any more attention than she did in May. Afterall, what is there left for Tiger to say about any of that? He was a naughty husband. A very naughty husband and he is suffering the consequences of that; divorce and separation from his children. (Above is the couple in happier times.)
How that all plays out will be interesting to the People Magazine crowd but for golf fans watching Tiger attempt to claw his way back to the top of his profession is what is has our attention. If he is in contention this week (and who will be surprised if he is?) with every Tiger birdie the roars at Aroninmink will be heard all the way to Aston.
Tiger's first post-scandal PGA Tour win will be international news. And if it is here in Newtown Square, the world will take notice.
Stay tuned.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Geno Rauso Finally Faces the Music
After years of scamming dozens of mortgage-troubled homeowners into believing he could help them keep their homes, my old friend Geno Rauso is under federal indictment. According to a press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office in Philadelphia
I first heard about Rauso three years ago, when he piled nine tenants into the Darby Township home of Makra Opoku. First, he got her to sign papers giving him power of attorney and control of the property, then the tenants came. He charged them all rent, including Opoku, and he never sent a nickel of the money to the mortgage company to stave off foreclosure.
Over the years, I heard from a dozen more people who credibly claimed to have been scammed by Rauso. Despite complaint after complaint to the local authorities and to the FBI, Rauso continued to ply his trade.
According to federal documents, Geno didn't pay taxes on some $1.6 million he made between 2005 and 2008. He was quite the operator and quite a character.
The first time I talked to him he was literally on his way to Delaware County prison to serve one of his weekends for assaulting a tenant in Opoku's home.
The last time I talked to him it was about another dissatisfied client.
“I made my position clear to you (last year) that I prefer you never call me again,” he said.
I told him I understood, but that I had to call him to see if he wanted to comment, just to be fair.
“What is also fair,” he said, “is I not violate my Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate myself and my First Amendment right not to talk to you.”
Fair is fair. Besides actions speak louder than words, anyway.
Gennaro Rauso, who owned and operated a real estate management company that purported to help financially distressed homeowners with their foreclosure problems, was charged today by information with several mortgage fraud related offenses. The information alleges that as part of his scheme, Rauso took advantage of desperate homeowners with the promise of staying in, or saving, their homes when, in fact, he was using them to defraud the mortgageThe indictment can be found here. It begins:
holders.
1. Defendant GENNARO RAUSO owned and operated several propertyThere's a lot more.
management businesses, including D&B Property Investors (“D&B”), which he incorporated on June 17, 2005.
2. Defendant GENNARO RAUSO falsely claimed that D&B helped homeowners with foreclosure problems. In fact, defendant RAUSO operated D&B as part of a scheme to defraud mortgage companies by convincing distressed homeowners to transfer their properties to D&B for a nominal sum, and then renting the properties back to the homeowners. Defendant RAUSO then used the federal bankruptcy process to, among other things, substantially delay and obstruct efforts by mortgage companies to foreclose upon these properties, thereby providing the opportunity for defendant RAUSO to collect rental payments fraudulently from the distressed homeowners during the period of delay, without making any required payments to the mortgage companies.
THE SCHEME
3. From at least in or about January 2005 through at least in or about December 2008, defendant GENNARO RAUSO devised and intended to devise a scheme to defraud and to obtain money and property by means of false and fraudulent pretenses, representations and promises.
MANNER AND MEANS
It was part of the scheme that:
4. Defendant GENNARO RAUSO purchased lists containing the names and addresses of homeowners facing immediate foreclosure and sheriff’s sale of their properties. Defendant RAUSO used these lists to identify potential victims of his scheme to defraud.
5. Using the United States mails, defendant GENNARO RAUSO sent to homeowners a flyer that claimed, among other things, that defendant RAUSO could help the homeowner with foreclosure problems. Defendant RAUSO used an alias when he sent out the flyers, including but not limited to, “Lorraine Foster.” When homeowners called the telephone
number on the flyer, however, they spoke to defendant RAUSO.
6. Since at least in or about January 2005, defendant GENNARO RAUSO mailed various versions of the flyer. For example, in a version sent in or about December 2008, purportedly from “Lorraine Foster,” defendant RAUSO claimed that:
a. he was interested in purchasing their property, “subject to all liens and encumbrances,” even if the home “does not have any equity;”
b. he would “take all the headache of fighting the bank or mortgage company off your hands,” and “possibly even allow you to stay in the property for less than what you were paying each month;”
c. for some of his past clients, he was able to “assist them in getting their credit re-established; and as a result, they were able to re-purchase the property thereafter;”
d. even if “things don’t work out” and the property were to be sold at Sheriff’s sale, defendant RAUSO could help the homeowner “stay in the property for about another 12-18 months even after the sheriff sale;” and
e. “an associate” would tell the homeowner how defendant RAUSO “stalled his personal foreclosure for Sixteen years without paying a dime to either the mortgage company or the tax bureau; purchased the property back for approximately Twenty Cents on the dollar free and clear of all the previous liens and judgments that had been on the property, and then flipped it for a Twenty Thousand Dollar Profit.”
7. Defendant GENNARO RAUSO timed the mailing of the flyers so they would arrive only a few days before the scheduled sheriff’s sale of the property. Defendant RAUSO believed that this was the time period when homeowners would be most desperate and most likely to call for his purported services.
8. After the homeowners contacted defendant GENNARO RAUSO, either defendant RAUSO or an employee of D&B visited the homeowner to have the homeowner sign a series of documents, which:
a. transferred the property either to defendant RAUSO or to an entity controlled by defendant RAUSO, for a nominal purchase price;
b. gave defendant RAUSO power of attorney rights with respect to the property, including the power to negotiate on the homeowner’s behalf with the mortgage companies, to file federal bankruptcy petitions, and to otherwise dispose of the property; and
c. made the homeowner a tenant, who would make rent payments to defendant RAUSO instead of payments to the mortgage company.
9. After the homeowner signed these documents, defendant GENNARO RAUSO obstructed the foreclosure proceedings against the property by, among other things, filing federal bankruptcy petitions.
10. Defendant GENNARO RAUSO collected rent payments from the homeowner during the period the foreclosure was obstructed and delayed, but did not make payments to the mortgage companies holding the mortgage. Defendant RAUSO was, therefore, able to use the federal bankruptcy process, among other means, to defraud mortgage companies out of payments from homeowners, when those payments should have been made to the mortgage companies to pay down the mortgage balances.
11. As part of this scheme to defraud, defendant GENNARO RAUSO used at least 200 homeowners and their properties, almost entirely all of which were located in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Overall, defendant RAUSO defrauded mortgage companiesout of more than $400,000 in diverted and lost mortgage payments.
I first heard about Rauso three years ago, when he piled nine tenants into the Darby Township home of Makra Opoku. First, he got her to sign papers giving him power of attorney and control of the property, then the tenants came. He charged them all rent, including Opoku, and he never sent a nickel of the money to the mortgage company to stave off foreclosure.
Over the years, I heard from a dozen more people who credibly claimed to have been scammed by Rauso. Despite complaint after complaint to the local authorities and to the FBI, Rauso continued to ply his trade.
According to federal documents, Geno didn't pay taxes on some $1.6 million he made between 2005 and 2008. He was quite the operator and quite a character.
The first time I talked to him he was literally on his way to Delaware County prison to serve one of his weekends for assaulting a tenant in Opoku's home.
The last time I talked to him it was about another dissatisfied client.
“I made my position clear to you (last year) that I prefer you never call me again,” he said.
I told him I understood, but that I had to call him to see if he wanted to comment, just to be fair.
“What is also fair,” he said, “is I not violate my Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate myself and my First Amendment right not to talk to you.”
Fair is fair. Besides actions speak louder than words, anyway.
Time to Bring Back the Throwbacks
How cool were the 1970 throwback uniforms this weekend? Here's some pics from the Sun:
We've got to get these back in a regular rotation, don't we?
More throwback photos over here at BaltimoreSun.com.
We've got to get these back in a regular rotation, don't we?
More throwback photos over here at BaltimoreSun.com.
Garrett Atkins DFA'd
It's official...Atkins did NOT survive the weekend and will likely be released in 10 days.
Andy MacPhail is right in one respect...there really is no horrible 1-year deal. No matter how much it costs, it's off the books and allows other free agents to be signed by the next season.
But the Atkins deal...it didn't look good from the beginning. You could have seen this outcome, to quote Artie Lange, coming up 5th Avenue in a cab. Atkins had never had great numbers away from Coors Field, his numbers had been in decline for four straight seasons and there were other bats available for, likely, less money. After the signing, I just kind of kept my fingers crossed that the scouts had seen something that they thought was fixable.
You should know my feelings on this for now...I wanted to fill the hole at first base from within with either Luke Scott or Nolan Reimold moving over there and/or letting some of the guys at AAA (Scott Moore, Rhyne Hughes, Michael Aubrey, Brandon Snyder) as the season moved on. If there's a silver lining, one of those guys will now get a shot as Wigginton has moved over to first and Moore seems to be in line to get the bulk of the starts at second base.
Ultimately, Atkins sucking had little affect on the standings; there is little doubt that the way 2010 has gone that the Orioles would still be the worst team in the American League. But at least we can move on and let other guys, including Jake Fox, take a shot.
Andy MacPhail is right in one respect...there really is no horrible 1-year deal. No matter how much it costs, it's off the books and allows other free agents to be signed by the next season.
But the Atkins deal...it didn't look good from the beginning. You could have seen this outcome, to quote Artie Lange, coming up 5th Avenue in a cab. Atkins had never had great numbers away from Coors Field, his numbers had been in decline for four straight seasons and there were other bats available for, likely, less money. After the signing, I just kind of kept my fingers crossed that the scouts had seen something that they thought was fixable.
You should know my feelings on this for now...I wanted to fill the hole at first base from within with either Luke Scott or Nolan Reimold moving over there and/or letting some of the guys at AAA (Scott Moore, Rhyne Hughes, Michael Aubrey, Brandon Snyder) as the season moved on. If there's a silver lining, one of those guys will now get a shot as Wigginton has moved over to first and Moore seems to be in line to get the bulk of the starts at second base.
Ultimately, Atkins sucking had little affect on the standings; there is little doubt that the way 2010 has gone that the Orioles would still be the worst team in the American League. But at least we can move on and let other guys, including Jake Fox, take a shot.
Natural Born Killers and Beyond Dumb
As killers go, Broomall's Morgan Mengel and Steve Shappell are beyond pathetic. Not that they didn't get the job done. But if you hope not to get caught these two needed to watch a little more CSI.
According to police, Mengel admitted to the attempted poisoning of her husband, Kevin, and told them her boy-toy Shappell clubbed him with a shovel. The body was interred in the woods behind Marple Newtown High School.
Mengel has confessed. Shappel fled but has been captured in Colorado.
The story she concocted about her husband leaving her was so obviously false police saw through it immediately. Good for her for confessing. But how she will face the three children she has orphaned is another matter.
I would say "What a world," but the world is fine. It's just that it has some awful and stupid people in it.
According to police, Mengel admitted to the attempted poisoning of her husband, Kevin, and told them her boy-toy Shappell clubbed him with a shovel. The body was interred in the woods behind Marple Newtown High School.
Mengel has confessed. Shappel fled but has been captured in Colorado.
The story she concocted about her husband leaving her was so obviously false police saw through it immediately. Good for her for confessing. But how she will face the three children she has orphaned is another matter.
I would say "What a world," but the world is fine. It's just that it has some awful and stupid people in it.
Blogger Template | Sweet Palace
Sweet Palace Blogger template is two column blogger template with sidebar to its right and post section to its left.The theme is very beautiful and you would be going to like it for sure.Many widgets have been built inside it.Like search bar is ready at top of sidebar and rss button for the blog also ready at right of header.Also have an small welcome section at top of sidebar to write about your blog or yourself above sidebar in layout.Seo for tile has already been done for you.Top menu links are also ready for you.This template is completely for users who love to blog about wild life century or animals.
Other blogger templates you may like are PeaceKeeper and Grunge.
Other blogger templates you may like are PeaceKeeper and Grunge.
Blogger Template | Sweet Palace
Sweet Palace Blogger template is two column blogger template with sidebar to its right and post section to its left.The theme is very beautiful and you would be going to like it for sure.Many widgets have been built inside it.Like search bar is ready at top of sidebar and rss button for the blog also ready at right of header.Also have an small welcome section at top of sidebar to write about your blog or yourself above sidebar in layout.Seo for tile has already been done for you.Top menu links are also ready for you.This template is completely for users who love to blog about wild life century or animals.
Other blogger templates you may like are PeaceKeeper and Grunge.
Other blogger templates you may like are PeaceKeeper and Grunge.
Blogger Template | Sweet Palace
Sweet Palace Blogger template is two column blogger template with sidebar to its right and post section to its left.The theme is very beautiful and you would be going to like it for sure.Many widgets have been built inside it.Like search bar is ready at top of sidebar and rss button for the blog also ready at right of header.Also have an small welcome section at top of sidebar to write about your blog or yourself above sidebar in layout.Seo for tile has already been done for you.Top menu links are also ready for you.This template is completely for users who love to blog about wild life century or animals.
Other blogger templates you may like are PeaceKeeper and Grunge.
Other blogger templates you may like are PeaceKeeper and Grunge.
Look For the Union Label
18,500 soccer fans braved the heat and Chester's State of Emergency to be at the Union's home opener in PPL Park. The Union came from behind to win 3 to 1.
The little stadium is beautiful thing, an emerald jewel sitting under the Commadore Barry Bridge. But can pro soccer make it in the city of Chester? Doubtful.
The MLS trumpets the fact that this year it has surpassed the NBA in per game attendance. But for all its flaws and expensive payrolls, the NBA has a history of moderate success. Enough fans turn out to see the greatest athletes in the world compete and the best basketball players in the world come to the NBA to do it. Not so with the MSL. The best soccer players in the world live and play elsewhere.
At best, pro soccer is a niche sport, in a country that already is sports saturated. Low ticket prices and novelty will help the Union and the league to survive for a few yearr. But will pro soccer ever generate the enthusiam of the Eagles or Phillies in this area? Let's get real.
And the idea that pro soccer with a new stadium will lead to some sort of renaissance in Chester is loony on its face.
And it's almost a crime that so much taxpayer money went to building a stadium, even a stadium as cute as this one, that will quite likely be a white elephant in less than a decade.
In the meantime, the novelty of pro soccer in Chester will bring in a nice number of fans for this and maybe next season. Then attendence will fall off, as it has elsewhere, and the franchise will limp along.
In Roman times, the politicians gave the masses "bread and circuses" to distract them from the misery and desperation of their lives. Today, the pols take from middleclass to give money to a few rich guys to build mini-collesiums for circuses of a different kind. The deal is no better today than it was back then.
UPDATE: As for the city, despite the curfew and extended State of Emergency, another man died of a gunshot wound Saturday night. Maybe he was just cleaning his weapon and it was an accident but I doubt it.
The little stadium is beautiful thing, an emerald jewel sitting under the Commadore Barry Bridge. But can pro soccer make it in the city of Chester? Doubtful.
The MLS trumpets the fact that this year it has surpassed the NBA in per game attendance. But for all its flaws and expensive payrolls, the NBA has a history of moderate success. Enough fans turn out to see the greatest athletes in the world compete and the best basketball players in the world come to the NBA to do it. Not so with the MSL. The best soccer players in the world live and play elsewhere.
At best, pro soccer is a niche sport, in a country that already is sports saturated. Low ticket prices and novelty will help the Union and the league to survive for a few yearr. But will pro soccer ever generate the enthusiam of the Eagles or Phillies in this area? Let's get real.
And the idea that pro soccer with a new stadium will lead to some sort of renaissance in Chester is loony on its face.
And it's almost a crime that so much taxpayer money went to building a stadium, even a stadium as cute as this one, that will quite likely be a white elephant in less than a decade.
In the meantime, the novelty of pro soccer in Chester will bring in a nice number of fans for this and maybe next season. Then attendence will fall off, as it has elsewhere, and the franchise will limp along.
In Roman times, the politicians gave the masses "bread and circuses" to distract them from the misery and desperation of their lives. Today, the pols take from middleclass to give money to a few rich guys to build mini-collesiums for circuses of a different kind. The deal is no better today than it was back then.
UPDATE: As for the city, despite the curfew and extended State of Emergency, another man died of a gunshot wound Saturday night. Maybe he was just cleaning his weapon and it was an accident but I doubt it.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Random Thoughts About the Week...
Rick Dempsey to be Interviewed for Oriole Manager
This is kind of sad to me. Andy MacPhail does not take Rick seriously for this position. And arguably, he shouldn't. Dempsey hasn't managed in years. But he wants it so bad, he'll put up with this indignity and try to convince the Oriole brass otherwise.
Brad Bergesen and Koji Uehara To Return, Garrett Atkins Likely Roster Casualty
The fragile Uehara is coming back...but for how long is uncertain. He's pretty good when he's on the mound and he will help the bullpen but obviously we can't count on him being healthy.
Bergey...I don't know. I just wish they'd leave him in one spot and let him work things out in Baltimore.
Years ago, Henry Rollins put forth an idea for a performance art piece called "Edie Brickell Still Lives" where he would sit in a chair on a stage covered with cinder blocks, nails and razor wire, a PA announcer would say "Edie Brickell still lives!" at which point, Rollins would hurl himself onto the stage, beating his body against all the bricks and nails and razors until he collapsed into a bloody, sweaty heap on the stage. Then the PA announcer would shout, "But she still lives!", which would cause Rollins to pick himself up off the stage and do it all over again.
Call this piece "Garret Atkins Retains a Roster Spot" and I could do it myself.
Nick Markakis Meets With Peter Angelos
I think Nick has finally figured that he is chained to this team for another 4 and a half years...he'd better do something!
I love that Nick seems to be taking a more active leadership role on the team, even if it is motivated by self-interest. It's clear that he expected better this season and can't bear the thought of the Orioles flailing about for the next fours seasons until he becomes a free agent.
Matt Wieters Bunt!
Juan Samuel does NOT want to stay with the organization. Period.
According to Fangraphs.com, that botched bunt cost the Orioles .114 of WPA...more than any non-run scoring play the Marlins managed. Juan Samuel may as well have been playing for the other team.
Matt Angle is an On Base Machine
All Matt Angle does is get on base and steal second....THAT"S ALL HE DOES!!!
I didn't include Angle in my high-minors review earlier this week but he deserves a mention. The Orioles haven't done him any favors. After playing last season at high-A Frederick, he started the season on the DL, got a total of 14 games in Bowie and was then rushed up to Norfolk due to organizational need.
Angle has held his own, relatively speaking. He's only hitting .264/.338/.282 in Norfolk...but forget the OPS. You heard me, forget the OPS.
Angle does not hit for power and he may never do so...but his career OBP in the minors is .386, his career walk rate is 12.2% and he has stolen 124 bases at an 80.5% clip. There is room for a guy like that as a leadoff hitter in the majors.
As we have seen, having guys with lousy on base skills can sap a struggling offense. A guy like Angle should be seen as a real prospect if he can improve on his numbers in Norfolk. Don't let the fact that he was thrown into the deep end of the pool fool you.
This is kind of sad to me. Andy MacPhail does not take Rick seriously for this position. And arguably, he shouldn't. Dempsey hasn't managed in years. But he wants it so bad, he'll put up with this indignity and try to convince the Oriole brass otherwise.
Brad Bergesen and Koji Uehara To Return, Garrett Atkins Likely Roster Casualty
The fragile Uehara is coming back...but for how long is uncertain. He's pretty good when he's on the mound and he will help the bullpen but obviously we can't count on him being healthy.
Bergey...I don't know. I just wish they'd leave him in one spot and let him work things out in Baltimore.
Years ago, Henry Rollins put forth an idea for a performance art piece called "Edie Brickell Still Lives" where he would sit in a chair on a stage covered with cinder blocks, nails and razor wire, a PA announcer would say "Edie Brickell still lives!" at which point, Rollins would hurl himself onto the stage, beating his body against all the bricks and nails and razors until he collapsed into a bloody, sweaty heap on the stage. Then the PA announcer would shout, "But she still lives!", which would cause Rollins to pick himself up off the stage and do it all over again.
Call this piece "Garret Atkins Retains a Roster Spot" and I could do it myself.
Nick Markakis Meets With Peter Angelos
I think Nick has finally figured that he is chained to this team for another 4 and a half years...he'd better do something!
I love that Nick seems to be taking a more active leadership role on the team, even if it is motivated by self-interest. It's clear that he expected better this season and can't bear the thought of the Orioles flailing about for the next fours seasons until he becomes a free agent.
Matt Wieters Bunt!
Juan Samuel does NOT want to stay with the organization. Period.
According to Fangraphs.com, that botched bunt cost the Orioles .114 of WPA...more than any non-run scoring play the Marlins managed. Juan Samuel may as well have been playing for the other team.
Matt Angle is an On Base Machine
All Matt Angle does is get on base and steal second....THAT"S ALL HE DOES!!!
I didn't include Angle in my high-minors review earlier this week but he deserves a mention. The Orioles haven't done him any favors. After playing last season at high-A Frederick, he started the season on the DL, got a total of 14 games in Bowie and was then rushed up to Norfolk due to organizational need.
Angle has held his own, relatively speaking. He's only hitting .264/.338/.282 in Norfolk...but forget the OPS. You heard me, forget the OPS.
Angle does not hit for power and he may never do so...but his career OBP in the minors is .386, his career walk rate is 12.2% and he has stolen 124 bases at an 80.5% clip. There is room for a guy like that as a leadoff hitter in the majors.
As we have seen, having guys with lousy on base skills can sap a struggling offense. A guy like Angle should be seen as a real prospect if he can improve on his numbers in Norfolk. Don't let the fact that he was thrown into the deep end of the pool fool you.
Friday, June 25, 2010
It Could Be Worse: Nick Markakis
After a couple seasons of calling for a breakout season for Nick Markakis, it appears that the upswing in his offensive numbers may never happen. I was never one to think that Nick's line drive swing would develop into 30 home run power but I thought he would hit .300 with 20-25 homers and a great on base percentage and that his OPS would hover around .900 for his peak years.Alas, it appears that Nick will not become "Enos Slaughter of the New Millennium" as I had hoped. But that doesn't mean that there's not a lot to like.
As of this morning .300/.390/.426. That good for a .360 wOBA which is good for a top 30 wOBA in the AL, even with the diminished power. And although his fielding is not what it once was, it's way better (so far) than it was last year.
There is concern about Markakis' diminished power but he leads the AL in doubles and a few of those are going to start going over the fence. ZIPS agrees and projects .297/.372/.464 with 10 homers and 25 doubles for the rest of the season.
There is not much to like about this season but Nick Markakis is still a reason to go to the park.
And while he looks to be more Brian Roberts than Ellis Burks at the plate, he's still a nice player to have on your team.
Blogger Template | Engamer
Engamer is a two column blogger template with sidebar to its right and post section to left.The theme is designed by web2feel and converted by me to blogger.The design is gorgeous and it looks damn proffessional.Top menu links are ready for you.Seo for title has been done and it supports all blog features and is compatible with all browsers.The theme is for gaming template or you would have played the battle games for sure one of my favourites in childhood.There are two menu widgets for you.One is linklist and other is page widget you can add links from your layout.I hope you will like his template for sure.
Other blogger templates you may like are Marioland and BrandNew Folio.
Other blogger templates you may like are Marioland and BrandNew Folio.
Blogger Template | Engamer
Engamer is a two column blogger template with sidebar to its right and post section to left.The theme is designed by web2feel and converted by me to blogger.The design is gorgeous and it looks damn proffessional.Top menu links are ready for you.Seo for title has been done and it supports all blog features and is compatible with all browsers.The theme is for gaming template or you would have played the battle games for sure one of my favourites in childhood.There are two menu widgets for you.One is linklist and other is page widget you can add links from your layout.I hope you will like his template for sure.
Other blogger templates you may like are Marioland and BrandNew Folio.
Other blogger templates you may like are Marioland and BrandNew Folio.
Blogger Template | Engamer
Engamer is a two column blogger template with sidebar to its right and post section to left.The theme is designed by web2feel and converted by me to blogger.The design is gorgeous and it looks damn proffessional.Top menu links are ready for you.Seo for title has been done and it supports all blog features and is compatible with all browsers.The theme is for gaming template or you would have played the battle games for sure one of my favourites in childhood.There are two menu widgets for you.One is linklist and other is page widget you can add links from your layout.I hope you will like his template for sure.
Other blogger templates you may like are Marioland and BrandNew Folio.
Other blogger templates you may like are Marioland and BrandNew Folio.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Blogger Template | Call Of Wild
Call Of Wild Blogger template is two column blogger template with sidebar to its left and post section to its right.The theme is very beautiful and you would be going to like it for sure.Many widgets have been built inside it.Like search bar is ready at top of sidebar and rss button for the blog also ready at left of header.Also have an small welcome section at top of sidebar to write about your blog or yourself above sidebar in layout.Seo for tile has already been done for you.Top menu links are also ready for you.This template is completely for users who love to blog about wild life century or animals.
Other blogger templates you may like are My Sweet Diary and Wooden Wall.
Other blogger templates you may like are My Sweet Diary and Wooden Wall.
Blogger Template | Call Of Wild
Call Of Wild Blogger template is two column blogger template with sidebar to its left and post section to its right.The theme is very beautiful and you would be going to like it for sure.Many widgets have been built inside it.Like search bar is ready at top of sidebar and rss button for the blog also ready at left of header.Also have an small welcome section at top of sidebar to write about your blog or yourself above sidebar in layout.Seo for tile has already been done for you.Top menu links are also ready for you.This template is completely for users who love to blog about wild life century or animals.
Other blogger templates you may like are My Sweet Diary and Wooden Wall.
Other blogger templates you may like are My Sweet Diary and Wooden Wall.
Blogger Template | Call Of Wild
Call Of Wild Blogger template is two column blogger template with sidebar to its left and post section to its right.The theme is very beautiful and you would be going to like it for sure.Many widgets have been built inside it.Like search bar is ready at top of sidebar and rss button for the blog also ready at left of header.Also have an small welcome section at top of sidebar to write about your blog or yourself above sidebar in layout.Seo for tile has already been done for you.Top menu links are also ready for you.This template is completely for users who love to blog about wild life century or animals.
Other blogger templates you may like are My Sweet Diary and Wooden Wall.
Other blogger templates you may like are My Sweet Diary and Wooden Wall.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Blogger Template | Cute Outfits
Cute Outfits Blogger template is two column blogger template with sidebar to its left and post section to its right.The theme is very beautiful and you would be going to like it for sure.Many widgets have been built inside it.Like social bookmarking icons are ready below the posts and rss button for the blog also ready at left of header.Also have an small welcome section at top of sidebar to write about your blog or yourself above sidebar in layout.Seo for tile has already been done for you.Top menu links are also ready for you.Search bar is also at top of sidebar ready for you to use.
Other blogger templates you may like are Marioland and Insignia.
Other blogger templates you may like are Marioland and Insignia.
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