On the Young

On Versatility

Is there anything they can't do?

Is it really you Santa?

REPORTERS NOTEBOOK (Gettysburg Times: 12/27/08) - "We like Aunt Sharon"

During our annual Christmas meal at the Mentzer household, I commented about Grandma’s delicious feast.
“This is great,” I exclaimed.
Uncle Jeff concurred.
“One of the best meals we’ve ever had,” he said.
That got me thinking.
“What’s your normal dinner?” I asked. “Pizza and Doritos?”
Uncle Jeff replied: “I don’t eat that stuff. My wife cooks me meat and potatoes every night.”
Oh really.
“Where’d you find a woman like that?” I asked.
The answer may surprise you.
“He had to go to Bermudian,” said Pappy Mentzer.
Aunt Sharon pounded the table and shot her eyes at me.
“PUT THAT IN YOUR PAPER!” she roared.
OK.
(We like her.)
~ Scot Andrew Pitzer

On the Season

Merry Christmas!

On the BCS Rankings

BCS DECLARES GERMANY WINNER OF WORLD WAR II
US Ranked 4th

After determining the Big-12 championship game participants the BCS computers were put to work on other major contests and today the BCS declared Germany to be the winner of World War II.

"Germany put together an incredible number of victories beginning with the annexation of Austria and the Sudetenland and continuing on into conference play with defeats of Poland , France , Norway , Sweden , Denmark , Belgium and the Netherlands . Their only losses came against the US and Russia; however considering their entire body of work--including an incredibly tough Strength of Schedule--our computers deemed them worthy of the #1 ranking."

Questioned about the #4 ranking of the United States the BCS commissioner stated "The US only had two major victories-- Japan and Germany . The computer models, unlike humans, aren't influenced by head-to-head contests--they consider each contest to be only a single, equally-weighted event."

German Chancellor Adolph Hiter said "Yes, we lost to the US ; but we defeated #2 ranked France in only 6 weeks." Herr Hitler has been criticized for seeking dramatic victories to earn 'style points' to enhance Germany 's rankings. Hitler protested "Our contest with Poland was in doubt until the final day and the conditions in Norway were incredibly challenging and demanded the application of additional forces."

The French ranking has also come under scrutiny. The BCS commented "France had a single loss against Germany and following a preseason #1 ranking they only fell to #2."

Japan was ranked #3 with victories including Manchuria, Borneo and the Philippines.

On Words

What's another word for Thesaurus?
- Steven Wright

2008 College Football - Week 15 Mentzer Rankings

Top 25 after Conference Championship games. Utah and Boise State are still undefeated, If Utah beats BAMA in the Sugar Bowl, they should be crowned the champs, but Florida or Oklahoma will get that honor. If Penn State and Ohio State win their bowl games, then it shows that the Big Ten got shafted. Big 12 South has 4 good teams, we will see how 2 of them do on the big stage in January. Enjoy...


Stand Team W L F1 W F1 L W/L F1
1 Utah 12 0 406 0 1.0000 1.0000
2 Boise State 12 0 393 0 1.0000 1.0000
3 Oklahoma 12 1 545 6 0.9231 0.9891
4 Texas 11 1 494 6 0.9167 0.9880
5 Texas Tech 11 1 400 6 0.9167 0.9852
6 Alabama 12 1 419 9 0.9231 0.9790
7 TCU 10 2 268 9 0.8333 0.9675
8 Brigham Young 10 2 233 11 0.8333 0.9549
9 Ohio State 10 2 381 18 0.8333 0.9549
10 Florida 12 1 559 28 0.9231 0.9523
11 USC 11 1 381 22 0.9167 0.9454
12 Penn State 11 1 415 27 0.9167 0.9389
13 Oklahoma State 9 3 262 18 0.7500 0.9357
14 Cincinnati 11 2 411 40 0.8462 0.9113
15 Ball State 12 1 341 35 0.9231 0.9069
16 Georgia 9 3 334 39 0.7500 0.8954
17 Michigan State 9 3 331 44 0.7500 0.8827
18 Oregon 9 3 244 38 0.7500 0.8652
19 Missouri 9 4 274 49 0.6923 0.8483
20 Pittsburgh 9 3 424 90 0.7500 0.8249
21 Air Force 8 4 204 49 0.6667 0.8063
22 Oregon State 8 4 288 74 0.6667 0.7956
23 Western Mich 9 3 233 63 0.7500 0.7872
24 Virginia Tech 9 4 412 114 0.6923 0.7833
25 Nebraska 8 4 217 61 0.6667 0.7806

63 Notre Dame 6 6 159 163 0.5000 0.4938

91 Michigan 3 9 107 250 0.2500 0.2997

120 Washington 0 12 0 384 0.0000 0.0000

2008 College Football - Week 14 Mentzer Rankings

Top 25 after week 14 which was a week ago. Conference Championships are not included in this ranking.

Stand Team W L F1 W F1 L W/L F1
1 Alabama 12 0 417 0 1.0000 1.0000
2 Utah 12 0 402 0 1.0000 1.0000
3 Boise State 12 0 389 0 1.0000 1.0000
4 Ball State 12 0 332 0 1.0000 1.0000
5 Texas 11 1 477 6 0.9167 0.9876
6 Oklahoma 11 1 465 6 0.9167 0.9873
7 Texas Tech 11 1 396 6 0.9167 0.9851
8 TCU 10 2 267 9 0.8333 0.9674
9 Brigham Young 10 2 232 11 0.8333 0.9547
10 Ohio State 10 2 370 18 0.8333 0.9536
11 Florida 11 1 462 27 0.9167 0.9448
12 USC 10 1 344 22 0.9091 0.9399
13 Penn State 11 1 410 27 0.9167 0.9382
14 Oklahoma State 9 3 249 18 0.7500 0.9326
15 Cincinnati 10 2 335 34 0.8333 0.9079
16 Georgia 9 3 332 36 0.7500 0.9022
17 Michigan State 9 3 327 44 0.7500 0.8814
18 Missouri 9 3 258 42 0.7500 0.8600
19 Oregon 9 3 232 38 0.7500 0.8593
20 Air Force 8 4 202 48 0.6667 0.8080
21 Boston College 9 3 356 87 0.7500 0.8036
22 Western Mich 9 3 218 54 0.7500 0.8015
23 Pittsburgh 8 3 341 89 0.7273 0.7930
24 Nebraska 8 4 214 57 0.6667 0.7897
25 Oregon State 8 4 270 72 0.6667 0.7895

61 Notre Dame 6 6 152 155 0.5000 0.4951

92 Michigan 3 9 107 247 0.2500 0.3023

120 Washington 0 11 0 341 0.0000 0.0000

REPORTERS NOTEBOOK: 120608 - "Call Mike"

My brother Michael has always been the medical expert in the family.
That’s why he’s currently in his third year at the Penn State-Hershey School of Medicine.
I’ll admit — I knew that Mike would excel in the medical field a long time ago.
When I was a junior in high school, I was having trouble passing health class. Mom had to help me study for a big exam.The questions were so hard, that I threw a temper-tantrum.
I couldn’t even get the easy questions correct.
“Scot,” I recall Mom saying, “if I was choking and couldn’t breathe, who would you call?”
I thought for a moment, before screaming: “MIKE!”
The correct answer was 9-1-1.
But frankly, I’d still call him first.
— Scot A. Pitzer

On Passion

From James Taranto in the Wall Street Journal Online:

"According to Tchaikovsky's Wikipedia page (which uses the Polish spelling of his name), "Despite his success as a pianist, Andrzej Czajkowski's greatest passion was composition."

Or at least it was until 1982, when he started decomposing."

On Expectations

Surely they all would still have been aboard otherwise.

On Gunfighting

This seems like good advice.

REPORTERS NOTEBOOK: 112908 - "What do we eat? What do we eat? Eagle meat! Eagle meat!"

I’ll never forget getting pulled over by police in Bermudian Springs along Route 15 back in 2003.
I was 25 minutes away from home, after traveling to and from Panama City Beach, Fla., for Spring Break 2003.
Altogether, the trip was 1800 miles — I got pulled over when I was 10 miles from home.
Unbelievable.
Police cited me for speeding, and the points just recently disappeared from my record.
I already wasn’t too fond of Bermudian, being an alum of Biglerville, and as you can imagine, that incident further soured my relationship with the York Springs community.
Yes, it was my fault for forgetting about the Route 15 speed trap. We all know about it, although motorists that do not live in our area are not privy to that exclusive Adams County information.
One of those poor suckers is my dear friend Kip Fedako. He was traveling with his wife from Philadelphia for a memorial service last Saturday, and was late to the church.
Why? Because he got pulled over along Route 15, in Bermudian Springs, in the same spot I did after spring break.
“Are those the same people who pulled you over when you were coming home from Spring Break?” Kip asked.
Yes.
“Well,” he said, “at least you beat Bermudian in football this year.”
Now that’s a true friend.
~ Scot A. Pitzer, Times Staff Reporter.

2008 College Football - Ranking the Conferences

So I'm trying to figure out which is the toughest conference based on my rankings. The presumption was, that the Big 12 was the toughest followed by the SEC and Big 10, with the Mountain West coming in after that. I decided to do some math to see what would happen. I came up with 3 different formulas which produced varying results.

The first formula

Sum of the Ranking percentage of the team divided by # of teams in the conference. so the Formula winning percentage that I post is what is used in this formula. Here are the results after last weeks games.

Conference F1 WP
Atlantic Coast Conference 0.651699726
Big 12 Conference 0.651040868
Southeastern Conference 0.650627751
Big East Conference 0.637939143
Big 10 Conference 0.616289968
Mountain West Conference 0.59090955
Pacific 10 Conference 0.469114652
Western Athletic Conference 0.442050934
Mid-American Conference 0.405699024
Conference USA 0.367022237
Sun Belt Conference 0.296733206

Seeing the ACC at the top made me think that something is not right, so I created an inverse ranking of the teams and summed up those rankings and divided by the number of teams. So Utah ranked #1 gets 120 points, Alabama at # 2 gets 119, and so on. Here are those results.

Conference RANK
Atlantic Coast Conference 78.33
Southeastern Conference 76.92
Big 12 Conference 75.33
Big East Conference 74.50
Big 10 Conference 71.27
Mountain West Conference 68.22
Pacific 10 Conference 54.60
Western Athletic Conference 50.00
Mid-American Conference 45.85
Conference USA 41.42
Sun Belt Conference 31.63

Once again the ACC is at the top

Finally, I assigned an arbitrary point value for the rank and added these up and divided by the number of teams. Here is the arbitrary point value

1 - 5 = 15 points
6 - 10 = 14 points
11 - 15 = 13 points
16 - 20 = 11 points
21 - 30 = 9 points
31 - 40 = 8 points
41 - 50 = 7 points
51 - 60 = 6 points
61 - 70 = 5 points
71 - 80 = 4 points
81 - 90 = 3 points
91 - 100 = 2 points
101 - 110 = 1 point
111 - 120 = 0 points

Here are the results

Conference PV
Big 12 Conference 8.25
Southeastern Conference 7.83
Atlantic Coast Conference 7.33
Mountain West Conference 7.22
Big 10 Conference 7.18
Big East Conference 7.00
Pacific 10 Conference 5.30
Western Athletic Conference 4.89
Mid-American Conference 4.38
Conference USA 3.75
Sun Belt Conference 2.63


In this one the Big 12 did come out on top, followed by the SEC, but then the ACC is right in there at 3rd. I'm not sure if any of these formulas would be accurate. If you think they are or have an idea how to improve them or have a different one altogether, please share.

2008 College Football - Week 13 Mentzer Rankings

Utah is the new number 1. But since they have 12 games in, they will only remain there if Alabama loses to Auburn. Penn State gained some ground, but not in the standings. Michigan comes in at 89, not the worst in the Big 10 and Notre Dame comes in at 63 after getting beat by Syracuse. From a Conference perspective. The Big 12 is dominating the Mentzer Rankings followed by the SEC, Big 10, and Mountain West.


Standing Team W L F1 W F1 L W/L F1
1 Utah 12 0 387 0 1.0000 1.0000
2 Alabama 11 0 352 0 1.0000 1.0000
3 Boise State 11 0 304 0 1.0000 1.0000
4 Ball State 11 0 236 0 1.0000 1.0000
5 Texas 10 1 401 6 0.9091 0.9853
6 Oklahoma 10 1 369 6 0.9091 0.9840
7 Texas Tech 10 1 337 6 0.9091 0.9825
8 TCU 10 2 262 9 0.8333 0.9668
9 Georgia 9 2 306 12 0.8182 0.9623
10 Ohio State 10 2 359 17 0.8333 0.9548
11 Oklahoma State 9 2 242 12 0.8182 0.9528
12 Brigham Young 10 2 220 11 0.8333 0.9524
13 USC 9 1 287 17 0.9000 0.9441
14 Missouri 9 2 236 15 0.8182 0.9402
15 Florida 10 1 369 25 0.9091 0.9365
16 Penn State 11 1 395 27 0.9167 0.9360
17 Cincinnati 9 2 297 33 0.8182 0.9000
18 Michigan State 9 3 307 42 0.7500 0.8797
19 Western Mich 9 2 186 38 0.8182 0.8304
20 Oregon 8 3 158 35 0.7273 0.8187
21 Oregon State 8 3 246 56 0.7273 0.8146
22 Air Force 8 4 194 46 0.6667 0.8083
23 Central Mich 8 3 204 56 0.7273 0.7846
24 Nebraska 7 4 166 47 0.6364 0.7793
25 LSU 7 4 158 45 0.6364 0.7783

33 Iowa 8 4 256 98 0.6667 0.7232

63 Notre Dame 6 5 142 138 0.5455 0.5071

89 Michigan 3 9 104 226 0.2500 0.3152

120 Washington 0 11 0 305 0.0000 0.0000

On Details

Try this test.

2008 College Football - Week 12 Mentzer Rankings

Penn State didn't get much with its win over Indiana, but should make substantial gains with a win over 9 - 2 Michigan State. Texas Tech overtook the #1 spot and Michigan is at #82


Standing Team W L F1 W F1 L W/L F1
1 Texas Tech 10 0 324 0 1.0000 1.0000
2 Alabama 11 0 304 0 1.0000 1.0000
3 Utah 11 0 283 0 1.0000 1.0000
4 Boise State 10 0 247 0 1.0000 1.0000
5 Ball State 10 0 166 0 1.0000 1.0000
6 Texas 10 1 366 3 0.9091 0.9919
7 Oklahoma 9 1 266 5 0.9000 0.9815
8 Oklahoma State 9 2 217 8 0.8182 0.9644
9 Brigham Young 10 1 195 8 0.9091 0.9606
10 Georgia 9 2 278 12 0.8182 0.9586
11 TCU 9 2 190 9 0.8182 0.9548
12 Ohio State 9 2 293 17 0.8182 0.9452
13 Missouri 9 2 217 13 0.8182 0.9435
14 USC 9 1 258 16 0.9000 0.9416
15 Florida 9 1 340 23 0.9000 0.9366
16 Penn State 10 1 282 24 0.9091 0.9216
17 Michigan State 9 2 271 31 0.8182 0.8974
18 Cincinnati 8 2 204 26 0.8000 0.8870
19 LSU 7 3 136 20 0.7000 0.8718
20 Air Force 8 3 165 33 0.7273 0.8333
21 Western Mich 9 2 154 35 0.8182 0.8148
22 Oregon 8 3 142 33 0.7273 0.8114
23 Miami (FL) 7 3 201 49 0.7000 0.8040
24 Oregon State 7 3 190 49 0.7000 0.7950
25 Nebraska 7 4 157 43 0.6364 0.7850

48 Notre Dame 6 4 125 71 0.6000 0.6378

82 Michigan 3 8 99 186 0.2727 0.3474
83 Auburn 5 6 61 121 0.4545 0.3352

120 Washington 0 10 0 206 0.0000 0.0000

REPORTERS NOTEBOOK: 11/15/08 - "Football Tickets"

A good friend offered me tickets to Sunday night’s football game in Philadelphia between the visiting New York Giants and Eagles.
Upon further review, the tickets were actually passes to a skybox at the stadium.
With little hesitation, I accepted the tickets, and invited a Philadelphia-based lass to attend the game with me.
But alas, when I arrived in Philadelphia and picked up the stunning gal, I realized that I didn’t have any money to park near her apartment. She scrounged enough quarters to barely feed a meter that night and the next morning until the time expired.
We caught the train to the stadium and arrived two hours early, so we decided to venture up to the box. Unfortunately, we walked halfway around the stadium, and were unable to find our destination.
“Let’s get a drink,” my friend suggested.
I concurred.
We found a concession area, and I asked the waitress how much a Pepsi cost.
She replied: “Six-fifty, please.”
I looked in my wallet. Thirteen bucks. Total.
“We’ll take two!” my friend shouted, as we high fived each other.
Yeah, we’re big dorks. But the amusing part was that I was carrying the skybox passes in my spare hand, and the waitress spotted them.
“You can barely afford two sodas, but you have two box passes,” the waitress deadpanned. “How’d you get them?”
Quite frankly, it’s none of your business.
And no, she did not get a tip. I didn’t have money anyway.
~ Scot A. Pitzer, Times Staff Reporter.

PSU Wrestler Injured...

... out for season. Nittany Lion wrestler David Erwin is out for the season. The junior 174-pounder was ranked No. 18 nationally at his weight. true freshman Quentin Wright will forgo a red-shirt season and make his collegiate debut this Sunday.

The Lion wrestling team is currently ranked 7th in the country.

2008 College Football - Week 11 Mentzer Rankings

Top 25 +. Penn State took a big dive, losing to a 4 loss Iowa, dropping to # 16. Texas Tech took over the top spot after crushing Ok. St. Michigan is on the rise up to # 81. Iowa rose to # 45 and Penn States next opponent is coming in at # 94.

Standing Team W L F1 W F1 L W/L F1
1 Texas Tech 10 0 282 0 1.0000 1.0000
2 Alabama 10 0 255 0 1.0000 1.0000
3 Utah 10 0 244 0 1.0000 1.0000
4 Boise State 9 0 206 0 1.0000 1.0000
5 Ball State 9 0 146 0 1.0000 1.0000
6 Texas 9 1 294 3 0.9000 0.9899
7 Oklahoma 9 1 240 5 0.9000 0.9796
8 Oklahoma State 8 2 159 8 0.8000 0.9521
9 Georgia 8 2 222 12 0.8000 0.9487
10 TCU 9 2 161 9 0.8182 0.9471
11 Brigham Young 9 1 131 8 0.9000 0.9424
12 Ohio State 8 2 236 17 0.8000 0.9328
13 Missouri 8 2 174 13 0.8000 0.9305
14 USC 8 1 198 15 0.8889 0.9296
15 Florida 8 1 258 21 0.8889 0.9247
16 Penn State 9 1 230 23 0.9000 0.9091
17 Michigan State 9 2 229 25 0.8182 0.9016
18 Air Force 8 2 138 19 0.8000 0.8790
19 Cincinnati 7 2 156 25 0.7778 0.8619
20 LSU 6 3 100 20 0.6667 0.8333
21 North Carolina 7 2 202 45 0.7778 0.8178
22 Florida State 7 2 153 37 0.7778 0.8053
23 Western Michigan8 2 132 33 0.8000 0.8000
24 Tulsa 8 1 111 28 0.8889 0.7986
25 Miami (FL) 6 3 145 37 0.6667 0.7967

33 Oregon State 6 3 126 46 0.6667 0.7326

45 Iowa 6 4 141 75 0.6000 0.6528

52 Notre Dame 5 4 84 63 0.5556 0.5714

81 Michigan 3 7 88 144 0.3000 0.3793

94 Indiana 3 7 51 130 0.3000 0.2818

120 Washington 0 9 0 158 0.0000 0.0000

On Understanding Your Situation

An 8 point whitetail buck, 4 pointer and a button buck are standing by a field browsing on acorns.

The 8 pointer says, 'I'm happy with my 10 does, we're really getting along.'

The 4 pointer says, 'I'm happy as heck with my 5, they really take care of me!'

The Button buck says, 'I don't have any does. They all tell me I'm too young. Maybe next year I'll have some.'

Then all of a sudden a GIANT 14 pointer walks out into the field. The three bucks had never seen anything like him before, and they were in awe. The big buck made a huge scrape and pissed in it, rubbed a tree the size of a telephone pole and snapped it off at the ground! The three bucks looked on in amazement.

The 8 pointer says, 'I could probably get by with 4 does...........Who really needs 10 anyway?'

The 4 pointer says, 'You know.... come to think of it, I only really use one or two of mine!'

The button buck was silent, as the other two bucks look over to him in confusion. Suddenly the yearling runs out into the middle of the field! He rips and tears up some grass........ pisses all over the place, snorts & wheezes, rubs his head raw on a tree and chews a lickin branch clean off! Then he runs back over to his buddies.

His friends immediately ask him, 'What the hell are you doing!?'

'I'm just makin' sure that big sumbitch knows I'm a buck!'

The Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleaders

A good time was had by all.

On Large Numbers

A blonde is watching the news during which the newscaster reports "Six Brazilian men die in a skydiving accident".

The blonde begins weeping, saying to her husband, "That's horrible".

The husband, attempting to console his wife, responds, "Yes, dear, it is sad, but they were skydiving and knew the risks involved."

The blonde continues to sob and asks, "How many is a Brazilian?".

Rooster Arrested in Illinois

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/illinoisnews/story/F44C038B535FB14F862574F7005D5879?OpenDocument

BENTON, Ill. -- A rooster played chicken in the wrong town.That's the word from the downstate community of Benton, where police took a rooster into custody after it allegedly confronted a woman and her child.

Police Chief Mike O'Neill says the rooster has been bothering people lately, trying to keep them from getting where they want to go.O'Neill says officers had enough on Monday and took the rooster into custody after what he described as a brief scuffle.

Nobody was injured and the rooster was thrown in an enclosed area near the police department. There, it lived on chicken feed and water until police located the owner. Chickens aren't allowed to live in Benton and the rooster was turned over to the owner only after he promised to find it a new home in the country.

REPORTERS NOTEBOOK: Gettysburg Times (11/08/08) - "Election Day"

It was comical standing in what seemed like a three mile line with my grandfather Tuesday morning in downtown Aspers to cast my vote on Election Day.
Every other time Pap and I go to the Aspers Fire Hall to vote, it takes four minutes, tops.
We were in line for 45 minutes Thursday. And that was before we even got inside the building.
The backlog, in my opinion, was primarily the result of first time voters — or people who cast ballots strictly when the White House is available and then disappear for four years.
Anyway, Election Day should run like the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The roadway has an E-Z pass lane for frequent motorists.
How about an easy pass lane on Election Day for frequent voters? We could bypass the 45 minute line and all the people who don’t have any idea what they’re doing.
And still make it to the Elkhorn Inn in Bendersville before they quit serving breakfast.
Just an idea.
— Scot Andrew Pitzer.

On Buckeye Fans

There are some buckeye fans that made a preemptive strike trying to keep some of their brethren from starting something they deem bad by taking up URL names such as this. http://www.firejimtressel.com/

They didn't think of all of them

http://www.firecoachtressel.com/

2008 College Football - Week 10 Mentzer Rankings

Top 25 + Others of Interest. Penn State did drop to number 3, but is poised to take over one of the top 2 spots over the next 3 weeks. Texas Tech has Oklahoma State and Oklahoma over the next 2 weeks. Michigan has dropped to #98.


Standing Team W L F1 W F1 L W/L F1
1 Texas Tech 9 0 205 0 1.0000 1.0000
2 Alabama 9 0 204 0 1.0000 1.0000
3 Penn State 9 0 191 0 1.0000 1.0000
4 Boise State 8 0 158 0 1.0000 1.0000
5 Utah 9 0 155 0 1.0000 1.0000
6 Ball State 8 0 113 0 1.0000 1.0000
7 Texas 8 1 240 3 0.8889 0.9877
8 Oklahoma 8 1 190 5 0.8889 0.9744
9 Oklahoma State 8 1 136 5 0.8889 0.9645
10 TCU 9 1 140 6 0.9000 0.9589
11 Brigham Young 8 1 107 6 0.8889 0.9469
12 Ohio State 7 2 169 11 0.7778 0.9389
13 Georgia 7 2 174 12 0.7778 0.9355
14 Missouri 7 2 128 11 0.7778 0.9209
15 Florida 7 1 202 20 0.8750 0.9099
16 USC 7 1 131 13 0.8750 0.9097
17 Michigan State 8 2 172 20 0.8000 0.8958
18 Air Force 7 2 97 18 0.7778 0.8435
19 Minnesota 7 2 122 23 0.7778 0.8414
20 LSU 6 2 90 17 0.7500 0.8411
21 Cincinnati 6 2 106 24 0.7500 0.8154
22 Tulsa 8 1 95 24 0.8889 0.7983
23 Miami (FL) 6 3 134 35 0.6667 0.7929
24 North Carolina 6 2 141 39 0.7500 0.7833
25 Florida State 6 2 111 31 0.7500 0.7817

34 Oregon State 5 3 86 32 0.6250 0.7288

52 Notre Dame 4 3 64 42 0.5714 0.6038

58 Iowa 5 4 72 63 0.5556 0.5333

98 Michigan 2 7 39 110 0.2222 0.2617

120 Washington 0 8 0 106 0.0000 0.0000

My Fathers Job

A grade school teacher was asking students what their parents did for a living. "Tim, you're first," she said. "What does your mother do all day?"
Tim stood up and proudly said, "She's a doctor."

"That's wonderful. How about you, Amie?" Amie shyly stood up, scuffed her feet and said, "My father is a mailman."

"Thank you, Amie," said the teacher. "What about your father, Billy?"

Billy proudly stood up and announced, "My daddy plays piano in a whorehouse."

The teacher was aghast and promptly changed the subject to geography. Later that day she went to Billy's house and rang the bell. Billy''s father answered the door. The teacher explained what his son had said and demanded an explanation.

Billy''s father said, "I'm actually an attorney, but how can I explain a thing like that to a seven-year-old?"

On Leaders

Scroll down to the last of the content in the left pane of this blog and you will see that Free Advice has 1 Follower.

As this blog now has a follower, I hereby declare "Free Advice" a "Leader" in the blogosphere.

Accurate Pie Chart

2008 College Football - Week 9 Mentzer Rankings

Top 25 + after 10/25 games. Penn State jumped to number 2, but will probably slide back down due to the bye week, assuming an Alabama win. A Texas Tech win will probably jump them ahead of Penn State since the win will be over Texas. So Penn State will probably come in at number 3 next week. Michigan is the lowest ranked Big Ten Team at this point. Penn States next opponent - Iowa, comes in at number 53.

Standing Team W L F1 W F1 L W/L F1
1 Texas 8 0 198 0 1.0000 1.0000
2 Penn State 9 0 162 0 1.0000 1.0000
3 Alabama 8 0 153 0 1.0000 1.0000
4 Texas Tech 8 0 122 0 1.0000 1.0000
5 Boise State 7 0 115 0 1.0000 1.0000
6 Utah 8 0 110 0 1.0000 1.0000
7 Ball State 8 0 103 0 1.0000 1.0000
8 Tulsa 8 0 83 0 1.0000 1.0000
9 Georgia 7 1 150 3 0.8750 0.9804
10 Oklahoma 7 1 128 3 0.8750 0.9771
11 Oklahoma State 7 1 112 3 0.8750 0.9739
12 TCU 8 1 109 5 0.8889 0.9561
13 Ohio State 7 2 151 11 0.7778 0.9321
14 Missouri 6 2 106 8 0.7500 0.9298
15 Brigham Young 7 1 76 6 0.8750 0.9268
16 Minnesota 7 1 101 8 0.8750 0.9266
17 USC 6 1 122 13 0.8571 0.9037
18 Michigan State 7 2 128 20 0.7778 0.8649
19 Florida 6 1 123 20 0.8571 0.8601
20 Florida State 6 1 99 17 0.8571 0.8534
21 Oregon 6 2 56 11 0.7500 0.8358
22 LSU 5 2 67 14 0.7143 0.8272
23 Air Force 6 2 74 17 0.7500 0.8132
24 North Carolina 6 2 128 30 0.7500 0.8101
25 Cincinnati 5 2 66 19 0.7143 0.7765

42 Notre Dame 4 2 54 24 0.6667 0.6923

48 Vanderbilt 5 3 96 51 0.6250 0.6531

53 Iowa 5 3 68 42 0.6250 0.6182

86 Michigan 2 6 36 75 0.2500 0.3243

119 Washington 0 7 0 86 0.0000 0.0000
120 North Texas 0 8 0 137 0.0000 0.0000

I Hope Tim Dienhart Gets Cholera

On Grandstanding

Mentzer College Football Rankings?

What factors are included in the Mentzer College Football Rankings? I read this interesting article on rivals.com that basically says: according to computer algorithms Penn State football isn't very good. Yet, the Mentzer College Football Rankings are similar to the USA Today, AP, and BCS polls. The guy who wrote the article seemed to put more weight on computer rankings than human polls.

Either way, the fate of Penn State's post-season will pretty much be determined this weekend in Columbus...

REPORTERS NOTEBOOK (Gettysburg Times: 10/25/08) - "The Sheetz Gas Card"

I was leaving a party several weekends ago, when the skies greeted my exit with a downpour.
Actually, it was more like a monsoon.
It was nearly impossible to walk through the parking lot to my car without getting drenched, even with an umbrella.
My date suggested that she’d wait at the party while I trek through the parking lot to find the vehicle. Naturally, I concurred, because you always have to follow a woman’s advice.
After walking what seemed like several miles, all uphill, through a hurricane and multiple lakes in the parking lot, I returned to find my date chatting with Mr. and Mrs. John Horner of Gettysburg. Appropriately, I offered to drive the Horner’s to their vehicle, so they wouldn’t get wet.
Not only did I enjoy their company, we somehow managed to solve all of the world’s problems in our 90 second drive to their vehicle.
Surprisingly, this week, I received a card in the mail from the Horners. Enclosed was a $25 gas card for Sheetz.
“Hopefully, you’ll find this gas card handy next time you need to fill up,” John wrote.
I’ll happily drive the Horners to their vehicle anytime I bump into them.
~ Scot Andrew Pitzer.

2008 College Football - Week 8 Mentzer Rankings

Top 25 after 10/18 games.

Standing Team         W L F1 W F1 L W/L F1
1   Texas             7 0 136 0 1.0000 1.0000
2   Alabama           7 0 117 0 1.0000 1.0000
3   Penn State        8 0 101 0 1.0000 1.0000
4   Utah              8 0 98  0 1.0000 1.0000
5   Oklahoma State    7 0 97  0 1.0000 1.0000
6   Texas Tech        7 0 85  0 1.0000 1.0000
7   Boise State       6 0 79  0 1.0000 1.0000
8   Ball State        7 0 74  0 1.0000 1.0000
9   Tulsa             7 0 70  0 1.0000 1.0000
10  Georgia           6 1 113 3 0.8571 0.9741
11  Oklahoma          6 1 103 3 0.8571 0.9717
12  TCU               7 1 91  5 0.8750 0.9479
13  Ohio State        7 1 125 8 0.8750 0.9398
14  Missouri          5 2 74  6 0.7143 0.9250
15  Minnesota         6 1 73  6 0.8571 0.9241
16  Cincinnati        5 1 55  5 0.8333 0.9167
17  Brigham Young     6 1 61  6 0.8571 0.9104
18  Boston College    5 1 57  7 0.8333 0.8906
19  South Florida     6 1 65  9 0.8571 0.8784
20  Northwestern      6 1 68 10 0.8571 0.8718
21  LSU               5 1 61  9 0.8333 0.8714
22  USC               5 1 87 13 0.8333 0.8700
23  Georgia Tech      6 1 69 11 0.8571 0.8625
24  Michigan State    6 2 98 17 0.7500 0.8522
25  Kansas            5 2 54 11 0.7143 0.8308
26  Florida State     5 1 57 12 0.8333 0.8261
27  Florida           5 1 85 18 0.8333 0.8252
28  Pittsburgh        5 1 94 23 0.8333 0.8034
     
38  Illinois          4 3 42 16 0.5714 0.7241
     
44  Notre Dame        3 2 49 22 0.6000 0.6901
     
71  Wisconsin         3 4 39 45 0.4286 0.4643
     
86  Michigan          2 5 29 53 0.2857 0.3537
     
119  North Texas      0 7 0 103 0.0000 0.0000
120  Washington       0 6 0  69 0.0000 0.0000

2008 College Football - Week 7 Mentzer Rankings

Top 25 + other teams of interest. Michigan ranked at #87. May they finish below #100

Winning Percentages
Stand Team W L F1 W F1 L W/L F1
1 Texas 6 0 89 0 1.0000 1.0000
2 Alabama 6 0 83 0 1.0000 1.0000
3 Penn State 7 0 78 0 1.0000 1.0000
4 Utah 7 0 73 0 1.0000 1.0000
5 Oklahoma State 6 0 69 0 1.0000 1.0000
6 Ball State 7 0 68 0 1.0000 1.0000
7 Texas Tech 6 0 63 0 1.0000 1.0000
8 Boise State 5 0 57 0 1.0000 1.0000
9 Brigham Young 6 0 50 0 1.0000 1.0000
10 Tulsa 6 0 48 0 1.0000 1.0000
11 Oklahoma 5 1 66 3 0.8333 0.9565
12 Georgia 5 1 65 3 0.8333 0.9559
13 Missouri 5 1 60 3 0.8333 0.9524
14 TCU 6 1 60 5 0.8571 0.9231
15 Michigan State 6 1 83 7 0.8571 0.9222
16 Ohio State 6 1 79 8 0.8571 0.9080
17 Minnesota 6 1 59 6 0.8571 0.9077
18 Connecticut 5 1 57 6 0.8333 0.9048
19 Northwestern 5 1 50 6 0.8333 0.8929
20 Cincinnati 5 1 39 5 0.8333 0.8864
21 North Carolina 5 1 62 8 0.8333 0.8857
22 Kansas 5 1 45 6 0.8333 0.8824
23 South Florida 5 1 57 8 0.8333 0.8769
24 Georgia Tech 5 1 50 8 0.8333 0.8621
25 Wake Forest 4 1 54 9 0.8000 0.8571
26 USC 4 1 70 12 0.8000 0.8537
27 Florida 5 1 66 13 0.8333 0.8354
28 Florida State 4 1 35 7 0.8000 0.8333

31 LSU 4 1 34 8 0.8000 0.8095

36 Notre Dame 3 2 44 12 0.6000 0.7857

87 Michigan 2 4 23 41 0.3333 0.3594

100 Temple 2 5 12 45 0.2857 0.2105

119 Washington 0 5 0 46 0.0000 0.0000
120 North Texas 0 6 0 59 0.0000 0.0000

On the Economy

There are 10^11 stars in the galaxy. That used to be a huge number. But it's only a hundred billion. It's less than the national deficit! We used to call them astronomical numbers. Now we should call them economical numbers.
- Richard Feynman

On Cigarette Smoking

On Joe Biden

Results from the Free Advice Poll regarding the rumor that Joe Biden will drop off the Democrat Ticket on or about October 5th:

Before October 5th - %16
After October 5th  - %33
October 5th        - %16
Remain on Ticket   - %33
Present            - %16

On Dogs

From Boston Dynamics - if this thing could just hunt!

Happy Halloween

Trick or Treat.

2008 College Football - Week 6 Mentzer Rankings

After Week 6, top 25 and other notables

Standing Team W L F1 W F1 L W/L F1
1 Alabama 6 0 70 0 1.0000 1.0000
2 Vanderbilt 5 0 66 0 1.0000 1.0000
3 Missouri 5 0 56 0 1.0000 1.0000
4 Utah 6 0 55 0 1.0000 1.0000
5 Ball State 6 0 54 0 1.0000 1.0000
6 Oklahoma 5 0 53 0 1.0000 1.0000
7 Penn State 6 0 52 0 1.0000 1.0000
8 Texas 5 0 51 0 1.0000 1.0000
9 Tulsa 5 0 42 0 1.0000 1.0000
10 Northwestern 5 0 41 0 1.0000 1.0000
11 Boise State 4 0 39 0 1.0000 1.0000
12 Oklahoma State 5 0 38 0 1.0000 1.0000
13 Texas Tech 5 0 35 0 1.0000 1.0000
14 Brigham Young 5 0 30 0 1.0000 1.0000
15 LSU 4 0 26 0 1.0000 1.0000
16 Georgia 4 1 42 3 0.8000 0.9333
17 TCU 5 1 37 3 0.8333 0.9250
18 Cincinnati 4 1 33 3 0.8000 0.9167
19 Kentucky 4 1 29 3 0.8000 0.9063
20 Michigan State 5 1 53 7 0.8333 0.8833
21 Connecticut 5 1 41 6 0.8333 0.8723
22 Ohio State 5 1 54 8 0.8333 0.8710
23 Minnesota 5 1 38 6 0.8333 0.8636
24 Notre Dame 3 1 35 6 0.7500 0.8537
25 South Florida 5 1 46 8 0.8333 0.8519

32 Auburn 4 2 26 6 0.6667 0.8125
33 Florida State 4 1 30 7 0.8000 0.8108

36 USC 3 1 46 12 0.7500 0.7931
37 Illinois 3 2 23 6 0.6000 0.7931

50 Wisconsin 3 2 32 18 0.6000 0.6400

56 Michigan 2 3 22 16 0.4000 0.5789

119 Washington 0 5 0 36 0.0000 0.0000
120 North Texas 0 5 0 38 0.0000 0.0000

This is the way that a National Anthem should be sung.

I'm not even Canadian, but this gave me goose bumps :)

On Popular Mechanics

REPORTERS NOTEBOOK (Gettysburg Times: 10/04/08) - "Splitting the Bill"

Why is it that every time I’m out a restaurant with what I would consider a small group of people — four or less — and we ask the waitress or cashier to split our bill, they look at us as if we’re speaking Japanese?
Seriously, what is so hard about splitting a bill?
I was enjoying brunch last weekend with friends in Gettysburg, and we took our invoice to the cashier, and asked her to split it four ways.
She stared at us.
It's not rocket science.
Seconds later, she pressed a variety of buttons, and the cash register malfunctioned.
The cashier then asked colleagues for help, and buzzed the manager for assistance.
I stepped outside, unable to bear it anymore.
Our country has landed people on the moon, created an atomic bomb, Al Gore invented the Internet, the Wright Brothers flew an airplane for the first time, and we even have a telephone thanks Alexander Graham Bell.
But for some reason, we haven’t figured out how to split a bill four ways.
~ Scot Andrew Pitzer.

On Adjectives

"...a man who has written a great work of fiction that has moved millions around the world to spasms of emotional angst and hair-shirted asshattery. "

I wonder, what, besides asshattery, can be qualified as "hair-shirted"?

2008 College Football - 1st Mentzer Rankings

It's back, by popular demand. Here are the Top 25 Teams + a few others of noteriety, after 5 weeks

Standing Team W L F1 W F1 L F W %
1 Alabama 5 0 52 0 1.0000
2 Utah 5 0 43 0 1.0000
3 Vanderbilt 4 0 43 0 1.0000
4 Northwestern 5 0 38 0 1.0000
5 Ball State 5 0 38 0 1.0000
6 South Florida 5 0 36 0 1.0000
7 Oklahoma 4 0 35 0 1.0000
8 Penn State 5 0 31 0 1.0000
9 Texas 4 0 31 0 1.0000
10 Connecticut 5 0 31 0 1.0000
11 Boise State 3 0 30 0 1.0000
12 Missouri 4 0 29 0 1.0000
13 Oklahoma State 4 0 26 0 1.0000
14 Kentucky 4 0 26 0 1.0000
15 LSU 4 0 25 0 1.0000
16 Tulsa 4 0 23 0 1.0000
17 Texas Tech 4 0 21 0 1.0000
18 Brigham Young 4 0 20 0 1.0000
19 Georgia 4 1 37 3 0.8000
20 TCU 4 1 29 3 0.8000
21 Oregon 4 1 24 3 0.8000
22 Auburn 4 1 22 3 0.8000
23 Duke 3 1 21 3 0.7500
24 Air Force 3 1 21 3 0.7500
25 Kansas 3 1 16 3 0.7500

27 Michigan State 4 1 31 6 0.8000
28 Minnesota 4 1 28 6 0.8000
29 Ohio State 4 1 32 7 0.8000

33 Wisconsin 3 1 28 8 0.7500
34 Notre Dame 2 1 21 6 0.6667

44 USC 2 1 23 9 0.6667

46 Florida 3 1 20 8 0.7500

48 Michigan 2 2 21 9 0.5000

118 North Texas 0 4 0 20 0.0000
119 Washington 0 4 0 21 0.0000
120 Army 0 4 0 40 0.0000

On Polls

Where should "Free Advice" polls appear?
	In the left pane, as always
	In the main pain, as a post, ala this poll
	Get rid of these !@#$@$ polls!
	Present
pollcode.com free polls

O's Victory Total - Final Poll

Orioles 2008 Victory Poll

The Orioles finished with 68 victories. Free Advice gets it right! :-)

Poll Ended	Question	More than 69 Games	Less than 69 Games	69 Games
September 29, 2008	O's on pace to win 70. How many wins?	0%	100%	0%
September 20, 2008	O's on remain pace to win 72. How many wins?	33%	66%	0%
September 13, 2008	O's on pace to win 72. How many wins?	33%	66%	0%
September 6, 2008	O's on pace to win 74. How many wins?	50%	33%	16%
August 30, 2008	O's on pace to win 76. How many wins?	66%	33%	0%
August 23, 2008	O's on pace to win 79. How many wins?	75%	25%	0%
August 16, 2008	O's remain on pace to win 78. How many wins?	50%	50%	0%
August 9, 2008	O's on pace to win 78. How many wins?	83%	17%	0%
August 2, 2008	O's on pace to win 76. How many wins?	100%	0%	0%
July 26, 2008	O's on pace to win 79. How many wins?	75%	25%	0%
July 19, 2008	O's on pace to win 78. How many wins?	80%	20%	0%
July 12, 2008	O's on pace to win 82. How many wins?	40%	60%	0%
July 5, 2008	O's remain on pace to win 83. How many wins?	66%	33%	0%
June 28, 2008	O's on pace to win 83. How many wins?	50%	50%	0%
June 21, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	75%	25%	0%
June 14, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	75%	25%	0%
June 7, 2008	O's on pace to win 77. How many wins?	60%	40%	0%
May 31, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	50%	50%	0%
May 24, 2008	O's on pace to win 87. How many wins?	67%	33%	0%
May 17, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	71%	29%	0%
May 10, 2008	O's on pace to win 83. How many wins?	25%	75%	0%
May 3, 2008	O's on pace to win 91. How many wins?	25%	75%	0%
April 26, 2008	O's on pace to win 99. How many wins?	25%	75%	0%
April 19, 2008	O's on pace to win 96. How many wins?	50%	50%	0%
April 12, 2008	O's are 2-1. How many wins?	20%	80%	0%
April 5, 2008	O's won 69 in '07. How many in '08?	25%	75%	0%

THE BREW CREW: Milwaukee heading to playoffs for first time in 25 years

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=800159

Sabathia finishes what he starts

Posted: Sept. 28, 2008

It's over. It's finally over.

After 25 years of stumbling through the baseball wilderness, the Milwaukee Brewers emerged on the other side Sunday into bright daylight. Well, as bright as daylight can be when the roof is closed at Miller Park.

The 26th year did the trick. Welcome back to October baseball, Brewers fans. And welcome to the wild card, which didn't exist the last time Milwaukee made the playoffs.

"I like parties. If they're every 26 years, I guess that makes them all the more exciting," said coach Robin Yount, who played on the last Brewers team to spray champagne in the clubhouse on the final day of the season.

On a magical day in which the post-season stars finally aligned for the Brewers, the two things that had to happen actually happened. First, the Brewers took care of business by pulling out a tense yet electrifying 3-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs before an overflow bipartisan crowd of 45,299.

Then, in a surreal scene, the final two innings of the game between the New York Mets and Florida Marlins were shown on Miller Park's video screen. As Cubs fans filed out and went home, Brewers fans stayed to see if the Mets would complete their latest collapse and lose.

The Mets complied, bowing, 4-2, and the celebration began in the stands and home clubhouse. No tie-breaking game would be necessary tonight at Shea Stadium.

The Brewers were winners of the NL wild card. Next stop Philadelphia, where the best-of-five division series begins Wednesday against the NL East champs.

"It's unbelievable," said third baseman Craig Counsell, a Milwaukee native well aware of the team's quarter-century of futility in terms of making the post-season."I came back here two years ago because I thought this was a bunch of guys who could get this done. To validate that decision and make it come true for the people of Milwaukee, it's special. I'm so happy we could do it for everybody in this city."

It wouldn't have happened if not for the arrival of CC Sabathia, the big lefty who cemented his place in Brewers lore forever more. Acquired in early July from Cleveland in a move designed to put the team over the top, Sabathia proved to be exactly that.

Pitching on short rest for the third consecutive start, Sabathia tossed a four-hitter against the Cubs, who played many of their regulars despite having clinched the NL Central crown several days ago. Sabathia walked one and struck out seven, showing no weariness during his 122-pitch masterpiece.

When Derrek Lee grounded into a double play to end the game, Sabathia punched the air with his fist and let out a mighty roar as the already substantial noise in the ballpark became deafening.

"I didn't even know I was that excited," said Sabathia, who went 11-2 with a 1.65 earned run average and seven complete games in 17 starts with the Brewers. 'Sheeter' (Ben Sheets) said, 'I like the emotion that you showed.' I didn't know what he was talking about.
"The stadium was electric today. It was a lot of fun. I was just glad to be part of this big moment."

For the longest time, it appeared the day would end in disappointment for the Brewers. After Mike Cameron led off the bottom of the first with a single, the succession of relief pitchers the Cubs used to cover the game put down 18 consecutive hitters.

The Cubs managed just one run off Sabathia, and only because first baseman Prince Fielder let a grounder go through his legs for an error, setting up an RBI grounder by Ronny Cedeño in the second inning. Would that one run be enough to beat the Brewers?

"We couldn't get anything going," Counsell said. "Their pitchers were dominating. We didn't get anything to hit. Still, I think we knew we were going to get something going."

And, indeed, the Brewers did. Ray Durham's leadoff double in the seventh eventually led to a bases-loaded walk by Counsell off right-hander Michael Wuertz. The opportunity for a bigger rally slipped away, leaving the score tied, 1-1.

It didn't stay tied for long. Cameron was aboard via a one-out single in the eighth when Ryan Braun stepped to the plate against right-hander Bob Howry.

Braun remembered that Chicago's pitchers had been throwing first-pitch fastballs to him during the series, so he looked for one. And he got it. Braun crushed the pitch deep into the left-field bleachers, putting the Brewers on top and setting off pandemonium.

Braun pumped his first as he rounded the bases, then did a little skip as he crossed the plate.
"I just got caught up in the emotion," he said. "It's really difficult to describe. Just the emotion, from the crowd, from my teammates, the coaches. It was unbelievable."

Bill Hall, known for exotic greetings on the dugout steps when teammates return after home runs, didn't fare as well this time.

"I tried to do one but there was too much excitement," Hall said. "He came in, his helmet hit me in the head and I busted my lip. But it was a lot of fun. The pain is irrelevant right now, trust me."

That left it to Sabathia, who had ended the top of the eighth by spearing Koyie Hill's come-backer with his bare hand. Alfonso Soriano, batting .364 with five homers for his career off Sabathia, flied out to left.

Ryan Theriot followed with a single but Sabathia induced Lee to hit into one of the biggest double plays turned in club history. All that was left was to wait out the Mets' second consecutive end-of-season gag job.

"I can't express how I'm feeling," champagne-drenched owner Mark Attanasio said. "I'm so proud to be part of this effort, the whole group. "It's great to be able to do this for the city. Four years (as owner) seems like 20 years. So I can imagine what 26 years feels like."

For the Brewers and their fans, what it felt like was indescribable. It's over. And folks partied like it was 1982.

On the O's Victory Total

Orioles 2008 Victory Poll

Poll Ended	Question	More than 69 Games	Less than 69 Games	69 Games
September 20, 2008	O's on remain pace to win 72. How many wins?	33%	66%	0%
September 13, 2008	O's on pace to win 72. How many wins?	33%	66%	0%
September 6, 2008	O's on pace to win 74. How many wins?	50%	33%	16%
August 30, 2008	O's on pace to win 76. How many wins?	66%	33%	0%
August 23, 2008	O's on pace to win 79. How many wins?	75%	25%	0%
August 16, 2008	O's remain on pace to win 78. How many wins?	50%	50%	0%
August 9, 2008	O's on pace to win 78. How many wins?	83%	17%	0%
August 2, 2008	O's on pace to win 76. How many wins?	100%	0%	0%
July 26, 2008	O's on pace to win 79. How many wins?	75%	25%	0%
July 19, 2008	O's on pace to win 78. How many wins?	80%	20%	0%
July 12, 2008	O's on pace to win 82. How many wins?	40%	60%	0%
July 5, 2008	O's remain on pace to win 83. How many wins?	66%	33%	0%
June 28, 2008	O's on pace to win 83. How many wins?	50%	50%	0%
June 21, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	75%	25%	0%
June 14, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	75%	25%	0%
June 7, 2008	O's on pace to win 77. How many wins?	60%	40%	0%
May 31, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	50%	50%	0%
May 24, 2008	O's on pace to win 87. How many wins?	67%	33%	0%
May 17, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	71%	29%	0%
May 10, 2008	O's on pace to win 83. How many wins?	25%	75%	0%
May 3, 2008	O's on pace to win 91. How many wins?	25%	75%	0%
April 26, 2008	O's on pace to win 99. How many wins?	25%	75%	0%
April 19, 2008	O's on pace to win 96. How many wins?	50%	50%	0%
April 12, 2008	O's are 2-1. How many wins?	20%	80%	0%
April 5, 2008	O's won 69 in '07. How many in '08?	25%	75%	0%

On Size

The universe is a big place, perhaps the biggest.
- Kilgore Trout

On O's Victory Total

Orioles 2008 Victory Poll

Poll Ended	Question	More than 69 Games	Less than 69 Games	69 Games
September 13, 2008	O's on pace to win 72. How many wins?	33%	66%	0%
September 6, 2008	O's on pace to win 74. How many wins?	50%	33%	16%
August 30, 2008	O's on pace to win 76. How many wins?	66%	33%	0%
August 23, 2008	O's on pace to win 79. How many wins?	75%	25%	0%
August 16, 2008	O's remain on pace to win 78. How many wins?	50%	50%	0%
August 9, 2008	O's on pace to win 78. How many wins?	83%	17%	0%
August 2, 2008	O's on pace to win 76. How many wins?	100%	0%	0%
July 26, 2008	O's on pace to win 79. How many wins?	75%	25%	0%
July 19, 2008	O's on pace to win 78. How many wins?	80%	20%	0%
July 12, 2008	O's on pace to win 82. How many wins?	40%	60%	0%
July 5, 2008	O's remain on pace to win 83. How many wins?	66%	33%	0%
June 28, 2008	O's on pace to win 83. How many wins?	50%	50%	0%
June 21, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	75%	25%	0%
June 14, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	75%	25%	0%
June 7, 2008	O's on pace to win 77. How many wins?	60%	40%	0%
May 31, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	50%	50%	0%
May 24, 2008	O's on pace to win 87. How many wins?	67%	33%	0%
May 17, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	71%	29%	0%
May 10, 2008	O's on pace to win 83. How many wins?	25%	75%	0%
May 3, 2008	O's on pace to win 91. How many wins?	25%	75%	0%
April 26, 2008	O's on pace to win 99. How many wins?	25%	75%	0%
April 19, 2008	O's on pace to win 96. How many wins?	50%	50%	0%
April 12, 2008	O's are 2-1. How many wins?	20%	80%	0%
April 5, 2008	O's won 69 in '07. How many in '08?	25%	75%	0%

REPORTERS NOTEBOOK (091308) - "Grandma Pitzer meets the President"

Grandma Pitzer was enjoying a leisurely stroll through Soldiers National Cemetery in Gettysburg last week when she bumped into an unexpected visitor: President George W. Bush.
White House staff took a photo of the President and Grandma chatting, and then gave Grandma a card to obtain the photo.
The front reads: White House Photo Office.
The back of the card describes my grandmother in detail.
Light brown hair.
Beige skirt.
White blouse.
Lovely eyes.
Flirtatious personality.
Warm smile.
Name-tag on collar of shirt.
Wearing sunglasses.
I was amazed at how much information the federal government obtained on Grandma Pitzer.
My gosh, if U.S. Intelligence had that kind of a detailed description of Osama bin-Laden, we would have got the dirtbag by now.
~ Scot Andrew Pitzer.

On "Free Advice"

I think it would be a good idea.
- Mahatma Gandhi

On O's Victory Total

Orioles 2008 Victory Poll

Poll Ended	Question	More than 69 Games	Less than 69 Games	69 Games
September 6, 2008	O's on pace to win 74. How many wins?	50%	33%	16%
August 30, 2008	O's on pace to win 76. How many wins?	66%	33%	0%
August 23, 2008	O's on pace to win 79. How many wins?	75%	25%	0%
August 16, 2008	O's remain on pace to win 78. How many wins?	50%	50%	0%
August 9, 2008	O's on pace to win 78. How many wins?	83%	17%	0%
August 2, 2008	O's on pace to win 76. How many wins?	100%	0%	0%
July 26, 2008	O's on pace to win 79. How many wins?	75%	25%	0%
July 19, 2008	O's on pace to win 78. How many wins?	80%	20%	0%
July 12, 2008	O's on pace to win 82. How many wins?	40%	60%	0%
July 5, 2008	O's remain on pace to win 83. How many wins?	66%	33%	0%
June 28, 2008	O's on pace to win 83. How many wins?	50%	50%	0%
June 21, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	75%	25%	0%
June 14, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	75%	25%	0%
June 7, 2008	O's on pace to win 77. How many wins?	60%	40%	0%
May 31, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	50%	50%	0%
May 24, 2008	O's on pace to win 87. How many wins?	67%	33%	0%
May 17, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	71%	29%	0%
May 10, 2008	O's on pace to win 83. How many wins?	25%	75%	0%
May 3, 2008	O's on pace to win 91. How many wins?	25%	75%	0%
April 26, 2008	O's on pace to win 99. How many wins?	25%	75%	0%
April 19, 2008	O's on pace to win 96. How many wins?	50%	50%	0%
April 12, 2008	O's are 2-1. How many wins?	20%	80%	0%
April 5, 2008	O's won 69 in '07. How many in '08?	25%	75%	0%

REPORTERS NOTEBOOK (Gettysburg Times - 090608): Nieces & Nephews lose a heart-breaker to Aunts & Uncles

I report with deep regret that the Nieces & Nephews Team was unable to overcome several obstacles earlier this week at the annual Labor Day Wiffleball Bash, and we lost to the Aunts & Uncles Team by a score of 11-7.
"It's disappointing," said ace hurler Jamie Pitzer.
For the first time in years, the game was held in a neighboring ballpark, along the shores of the Susquehanna River at Aunt Connie and Uncle Dave's house, near Wrightsville. The game is normally held at Mentzer Stadium at Grandma and Pappy's house near York.
"We were sort of playing on the road," admitted outfielder Marty May.
The youngsters were evidently tired from an exhibition game that was held earlier over the weekend, when a family from Europe visited Grandma's house
."They were sore," said team captain Scot Pitzer, "but we need to learn how to overcome fatigue. Heck, my body aches every time I drive by the gym."
The game featured an amazing appearance by Grandma Mentzer, who emerged from the Sterner household sporting a referee uniform. A standing-room crowd went berserk.
"It was an uplifting moment," said Uncle Stan.
The game concluded after just five short innings, for reasons that haven't been fully explained. League officials are reviewing an appeal submitted by the Nieces & Nephews, but Chief Administrator Pappy Mentzer did not return immediate inquiries seeking comment.
~ Scot Andrew Pitzer.

GETTYSBURG TIMES: What does this season hold for the Pittsburgh Steelers?

* SCOT ANDREW PITZER'S VIEW *

Potentially, the Pittsburgh Steelers are poised to have a successful season in 2008.
Realistically, it could be a painfully long year in the Steel City.
When we last saw the Steelers, they were in a tailspin, having lost four out of their last five games, including a heartbreaking 31-29 home playoff loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Pittsburgh’s offensive line was in shambles, and their running game — once they lost Willie Parker in Week 16 to a season ending injury — was listless.
But the Steelers (10-6 in 2007) are the returning AFC North Division Champions, and they do return a formidable defense, which was the top ranked unit in the league last year.
The offense, featuring quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, isn’t too shabby either. Big Ben arguably had the best season of his four-year career in 2007, hurling the pigskin for more than 3100 yards. He also threw 32 touchdowns, and cut back on his interceptions (11), earning his first trip to the Pro Bowl.
Are the Steelers a playoff team this year? Possibly, but there is little margin for error.
Here are this season's burning questions.
Is running back Willie Parker healthy?
Fast Willie was having a breakout year in 2007, leading the NFL in rushing with 1,316 yards, until he broke his leg in a meaningless late season game against the three-win St. Louis Rams.
His season-ending injury hurt the team — immensely. The Steelers were forced to rely on journeyman backup Najeh Davenport, and the running game never recovered.
Pittsburgh’s brain trust, as evidenced by this year’s college draft, isn’t sure if Parker can return to form, so they drafted Rashard Mendenhall, a stud tailback from Illinois. Mendenhall’s immediate role with the Steelers is unclear, however the 225-pound back was a first round pick, so he’ll likely split carries with Parker, especially at the goal line.
What’s wrong with the defense?
Statistically, Pittsburgh had the NFL’s top-ranked defense in 2007.
But don’t let that fool you.
At times, the defense was vulnerable to the run: in the team’s two losses to Jacksonville, running-backs Maurice Jones Drew and Fred Taylor cruised up and down the field with ease, as if they were parting the Red Sea.
The unit's shoddy pass coverage was also exposed last season. New England dismantled the Steelers in Foxboro by a 34-13 score, and Patriots quarterback Tom Brady had a monster game in the air, throwing for 399 yards and four touchdown passes.
Defensive Coordinator Dick Lebeau is the mastermind behind Pittsburgh’s 3-4 defense, but he needs to figure out what went wrong in 2007.
Is Big Ben a leader?
Over the last four seasons, Roethlisberger has transformed from a rookie sensation, to an inconsistent gunslinger, into a franchise quarterback.
In the off-season, the Steelers signed the 26-year-old to an eight-year, $102 million contract. Is he worth the money? Pittsburgh fans hope so.
Big Ben went 14-1 in 2004-05, including the playoffs. In his second season, he became a legend in Pittsburgh, leading the team on an improbable late-season run, culminating with a Superbowl victory.
But tragedy struck soon thereafter. Roethlisberger was involved in an off-season motorcycle accident that almost took his life, and then needed an emergency appendectomy just before the 2006-07 season. Pittsburgh missed the playoffs that year, primarily because Roethlisberger had a dismal season, tossing 23 interceptions. He rebounded nicely in 2007-08, throwing for more than 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns, leading the Steelers to a division title.
Which Roethlisberger shows up to play this year? Hopefully, the 2007-08 version. Without him, it’ll be a long season.
Is the offensive line adequate?
Roethlisberger was sacked a bazillion times last year. Well, OK, he was only sacked 47 times, but that was still among the most in the league. He somehow made it through the season alive.
To complicate matters, Pittsburgh did not offer a contract in the off-season to All-Pro offensive lineman Alan Faneca, who signed with the New York Jets.
Pittsburgh’s Week One starting lineup features an offensive line consisting of: Trai Essex, Justin Hartwig, Chris Kemoeatu, Max Starks and Willie Colon.
Oh my.
If Roethlisberger stays off the ground, the Steelers could contend for a division title.
Will the league’s toughest schedule derail the Steelers?
The National Football League schedule-markers didn’t do the Steelers any favors: Pittsburgh has the league’s toughest schedule.
Pittsburgh plays nine teams that had a winning record in 2007, plus two more teams that went 8-8.
Also, seven of Pittsburgh’s opponents qualified for the playoffs last year: Jacksonville, New York Giants, Washington, Indianapolis, San Diego, New England, and Dallas.
That’s insane.
There are no pushovers.
Is it a playoff season in Pittsburgh?
If the Steelers take care of opponents within their own division and play well at home, Terrible Towels will be flying high this January.
Scot Pitzer is a Times staff reporter.

*************************************

* JOSH MARTIN'S VIEW *

Fast Willie broke his leg, the defense broke down in another home playoff loss, and Alan Faneca broke the bank by leaving for the Jets.

Fortunately, nothing in my house was broken during these breakdowns that took place during and followng the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2007-08 season, although it was touch-and-go during the painful playoff exit against Jacksonville.What will this season hold for the beloved black & gold?

Only time – and perhaps a revamped offensive line – will tell.

Here’s what I like about the 2008-09 Steelers:

BIG BEN: Ben Roethlisberger is healthy, happy (who wouldn’t be after signing a $100 million contract) and steadily climbing into the top tier of NFL quarterbacks. Big Ben passed for 3,154 yards and a team-record 32 touchdowns against only 11 picks, and has become one of the best decision-makers in or out of the pocket, as verified by his 104.1 QB rating.

LETHAL LINEBACKERS: While they didn’t conjure up visions of the Blitzburgh days featuring sack-happy linebackers Greg Lloyd and Kevin Greene, Pittsburgh’s LB unit was stout enough to lead the Steelers to a No. 1 overall ranking in total defense. Veteran James Farrior (96 tackles) is a rock in the middle, and James Harrison exploded on the scene with a team-best 8.5 sacks and 86 total stops.

What could take this unit to the next level is the emergence of second-year players LaMarr Woodley and Lawrence Timmons. Woodley is slotted to start opposite of Harrison, and of his 13 tackles last season four were sacks.

Timmons is pushing Larry Foote for a spot alongside Farrior, and should crack the starting lineup at some point this season.

OFFENSIVE BALANCE: Part of Big Ben’s career year could be attributed to the number of available weapons at his disposal. Willie Parker was a 1,300-yard back despite having his season curtailed by an injury, and the receiving trio of wideouts Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes, and tight end Heath Miller pulled downa combined 170 passes for 22 TDs.

Ward still plays the slot as well as anyone, Holmes has become a field-stretching streak – he averaged 18 yards per snag a year ago – and Miller is a sure-fire target capable of pulling down 60-65 balls a year.

Add thick-as-a-brick halfback Rashard Mendenhall of Illinois and skyscraper wideout Limas Sweed of Texas to the mix, and the Steelers suddenly have options aplenty.

Here’s what I don’t like about the 2008-09 Steelers.

KILLER SKED: I’m not sure was twisted soul dreamed up this schedule, but whoever it was clearly doesn’t wave a Terrible Towel. Pittsburgh’s non-conference opponents include New England, Indianapolis, San Diego, Dallas and Jacksonville, not to mention the Super Bowl champion N.Y. Giants. A particularly brutal stretch sees the Steelers take on the Colts, Chargers, Patriots and Cowboys over the course of five weeks.

From the standpoint of winning percentages, this schedules stands as the most difficult in NFL history.

Before anyone suggest that I use my Terrible Towel to wipe up the tears, a schedule can’t be used as an excuse if a season goes awry. (Although I may have to be reminded of that in December).

SUSPECT SECONDARY: When healthy, Troy Polamalu is a one-man tsunami, wiping out offensive game plans with his long locks waving in the breeze. Sadly, No. 43 hasn’t been able to shake the injury bug, which has not only robbed NFL fans of his dazzling defensive abilities, but also sapped the Steelers’ secondary.

Polamalu’s absence becomes more pronounced by the so-so play of corners Ike Taylor, Deshea Townsend and Bryant McFadden. Granted, Pittsburgh ranked 3rd in the NFL in passing yards allowed last season, but also ranked 30th in interceptions with just 11.Here’s the one thing that makes me wake up with chills in the middle of the night (besides big, hairy spiders):

AWFUL O-LINE: Much like the secondary, it’s a two-sided coin with the earth movers up front. The shiny side of that coin shows us that the Steelers ranked third in rushing offense at 135.5 yards per game.On the grimy side of the coin we see that Roethlisberger was sacked a whopping 47 times in 16 games, which doesn’t count the six times he was dropped in the playoff downer against the Jags.Just how hot is the pocket when Big Ben looks to throw? No. 7 hit the deck roughly once every nine times he dropped back.Losing an All-Pro like Faneca didn’t help matters – which were so dire that the Steelers gave tackle Max Starks nearly $7 million to be a backup this season.

The development of left guard Chris Kemoeatu and health of right guard Kendall Simmons and left tackle Marvel Smith will be key. Should they stay healthy, Big Ben should stay upright.

Any breakdowns up front and we’re likely looking at bone breaks for the big QB.

Despite the uncertainties in the trenches and difficult road to travel, the Steelers are widely considered the favorite to win the AFC North. Doing so may only require nine wins in a division that has oodles of schizophrenic qualities with the likes of rebuilding Baltimore, confident Cleveland and dysfunctional Cincinnati.

We rarely like to see mediocrity rewarded, but hey, if 10-6 or 9-7 means another title in the Steel City, we’ll take it.

Josh Martin is the Times Sports Editor.

On the O's Victory Total

Orioles 2008 Victory Poll

Poll Ended	Question	More than 69 Games	Less than 69 Games	69 Games
August 30, 2008	O's on pace to win 76. How many wins?	66%	33%	0%
August 23, 2008	O's on pace to win 79. How many wins?	75%	25%	0%
August 16, 2008	O's remain on pace to win 78. How many wins?	50%	50%	0%
August 9, 2008	O's on pace to win 78. How many wins?	83%	17%	0%
August 2, 2008	O's on pace to win 76. How many wins?	100%	0%	0%
July 26, 2008	O's on pace to win 79. How many wins?	75%	25%	0%
July 19, 2008	O's on pace to win 78. How many wins?	80%	20%	0%
July 12, 2008	O's on pace to win 82. How many wins?	40%	60%	0%
July 5, 2008	O's remain on pace to win 83. How many wins?	66%	33%	0%
June 28, 2008	O's on pace to win 83. How many wins?	50%	50%	0%
June 21, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	75%	25%	0%
June 14, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	75%	25%	0%
June 7, 2008	O's on pace to win 77. How many wins?	60%	40%	0%
May 31, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	50%	50%	0%
May 24, 2008	O's on pace to win 87. How many wins?	67%	33%	0%
May 17, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	71%	29%	0%
May 10, 2008	O's on pace to win 83. How many wins?	25%	75%	0%
May 3, 2008	O's on pace to win 91. How many wins?	25%	75%	0%
April 26, 2008	O's on pace to win 99. How many wins?	25%	75%	0%
April 19, 2008	O's on pace to win 96. How many wins?	50%	50%	0%
April 12, 2008	O's are 2-1. How many wins?	20%	80%	0%
April 5, 2008	O's won 69 in '07. How many in '08?	25%	75%	0%

"Pitzer returns to Voice of Canners role"

Biglerville Canner alum Scot Pitzer has been named the 'Voice of the Canners' for the 2008 High School Football season.
He will be voice of Canner football for all Musselman Stadium homegames.
Complete details of the Canner football season and a schedule can be found by logging onto: http://www.cannernation.com/.

On O's Victory Total

Orioles 2008 Victory Poll

Poll Ended	Question	More than 69 Games	Less than 69 Games	69 Games
August 23, 2008	O's on pace to win 79. How many wins?	75%	25%	0%
August 16, 2008	O's remain on pace to win 78. How many wins?	50%	50%	0%
August 9, 2008	O's on pace to win 78. How many wins?	83%	17%	0%
August 2, 2008	O's on pace to win 76. How many wins?	100%	0%	0%
July 26, 2008	O's on pace to win 79. How many wins?	75%	25%	0%
July 19, 2008	O's on pace to win 78. How many wins?	80%	20%	0%
July 12, 2008	O's on pace to win 82. How many wins?	40%	60%	0%
July 5, 2008	O's remain on pace to win 83. How many wins?	66%	33%	0%
June 28, 2008	O's on pace to win 83. How many wins?	50%	50%	0%
June 21, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	75%	25%	0%
June 14, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	75%	25%	0%
June 7, 2008	O's on pace to win 77. How many wins?	60%	40%	0%
May 31, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	50%	50%	0%
May 24, 2008	O's on pace to win 87. How many wins?	67%	33%	0%
May 17, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	71%	29%	0%
May 10, 2008	O's on pace to win 83. How many wins?	25%	75%	0%
May 3, 2008	O's on pace to win 91. How many wins?	25%	75%	0%
April 26, 2008	O's on pace to win 99. How many wins?	25%	75%	0%
April 19, 2008	O's on pace to win 96. How many wins?	50%	50%	0%
April 12, 2008	O's are 2-1. How many wins?	20%	80%	0%
April 5, 2008	O's won 69 in '07. How many in '08?	25%	75%	0%

"Scot Pitzer & Company" on You-Tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvAp0tSJ0t8

REPORTERS NOTEBOOK (Gettysburg Times: 082308) - "Eagle Meat"

I was having dinner with my parents and sister earlier this month during a week-long vacation at Virginia Beach, and one of the drink selections on the menu caught my attention.
The Bermudian.
While I’m sure the drink wasn’t named after the York Springs area community, I was certainly intrigued — so I took photos of the beverage with my cellular phone.
“What’s in it?” a friend of mine asked. “Eagle meat?”
Some folks like their drinks raw, raw, raw.
~ Scot Andrew Pitzer.

On Politics

Given this, how long til the Big 'O' declares Vladimir Putin a racist and/or a pawn of George Bush?

On the Stupid Americans

Hmmm......

On O's Victory Total

Orioles 2008 Victory Poll

Poll Ended	Question	More than 69 Games	Less than 69 Games	69 Games
August 16, 2008	O's remain on pace to win 78. How many wins?	50%	50%	0%
August 9, 2008	O's on pace to win 78. How many wins?	83%	17%	0%
August 2, 2008	O's on pace to win 76. How many wins?	100%	0%	0%
July 26, 2008	O's on pace to win 79. How many wins?	75%	25%	0%
July 19, 2008	O's on pace to win 78. How many wins?	80%	20%	0%
July 12, 2008	O's on pace to win 82. How many wins?	40%	60%	0%
July 5, 2008	O's remain on pace to win 83. How many wins?	66%	33%	0%
June 28, 2008	O's on pace to win 83. How many wins?	50%	50%	0%
June 21, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	75%	25%	0%
June 14, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	75%	25%	0%
June 7, 2008	O's on pace to win 77. How many wins?	60%	40%	0%
May 31, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	50%	50%	0%
May 24, 2008	O's on pace to win 87. How many wins?	67%	33%	0%
May 17, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	71%	29%	0%
May 10, 2008	O's on pace to win 83. How many wins?	25%	75%	0%
May 3, 2008	O's on pace to win 91. How many wins?	25%	75%	0%
April 26, 2008	O's on pace to win 99. How many wins?	25%	75%	0%
April 19, 2008	O's on pace to win 96. How many wins?	50%	50%	0%
April 12, 2008	O's are 2-1. How many wins?	20%	80%	0%
April 5, 2008	O's won 69 in '07. How many in '08?	25%	75%	0%

Reporters Notebook (Gburg Times: 081608) - "Urinating On The Floor"

I visited newlyweds a couple of weekends ago, and after knocking on their front door, I was greeted by the couple’s new puppy.
The young canine jumped up and down my leg.
Seconds later, I noticed a puddle of liquid on the floor.
“Did the dog pee when he saw you?” my pal asked.
Yes.
Apparently, the puppy gets excited anytime visitors enter the house. And urinates on the floor.
“It’s a tradition,” my friend laughed. “Maybe I’ll do it too every time people visit.”
He was joking.
I hope.
~ Scot Andrew Pitzer.

On the O's Victory Total

Orioles 2008 Victory Poll

Poll Ended	Question	More than 69 Games	Less than 69 Games	69 Games
August 9, 2008	O's on pace to win 78. How many wins?	83%	17%	0%
August 2, 2008	O's on pace to win 76. How many wins?	100%	0%	0%
July 26, 2008	O's on pace to win 79. How many wins?	75%	25%	0%
July 19, 2008	O's on pace to win 78. How many wins?	80%	20%	0%
July 12, 2008	O's on pace to win 82. How many wins?	40%	60%	0%
July 5, 2008	O's remain on pace to win 83. How many wins?	66%	33%	0%
June 28, 2008	O's on pace to win 83. How many wins?	50%	50%	0%
June 21, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	75%	25%	0%
June 14, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	75%	25%	0%
June 7, 2008	O's on pace to win 77. How many wins?	60%	40%	0%
May 31, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	50%	50%	0%
May 24, 2008	O's on pace to win 87. How many wins?	67%	33%	0%
May 17, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	71%	29%	0%
May 10, 2008	O's on pace to win 83. How many wins?	25%	75%	0%
May 3, 2008	O's on pace to win 91. How many wins?	25%	75%	0%
April 26, 2008	O's on pace to win 99. How many wins?	25%	75%	0%
April 19, 2008	O's on pace to win 96. How many wins?	50%	50%	0%
April 12, 2008	O's are 2-1. How many wins?	20%	80%	0%
April 5, 2008	O's won 69 in '07. How many in '08?	25%	75%	0%

On Codificating

Alexander Cartwright codified the original rules for baseball in 1845. June 19, 1846 marks the first game, between the Knickerbockers and the New York nine, to be played under these rules.

1. The bases shall be from "home" to second base, 42 paces; from first to third base, 42 paces - equidistant.
   
2. The game to consist of 21 counts or aces, but at the conclusion an equal number of hands must be played.
   
3. The ball must be pitched, and not thrown, for the bat.
   
4. A ball knocked outside the range of the first or third base, is foul.
   
5. Three balls being struck at and missed and the last one caught is a hand out; if not caught, is considered fair, the striker bound to run.
   
6. A ball being struck or tipped and caught either flying or on the first bound is a hand out.
   
7. A player, running the bases, shall be out if the ball is in the hands of an adversary on the base, or the runner is touched by it before he makes his base; it being understood, however, that in no instance is a ball to be thrown at him.
   
8. A player running, who shall prevent an adversary from catching or getting the ball before making his base, is a hand out.
   
9. If two hands are already out a player running home at the time a ball is struck, cannot make an ace if the striker is caught out.
   
10. Three hands out, all out.
    
11. Players must take their strike in regular turn.
    
12. No ace or base can be made on a foul strike.
    
13. A runner cannot be put out in making one base when a balk is made by the pitcher.
    
14. But one base allowed when the ball bounds out of the field when struck.

- Baseball's Book of Firsts

On Learning

One day two boys were walking through the woods when they saw some rabbit turds. One of the boys said, ''What is that?''
''They're smart pills,'' said the other boy. ''Eat them and they'll make you smarter.

So he ate them and said, ''These taste like crap.''

''See,'' said the other boy, ''you're getting smarter already.''

On O's Victory Total

Orioles 2008 Victory Poll

Poll Ended	Question	More than 69 Games	Less than 69 Games	69 Games
August 2, 2008	O's on pace to win 76. How many wins?	100%	0%	0%
July 26, 2008	O's on pace to win 79. How many wins?	75%	25%	0%
July 19, 2008	O's on pace to win 78. How many wins?	80%	20%	0%
July 12, 2008	O's on pace to win 82. How many wins?	40%	60%	0%
July 5, 2008	O's remain on pace to win 83. How many wins?	66%	33%	0%
June 28, 2008	O's on pace to win 83. How many wins?	50%	50%	0%
June 21, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	75%	25%	0%
June 14, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	75%	25%	0%
June 7, 2008	O's on pace to win 77. How many wins?	60%	40%	0%
May 31, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	50%	50%	0%
May 24, 2008	O's on pace to win 87. How many wins?	67%	33%	0%
May 17, 2008	O's on pace to win 81. How many wins?	71%	29%	0%
May 10, 2008	O's on pace to win 83. How many wins?	25%	75%	0%
May 3, 2008	O's on pace to win 91. How many wins?	25%	75%	0%
April 26, 2008	O's on pace to win 99. How many wins?	25%	75%	0%
April 19, 2008	O's on pace to win 96. How many wins?	50%	50%	0%
April 12, 2008	O's are 2-1. How many wins?	20%	80%	0%
April 5, 2008	O's won 69 in '07. How many in '08?	25%	75%	0%