It's also a bit simplistic to say 'the pointy heads got it right'. I don't sense much intense research has taken place, as you can find 'expert' opinions on both sides, some of which acknowledge warming, but contend that it is manageable or overstated, and that human ingenuity will overcome. These usually also regard economic, and therefore human toll of draconian climate policies.
I do know for certain that thus far oil has raised the world quality of life almost incalculably, and if these hated oil companies turned off the spigots the world would descend into anarchy within weeks.
Sensible and not hysterical will get everybody on board and get us through.
And low 90s in Pontre Vedra in late July doesn't sound half bad. Here in Cincy my grass is still green, not a crazy hot summer imo. That may change soon :)
Was unaware of this site until recently and glad to read Paul again.
Unbelievably, I agree with you on renewing Bell. Not as much as his management as his being a great fit for this young team. Not as big a fan of his bullpen use as you, but he's improved. I hope, if they do make a trade, it's for a lefty in the pen. Maybe 2. Another righty.. Load up, let Casali go( I like the guy, but...) and try to get by until our guys are healthy.
Love Motown, especially the Temptations.
As far as climate change, I'll hold my tongue. Too many danged experts commenting. Think I'll go watch 'The Day After Tomorrow '.
I get tired of the mythical climate change that some people worry about - this past spring I had to wear three layers to get through my 9 hole golf league matches. It always gets hot in the summer - 90’s for a week or so and then I start to worry about the cold fall mornings that slow my swing during my 9 hole golf league. If we average 75 degrees this winter with no snow or ice here in Ohio, I will start to worry.
Pitching less than 200-250 innings is to much for a 24 year old???? If that's true then somebody needs to re-evaluate how we train pitchers... See below regarding a hard throwing right hander:
In response to Gibson’s success in 1968 – along with dominant seasons by dozens of other pitchers – Major League Baseball instituted several rule changes for 1969, including the lowering of the pitching mound. Gibson responded with another 28 complete games that year, going 20-13 with a 2.18 ERA and 269 strikeouts. In 1970, Gibson won his second Cy Young Award by going 23-7 with a 3.12 ERA and a career-best 274 strikeouts.
I am always concerned about giving up top prospects for a pitcher in times of desperation. The Reds basically got Steer, CES, and Benson for Mahle. He has pitched in less than 20 games since then and out this year. The rookies have somewhat cooled off lately, so it will be important to keep the prospects.
I have mixed feelings about climate change. This hot summer has caused some to push the panic button, but I recall hot summers in the past. The summer I worked construction in Cinci in 1969, there were several days of high nineties and a few 100. It was 108 in Walnut Creek, CA on 9/8/1984 when our daughter was born. Topeka temps were commonly above 100 in the five years we lived there, and St. Louis always had severe thunderstorms in the late 80's and occasional softball size hail. I am much more concerned about growing population in desert areas, water supply, and elimination of farmland, meadows, and forests. They provide CO2 conversion to O, and gradually absorb and release moisture. Eliminating forests and farmland to put in solar farms is totally idiotic. I support reduction of fossil fuels. but a gradual transition to hybrids makes a lot more sense than EV's until technology is improved. Solar and wind energy can help, but we really need the newer nuclear power sources to effectively replace natural gas and coal power for electricity. I also don't want to rely on China and other enemies for our batteries to power our personal and military vehicles. As long as China, India, and other developing countries keep polluting like they do now, nothing that we do here will make any difference. The smoke from Canadian fires this year probably counterbalance any benefits from clean energy sources in the Midwest. People also forget that it would be better to produce and refine oil in the US where the cleanest technology is used than get it from overseas sources where there are no rules in place.
I don't know how much human development has impacted the climate, but it's hard for me to believe it's "none at all". For that reason, I try not to be wasteful. I recycle, I use my furnace/AC reasonably, and I drive a fuel efficient car. I may consider a hybrid for my next one. None of these things are perfect and VERY small drop in the bucket overall. What's wrong with at least TRYING to reduce our impact on the environment? Even if it's proven that humans are only responsible for a small percentage of the increased average temps...why not do what we can to minimize it further?
Even if I'm lucky I may only be alive on this planet for another 40-50 years. More than likely, I won't see any major climate crisis in my lifetime. That doesn't deter me, though. I prefer to "leave a place better than I found it." I wish that was an easier thing for more folks to buy into.
For as long as I can remember it has been hot in the summer. Sometimes it is a little hotter sometimes not so hot. When Mark Twain said "nobody does anything about it" I believe he was being facetious.
Great Motown pick. I also enjoy the lyrics to Corpus Christi Bay. I’m not a huge baseball person, but I enjoy your slant on quite a few topics. Enjoy the heat!
If, a huge word here, Lodolo and Green return by late August then I definitely sit Abbott out after 3 or 4 more starts. I they don’t then it’s more of a crapshoot and I use the barometer of whether the Reds are playoff-bound and if they are I pitch him the last start or two before the season ends.
It never ceases to amaze me how many people default to attacking those scary, stupid "climate deniers". Why are those people not allowed to have a reasonable questioning of the so-called settled science? Science is not settled, ever. There is PLENTY of reasoned opposition in this matter, from people who welcome any challenges you bring their way. Meanwhile, their detractors shut down debate saying it's settled. Those are the people from whom you should run, and fast! A wise man once said, "A fool and his money are soon parted."
I agree with Jack on restricting the distance that golf balls can fly. Watching Calvin Peete hit it 220 yards straight and true to win golf tournaments was just as exciting as watching today’s bombers cutting doglegs and finding new target lines due to length. There’s no doubt the new generation of PGA Tour golfers are longer but are they as accurate as previous generations? How would you know? I say the game can survive a distance limitation if you keep your ego in a safe place and think of the sport’s future just as much.
As for climate change, I’m all for doing what is possible but tend to believe the cow is pretty much out of the barn on that issue. Now that solar and wind are growing steadily and providing alternatives, the negatives of those sources are more readily apparent. India and China are opening more coal plants every year and don’t look like they give a damn what Greta and her crowd think of them. The developing world says the developed world should pay for their contribution while John Kerry flies jet planes all over the world lecturing people on their bad habits? I’m a supporter of change but don’t have a lot of hope for it.
Finally, I love soul music! Melodies rule the genre, and the voices and musical creativity are off the charts in my opinion. Younger people absorbed by punk and grunge and rap pretty much have no idea how inferior those options are. You can call me an OG crank but the soul music rolling around in my head is a lot prettier than theirs. Just sayin’, of course…
Good column today. We live in the Land of Denial these days, and I'm trying to figure out any trends or patterns, like is there a certain constituency who consistently denies reality in America? I'm not sure. . . Which group regularly denies the existence of climate change despite all evidence to the contrary? Which group denies elections at the expense of the country? Which group denies an insurrection ever happened and the unfitness for office of one man in particular? Which group denied the efficacy of Covid vaccines at the expense of hundreds of thousands of lives? Which group denies the main cause of gun violence, insisting the real problem stems from not having quite enough guns in circulation, especially at schools? Which group denies the historical reality of slavery and its traumatic aftereffects? etc., etc., etc.
I guess it's hard to see a pattern, after all. . . It must be both sides at fault, and we should not point fingers.
Winning in MLB: Hard. In video game vernacular, it's the God Mode of baseball. So Nick Krall is playing the game on God Mode. So is every single player - professional baseball is borderline impossible, on the field, and in the front office. Especially when you lack financial resources. But that's why the money, albeit earned income, of which a third they'll never even see, is so good. IDK what Krall is making, but this is what he's paid to do - he's paid to bring in a Lucas Giolito to a roster putting itself in contention. So yes, extremely hard, lord knows in three decades, we're more qualified than many to discuss just how hard winning is. But they gotta do it. It must be done, the Reds have to hold of like 5 other teams in the Wild Card, or catch the Brewers, neither of which may be possible with current roster.
We need the Reds' hot stove to look like that heat map you posted, asap. Real shame what's happening btw, how is it we're so casual about slowly killing ourselves?
Trade deadlines in all these sports have changed over the last number of years. It used to be a flurry of deals in the seconds before the whole thing turns into a Pumpkin. Now, most of the impact players are acquired a week to even 3 weeks before these deadlines which i agree with. Why not get an extra 3 weeks of someone, even a rental? Hours before these deadlines it usually looks like the produce section at the grocery store early on a Sunday evening. Whatever the Reds do, i hope they don't wait until all that's left on the proverbial trade shelf are 4 bags of brown grapes from Mexico. That's always been the Reds issue at these deadlines in the last 10 years is indecisiveness. I think it's coming around, but history is history. Please don't repeat it.
Motown was the best. You hit on two of my favorite artists with Temptations and Smokey. Have you seen the movie about the Temptations?
It's also a bit simplistic to say 'the pointy heads got it right'. I don't sense much intense research has taken place, as you can find 'expert' opinions on both sides, some of which acknowledge warming, but contend that it is manageable or overstated, and that human ingenuity will overcome. These usually also regard economic, and therefore human toll of draconian climate policies.
I do know for certain that thus far oil has raised the world quality of life almost incalculably, and if these hated oil companies turned off the spigots the world would descend into anarchy within weeks.
Sensible and not hysterical will get everybody on board and get us through.
And low 90s in Pontre Vedra in late July doesn't sound half bad. Here in Cincy my grass is still green, not a crazy hot summer imo. That may change soon :)
Was unaware of this site until recently and glad to read Paul again.
Unbelievably, I agree with you on renewing Bell. Not as much as his management as his being a great fit for this young team. Not as big a fan of his bullpen use as you, but he's improved. I hope, if they do make a trade, it's for a lefty in the pen. Maybe 2. Another righty.. Load up, let Casali go( I like the guy, but...) and try to get by until our guys are healthy.
Love Motown, especially the Temptations.
As far as climate change, I'll hold my tongue. Too many danged experts commenting. Think I'll go watch 'The Day After Tomorrow '.
I get tired of the mythical climate change that some people worry about - this past spring I had to wear three layers to get through my 9 hole golf league matches. It always gets hot in the summer - 90’s for a week or so and then I start to worry about the cold fall mornings that slow my swing during my 9 hole golf league. If we average 75 degrees this winter with no snow or ice here in Ohio, I will start to worry.
Pitching less than 200-250 innings is to much for a 24 year old???? If that's true then somebody needs to re-evaluate how we train pitchers... See below regarding a hard throwing right hander:
In response to Gibson’s success in 1968 – along with dominant seasons by dozens of other pitchers – Major League Baseball instituted several rule changes for 1969, including the lowering of the pitching mound. Gibson responded with another 28 complete games that year, going 20-13 with a 2.18 ERA and 269 strikeouts. In 1970, Gibson won his second Cy Young Award by going 23-7 with a 3.12 ERA and a career-best 274 strikeouts.
I am always concerned about giving up top prospects for a pitcher in times of desperation. The Reds basically got Steer, CES, and Benson for Mahle. He has pitched in less than 20 games since then and out this year. The rookies have somewhat cooled off lately, so it will be important to keep the prospects.
I have mixed feelings about climate change. This hot summer has caused some to push the panic button, but I recall hot summers in the past. The summer I worked construction in Cinci in 1969, there were several days of high nineties and a few 100. It was 108 in Walnut Creek, CA on 9/8/1984 when our daughter was born. Topeka temps were commonly above 100 in the five years we lived there, and St. Louis always had severe thunderstorms in the late 80's and occasional softball size hail. I am much more concerned about growing population in desert areas, water supply, and elimination of farmland, meadows, and forests. They provide CO2 conversion to O, and gradually absorb and release moisture. Eliminating forests and farmland to put in solar farms is totally idiotic. I support reduction of fossil fuels. but a gradual transition to hybrids makes a lot more sense than EV's until technology is improved. Solar and wind energy can help, but we really need the newer nuclear power sources to effectively replace natural gas and coal power for electricity. I also don't want to rely on China and other enemies for our batteries to power our personal and military vehicles. As long as China, India, and other developing countries keep polluting like they do now, nothing that we do here will make any difference. The smoke from Canadian fires this year probably counterbalance any benefits from clean energy sources in the Midwest. People also forget that it would be better to produce and refine oil in the US where the cleanest technology is used than get it from overseas sources where there are no rules in place.
I don't know how much human development has impacted the climate, but it's hard for me to believe it's "none at all". For that reason, I try not to be wasteful. I recycle, I use my furnace/AC reasonably, and I drive a fuel efficient car. I may consider a hybrid for my next one. None of these things are perfect and VERY small drop in the bucket overall. What's wrong with at least TRYING to reduce our impact on the environment? Even if it's proven that humans are only responsible for a small percentage of the increased average temps...why not do what we can to minimize it further?
Even if I'm lucky I may only be alive on this planet for another 40-50 years. More than likely, I won't see any major climate crisis in my lifetime. That doesn't deter me, though. I prefer to "leave a place better than I found it." I wish that was an easier thing for more folks to buy into.
For as long as I can remember it has been hot in the summer. Sometimes it is a little hotter sometimes not so hot. When Mark Twain said "nobody does anything about it" I believe he was being facetious.
Great Motown pick. I also enjoy the lyrics to Corpus Christi Bay. I’m not a huge baseball person, but I enjoy your slant on quite a few topics. Enjoy the heat!
If, a huge word here, Lodolo and Green return by late August then I definitely sit Abbott out after 3 or 4 more starts. I they don’t then it’s more of a crapshoot and I use the barometer of whether the Reds are playoff-bound and if they are I pitch him the last start or two before the season ends.
It never ceases to amaze me how many people default to attacking those scary, stupid "climate deniers". Why are those people not allowed to have a reasonable questioning of the so-called settled science? Science is not settled, ever. There is PLENTY of reasoned opposition in this matter, from people who welcome any challenges you bring their way. Meanwhile, their detractors shut down debate saying it's settled. Those are the people from whom you should run, and fast! A wise man once said, "A fool and his money are soon parted."
Cue the insults in 3...2...1.
I agree with Jack on restricting the distance that golf balls can fly. Watching Calvin Peete hit it 220 yards straight and true to win golf tournaments was just as exciting as watching today’s bombers cutting doglegs and finding new target lines due to length. There’s no doubt the new generation of PGA Tour golfers are longer but are they as accurate as previous generations? How would you know? I say the game can survive a distance limitation if you keep your ego in a safe place and think of the sport’s future just as much.
As for climate change, I’m all for doing what is possible but tend to believe the cow is pretty much out of the barn on that issue. Now that solar and wind are growing steadily and providing alternatives, the negatives of those sources are more readily apparent. India and China are opening more coal plants every year and don’t look like they give a damn what Greta and her crowd think of them. The developing world says the developed world should pay for their contribution while John Kerry flies jet planes all over the world lecturing people on their bad habits? I’m a supporter of change but don’t have a lot of hope for it.
Finally, I love soul music! Melodies rule the genre, and the voices and musical creativity are off the charts in my opinion. Younger people absorbed by punk and grunge and rap pretty much have no idea how inferior those options are. You can call me an OG crank but the soul music rolling around in my head is a lot prettier than theirs. Just sayin’, of course…
Good column today. We live in the Land of Denial these days, and I'm trying to figure out any trends or patterns, like is there a certain constituency who consistently denies reality in America? I'm not sure. . . Which group regularly denies the existence of climate change despite all evidence to the contrary? Which group denies elections at the expense of the country? Which group denies an insurrection ever happened and the unfitness for office of one man in particular? Which group denied the efficacy of Covid vaccines at the expense of hundreds of thousands of lives? Which group denies the main cause of gun violence, insisting the real problem stems from not having quite enough guns in circulation, especially at schools? Which group denies the historical reality of slavery and its traumatic aftereffects? etc., etc., etc.
I guess it's hard to see a pattern, after all. . . It must be both sides at fault, and we should not point fingers.
Anyway, Go Reds!
Winning in MLB: Hard. In video game vernacular, it's the God Mode of baseball. So Nick Krall is playing the game on God Mode. So is every single player - professional baseball is borderline impossible, on the field, and in the front office. Especially when you lack financial resources. But that's why the money, albeit earned income, of which a third they'll never even see, is so good. IDK what Krall is making, but this is what he's paid to do - he's paid to bring in a Lucas Giolito to a roster putting itself in contention. So yes, extremely hard, lord knows in three decades, we're more qualified than many to discuss just how hard winning is. But they gotta do it. It must be done, the Reds have to hold of like 5 other teams in the Wild Card, or catch the Brewers, neither of which may be possible with current roster.
We need the Reds' hot stove to look like that heat map you posted, asap. Real shame what's happening btw, how is it we're so casual about slowly killing ourselves?
The dugout is plastered with signs for a watch store. Just sayin'.
Trade deadlines in all these sports have changed over the last number of years. It used to be a flurry of deals in the seconds before the whole thing turns into a Pumpkin. Now, most of the impact players are acquired a week to even 3 weeks before these deadlines which i agree with. Why not get an extra 3 weeks of someone, even a rental? Hours before these deadlines it usually looks like the produce section at the grocery store early on a Sunday evening. Whatever the Reds do, i hope they don't wait until all that's left on the proverbial trade shelf are 4 bags of brown grapes from Mexico. That's always been the Reds issue at these deadlines in the last 10 years is indecisiveness. I think it's coming around, but history is history. Please don't repeat it.