tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9982958Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:24:58 +0000No, I don't have any naked pictures on my site. Quit asking.http://hgmiller.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (H.G. Miller)Blogger188125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9982958.post-1483051202338694302Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:24:00 +00002009-11-24T08:24:58.560-08:00Best Buy is in hot water with the American Family Association for running an ad that wishes followers of Islam a "Happy Eid Al-Adha." The group has also singled out The Gap for celebrating all of the winter holidays, Wal-Mart for using an asterisk in their logo instead of a cross and aisle 13 of the local grocery store for selling Devil's Food chocolate cake mix.The Wall Street Journal has http://hgmiller.blogspot.com/2009/11/tuesday-news.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (H.G. Miller)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9982958.post-4194412598555653384Thu, 10 Sep 2009 02:37:00 +00002009-09-09T19:37:57.453-07:00 10 games scattered throughout the minor leagues doesn't really portend anything, but you've got to think you couldn't ask for better results from the Tony Pena, Jr. pitching project. <!-- BEGIN_CLIP_CONTENT ID:46917F0B-2006-42EA-B5C2-7880D6F114E2:0 CLIPMARKS.COM -->clipped from mlb.mlb.comPena adjusting to new role as pitcherEverything went very well. He started with the Rookie Surprise team forhttp://hgmiller.blogspot.com/2009/09/maybe-it-pays-to-think-outside-box.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (H.G. Miller)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9982958.post-1243869263911751950Thu, 03 Sep 2009 22:20:00 +00002009-09-03T15:20:04.732-07:00 Let's make one thing clear: David DeJesus is my favorite player on the Kansas City Royals. Has been for years. He wears the same number I did when i played ball in high school, and I've said so while sponsoring his page on Baseball-Reference.com.But in the Royals tradition of mis-allocating resources, they have apparently decided to make a PR push for David to get a Gold Glove award for his workhttp://hgmiller.blogspot.com/2009/09/royals-pushing-dejesus-for-award-what.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (H.G. Miller)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9982958.post-7759056479470503678Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:02:00 +00002009-08-27T17:02:44.634-07:00 Cool pics of an old IKEA catalog from 1965. What blows me away is how many of the pieces could be on the showroom floor today and wouldn't look out of place. <!-- BEGIN_CLIP_CONTENT ID:83293216-D4C2-41FC-A2AC-A6BC7DE96921:0 CLIPMARKS.COM -->clipped from ikketikketheo.wordpress.comIKEA Catalog anno 1965My parents like to keep the annual IKEA catalogs – it says it is the most printed book after http://hgmiller.blogspot.com/2009/08/form-follows-function-forever-ikea-1965.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (H.G. Miller)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9982958.post-9130231851133284256Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:54:00 +00002009-08-26T16:03:51.320-07:00Tried out a new thing called 16apps. The gist of it is that they will scan your Twitter history and tell you the iPhone applications you may be interested in based on the kind of person you appear to be.Apparently, I am quite the boring tweeter. What's worse is that the tweet this info is pulled from refers to cattle, not felines.You can read it here, if you care to read the ramblings of a http://hgmiller.blogspot.com/2009/08/matrix-is-not-quite-there-yet.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (H.G. Miller)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9982958.post-6461864116861924835Tue, 25 Aug 2009 23:32:00 +00002009-08-25T16:32:47.486-07:00 It looks like Google has found a way to make some money off of those YouTube videos that grab hold of the moment and skyrocket to infamy across the web.The good news is that they will be sharing the profits with the creators of these viral darlings. The bad news will likely come when you find out that funny video of your grandma farting only got you five dollars despite a hundred-thousand http://hgmiller.blogspot.com/2009/08/social-google-to-pay-you-for-going.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (H.G. Miller)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9982958.post-1081003706358249727Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:11:00 +00002009-08-18T17:11:56.844-07:00 A much larger study has probably already been done on the effect of playing position and batting results, but on the surface, it appears that the Royals may get a small boost in offensive production just by putting Mark Teahen back at third and keeping him there.His splits from playing in right field.His splits from the hot corner.For 2009 alone, his OPS+ at third is 108 compared to 67 in the http://hgmiller.blogspot.com/2009/08/gordon-demoted-teahen-back-at-third.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (H.G. Miller)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9982958.post-6316522347032944426Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:41:00 +00002009-08-06T07:43:19.692-07:00Just caught a bit of Sports Center. The were showing the top three teams in the American League central along with little fun facts about each. The Tigers are below .500 since the All Star break. The White Sox have been on a streak. And the Twins have 12 games remaining against the Royals.Seriously? F-you, Sports Center.http://hgmiller.blogspot.com/2009/08/laughingstock-status-achieved.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (H.G. Miller)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9982958.post-9086282578416934028Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:53:00 +00002009-07-10T13:53:46.009-07:00 Yuniesky Betancourt career line: 279/302/393Willie Bloomquist career line: 266/324/334For a marginal (at BEST) upgrade at shortstop, the Royals have traded away one of their top pitching prospects, a guy who would have been competing for a rotation spot next year and is only 22 years old.Unless there is an injury to Cortes that we don't know about, this is just an abysmal trade that makes no http://hgmiller.blogspot.com/2009/07/royals-begin-retooling-for-2015.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (H.G. Miller)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9982958.post-5624845482054625706Fri, 12 Jun 2009 21:15:00 +00002009-06-12T14:15:44.182-07:00 I don't think the season is lost, because I never realistically thought the Royals would win the division this year. That said, it was nice to be competitive and in the hunt early in the season, and it would be nice if the team wasn't comically bad every year.I think Rany nails it in his post below. I would say that I am still positive for this team to stay within shouting distance of .500, http://hgmiller.blogspot.com/2009/06/25-34-rany-nails-it.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (H.G. Miller)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9982958.post-8773400007826128240Tue, 26 May 2009 20:49:00 +00002009-05-26T13:49:19.518-07:00 Seth Stevenson at Slate has a nice review of the Dos Equis ads that are finally getting national attention. I've highlighted what I think is the key to these ads below, namely that the spokesperson capitalizes on his dimensionality by admitting he doesn't always drink beer.What I find more interesting is that older men seem to be making a comeback in the branding department. Stevenson referenceshttp://hgmiller.blogspot.com/2009/05/old-men-in-liquor-ads.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (H.G. Miller)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9982958.post-6086422441386010528Wed, 20 May 2009 15:31:00 +00002009-05-20T08:31:23.134-07:00 I'll just quote Ryan Lefebvre here:"One year ago today, there was an enormous ovation for the home team. But, it was for Jon Lester's no-hitter at Fenway park. Tonight, it's for the Royals after a four run bottom of the ninth inning. ... So, what's the difference between this year and last year? There you go."The camera was panning across the jumbo-tron showing the words "Royals Win!"That no-no http://hgmiller.blogspot.com/2009/05/21-18-be-gone-ye-demons.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (H.G. Miller)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9982958.post-22902492979238956Mon, 18 May 2009 20:54:00 +00002009-05-18T14:01:37.029-07:00A few weeks ago, I submitted a story to Baseball Prospectus to enter a contest they are having to find new writing talent. They have since posted the ten finalists, and as I am not one of them, I am assuming it is okay to post my submission here.You can check out the finalists for the Prospectus Idol contest here.-----------------------------------To whom it may concern:Below is my submission forhttp://hgmiller.blogspot.com/2009/05/prospectus-idol-submission-vlad-vs-russ.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (H.G. Miller)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9982958.post-5917818854182023508Mon, 18 May 2009 04:07:00 +00002009-05-17T21:17:03.223-07:00I don't generally introduce myself to people by throwing chunks of broken glass at them. But, you know, sometimes it happens.Of course, like most stories of violence between neighbors, it all began at Trader Joe's grocery store.You see, in addition to overpriced fish and stoned worker drones, TJ's also has this delicious orange-carrot-omega-something-or-other drink that is quite delicious. http://hgmiller.blogspot.com/2009/05/why-i-dont-like-taking-out-trash.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (H.G. Miller)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9982958.post-8627314788433820208Tue, 12 May 2009 05:50:00 +00002009-05-11T22:50:57.759-07:00People make a lot of mistakes in life. Don't take offense, you know you do. I'll be honest. I've made my fair share of bad decisions, but I don't think this precludes me from making judgments of others. When I see problems, I try to correct them. Sort of like a real-time Scot Bakula keeping the world on track so I can move on to my next destination and hopefully, someday, maybe make it home.I http://hgmiller.blogspot.com/2009/05/killer-karaoke.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (H.G. Miller)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9982958.post-3139225498049278822Wed, 06 May 2009 16:44:00 +00002009-05-06T09:44:15.157-07:00 I understand the need for news sites to generate traffic and clicks in order to pay the bills, but it's getting a little ridiculous. The headline below could have come straight from The Onion.I mean, is any piece of this story real news? I'm sure the porn star is considering a Senate run, but I highly doubt the electorate will consider her. <!-- BEGIN_CLIP_CONTENT ID:295349D8-D0DB-43B6-B92B-http://hgmiller.blogspot.com/2009/05/onion-infiltrates-legitimate-news.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (H.G. Miller)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9982958.post-4740524330853710944Fri, 24 Apr 2009 22:20:00 +00002009-04-24T15:20:08.542-07:00 A nice bit about Zack's scoreless inning streak from The Hardball Times. It shows just how important having strike out pitchers is. Greinke has given up some hard-hit balls, but his ability to miss bats means those base runners don't end up getting very far.We'll see if he can keep the streak alive tonight against the Tigers. <!-- BEGIN_CLIP_CONTENT ID:2C10FFF8-2C90-48A7-968E-E9E83DF38BB3:0 http://hgmiller.blogspot.com/2009/04/8-7-greinke-takes-mound.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (H.G. Miller)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9982958.post-6610792146891340551Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:49:00 +00002009-04-23T16:49:33.340-07:00 This makes me sad.It makes me sad because Gonzalez will still be a productive player in the NFL and is a known quantity compared to a draft pick.It makes me more sad because he's the last guy left who I really connect to as a fan of the Chiefs. Matt Cassel and Dwayne Bowe may be Montana and Rice for the next five years, but Tony, Trent and Priest were the guys I spent most of my time rooting forhttp://hgmiller.blogspot.com/2009/04/tony-gonzalez-traded.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (H.G. Miller)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9982958.post-8892217927915507747Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:55:00 +00002009-04-21T10:55:12.222-07:00 Since manager Trey Hillman seems to have no intellectual ability when it comes to managing a bullpen, the Royals have brought up right-handed pitcher Brian Bannister to help with in-game decision making.Oh, and he'll start on Wednesday against the Indians.Bannister had a rough go of it in 2008, when the league talent caught up with his smarts. Here's hoping that a refresher course in AAA has http://hgmiller.blogspot.com/2009/04/7-5-smart-guy-is-back.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (H.G. Miller)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9982958.post-844356772886211431Sun, 19 Apr 2009 17:12:00 +00002009-04-19T10:12:42.508-07:00 4 years for $38 Million is starting to look like a steal.Aside from a few mercy runs in Friday's game, the Royals have completely shut down the Rangers in Arlington, which is no small feat. Greinke was masterful, and good for Hillman to let him finish the game even after a runner got on base in the ninth.Talk about Cy Young awards is always premature before the season starts, and it's still a http://hgmiller.blogspot.com/2009/04/7-4-greinke-dominates.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (H.G. Miller)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9982958.post-2750803011404893817Thu, 16 Apr 2009 22:33:00 +00002009-04-16T15:33:36.553-07:00 The diagnosis is a cartilage tear in his right hip, which doesn't sound good. Gordon has had a slow start to the season, but his expected progress was to be a huge part of the Royals contending this season.The decision to hang on to Mark Teahen looks wiser with this move. The second base experiment will continue to be put on hold and Mitch Maier will take over as the fourth outfielder. <!-- http://hgmiller.blogspot.com/2009/04/royals-place-gordon-on-dl.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (H.G. Miller)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9982958.post-8540925797374023010Mon, 13 Apr 2009 14:29:00 +00002009-04-13T07:43:15.512-07:00The Royals lost the series but may have turned a corner by finally scoring some runs on Sunday in a win over the Yankees. Fielding prowess was not on display as both teams botched routine plays to give up leads.It's interesting to me that the scoring "outburst" occurred with Butler, Gordon and Guillen out of the lineup. Though, Butler did draw a key walk in a pinch-hitting appearance.It was nice http://hgmiller.blogspot.com/2009/04/3-3-slow-rollers-and-high-heat.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (H.G. Miller)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9982958.post-8590953982878798306Thu, 09 Apr 2009 21:36:00 +00002009-04-09T14:36:41.454-07:00 That grumbling you hear from the rest of the division might have something to do with the fact the Royals starting pictures haven't allowed a run since the second inning of the season.Kyle Davies kept up the good mojo by blanking the White Sox for seven innings. Ron Mahay got his chance in the eight inning and Soria closed things out, despite making it a little interesting.Manager Trey Hillman http://hgmiller.blogspot.com/2009/04/2-1-davies-throws-few-more-zeroes-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (H.G. Miller)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9982958.post-8106406478295444813Thu, 09 Apr 2009 05:56:00 +00002009-04-08T23:03:44.626-07:00And close games in the Chicago cold.Grienke, Cruz & Soria. Done and done and done.Mike Jacobs took a walk (on pace for 82!) and the best hitter from last season is still batting ninth. Mike Aviles scored both runs, getting on base ahead of the guys at the top of the lineup. So, one of Trey Hillman's moves is working.Kyle Farnsworth was unavailable, as he was still searching for the spot where http://hgmiller.blogspot.com/2009/04/1-1-pitching-wins-championships.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (H.G. Miller)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9982958.post-6029694075808432229Wed, 08 Apr 2009 23:49:00 +00002009-04-08T16:49:38.465-07:00 Dayton Moore added some insurance for Alex Gordon today. Travis Metcalf may not be a superstar, but he's a nice pick up from the Rangers. A quick look at his minor league stats shows that Metcalf struggles in his first year at a new level before adjusting. This will be his second full year at AAA.These are his numbers from two short stints in the majors:2007 - 255/307/435 in 181 PAs2008 - 232/http://hgmiller.blogspot.com/2009/04/royals-add-some-pop-to-omaha-roster.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (H.G. Miller)0