Hello.

I was just curious to see who still drops in here from time to time. Tell us:

How often do you stop by?

Are there any particular issues regarding sports, the Portland area (general), Portland area (sports), baseball (general), or baseball (MLB) that you are interested in?

What are you up to these days, and how has your life changed since the Expos derby?

I hope everyone is safe and is enjoying their Christmas/holiday season.

How often do I stop by? Occasionally.
I'm kind of interested in seeing Portland State University join the Western Athletic Conference. I've pretty much lost interest in MLB.
Life hasn't changed since the Expos derby, and still stock on the graveyard shift.

Hi, Pirate, how's things down in 'Bama? You still in Dothan? I watched the New Orleans Bowl to see Southern Miss and Troy - very exciting football game, even if it wasn't of any national interest. What's your take on the Auburn situation? I'm a bit surprised they hired Chizik, even though he's a former War Eagle coach, because 5-19 at Iowa State isn't very promising (well, Casey Stengel didn't have a good record until he took over the Yankees, either, I guess ... ) Frankly, I'd have liked to have seen my old friend and former high school teammate, Bobby Wallace, who is now at West Alabama (after winning three D-II championships at North Alabama), get some consideration for the job.

Anyway, I check in here pretty regularly, about once or twice a week. I doubt there will be a whole lot of activity again until MLB finally gets around to expanding (the AL still needs two teams to even up the leagues and make scheduling easier), but I don't think we're going away. You might see a lot more traffic as this City Council Task Force on MLS/Beavers stadium situation unfolds, because some of us have some very strong opionions about it. Don't be a stranger here.

Hope you had a very Merry Christmas and enjoy the New Year!

BC, I'm still in Dothan, and I heard the Southern Miss-Troy game was very good (had to work that night, so I couldn't watch the game).
My take on the Auburn situation: from one perpective, it seemed very stupid to fire Tommy Tubberville (he didn't really "resign." He was indeed fired), especially considering his overall record, plus his record vs. 'Bama. On the other hand, it did make sense to fire him because he was very unwilling to fire some assistant coaches who were not very good, but were friends of his back from his coaching days at Ole Miss (these "friends" are the ones who got Franklin fired).
Anyway, on to Chizik. He was definitely an eyebrow raiser. Personally, I would have went after Leach, Bobby Wallace, (who did an excellent job at Temple, especially considering the talent he had to work with!!) or maybe Charlie Strong at South Carolina. But I remember looking at a University of Tennessee Football Vault one time(there are other universities who have football vaults as well, and they are being sold at Wal-Mart, Books-A-Million, and Barnes & Noble. I believe the University of Oregon also has one.)
and reading about Doug Dickey I think and how he came in not really impressive or wanted, but in the end, turned out to be a really good coach, so you never really know. I remember one guy saying that maybe Chizik was hired so Auburn wouldn't get more bad press, ala' Jetgate (the fire Tubberville to get Petrino fiasco), because both Chizik and Tubberville have the same agent. That theory makes the most sense to me.

quote:

How often do you stop by?

I think I'm still a moderator in the forums... I subscribe to the daily digest and if there is an interesting post, or I see something of relevance worth posting, then I'll stop in.

quote:

Are there any particular issues regarding sports, the Portland area (general), Portland area (sports), baseball (general), or baseball (MLB) that you are interested in?

I don't think Portland will be getting the NHL or MLB anytime soon. We like to say that they'll be prime for MLB in 10 years (bigger market, expansion to 32 teams, etc.) but who knows where things will be at that time.

I don't see the NFL ever coming here, and if Oregon, Oregon State, and Portland State continue to grow their football programs, I'm fine with no NFL.

It has been a lot of fun following the Blazers this year for the first time in nearly a decade - thank you Kevin Pritchard - and I mostly rely on Blazersedge.com for all things Blazers.

I am following the Timbers and Beavers stadium saga fairly closely, mostly over at soccercityusa.com. I think that MLS would be great for Portland, and I think that the location of the Beavers is a much, much bigger deal to the city than most people realize. But I've said my piece, and I've forwarded my research on it, and if they want to be stupid and flush $45 million down the drain on a stadium in Lents, that's their prerogative.

bizofbaseball.com is now a primary source of this type of information (go Maury!), and I also subscribe to the RSS feed at newballpark.blogspot.com to follow the A's saga.

quote:

What are you up to these days, and how has your life changed since the Expos derby?

Not too much has changed. I still follow MLB (go Tribe!) and try to visit another new stadium or two each year (next April - Fenway versus the Yankees). Same job, same house, same interests, same horrible drive to Safeco. All is well, thankfully.

OK, one big change - we're having a baby boy soon (after many years of trying). So maybe Merritt Paulson and I can compare notes???

Happy 2009 to everyone.

Good to see some one still carrying the torch for logic in our quest for more entertainment options. Hopefully AAA Baseball will stay in the Central City.

MLS is our only play at the moment. I also go over to soccercityusa to mostly listen to the conversation.

I have no changes in my situation and my boy keeping growing (now 6). I check in maybe twice a week.

BB

I stop by from time to time to check out things, but I'm not too much into the soccer stuff so I really don't have much to say about it. I do believe a stadium in Lents would be a disaster for PDX baseball. I'm gearing up for the return of Duck baseball, and the new field going in beside Autzen has my 16 year old son and I craving the sound of baseball thwacking leather. Also, the Giants return to Safeco this year - on Memorial Weekend, no less - so I will have to make a trip north this spring as well.

Right now, I'm going through a divorce, which really sucks, but the ex and I are still on decent terms, and I hope it can stay that way. Still at the same job, etc., although the economy doesn't help much.

Congrats to TCL on your future major leaguer! Good to see my old pal Pirate still here, and BC still trying to bring sanity to major college football!

Daddabo, glad to see you're back, and I'm sorry about the divorce.
BTW, to Daddabom and especially TCL,

What are your thoughts on a Portland State-Oregon Institute of Technology merger? Is it possible? Would it make sense or not? And why would it make sense/not make sense?
Would this help Portland State in its quest to one day be in the FBS (former Div IA)?
I did not come up with this idea at all, but rather I saw a post about it on a Portland State forum awhile back.

I check out the sight frequently, but don't have much to say, and it seems that applies to most of us.

Like most of you, I've come to terms with our reality regarding MLB. And to be honest, after the horrible weather of last spring, it's difficult for me to say with a straight face that MLB in spring would draw well, regardless of what the stats say.

These days I follow the Ducks pretty closely. (Blount is unbelievable). MLB falls 2nd on my list and the rejuvenated Blazers are next.

Personally: 3 daughters, ages 15, 13, 9. Am very happy as a husband and dad. Work is consistent. I won't get rich, but that doesn't matter. I have a job, and at this point, that's good news.

Finally, I'm not a soccer fan, but I'm willing to learn. I'll probably get season tickets with my brother if we land a franchise.

Best hope for the future: Uncle Paul pulls the trigger on an NHL franchise, a renovated PGE is spectacular for MLS and the Blazers keep their noses clean and stay away from shopping malls in Salt Lake City.

And for me? I'd love to become a world famous author, but at this point, I'm willing to settle for a warm cup of Budweiser and a cold piece of pepperoni.

Chiming in here.

A couple of changes. Mostly in terms of employment. I have been working for the city since October 2007. However, I was officially laid off on the last day of last year. It was a temporary assignment, anyway. So no surprise. Still, it's a change that I'm dealing with.

Nothing much on the relo front. The current economics plus the experience of the Washington Nationals has put a damper on the entire idea for now. We might finally see some sort of clarity to the Marlins situation as there may be a vote on the 22nd of this month (article posted in the Marlins section) on whether to approve a stadium on the old Orange Bowl property.

In the meantime, I'm following the completion of the new NY ballparks, the subject of much controversy over the way they're financed. Just right now, I read that the city has agreed to give up the suites they had in each ballpark because of rampant criticism. (BTW, if you're interested in what the new Yankee Stadium will look like, go to this site: http://newyankeestadiumtour.shutterfly.com/39)

Yes, I have read of the effort to bring MLS to Portland. It seems to me that they want to decide whether PGE should be a permanent host to baseball or soccer. I thought the current set-up was fine but then I don't live in the area, so I'll defer that to you guys out there.

I've given up on Portland ever getting a MLB team, or at least in a timely fashion.

I rarely check here (Ive actually gotten tired of message boards). As for me personally, I'm in grad school at PSU, on my way to becoming a teacher.

Im sure there are other things that have happened, but thats about the most exciting.

I still pop in every week or 2, but really, its dead. I am over at TalkTimbers a lot, as I know many of you are. I admire their passion, but the crassness gets old.

Other than that, working, family, dogs, and boxing 4-5 days a week.

In this economy, with poor corporate support...pursuing MLB is not a good idea, we would set ourselves up for failure. MLB should be revisited in about 6-7 years.

PDX will be a great NBA, MLS, and hopefully PSU up to WAC or Mtn West.

quote:

Originally posted by The Cactus Leaguer:
Hello.

I was just curious to see who still drops in here from time to time. Tell us:

How often do you stop by?

Are there any particular issues regarding sports, the Portland area (general), Portland area (sports), baseball (general), or baseball (MLB) that you are interested in?

What are you up to these days, and how has your life changed since the Expos derby?

I hope everyone is safe and is enjoying their Christmas/holiday season.

2nd time back since the Expos thing. What brought me back today was a story about the efforts to lure MLS here. It'll be a great place for all the illegals to go watch the games. Someone should notify ICE, asap.

Seriously, I can't believe that Portland is considering some kind of tax right now given the current economic climate. Oregon's economy is heading straight for the toilet and there is no end in site. I am surprised that any city would consider building a stadium right now. Wow.

I check in bi-monthly to see what is up.

Haven't been here more than a couple times in the last three...five (?) years or so. But I was at PGE Park Sunday for the rubber game of the renewed Civil War series in baseball, then stopped by Morse Field to chat with BC about the MLS team taking over and moving the triple-A Beavers across the river. And it brought back some memories.

Sorry this place is a graveyard. Maybe the stadium talks will renew the interest.

Aloha all,
Good to be back in Portland!
I havent posted here in a long long time. It used to be you couldnt shut me up from my ramblings. A little over a year ago I purchased an old ocean front plantation house in Hilo Hawaii and have been living among the whales and palm trees restoring it. I just got back and was hoping to see a new MLB stadium waiting for me in Portland. (dream big, right?) A new AAA stadium (upgradable to MLB of course) at Rose Quarter would be nothing but good news for our effort.I think myself and only one other member wanted that location as a first choice. I'm pleasently suprised to see it get serious consideration.
If nothing else maybe OSC can have some input on making sure the new stadium will be MLB upgradable. It sure beats just sitting on our hands. Anyways, good to be home.

Hey all,

Haven't been here in many moons. Been following the stadium issues closely and have been in constant contact with the Sports Authority and David Kahn since the Expos relo faded.

The issue with PGE Park and the Memorial Coliseum site are interesting. Seems a bit rushed, and I have concerns that there isn't more research being done to see if expansion of the minor league park at Memorial Coliseum could be done for MLB purposes in the future.

On the funding package... I have concerns about the bond market coming into play. Whole thing would be good for the city, but it's a complex package. I imagine that the $15 million gap will come from an increase in the Spectators Facility Tax component.

There have been better deals in terms of public subsidy, but not many. Just all the moving parts that are a concern.

As for the OMSI site (yes, different thread, but I'm getting the posting out of the way), I agree with Blair... don't see the synergistic qualities that the Memorial Coliseum site has, and even then, I'm not sure that the Rose Quarter will take off (it's a bit of an island due to the river and I-5, a sea of light industrial, and office space in-between the Lloyd District).

The larger question surrounds the process and whether it is being rammed through. I'm not confident in attendance projections for the minor league park, but expect that MLS will do fine (unless the season is expanded earlier into the winter... no fun, then).

In closing on this, haven't been around due to trying to keep pace with the Business of Sports Network and some other stuff (did an article for the NY Post on Opening Day eve, and I may be doing some other very exciting stuff in the future).

I'll have to peek in more often.

-- Maury

Aloha Roy, and welcome back to tropical (for a day or two) Oregon.

Maury,

I am still waiting for you to invade the mothership in Connecticut.

quote:

Originally posted by PirateNBama:
Daddabo, glad to see you're back, and I'm sorry about the divorce.
BTW, to Daddabom and especially TCL,

What are your thoughts on a Portland State-Oregon Institute of Technology merger? Is it possible? Would it make sense or not? And why would it make sense/not make sense?
Would this help Portland State in its quest to one day be in the FBS (former Div IA)?
I did not come up with this idea at all, but rather I saw a post about it on a Portland State forum awhile back.

They are partnering more with OHSU. Their focus is primarily on sustainability and building a top flight urban university.

I think they will build a new facility (3k to 5k capacity) in the next 5, maybe 10 years to replace the Stott Center for basketball and a whole boatload of other events.

PSU football will gladly soak up the benefits of the PGE Park MLS remodel.

I could see the sports program trying to upgrade to the WAC conference at some point in the future. They pretty much carry the Big Sky, and they just need a few big boosters (to replace Norm Daniels/GI Joe's) to get where they need to be for an upgrade. But like I said, sports is important but not even close to the #1 priority for PSU right now (nor should it be).