I was probably 12 when I read Ball Four. I still say “shitfuck” but I’ve (mostly) given up beaver shooting. What a strange new world Mr. Bouton opened up to a sweet, innocent boy. Man I miss that kid Read more

Ball Four was amazing.  One of the big impressions left on me was how terrible contract negotiations were back then.  “Take it or leave it!” Read more

LOVED reading Ball Four as a kid. The image of New York Yankees sticking mirrors under hotel doors to maybe catch a glimpse of a naked woman has stuck with me.

Stewart Zimmel.Since I have no way to contact you are you owe me nearly $6,000 I ask you to contact me about payment. Read more

McDonald’s bizarre forays into elevated burgers and healthy salads happened because they saw their market share dropping, even as their profits climbed. They saw the signs of a massive increase in frequency of dining out, and couldn’t conceive of it not being about them. Rather than understand how they fit in a new… Read more

To be fair, or as close as I will ever come to it, many of baseball’s issues are well beyond easy fixes. Read more

Great stuff, Mr. Ratto. Read more

I know quite a few ex-skiers who switched to snowboarding because it’s easier on the knees; totally flipping the young and reckless argument on it’s head. Read more

I just want to let you all know, I’m the best skier on this thread. Read more

The one thing that I can say definitively is that on the rare times you encounter an insane methed-out dude (always a dude) on a ski slope, he’s always on a board (I’m looking at you Arapahoe Basin). Read more

I’ve been snowboarding for about 15-18 years now. I’ve been hit many more times by skiers than by snowboarders. None have been very bad, and none of them really bothered me.
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As a skier, my annoyance with snowboarders is riding the lifts with them and the congestion they create at the top of the lifts. They also have a a much harder time moving in flat areas. Basically, they create more traffic. But that’s it.   Read more

A few rules to follow.

Mother of god. The moguls argument is exceptionally infuriating. What snowboarder actually seeks out moguls. I ride them out of necessity not out of any interest. I know I’m overly generalizing but still. I see just as many average skiers wreck moguls as snowboarders. I see just as many skiers as snowboarders take up… Read more

Interesting read, but I don’t know if after a life of snowboarding and two days of skiing you’re in the best position either from a bias standpoint or from an experience standpoint to say whether or not banning snowboarders makes the experience better for skiiers. Plus, come ski in New England where our snow quality… Read more

Yet I’ve been turned down from every slope when I wear my equally valid snowler blades, bastards. Read more

I’m an expert skier and snowboarder and live and ride in the Wasatch. I’m out from 40-80 days a year, depending on snow levels. I honestly prefer the backcountry to resorts. That said, as I both ski and ride, I’m on a lift I hear complaints from both sides. They’re all baseless and pathetic. I will say that novice… Read more

Sad to see Naz go but the sort of thing the Leafs couldn’t possibly pass up, especially with Kerfoot being able to step into the role of #3 centre that Kadri vacates.  Read more

The Leafs, though, desperately need and are going to adore Barrie. Read more

Boston owes Kadri a tribute video for when he returns to the Garden. Hell, they may have retired his number if they won the cup this year.  Read more