JL8, a web comic

I was pointed out to this webcomic a couple days ago, and I find it to be adorable. The premise is that DC Comics heroes (Batman, Superman, etc.) are 8-year-olds in elementary school. It's cute, but also plays well having personalities bounce off one another.

This is the main Tumblr account

This is the archives to better view it in order

I hope you get some joy from these too!

The Centerfield Market

Things are starting to heat up on the Hot Stove this week for the Centerfield market.

The Atlanta Braves just finalized a 5 year $75 million deal with BJ Upton. Looking at the numbers, Upton is not actually that far overpaid, I think (the kneejerk reaction is that he is), and I think he'll end up being cheaper contrat-wise than Michael Bourn, Atlanta's recent CF.

Last night, the Washington Nationals stole Denard Span from the Minnesota Twins. He's a speedster like Bourn, but a whole lot cheaper than Bourn will be ($21 million for the next three years). He's a true CF, which allows the Nats to put Werth and Harper at more natural defensive positions.

Both teams improved, but I think Washington will be happier with the price-tag. The biggest winner may be Bourn, since with two contenders out of the market, he becomes a bit more valuable being ON the market.

Update

Sorry to be out for so long, work got in the way, and I start a new job next week.

I was rooting for the Tigers, but oh well. Now the baseball offseason is in session, and I'm curious as to how it will shake out, because there is a deep set of starting pitchers... and not much else!

Eddie Yost

I'll repost this article from Fangraphs, but also post a little of my own thoughts.

Two days ago, Eddie Yost passed away at the age of 86. He was a third baseman for the Washington Senators, and if you look at the history of the Minnesota Twins and combine it with the original Senators, he still is the best third baseman in franchise history.

He was known  for drawing walks, which is remarkable considering how little power he had.

MLB Showdown stats:

OB 10, 3B+2, Speed B, 370 points
1 SO,
2-3 GB
4 FB
5-11 BB
12-17 1B
 -- 1B+
18-19 2B
-- 3B
20 HR

Alas, my Orioles!

It's a shame, but they're gone from the postseason after that loss.

Things to work on for next year:

We need a third baseman and a second baseman. While Robert Andino is entering his prime, he's really best served in a utility role. Manny Machado has done well, but he may need more seasoning in the minors. With that said though, Reynolds cannot go back to third base. Please please please no. Really. It's hard enough to watch him impersonate Adam Dunn at first.

Stop hacking at everything. Extra base hits are nice, but walks are okay to draw guys. It's bad when three players have an OBP above .340: Thome, Markakis and McLouth. You guys need to cut down on the strikeouts and put balls into play.

The pitching is fine. Defense could be tweaked, but is fine.

The Nats are on, but I need to go to bed since I have work in the morning.

TBS and their commercials

Okay, all the MLB playoff games this year are on TBS, which is usually a network I don't have issues with.

But honestly, the commercials are getting repetitive. For people who like watching as many games as possible, seeing the same dozen or so commercials over and over again is just insane.

Also, plenty of children are watching the day games, and one of the commercials is for 'Cougar Town'. Look, TBS, I know you have a vested interest in the show, but this isn't the audience to show it to. At all.

Tannhauser custom: The Children of the Hydra's Teeth

My intent for customs is to post my own, but I will also cross-post other's work because it's the right thing to do. And they are that awesome.

These are tokens/troopers for the Reich faction (Hass Harbinger specific)

http://teumessa.blogspot.com/2011/11/children-of-hydras-teeth.html