sensei8

Brian, I love how you say "interesting arguements..." concerning Bill James, AND I concur, but, for stats, he's a stat freak...and a Red Sox. As far as Mo pitching extra innings...I'll just let the stats that I already posted speak for themselfs... "Well, Mo can do more than 1 inning! In last nights ALCS game #4, Mo went 2 and 1/3 innings. Mo, in his longest outing of the season, allowed one hit and struck out two from the 8th inning through the 10th inning in Game 2 of the ALCS Saturday night. It was Mo's longest postseason outing since he threw 3 innings and was the winning pitcher in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS against the Red Sox. Mo is regularly used for 2 innings in the postseason; he has 12 career 2-inning saves in October."

Oh BOY! The Phillies beat the Dodgers 10-4 in the NLCS game #5. Now, the Phillies say..."We want the Yankees!" Sheech, be careful what you ask for Phillies because you might get more than you can handle...but being fair and all that I am...the Yankees might get clobbered by the defending World Series Champions. Anything's possible in baseball! I see a Yank/Philly World Series going ALL 7 games! Play ball....oh yeah....GO YANKEES!

Now that's funny! And...I know what you're talking about!

You're absolutely right Brian, the Dodger's pitching and bats aren't as good as the defending champion Phillies. Not even close. And I was so hoping for a Yankee VS Dodgers World Series. Well, Mo can do more than 1 inning! In last nights ALCS game #4, Mo went 2 and 1/3 innings. Mo, in his longest outing of the season, allowed one hit and struck out two from the 8th inning through the 10th inning in Game 2 of the ALCS Saturday night. It was Mo's longest postseason outing since he threw 3 innings and was the winning pitcher in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS against the Red Sox. Mo is regularly used for 2 innings in the postseason; he has 12 career 2-inning saves in October. Mo's ERA in this post season is now already the best in history among pitchers who have thrown at least 40 innings - from 0.74 to 0.72! Girardi can do anything he wants because he's the manager. Possibly Girardi always had planned to use Mo for that one inning. Possibly Girardi was scared when Mo did the overthrow to 3rd base and didn't want to take a chance for another mistake. Possibly Girardi was upset over the overthrow to 3rd base and took Mo out because he can. I'd like to think that Mo was only going to be in for that one inning, Either way, it's all good! Without relief pitchers, the starting pitchers roster would have to be 3 times deeper than it is now. Without relief pitchers, pitching careers would be real short. I'm glad we have relief pitchers because once a starting pitchers arm is useless, we can bring in relief to protect an ailing arm. Most managers don't like their starting pitchers to throw more than necessary and in that, the manager keeps a close watch on pitch counts. GO YANKEES!!!!!!!!

YANKEES WIN OVER THE ANGELS...10-1 in game #4 of the ALCS. A-Rod had one great game; he was on fire. One more win for the Yankees, then, it's on to the fall classic against the Phillies. GO YANKEES!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's my right! Someone breaks into your house while you're home. What would you rather have? A telephone to call the police or a gun? Me, I'd rather have a gun. Yes, I can call the police, then the police will come, then the police will fill out a report, then the police will treat it as a crime scene, and then the poice will take photos....of my dead body. I hate guns because they kill IN THE WRONG HANDS, but, I'm going to defend myself and my family. But God help me if after I defend myself and my family and I've killed the intruder/attacker; I better have PROOF that I acted in self-defense and some witnesses to back up the facts. I'll get arrested for using deadly force. HUH? WHY? It's the job and resposibility of the police officer to do just that after the use of deadly force. I can claim self-defense to the arresting officer(s), but, the police officer(s) job isn't to assume, the police officer(s) job is to arrest me, take a police report, and book me for the crime. It's up to the courts to sort out all of the facts and evidence before passing judgement. If all of the facts and the evidence prove without any shadow of a doubt that it was indeed an act of self-defense, then the courts/judge will find me innocent of all charges. If not, then I'll be in prison for sometime! What if I didn't have a gun and I used my martial arts skills? Same thing will happen as above with one exception. There won't be any tangible weapon like a gun, knife, and/or the like to book as evidence; just you! It's my right! After the ordeal's over and knowing that my family and I are ok; then, it was a priviledge to PROTECT my family and me!

While I was watching "Gifted Hands", starring Cuba Gooding Jr., about Dr. Ben Carson, a renowned brain surgeon, I was prompted to think about this topic. What decision Dr. Carson was faced with on that day is far greater and far more important than what we martial artists could encounter in our daily lifes. But, are our decisions and situations less important than that of a Doctor's because we're just martial artists? No! Why? Both are trying to save a life! As this scence unfolds before our eyes, we learn that when Dr. Carson was faced with this desicion he was only a Resident at John Hopkins Hospital. A patient is brought into emergency with blunt trauma to the head, and all of the surgeon's were away at a conference. This patient was rapidly deteriorating and if surgery isn't performed soon, this patient will die. As a Resident, it is illegal for Dr. Carson to perform surgery without an Attending Physician present. What to do? Life is on a delicate scale; tottering to and fro, from the brink of life to death and back and forth. What to do? Does Dr. Carson obey the law? Risking everything, including his freedom. Or, does Dr. Carson obey his moral conscious and his moral obligations? Doing what he's sworn to do; save a life. What does he do? What can he do? He performs the surgery and in that, Dr. Carson saves the life of the patient. But, it's not over. He's violated the law and he operated without permission and without supervision. Had the patient died, his medical career would've been over. Dr. Carson, because he saved the life of that patient, he's congratulated on an excellent job and commended on taking the proper actions in spite of the possible consequences. Dr. Carson chose his good and admirable morality over the imposed legalities, and in that, he saved a life! When martial artists are faced with similar decisions involving life or death; what do we do? Our lifes, and/or the lifes of our loved ones are in the sensitive balance, and what we decide when our attacker forces our hand; do we choose correctly? We know that we must decide instantly or my family or I might die if I hesitate. There's nobody around to advice us, we're all alone in our decisions as the attacker is bearing down on us with malicious thoughts to do us or myself great bodily harm. Bodily harm? Yes, what other types of harm are there? Decide correctly or face the direst consequences, either way; die...or...prison! Therefore, Do we do what's morally right; to save the life? OR Do we do what's legally right; to uphold the law? Is the answer as simple as that? Is it as simple as right or wrong? Is it black or white? Is it as simple as it's them [attackers] or us?

Phillies again! Phillies again! Phillies win game 4 of the NLCS over the lost Dodgers...again in this NLCS series; 3-1. The Dodgers can't seem to figure or beat the Phillies no matter what they do. Phillies win over the Dodgers; 5-4. Phillies are just 1 game from clinching their 5th NLCS since 1969, therefore, the Phillies will be winning NLCS in back to back years. Phillies beat the Dodgers in last years (2008) NLCS series; 4-1. History DOES have a nasty habit of repeating itself! MLB is no exception to the rule! Can the Dodgers win the NLCS? Can the Dodgers win 3 straight games against the Phillies, who have figured out how to beat the Dodgers? Well...YES...if the Phillies can't remember how to get to their own stadium. And that's not ever going to happen. If by some miracle, and baseball has been known to pull them off once in a while, and the Dodgers win game #5 of the NLCS, then games #6 and #7 will be played at Dodger stadium. So.... Come on Dodgers!

Denver 34 Chargers 23 Ugly uniforms for Denver, but, their play during MNF wasn't. Denver was slow out of the blocks, but, once they got the momentum, it was Denver across the tape to win. Nice Monday Night Football game after all!

DRAT!!!!!!!!!! Angels won in the bottom of the 11th innings by the score 5-4 with a game winning RBI double by Angels catcher, Mathis. Oh well, it's only one game, it's ok. The shock for me was that Mo only lasted 1 inning! Mo blew a simple throw to third, but, the Angels didn't take advantage of the Mo boo-boo which for some reason, wasn't scored as an error for Mo. After that mistake, Mo was solid. BUT, Girardi pulls the greatest closer ever in baseball out of the game for only God knows why. Sheech! What kind of hurt the Yanks was Girardi playing musical strange chairs with his players. You go here and you go there and wait no you go in for this guy and then you pitch and then you DH and then you take over in left field and....WOW! Baseball is simple, until Managers start to NOT USING THEIR NOGGINS!!! And Girardi started to complicate the simple game of baseball. Oh well, as I've said it 10 billion times before and I'll say it another 10 billion time; I'm not in the MLB and they are. Yankees are still leading the ALCS series by 2-1. Two more games in California, then, back to the Bronx. GO YANKEES!!!!!!!!!

I LOVE baseball and I LOVE the Yankees. It was my pleasure to share the info. Yeah, I've read Bill James, eventhough he's STILL works for the Red Sox's! Sheech! Bill's a statisical freak, and I mean this in a good way and in an admirable way. If I want TRUE stats, then I hunt down Bill James stats and stuff. Some of the books that I've read are: "The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract", "This Time Let's Not Eat the Bones", "Whatever Happened to the Hall of Fame?" [This book used to be called "The Politics Of Glory"], "The Bill James Guide to Baseball Managers", "The Bill James Handbook", "How Bill James Changed Our View of Baseball: by Colleagues, Critics, Competitors and Just Plain Fans" (I love this one), and "The Bill James Gold Mine". I've read some of his stuff, but, not all of his stuff! Did you know that Bill James received 2 World Series Rings from the Red Sox wins in 2004 and 2007. Perks of working for the Red Sox's....must be nice...the World Series rings, not the working for the Red Sox's. GO YANKEES!!!!!!!!!!

Brian, You've been waiting some time now to say..."Yeah hoo!!! Go Chiefs!!!!" It's ok, I don't blame you a bit. I'm still waiting to say..."Yeah hoo!!!! Bye Romo!!!" But....Nnnnnnnnnnnnooooooooooooooooo!!!! You and me both! I can't believe that the Titans are this bad, hey, I know, they can get...ROMO on their team....that'll help! Hehehehehehehe No way! I don't see the Chargers winning against Denver, even though the Chargers are at home! But...one never knows in any sport until the fat lady sings!

1 out of 3 is good! It's the learning experience and the FUN that's what's so great. Basketball...has she beat you yet? It's ok, you're amoungst friends, you can tell us. My 15 year old son Nathan beats me 8 out of 10 basketball games and when I do win, I think that's because....he lets me...I think! Besides...girls rule! That's right! If you don't believe me just ask my wife and my daughter....yeah!

Happy 4th Birthday to your son...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!

Phillies SPANK the blue right off the Dodgers with the score for Game #3 for the NLCS...11-0, which puts the Phillies back in the drivers seat with a lead in their series...2-1. Will this series go to a game #7? I think/hope so because these two are going to trade the 'W' thoughout this championship series. BTW, Yankees at the Angels this coming Monday with Pettittle on the mound for the Yankees; he's got a 4.16 ERA. Angels are going with Weaver; he's got a 3.75 ERA. What the Yankees got going for them right now...HOT BATS and the Angels have COLD BATS....hehehehehehehehehehehe.....bats from the frozen tundra. GO YANKEES!!!!!!!!!!

Interesting week #6 in the NFL. Alot of great games on the tube this week as well as some upsets... >Brian will love this one...KC WON against Washington...14-6. Maybe the monkey will stay off KC's back. >My Cowboys had a bye...thank the Lord! The Boys have the Falcons next week and this will not be fun for the Boys. Speaking of Atlanta, they beat the Bears...21-14. >Saints beat the Giants...48-27. >Raiders beat the Eagles...13-9. Still, the Raiders are the worse team in the NFL...per the stats! >My pick for the Game of this Week is...Vikings over the Ravens...33-31. What a game! Will Farve get his ring this year?...possibly his last year...but he looks solid! >Patriots SMASHED the Titans...59-0...The snow looked fun and it looked like the Titans didn't like the snow either, while the Pats enjoyed the snow. **Monday Night Football: Denver (5-0) at San Diego (2-2). My prediction...Denver WINS 28-7 Right now, there's only four (4) teams that remain undefeated...Denver (5-0), Indianapolis (5-0), New Orleans (5-0), and Minnesota (6-0). These are the ducks of the NFL thus far with no wins, not one...Tennessee (0-6) , Tampa Bay (0-6) , and St. Louis (0-6).

Good luck to her this weekend! Let us know how it went?

At the risk of already repeating someone's similar response to these questions, I'd like to comment. Whether we're of differing methodologies isn't that important for me to offer my comments. Even though this point shouldn't be totally ignored, but, set it aside for now. Yes, follow the instructions of your instructor because he/she is just that...your instructor. Yes! The supporting foot should be pointing away from the kick 180 degrees. Reason(s)? Hips are allowed to open/roll AND the knee of the supporting leg is in a more safer/secure position AND the apex of the power curve is achieved. I'm of the shared opinion of many of my fellow practitioners of the martial arts, that if the supporting foot is perpendicular to the kick several negative things occur. For one, the power curve is stalled/arrested because the hips are closed. Number two, the hips aren't/can't roll due to the perpendicular attitude of the supporting foot to the kicking foot. Thirdly, it might hurt in the hip area, as it does with you, because your body is trying to do one thing, kick, while your trying to do something else that's out of concert in order to complete the kick itself. I'm also of the shared opinion that if one's having the supporting foot perpendicular to the kicking foot affects the balance. Affected balance robs the power curve and affects the effectiveness of the kick. Why? Because of the perpendicular supporting foot isn't providing proper footing. In this, when the foot contacts the target, the supporting knee can't properly absorb the kick. It's the old saying: To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Therefore, a supporting knee that's found in a finished/completed perpendicular position to/from the kick is in risk of injuries from undue pressure that's being applied to the knee area. In closing, heed to the instructions of your instructor BUT listen to what your body is telling you. Don't subject yourself to unnecessary risks of injuries. If your body is screaming for you to STOP and to NOT continue in this manner, then, LISTEN TO WHAT YOUR BODY IS TRYING TO TELL YOU; STOP!

Just a few questions... Would you have done what Roger Clemens did? AND/OR Was Roger Clemens, in your opinion, correct in his actions? AND/OR Was Roger Clemens' actions toward his son just part of baseball? AND/OR If we were to have done this to our son/daughter in the setting of the dojo; would've my similar actions that of Roger Clemens been just a part of the martial arts? NOTE: I'm not condemning nor am I approving the actions of Roger Clemens toward his son, Koby! I'm just using the incident as a model for this thread/topic. BTW, here's the ESPN/MLB article about the near beanball that Roger delivered to his son Koby... http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2346877&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

I've no idea/advise/help/comment because I'm not a doctor. So, if I say something and I'm wrong, well...I'm not a doctor. Sorry!

In watching the three different video's of Yoo Sin hyung, the camera was to the practitioners back, and therefore I couldn't tell much. A few questions first... 1) Is the crescent kicking foot suppose to come all the way down to the floor BEFORE the side kick is delivered? OR 2) Is the cresent kicking foot suppose to return to the supporting legs knee BEFORE the side kick is delivered? OR 3) Either way, is there suppose to be a very slight pause AFTER the crescent kick AND before the side kick is delivered? Either way, allow me to offer this small bit of advice. No matter the methodology, the key, imho, is the crescent kick smacking the outstretched hand and then following through during the pivot to the completion of the crescent kick. For the side kick to flow into the power curve successfully, the crescent kick must be crisp, flowing, and CONTINUE to the set-up point of the side kick. Getting the crescent kicking foot to the outstretched hand is nothing more than STRETCHING, pivoting, fluid motion, and a great floor to perform the hyung. A mat can "grasp" at the pivoting foot and this can unbalance the whole cart. Not stretching the entire body can prevent something as simple as smacking the outstretched hand with a crescent kick. In conclusion, I'd treat the entire process, at first, as ONE BIG KICK. Get the crescent leg up and through the outstretched hand while pivoting at the appropriate time and then finish the flowing motion of the ONE BIG KICK with the side kick. After the ONE BIG KICK/MOTION is successful, then, bring the hips back into the picture for effectiveness. Also, don't let the supporting knee go completely straight at any time and don't over lean to any side and don't drop the head. All of this will make it all the worse for wear. I'm not really telling you anything new because you're a black belt and you know both of these kicks when you do them seperately, therefore, all you have to do now is put them all together for ONE BIG KICK. It's the old killing two birds with one stone. One last thing, maybe you're a bit tired/winded by the time you get to these BIG KICK COMBOS, after all, it's a long form. How's your cardio? These are nothing more than suggestions. Your instructor is who I'd ask if I was you if we can't help. But, none the less, I hope my advice was of some help to you. Now, rock and roll!

Most of us who love the game of baseball know about Rogers Clemens, The Rocket. Trust me, this is a General Martial Arts topic/question. On February 27, 2006, to train for the World Baseball Classic, Roger pitched in an exhibition game between the Astros and his son's minor league team. In his first at-bat, Koby hit a home run off his father. In his next at-bat, Roger threw an inside pitch that almost hit Koby. Koby laughed in an interview after the game about the incident. I'm only guessing, but, I'd say that Koby was also wiping his brow dry while he was thanking God that his father's pitch didn't actually hit him! WHEW! Now, this is either love for a son or a lesson for a son or a reminder for a son? Either way, if you're son was one of your students and your son had hit/tagged you during an exhibition tournament or whatever, in front of witnesses, you know, got one on the old man, would you remind him of just exactly who you are? Kind of on the same line as what Roger probably did with his son! Well?

Oh to be a cartoon character or a stuntman or...well...I'll just stay rooted on the ground!

ROFLMBBO!!! Thank you!

Payroll or smayroll. Who cares, it's just a fact of baseball, and I agree, it does suck. Because of the Yanks very large payroll, many in baseball say that players play on teams other than the Yankees to only improve and then to get noticed by the Yankees, and then they play for the Yanks...and for the big and I mean bigger paychecks. Look at Yankee sign-up history...A-Rod went to the Yanks in 2004 from the Rangers, before that A-Rod was with Seattle, A-Rod earned a whopping contract for 10 year/$275 MILLION. Reggie Jackson signed up with the Yankees in 1976 to a 5 year/2.96 MILLION. Where was Reggie before coming to the Yanks bank? The only team he's ever known... the Athletics. Roger Clemons started with Red Soxs, then the Blue Jays, then to the Yankees for two years, then to the Astros, then back to the Yankees for $28 MILLION for that pro-rated year or about $4.7 million per month. Over the contract life, he would make $18.7 MILLION. This is to mention just a few! This is baseball, and to get the big payroll in ones backpocket, one has to be GREAT, just like the YANKEES!!!! BTW, the Twins have been to the World Series 6 times with 3 wins and 3 losses. The last time the Twins were to the World Series was back in 1991 when the Twins beat the Braves; series was 4-3 in favor of the Twins. Next time could be sooner than later!