Waiting for Hairston
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Jan 15, 2013 
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Every winter, at every level of the free agent market, someone has to set the standard. Occasionally players will get a deal they like and sign without their market being set, but as a general rule, someone has to set the bar. This late in the offseason, as the Yankees have prioritized their need for a right-handed outfielder, it’s Scott Hairston who has to set the market.
At 32 years old, and coming off a career year, this would seem to be a prime opportunity for Hairston to cash in with a multi-year deal and an everyday job. I’m not sure he’ll get exactly that kind of deal, but I can’t blame him for asking for one.
Today, Jim Bowden reported that Hairston is expected to make his decision by the end of the week, and for the Yankees, that’s good news one way or the other. It seems unlikely that the Yankees will actually sign Hairston, but his signing would set the market for similar right-handed outfielders, which should make it easier for the Yankees to take care of their current priority.
For the Yankees to move on, they need to settle this right-handed outfield search, and one way or another, Hairston should make that task a little easier.
The market was already set: Jonny Gomes got 2 years north of $10M. Being that he’s an all around worse player than Hairston I’m slightly shocked that Hairston is reportedly asking for 2 years at $4 per.
If the Yankees don’t end up with Hairston or Morse the only other available RH options are:
Young who they already passed on
Juan Rivera who isn’t much of an OF anymore
Internal options like Canzler or Mustellier
Incidentally LH DH options are:
Pronk
Luke Scott
Kelly Johnson
Trade for Upton or Morse. Now.
The market was already set: Jonny Gomes got 2 years north of $10M. Being that he’s an all around worse player than Hairston I’m slightly shocked that Hairston is reportedly asking for 2 years at $4 per.
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Gomes destroyed Hairston last year and the past 3 years though.
I don’t want them to sign Hairston cause I want somebody better
+1
OT -
I don’t know if the movie Zero Dark Thirty has been discussed here but I just got home from seeing it and it was mind blowing. When we went to see “Lincoln” there was a buzz in the theatre as we were leaving. People were raving about how great it was. Tonight when we left the theatre you could hear a pin drop. I had tears in my eyes and I could barely breathe. No exaggeration. The emotion was overwhelming.
To me the movie is a must see for every person who lived through this. And you need to see it on the big screen to really appreciate it.
Jerkface January 15th, 2013 at 10:16 pm
The market was already set: Jonny Gomes got 2 years north of $10M. Being that he’s an all around worse player than Hairston I’m slightly shocked that Hairston is reportedly asking for 2 years at $4 per.
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Gomes destroyed Hairston last year and the past 3 years though.
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Gomes can’t catch the ball though whereas Hairston can play all three OF spots. There are two sides to the game.
Trisha, I saw it this past weekend. The cinema I went to was packed and I could hear weeping from some in the audience, especially at the very beginning and at the very end of the movie. Lots of fine films this year and then there’s ZDT. Great freakin’ movie.
And 2 of the last three seasons Gomes played in Cincy; Hairston in San Diego and Citi Field.
The issue for Hairston is that 2 years $4/year is still pretty high for what he is. The fact that the Red Sox gave Gomes a stupid contract is not positively impacting Hairston’s negotiations – basically the whole “just because Cherrington did something stupid doesn’t mean I will too” answer.
Gomes can’t catch the ball though whereas Hairston can play all three OF spots. There are two sides to the game.
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Yea but the latter doesn’t pay the bills and Gomes is atleast serviceable in the outfield. Thats why he is worth more. Hairston can barely get on base.
Speaking of stupid Red Sox stuff…offer Napoli a 1 year $15 mil deal with a mutual option for 2014 that turns the 1 year deal into a 3 year $39 mil deal if both sides like the the situation.
Jerkface January 15th, 2013 at 10:56 pm
Gomes can’t catch the ball though whereas Hairston can play all three OF spots. There are two sides to the game.
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Yea but the latter doesn’t pay the bills and Gomes is atleast serviceable in the outfield. Thats why he is worth more. Hairston can barely get on base.
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Gomes isn’t worth more – he got paid more because Boston made a stupid signing.
Hairston had a .867 OPS vs lhp in 2012. Just sign him to a one year deal already.
jacksquat January 15th, 2013 at 11:01 pm
Hairston had a .867 OPS vs lhp in 2012. Just sign him to a one year deal already.
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He wants a 2 year deal.
Gomes is most assuredly worth more. Hairston is not that much better in the field, and Gomes is much better with the bat.
Gomes isn’t worth more – he got paid more because Boston made a stupid signing.
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if the argument is that Hairston is worth more than Gomes, it’s debatable. it’s varies on each buyer’s needs. but neither contract length nor terms are ‘stupid’ imo. In hairston’s case, mere demand. Hairston is better a defender no doubt but I think Gomes have far more raw power and is a better hitter. take ur pick.
Hairston had a .299 obp in 2012.
Gomes a .377.
Gomes also hit a hr about every 15 ab.
Not really even that close.
Gomes will do very well offensively at Fenway imo… remain to be seen. I think Boston actually made a decent signing.
Nilsson, that movie brought to mind just how much we take for granted in this country, including the work of the CIA – how the lives of the operatives are on the line all the time and the sacrifices they make for their country. When I went there tonight, I figured that Jessica Chastain probably got the Golden Globe because of the person she portrayed and the significance of what that person did (stupid, I know).
Her performance was rivetting.
Chip January 15th, 2013 at 11:02 pm
jacksquat January 15th, 2013 at 11:01 pm
Hairston had a .867 OPS vs lhp in 2012. Just sign him to a one year deal already.
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He wants a 2 year deal.
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Sure, but he doesn’t appear to be getting it, even just 2/8. So he might sign a one year deal.
Trisha,
I preferred Django and Lincoln way more then Zero Dark Thirty. ZDT made torture a focal point of the movie and over exaggerated the use of it in getting Bin Laden.
Cashmoney January 15th, 2013 at 11:12 pm
Gomes isn’t worth more – he got paid more because Boston made a stupid signing.
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if the argument is that Hairston is worth more than Gomes, it’s debatable. it’s varies on each buyer’s needs. but neither contract length nor terms are ‘stupid’ imo. In hairston’s case, mere demand. Hairston is better a defender no doubt but I think Gomes have far more raw power and is a better hitter. take ur pick.
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I don’t think Gomes is bad; I just think he’s very overpaid for what he is. I think Hairston would be overpaid at 2 years $8M too. Hairston though offers an element Gomes doesn’t and that’s defense in all three OF spots. Gomes offers questionable defense in two spots. Hairston also offers better speed on the bases.
jacksquat January 15th, 2013 at 11:19 pm
Chip January 15th, 2013 at 11:02 pm
jacksquat January 15th, 2013 at 11:01 pm
Hairston had a .867 OPS vs lhp in 2012. Just sign him to a one year deal already.
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He wants a 2 year deal.
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Sure, but he doesn’t appear to be getting it, even just 2/8. So he might sign a one year deal.
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Up until this afternoon it didn’t appear that Soriano would get as much money as he walked away from with the Yankees. We don’t know what offers these guys are getting.
Still prefer Morse.
Triple, I didn’t see Django. I loved Lincoln. Tonight we got there after the movie started, so I don’t know what I missed, if there were any additional torture scenes I didn’t see, etc. I didn’t think there was that much focus on the torture. I thought it might have been exaggerated (didn’t know for sure) but just watching how the whole thing played out is what was beyond compelling for me. I thought it was tremendous.
Rich in NJ January 15th, 2013 at 11:38 pm
Still prefer Morse.
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As do I. But Hairston and Morse are two completely different situations, one is an everyday player and one is not.
I still think that the Yankees are going to end up signing someone like Luke Scott, Pronk or maybe Kelly Johnson to DH. Alex is due back eventually and at that point they will have him and Youk to split DH/3b. If Alex’s rehab doesn’t progress and the Yankees find themselves needing a bat mid season they will try to get one then. But by that point in the season someone like David Adams might be playing well enough at AAA to come up.
chip, i think it’s a supply and demand thing in this FA off season… more teams having more discretionary spending leads to a bit market inflation. long and short, I think in seeing what some of their peer OFer are getting.. neither Gomes contract nor Hairston demand are really overpaid in considering the 13 FA reality.
I guess if Chad is saying hairston is setting the bar for the best of the worst , sure. There simply aren’t much left out there after him.+
If anyone saw Argo, I’d love to know what they thought. I was convinced that Lincoln was going to get best picture, but at that point I hadn’t seen any of the others. I’m happy that DDL got best actor. I think he was fabulous.
trisha – true pinstriped blue January 15th, 2013 at 11:16 pm
Nilsson, that movie brought to mind just how much we take for granted in this country, including the work of the CIA – how the lives of the operatives are on the line all the time and the sacrifices they make for their country. When I went there tonight, I figured that Jessica Chastain probably got the Golden Globe because of the person she portrayed and the significance of what that person did (stupid, I know).
Her performance was rivetting.
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In a way this movie is probably the best take, or interpretation, of the CIA I’ve ever seen. The script was awesome. It was fascinating to watch and listen to, that’s for sure. Now you got me thinking of seeing it again lol.
I like Chastain a lot. She brought her A game. She was also good in ‘Tree of Life’. It was a Terrence Malick movie, so I had no clue what it was about. But yeah, she was great in ZDT. She carried it.
Cash -
I suppose. In either case – it’s a small matter. Would he be a nice addition to the bench? Sure. But I think that he probably realizes that he can get more time with either the Cubs or Mets, so if the money is similar then he’ll probably go there.
If you are lefthanded hitter and have some pop, you are a threat in YS! Pronk, Scott and K.J all make sense if they accept a raul type of deal, all three have had good success in the past. It’s matter try to catch lightning in a bottle. nm to lose at all if you can get em cheap.
I don’t want Luke Scott, Chip.
Rich in NJ January 15th, 2013 at 11:54 pm
I don’t want Luke Scott, Chip.
————
Because of his politics or baseball reasons?
Chip
TBH, the former. There are some things that are over the line, imo.
I think Johnson fits best in that he not only has pop but offers the most versatility in the field. That said, if the Yankees could keep Pronk healthy then he would be a monster at the Stadium.
Rich –
I don’t like his politics either. That said, his politics have nothing to do with his play on the field. For all we know, Derek Jeter might share his opinions. The fact that Scott decided to voice them is his choice.
Chip
That’s the point. If a player doesn’t make me care about his politics, I don’t care. Once he does, that changes. I admire discretion, which btw, Jeter personifies.
Nilsson, I think I’m going to see it again also. I’ll get to see what I missed and also I’ll get to pick up on the things that got past me, trying to figure out the different al Qaeda connections, ec. I always see more things the second time I watch a movie. And that is definitely worth a second time.
Night.
Rich in NJ January 16th, 2013 at 12:14 am
Chip
That’s the point. If a player doesn’t make me care about his politics, I don’t care. Once he does, that changes. I admire discretion, which btw, Jeter personifies.
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Agreed. Someone wants to make a jackass out of themselves, then I care and it can become an issue. I think Jeter looks to DiMaggio as a role model in this regard.
As for Hairston – I don’t want them to do a 2 year deal and hope that they can find a way to overpay on a 1 year deal if it is going to happen. Like if he wants 2/8 offer him 1/6 and he can assume that he can recoup at least the difference in his next deal.
I thought I would way in on the discussion of great movies. One of my favorites from 2012 was RED TAILS I totally think it got snubbed at the Oscars, The guy that played lighting should be up for a best actor award, the movie had many great acting performances, the story was a story that had to be told, and to anyone who thinks the story of Red Tails is inaccurate then I can refer you to articles and documentaries that I can assure you are on the BLU-RAY, that show The Tuskegee Airmen helping on the production of the film. I also remember articles where The Tuskegee Airmen left the theater after watching Red Tails in tears because how emotional the film was for them. I also thought the VFX were the best I had seen in years may be the best VFX ILM has ever done, at times In the theater I thought I was actually flying up there with the Red Tails ……
Bobo,
You not out Huntin squatches today?
Good morning.
I hope we don’t get any of these guys.
I don’t like a single one of them.
They all represent varying degrees of mediocrity.
For me that is not what the Yankees should be all about.
I’d rather see them give one of our Homegrowns a chance.
MTU,
I agree. No subpar additions. Yesterday, I heard a young player talking on MLB radio how important it was to get his feet wet in the majors getting him ready for this year. Let’s see what we’ve got. We know the retreads aren’t getting better, only worse.
I’d rather them work in Adams as the RH bat than to sign Hairston to be honest…..I know Hairston could have some use as a RH specialist….but I just really want to watch some players that are either true upgrades over what we have…..or that have a chance to get better.
Maybe Cash has a surprise up his sleeve yet……if so he’ll have to show his hand soon.
Mac-
If the Yankees want bandaids they should just go to the trainer and ask for some.
Save the extra money and give a kid a chance the to fail.
Guys like Hairston will be available at the ASB if they really have to have one.
We are already in transition. Everyone knows it whether the Yankees say so explicity or not.
Blake-
I think the only thing Cahman is going to pull out of that pocket is sawdust.
sp: Cashman
Guess Brian forgot about younger, faster, and more athletic and decided to go with older, slower, and more mediocre.
“I think the only thing Cahman is going to pull out of that pocket is sawdust.”
lol…..
I think Adams can hit. Give him a shot. Try Mesa as a two day a week player against lefties. They could have a sub .300 OBP like the other guys. They might even improve.
Hal’s we aren’t done yet is probably referencing Rivera. I just feel it. It is an unpleasant feeling.
I’m trying to decide whether to begin construction on an arc here on the east coast……
Mac-
Patches like Hairston, or Rivera are a waste of money and roster spots.
Hug a prospect save a ballplayer.
I still think the Yankees will do something…..they know that there is a growing disdain in the fan base and that the attendance and ratings could fall….so I still think they’ll try to do something…..that makes me both happy and nervous. I could be wrong…..
Blake-
If you are just starting to think about it now it might be too late.
Head West but be sure to bring your longjohns.
You won’t drown but you might freeze to death.
Francona’s quotes about Red Sox ownership were awesome.
Blake-
I think if something irresistable (meaning cheap enough) falls into their laps they might do it but I doubt it will.
It seems their real goals are guys like Youkilis and Hairston.
Guys who will take one yr. contracts.
I haven’t taken a long look at the draft class this year yet….I’ve heard and read it’s down….but given that the Yanks have the 3 first round picks perhaps there may be a player that falls down the draft due to signability issues that they could look at now that they’ll have more pool money……I kinda doubt it cause they seem to be more about spreading the money around these days than investing in one player…..but it’ll be interesting to see what strategy they use.
Blake-
Wonder if you could say the same about Hal ?
He seems to lack the passion.
The Yankees are one big spreadsheet to him.
Let him prove me wrong. I’ll apologize if he does.
MTU,
I bet they are trying harder for Upton than they are letting on…..just a guess….he just makes too much sense not to……that doesn’t mean they’ll get him but I would bet Cashman and Towers have had many conversations by now.
Blake-
Having all these draft picks is great for re-stocking the Farm.
I hope they choose wisely.
That said, are we now trying to out-Ray the Rays, or out-Twin the Twins ?
Because if we are I think that we have a ways to go to catch up.
Blake-
I know the Yankees don’t post their intentions on NYC billboards for all to see but there have been no indications that the Yankees are at all serious about JU.
If they were I think they would have already had him.
That dance isn’t really all that hard to do if the will is there.
I don’t think it is.
blake January 16th, 2013 at 8:09 am
Francona’s quotes about Red Sox ownership were awesome.
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Have a link? I saw a line or two in a story, but not a full interview or set of quotes.
It’s funny because I kinda think Mr. Towers owes Mr. Cashman a favor.
Maybe that favor involves telling Cashman that he really does not want JU ?
Who knows.
I know the Yankees don’t post their intentions on NYC billboards for all to see but there have been no indications that the Yankees are at all serious about JU
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I’m sure they’re serious, but if Atlanta or Texas is similarly serious, it won’t matter.
“If they were I think they would have already had him.”
eh….there were no indications that they were going to trade for Pineda….or Granderson….or Swisher….or Arod…..the Yankee front office is water tight….it doesn’t leak really at all unless its intentional. I think Towers is playing this thing out as long as he can to get the best offer he can……he doesn’t have to trade him so he’s just waiting for team to blink and give him what he wants.
New York Post ?@nypost
Derek Jeter seen for the first time without a boot on injured left ankle – see the pic! http://nyp.st/V813P8
“Have a link? I saw a line or two in a story, but not a full interview or set of quotes.”
I think they are quotes from his book which isn’t out yet….all I saw was a couple of lines as well.
Personally, I like the idea of going all in for 2013 and seeing whether the veterans can stay healthy and perform. Then go with the youth movement in 2014 and endure what is likely to be a lost season. But I don’t agree with a sentiment that they should be playing young and inexperienced guys in 2013, or at least not until the all in with the veterans approach fails (and so they sell at the deadline).
As a result, I would like to see them overpay for one or two more pieces, like an overpay for a year of Hairston (1/$6M) or deal for Morse, to see if they can make a run this year. Then shed people and give the youth movement a chance (and they have a year to continue to develop).
AAA-
I think Cashman will always inquire and always listen but serious. I don’t know about that term.
I’m not sure he’s “serious”.
If he were serious I think we would have had JU by now.
That’s just my take.
Blake-
Au contraire mon ami.
He does have to trade him IMO.
“I’m sure they’re serious, but if Atlanta or Texas is similarly serious, it won’t matter.”
depends what level everyone is serious…..if Texas and Atlanta aren’t giving Profar or Simmons then the Yanks have a better shot at competing with them. It depends on what Towers wants……if he really likes Teheran or Olt then the Yanks can’t match maybe….but neither Atlanta or Texas has 4 position player prospects like the Yanks do…..Texas has the ultimate trump card in Profar or Andrus though.
If he were serious I think we would have had JU by now.
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I disagree simply because other team can offer better than the Yankees best. Don’t know that they would and also don’t know that they Yankees have offered their best. Just saying if everyone said to be involved is actually involved and coming with their “A” offer, the Yankees aren’t going to win that battle.
Blake-
I think you are kidding yourself.
The idea that wanting JU is well-guarded secret is one of the worst kept secrets I know.
With as long as that has been out there I think the Mossad would have leaked something by now.
*the Yankees
AAA-
You are not making sense to me.
If the other interested parties had made their best offers and they are better than the Yankees why hasn’t Towers accepted one of them ?
Seattle already set the parameters of what it takes.
If the Yankees or any team would match that then it’s over.
It’s not rocket science.
Towers can only get so much. Holding out is not going to up the bar.
Each side understands the cat-and-mouse game.
No one is fooling anyone else.
Actually IMO Towers is in the inferior position because he has an asset he likely needs to move despite protestations to the contrary.
The situation in AZ with JU is untenable IMO.
FWIS it is very similar to when Booby V called out Youkilis.
The minute that happened you knew the outcome.
“If the other interested parties had made their best offers and they are better than the Yankees why hasn’t Towers accepted one of them ?”
I’m not saying the Yankees or any other team (besides Seattle) has made their best offer yet.
“Seattle already set the parameters of what it takes.”
Maybe. Since Upton wouldn’t go there, the offer doesn’t count for much. Towers has said that it will take that type of offer other teams from other teams to move him, but his leverage does take a small hit when one competitor is removed from the process. Other thing to consider is that they don’t have to deal him at all.
Unhappy player + Unhappy Management = guy gets traded
AAA-
I disagree. I believe they DO have to deal him for the reason I posted above.
It’s either right now or really soon.
It’s an untenable situation no matter how much they pretend otherwise IMO.
if everyone comes with their A offer then no the Yankees can’t get Upton…..but we already know that Atlanta and Texas aren’t making their A offers because they won’t trade Simmons or Profar (unless they change their minds).
The Rangers have Olt…..but their system is somewhat similar to the Yankees after Profar IMO….most of their talent is farther away and they don’t have that healthy stud pitching prospect to offer. The Braves have Teheran but they don’t have position player prospects like the Yanks do after that……I think the Yanks chances would all depend on how much Towers likes Olt and Teheran….if he likes them a lot then the Yanks probably can’t match…..if he’s more meh on them then I think the Yanks could match or beat them if they wanted to.
Nick Cafardo ?@nickcafardo
The Red Sox are exploring trades for a lefthanded hitting first baseman/outfielder to compliment Napoli at first and Gomes in left
Justin Smoak come on down
Reallistically, who would you give up for Morse? For Upton?
The Yanks best chance might actually be a 3 way with Seattle as we already know they have the players it would take to get Upton……the Yanks would just need to satisfy the Mariners enough to part with them
At this point I think the Yankees getting JU is fantasy.
I’ve been wrong before and I will be wrong again.
but we already know that Atlanta and Texas aren’t making their A offers because they won’t trade Simmons or Profar (unless they change their minds
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Got to get past that. They got a SS. Now they’re looking for pitching and maybe a 3B.
Towers is posturing that he doesn’t need to trade Upton. He may not need to be he will now. He is quoted as saying everyone knows what it would take. I wonder if Brian does. Hal may not let him make long distance calls.
The Yanks best chance might actually be a 3 way with Seattle as we already know they have the players it would take to get Upton……the Yanks would just need to satisfy the Mariners enough to part with them
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Yeah, this. Sadly, I think the only offer the Yankees can make involves Granderson and his age and contract situation don’t merit the same package Upton does.
The quotes from Francona were limited, but there will be more excerpts from the book released this month.
I thought the quotes were funny as well… until I realized he could be talking about our ownership group and it would still apply:
“They come in with all these ideas about baseball, but I don’t think they love baseball,” he said. “I think they like baseball. It’s revenue, and I know that’s their right and their interest because they’re owners … and they’re good owners. But they don’t love the game. It’s still more of a toy or a hobby for them. It’s not their blood. They’re going to come in and out of baseball. It’s different for me. Baseball is my life.”
http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/.....-conscious
The article basically tells you something we already know of most owners. They don’t love the sports, just the entertainment and cash.
I thought the quotes were funny as well… until I realized he could be talking about our ownership group and it would still apply:
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It would apply to most all ownership groups.
We are just spinning our wheels with JU IMO.
It’s remotely possible I suppose that he falls into Cashman’s lap but I doubt very much it’s because
Cashman is being aggressive about it.
You usually have to pay for quality with quality.
You pay for what you get.
I never have, and still do not see JU as some sort of bargain play.
He is 25 with Superstar potential. Others may disagree.
Seattle certainly thought so. of course everyone will just say the M’s were desperate for O.
Whatever. They set the benchmark.
If you really want something it’s a dangerous game to let someone else have a chance to take it away from you.
AAA January 16th, 2013 at 8:54 am
I thought the quotes were funny as well… until I realized he could be talking about our ownership group and it would still apply:
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It would apply to most all ownership groups.
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Yeah.. but for a really long time it didn’t apply to us.
MTU January 16th, 2013 at 8:58 am
If you really want something it’s a dangerous game to let someone else have a chance to take it away from you.
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Exactly.
Hear that Chad?
Shame-
It’s a plaything to many apparently.
That’s one of things that makes Men like GMS special.
For them it was about passion and winning as much as it was about money.
He loved the game. It wasn’t just an entry in some accounting ledger somewhere.
Shame-
You twisted my meaning.
New post —–>