146 Comments

Taxes

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mine are mostly done (by accountant), but I dropped them off late, so he's gonna do an extension. getting a reasonable refund.

I used to use HR Block, and then last year I used them, I had a friend's accountant also do them. Cost me about $400 for a $x,000 payment to become a $1y,000 refund. hence, the last year I used HR Block.

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I need to do mine and keep putting it off. Maybe tonight? Maybe tomorrow.

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I'm the same way this year. usually takes me about 15 min or so.

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hours

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Done (basically, which is fast for me) but on extension.

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Done and just waiting for my federal return.

I am getting about $3k back from the feds but I owe the state $2k.

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That's good.

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But the refund is cursed.

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that's bad

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But you get your choice of topping!

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oooh, that's good!

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I finished everything in March and had my accountant review the docs. I cut the check today and everything will be mailed to the IRS tomorrow.

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My wife and I did our taxes and then had my uncle look them over since he is a tax accountant. I thought owning a home and having two kids would be a huge tax write off. However, it seems like the standard deduction was the best option for us. I am so confused.

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That's because of the Trump Tax Reform, limits deductions on:

o property taxes and general sales taxes to $10K

o home mortgage interest to property purchase and/or home home improvements. Home mortgage interest that is a result of refinancing non-real estate debt under home mortgages is no longer eligible for a tax deduction.

Further, the standard deduction was raised to double what it was in 2017. For renters, this is a good thing. For most homeowners, it will be cold comfort as their deductions were limited in other ways (see above).

The reforms mostly affect folks in "blue" states (negative impact) and have less effect on folks in "red" states.

YMMV.

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Apr 13, 2022·edited Apr 14, 2022

AB150 passed this year allows some Californians the ability to reclaim some of the SALT deduction.

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that can't be real (the PNW part). but what's going in the NE? a belly button? "naval" maneuvers?

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I don't get it. I think I need someone to explain this to me. In tremendous detail. So to speak.

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you see, when a high-pressure zone loves humidity...

(I have not idea if that is meteorologically correct.)

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pqtm

Also, silly. I feel juvenile for pringling.

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pqtm

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Waifu Oski is a path that leads to things under Rule 34 of the internet.

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It’s only matter of time

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a matter of having/wanting time to search. I'm sure it already exists. and equally sure I DO NOT WANT to have that confirmed.

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Yeah I don’t need that in my life

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That Oski has been neglecting leg day.

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waifu version?

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Infinity

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"People say" that infinity is the biggest number, but: "infinity + one"

mic drop

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I've always enjoyed the Greek infinity symbol

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/447686019180214005/

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Now Til Infinity

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Stones?

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Clichéd tattoo

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author

DBD Cooking academy

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Kung Pao chicken last night, very tasty, but not spicy enough.

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If I had a dime for every time I heard my wife say that to me...

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Say something that can be said about food or sex.

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Wow, that tastes great, but smells a little fishy.

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Oski

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My higher power.

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wow wow

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Whiskey Wee Wee

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DBD AV Club

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Watched 1st ep of Tokyo Vice… Michael Mann directed the 1st…interesting so far.

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I watched the first three episodes of Slow Horses. I was glad that folks here recommended it, because the first episode was everything I dislike about English people being assholes to one another in a show I’m supposed to enjoy. Picked right up though.

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as I noted last week, I have questions about the opening sequence. but don't how to ask them here w/o spoiling.

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My wife thought that was "unrealistic" as well.

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Apr 14, 2022·edited Apr 14, 2022

I thought it made sense after clarification.

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but it just seemed like a crazy thing to do. the number of people involved, etc.

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This, like an old Mission Impossible episode. Too many moving parts, too many people.

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Oldman & Scott Thomas are so solid.

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Yup, my wife was dubious after the first episode as well, but the 3rd episode was all kinds of awesome.

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I was pleased to see the trailer for the second season of Tehran as well, I enjoyed the first season & wasn’t sure if that was going to turn out to be the only one

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yeah, really enjoyed that (even tho there were the obligatory "that's a stupid thing for a spy to do" plot devices...cue Jason Bourne)

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Glenn fucking Close.

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Apr 14, 2022·edited Apr 14, 2022

She was great in S1 of Damages (as was Ted Danson)

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One of my heroes, Gilbert Gottfried, died yesterday. Very sad. I was a big fan of dirty jokes and he was the master of the filth. His film "Dirty Jokes" is offensive and hilarious. And if you've never heard him tell The Aristocrats joke, it is an all-timer.

Oh, and he acted too.

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I remember seeing him first in Beverly Hills Cop 2 as the lawyer. I think maybe that was the first time I saw him.

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Those contestants were not doing themselves any favors

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"You're a fool!"

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you only get one shot twice...I've got my 6-yo doing the hand motion

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Great show! My kids all got into it too tho I had to earmuff them a few times

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It is such a good show. I agree that the musical was surprisingly good.

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Today en La Rona

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hoping for a negative test tomorrow so I can re-enter society.

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Fingers crossed. Scottie must also be getting close.

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Faint line today. Fingers crossed for tomorrow!

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Good Marshawn. I remember No 2's GF tested a couple of times before flying out here and the day before it took like 8 min for the faint line to appear. Then it was clear the day of.

Fingers crossed for no line tomorrow.

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OUR CRUMBLING DEMOCRACY

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JFC - is there a stupider Governor than Abbott?

The White House, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Mexican government and trucking groups said Wednesday that a new policy by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) was creating a multi-mile backup of commercial vehicles carrying perishable fruits, vegetables and other products.

The policy forces trucks to submit to a state inspection after a federal inspection once they cross the border from Mexico. It quickly escalated into an international incident, with the Mexican government seeking help from the U.S. State Department and the White House blasting the Texas governor. There are also growing complaints about truckers stuck in their cabs for more than 30 hours without access to food, water, or places to bathe in temperatures that have breached 100 degrees.

The delays have raised concerns that a U.S. economy already experiencing inflation and supply shortages could face an entirely new set of problems, potentially driving up prices on certain products and making other items even more scarce.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/04/13/texas-truck-abbott-mexico/

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The Mississippi Governor signed into law a Confederate History Month so he's got some comp.

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Dumb, to be sure, but far less real world impact.

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Geez Lew-eez. Abbott can't seem to get out of his own way.

If his actions didn't harm people, I'd be all for his political self-immolation.

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no, no there isn't. Beto might have a shot at this

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Oh, the irony:

Mark Meadows, a former chief of staff in the Trump White House, has been removed from the voter roll in North Carolina as the state investigates allegations that he committed voter fraud in the 2020 election.

On April 11, Macon County officials “administratively removed the voter registration of Mark Meadows … after documentation indicated he lived in Virginia and last voted in the 2021 election there,” North Carolina State Board of Elections spokesman Patrick Gannon said in a statement.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/04/13/mark-meadows-north-carolina-removed-voter-rolls/

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If it weren't so serious, I'd pqtm.

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As Ukraine war intensifies, questions from first Trump impeachment linger

https://www.politico.com/news/2022/04/13/ukraine-war-first-trump-impeachment-00024816

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PRO

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Derek Carr gets PAID!

Derek Carr agrees to 3-year, $121.5 million extension with Las Vegas Raiders, source confirms

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/33729753/derek-carr-agrees-3-year-1215-million-extension-las-vegas-raiders-source-confirms

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has agreed to a three-year contract extension worth $121.5 million, a source confirmed to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Carr received a no-trade clause as part of the deal, the source told Fowler.

The deal, which was first reported Wednesday by NFL Network, keeps Carr under contract with the Raiders through the 2025 season.

Carr, 31, is entering the final year of his current contract with the Raiders and will make just under $19.8 million in base salary in 2022. The three-time Pro Bowler has spent his entire eight-year career with the Raiders after being drafted by them in the second round in 2014.

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JFC they make it so hard to keep loving them

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That seems overly generous, given his talents.

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Love the understated sentiment. It also matches my own.

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Agreed. I mean, he's a solid QB, but I know some big time Raider fans that are so not pleased....

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Giants hit a lot of hits, score a lot of runs, piss off a lot of Padres

https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2022/4/12/23023055/giants-padres-recap-brandon-belt-mauricio-dubon-gabe-kapler

The San Francisco Giants 13-2 win over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night was fun. If you’re a Giants fan, that is. I imagine it was not very fun if you’re a Padres fan, though I’ve yet to verify that that’s a real thing that actually exists.

But while the game was fun, it was not particularly dramatic. It was over before the first inning ended, and then it was really over before the second inning ended, and then it was actually over when the ninth inning ended.

As such, there wasn’t really a narrative arc to the game. While most games are like a movie, this was more like a really good sketch comedy show — you enjoyed it more as a series of skits than as a comprehensive story.

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Also I guess feelings were hurt when the Giants bunted for a base hit with a 9 run lead.

https://twitter.com/PavlovicNBCS/status/1514094795777449989

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This kind of reminds me of the silly angst-ridden bits about a football team pouring it on when they're up by 5 touchdowns or more.

If you don't want them to score, play defense.

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Kapler went over to Dubon in the dugout when he came back in after his bunt. In the post game presser, Gabe was asked if he reprimanded Dubon, and he looked mortally offended. He more or less said "Absolutely not. I support that move 100% and I went over to congratulate him and tell him good job. Our job is to do everything possible to win not just this game but this series." (and without saying it out loud, basically said if we can demoralize them, all the better for us)

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Kapler knows which end is up.

Play the game while there is a game to be played. If there's a pitcher throwing pitches to a catcher, there's still a game to be played.

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There is also literally no way to run out the clock in baseball. You have to send a hitter to the plate. Why shouldn't he try to get on base? Players will have their next contract judged by their OBP, AVG, etc.

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That's another good point. There are multiple facets to a game.

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Oh, good Gawd. Get over yourself, already, Bob Melvin.

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I guess I could understand if it were the 9th inning. But it's the sixth inning. Scoring 9 runs in 3 innings is entirely possible--just ask the Giants who scored 10 in the first 2 innings.

It's too early in the season for hurt feelings.

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Apr 13, 2022·edited Apr 13, 2022

It’s so silly. Like bunting is cheating or confers some sort of advantage???? I am with Harper that unwritten rules are largely stupid

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Duggar stole 2nd with 2 outs in the 2nd inning and the Giants up 9-1 as well. Probably all added up, it was a bad day for the unwritten rules....still, it's just the 2nd....

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And this caused the Giants 1st base coach to get into an argument with the Padres that resulted in him being ejected. Complaining about a stolen base in the 2nd inning? Come on, Padres.

On the plus side, this allowed Alyssa Nakken to take his place and become the first woman to take a spot on the field for a Major League club.

https://sports.yahoo.com/san-francisco-giants-assistant-alyssa-nakken-becomes-first-woman-to-coach-on-field-in-mlb-history-045706182.html

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Apr 13, 2022·edited Apr 13, 2022

FP Santangelo passed along to Kuip that Richardson was actually tossed bc he handed SS sub Dubon an infield positioning card, which under new rules is illegal while the game is in play...

Richardson accused Shildt of racism in his verbiage when Shildt made the 3B ump aware of the card...suffice it to say, it was a hectic day at the Big Phone, with tensions running hot. Stay tuned.

Incidentally, Shildt and Richardson looked to have met up this morning and hashed things out....so we'll see.

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Someone's gonna get plunked to day.

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No plunks, and a 2-1 Gigantes win. Logan Webb was dealing.

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Giants took 2 games out of 3 from San Diego.

4-2 record over the first six. 1/2 game back of Colorado at 4-1.

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You know it. It'd be a foregone conclusion if the Pads were managed by Tony LaRussa. LaRussa is that competitive.

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Ya today could be chippy.

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I was watching the Dodgers game and Joe Davis mentioned Darvish gave up 9 runs in 1.2 innings. Eric Karros said the Giants hitters must have something on Darvish, right? I mean he gives up no hits in his first game and 9 runs in his second game. Although their first games were against the Dbacks. Maybe he's back to tipping pitches.

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Dodgers find a big inning late, pour it on to beat Twins

https://www.truebluela.com/2022/4/12/23022906/dodgers-late-rally-andrew-heaney-impressive-twins-rain-delay-recap

It took seemingly forever, but the floodgates finally opened for the Dodgers offense, enough to outlast the Twins 7-2 on a cold and rainy night at Target Field in Minneapolis.

Three walks — one by Emilio Pagán, two by Caleb Thielbar — helped set the stage in the eighth inning. RBI singles by both Turners tripled the Dodgers run total, then catcher Will Smith broke it open with a two-run double.

The carousel kept going, with the Dodgers plating six runs in the inning to breathe life into an otherwise quiet offense. The season is only four games old at this point, but the Dodgers output on offense can be grouped into three phases:

Fourth inning Friday: Five runs in Colorado

The next 30 innings: Seven total runs

Eighth inning Tuesday: Six runs in Minnesota

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Kershaw leaves after 7 with a perfect game and 13 Ks. At 80 pitches but with the short start he's done.

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I saw they pulled him! Wut?????? Oh man, so bizarre

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He was only built up to 75 pitches since he only had like 3, maybe 4, spring training games. They let him go 80 to complete 7. He wasn't mad and agreed it was time since his slider didn't have any bite over the last 2 innings.

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Ah ok, I forgot about the short spring. Still I don’t know, a perfect game? I would have let him go out for the 8th

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Dave Roberts just cannot help himself when it comes to making pitching changes, no matter the circumstances.

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Yeah, I get the advanced-metrics reasons why you would do that, but if there was ever a time to break that rule . . .

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Perfect game gone. Hit by Sanchez on a fastball 2-3 balls outside.

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Seiya Suzuki hits 2 more HRs. 3 HRs and OPS 1.696 in 4 games.

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Reminds me of when Puig was called up by the Dodgers. Had a Ted Williams-esque first month. Hit the cycle of HRs within the first week or two.

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We'll see how long he lasts after opponents start adjusting with some tape of him.

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We’ll see if course, but he is a patient hitter with a great eye and a nice compact swing. I think he’ll be fine. A Kevin Maas style regression to the scrap heap seems unlikely

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Every year he has one long slump. It could last a few weeks. But during that slump he practices so hard, harder than anyone can imagine, and eventually he'll come back and hit like crazy again. So I hope the manager and the fans can be patient.

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I am loving it! I just wish the Cubs had more around him

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He's #2 in fantasy rankings. Such a steal whoever drafted him.

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Apr 13, 2022·edited Apr 13, 2022

He is the only mlb player w 8 or more RBI and 4 or more walks in his first 4 games since rbi became a stat in 1920

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Cubs lose 6-2 today, both runs knocked in by Suzuki. So in a 2 game set in Pittsburgh we scored 4 runs, all of which were RBI by Suzuki. Could use another major league hitter! Our DH today was Rafael Ortega, JFC

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There are so many weird random stats but that's amazing

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Well said. Baseball lends itself to weird random stats.

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Jayson Stark nods in your direction.

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Apr 13, 2022·edited Apr 13, 2022

A's, Trivino get a blown save as A's, leading 8-7 in the bottom of the tenth, lose 9-8.

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*sigh*

No words. This frustrates me, greatly.

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Game #5: A’s blow late lead and offensive outburst, lose to Rays 9-8

https://www.athleticsnation.com/2022/4/12/23022820/game-5-as-blow-lead-lose-to-rays-extra-innings

The A’s lost a heartbreaker this evening 9-8, taking a 1-run lead into the bottom of the 10th inning and the closer coming on for his second appearance of the season. It wouldn’t work out, as the Rays scored twice to walk off the A’s and give Oakland it’s third loss of the young season.

The 4 hours and 13 minutes of today’s game had lots of highs and lots of Lowes, and the short outing from the starter might mean a short-handed bullpen for a couple of days. But the A’s kept up their hot hitting, scoring 8 runs after pushing across 13 yesterday.

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CAL

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Go Bears!

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Go Ursines!!!

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