I Don't believe...
"When (Kirk Gibson) hit that ball (during 1988 World Series), it was almost surreal. As devastating a blow as it was, I remember running off the field and saying 'Man, that was unbelievable."'
- A's Shortstop Walt Weiss
On October 14, 1988, Kirk Gibson's dramatic Game 1 pinch hit home run sparked the Dodgers world Series upset of the Oakland A's.
Saturday, October 13, 2018
Friday, October 12, 2018
IN THE NEWS- SSI, SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS WILL GROW IN 2019
More good news from Disability Scoop..
Payments to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries are set to go up a good bit next year.
The Social Security Administration said this week that payments will rise 2.8 percent for 2019.
The increase is due to an automatic cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, that's mandated by law and is based on inflation. It will take effect starting Dec, 31 for the nation's 8 million SSI recipients and in January for the 63 million Americans benefiting from Social Security.
For individuals receiving SSI, the maximum federal federal payment will grow to $771 per month.up from $50 this year. Couples benefiting from the program will top out at $1, 157 per month compared to $1,125 this year.
Some states provide additional funds to SSI beneficiaries, so actual payments may be higher.
This coming year's COLA is slightly higher than the 2 percent increase beneficiaries saw in 2018 and represents the largest year-over-year increase since 2012 when payments rose 3.6 percent.
Payments to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries are set to go up a good bit next year.
The Social Security Administration said this week that payments will rise 2.8 percent for 2019.
The increase is due to an automatic cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, that's mandated by law and is based on inflation. It will take effect starting Dec, 31 for the nation's 8 million SSI recipients and in January for the 63 million Americans benefiting from Social Security.
For individuals receiving SSI, the maximum federal federal payment will grow to $771 per month.up from $50 this year. Couples benefiting from the program will top out at $1, 157 per month compared to $1,125 this year.
Some states provide additional funds to SSI beneficiaries, so actual payments may be higher.
This coming year's COLA is slightly higher than the 2 percent increase beneficiaries saw in 2018 and represents the largest year-over-year increase since 2012 when payments rose 3.6 percent.
IN THE NEWS- RANKING NAMES BEST CITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
From Disability Scoop..
An analysis of more than 180 cities across the country is zeroing in on the best places to live for people with disabilities.
For the fifth year in a row, Overland Park, Kan. tops the list followed by South Burlington, VT., Sioux Falls, S.D., Scottsdale, Ariz., and Columbia, Md.
The annual ranking comes from WalletHub, a personal finance website.
Each city was graded in three broad categories- economy, quality of life and health care. Then, 31 factors including the prevalence of wheelchair-accessible facilities, the employment rate for people with disabilities, the high school graduation rate for this population as well as the cost, availability and quality of health care were considered.
Some criteria such as the share of people with disabilities in a city and the effectiveness of the state's Medicaid program were given extra weight in the evaluation, which relied on a mix of government data and information from nonprofit and sources like Yelp and the real estate website Redfin.
Coming in at the bottom of the list are Gulport, miss., Bridgeport, Conn., Winston-Salem, N.C., Providence, R.I., and New Haven, Conn.
An analysis of more than 180 cities across the country is zeroing in on the best places to live for people with disabilities.
For the fifth year in a row, Overland Park, Kan. tops the list followed by South Burlington, VT., Sioux Falls, S.D., Scottsdale, Ariz., and Columbia, Md.
The annual ranking comes from WalletHub, a personal finance website.
Each city was graded in three broad categories- economy, quality of life and health care. Then, 31 factors including the prevalence of wheelchair-accessible facilities, the employment rate for people with disabilities, the high school graduation rate for this population as well as the cost, availability and quality of health care were considered.
Some criteria such as the share of people with disabilities in a city and the effectiveness of the state's Medicaid program were given extra weight in the evaluation, which relied on a mix of government data and information from nonprofit and sources like Yelp and the real estate website Redfin.
Coming in at the bottom of the list are Gulport, miss., Bridgeport, Conn., Winston-Salem, N.C., Providence, R.I., and New Haven, Conn.
NFL WEEK 6 PREVIEW
A look-ahead to this weekend's pro football games..
- Buccaneers at Falcons
After a fast start, Tampa Bay needs to step on a down Falcon team. The loser may be in trouble in NFC South. Atlanta can't lose another home game.
- Steelers over Bengals-
Biggest game in Cincy in years, as Pittsburgh tries to right the ship in AFC North. The Bengals could seize the division with a huge home victory.
Chargers at Browns-
After their big win last week in Cleveland, the brownies look for two in a row. The Chargers come east and finally play in some chilly weather.
Seahawks at Raiders-
Two dead teams. Seattle needs to win just to give the Rams some competition in NFC West, while Oakland is trying to look decent . A snoozer here.
Bears at Dolphins-
Miami blew a 17-point lead in Cincinnati last week. They are hanging with New England in AFC East and need to sustain at home. Meanwhile, Chicago comes off a bye and tries to stay atop NFC North.
Cardinals at Vikings-
After a revenge win in Philly, Minnesota needs to look-out for a trap game against the weak Cards. Minnesota now has the chance to take control in the division the next several weeks.
Colts at Jets-
Can the Jets win two in a row at home? Indy is a below-average team but you never know with QB Luck.
Panthers at Redskins-
Carolina can do the Eagles a favor by beating the Skins this weekend before they play at the Linc next Sunday. Washington needs a home win to stay on top of NFC East.
Rams at Broncos-
Tough test for the young, undefeated Rams, as Denver is always a tough place to play. The broncos need a win to stay with the red-hot Chiefs.
Jaguars at Cowboys-
Tough home game for Dallas, who doesn't want to drop to 2-4. The coach's job on the line? Jacksonville remains up and down but their defense is capable of pulling off the win here.
Ravens at Titans-
Inconsistent Baltimore travels to meet a Tennessee team that beat the Super Bowl champs at home yet lost in Buffalo. Go figure.
Chiefs at Patriots-
The biggest game on the card. The undefeated Kansas City squad invades chilly new England in a possible post-season match-up. Revenge for the Pats, who were upset at home by KC in last season's opener. I think New England wins.
49ers at Packers-
Should be no problems for the Pack at Lambou this Monday night.Without Garrapolo, SF is treading water in NFC West.
Bills at Texans-
Buffalo is wildly inconsistent, with great wins at Minnesota and at home against the Titans, yet huge losses as well. Houston looks to finally win at home and get into the AFC South race.
My picks this week-
New England -3.5
Denver plus 7
Cincinnati - 1.5
Dallas plus 3
- Buccaneers at Falcons
After a fast start, Tampa Bay needs to step on a down Falcon team. The loser may be in trouble in NFC South. Atlanta can't lose another home game.
- Steelers over Bengals-
Biggest game in Cincy in years, as Pittsburgh tries to right the ship in AFC North. The Bengals could seize the division with a huge home victory.
Chargers at Browns-
After their big win last week in Cleveland, the brownies look for two in a row. The Chargers come east and finally play in some chilly weather.
Seahawks at Raiders-
Two dead teams. Seattle needs to win just to give the Rams some competition in NFC West, while Oakland is trying to look decent . A snoozer here.
Bears at Dolphins-
Miami blew a 17-point lead in Cincinnati last week. They are hanging with New England in AFC East and need to sustain at home. Meanwhile, Chicago comes off a bye and tries to stay atop NFC North.
Cardinals at Vikings-
After a revenge win in Philly, Minnesota needs to look-out for a trap game against the weak Cards. Minnesota now has the chance to take control in the division the next several weeks.
Colts at Jets-
Can the Jets win two in a row at home? Indy is a below-average team but you never know with QB Luck.
Panthers at Redskins-
Carolina can do the Eagles a favor by beating the Skins this weekend before they play at the Linc next Sunday. Washington needs a home win to stay on top of NFC East.
Rams at Broncos-
Tough test for the young, undefeated Rams, as Denver is always a tough place to play. The broncos need a win to stay with the red-hot Chiefs.
Jaguars at Cowboys-
Tough home game for Dallas, who doesn't want to drop to 2-4. The coach's job on the line? Jacksonville remains up and down but their defense is capable of pulling off the win here.
Ravens at Titans-
Inconsistent Baltimore travels to meet a Tennessee team that beat the Super Bowl champs at home yet lost in Buffalo. Go figure.
Chiefs at Patriots-
The biggest game on the card. The undefeated Kansas City squad invades chilly new England in a possible post-season match-up. Revenge for the Pats, who were upset at home by KC in last season's opener. I think New England wins.
49ers at Packers-
Should be no problems for the Pack at Lambou this Monday night.Without Garrapolo, SF is treading water in NFC West.
Bills at Texans-
Buffalo is wildly inconsistent, with great wins at Minnesota and at home against the Titans, yet huge losses as well. Houston looks to finally win at home and get into the AFC South race.
My picks this week-
New England -3.5
Denver plus 7
Cincinnati - 1.5
Dallas plus 3
CHIRPING BIRDS- EAGLES- GIANTS WRAP-UP
- The Eagles dominated the Giants on Thursday Night Football, 34-13 in North Jersey. A huge flock of Eagles fans made the trek up the turnpike, and by the end of the game, Eagle chants radiated thru-out the Meadowlands.
Great game tow in, snapping a two-game losing streak, going 1-0 in the weak NFC East, and climbing back to 3-3 on the season. 10 days off until a home game against Carolina before the Birds fly to London to face Jacksonville.
Basically, the Eagles took care of business in every way, playing like the Super Bowl champs they are. The Giants are really bad ( if you took the under at the Giants winning a total of six games this year- good bet!). The combination of both made for the blow-out. Philly needed a game like that to regain confidence. Despite numerous injuries they assumed a "next man up" attitude again, like last season, even an underdog mentality, as many picked New York to win.
The Eagles won the turnover battle, limited the penalties, were almost perfect in 3rd down conversions, did better in the red zone, and got off to a fast start.
The G-men played like dogs and eventually quit. Beckham Jr. is a disease on that team. Eli manning can't play anymore. Plus his offensive line is woeful. New York will be criticized for not taking a young quarterback in the draft last spring. Instead of drafting Manning's successor, they picked RB Barkley, who is going to be a star for a long time.
To me, it was the right thing o do.The Giants will draft high again next spring. not as many teams will need QBs. New York may have it's choice of young QBs. picking the right one will be key. No matter, without an offensive line for protection, the weapons won't matter.
- After last night can you really imagine anyone else in the East winning the division other than the Birds? They embarrassed the rival Giants in their home and probably ended their season early. Washington and Dallas are too inconsistent to challenge. Winning the East will get the Eagles into the playoffs, earn a home game, and take the club one step closer to a repeat Super Bowl.
Injuries still concern me. Peters, who seems to be breaking down with age, is hurt again, with a possible torn bicep. Lane Johnson played thru a high-ankle sprain. Sproles hopefully will be back from a hamstring issue soon.
Rumors still swirl about the Steelers' Lavion Bell being traded to Philadelphia. Our running backs, including Smallwood, Clement and Sproles, are serviceable. Bell would be a difference-maker. Apparently he is an Eagle if they want him bad enough. What will be the price?
Beating the Rams in LA, and the Saints in New Orleans will be tough. Winning those games on the road will reestablish the Eagles as NFC favorites.
- Odd seeing Buck and Aikman on Thursday night. Still dislike Strahan running the pre-game show.
Great game tow in, snapping a two-game losing streak, going 1-0 in the weak NFC East, and climbing back to 3-3 on the season. 10 days off until a home game against Carolina before the Birds fly to London to face Jacksonville.
Basically, the Eagles took care of business in every way, playing like the Super Bowl champs they are. The Giants are really bad ( if you took the under at the Giants winning a total of six games this year- good bet!). The combination of both made for the blow-out. Philly needed a game like that to regain confidence. Despite numerous injuries they assumed a "next man up" attitude again, like last season, even an underdog mentality, as many picked New York to win.
The Eagles won the turnover battle, limited the penalties, were almost perfect in 3rd down conversions, did better in the red zone, and got off to a fast start.
The G-men played like dogs and eventually quit. Beckham Jr. is a disease on that team. Eli manning can't play anymore. Plus his offensive line is woeful. New York will be criticized for not taking a young quarterback in the draft last spring. Instead of drafting Manning's successor, they picked RB Barkley, who is going to be a star for a long time.
To me, it was the right thing o do.The Giants will draft high again next spring. not as many teams will need QBs. New York may have it's choice of young QBs. picking the right one will be key. No matter, without an offensive line for protection, the weapons won't matter.
- After last night can you really imagine anyone else in the East winning the division other than the Birds? They embarrassed the rival Giants in their home and probably ended their season early. Washington and Dallas are too inconsistent to challenge. Winning the East will get the Eagles into the playoffs, earn a home game, and take the club one step closer to a repeat Super Bowl.
Injuries still concern me. Peters, who seems to be breaking down with age, is hurt again, with a possible torn bicep. Lane Johnson played thru a high-ankle sprain. Sproles hopefully will be back from a hamstring issue soon.
Rumors still swirl about the Steelers' Lavion Bell being traded to Philadelphia. Our running backs, including Smallwood, Clement and Sproles, are serviceable. Bell would be a difference-maker. Apparently he is an Eagle if they want him bad enough. What will be the price?
Beating the Rams in LA, and the Saints in New Orleans will be tough. Winning those games on the road will reestablish the Eagles as NFC favorites.
- Odd seeing Buck and Aikman on Thursday night. Still dislike Strahan running the pre-game show.
THIS DAY IN SPORTS HISTORY- OCTOBER 12
2003 AL Playoffs
'Pedro took some heat that he shouldn't have taken. They say, 'Well, Pedro beat up an old man.' Pedro didn't beat up an old man. An old man was dumb enough to go after him. Pedro didn't do nothing wrong, as far as I'm concerned, and doesn't owe me an apology. I went after him, and I apologized to everybody for what I did. And I let it go at that."
-Don Zimmer
'Pedro took some heat that he shouldn't have taken. They say, 'Well, Pedro beat up an old man.' Pedro didn't beat up an old man. An old man was dumb enough to go after him. Pedro didn't do nothing wrong, as far as I'm concerned, and doesn't owe me an apology. I went after him, and I apologized to everybody for what I did. And I let it go at that."
-Don Zimmer
Thursday, October 11, 2018
EAGLES-GIANTS PICK
Heavy rain is expected tonight from tropical Storm Michael. That should limit the Giants' running game,e especially Barkley. I don't expect NY QB Eli Manning to throw the ball all over the Meadowland, but a slick field could aid the Birds.
It's a must-win for both teams. 3-3 looks a lot better for the Eagles than 2-4. It's their first division game. Winning the NFC East may be the only route to the playoffs. The Birds rest 10 days until their next game, a home contest vs Carolina.
For New York, going 1-5 would only snowball a frustrating start even more. They played better against the Panthers last week, losing on a 63-yard field goal.
Initially, I thought this Thursday Night game would be tough. Giants laying in wait. Eagles coming off an emotional loss to Minnesota with a road game only four days later. But the recent losses to Tennessee and the Vikings have changed my mind about tonight's game.
With the weather I expect a low scoring game. The G-men have the weapons in Barkley and Beckham Jr. Injuries are still killing Philly. Since the Giants are 27th in the league in rush defense the Eagles, even without Ajayi, need to run the ball.
The Eagle secondary needs to shore up against Beckham Jr or it could be a long night in the rain.
Not fully confident, but I see a typical close game between the Eagles and Giants.
Eagles 16 Giants 13
It's a must-win for both teams. 3-3 looks a lot better for the Eagles than 2-4. It's their first division game. Winning the NFC East may be the only route to the playoffs. The Birds rest 10 days until their next game, a home contest vs Carolina.
For New York, going 1-5 would only snowball a frustrating start even more. They played better against the Panthers last week, losing on a 63-yard field goal.
Initially, I thought this Thursday Night game would be tough. Giants laying in wait. Eagles coming off an emotional loss to Minnesota with a road game only four days later. But the recent losses to Tennessee and the Vikings have changed my mind about tonight's game.
With the weather I expect a low scoring game. The G-men have the weapons in Barkley and Beckham Jr. Injuries are still killing Philly. Since the Giants are 27th in the league in rush defense the Eagles, even without Ajayi, need to run the ball.
The Eagle secondary needs to shore up against Beckham Jr or it could be a long night in the rain.
Not fully confident, but I see a typical close game between the Eagles and Giants.
Eagles 16 Giants 13
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