What a Week
Since my wife and I started US Systems in our garage 18 years ago, we have never both been able to be gone for more than 4 or 5 days due to the demands of it. However, in the past two years, we have hired 5 vice-presidents in Sales, Finance, Marketing, Engineering, and Operations from the corporate world. This is the first time we have been able to be gone
Since my wife and I started US Systems in our garage 18 years ago, we have never both been able to be gone for more than 4 or 5 days due to the demands of it. However, in the past two years, we have hired 5 vice-presidents in Sales, Finance, Marketing, Engineering, and Operations from the corporate world. This is the first time we have been able to be gone this long.
The past two weeks have marked the longest we have ever been on vacation. Now, mind you, I am not complaining… we have been to amazing places for business… and a little pleasure. It also marks the longest we have been away from our youngest child, who is 20 (he’s the one on the right). Since he was born, he has always been with us, except for maybe a weekend. It was a new experience for all of us.
It was a great two weeks that started in Fisherman’s Wharf and finally meeting Jeff Dominique and his wife as well as Evan Bladh. WE watched the 49’ers and the Packer at my step-son’s house and had dinner and breakfast with them. I highly recommend the Argonaut Hotel. We spent six days at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki, right on the beach. I very much recommend it. We had a great time.
Then, it was back to Napa for two days of wine tasting and dinner with some of my wife’s old friends (she’s from SF). We sent two cases of wine back to Indy and we got back at 11 PM on Tuesday night. I was in the office at 7 AM on Wednesday and Patty and I headed to the Pacer Game to see Victor Oladipo’s return after over a year of rehab from injury. Little did we know how much the game would be about Kobe Bryant and have a fairy tale ending.
Kobe, Kobe, Kobe
Before the game started, there was a 24-second moment of silence for Kobe Bryant and Gianna and my wife said she couldn’t stop crying. When the buzzer sounded, the crowd started chanting “Kobe, Kobe, Kobe.” The Bulls won the tip and immediately put the ball on the ground as all the players stood quietly waiting for the 24-second clock to wind-down. At the end of the 24-second clock, the crowd started chanting “Kobe, Kobe, Kobe.”
Next, the Pacers took the ball out and did the exact same thing and as the 24-second clock wound down, the near-sellout crowd started chanting “Kobe, Kobe, Kobe.” In Indiana, we know basketball and appreciate the greatness of Kobe Bryant.
Midway in the first quarter, Victor made his debut. If you don’t like Vic, you just don’t like people. The crowd all held up yellow signs welcoming # 4 back, but if we expected Superman, we were disappointed. The Pacers played uninspired basketball all night, turnovers and missed shots that they normally would have made. Maybe they were hoping for the obviously rusty Oladipo to take over.
Behind by seven points, they chipped away until Vic (who was 0-6 at the time from 3-point range) hit a 30-foot jumper to tie the game and send it into overtime. He did not play in OT as he is on a minutes limit, but the Pacers played like their hair was on fire and won by a 115-106 score. Victor was obviously overwhelmed and credited Mamba Mentality for the shot.
You have to love Victor Oladipo. What a night and he had Kike and Gigi’s initials on his shoes in honor of them.
Now Back to Dodger Baseball
- Not surprisingly the Dodgers outfield was ranked #1 in the NL West by MLB.com. Even Ray Charles can see that.
- Scott Kazmir has been working with Driveline Baseball over the winter and plans a comeback three years after his last game. I have no opinion…
- Of course, Andrew Friedman is interested in Lindor, Clevinger, and Betts… he’s just not going to make a dope-fiend move. It’s a waiting game and if and when the Indians and Red Sox drop their asking price, he may be inclined to play.
- I am very excited about the current Dodger’s pitching staff with Mark Prior, Josh Bard, Rob Hill, and Driveline Baseball. I am not sure which arms will go where and not all reclamation projects may be successful, but I think enough will that the results will be amazing!
- How far has Yasiel Puig sunk? Maybe the Marlins will sign him for fun.
- Less than two weeks until pitchers and catchers report….
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Discussion (79)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Olney putting the likelihood of the Dodgers getting Betts at 8.5 on a 1 (not getting) to a 10 (getting him) scale. Would love to see Betts in a Dodger uniform but unless he is signed for a multi-year deal, the Dodgers will not part with top tier minor league talent.
I can see a trade involving Joc, Stripling, maybe Kenta and some minor league pieces. Would allow the Red Sox to be freed of the 27 million owed to Betts this year and still get some talent that can contribute at the ML level right now. If this deal happens it will be in the next 10 days, certainly before players start to arrive at CBR. Can’t see AF making the trade in the middle of ST.
If the Dodgers pull it off I hope they can do it without having to take David Price.
I’m just guessing the Dodgers don’t have much going with the Indians. But the Betts rumors are increasing and maybe getting somewhat serious. Friedman added fuel to the fire at fan fest.
Nobody apparently is biting on Price, no surprise there, so it would appear that the only option available, if the Red Sox are serious about getting under the cap, is trading Betts.
Interesting interview with Alex Wood. He was told he would start, the reason he opted to sign with LA.
Jimmy Nelson expects to be used in different roles.
Hate to bring this up again, but I just read an article on The Athletic about an Astros Fan who listened to every at bat during the 2017 Hou home games and that there were over 1100 bangs during the season. It seemed to go away after the ChiSox game in which Danny Farquhar complained about the sound. This is a great read and when I clicked on this site….mind blown http://signstealingscandal.com/players/. The players who benefitted the most, bangs per game.
Great article Mark. Congratulations on the time off as someone that is also in a service industry, I too have had to sacrifice lack of family and travel time for the business. It was not until recent hires which I have gone through like a kid goes through diapers to find the right fits that I may have a couple employees that may work out. Hopefully in the near future I will be able to take 2 weeks off, and enjoy more family time.
As much as I dislike how our off-season has gone with the lack of picking up a 2nd Ace, I agree with you and appreciate AF patience. I too hope that as soon as the price drops swoop in and get that Star. Hopefully with all the heartbreaking endured from 17-18 ownership and AF come up with a plan to bring us the coveted WS championship we have lacked since 88. Now back to refreshing my Twitter.