cusimano_brothers

"Wind of Change" - Peter Frampton.

Getting a better deal, in ALL aspects of a collective bargaining agreement, IS incentive to try and reach a new deal, no matter how long or when it gets done.

There is always ways to improve the employees' position during collective bargaining negotiations. They are working to create a deal that is best for themselves; there is absolutely nothing wrong with that line of thinking. The recently expired CBA was not the "end-all and be-all" deal. You can't get it unless you ask for it. Uncle Gary's "trojan horse" routine isn't working. Good!

"Cool Jerk" - The Capitols.

The other day on TSN"s OTR, one of Michael Landsberg's guests was comic Jim Breuer. He mentioned a possible concept that would be "entertaining but useless": what if the voice on a GPS was that of Ozzy Osbourne?

I realize that there is a lot more that must be negotiated, but if the League isn't going to budge on either "make whole" or the "honouring of signed contracts" (or both), these negotiations are doomed. I can't help but think that if Uncle Gary hadn't shouted "LOCKOUT", there would be hockey right now and negotiations would be at the very same position.

"Cool Water" -The Sons of the Pioneers.

"Mary, Mary" - The Paul Butterfield Blues Band.

Pierre LeBrun agrees with me? Interesting.

"Arms of Mary" - Chilliwack.

"Pink on White Walls" - Paul Weller.

A) Are you aware that only one side has the ability to force a lockout? B) I'd never want to be a team owner. What I would much rather prefer to do is to be part of the CBA negotiating committee. Trying to improve all of the benefits of the players (not just some of them) for the players would be a lot more interesting to me and more rewarding to everyone concerned. I've also heard that 23/11/2012 is an important date from the standpoint the League and I know why. This kind of a deadline hasn't been staring the League in the face before these negotiations.

"Pretty In Pink" - The Psychedelic Furs.

For those you who are like me and don't "Tweet" (it's the work of the devil, y'know), Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star is providing live updates.

"White Light/White Heat" - The Velvet Underground.

Who's this new goon the Barons have? Are there two Taylor Halls?

Maybe Uncle Gary is trying to sell the concept of 22/9 to the players.

I do remember reading that Winnipeg would have to be taking revenue sharing in their first season. No NHL in Puerto Rico? Interesting.

If it wasn't for bad luck...

"Turn On Your Love Light" - Bobby "Blue" Bland.

A) You must have conveniently forgot about this: L-O-C-K-O-U-T. Three-for-three. This type of tactic demonstrates a total disrespect for the collective bargaining agreement negotiating process and, even worse of in my mind, a lack or respect of the employees which is unparalleled in the history of sports . Uncle Gary loves to see his name mentioned in the media. In his mind, even bad press is better than no press. B) Uncle Gary represents "businesses" or in some cases "hobbies of the rich and famous", some of whose owners are doing a terrible job at running their "business". Many experts break it down as this: at the present time ten teams make money, ten teams break even and ten teams lose money. Imagine how much more money the League could have in their coffers if some of these owners had even a modicum of business savey and knew how to properly run a "business". Of course they will vote 30-0; Article 17 commands them to; Uncle Gary's got their back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPx1Zlc0IBU "Gimme Shelter" - Merry Clayton. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9X0HCGNfyg "Gimme Shelter" - The Rolling Stones.

I'm just guessing here: his role near the end of the season was a little different, as Robertson had closed a few games and he might become the "closer of the future". If he does end up in that role, he's caught a lot of people off guard. Who knows, when Rivera went down so early and Soriano was "anointed" as the closer, he may have been happy with that. With that most recent change in his "role" maybe he, or his agent, wasn't happy. What I found in an article from the New York Times: In the end, I guess it's just a business decision by both parties.

That thirteen-million dollars lost figure might have lit up the League's switchboard...with calls from owners. Maybe.