Left Coast Sports Babe

Grudging congratulations to the Los Angeles Dodgers Smith, who played well

Will Smith called them a “special group of guys.”

And not like the Blue Jays had a small payroll

But Shohei Ohtani, $70 million, Tyler Glasgow, $30 million, Blake Snell, $28.5 million, Yamamoto $27 million…

The Blue Jays had the 5th highest payroll in baseball and even so were under $100 million below the Dodgers. (not counting the Dodgers “deferred” tricks – where Ohtani only shows up at $1 million this year.. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/44011956/dodgers-deferred-payments-hit-1051b-8-players-2028-46

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But wonder what happens when Donald Trump and JD Vance realize the World Series MVP Yamamato is a non-English speaker. And Miguel Rojas, who hit the game tying home run in the 9th is from Venezuela.

Will they try to turn the Dodgers’ victory parade into a major ICE operation?

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On Donald Trump calling for Senate to invoke the “nuclear option” to end the shutdown- ie end the filibuster.

Is it possible Velveeta Voldemort just wants to break the Senate like he and Mike Johnson have broken the House?

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So Donald Trump wants us to believe as President he can do anything – bomb boats, tear down part of the White House, take Congressional powers….

But he’s powerless to authorize money for SNAP?

Two words.

Yeah. Right.

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Went over to Fox News website to see how they were spinning Donald Trump’s extravagant Great Gatsby themed Mar-A-Lago party last night.

And not surprisingly, they didn’t cover it.

But they made it a headline when Obama took Michelle to NY for a date night in 2009.

https://www.foxnews.com/story/how-much-did-obamas-date-cost-you

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Not always a fan of NY Times headline writers but full marks on this one.

“As the Shutdown Pain Grows, Trump Attends to Other Matters The president attended a Halloween party Friday and called attention to the marble renovation of a White House bathroom.”

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About that Gatsby party.

“Let me tell you about the very rich. They are different from you and me. They possess and enjoy early, and it does something to them…Even when they enter deep into our world or sink below us, they still think that they are better than we are. They are different. ” F. Scott Fitzgerald.

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Illinois Governor Pritzker’s requested that ICE pause operations in Chicago just during Halloween, so as not to terrorize families & children. Kristi Noem refused.

Noem won’t need a costume to go as a witch. “And your little dog too.”-

Now the President who still wants a Nobel Peace Prize is talking about potential military action against Nigeria….?!

As Amy Klobuchar says “a bombshell a day.” Anything to distract from the Epstein files.

Anyone think Donald could find Nigeria on a map?

18 innings in game three

9 in game four

Mad props not just to the Toronto Blue Jays for their comeback from that heartwrenching game 3 18 inning loss. But to their fans, who packed Rogers Centre AGAIN after game 3 ended about 3am Toronto time.

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Meanwhile in game 3. Many missed chances on both sides. But robot umps would have given the Blue Jays not only 2 on no outs in the 2nd, but bases loaded in the 18th.

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At least commissioner Manfred didn’t interrupt this World Series Game 3 or 4 for another Jonas Brothers concert?

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Fully aware many baseball players are conservative, & don’t have to agree with athletes on politics to root for them.

But Blake Treinen is a special case. He LOVES Trump – calls him “the greatest President of my lifetime,”and for years has been posting about vaccines, 2020 election…..

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Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno called Affordable Care Act a ‘total disaster’ but said GOP needs “3 or 4 months” for a replacement plan.

Uh, open enrollment starts Nov 1.

And Republicans have had NINE months. Plus Trump had an entire first term…

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Meanwhile, as five GOP Senators voted with Dems to end Trump’s tariffs on Brazil – tariffs instituted because Donald is mad that Brazil is punishing his pal Bolsonaro for criminal behavior, Rand Paul was asked before the vote why more of his Republican colleagues were not willing to support the measure.

Mr. Paul answered: “Fear.”

Today in meeting with GOP Senators, J.D. Vance apparently told them Trump does not want the House coming back.

Of course not, then they’d have to release the Epstein files.

So the same President who put out a racist anti-NBA post on gambling posthumously pardoned Pete Rose.

Very white of him.

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Brian Kelly flamed out so spectacularly at LSU the university will pay him many millions to go away. What’s next for Kelly?

Following Coach Tubby, also bought out (by both Auburn and Cincinnati), and running for Senate as a Republican?)

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Remember, when GOP wanted to confirm Kimberly Guilfoyle & Herschel Walker as Ambassadors to Greece and the Bahamas, they overrode filibuster. They could do that to open government too.

But they won’t.

Trump wants government closed because he is terrified of the Epstein files.

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I don’t know enough about everything British journalist Sami Hamdi has said and written to really have an opinion on him.

But I do know that it’s insane that anyone can be fired or arrested and/or deported just because Laura Loomer doesn’t like them.

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It’s not that Rand Paul and Thomas Massie have gotten any more liberal or even moderate. It’s that Trump’s policies are increasingly so RADICAL that two of the last true deeply conservative members of Congress are appalled.

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Not always a Gavin Newsom fan. But points for honesty: On CBS Newsom was asked whether he would seriously consider a presidential bid after 2026 midterm elections. “Yeah, I’d be lying otherwise, I’d just be lying. And I’’m not — I can’t do that.”

Loved some of the No Kings signs

One of my favorites: A woman with tennis balls glued to a sign. “Free Balls for Members of Congress who have lost theirs.”

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And “Unpaid protester. I hate him for free.”

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Amazed how many paid bots and trolls on Twitter and other social media are accusing those of us who write and protest for democracy of being paid. I write for free. And to keep a free country.

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We know that Trump wanted riots he could use as an excuse to invoke the insurrection act.

But as the BBC said:

Several US states had mobilised the National Guard. But organisers said the events, which drew nearly seven million people, were peaceful.

Well played Americans who believe in democray and no kings. Well played.

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Too soon to start the pool on when Trump appoints George Santos to a position in his administration?

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J.D. Vance talks about “kids saying stupid things,” referencing a hateful group chat including “young” Republicans up to the age of 40 Eric Trump “I am a good boy.” Eric is 41. What is this, the arrested development party?

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I guess this is why they play the games: “When: Saturday, October 18, 10:30 PM Eastern Where: Stanford Stadium, Stanford, CA Watch: ESPN Odds: Florida State by 17.5 pts.”

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So before the season who had Cal over UNC, Arizona State over Texas Tech, and Stanford over Florida State? Now all of you liars put your hands down.

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Don’t think you care about politics? Trump DOT may rescind US consumer friendly airline rules, like rule to assign families seats together at no charge. Have family of 4, kids age 4 & 2, in premium economy. Lufthansa wants $368 one way for seats together Frankfurt-SFO US airlines want to do same.

Dodgers clearly better deeper team vs Brewers. who never seemed to get a spark going.

But as #SFGiants fan. Willy Adames is wonderful; Willie Mac winner -most inspirational player per teammates. 7 year $182 million contract What if Milwaukee could have afforded to keep him?

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I know Phillies fans boo Santa Claus, but Mariners fans cheering when Blue Jays’ George Springer is injured by Bryan Woo hitting him on the knee with a pitch is a new level of trashy.

(And yes, I will root for either team against the Dodgers.)

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A quote for #NoKIngs “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead

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Democrats agreed to a CR in March and have been trying to get GOP to negotiate on healthcare premiums.

GOP now says, oh, if Dems just agree to ANOTHER CR, this time they will actually negotiate. “Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.”

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Hey GOP cheering everything Donald does.

Per DOJ: Santos made unauthorized charges to fund campaign & personal expenses from stolen donor credit card info, including “victims he knew were elderly persons suffering from cognitive impairment/ decline.”

Yes, people like our parents and grandparents. Or maybe sooner than we think, us.

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Steve Scalise said he will not vote to extend ACA tax credits. Which would mean millions of Americans would lose insurance.

Steve Scalise’s life was saved because he has the best healthcae money can buy – for free as a member of Congress. Once again, Pro life my ass.

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Donald Trump today called Hawaii Senator Mazie Hirono a “nutter,” claiming she wants a railroad from the mainland to Hawaii. Hirono is working on an Oahu rail project. Just another lie, insanity, or dementia?

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Has anyone reminded the GOP that our founding fathers were a #NoKings movement?

USC rejects Trump education compact aimed at shifting the university to the right

Of all the bad things Donald has done, now he’s got me as a Stanford grad praising USC? But well played Trojans. #Fighton

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Can’t usually stand LA Dodgers but their hand waving dance after extra base hits is from song “Baila Conmigo”

Title means “dance with me” in Spanish. Cool, but does this mean Donald will sic ICE on them?

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Much was made about the quarterbacks in Thursday night football. And yes, the younger man, Joe Flacco, 40, beat the old guy, Aaron Rodgers, 41.

But have to say as a Stanford gal I was an early adopter. I disliked Aaron back in his Cal days.

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Can we STOP with the lie that Republicans want to reform Obamacare? Trump was President for four years. GOP did nothing. Dems passed a CR in March. GOP did nothing Republicans want to have Obamacare be …nothing.

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What’s the REAL reason Trump will meet with Putin, again? It’s another several days of the news cycle that won’t be devoted to the Epstein files.

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Another day, another lethal strike by the US military against a Venezuelan boat, suspected to be carrying drugs, & apparently 3 crew members survived. So will Hegseth and Trump now try to kill the survivors before they might be able to protest their innocence?

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No fan of John Bolton

But as Trump has gotten DOJ to indict yet another former supporter and ally who fell from favor, your reminder, John Bolton is a Republican. Sooner or later, Donald throws everyone under the bus.

But of the two teams with 2-0 leads in NLDS

Los Angeles Dodgers – $350,300,236 – not counting their deferrals for Ohtani and others

Milwaukee Brewers – $121,674,704

Almost wish the SF Giants could loan Willy Adames back to the Brewers if Milwaukee plays the Dodgers.

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Meanwhile, the Kansas City Chiefs are 2-3.

No punchline, except that this is probably something at least 70% of Americans are happy about regardless of political affiliation.

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Texas Senator John Cornyn complaining that government shutdowns have become “far too common.” So did he forget, under President Biden the number of shutdowns was 0. The last ones were under Trump.

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Interesting how when Donald takes questions in the Oval Office he’s always sitting down. Because he can no longer regularly stand up for long periods of time?

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Something you won’t see on Fox or from bots/trolls: Karen Immergut, the judge who is blocking Velveeta Voldemort’s use of the National Guard in Oregon, is a TRUMP appointee

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Someone posted on Twitter “I don’t believe US troops will fire on American citizens”

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They’d only be in their 70s now. William, Allison, Jeffrey, Sandy. #kentstate

If you enjoy rooting against the NY Yankees, this was a fun weekend of baseball.

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Meanwhile, while the Yankees gave up 23 runs to the Toronto Blue Jays in two games, the Jets, now 0-5, and Giants 1-4 after letting the Saints get their first win of the year, are hoping the city’s focus stays on baseball a little longer.

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Republicans control House & Senate.

If they wanted to negotiate to keep ACA healthcare subsidies, they’ve had all year to do it. Or they could have just kept subsidies in Big Beautiful Betrayal. Tax cuts for billionaires mattered more than healthcare for average Americans

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Mike Johnson was asked on Face the Nation : “As Speaker of the House do you want to see the ACA tax credit extended?”

His response? “No.”

Dems should play this as an ad on a loop.

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GOP promises they will negotitate on healthcare if Democrats just vote to reopen the government. If Dem do cave, there’s about the same chance of Republicans negotiating in good faith as there is of Charlie Brown actually kicking that football.

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Finally found Fox story on mega church pastor Robert Morris being sentenced to jail.

Nothing in headline saying girl was 12 yrs old when sexual abuse started, which continued for 4 yrs Nothing on Trump saying Morris was his “spiritual advisor” Wonder why ?#FoxNews

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Per NY Times, “Nearly 1/2 of 6 million adults under 35 on ACA marketplace plans expected to drop them because of higher prices — higher share than in any other age group.”

56% of young men voted for Trump in 2024, 40% of young women.

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GOP promises they will negotitate on healthcare if Democrats just vote to reopen the government. If Dem do cave, there’s about the same chance of Republicans negotiating in good faith as there is of Charlie Brown actually kicking that football.