The Witch Elm, by Tana French

I had a lovely chat with @benlindbergh.bsky.social and @sheehannewsletter.bsky.social on Effectively Wild today covering some recent transactions and then debating the challenge ABS system:

This seems rather obviously fake, and more like a joke than even a hoax or a forgery. It’s not something any real person would write. Also, it alludes to Epstein killing himself, which we all know he did not do.

it's like B Rabbit saying "tell em something they don't already know about me"

Dansby Swanson made some crucial and valuable adjustments in 2025. Unfortunately, time only accelerates on you when you're a shortstop in your 30s; he'll have to make a whole new set of changes in 2026. @northsidebaseball.com: northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/...

Pablo López went slow and steady with the introduction of his kick-change in 2025. Should he put the pedal down in 2026? @twinsdaily.com: twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/...

Pablo López went slow and steady with the introduction of his kick-change in 2025. Should he put the pedal down in 2026? @twinsdaily.com: twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/...

Dansby Swanson made some crucial and valuable adjustments in 2025. Unfortunately, time only accelerates on you when you're a shortstop in your 30s; he'll have to make a whole new set of changes in 2026. @northsidebaseball.com: northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/...

Tonight, Anthony Edwards truly became President.

“And Ed Sheeran had an insanely colorful tattoo tapestry across his entire torso and arms” feels like something from a dream someone describes to you, in which you quickly lose interest.

Shit. Now I have to actually see ‘The Matrix’ to find out how my future will be.

Improvement. Huge improvement.

My initial take on the Baz trade is: Shane Baz needs to either dye his beard a darker color or shave it. Otherwise, deal is a loss for Baltimore.

[stares in 2026 baseball print project editor]

This deal is getting delightfully, batshit crazy.

I am heretofore unknown levels of 'out' on Michael King on that #Padres contract. So, ultimately, were the #Cubs. They did have interest if the terms had been a bit less player-friendly, though. Some Cubs notes heading into the weekend; they're active right now: northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/...

I am heretofore unknown levels of 'out' on Michael King on that #Padres contract. So, ultimately, were the #Cubs. They did have interest if the terms had been a bit less player-friendly, though. Some Cubs notes heading into the weekend; they're active right now: northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/...

It is amazing how much you can write on two guys you never heard of before. I could have written more. My first contribution to @brewerfanatic.com:

(You don’t have to share the Kristin Cabot fluff shit. Even to dunk on it. We all know where we all stand on it. Demand news from news outlets. Ignore bullshit.)

Why #Cubs think Tyler Austin can be more successful in a return to MLB, based on his evolution in Japan—and why he fits their roster perfectly even if he's the same guy as before. @northsidebaseball.com: northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/...

I loved John Spencer but electing his ghost president 20 years after he passed seems like a massive mistake by Iran.

Processing my feelings about umpires closing their eyes pebblehunting.substack.com/p/fright-eyes

Why #Cubs think Tyler Austin can be more successful in a return to MLB, based on his evolution in Japan—and why he fits their roster perfectly even if he's the same guy as before. @northsidebaseball.com: northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/...

This album still goes hard.

We spend a lot of time holding Democrats and Republicans to different expectations. Me, I find the 216 people who voted for this bill equally wrong, and the 214 who voted against it equally right.

I’m not watching the thing; I’m busy. Just let me know if he declares war on VZ or if this is just a bitch session.

The Pohlad family is going about this all with Midwestern stoicism, but Wednesday brought us some eye-opening nuggets. Like, Joe Pohlad isn't out voluntarily. Like, Tom Pohlad is the only Pohlad in charge now. Like, change will come much faster for this team now. twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/...

The Pohlad family is going about this all with Midwestern stoicism, but Wednesday brought us some eye-opening nuggets. Like, Joe Pohlad isn't out voluntarily. Like, Tom Pohlad is the only Pohlad in charge now. Like, change will come much faster for this team now. twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/...

Put that on a placard right now.

Russia 2022 : Ukraine :: USA 2025 : Venezuela

Yo, if Adrian Houser is getting $22 million, adjust every projection you have on remaining FA upward by 7-10%.

Really good look @brewerfanatic.com today from Telemachus Rafaelidys, at how Maikel García's extension with #Royals sets a precedent for #Brewers and Brice Turang—but also the factors that muddy the water there. brewerfanatic.com/news-rumors/...

Today @twinsdaily.com, our Matthew Taylor explains why Josh Bell's poor defense at first base is likely to be mitigated by the way #MNTwins position players at that spot. twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/...

Fully updated piece on the Thielbar signing, with a bit of reporting that goes with Foster Griffin's deal with #Nationals: #Cubs had interest in Griffin as a lefty who would both start and relieve, but Griffin will start more for Nats than he would have in CHI. northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/...

As an American I find it deeply humbling that there are many people who so strongly believe in the promise of this country—despite being so shoddily and shamefully treated—that they still want to be a citizen of it. We've let these people down badly, and still they want to be part of a solution.

One of the biggest moments of my career: USCIS canceled my client’s naturalization oath ceremony. We filed a lawsuit, went to trial, and the judge swore him in right there in the courtroom!

Fully updated piece on the Thielbar signing, with a bit of reporting that goes with Foster Griffin's deal with #Nationals: #Cubs had interest in Griffin as a lefty who would both start and relieve, but Griffin will start more for Nats than he would have in CHI. northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/...

Confirming news broken at the other site by Jesse Rogers: Caleb Thielbar and the #Cubs are in agreement on a new deal. @northsidebaseball.com: northsidebaseball.com/news-rumors/...

In fairness, it’s because they don’t reject AIPAC or stand against genocide. So at least they’re not hypocrites.

The thing about the big, loud howl and “Who Let the Dogs Out?” is… it was the Huskies against the Wolfpack.

This better mean a charity 5K.

Our @nodaktwinsfan.bsky.social breaks down how the arrival of Josh Bell alters #MNTwins' lineup as a unit for 2026. twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/...

Instant reaction is up @twinsdaily.com after #MNTwins sign first baseman Josh Bell—a solid pickup at a position of obvious need. twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/...

Right. He’s clearly most famous for being Jess’s dad.

Strive to live your life so brilliantly and well that if you have the misfortune to die before Donald Trump, he sends a mean post about you afterward. If Trump hates you that much, you were doing much right.

Instant reaction is up @twinsdaily.com after #MNTwins sign first baseman Josh Bell—a solid pickup at a position of obvious need. twinsdaily.com/news-rumors/...

Waking up at 4am to wait for your school district to scroll by at the bottom of the news station (6 abc action news here) was the most elite way to find out whether you had a snow day or not

The metaphor doesn’t really work but this day has just been one long kick in the sports crotch for me.

The Packers' lack of discipline just keeps killing them. Stupid penalty after stupid penalty, not just being out of position or something but doing stupid shit after the whistle. Shitty coaching to let that happen week after week.