Shortstop Brendan Ryan, whose locker is next to Ackley's, joked about his new teammate in pseudo-legendary nickname terms as the media approached: "Don't talk to me — talk to the Barrel Finder."

Maybe Ackley's a Baggins on his mother's side?

"You may indeed! I come from under the hill, and under the hills and over the hills my paths led. And through the air. I am he that walks unseen."

So I can well believe," said Smaug, "but that is hardly your usual name."

"I am the clue-finder, the web-cutter, the stinging fly. I was chosen for the lucky number."

"Lovely titles!" sneered the dragon. "But lucky numbers don't always come off."

"I am he that buries his friends alive and drowns them and draws them alive again from the water. I came from the end of a bag, but no bag went over me."

"These don't sound so creditable," scoffed Smaug.

"I am the friend of bears and the guest of eagles. I am Ringwinner and Luckwearer; and I am Barrel-rider," went on Bilbo, beginning to be pleased with his riddling.

"That's better!" said Smaug. "But don't let your imagination run away with you!"

And he even wears #13 . . .

11 months ago The Ancient Mariner 15 comments 0 recs |

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So far we haven't seen the side of Brendan Ryan that was apparently his biggest weakness in St Louis?

He seems like he’s the glue holding 2011 together.

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by Kenneth Arthur on Jun 28, 2011 11:18 AM PDT reply actions

I was talking about how I could not understand how people didn't like him in St. Louis last night.

I just do not get why the players on that team were not in love with him like the ones on ours seem to be.

by Kirk on Jun 28, 2011 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions

Other than the publicly aired grievances of how he was late for a lot of things and rubbed his teammates the wrong way with his attitude?

by abender20 on Jun 28, 2011 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions

I wonder how much of this could have had something to do with Tony LaRussa?

Pure speculation on my part as I did not follow the Brendan Ryan situation very closely when he was in St Louis, just from the idea that it seems LaRussa can be a tough guy to work for.

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by Kenneth Arthur on Jun 28, 2011 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions