I coubt that Cingular can tie up Lucent.

doubt that Cingular can tie up Lucent.

Cingular is a joint venture of SBC Communications and Bell South. Their stocks are at 25.34 and 23.75 respectively. Lucent is sitting in the catbird seat at 1.76.

All stock prices as of 1500Z030204

Dear Faldage: "catbird seat" is an Irish bull. Red Barber or whoever deserve the blame
for that stupid coinage didn't know a goddam thing about catibirds. Catbirds are very
shy and reclusive. They AVOID the "catbird seat" which is occupied by a mockingbird,
which is brassy, bold, and a bit belligerent.

Look at my usage, Dr Bill.

Dear Faldage you were too subtle.

I believe that the interpretation of catbird seat as meaning a position of power is mistaken; the proper interpretation should be a position of safety. I believe that Red Barber was a keen observer of the world around him, which would have included catbird behavior.

Dear Faldage: I have never seen "catbird seat" mean anything but up high above everything else.
I am convinced neither Thurber nor Barber could tell a catbird from a mockingbird.

Red used it to describe a batter with a three and oh count on him, if I remember arright. He cain't be held responsible for other people's use of the term.

He used the phrase many times. And even the one you cite means the batter was in a very
desirable position, couldn't lose waiting out the next pitch.
Here's from an article about him:
"Red Barber Quotes and Phrases:

"Baseball is dull only to dull minds."
"Whenever you have a tight situation and there's a close pitch, the umpire gets a
squawk no matter how he calls it."
"When I was in baseball and you went into the clubhouse, you didn't see ball
players with curling irons."
"He's sitting in the catbird seat." (He has the lead.)
"Hold the phone." (Manager on the way to the mound.)
"Running like a bunny with his tail on fire." (The player can run really fast.)
"The bases are F O B's" (Full of Brooklyn(s) Dodger players.)