Miscellaneous Thoughts

Some observations while I have my first cup of coffee...

Dave Barry looks at the current poker craze. Barry is normally very funny but he just doesn't get poker. I should also mention that there are fewer things more purely American than poker. The game of poker is woven through the very fabric of our history - so to bash poker is to be anti-American, there is no people more anti-American than the French - ergo Dave Barry is French... When searching for something on the web - always click on the "printer friendly version" because it almost always gets rid of the ads... The Red Sox should make Derek Lowe watch film of each of Carl Pavano's starts to show him how a guy facing free-agency is supposed to pitch. Last night Pavano threw a complete game shut-out against the White Sox to improve to 7-2 on the season (with a 2.81 ERA). Unfortunately - given Lowe's low self esteem - he would probably view the films with the idea that the Red Sox are making him watch film of the guy who will be replacing him next year (which isn't a bad idea)... Richard at Pearly Gates points out that the Angels still have yet to get a HR from anyone who has played 1st base this year. That's incredible.... Talk about conficted feelings. I'm very happy for Tanyon Sturtze (the pride of St. Peter-Marian CCHS) who pitched 6 innings, only allowed 3 runs and improved to 2-0 on the season but his win for the Yankees allowed the Evil Empire to move 5.5 games ahead of the Red Sox... If the Astros are to make any sort of run for the playoffs - they need to upgrade their fifth starter. Tim Redding (3-5 and 5.30 ERA) just won't get the job done... I have to admit that I have been completely wrong about Jason Schmidt. I expected him to have a very bad year and instead he would have to be considered a front-runner for the NL Cy Young Award... I would expect San Diego to move either veteran Ryan Klesko or youngster Xavier Nady in the near future...