Morning Rant

This morning I have had very little sleep but still want to make some observations on Pedro, Lance and Animal House.

Last night the Red Sox beat the Oakland A's 11-3 behind a potent offensive attack and another fine start by Pedro. I don't know what there is not to like about Pedro. You know that he will finish the season in the top five in wins, ERA and strikeouts and he does this every year.

Last night Pedro pitched 7 innings and gave up just 2 earned runs. Sure he was only in there for 102 pitches but with that big a lead and no shut-out at stake - why not use the bullpen?

Pedro had a bumpy May but is 4-0 in June and July. So far this year he has averaged better than 6.5 innings per start (he's sixth in the AL in innings pitched). Right now he's second in the AL in strikeouts with 112 (but will surely drop to third after Curt Schilling's start tonight). He's also tied for fourth in wins with 9.

In almost every major pitching statistical category - Pedro is top 5. Again - what's not to like? Sign him up!

I love the fact that Lance Armstrong is wearing the Yellow Jersey in the Tour de France after just the fourth stage. I have to wonder if the French press goes out of their way not to ask him any political questions. Obviously Lance is focused on just the race but the press has to know that he is a Texan and also a friend of President Bush. I have to think that his dominance in what is supposed to be an European sport has to ruffle just a little and that the analogy between Lance and fellow Texan George W. must chafe.

Last night I couldn't sleep. I finally went into dream world around 11:30 but was awake again at 2:30 am. I just couldn't fall back to sleep - just one of those things. About 3:15 - I decided to go lay on the couch and watch TV - sometimes that works. Many is the morning that my wife awakes to find me asleep on the couch with ESPN quietly droning on in the background.

Anyway - checking the on-screen guide I saw a special treat. Animal House was on at 3:30 on Turner Classic Movies!

The movie is a classic (note to self - must do a Top 5 comedy movies list). It is now 26-years old and by today's standards it is rather tame (although the gratuitous boobies would definitely still garner a R rating). What's not to like about a movie that taught us that knowledge is good?

It was interesting to see the characters (actors) from 26 years ago and to realize what they went on to become. Bluto went on to become dead of course but most of the others had second careers.

Otter went on to become Vice President of the US in the Bartlett administration but in true Otter fashion - he had to step down due to a sex scandal.

Pinto put his liberal arts education to use and went on to become Mozart.

I could have sworn that "D" Day went on to become Spiderman's boss - Mr. Jameson but I was mistaken (although he did go on to become a classic "that guy" in the Bill Simmons sense where you see him in bit roles and you recognize him but can't recall his name).

Flounder will forever go through life fat, drunk and stupid and will forever be Flounder.

In an interesting twist of fate - Chip Diller went on to become the most connected man in Hollywood (maybe he was responsible for getting Babs her job as Universal Studios tour guide?).

In real life I have a couple of friends who know Mark Metcalf who played Neidermeyer and it turns out that he is one of the nicest regular guys you'll ever meet. Too bad he basically was typecast as Neidermeyer.

Well enough typing for this morning. With so little sleep - I know it is going to be a long day.