Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

Our descent away from representational government may have started with the appointment by a President of a Czar for this and a Czar of that. Who elected a Climate Czar for example? No more Czars... Not sure if there's any truth to the rumor that FaceBook, Amazon and Apple next have their sights set on the Farmers Only dating app because of the role farmers played in the Whiskey Rebellion insurrection... Boston College fired men's basketball coach Jim Christian on Monday. Even though he was the coach for seven years if you gave me a hundred chances I could not have told you who the BC coach was on Sunday. The job seems to be cursed since the Eagles fired Al Skinner all those years ago... Good baseball debate: who was the better player - Dustin Pedroia or Chase Utley? Offensively Utley has the edge but Pedroia has 4 Gold Gloves to his name... One fallacy of Social Media is that your voice is actually being heard. People like Joe Rogan, Matthew Ridley, Bill Simmons, and many, many others NEVER look at the comments or mentions. And regular users like you and me are more and more likely to mute others we find disagreeable. There's a very good chance your response is never even seen...  

NL All-Star Team

Here's my picks for who is most deserving to be named to the NL All-Star Team:

C - Brian McCann Braves - narrowly over Russell Martin
1st - Lance Berkman Astros - complete player
2nd - Chase Utley Phillies - any questions?
SS - Hanley Ramirez Marlins
3rd - Chipper Jones Braves
OF - Nate McLouth Pirates
OF - Ryan Braun Brewers
OF - Ryan Ludwick Cardinals
DH - Albert Pujols Cardinals
SP - Edinson Volquez Reds

Reserves - Russell Martin Dodgers; Geovany Soto Cubs; Adrian Gonzalez Padres; Dan Uggla Marlins; Jose Reyes Mets; David Wright Mets; Carlos Beltran Mets; Jason Bay Pirates; Pat Burrell Phillies; Ben Sheets Brewers; Ryan Dempster Cubs; Brandon Webb Diamondbacks; Tim Lincecum Giants; Kerry Wood Cubs; Jon Rauch Nationals;

Notes - Derrek Lee probably would start for the AL team but there's a good chance to might not even make the NL team... It is very possible that the middle infield combination of Chase Utley and Hanley Ramirez may be the best middle infield pairing to appear together in the history of baseball... Aramis Ramirez may not make the team. I bet that would go over well in Chicago.... There is a good chance that all three outfielders voted in by the fans will be players who will be undeserving based upon this season's performance. Ken Griffey, Jr., Alfonso Soriano and Kosuke Fukudome both of the Cubs are the leading vote getters but none of the three really should even be on the team... Matt Holliday will most likely be the representative from the Rockies. Holliday making the team could cost Pat Burrell or Ryan Ludwick a spot on the team...