Maybe the Saddest Story You Will Read Today
I can't even imagine the grief the husband must be going through.
Hopefully the Red Sox will step up and do something for this family.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Baseball Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous baseball thoughts and observations.
The Red Sox being percentage points behind the Yankees means that if Roger Clemens is placed on waivers for the purpose of doing a waiver trade - then the Red Sox get first crack at him if front of the Yankees... The A's still don't have a player hitting over .300 on the team... Shea Hillenbrand hasn't exactly been a hit with the Giants - so far he's hitting just .213 with an OPS of .569... Lyford had a nice look at the myth of the Yankees struggling with injuries... I'm really beginning to hate John Kruk. What an idiot... The Dodgers are like a yo-yo. First they lose a bunch and you think they are out of it and now they win 5 straight and are just 3 out of both the NL West and the NL Wildcard... The rumor going around is that with Jason Varitek being injured that the Red Sox are suddenly interested in Baltimore's Javy Lopez. I've got mixed feelings about this. Getting Lopez would silence the critics who believe that somehow a team has to make moves to prove that the front office cares (idiots like John Kruk). However, I'm not sure that the little bit of extra offense from Lopez's bat makes up for his defensive liabilities. Also I kinda like the idea of clubhouse favorite Doug Mirabelli getting an extended opportunity and Ken Huckably getting a chance after toiling at Pawtucket all season...
Miscellaneous baseball thoughts and observations.
The Red Sox being percentage points behind the Yankees means that if Roger Clemens is placed on waivers for the purpose of doing a waiver trade - then the Red Sox get first crack at him if front of the Yankees... The A's still don't have a player hitting over .300 on the team... Shea Hillenbrand hasn't exactly been a hit with the Giants - so far he's hitting just .213 with an OPS of .569... Lyford had a nice look at the myth of the Yankees struggling with injuries... I'm really beginning to hate John Kruk. What an idiot... The Dodgers are like a yo-yo. First they lose a bunch and you think they are out of it and now they win 5 straight and are just 3 out of both the NL West and the NL Wildcard... The rumor going around is that with Jason Varitek being injured that the Red Sox are suddenly interested in Baltimore's Javy Lopez. I've got mixed feelings about this. Getting Lopez would silence the critics who believe that somehow a team has to make moves to prove that the front office cares (idiots like John Kruk). However, I'm not sure that the little bit of extra offense from Lopez's bat makes up for his defensive liabilities. Also I kinda like the idea of clubhouse favorite Doug Mirabelli getting an extended opportunity and Ken Huckably getting a chance after toiling at Pawtucket all season...
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Connections
The historian James Burke had a very entertaining TV show called Connections that made a chain of "connections" from an event in the past to a surprising result of that event in the present.
Based upon today's date and something that has been in the news lately - I'm going to do a version of Connections of my own.
Yesterday was August 1st - which is generally regarded as the anniversary of the beginning of World War I in 1914 (when Germany declared war on Russia because Russia had declared war on Austria because Austria had declared war on Serbia because a Serb assassinated Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand on July 28th).
Personally I think the real war started on August 3, 1914 when Germany declared war on France and followed that up with the invasion of Belgium the following day (because the quickest way to Paris was through neutral Belgium). However, that's neither here nor there. The connection I want to focus on actually started on July 28th.
In 1914 the Turks had two state of the art battleships being built by the British. The ships had cost $30,000,000 in 1914 dollars (which is a lot of money now but a fortune back then). On July 28th the British thought that those two ships (the Sultan Osman and the Reshadieh) would come in handy in the upcoming war - so under the direction of Winston Churchill - the British "requisitioned" them (and they also kept the $30,000,000).
This did not sit well with the Turks who had been trying to stay neutral in the whole brewing fiasco but this bit of theivery may have tipped them toward the Germans. On August 10th the German ships Goeben and Breslau entered the Dardenelles and were soon given to the Turks to replace the two ships the British had stolen. This gesture was well received and basically put the Turks on the side of the Germans.
If the Turks did not enter the war on the side of the Germans then there may never have been the bloody massacre at Gallipoli.
If there was no battle of Gallipoli - then there probably would have not been a movie of the same name. This 1981 movie helped continue the career of a fairly unknown Australian actor who would use his role in Gallipoli to help gain him entree into the American film market by starring in the 1984 film The Bounty.
It is entirely possible that if the movie Gallipoli was never made that Mel Gibson would have remained simply a star in Australia. And news of what crazy Australians spout off when they get arrested in Australia for drunk driving never makes the news in the US.
So Mel Gibson may want to blame the Jews for all the wars in the world but in this series of connections it was the greedy British who miscalculated.
The historian James Burke had a very entertaining TV show called Connections that made a chain of "connections" from an event in the past to a surprising result of that event in the present.
Based upon today's date and something that has been in the news lately - I'm going to do a version of Connections of my own.
Yesterday was August 1st - which is generally regarded as the anniversary of the beginning of World War I in 1914 (when Germany declared war on Russia because Russia had declared war on Austria because Austria had declared war on Serbia because a Serb assassinated Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand on July 28th).
Personally I think the real war started on August 3, 1914 when Germany declared war on France and followed that up with the invasion of Belgium the following day (because the quickest way to Paris was through neutral Belgium). However, that's neither here nor there. The connection I want to focus on actually started on July 28th.
In 1914 the Turks had two state of the art battleships being built by the British. The ships had cost $30,000,000 in 1914 dollars (which is a lot of money now but a fortune back then). On July 28th the British thought that those two ships (the Sultan Osman and the Reshadieh) would come in handy in the upcoming war - so under the direction of Winston Churchill - the British "requisitioned" them (and they also kept the $30,000,000).
This did not sit well with the Turks who had been trying to stay neutral in the whole brewing fiasco but this bit of theivery may have tipped them toward the Germans. On August 10th the German ships Goeben and Breslau entered the Dardenelles and were soon given to the Turks to replace the two ships the British had stolen. This gesture was well received and basically put the Turks on the side of the Germans.
If the Turks did not enter the war on the side of the Germans then there may never have been the bloody massacre at Gallipoli.
If there was no battle of Gallipoli - then there probably would have not been a movie of the same name. This 1981 movie helped continue the career of a fairly unknown Australian actor who would use his role in Gallipoli to help gain him entree into the American film market by starring in the 1984 film The Bounty.
It is entirely possible that if the movie Gallipoli was never made that Mel Gibson would have remained simply a star in Australia. And news of what crazy Australians spout off when they get arrested in Australia for drunk driving never makes the news in the US.
So Mel Gibson may want to blame the Jews for all the wars in the world but in this series of connections it was the greedy British who miscalculated.
Top 5 - Baseball Players from Michigan
Here are who I consider the top 5 players born in Michigan.
1. Charlie Gehringer - Hall of Fame second baseman and 1937 AL MVP
2. Hal Newhouser - Hall of Fame pitcher - 7-time all-star and 2-time AL MVP
3. Kiki Cuyler - Hall of Fame outfielder with a career .321 batting average
4. John Smoltz - a future Hall of Famer in my book
5. (tie) Bobby Grich - six-time all-star and four-time Gold Glove winner (tie) Ted Simmons - 8-time all-star catcher (tie) Jim Kaat - 283 wins and a career 3.69 ERA not to mention 16 Gold Gloves
I had a three-way tie for 5th because I found it impossible to pick one (or two) of those guys over the others.
Here are who I consider the top 5 players born in Michigan.
1. Charlie Gehringer - Hall of Fame second baseman and 1937 AL MVP
2. Hal Newhouser - Hall of Fame pitcher - 7-time all-star and 2-time AL MVP
3. Kiki Cuyler - Hall of Fame outfielder with a career .321 batting average
4. John Smoltz - a future Hall of Famer in my book
5. (tie) Bobby Grich - six-time all-star and four-time Gold Glove winner (tie) Ted Simmons - 8-time all-star catcher (tie) Jim Kaat - 283 wins and a career 3.69 ERA not to mention 16 Gold Gloves
I had a three-way tie for 5th because I found it impossible to pick one (or two) of those guys over the others.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Baseball Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous baseball thoughts and observation.
Last night I 'm leaving the airport in Philadelphia and just getting on route 476 North in Pennsylvania and somehow I pick up the Red Sox game on AM 1080 just in time to hear Youkilis walk, Loretta pop-up and David Ortiz hit a walk-off HR. That was cool... I'm not surprised that the Nationals did not trade Raphael Soriano but I am surprised that Livan Hernandez or Tony Armas Jr. weren't traded. Everyone was looking for a starter and the Nationals had two to trade and yet Jim Bowden couldn't get anything done. I think it makes Bowden look rather foolish given all the interviews he did last week about all the wheeling and dealing he was doing... One final note on the Bobby Abreu deal - if Abreu was a free agent and you were a GM - would you give him a $15 million contract for 2007 with a $16 million option for 2008? Neither would I... The Cubs traded Greg Maddux to the Dodgers for Ceasar Izturis. I like this deal for both sides. It gives the Dodgers an extra arm (with lots of playoff race experience) and they really had no room for Iztuzis (and his contract). The Cubs meanwhile finally get a decent shortstop... Shedding Izturis' $4 million contract also allowed the Dodgers to take on Julio Lugo. I don't think Ned Colletti is a very good GM but at least he's trying... For those excited by the Yankees getting Craig Wilson - here are his road numbers this year:
Craig Wilson road 2006 - .227 BA / .306 OBP / .681 OPS
With the Padres trading for Todd Walker - the question has to be asked; what were they thinking in trading Mark Loretta this spring?... Of all the trades yesterday - it was the Rockies / Royals deal that has the potential to be the on most remembered. Either Jeremy Affeldt or Danny "Pedro's cousin" Bautista can blossom into a frontline starter and Ryan Shealy could be a star (but not in Colorado where he'd always be stuck behind Todd Helton). I'm not saying that these players will blossom into all-stars but of all the trades - this one has the potential to be the most remembered - that's all...
Miscellaneous baseball thoughts and observation.
Last night I 'm leaving the airport in Philadelphia and just getting on route 476 North in Pennsylvania and somehow I pick up the Red Sox game on AM 1080 just in time to hear Youkilis walk, Loretta pop-up and David Ortiz hit a walk-off HR. That was cool... I'm not surprised that the Nationals did not trade Raphael Soriano but I am surprised that Livan Hernandez or Tony Armas Jr. weren't traded. Everyone was looking for a starter and the Nationals had two to trade and yet Jim Bowden couldn't get anything done. I think it makes Bowden look rather foolish given all the interviews he did last week about all the wheeling and dealing he was doing... One final note on the Bobby Abreu deal - if Abreu was a free agent and you were a GM - would you give him a $15 million contract for 2007 with a $16 million option for 2008? Neither would I... The Cubs traded Greg Maddux to the Dodgers for Ceasar Izturis. I like this deal for both sides. It gives the Dodgers an extra arm (with lots of playoff race experience) and they really had no room for Iztuzis (and his contract). The Cubs meanwhile finally get a decent shortstop... Shedding Izturis' $4 million contract also allowed the Dodgers to take on Julio Lugo. I don't think Ned Colletti is a very good GM but at least he's trying... For those excited by the Yankees getting Craig Wilson - here are his road numbers this year:
Craig Wilson road 2006 - .227 BA / .306 OBP / .681 OPS
With the Padres trading for Todd Walker - the question has to be asked; what were they thinking in trading Mark Loretta this spring?... Of all the trades yesterday - it was the Rockies / Royals deal that has the potential to be the on most remembered. Either Jeremy Affeldt or Danny "Pedro's cousin" Bautista can blossom into a frontline starter and Ryan Shealy could be a star (but not in Colorado where he'd always be stuck behind Todd Helton). I'm not saying that these players will blossom into all-stars but of all the trades - this one has the potential to be the most remembered - that's all...
Monday, July 31, 2006
Mel Gibson
So Mel Gibson was arrested for a possible DUI. That surprised me because I thought he was an alcoholic and on the wagon. And I guess that during his arrest he had some pretty nasty anti-Semitic things to say. That surprises me less than him being off the wagon.
Seriously - how can anyone be surprised when a Hollywood star turns out to be a moron in real life? Seriously (or as Al Gore would say "I'm totally cereal").
I wasn't even going to comment on this except I ran across this headline "Jewish groups call for hate-crime probe on Mel Gibson" Hate crime? You've got to be kidding. Charging Mel Gibson with a hate crime for spouting off anti-Semitic gibberish while drunk would really be pushing things into the land of the bizarre (but luckily I work best in the land of the bizarre).
Literally my first two thoughts upon reading that linked article were:
1. If they did charge Mel Gibson with a hate crime for saying among other things,
2. You know someone is going to go back and redub some of Gibson's finer work with anti-Semitic language for comic effect. How long before someone redubs Gibson's speech to the men before the battle of Hastings, "They may take our lives but they'll never take our freedom - those f*cking Jews."
I'm disappointed but not surprised that Mel Gibson turned out to be a bigot but being a moron is not a crime and charging people for saying stupid things while they are drunk has to be one of the dumber things I've read in a long time.
So Mel Gibson was arrested for a possible DUI. That surprised me because I thought he was an alcoholic and on the wagon. And I guess that during his arrest he had some pretty nasty anti-Semitic things to say. That surprises me less than him being off the wagon.
Seriously - how can anyone be surprised when a Hollywood star turns out to be a moron in real life? Seriously (or as Al Gore would say "I'm totally cereal").
I wasn't even going to comment on this except I ran across this headline "Jewish groups call for hate-crime probe on Mel Gibson" Hate crime? You've got to be kidding. Charging Mel Gibson with a hate crime for spouting off anti-Semitic gibberish while drunk would really be pushing things into the land of the bizarre (but luckily I work best in the land of the bizarre).
Literally my first two thoughts upon reading that linked article were:
1. If they did charge Mel Gibson with a hate crime for saying among other things,
""F*****g Jews. The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world."Gibson's lawyers could produce a bizarro Miracle on 34th Street scenario where the prosecution may have to prove that all the wars in the world are not caused by "the Jews". Can you imagine that courtroom scene?
2. You know someone is going to go back and redub some of Gibson's finer work with anti-Semitic language for comic effect. How long before someone redubs Gibson's speech to the men before the battle of Hastings, "They may take our lives but they'll never take our freedom - those f*cking Jews."
I'm disappointed but not surprised that Mel Gibson turned out to be a bigot but being a moron is not a crime and charging people for saying stupid things while they are drunk has to be one of the dumber things I've read in a long time.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Top 5 - Baseball Players from Ohio
Here are who I consider the top 5 players born in Ohio.
1. Cy Young - the all-time wins king
2. Pete Rose - the all-time hits king
3. Mike Schmidt - the greatest 3rd baseman of all-time
4. Roger Clemens - you can swap #3 and #4 but for me Clemens is just a notch below Schmidt
5. Phil Niekro - 318 career wins
Here are who I consider the top 5 players born in Ohio.
1. Cy Young - the all-time wins king
2. Pete Rose - the all-time hits king
3. Mike Schmidt - the greatest 3rd baseman of all-time
4. Roger Clemens - you can swap #3 and #4 but for me Clemens is just a notch below Schmidt
5. Phil Niekro - 318 career wins
Yankees to Get Abreu and Lidle in Trade
According to ESPN - the Phillies will be sending outfielder Bobby Abreu and starter Corey Lidle to the Yankees in exchange for 4 top prospects.
As a Red Sox fan - I like this trade very much. Let me explain why.
When the Yankees were winning championships in the 1990's it was mainly around a core group of players who had come up through the Yankee farm system like Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte. The buy all the top free agents and take on the big contracts method to managing the roster has gotten them nothing. This trade further empties the Yankees cupboards of prospects and means they will have to continue with the duct tape with high priced older player approach.
On top of that - I'm not really that impressed with either Abreu or Lidle.
Bobby Abreu has topped 30 HR only twice and comes with a contract that will pay him $15 million in 2007 and $16 million in 2008 (team option but may have to be picked up in order for Abreu to waive his no-trade clause). Sure the short porch in right seems custom made for him but big deal. The bandbox park in Philadelphia is supposed to be custom made for Abreu too but he's only got 8 HR this year (for comparison sake - Red Sox SS Alex Gonzalez has 8 HR this season). Put me in the school of thought that thinks Abreu is over-rated and over-paid.
I am also interested to see how the team chemistry reacts when Matsui and Sheffield both come back from injury. There just won't be enough at bats for all three players (especially with Giambi taking up the DH slot). Sheffield is in his free agent year and you know he'll make a stink if he feels he isn't getting enough playing time. This should be fun to watch.
Corey Lidle is in short nothing special. Average would be the best word to describe him.
EDIT: Earlier I said the Yankees were sending "top prospects" to the Phillies but it looks now that flotsam and jetsam were sent to Philadelphia. I still like the trade from the Red Sox perspective.
According to ESPN - the Phillies will be sending outfielder Bobby Abreu and starter Corey Lidle to the Yankees in exchange for 4 top prospects.
As a Red Sox fan - I like this trade very much. Let me explain why.
When the Yankees were winning championships in the 1990's it was mainly around a core group of players who had come up through the Yankee farm system like Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte. The buy all the top free agents and take on the big contracts method to managing the roster has gotten them nothing. This trade further empties the Yankees cupboards of prospects and means they will have to continue with the duct tape with high priced older player approach.
On top of that - I'm not really that impressed with either Abreu or Lidle.
Bobby Abreu has topped 30 HR only twice and comes with a contract that will pay him $15 million in 2007 and $16 million in 2008 (team option but may have to be picked up in order for Abreu to waive his no-trade clause). Sure the short porch in right seems custom made for him but big deal. The bandbox park in Philadelphia is supposed to be custom made for Abreu too but he's only got 8 HR this year (for comparison sake - Red Sox SS Alex Gonzalez has 8 HR this season). Put me in the school of thought that thinks Abreu is over-rated and over-paid.
I am also interested to see how the team chemistry reacts when Matsui and Sheffield both come back from injury. There just won't be enough at bats for all three players (especially with Giambi taking up the DH slot). Sheffield is in his free agent year and you know he'll make a stink if he feels he isn't getting enough playing time. This should be fun to watch.
Corey Lidle is in short nothing special. Average would be the best word to describe him.
EDIT: Earlier I said the Yankees were sending "top prospects" to the Phillies but it looks now that flotsam and jetsam were sent to Philadelphia. I still like the trade from the Red Sox perspective.
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Braves Trade Betemit to Dodgers for Baez
The Braves traded Wilson Betemit to the Dodgers for Danny Baez and Willy Aybar. My first reaction as that it was a bad move by the Braves to trade Betemit but after taking a look at what Betemit has done on the road in his career - I'm not so sure.
Betemit road - 125 G / 292 AB / .264 BA / .312 OBP / .744 OPS
Compare that to what Betemit does at home:
Betemit home - 108 G / 203 AB / .305 BA / .383 OBP / .815 OPS
This year at home Betemit has been red hot:
Betemit home 2006 - 39 G / 75 AB / .333 BA / .412 OBP / . 958 OPS
No wonder Braves fans love the guy. They see him play at a home game and he looks like a stud. However, going to Chavez Ravine will probably not improve his "road" numbers so I doubt we are looking at the second coming of George Brett. My advice to fantasy baseball guys is to NOT go out and grab Betemit thinking that he's going to be a stud now that he'll be getting a full-time playing opportunity.
The Braves traded Wilson Betemit to the Dodgers for Danny Baez and Willy Aybar. My first reaction as that it was a bad move by the Braves to trade Betemit but after taking a look at what Betemit has done on the road in his career - I'm not so sure.
Betemit road - 125 G / 292 AB / .264 BA / .312 OBP / .744 OPS
Compare that to what Betemit does at home:
Betemit home - 108 G / 203 AB / .305 BA / .383 OBP / .815 OPS
This year at home Betemit has been red hot:
Betemit home 2006 - 39 G / 75 AB / .333 BA / .412 OBP / . 958 OPS
No wonder Braves fans love the guy. They see him play at a home game and he looks like a stud. However, going to Chavez Ravine will probably not improve his "road" numbers so I doubt we are looking at the second coming of George Brett. My advice to fantasy baseball guys is to NOT go out and grab Betemit thinking that he's going to be a stud now that he'll be getting a full-time playing opportunity.
Baseball Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous baseball thoughts and observations.
You could make an argument for Chien-Ming Wang as the MVP of the Yankees. He has the most innings pitched on the staff and his 12 wins are tied for tops with Mike Mussina. Can you imagine where the Yankees would be without Wang? Yankees fans love the Wang... The top 6 players in runs scored in the NL are all from the NL East. I'm not sure if that says something about the potent offenses in the NL East or the lousy pitching... People keep talking about rookies Franscico Liriano and Justin Verlander as Cy Young candidates as well as ROY leaders but don't forget about Josh Johnson of the Marlins who just happens to be leading the NL in ERA (2.60 - Lirano is tops in MLB with his 1.96 and Verlander is at 2.69)... Everyone seems to want to push Joe Crede for the AL Gold Glove at 3rd but he has twice as many errors as Mike Lowell (8 to 4). Of course this argument could be moot seeing how the Gold Glove seems to be the personal property of Oakland's Eric Chavez who has won the last 5 Gold Gloves at 3rd... If it seems like there's been a lot of offense in the AL this year - that's because there has been. The average team OPS in the AL is .775. That's the highest its been since the league average OPS was .792 in 2000...
Miscellaneous baseball thoughts and observations.
You could make an argument for Chien-Ming Wang as the MVP of the Yankees. He has the most innings pitched on the staff and his 12 wins are tied for tops with Mike Mussina. Can you imagine where the Yankees would be without Wang? Yankees fans love the Wang... The top 6 players in runs scored in the NL are all from the NL East. I'm not sure if that says something about the potent offenses in the NL East or the lousy pitching... People keep talking about rookies Franscico Liriano and Justin Verlander as Cy Young candidates as well as ROY leaders but don't forget about Josh Johnson of the Marlins who just happens to be leading the NL in ERA (2.60 - Lirano is tops in MLB with his 1.96 and Verlander is at 2.69)... Everyone seems to want to push Joe Crede for the AL Gold Glove at 3rd but he has twice as many errors as Mike Lowell (8 to 4). Of course this argument could be moot seeing how the Gold Glove seems to be the personal property of Oakland's Eric Chavez who has won the last 5 Gold Gloves at 3rd... If it seems like there's been a lot of offense in the AL this year - that's because there has been. The average team OPS in the AL is .775. That's the highest its been since the league average OPS was .792 in 2000...
Friday, July 28, 2006
Top 5 - Baseball Players from West Virginia
Here are who I consider the top 5 players born in West Virginia.
1. George Brett - one of the top 3 third basemen of all-time
2. Jesse Burkett - Hall of Fame oufielder who spent his final days in Worcester - career .338 batting averge
3. Bill Mazeroski - Hall of Fame second baseman
4. Wilbur Cooper - career 216-178 with a 2.89 ERA and 279 complete games
5. (tie) Lew Burdette - 203-144 with a 3.66 ERA (tie) Toby Harrah - 4-time all-star
Here are who I consider the top 5 players born in West Virginia.
1. George Brett - one of the top 3 third basemen of all-time
2. Jesse Burkett - Hall of Fame oufielder who spent his final days in Worcester - career .338 batting averge
3. Bill Mazeroski - Hall of Fame second baseman
4. Wilbur Cooper - career 216-178 with a 2.89 ERA and 279 complete games
5. (tie) Lew Burdette - 203-144 with a 3.66 ERA (tie) Toby Harrah - 4-time all-star
John Kerry and the Frank Burns Defense
UN Ambassador John Bolton basically handed Senator John Kerry his hat during this exchange regarding talks with North Korea:
It reminds me of Kerry trying to defend his vote FOR the war in Iraq before he voted AGAINST the war in Iraq. Kerry once tried to explain that he only voted for the war because the administration tricked him. Maybe I'm naive but don't you want someone savvy enough to tell the truth from the subterfuge dealing with Foreign Policy? At this point Kerry seems so easily fooled that it would not surprise me to see him fall for the "I got your nose" trick.
The person John Kerry really reminds me of is Frank Burns from the TV show M*A*S*H. Frank once explained to Margaret "Hotlips" Houlihan that his wife tricked him into getting married. She tricked him by saying she liked him. This isn't the first time that in my mind John Kerry made me think of Frank Burns.
HT Gateway Pundit
UN Ambassador John Bolton basically handed Senator John Kerry his hat during this exchange regarding talks with North Korea:
John Kerry: This has been going on for five years, Mr. Ambassador.Its is amazing that Kerry could try and hold up the Clinton bilateral talks with North Korea as any sort of success. It is as if to Kerry's thinking the agreement they reached was a very good one but its not their fault the North Koreans tricked them.
John Bolton: It's the nature of multilateral negotiations, Senator.
John Kerry: Why not engage in a bilateral one and get the job done? That's what the Clinton Administration did.
John Bolton: And, very poorly since the North Koreans violated the agreed framework almost from the time it was signed.
It reminds me of Kerry trying to defend his vote FOR the war in Iraq before he voted AGAINST the war in Iraq. Kerry once tried to explain that he only voted for the war because the administration tricked him. Maybe I'm naive but don't you want someone savvy enough to tell the truth from the subterfuge dealing with Foreign Policy? At this point Kerry seems so easily fooled that it would not surprise me to see him fall for the "I got your nose" trick.
The person John Kerry really reminds me of is Frank Burns from the TV show M*A*S*H. Frank once explained to Margaret "Hotlips" Houlihan that his wife tricked him into getting married. She tricked him by saying she liked him. This isn't the first time that in my mind John Kerry made me think of Frank Burns.
HT Gateway Pundit
Thursday, July 27, 2006
The Funniest Thing I've Heard in a Long Time
Paul Anka covering Nirvana.
This is from his ablum Rock Swings (I'm seriously buying this).
HT to the Straight White Guy
Paul Anka covering Nirvana.
This is from his ablum Rock Swings (I'm seriously buying this).
HT to the Straight White Guy
Happy Anniversary to Bugs Bunny
On this date in 1940 - Bugs Bunny (along with Elmer Fudd) first appeared on the silver screen. With the possible exception of Humphrey Bogart and Cary Grant - no other "film" star from this period has held up as well as Bugs Bunny.
And in the spirit of anniversaries for Bugs:
On this date in 1940 - Bugs Bunny (along with Elmer Fudd) first appeared on the silver screen. With the possible exception of Humphrey Bogart and Cary Grant - no other "film" star from this period has held up as well as Bugs Bunny.
And in the spirit of anniversaries for Bugs:
Baseball Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous baseball thoughts and observations.
The Red Sox may lead the Yankees by just 1.5 games but they are in a very good position to run away with the division. The Red Sox have so far played 10 more road games than home games which means the Sox will be playing the larger percentage of the remaining games at Fenway where they so far have a .711 winning percentage. The Yankees remaining schedule is about evenly split between road and home games... Bad news for Toronto - they're in the opposite situation from the Red Sox. They've played 11 more home games than road games. That means they play the majority of their remaining games on the road (which also means I'm probably going to be wrong about them winning the Wild Card)... With the Red Sox having so many remaining games at home - the real race for them may be for the best record in the AL. Right now they trail the Tigers by 6.5 games - something to keep an eye on... Is it just me or does it seem that the Dodgers went from first in the NL West to last in the NL West in a blink of an eye?... Wanna bet that the Dodgers are floating Derek Lowe as trade deadline bait?... For the first time I think all season - the Yankees now lead the race for the AL Wild Card (by .5 games over the White Sox and Twins)... Manny Ramirez, Vernon Wells and Justin Morneau are the only three AL players in the top 10 in batting average, HR and RBI. I owe an apology to Justin Morneau. I guess he's not the next Rob Deer...
Miscellaneous baseball thoughts and observations.
The Red Sox may lead the Yankees by just 1.5 games but they are in a very good position to run away with the division. The Red Sox have so far played 10 more road games than home games which means the Sox will be playing the larger percentage of the remaining games at Fenway where they so far have a .711 winning percentage. The Yankees remaining schedule is about evenly split between road and home games... Bad news for Toronto - they're in the opposite situation from the Red Sox. They've played 11 more home games than road games. That means they play the majority of their remaining games on the road (which also means I'm probably going to be wrong about them winning the Wild Card)... With the Red Sox having so many remaining games at home - the real race for them may be for the best record in the AL. Right now they trail the Tigers by 6.5 games - something to keep an eye on... Is it just me or does it seem that the Dodgers went from first in the NL West to last in the NL West in a blink of an eye?... Wanna bet that the Dodgers are floating Derek Lowe as trade deadline bait?... For the first time I think all season - the Yankees now lead the race for the AL Wild Card (by .5 games over the White Sox and Twins)... Manny Ramirez, Vernon Wells and Justin Morneau are the only three AL players in the top 10 in batting average, HR and RBI. I owe an apology to Justin Morneau. I guess he's not the next Rob Deer...
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Interesting Point
I think anyone who follows baseball is aware that the fans in New York have been all over Alex Rodriguez. The booing has been deafening. But has it been warranted?
A caller to WEEI in Boston brought up an interesting point - A-Rod isn't struggling as much as Jason Giambi but Giambi's getting a free pass.
A-Rod in July - .291 BA/ 5 HR / 17 RBI / .902 OPS
Giambi in July - .194 BA / 4 HR / 15 RBI / .707 OPS
I think the fact that A-Rod has 21 K's in July to Giambi's 16 hurts the perception of A-Rod as does all the errors in the field - A-Rod leads all AL 3rd basemen in errors with 18 (Mike Lowell of the Red Sox has just 4). However, Giambi rarely plays the field but is still tied for the lead among AL 1st basemen with 7 errors. Most people agree that Giambi is a stone hands fielder.
Many people think that A-Rod is the Yankees' highest paid player but Giambi will paid $19 million this year by the Yankees - A-Rod counts for just $14 million on the Yankees' books (some money is deferred and some will be paid by Texas).
I think people just don't like A-Rod and that's why he gets booed. Know what? I don't like the phony either.
I think anyone who follows baseball is aware that the fans in New York have been all over Alex Rodriguez. The booing has been deafening. But has it been warranted?
A caller to WEEI in Boston brought up an interesting point - A-Rod isn't struggling as much as Jason Giambi but Giambi's getting a free pass.
A-Rod in July - .291 BA/ 5 HR / 17 RBI / .902 OPS
Giambi in July - .194 BA / 4 HR / 15 RBI / .707 OPS
I think the fact that A-Rod has 21 K's in July to Giambi's 16 hurts the perception of A-Rod as does all the errors in the field - A-Rod leads all AL 3rd basemen in errors with 18 (Mike Lowell of the Red Sox has just 4). However, Giambi rarely plays the field but is still tied for the lead among AL 1st basemen with 7 errors. Most people agree that Giambi is a stone hands fielder.
Many people think that A-Rod is the Yankees' highest paid player but Giambi will paid $19 million this year by the Yankees - A-Rod counts for just $14 million on the Yankees' books (some money is deferred and some will be paid by Texas).
I think people just don't like A-Rod and that's why he gets booed. Know what? I don't like the phony either.
Players Raising Their Trade Value
It is possible that none of these three players will be traded before the July 31st trade deadline but there is no denying that if they are on the trade block - that they have definitely upped their trade value. Here is what Aramis Ramirez, Luis Gonzalez and Eric Hinske have done over the last seven days.
Aramis Ramirez - .370 (10/27) BA, 7 HR, 11 RBI
Luis Gonzalez - .545 (12/22) BA, 2 HR, 5 RBI
Eric Hinske - .417 (10/24) BA, 4 HR, 9 RBI
Hinske is on the books for $5.63 million next year and that money could probably be better used elsewhere since Troy Glaus and Lyle Overbay are ahead of Hinske at 3rd and 1st base on the depth chart. San Diego or Anaheim are possible suitors.
Gonzalez has a $10 million mutual option next year. Gonzo is a 10-5 player and could veto any trade. The Tigers are a definite possibility.
Ramirez is owed $22.5 million for the next two seasons but can opt out of his deal at the end of the season if he wishes. The Padres need a 3rd baseman but can they afford Ramirez's contract?
It is possible that none of these three players will be traded before the July 31st trade deadline but there is no denying that if they are on the trade block - that they have definitely upped their trade value. Here is what Aramis Ramirez, Luis Gonzalez and Eric Hinske have done over the last seven days.
Aramis Ramirez - .370 (10/27) BA, 7 HR, 11 RBI
Luis Gonzalez - .545 (12/22) BA, 2 HR, 5 RBI
Eric Hinske - .417 (10/24) BA, 4 HR, 9 RBI
Hinske is on the books for $5.63 million next year and that money could probably be better used elsewhere since Troy Glaus and Lyle Overbay are ahead of Hinske at 3rd and 1st base on the depth chart. San Diego or Anaheim are possible suitors.
Gonzalez has a $10 million mutual option next year. Gonzo is a 10-5 player and could veto any trade. The Tigers are a definite possibility.
Ramirez is owed $22.5 million for the next two seasons but can opt out of his deal at the end of the season if he wishes. The Padres need a 3rd baseman but can they afford Ramirez's contract?
Chris Matthews Meltdown
After reading the transcript and listening to this rant by Chris Matthews this morning - I had these observations:
1. Chris Matthews has the type of mindset that probably criticised Ronald Reagan for calling the Solviet Union an Evil Empire. I can picture a young Matthews seething about that comment thinking "He can't say that - that takes away our ability to negotiate with these people. Reagan should have checked with the State Department before using language like that."
2. Matthews is seriously stuck in a 60's - Vietnam War mindset.
3. Read the transcript and check how many times Matthews is basically just suggesting a policy of appeasement. Peace in our time!
4. I gather Matthews advice to Israel would be the equivalent of "its going to happen - just lay back and enjoy it."
HT Instapundit
After reading the transcript and listening to this rant by Chris Matthews this morning - I had these observations:
1. Chris Matthews has the type of mindset that probably criticised Ronald Reagan for calling the Solviet Union an Evil Empire. I can picture a young Matthews seething about that comment thinking "He can't say that - that takes away our ability to negotiate with these people. Reagan should have checked with the State Department before using language like that."
2. Matthews is seriously stuck in a 60's - Vietnam War mindset.
3. Read the transcript and check how many times Matthews is basically just suggesting a policy of appeasement. Peace in our time!
4. I gather Matthews advice to Israel would be the equivalent of "its going to happen - just lay back and enjoy it."
HT Instapundit
Hezzbolah
I think one reason why some on the Left are so quick to embrace this terrorist group is because they think Hezzbolah is a rather cool name (like how Che shirts are cool). However, if the media started calling Hezzbolah "The Party of God" instead (it is what Hezzbolah actually means) - then the Left would drop Hezzbolah in a New York minute. You know the Left wants nothing to do with God and especially nothing to do with a group that calls itself the Party of God.
(Insert joke about Republicans being the Party of God in the US here.)
I think one reason why some on the Left are so quick to embrace this terrorist group is because they think Hezzbolah is a rather cool name (like how Che shirts are cool). However, if the media started calling Hezzbolah "The Party of God" instead (it is what Hezzbolah actually means) - then the Left would drop Hezzbolah in a New York minute. You know the Left wants nothing to do with God and especially nothing to do with a group that calls itself the Party of God.
(Insert joke about Republicans being the Party of God in the US here.)
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