Baseball Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous baseball thoughts and observations.
Manny Ramirez needs just 8 more RBI to pass Joe DiMaggio for 40th place on the all-time list. Manny needs 10 to pass Harry Heilmann for 39th place and 11 to pass Willie Stargell for 38th place on the RBI list... Josh Beckett has improved to 6-0 on the season. Perhaps the biggest reason for Beckett's success this year is the fact that he has only allowed 1 HR in six starts. Last year Beckett gave up 36 HR in 33 starts. This lack of HR's is a function of better control. Last year Beckett had 2 strikeouts for every walk while this year the ratio is more like 5-1. True - Beckett is striking out about one more batter per start this year vs last but that doesn't explain the big jump in ratio difference. Beckett's 6-0 start is no fluke... The Oakland A's look like a team that is ready to fall apart to me.... If you're not familiar with Harry Heilmann - he's a Hall of Famer who is probably best known for winning 4 batting titles in seven years for the Detroit Tigers... That trade of Tim Hudson is looking pretty bad for Billy Beane and the A's right about now. Hudson has been the ace of the Braves this season with a 3-0 record and a 1.40 ERA while of the three players traded for Hudson - only Dan Meyer is even on the 40-man big league roster for the A's. That deal basically comes down to Tim Hudson for Dan Meyer and Brad Halsey (who was acquired for Juan Cruz who was one of the three players Atlanta sent to Oakland). Neither Meyer nor Halsey has pitched for the A's this season. The A's traded Hudson because they didn't think they could afford to resign him and yet the Braves were able to sign him to a 4-yar extension that pays him an average of about $12 million per year between 2006 and 2009 with an option for 2010. However, the A's could afford Estaban Loaiza at $7 million per year during the same period as Hudson's extension? It makes no sense to me....
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Randy Moss Myths
A couple of thoughts regarding the Patriots trading for Randy Moss.
Michael Silver makes a point that I've been saying since the trade happened - namely that the idea that Randy Moss volunteered to take a "pay-cut" to play for the Patriots is a myth. From Silver's column:
The other myth about Randy Moss that I'd like to discuss is the idea that with Randy Moss the Patriots now have the best set of offensive weapons they ever had. I recall the 1977 Patriot team that had Steve Grogan at QB, Sam "Bam" Cunningham at RB, Russ Francis at TE and Stanley Morgan at WR. Even with the clear advantage of Tom Brady over Steve Grogan - this year's group of weapons isn't as good as the 1977 version. Cunningham was better than Laurence Maroney, Russ Francis was better than Ben Watson and consider the fact that as good as Randy Moss is - the four-time Pro-Bowler Stanley Morgan averaged better than 20 yards per catch for the first six years of his career. The five-time Pro-Bowler Randy Moss has never had a season in which he averaged better than 20-yards per catch (his best was his rookie year when he averaged 19-yards per catch). I still give the edge to Moss but its closer than you think and what Morgan did is a concrete fact whereas what Moss will do is pure conjecture.
This year's Patriot's team will be better than the 1977 version though. That's due to the fact that Bill Belichick is miles above Chuck Fairbanks in coaching ability. You also have to factor in that the rosters are more watered down today than in 1977 (due to the expansion from 28 teams to 32).
A couple of thoughts regarding the Patriots trading for Randy Moss.
Michael Silver makes a point that I've been saying since the trade happened - namely that the idea that Randy Moss volunteered to take a "pay-cut" to play for the Patriots is a myth. From Silver's column:
...Because of owner Al Davis' shaky cash-flow situation (sources say he has been trying to sell a 30-percent share of the team for more than a year) and desire not to undermine new coach Lane Kiffin, Moss almost certainly would've been released by the Raiders had the Patriots not stepped up to make the trade. So much for the argument that Moss was taking a "pay cut" by offering to reduce his salary from the $9.75 million figure he was due to receive in '07; he was never going to see that money, anyway.As for the rest of Silver's column - Silver tries to disprove "the Patriot Way" idea which I find dishonest on Silver's part. First off - the "Patriot Way" is mostly a figment of the media's imagination who need to label anything they touch. Yes - the Patriots operate a certain way but they have exceptions to rules and they make decisions based upon circumstances not upon some hard and fast set of rules. I also very much dislike how Silver uses an un-named former Patriot player to make his point. Silver also quotes Willie McGinest who is also a former Patriot player but McGinest doesn't support Silver's assertion. Anonymous sources are the bane of modern journalism and who is to say that Silver's expert witness for his case against "the Patriot Way" isn't some punter who was with the Patriots for 10 days. We have no way of knowing but Silver wants us to trust him about his source. I say no thanks to that.
The other myth about Randy Moss that I'd like to discuss is the idea that with Randy Moss the Patriots now have the best set of offensive weapons they ever had. I recall the 1977 Patriot team that had Steve Grogan at QB, Sam "Bam" Cunningham at RB, Russ Francis at TE and Stanley Morgan at WR. Even with the clear advantage of Tom Brady over Steve Grogan - this year's group of weapons isn't as good as the 1977 version. Cunningham was better than Laurence Maroney, Russ Francis was better than Ben Watson and consider the fact that as good as Randy Moss is - the four-time Pro-Bowler Stanley Morgan averaged better than 20 yards per catch for the first six years of his career. The five-time Pro-Bowler Randy Moss has never had a season in which he averaged better than 20-yards per catch (his best was his rookie year when he averaged 19-yards per catch). I still give the edge to Moss but its closer than you think and what Morgan did is a concrete fact whereas what Moss will do is pure conjecture.
This year's Patriot's team will be better than the 1977 version though. That's due to the fact that Bill Belichick is miles above Chuck Fairbanks in coaching ability. You also have to factor in that the rosters are more watered down today than in 1977 (due to the expansion from 28 teams to 32).
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Top 5 - The "Real" Reasons the Yankees are in Last Place
I was in New York the past couple of days and the Yankee news pretty much dominated sports talk radio. There are a number of reasons why the Yankees are in last place in the AL East. Here is my take.
1. Their starting pitching has been banged up. They were counting on Mike Mussina, Chien-Ming Wang and yes - Hot Carl Pavano. Of their top 4 starters - only Andy Pettitte has been able to give them 30 innings so far. In comparison - the Red Sox have been able to get well over 30 innings so far from all four of their top starters (Schilling, Beckett, Dice-K, and Wakefield). The Yankee problems mostly stem from the issues with the starting rotation.
2. The bullpen isn't that great to begin with and it has been overworked. The problems with Mariano Rivera have probably been over-blown. He'll be fine. The real problem is having to rely on the likes of Scott Proctor and Mike Myers who both have appeared in more games than anyone in the Red Sox bullpen.
3. The Red Sox - yup - the Red Sox are a big reason the Yankees are in last. If you take away the 6 games the Yankees played against Boston - then their record is 9-9. Nobody would be calling for Joe Torre's job if he was simply at .500 for the season. The Yankees ran into a scheduling problem which pitted them against the most balanced team in the AL at a time when the Sox were 100% healthy and the Yankees were banged up.
4. Joe Torre has to shoulder some of the blame. He's not a good technical manager. It used to be said about Bear Bryant that he could be yor'n with his'n and his'n with yor'n. Joe Torre's not that kind of manager. He can only beat yor'n if his'n are a collection of superstars. The Casey Jones of baseball managers. This isn't a knock against Torre - he is what he is.
5. George Bush. Its fashionable to blame Bush for every possible problem - so why not blame him for the Yankee woes too?
I was in New York the past couple of days and the Yankee news pretty much dominated sports talk radio. There are a number of reasons why the Yankees are in last place in the AL East. Here is my take.
1. Their starting pitching has been banged up. They were counting on Mike Mussina, Chien-Ming Wang and yes - Hot Carl Pavano. Of their top 4 starters - only Andy Pettitte has been able to give them 30 innings so far. In comparison - the Red Sox have been able to get well over 30 innings so far from all four of their top starters (Schilling, Beckett, Dice-K, and Wakefield). The Yankee problems mostly stem from the issues with the starting rotation.
2. The bullpen isn't that great to begin with and it has been overworked. The problems with Mariano Rivera have probably been over-blown. He'll be fine. The real problem is having to rely on the likes of Scott Proctor and Mike Myers who both have appeared in more games than anyone in the Red Sox bullpen.
3. The Red Sox - yup - the Red Sox are a big reason the Yankees are in last. If you take away the 6 games the Yankees played against Boston - then their record is 9-9. Nobody would be calling for Joe Torre's job if he was simply at .500 for the season. The Yankees ran into a scheduling problem which pitted them against the most balanced team in the AL at a time when the Sox were 100% healthy and the Yankees were banged up.
4. Joe Torre has to shoulder some of the blame. He's not a good technical manager. It used to be said about Bear Bryant that he could be yor'n with his'n and his'n with yor'n. Joe Torre's not that kind of manager. He can only beat yor'n if his'n are a collection of superstars. The Casey Jones of baseball managers. This isn't a knock against Torre - he is what he is.
5. George Bush. Its fashionable to blame Bush for every possible problem - so why not blame him for the Yankee woes too?
Monday, April 30, 2007
The Reason the Yankees are in Last Place
I understand they have been a bit distracted since Derek Jeter insisted they install these new soap dispensers in the locker room.
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
I understand they have been a bit distracted since Derek Jeter insisted they install these new soap dispensers in the locker room.
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Heh Heh - The Golfing Nun
[This joke was in my email this morning and I thought I'd share it.]
A nun walks into Mother Superior's office and plunks down into a chair. She lets out a sigh heavy with frustration. "What troubles you, Sister?" asks the Mother Superior. "I thought this was the day you spent with your family."
"It was," sighed the Sister. "And I went to play golf with my brother. We try to play golf as often as we can. You know I was quite a talented golfer before I devoted my life to Christ."
"I seem to recall that," the Mother Superior agreed. "So I take it your day of recreation was not relaxing?"
"Far from it," snorted the Sister. "In fact, I even took the Lord's name in vain today!"
"Goodness, Sister!" gasped the Mother Superior, astonished. "You must tell me all about it!"
"Well, we were on the fifth tee...and this hole is a monster, Mother - 540 yard Par 5, with a nasty dogleg left and a hidden green...and I hit the drive of my life. I creamed it. The sweetest swing I ever made. And it's flying straight and true, right along the line I wanted...and it hits a bird in mid-flight not 100 yards off the tee!"
"Oh my!" commiserated the Mother. "How unfortunate! But surely that didn't make you blaspheme, Sister!"
"No, that wasn't it," admitted Sister "While I was still trying to fathom what had happened, when this squirrel runs out of the woods, grabs my ball and runs off down the fairway!"
"Oh, that would have made me blaspheme!" sympathized Mother.
"But I didn't, Mother Superior!" sobbed the Sister. "And I was so proud of myself! And while I was pondering whether this was a sign from God, this hawk swoops out of the sky and grabs the squirrel and flies off, with my ball still clutched in his paws!"
"So that's when you cursed," said the Mother with a knowing smile.
"Nope, that wasn't it either," cried the Sister, anguished, "because as the hawk started to fly out of sight, the squirrel started struggling, and the hawk dropped him right there on the green, and the ball popped out of his paws and rolled to about 18 inches from the cup!"
Mother Superior sat back in her chair, folded her arms across her chest, fixed the Sister with a baleful stare and said...
"You missed the fucking putt, didn't you?"
[This joke was in my email this morning and I thought I'd share it.]
A nun walks into Mother Superior's office and plunks down into a chair. She lets out a sigh heavy with frustration. "What troubles you, Sister?" asks the Mother Superior. "I thought this was the day you spent with your family."
"It was," sighed the Sister. "And I went to play golf with my brother. We try to play golf as often as we can. You know I was quite a talented golfer before I devoted my life to Christ."
"I seem to recall that," the Mother Superior agreed. "So I take it your day of recreation was not relaxing?"
"Far from it," snorted the Sister. "In fact, I even took the Lord's name in vain today!"
"Goodness, Sister!" gasped the Mother Superior, astonished. "You must tell me all about it!"
"Well, we were on the fifth tee...and this hole is a monster, Mother - 540 yard Par 5, with a nasty dogleg left and a hidden green...and I hit the drive of my life. I creamed it. The sweetest swing I ever made. And it's flying straight and true, right along the line I wanted...and it hits a bird in mid-flight not 100 yards off the tee!"
"Oh my!" commiserated the Mother. "How unfortunate! But surely that didn't make you blaspheme, Sister!"
"No, that wasn't it," admitted Sister "While I was still trying to fathom what had happened, when this squirrel runs out of the woods, grabs my ball and runs off down the fairway!"
"Oh, that would have made me blaspheme!" sympathized Mother.
"But I didn't, Mother Superior!" sobbed the Sister. "And I was so proud of myself! And while I was pondering whether this was a sign from God, this hawk swoops out of the sky and grabs the squirrel and flies off, with my ball still clutched in his paws!"
"So that's when you cursed," said the Mother with a knowing smile.
"Nope, that wasn't it either," cried the Sister, anguished, "because as the hawk started to fly out of sight, the squirrel started struggling, and the hawk dropped him right there on the green, and the ball popped out of his paws and rolled to about 18 inches from the cup!"
Mother Superior sat back in her chair, folded her arms across her chest, fixed the Sister with a baleful stare and said...
"You missed the fucking putt, didn't you?"
Randy Moss
So the New England Patriots acquired talented receiver Randy Moss for just a 4th round draft pick. With Moss in the fold - the Patriots now have perhaps the deepest and most talented receiving corps in the NFL.
The big concern with Moss is not just his on-the-field performance but also his off-the-field-behavior. Many people are comparing this trade to the deal that brought Corey Dillion to Foxboro after 7 seasons in Cincinnati. I, however, think there is a better comparison to make here.
In 1980 a Boston area team traded for a tall, talented player from the Oakland area. This player had a poor reputation due to supposed attitude problems and we know now that this player also enjoyed an occasional bong hit in his spare time. This player was Robert Parrish and he worked out just fine for the Boston Celtics. I don't think anyone would dare think Randy Moss will have the same sort of Hall of Fame impact as Robert Parrish had on the Celtics but I think it is not unreasonable to hope that Moss will help the Patriots raise another championship banner like how Parrish was able to help the Celtics to their 14th, 15th and 16th championships.
Randy Moss also gives Tom Brady his own personal "big three" receiving corps with Moss, Donte Stallworth and Ben Watson (at tight end) with Wes Welker and Kelley Washington playing the roles of Dennis Johnson and Danny Ainge receiver wise.
Looking at the Randy Moss as Robert Parrish analogy in full is not without its downside. Like how the arrival of Robert Parrish convinced Dave Cowens that it was time to retire - the arrival of Randy Moss probably will have a similar effect on Troy Brown.
It looks like the Patriots will have Moss, Stallworth, Welker, Washington, Reche Caldwell, Jabar Gaffney and last year's number-one draft pick Chad Jackson on the depth chart. I don't see the Patriots carrying 8 receivers into the season - so that probably leaves fan favorite Troy Brown on the outside looking in.
Randy Moss has an under-publicized history of spending his time and money on charitable endevours and that will endear him to the Kraft family (who own the Patriots). His ability to gain yards after the catch and his ability to catch jump ball passes in the end zone will endear him to Tom Brady and the Patriots.
With the acquisition of Randy Moss - I will make the following three predictions:
1. Randy Moss will have double-digits in TD catches this season.
2. Tom Brady will easily top his career best 4,110 in passing yards.
3. The New England Patriots win this year's Super Bowl.
So the New England Patriots acquired talented receiver Randy Moss for just a 4th round draft pick. With Moss in the fold - the Patriots now have perhaps the deepest and most talented receiving corps in the NFL.
The big concern with Moss is not just his on-the-field performance but also his off-the-field-behavior. Many people are comparing this trade to the deal that brought Corey Dillion to Foxboro after 7 seasons in Cincinnati. I, however, think there is a better comparison to make here.
In 1980 a Boston area team traded for a tall, talented player from the Oakland area. This player had a poor reputation due to supposed attitude problems and we know now that this player also enjoyed an occasional bong hit in his spare time. This player was Robert Parrish and he worked out just fine for the Boston Celtics. I don't think anyone would dare think Randy Moss will have the same sort of Hall of Fame impact as Robert Parrish had on the Celtics but I think it is not unreasonable to hope that Moss will help the Patriots raise another championship banner like how Parrish was able to help the Celtics to their 14th, 15th and 16th championships.
Randy Moss also gives Tom Brady his own personal "big three" receiving corps with Moss, Donte Stallworth and Ben Watson (at tight end) with Wes Welker and Kelley Washington playing the roles of Dennis Johnson and Danny Ainge receiver wise.
Looking at the Randy Moss as Robert Parrish analogy in full is not without its downside. Like how the arrival of Robert Parrish convinced Dave Cowens that it was time to retire - the arrival of Randy Moss probably will have a similar effect on Troy Brown.
It looks like the Patriots will have Moss, Stallworth, Welker, Washington, Reche Caldwell, Jabar Gaffney and last year's number-one draft pick Chad Jackson on the depth chart. I don't see the Patriots carrying 8 receivers into the season - so that probably leaves fan favorite Troy Brown on the outside looking in.
Randy Moss has an under-publicized history of spending his time and money on charitable endevours and that will endear him to the Kraft family (who own the Patriots). His ability to gain yards after the catch and his ability to catch jump ball passes in the end zone will endear him to Tom Brady and the Patriots.
With the acquisition of Randy Moss - I will make the following three predictions:
1. Randy Moss will have double-digits in TD catches this season.
2. Tom Brady will easily top his career best 4,110 in passing yards.
3. The New England Patriots win this year's Super Bowl.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Baseball Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous baseball thoughts and observations.
There are only 4 teams in the AL who haven't scored 100 runs as a team yet and there are only 4 teams that haven't allowed 100 runs yet. Somehow both Oakland and the White Sox have managed to be on both lists... The New York press is into protecting Joe Torre mode and shifting the blame for the Yankees bad start onto GM Brian Cashman. Before blaming Cashman for the poor state of the Yankees pitching - let's look at who the Yankees signed this offseason and who they could have signed. They signed Kei Igawa (who came up big for them yesterday), brought back Andy Pettitte (a very good move) and re-signed Mike Mussina (they pretty much had to do that - 2-years $23 million). When you look at the free agents who could have made a significant impact - only three stand out (Barry Zito, Jason Schmidt and Randy Wolf) and all three of those signed deals with West Coast teams because they wanted to be in California. Realistically there wasn't much else Cashman could have done except for out-bidding the Red Sox for Daisuke Matsuzaka. If Cashman has an off-season sin - not getting Dice-K is it but I don't think that sin will cost him his job... It will be interesting to watch the Kirk Radomski situation unfold. Radomski admits dealing steroids from 1995 to 2005 but that's not something you just fall into. You don't just leave college and immediately start dealing cocaine (for example) without first being exposed to cocaine. It seems a rational assumption that Radomski was exposed to steroids use while working in the Mets clubhouse. Look for additional scrutiny to start falling on players like Jeff Kent, Bobby Bonilla and Howard Johnson who were three of the big sluggers during Radomski's time with the Mets... Julian Tavarez starts for the Red Sox today against the Yankees. I wish there was some place I could bet that Tavarez hits either Derek Jeter or Alex Rodriguez. If there was a place that took such bets - I'd probably parlay that he hits them both... I think Nick Cafardo is right on in his analysis of the A-Rod out clause in his contract:
Miscellaneous baseball thoughts and observations.
There are only 4 teams in the AL who haven't scored 100 runs as a team yet and there are only 4 teams that haven't allowed 100 runs yet. Somehow both Oakland and the White Sox have managed to be on both lists... The New York press is into protecting Joe Torre mode and shifting the blame for the Yankees bad start onto GM Brian Cashman. Before blaming Cashman for the poor state of the Yankees pitching - let's look at who the Yankees signed this offseason and who they could have signed. They signed Kei Igawa (who came up big for them yesterday), brought back Andy Pettitte (a very good move) and re-signed Mike Mussina (they pretty much had to do that - 2-years $23 million). When you look at the free agents who could have made a significant impact - only three stand out (Barry Zito, Jason Schmidt and Randy Wolf) and all three of those signed deals with West Coast teams because they wanted to be in California. Realistically there wasn't much else Cashman could have done except for out-bidding the Red Sox for Daisuke Matsuzaka. If Cashman has an off-season sin - not getting Dice-K is it but I don't think that sin will cost him his job... It will be interesting to watch the Kirk Radomski situation unfold. Radomski admits dealing steroids from 1995 to 2005 but that's not something you just fall into. You don't just leave college and immediately start dealing cocaine (for example) without first being exposed to cocaine. It seems a rational assumption that Radomski was exposed to steroids use while working in the Mets clubhouse. Look for additional scrutiny to start falling on players like Jeff Kent, Bobby Bonilla and Howard Johnson who were three of the big sluggers during Radomski's time with the Mets... Julian Tavarez starts for the Red Sox today against the Yankees. I wish there was some place I could bet that Tavarez hits either Derek Jeter or Alex Rodriguez. If there was a place that took such bets - I'd probably parlay that he hits them both... I think Nick Cafardo is right on in his analysis of the A-Rod out clause in his contract:
Understanding the way Scott Boras operates and the inclusion of an out-clause in Alex Rodriguez's contract, I'm one of the few who believe A-Rod will stay with the Yankees. He'll stay with some enhancement to his contract, despite the current insistence of Yankee management not to tinker with the deal -- of which Texas is footing $21 million (of $81 million) over the final three years from 2008-10. Boras has perfect leverage in this case. Never mind the Angels, the leverage comes in the possibility that the Red Sox would be interested. The Yankees didn't want Gary Sheffield going to Boston, so they picked up his option and dealt him safely to the Tigers.Only a couple of teams could afford A-Rod (the Red Sox, Mets, Yankees, Cubs, Dodgers and Angels). You can probably take the Mets off the list because they have David Wright at 3rd and Reyes at SS. You can also probably take the Dodgers off the list because they have Furcal at short and prospects like Andy LaRoche and Brandon Wood for 3rd. Couple that with the fact that the Yankees won't want A-Rod going to the Red Sox plus the fact that there really aren't any big name free agents next year (assuming the Cubs get a contract done with Carlos Zambano) - Carfardo is correct in that the Yankees will re-tool A-Rod's contract and he'll be in pinstripes next year.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Red Sox / Yankees - Live Blog
Friday night and I'm home with the kids. So I thought I'd take the time to jot down some thoughts as the game progressed (assuming its not rained out). Dice-K is going for the Red Sox tonight and many people may know that the Yankees are trying to stop a current 6-game losing streak but did you know that they have also lost 5-straight to the Red Sox (dating back to the last 2-games of last season)? If the Red Sox win tonight it will match the longest winning streak they ever had against the Yankees.
(7:03) I swear to God - when I heard Gary Thorne try to weasel out of his huge mistake about the bloody sock without ever saying that he apologized - I immediately thought of Captain Quint from Jaws, "Well it proves one thing, Mr. Thorne. It proves that you wealthy college boys don't have the education enough to admit when you're wrong."
(7:26) End of one and both Andy Pettitte and Dice-K look sharp. This could be a pretty quick game. Mike Lowell made a very nice play on A-Rod's grounder to end the inning.
(7:46) End of second inning. Jerry Remy and Don Orsillo spoke about Dice-K's personal masseuse during the inning. I'm just glad that the words "happy ending" were not muttered. If I had the opportunity - I would have bet that Dice-K was going to strikeout Hideki Matsui in their first encounter. Just as well as Matsui flies out to center. (I still say that Dice-K strikes out Godzilla at least once tonight.) The Yankees were a slight favorite tonight with the over / under at 9.5 runs. I think the under would have been a good bet.
(8:07) End of the third inning. Kevin Youkilis puts the Red Sox on top 2-0 with a 2-run HR. The Red Sox drafted Youkilis in 2001 in the 8th round. That year the Red Sox did not have a first round pick (they traded it to Cleveland who used it to draft pitcher Dan Denham who last year had a 8.21 ERA in Buffalo). The Red Sox first pick in the second round was Kelly Stopach who last year was traded to the Indians. So in a way - the Red Sox two top picks from 2001 are with the Indians. Youkilis is actually the only Red Sox pick in the first 8 rounds to come close to amounting to anything (besides Kelly Shoppach). Way to go there Dan Duquette!
(8:42) The Red Sox were not patient against Andy Pettitte and they quickly went down 1-2-3 whereas the Yankees were taking all sorts of pitches from Dice-K who walked the first three batters of the inning. They played Black Betty when Matsui came to bat. Do they always do that? I didn't know that Ram Jam was popular in Japan. Jorge Posada bloops in a single to make it 2-1. Damon's "excuse me" swing bloops in and scores 2 more to make it 3-2. Jeter squeaks a grounder through the right side and its 4-2. Those walks to lead off the inning are killing the Red Sox.
(9:09) Three walks, two singles and a wild pitch allow the Red Sox to score 3 to take a 5-4 lead. It looks like the under won't come in (good thing I didn't take it). It also looks like with Pettitte's pitch count up there - the Red Sox will be up against the vaunted (ha ha) Yankee bullpen.
(9:52) Sox lead 6-4 after Julio Lugo hit a HR. It's now the seventh inning stretch and I've been re-reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. No reason why - I was looking for my copy of The Best and the Brightest and when I didn't find it - I picked this back up. I think I've read this book about 5 times now. Mike Timlin come in to relieve Dice-K.
(10:31) I started with a Captain Quint quote and I may as well finish up with one - this time Quint is talking about Jon Papelbon, "This closer, swallow you whole. No shakin', no tenderizin', down you go." The best laid quotes of mice and Jaws characters often go awry. The Red Sox score 4 runs in the top of the 9th to go ahead 11-4 and ruin the chances of Papelbon coming in. Joel Pineiro comes in instead.
(11:05) 4-hour game but the Red Sox win. Thaaaaaaaaaaa Red Sox win.
Friday night and I'm home with the kids. So I thought I'd take the time to jot down some thoughts as the game progressed (assuming its not rained out). Dice-K is going for the Red Sox tonight and many people may know that the Yankees are trying to stop a current 6-game losing streak but did you know that they have also lost 5-straight to the Red Sox (dating back to the last 2-games of last season)? If the Red Sox win tonight it will match the longest winning streak they ever had against the Yankees.
(7:03) I swear to God - when I heard Gary Thorne try to weasel out of his huge mistake about the bloody sock without ever saying that he apologized - I immediately thought of Captain Quint from Jaws, "Well it proves one thing, Mr. Thorne. It proves that you wealthy college boys don't have the education enough to admit when you're wrong."
(7:26) End of one and both Andy Pettitte and Dice-K look sharp. This could be a pretty quick game. Mike Lowell made a very nice play on A-Rod's grounder to end the inning.
(7:46) End of second inning. Jerry Remy and Don Orsillo spoke about Dice-K's personal masseuse during the inning. I'm just glad that the words "happy ending" were not muttered. If I had the opportunity - I would have bet that Dice-K was going to strikeout Hideki Matsui in their first encounter. Just as well as Matsui flies out to center. (I still say that Dice-K strikes out Godzilla at least once tonight.) The Yankees were a slight favorite tonight with the over / under at 9.5 runs. I think the under would have been a good bet.
(8:07) End of the third inning. Kevin Youkilis puts the Red Sox on top 2-0 with a 2-run HR. The Red Sox drafted Youkilis in 2001 in the 8th round. That year the Red Sox did not have a first round pick (they traded it to Cleveland who used it to draft pitcher Dan Denham who last year had a 8.21 ERA in Buffalo). The Red Sox first pick in the second round was Kelly Stopach who last year was traded to the Indians. So in a way - the Red Sox two top picks from 2001 are with the Indians. Youkilis is actually the only Red Sox pick in the first 8 rounds to come close to amounting to anything (besides Kelly Shoppach). Way to go there Dan Duquette!
(8:42) The Red Sox were not patient against Andy Pettitte and they quickly went down 1-2-3 whereas the Yankees were taking all sorts of pitches from Dice-K who walked the first three batters of the inning. They played Black Betty when Matsui came to bat. Do they always do that? I didn't know that Ram Jam was popular in Japan. Jorge Posada bloops in a single to make it 2-1. Damon's "excuse me" swing bloops in and scores 2 more to make it 3-2. Jeter squeaks a grounder through the right side and its 4-2. Those walks to lead off the inning are killing the Red Sox.
(9:09) Three walks, two singles and a wild pitch allow the Red Sox to score 3 to take a 5-4 lead. It looks like the under won't come in (good thing I didn't take it). It also looks like with Pettitte's pitch count up there - the Red Sox will be up against the vaunted (ha ha) Yankee bullpen.
(9:52) Sox lead 6-4 after Julio Lugo hit a HR. It's now the seventh inning stretch and I've been re-reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. No reason why - I was looking for my copy of The Best and the Brightest and when I didn't find it - I picked this back up. I think I've read this book about 5 times now. Mike Timlin come in to relieve Dice-K.
(10:31) I started with a Captain Quint quote and I may as well finish up with one - this time Quint is talking about Jon Papelbon, "This closer, swallow you whole. No shakin', no tenderizin', down you go." The best laid quotes of mice and Jaws characters often go awry. The Red Sox score 4 runs in the top of the 9th to go ahead 11-4 and ruin the chances of Papelbon coming in. Joel Pineiro comes in instead.
(11:05) 4-hour game but the Red Sox win. Thaaaaaaaaaaa Red Sox win.
Baseball Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous baseball thoughts and observations.
He may be going under the radar of most but Tiger 2nd baseman Placido Polanco is having a heck of the season. He's currently 4th in the AL in batting average at .360 and tied for first for hits with 31. What's really amazing is the fact that he's only struck out twice in 86 at bats. He's by far been the hardest player to strikeout this season in the AL... The hardest player to strikeout in all of baseball has been David Eckstein - who has only struck out once in 75 at bats... The bloody sock crap that has been in the news has been the biggest non-story that I can recall in a long time. And if we are honest with ourselves - then we have to say that Gary Thorne comes out of this looking like a moron. A moron not to catch the humor in Mirabelli's comment in the first place, a moron to invent from whole cloth that it was paint and not blood and a moron for saying this all on a major league broadcast... John Smoltz has signed a contract extension that should keep him in Atlanta for his whole career. He'll need those extra years if he is to catch Tom Glavine for 4th place in wins all-time for the Braves. Smoltz has 195 wins for the Braves while Glavine had 242. There is no way Smoltz moves any further up the list than 4th since Phil Niekro is 3rd with 268 wins (I guess if Smoltz turned into Nolan Ryan and pitched till he was 45-years old he'd have a chance), Kid Nichols is 2nd with 329 and Warren Spahn is 1st with 356. Smoltz should take over the all-time lead in strikeouts this season though since he's just 112 behind Niekro for the top honor in Braves history...
Miscellaneous baseball thoughts and observations.
He may be going under the radar of most but Tiger 2nd baseman Placido Polanco is having a heck of the season. He's currently 4th in the AL in batting average at .360 and tied for first for hits with 31. What's really amazing is the fact that he's only struck out twice in 86 at bats. He's by far been the hardest player to strikeout this season in the AL... The hardest player to strikeout in all of baseball has been David Eckstein - who has only struck out once in 75 at bats... The bloody sock crap that has been in the news has been the biggest non-story that I can recall in a long time. And if we are honest with ourselves - then we have to say that Gary Thorne comes out of this looking like a moron. A moron not to catch the humor in Mirabelli's comment in the first place, a moron to invent from whole cloth that it was paint and not blood and a moron for saying this all on a major league broadcast... John Smoltz has signed a contract extension that should keep him in Atlanta for his whole career. He'll need those extra years if he is to catch Tom Glavine for 4th place in wins all-time for the Braves. Smoltz has 195 wins for the Braves while Glavine had 242. There is no way Smoltz moves any further up the list than 4th since Phil Niekro is 3rd with 268 wins (I guess if Smoltz turned into Nolan Ryan and pitched till he was 45-years old he'd have a chance), Kid Nichols is 2nd with 329 and Warren Spahn is 1st with 356. Smoltz should take over the all-time lead in strikeouts this season though since he's just 112 behind Niekro for the top honor in Braves history...
Thursday, April 26, 2007
The Bloody Sock
Gordon Edes explains the controversy.
David Pinto also weighs in on the situation and openly says that he does not like Gary Thorne. I also harbor a dislike of Thorne but its not born of any personal contact - it stems from the fact that Thorne uses one of those deep "announcer voices" when he broadcasts. The phony voice always makes me suspect of the person using it.
I think this picture should answer any questions about whether the bloody sock was genuine.
Gordon Edes explains the controversy.
David Pinto also weighs in on the situation and openly says that he does not like Gary Thorne. I also harbor a dislike of Thorne but its not born of any personal contact - it stems from the fact that Thorne uses one of those deep "announcer voices" when he broadcasts. The phony voice always makes me suspect of the person using it.
I think this picture should answer any questions about whether the bloody sock was genuine.
Dustin Pedroia
How can you not root for a guy like Red Sox rookie Dustin Pedroia after reading something like this?
Just for the record - I'd also be very happy with a Pedroia / Alex Cora platoon.
How can you not root for a guy like Red Sox rookie Dustin Pedroia after reading something like this?
Just for the record - I'd also be very happy with a Pedroia / Alex Cora platoon.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Heh Heh
I thought this was pretty funny.
On a personal note - I take the Browns to the Super Bowl every moning (I'm pretty regular).
I thought this was pretty funny.
On a personal note - I take the Browns to the Super Bowl every moning (I'm pretty regular).
David Halberstam
I was saddened at the news of the loss of David Halberstam but I did not write anything about it. Bob Ryan gives an appreciation of the talent that was David Halberstam much better than I could (even if I took years to write it).
If you excuse me - I have to go find where I left my copy of The Best and the Brightest
.
I was saddened at the news of the loss of David Halberstam but I did not write anything about it. Bob Ryan gives an appreciation of the talent that was David Halberstam much better than I could (even if I took years to write it).
If you excuse me - I have to go find where I left my copy of The Best and the Brightest
.
ANZAC Day
Today is a sacred day in Australia. Today is ANZAC day. For an understanding of what ANZAC Day means click here.
I cannot thnk of ANZAC Day without thinking of the song The Band Played Waltzing Matilda. This song has some of the most moving lyrics ever put to music and although I'm not a big fan of people who post lyrics - I will make exceptions once and a while.
The Band Played Waltzing Matilda
When I was a young man I carried my pack
And I lived the free life of the rover.
From the Murray's green basin to the dusty outback
I waltzed my Matilda all over.
Then in nineteen fifteen the country said, "Son,
It's time to stop rambling, there's work to be done."
And they gave me a tin hat and they gave me a gun,
And they marched me away to the war.
And the band played Waltzing Matilda
As our ship pulled away from the quay,
And amidst all the cheers, flag-waving and tears
We sailed off to Gallipoli.
And how well I remember that terrible day,
How our blood stained the sand and the water.
And of how in that hell that they call Suvla Bay
We were butchered like lambs at the slaughter.
Johnny Turk he was waiting, he primed himself well,
He showered us with bullets, and he rained us with shell,
And in five minutes flat he'd blown us all to hell,
Nearly blew us right back to Australia.
But the band played Waltzing Matilda,
As we stopped to bury our slain.
We buried ours, and the Turks buried theirs,
Then we started all over again.
Now those that were left, well, we tried to survive
In that mad world of blood, death and fire.
And for ten weary weeks I kept myself alive,
But around me, the corpses piled higher.
Then a big Turkish shell knocked me arse over head,
And when I woke up in me hospital bed
And saw what it had done, well, I wished I was dead.
Never knew there was worse things than dying.
For I'll go no more Waltzing Matilda
All around the green bush far and free,
To hump tent and pegs, a man needs both legs,
No more Waltzing Matilda for me.
So they gathered the crippled, the wounded, the maimed,
And they shipped us back home to Australia.
The armless, the legless, the blind and insane,
Those proud wounded heroes of Suvla.
And as our ship pulled into Circular Quay
I looked at the place where me legs used to be,
And thanked Christ there was nobody waiting for me,
To grieve and to mourn and to pity.
But the band played Waltzing Matilda
As they carried us down the gangway.
But nobody cheered, they just stood and stared,
Then they turned all their faces away.
And so now every April I sit on my porch
And I watch the parade pass before me.
And I see my old comrades, how proudly they march,
Reviving old dreams of past glory.
And the old men marched slowly, all bones stiff and sore,
They're tired old heroes from a forgotten war,
And the young people ask,"What are they marching for?",
And I ask meself the same question.
But the band plays Waltzing Matilda,
And the old men still answer the call.
But as year follows year, more old men disappear,
Someday no one will march there at all.
Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda,
Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me ?
And their ghosts may be heard as they march by the billabong,
Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me ?
Good on ya Australia and God bless and keep all your fighting men in Iraq safe. If you want to download The Band Played Waltzing Matilda - I would recommend either the version by the Pogues or by the Clancy Brothers.
Today is a sacred day in Australia. Today is ANZAC day. For an understanding of what ANZAC Day means click here.
I cannot thnk of ANZAC Day without thinking of the song The Band Played Waltzing Matilda. This song has some of the most moving lyrics ever put to music and although I'm not a big fan of people who post lyrics - I will make exceptions once and a while.
The Band Played Waltzing Matilda
When I was a young man I carried my pack
And I lived the free life of the rover.
From the Murray's green basin to the dusty outback
I waltzed my Matilda all over.
Then in nineteen fifteen the country said, "Son,
It's time to stop rambling, there's work to be done."
And they gave me a tin hat and they gave me a gun,
And they marched me away to the war.
And the band played Waltzing Matilda
As our ship pulled away from the quay,
And amidst all the cheers, flag-waving and tears
We sailed off to Gallipoli.
And how well I remember that terrible day,
How our blood stained the sand and the water.
And of how in that hell that they call Suvla Bay
We were butchered like lambs at the slaughter.
Johnny Turk he was waiting, he primed himself well,
He showered us with bullets, and he rained us with shell,
And in five minutes flat he'd blown us all to hell,
Nearly blew us right back to Australia.
But the band played Waltzing Matilda,
As we stopped to bury our slain.
We buried ours, and the Turks buried theirs,
Then we started all over again.
Now those that were left, well, we tried to survive
In that mad world of blood, death and fire.
And for ten weary weeks I kept myself alive,
But around me, the corpses piled higher.
Then a big Turkish shell knocked me arse over head,
And when I woke up in me hospital bed
And saw what it had done, well, I wished I was dead.
Never knew there was worse things than dying.
For I'll go no more Waltzing Matilda
All around the green bush far and free,
To hump tent and pegs, a man needs both legs,
No more Waltzing Matilda for me.
So they gathered the crippled, the wounded, the maimed,
And they shipped us back home to Australia.
The armless, the legless, the blind and insane,
Those proud wounded heroes of Suvla.
And as our ship pulled into Circular Quay
I looked at the place where me legs used to be,
And thanked Christ there was nobody waiting for me,
To grieve and to mourn and to pity.
But the band played Waltzing Matilda
As they carried us down the gangway.
But nobody cheered, they just stood and stared,
Then they turned all their faces away.
And so now every April I sit on my porch
And I watch the parade pass before me.
And I see my old comrades, how proudly they march,
Reviving old dreams of past glory.
And the old men marched slowly, all bones stiff and sore,
They're tired old heroes from a forgotten war,
And the young people ask,"What are they marching for?",
And I ask meself the same question.
But the band plays Waltzing Matilda,
And the old men still answer the call.
But as year follows year, more old men disappear,
Someday no one will march there at all.
Waltzing Matilda, waltzing Matilda,
Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me ?
And their ghosts may be heard as they march by the billabong,
Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me ?
Good on ya Australia and God bless and keep all your fighting men in Iraq safe. If you want to download The Band Played Waltzing Matilda - I would recommend either the version by the Pogues or by the Clancy Brothers.
Harry Potter Factoids
- The Hogworts headmaster prior to Albus Dumbledore was Armando Dippet
- The Hogwarts motto is Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus - never tickle a sleeping dragon
-Most Harry Potter fans know that Snape is head of Slytherin House and that McGonagall is head of Griffendore but did you know that Professor Flitwick is the head of Ravenclaw? Professor Sprout is head of Hufflepuff.
- In warmer climates - colorful birds are used in place of owls to deliver the wizard mail
- The hospital in the Harry Potter books is called Saint Mungo's - did you know that there really is a Saint Mungo and that he's the patron saint of Glasgow, Scotland?
- To gain entance to the Ministry of Magic - you first go into an old telephone booth where you dial 6-2-4-4-2 to get the receptionist. On a telephone keypad - 6-2-4-4-2 spells "M-A-G-I-C".
- The Hogworts headmaster prior to Albus Dumbledore was Armando Dippet
- The Hogwarts motto is Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus - never tickle a sleeping dragon
-Most Harry Potter fans know that Snape is head of Slytherin House and that McGonagall is head of Griffendore but did you know that Professor Flitwick is the head of Ravenclaw? Professor Sprout is head of Hufflepuff.
- In warmer climates - colorful birds are used in place of owls to deliver the wizard mail
- The hospital in the Harry Potter books is called Saint Mungo's - did you know that there really is a Saint Mungo and that he's the patron saint of Glasgow, Scotland?
- To gain entance to the Ministry of Magic - you first go into an old telephone booth where you dial 6-2-4-4-2 to get the receptionist. On a telephone keypad - 6-2-4-4-2 spells "M-A-G-I-C".
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Baseball Flotsam and Jetsam
Miscellaneous baseball thoughts and observations.
Everybody is talking about A-Rod getting to 14 HR so fast and what has gotten lost in the shuffle is the fact that if the Yankees lose tonight against the Devil Rays then they will be in LAST PLACE in the AL East... For what its worth - the Braves are a game ahead of the Padres for the NL Wildcard... Frank Thomas hit his 490th career HR last night against the Red Sox. He needs just 3 more to tie Fred McGriff and Lou Gehrig for 21st place on the all time list... Happy 35th birthday to Chipper Jones who is having a pretty good season so far (6 HR, .319 BA, 1.090 OPS)... There are many reasons why Jeff Francoeur has become a fan favorite in Atlanta but I'm guessing the fact that this season he's hitting .538 with RISP and 2 outs has to be near the top (15 of Francoeur's 22 RBI have come with 2 out)... Henry Owens is listed as the Marlins closer but he has just 1 save - the same number as three other Marlin relievers... On the Mets - Ramon Castro has played in 8 fewer games than Paul Lo Duca but yet Castro has 2 more HR and 2 more RBI than the 35-year old Lo Duca. Just saying but Lo Duca has a history of starting out fast and tiring late in the season (career .238 BA and .643 OPS in September games) - maybe age has caught with Lo Duca? I wouldn't be surprised to see a catching controversy by the All-Star break in the Big Apple... The Washington Nationals are 6-13. My question is - how did they win 6 games?... For those of you out there thinking that there is no way the Yankees lose a 5th game in a row and fall into last place - please note that you'd be risking $168 to win $100 on a road team that is facing Scott Kazmir who pitches very well in Tropicana Field (career 3.12 ERA in 30 home starts). I'm not trying to talk you out of it - just giving you the facts...
Miscellaneous baseball thoughts and observations.
Everybody is talking about A-Rod getting to 14 HR so fast and what has gotten lost in the shuffle is the fact that if the Yankees lose tonight against the Devil Rays then they will be in LAST PLACE in the AL East... For what its worth - the Braves are a game ahead of the Padres for the NL Wildcard... Frank Thomas hit his 490th career HR last night against the Red Sox. He needs just 3 more to tie Fred McGriff and Lou Gehrig for 21st place on the all time list... Happy 35th birthday to Chipper Jones who is having a pretty good season so far (6 HR, .319 BA, 1.090 OPS)... There are many reasons why Jeff Francoeur has become a fan favorite in Atlanta but I'm guessing the fact that this season he's hitting .538 with RISP and 2 outs has to be near the top (15 of Francoeur's 22 RBI have come with 2 out)... Henry Owens is listed as the Marlins closer but he has just 1 save - the same number as three other Marlin relievers... On the Mets - Ramon Castro has played in 8 fewer games than Paul Lo Duca but yet Castro has 2 more HR and 2 more RBI than the 35-year old Lo Duca. Just saying but Lo Duca has a history of starting out fast and tiring late in the season (career .238 BA and .643 OPS in September games) - maybe age has caught with Lo Duca? I wouldn't be surprised to see a catching controversy by the All-Star break in the Big Apple... The Washington Nationals are 6-13. My question is - how did they win 6 games?... For those of you out there thinking that there is no way the Yankees lose a 5th game in a row and fall into last place - please note that you'd be risking $168 to win $100 on a road team that is facing Scott Kazmir who pitches very well in Tropicana Field (career 3.12 ERA in 30 home starts). I'm not trying to talk you out of it - just giving you the facts...
Harry Reid as Tom Daschle
There have been some calls for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) to step aside due to some recent comments where he basically said that the US has lost the war in Iraq and that we should adopt the equivalent of a cut and run strategy to get out of Iraq. Some people have compared Reid's verbal gaffes to those which cost Republican Trent Lott his position of majority leader. Those comparisons don't work but I think comparisons between Harry Reid and Tom Daschle do work.
The defeatist views that Harry Reid has recently spouted aren't out of line with the far left of the current Democratic Party. The Code Pink wing of the Democratic Party and their ilk have Reid's back and will shout down the people who think Reid's comments are disgraceful (just read the comments to this post for proof of my statement) and thus effectively protect Reid from suffering any repercussions to his job status.
This far left wing of the Democratic Party is a Catch-22 for Democratic leaders. Just as in Presidential politics where the far left has to be appeased in order for candidates to win primaries but find that the candidates acceptable to the Kos-kids are usually unelectable in general election because their adopted positions are out of step with the general population - there are risks for any member of Congress in appeasing the left.
Take Tom Daschle as an example. He was once one of the most powerful men in the country but as he started adopting positions and views that he thought were popular to the inside-the-Beltway Washington cocktail party circuit crowd - he found himself further from the belief set of his constituents in South Dakota. The result was that when Tom Daschle faced re-election - he lost (even though his position of power could have helped the state much more than the power wielded by a freshman Senator). Now Tom Daschle is the invisible man. Really - when is the last time you heard about or thought about Tom Daschle? Likewise - do you think Harry Reid's Code Pink appeal extends to the average voter in Nevada?
The good news for Reid is that he's not up for re-election until 2010 and by that time he's sure to be a very rich man. Maybe no politician has en-riched themselves more while drawing a simple government salary. So it should be no real surprise that a Senator who long ago adopted the morals of a French politician is suddenly espousing the military strategy most often used when the French find themselves in battle (surrender).
So Harry Reid is probably secure in his job (unless he's arrested for ethics violations) until 2010 and Nancy Pelosi would be hard pressed to take positions that are too-far left for her Congressional District. However, the hard left turn of the Democratic Party and their Congressional leaders will probably cost them the Presidential election in 2008 and control of both houses of Congress in 2008 as well. For that - I guess we should be thankful to Harry Reid and his inability to control the things he spouts off about.
There have been some calls for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) to step aside due to some recent comments where he basically said that the US has lost the war in Iraq and that we should adopt the equivalent of a cut and run strategy to get out of Iraq. Some people have compared Reid's verbal gaffes to those which cost Republican Trent Lott his position of majority leader. Those comparisons don't work but I think comparisons between Harry Reid and Tom Daschle do work.
The defeatist views that Harry Reid has recently spouted aren't out of line with the far left of the current Democratic Party. The Code Pink wing of the Democratic Party and their ilk have Reid's back and will shout down the people who think Reid's comments are disgraceful (just read the comments to this post for proof of my statement) and thus effectively protect Reid from suffering any repercussions to his job status.
This far left wing of the Democratic Party is a Catch-22 for Democratic leaders. Just as in Presidential politics where the far left has to be appeased in order for candidates to win primaries but find that the candidates acceptable to the Kos-kids are usually unelectable in general election because their adopted positions are out of step with the general population - there are risks for any member of Congress in appeasing the left.
Take Tom Daschle as an example. He was once one of the most powerful men in the country but as he started adopting positions and views that he thought were popular to the inside-the-Beltway Washington cocktail party circuit crowd - he found himself further from the belief set of his constituents in South Dakota. The result was that when Tom Daschle faced re-election - he lost (even though his position of power could have helped the state much more than the power wielded by a freshman Senator). Now Tom Daschle is the invisible man. Really - when is the last time you heard about or thought about Tom Daschle? Likewise - do you think Harry Reid's Code Pink appeal extends to the average voter in Nevada?
The good news for Reid is that he's not up for re-election until 2010 and by that time he's sure to be a very rich man. Maybe no politician has en-riched themselves more while drawing a simple government salary. So it should be no real surprise that a Senator who long ago adopted the morals of a French politician is suddenly espousing the military strategy most often used when the French find themselves in battle (surrender).
So Harry Reid is probably secure in his job (unless he's arrested for ethics violations) until 2010 and Nancy Pelosi would be hard pressed to take positions that are too-far left for her Congressional District. However, the hard left turn of the Democratic Party and their Congressional leaders will probably cost them the Presidential election in 2008 and control of both houses of Congress in 2008 as well. For that - I guess we should be thankful to Harry Reid and his inability to control the things he spouts off about.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Wow - Who Knew Jeff Foxworthy Had This Fire In Him?
I was absolutley floored by this speech.
Good for Jeff Foxworthy.
HT Hugh Hewitt (you can find a clearer video if you follow the HH link but I'm not sure if it works on Macs or Firefox)
I was absolutley floored by this speech.
Good for Jeff Foxworthy.
HT Hugh Hewitt (you can find a clearer video if you follow the HH link but I'm not sure if it works on Macs or Firefox)
Peter King - Always Unintentionally Funny
I was amused by this bit from Peter King's MMQB column today:
I would not be surprised to see the word "seductive" changed to something else by the editors at SI later in the day.
I was amused by this bit from Peter King's MMQB column today:
I know Eric Wright is the most seductive player in this draft. Wright is a corner from UNLV. He transferred from USC after being accused of rape (the charges were later dropped) and having 136 tabs of Ecstasy found in his on-campus dorm room. He played but 22 college games, starting 10. But then he went to the Combine, ran a 4.36 40-yard dash, and scouts started studying his six UNLV starts from 2006 like crazy. Interesting case.Emphasis added. Only King could cluelessly describe an accused rapist as "seductive" and be blissfully unaware of the inappropriateness of it.
I would not be surprised to see the word "seductive" changed to something else by the editors at SI later in the day.
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