I think the reason I'm such a fan is because he is able to, through examples, (such as this week's examination of the NFL draft and all its absurdity - a sentiment I held long before I started reading this column) show just how ridiculous and needlessly artificially complicated many things and issues are, and how they can be broken down into clear, logical, digestible ideas. I find myself nodding or grunting in agreement for the duration of my every reading. I'm talking, of course, about this week's TMQ article. (He won't be back until August after this.)
Fresh off reading that, I saw this. Not only is he predicting next year's draft order, which is effectively predicting the order in which every NFL team will finish this upcoming season, but also which NCAA players will have breakout years and which will slump, and...here is where I would go on for pages and pages about how senseless that is, but to be honest, Easterbrook has done it already, and much better than I ever would be able to.
Edit: I almost forgot to mention that in his article, TMQ expresses his wishes for the Bills to return to their old uniforms. The paragraph he devoted to that constitutes the most coverage the Bills have gotten this entire offseason, aside from their plans to play a regular season game in Toronto. More thoughts on the Bills later.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
John Daly...
...playing golf and doing an interview with no shirt on. As one of the YouTube postings read: If he were a rock star, he would be dead by now.
Unfair
At the moment, Mike Greenberg is on both ESPN on Sportscenter and on ESPN2 on Mike & Mike in the Morning. This is unfair to me, a loyal ESPN viewer, and is bordering on cruel and unusual. Is ESPN running out of people? The weak contestants on "Dream Job" could do better than Greenberg. At least Golic isn't on. If he were hosting Sportscenter for any other reason than every other host was in the hospital, I would never watch Sportscenter again. Or at least I would write a very strongly worded letter.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Running Diary: Yankees @ Indians
6:58 Minutes until game time. We’re venturing into unchartered territory before, as this is my first running diary. I’m not sure if I was supposed to plan this out or what. I just wolfed down some food but am by no means full. Am I allowed to get up during the game? I suppose I could pause the game, go get more food, and come back and unpause. What do I do when a possibly drunk Arkansas Megan stumbles through the door? What if the phone rings? Why is Mike Greenberg on Sportscenter? I hate that guy.
7:02 Shulman, Hershiser, and Phillips in the booth tonight. I like Hershiser alright…at least we’re spared Miller and Morgan.
7:06 Progressive Field, not The Jake, in Cleveland. That’s a shame.
7:07 Posada out of the Yankees lineup for the first time since 1996. On the ESPN ticker on the bottom of the screen where it usually says “MLB” or “NBA”, it just said “Clemens” to deliver the news of his alleged affair with that country singer whom I had to look up to discover that she at one time was famous for getting arrested a lot. I wish Clemens would go away.
7:08 Pitching for Cleveland is Aaron Laffey, who has never faced the Yankees. He was just called up from AAA Buffalo. Do the Yankees still scare young guys just by virtue of being the Yankees? I’m not so sure. Maybe that leadoff walk of Melky was indicative of something. Maybe Laffey is just freaking cold because it’s like 45 degrees there.
7:11 Jeter reaches on error. Shulman said it was scored as “a fielder’s choice, E4.” What?
7:13 “Subpoenaed” is an awkward looking word.
7:13 A-Rod pops up with men on the corners. The Yankees have been atrocious so far this year with RISP.
7:14 I’m not going to recount every at bat, don’t worry. I think I’m just excited and/or nervous and/or a blogging phenom, but that last one remains to be seen.
7:15 Typical of the Yankees this year. It looked like Giambi crushed that ball and it just sort of died in right center and was caught for the third out. I can only hope that once the weather warms up that the Yankee bats will do the same. And that Giambi will at least get up to the Mendoza line, which would currently be nearly double his average. Yes, double.
7:18 Moose pitching for the Yankees. The last time I watched him pitch, Manny Ramirez made Moose’s whole week, if you know what I mean. (He’s had at least one real quality start since.)
7:22 People who sit behind home plate and are constantly on their cell phones and waving at the camera should be prosecuted as terrorists.
7:23 I’ve quickly noticed a huge advantage to this running diary thing. I’m paying attention to only my thoughts and what is going on on the field; I rarely if ever am listening to the dummies in the booth!
7:26 Jack Daniel’s commercial…damn the power of advertising. Be right back.
7:30 I went to the kitchen to get my drink and everything went wrong. The dishwasher started to (and continues to make) some seriously threatening noises and a bunch of ice fell out of the freezer. I missed the whole half inning, save for some quick glances and listening to the play-by-play. Laffey must have thrown what, 5 pitches? Way to be patient, hitters.
7:35 Two things that I love that don’t go well when consumed at the same time: avocado and whiskey. I know, you’re surprised too.
7:36 Jeter just reached a grounder but couldn’t make the throw. Sabermetricians love to bash on Jeter, and I’m well aware that it’s partly because it’s Jeter and Sabermetricians love to show how their stats and graphs buck conventional wisdom so Jeter is a perfect subject. That being said, I do agree that he’s overrated in the field. But I also don’t think he’s as horrific as the Saber guys would have you believe. Speaking of Jeter, this always makes me laugh.
7:44 One of the dummies just pointed out that Casey Blake shares the record for putouts in an inning: 3. Is this really necessary to point out that he shares a record with hundreds if not thousands of other players?
7:46 Whoa. Just went to baseball-reference to find some Steve Phillips stats to make fun of, and they’ve redone their search. Results now come up in a wiki. Weird. Also, BR lists Al Leiter as a New York Met “franchise player.” Really?
7:48 Indians batting. Right on cue, E6. Ugh.
7:50 Hershiser retired with 204 wins and an ERA+ of 112, 25 SHO, and 2014 Ks. Not bad at all. I don’t recall ever seeing him pitch. He was only in the AL for 3 years, only one of which I was living in the country. If only we had a time during the season in which fans of AL teams could have the opportunity to see NL players matched up against their favorite…just kidding. I hate interleague play and don’t you forget it.
7:51 While I was harping, another ball (hit) got by Jeter. I don’t believe in jinxes.
7:58 I can’t believe people get paid to do this.
7:59 Approximately the 47th pitch of this at bat coming up. Mussina won’t last 5 at this rate.
8:00 There we go. Moose pitched out of a small jam there. He makes me nervous this year, and I feel bad. I feel like I’m letting a friend down. He had a rough year last year and a terrible spring. He’s getting old. He routinely gets whupped by Boston. I’m pulling for him but this year is definitely his swan song. By the way, the story behind the saying “swan song” is surprisingly half-interesting.
8:04 Someone just mentioned how Jeter, assuming he remains healthy, will race by 3,000 hits and will have a legitimate shot at 4,000. It’s going to be so weird watching him DH as I assume he will near the end.
8:05 Among other boggling stats, A-Rod has 10 straight 30 HR seasons.
8:11 On the ESPN ticker…”NBA Alert…Giants will move P Barry Zito to bullpen.”…some intern just got fired.
8:16 Jhonny Peralta…was that on purpose or did his parents make a mistake? I honestly wonder without judgment. Believe it or not.
8:19 Those people behind home plate are STILL waving, Jose Molina is slower than molasses, and potentially drunk Arkansas Megan’s drunkenness is currently incalculable through text messages.
8:27 Cano just got hit in the back, which seems to be the only way the Yankees will get on base tonight. Still no hits on Laffey.
8:31 Drudge is relaying an article that a couple “experts” are predicting that gas will reach $10 a gallon this summer. They base this on a projection that oil will reach $200 in the next two to three years. Well I think oil will reach $6,000 a barrel and gas will be $194.50 a gallon. There are roughly a bzillion factors that go into those prices and these so-called experts can’t make any better projections than you or I can.
8:34 Giambi totally blew that pick-off.
8:34 In the same article I reference above comes this quote: “There was a pray-in at a Chevron station in San Francisco on Friday led by a minister asking God for cheaper gas.” I don’t even know what to say about that. That is a factor that I did not include in my estimate of a bzillion.
8:35 Back to back hits on Moose. This is a typical 5th inning for him this year. He’s pitched pretty well so far though so I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt here.
8:36 Jose Molina has 9 stolen bases in his career. The brothers Molina have a combined 16 stolen bases in a combined 25 years of major league baseball.
8:39 First run of the game goes to Cleveland. Two on, no out. I think Moose lets things affect him much more psychologically than he used to. I don’t have a good feeling about getting out of this inning without letting any more runs in.
8:40 Clemens’ agent’s name is Rusty Hardin. Potential stage name?
8:41 Another hit, bases loaded, no outs. The Moose is shaken, and he should be. Cleveland didn’t beat the Yankees and reach the ALCS last year for nothin’. Bullpen is alive.
8:42 Jonathan Jessica Albaladejo is warming up. One down in the meantime. Hafner up. He’s tied for the MLB record for grand slams in a season, with 6 in 2006. (Tied with Mattingly, 1987)
8:45 Hafner sac fly, another run in. It was an obvious out and not out of the park and yet I didn’t see the Cleveland fans jump out of their seats and scream wildly as if the bases were about to be cleared. Philly fans, take note.
8:48 If Mussina gets out of this down 2-0, he will have done a great job…as he loads the bases again with a walk. Still, he’ll have gotten out relatively unharmed, given the potential for the New York bats. Albaladejo still comes in in the 6th, I think.
8:50 Lineout to Jeter. Not bad, Moose.
8:51 Kevin Kouzmanoff, currently with the Padres, was with Cleveland in 2006 when he hit a grand slam on the first pitch he ever saw in the majors.
8:53 First hit of the night for the Yankees comes from Melky. Say what you want about the Yankees’ mediocrity so far this year, but no-hitting them through 5 is still a feat for the youngin Laffey.
8:54 Jeter caught a break there but it was a makeable play by Blake. Score is a hit.
8:56 Abreu loads the bases with a line drive to left. No outs. I wish the Yankees would consider hitting like this earlier in games, before they’ve fallen behind. I’ll take what I can get.
8:57 A-Rod is .350 with 16 homers with the bases loaded in his career. The guy is not as bad with RISP as people would have you believe.
8:58 He also is good at getting hit by the ball. 2-1, Cleveland.
9:00 A-Rod has been hit 128 times in his career…what else do you expect me to do when the Indians meet at the mound?
9:01 Giambi RBI groundout ties the game. He’s good for something, I guess.
9:02 Matsui RBI groundout, Yankees up 3-2. Ah, a base hit or two would have been nice. Laffey is done.
9:05 Hershiser was kind to call Ensberg’s squib a “chopper” as somehow everyone is safe and another run comes in. 4-2, Yankees.
9:07 Cleveland finally gets out of the inning as Cano grounds out. I am currently very unsure as to whether Mussina comes back. I say yes, for a hit or two. The bullpen has been worn out lately.
9:08 I need to meet Arkansas Megan at the occasionally exceptionally shady metro stop in about 15 minutes. I’m not sure what’s going to happen when we get back as I can still not ascertain the exact level of drunkenness. Such are the natural risks of blogging, I suppose.
9:10 Moose in fact did not return. Albaladejo and his career 206 ERA+ take the mound. (Alright, 22 career IP.) I’m just glad I can consistently say his name correctly. Former National, by the way. It’s a wonder he’s not with the Mets, as every other former National seemingly is. I’m sure there’s no connection between that fact and the Mets’ current state.
9:15 Kyle Farnsworth is warming up. I’m suddenly very uncomfortable. (For a similar scenario, see: Jersey Matt when Jorge Sosa is warming up. Scratch that; any member of the Mets bullpen that isn’t Joe Smith or Pedro Feliciano. Maybe Figueroa if he hasn’t been drinking at all. Or maybe only if he has been drinking heavily. I’m not sure.) (That would be Jersey Matt drinking or not drinking, not Figueroa.)
9:18 In the meantime, the Indians have runners on the corners and 2 outs.
9:20 The dummies are discussing how to pronounce “Albaladejo”. They clearly were not trained by Michael Kay, as I was.
9:21 K for the last out. Nice pitching.
9:23 Metro time. Game paused. Love DVR.
9:39 Back, beat the buffer. Excellent.
9:42 Superb catch by RF Jason Michaels to rob Jeter of a hit. Web gem.
9:43 Just accidentally fast forwarded through a whole non-commercial segment. I don’t know what happened. Don’t want to risk that again so I’m going to just go forward slowly…
9:45 Well I just totally screwed that up and I’m back on live and missed everything that had recorded. Top 8, 2 out, Matsui up, still 4-2 Yankees. Apparently I didn’t miss much.
9:46 Matsui snuck a hit to the wall for an RBI 2B, Damon scores. 5-2. I can’t believe Matsui is younger than Jeter. Pitching change for Indians.
9:49 Morgan Ensberg is up. Read his guest appearance on Phil Hughes’ blog.
9:51 Ensberg pops up, Joba should be out next.
9:54 I wish Joba would bend his hat’s brim. Just a little.
9:55 Hershiser made a great point about a pitcher being able to deliberately slow a game down immensely, in reference to Joba and the bugs in last year’s ALDS in Cleveland. Young guy trying to tough it out, I think. Either that or he was a rookie in a real tough spot in the playoffs and he wasn’t thinking straight, which is totally understandable.
9:58 Joba gets out without any damage.
10:00 Surprisingly sober Arkansas Megan just asked a very valid question: How many times have they shown that Baseball Tonight guys at the Bobby Thompson game commercial tonight? Sadly, I do not know. But it’s been many.
10:01 They just showed a Rick Ankiel highlight, which immediately prompted someone to mention what a great story Ankiel’s is. Have we forgotten that the guy was found to have used HGH? Why was it such a big deal but suddenly we’ve forgotten? For some reason I still don’t mind it nearly as much as announcers’ constant fawning over Shawne Merriman and never ever mentioning his steroid suspension.
10:03 8-9-1 for Rivera in the bottom of the 9th after the break. He hasn’t given up a walk this season.
10:05 Shulman just stole my stat, only I think he said that Mo hasn’t given up a hit either, which is not true.
10:06 One out. Mussina is in line for the win, by the way.
10:07 Damn you, Shulman! How do I get to be the guy who slips the dummies all their stats?
10:09 Those uniform patches commemorating the Stadium’s last season are way too big.
10:10 Flyout to Abreu, two down.
10:11 Baseball-reference lists Rivera’s current ERA+ as “infinite”
10:11 Game over, Yankees 5 – Cleveland 2. Mussina gets the win, Mo the save. A successful first running diary? Comments and self-criticism tomorrow will tell.
Happy Birthday ...
to the DH rule.
Is mlb.com turning the corner? Is it actually going to publish more then puff pieces?! Can I handle this?!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Peace & Justice in NYC...
Everyone is familiar with the Sean Bell / NYPD Detectives case by now. For a refresher, about reaction to the outcome, click here. For a review of the case itself, try clicking here. CNN having an entire web page devoted to this story says something about the media's fixation on human tragedy, but more on that in a minute. Finally, for Al Sharpton's response to this tragic event, try this link.
There are a myriad of tragedies flowing from this event. A brother, future husband and son is dead. A family has been torn apart. Three police officers' lives (and in some ways, the entire NYPD) are also ruined by the acrimony that has been created by this very public airing of all that is wrong in race relations in New York and the country. Let's face it: if everyone involved in this situation was Caucasian and Harvard-educated, everyone's perceptions would be a lot different.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg reminded New Yorkers after the verdict that there were no winners in this situation. He is completely right.
And yet, I can't help but think that there are many positive consequences that this could have. First of all, there is an opportunity for community leaders to launch a constructive dialogue to find out how something like this could ever have happened. Secondly, this can lead to a comprehensive review of NYPD procedures in a situation just like this. And thirdly, maybe we can actually have a discussion about race in this country. Not through the skewed prism of a presidential election that is getting more ridiculous each moment, by the way, but rather a discussion that reflects true problems: an inordinate (and unjust) amount of minorities are in jail and an inordinate amount of violent crimes are committed by minorities. And quite frankly, if we're not willing to have painful, public discussions, then it's just a matter of time before the next Sean Bell.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Leave it to the WSJ...
... to write something extremely intelligent and entertaining about baseball.
However, he forgot to mention the conventional move about which some managers have seemingly forgotten -- the double switch. (Cough, Willie, Cough)
Opening Thoughts...
The Mets are starting to really depress me.
But the new baseball season is really off to a great start.
Right now both Chicago teams are in first place, the 22milliondollar Marlins are leading the NL East and several teams with high expectations are struggling.
If April is about hope, then we're definitely having a great April.
Then again, hope usually dies (along with bad bullpens) around Memorial Day.
But the new baseball season is really off to a great start.
Right now both Chicago teams are in first place, the 22milliondollar Marlins are leading the NL East and several teams with high expectations are struggling.
If April is about hope, then we're definitely having a great April.
Then again, hope usually dies (along with bad bullpens) around Memorial Day.
Stat of the Day
There have been 4 grand slams in the National League this year. 3 of them have been served up by the Mets bullpen, including last night's no-doubter by Nats SS Felipe Lopez, who had a career high 6 RBI.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Walk Straight!
First of all, why can’t people walk in straight lines? You don’t need to prove your sobriety on the way to work, but you also don’t need to drift from one side of the sidewalk to the other as you walk, which you’re probably doing very slowly, by the way. Enough already.
Second, I love how John Stossel (John Stossel!) has become a dependable anti-alarmist. (What is an anti-alarmist in its own right? A calmist? An unsensationalist?) I have come to enjoy reading his regular stuff.
Finally, for the moment anyway, is this excerpt from the latest article by Gregg Easterbrook, also known as the Tuesday Morning Quarterback on ESPN’s Page 2. I’ve included all the links and recognition so we don’t get sued (as if we have a readership, much less ESPN representatives who would care). I eagerly await TMQ’s article every week during the football season, often keeping a browser tab open on Page 2 and refreshing every minute or so until it is posted, and then I immediately schedule lunch. He has a distinctive, clear writing style which I very much enjoy and occasionally find myself emulating. I encourage you to read him as well. Anyway, this is an excerpt from his article mocking the NFL draft. As you can see, he writes about much more than football:
“The Fallacy of "Balanced" State Budgets: Because this is an election year, many states are campaigning for more federal money, and simultaneously boasting of how, unlike
In fiscal 2007, the federal government handed out $232 billion in routine operating grants to state governments -- a figure that excludes federal payments for Medicaid, a federally imposed but state-administered entitlement, and excludes special federal hurricane aide to
The situation is basically a bookkeeping swindle. Today federal taxes seem excessive, while state taxes seem affordable, because state taxes don't pay the full cost of state government, while federal taxes fund considerably more than the cost of federal government. The bookkeeping switcheroo makes the federal government appear less cost-effective than it actually is, while causing state governments to appear more prudent in their spending than they actually are. For instance, since the early Ronald Reagan presidency, state government employment has been rising while federal government employment has been declining; yet because states bill so much of their costs to
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Mets @ Nationals
Note: Nats starting pitcher Redding just hit a 2 out, 2 RBI 2B off
Santana to take the lead.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
The Big Night...
Oh, and by the way...
when's the last time we've seen slug it out politics like we are in the not so great state of PA right now?
Are these two candidates getting harder to support?
And will their constant exposure help (presumably) one of them eventually against John McCain?
And how many times we will hear so-called expert bloviate about these questions? In reality, no one has the answers. And even if someone did have the answers now, we don't know what is going to happen with (in no particular order):
when's the last time we've seen slug it out politics like we are in the not so great state of PA right now?
Are these two candidates getting harder to support?
And will their constant exposure help (presumably) one of them eventually against John McCain?
And how many times we will hear so-called expert bloviate about these questions? In reality, no one has the answers. And even if someone did have the answers now, we don't know what is going to happen with (in no particular order):
- Gas prices
- Al-Qaeda in Iraq/Afghanistan/mid-town Manhattan
- Unemployment/foreclosure rate
- A thousand other variables that may or may not find some type of resolution before November.
Good links...
Mike Lupica tells Hank Steinbrenner that the MLB isn't like MLB 2008 for EA Sports..
On East Coast Bias, we hear what we're all thinking about the Nats. (And I pray that the Nats are dumb enough to fire Manny Acta, so the rightful prince of the Mets can take his place in Queens!)
In the New York Sun, we get to hear about the Yankees' buyer's remorse.
Obama...Osama? I can tell you if these people believe in Jesus, I'm done.
Thoughts on Philly (and the awful thugs who live there)...
A while back I sat in the bleachers during a Yankees playoff game. If memory serves me correctly, it was against the Angels and Randy Johnson got the daylights beat out of him. I never thought anyone was capable of saying meaner things about another human being as I did that day.
And then, I sat in the 400-level in Philadelphia.
Beautiful ballpark. Great sight lines. Chase Utley is playing all-world right now.
But...
It is in inconceivable to me that whenever a Phillie hits a pop-up to the shortstop, everyone thinks it's a home run.
It's scary to think that grown men (and women) think that cursing at Mets' fans is the best cheering that Philadelphia fans can do.
It's depressing to think that the only time a "Let's Go Phillies" chant started when the Mets were rallying was in response to a "Let's Go Mets" chant.
More thoughts later on this...
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Around the Horn...
Top 14 of the Mets game.
Up at 3 am for Pope festivities in DC - but I'm not giving up until I see the conclusion of this game.
A few passing thoughts...
- Why are teams throwing it around the horn, catcher to first baseman, when a right-handed batter strikes out?
- The Nats play-by-play guys on MASN are just plain terrible.
- It never gets old for someone in the room to say "Hats for bats," whenever the artist formerly known as Carlos Delgado comes to the plate. But, it's kind of sad that Delgado's bat is so slow that he is unable to catch up on fastballs middle/in at this point. Somewhere Pedro Serrano just started weeping.
- This kid Nieves on the Nats has an impressive arm behind the plate. But Don Sutton wants to have his children, and it's beginning to make me uncomfortable.
- And finally ... Jorge Sosa makes me very uncomfortable. Is there one of these guys on every major league roster? I immediately think of Farnsworth on the Yankees, Manny Delcarmen on the Sox, Tom Gordon on the Phils ... These are guys who may be effective most of the time but just make you nervous.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Why I Hate Some Yankee Fans and Joe Morgan (again)
LaTroy Hawkins just came into the game for the Yankees to try to hold off what feels like an impending Red Sox rally. LaTroy is wearing #22 tonight after beginning the season as #21. He came to the Yankees this past offseason. LaTroy is by all accounts one of the nicest guys in baseball. He’s a veteran who immediately stepped up and became a leader in a clubhouse chock full of young pitchers. He’s not a stellar player, but he’s a good guy. He was forced to switch to #22 after Yankees fans insisted on booing him every time he came out because Paul O’Neill had worn #21 when he was with the Yankees, and the fans took offense to LaTroy daring to wear “Paul’s number”.
Paul O’Neill was a good Yankee. We all liked him. But booing a guy like LaTroy for wearing #21, which he chose to honor Roberto Clemente, by the way, just soils the whole thing. It’s disgusting.
Joe Morgan went on to mention that Yankee fans were also upset because Clemens also wore #21. That isn’t true. Clemens wore #12 at first precisely because O’Neill had #21. Clemens then changed to #22 midseason. Good job Joe.
Joe and Dave O’Brien (Jon Miller must be off forgetting things somewhere…actually, O’Brien just explained that it’s because Rick Sutcliffe has cancer. As Arkansas Megan just pointed out, “Why do they need to talk about someone with cancer, during baseball?” Excellent point.) were talking about Monument Park at Yankee Stadium. Joe was fawning over it, as usual, talking about how special and inspiring it is. He mentioned how his first time playing at Yankee Stadium he went out there before the game and as a result was so touched, he was inspired to play well that night. Well, Joe, I checked, and you were 1 for 4 with a strikeout. Oh and you had an error too. And it was in the World Series. Nice.
Pope News...
This guy was worth a four-year deal...
Yes, the Mets signed Luis Castillo to a four year deal. And he can't/doesn't want to play four or five days ina row....
And as for the coffee post....be a man Virginia Matt, drink it black.
And as for the coffee post....be a man Virginia Matt, drink it black.
Cosi Espresso
Today's adventure was trying a mocha espresso from Cosi. Report: It tastes like a mocha. Different than Starbucks, but pretty good. Worth a try if you are a Starbucks devotee, just for a change. Whole milk is the way to go, but only in coffee drinks; not in real life, like cereal or a cold glass.
Tonight: the Cake Love cafe (Love Cafe)? Don't touch that dial.
Update: Love Cafe has been postponed. Feel free to touch your dial. (Cue Jersey Matt...)
Tonight: the Cake Love cafe (Love Cafe)? Don't touch that dial.
Update: Love Cafe has been postponed. Feel free to touch your dial. (Cue Jersey Matt...)
News Items
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is certifiable, in my opinion. The idea is not what bothers me; despite the endless supply of pictures, videos, and personal accounts of September 11, there is always the possibility of misrepresentation of events. Granted, I think the possibility is microscopic and as an American familiar with our government and press I don’t believe that an event like September 11 could be as grossly misrepresented (for lack of a better word) as old Mahmoud is suggesting, but I can see how an outsider who is not as familiar but has seen other nations duped by their state-controlled press (China, USSR, Cuba, North Korea) might think that it’s a possibility here. So that’s fine. But for his main sticking point to be that the names if the victims have never been published when in fact, as the article points out, they are read out loud on September 11 seemingly every year, is what makes the whole idea preposterous. This guy just unabashedly denies things that are plain for all to see, which is a bit why dissent is growing in Iran
Calling the Chinese “goons” on TV was a stupid thing to do (in our politically correct world; I think you should be able to call anyone you want a goon, which is to the best of my knowledge a term that can be attributed to anyone exhibiting goon-like characteristics, and is not a derogatory term for Chinese people. However, it most definitely is not an “evil attack” on the Chinese. Give me a break.
I like stories like this. I like people occasionally (and I can’t stress “occasionally” enough; it should not be frequent, although God knows that attention-deprived idiots will be all over opportunities like this) asking these sorts of silly questions. I like politicians laughing at things that are genuinely funny and not contrived on TV shows. The human element is fun to see out of candidates. I do not count the crying earlier in the year by a certain potential nominee in this category, because that was not fun (well, it probably was to some). Scripted jokes in stump speeches are not fun; getting McCain to crack up is fun. Similarly, I greatly enjoyed the video of Dubya dancing in his visit to
Finally, this piece. I took a Theory and Politics of Terrorism class a couple years ago (clearly making me a be-all and end-all expert in the subject), and one of the many things I took from that class was the fact that the press does a lot of harm, in its eagerness to sell stories, when it publishes these alarmist pieces about the impending destruction of the country by terrorists. I’m not arguing that the threat doesn’t exist; it does. I am also not suggesting that the threat be suppressed or that people should not be made aware. However, there is no need for the media to do an investigation into how effective a nuclear detonation in DC would be. They don’t need to spend a week or a month or a year to look into the security measures of Amtrak or the metro or hospitals or schools or museums or malls so they can then run an expose on them to show how vulnerable they are to this or that method of terrorism. You are doing the terrorists’ research for them. Terrorists and would-be terrorists read newspapers and watch TV. If the media’s true motivation was prevention of tragedy, they would do the research but not publish it, they would just tell the people who need to make the changes and then maybe threaten to expose them. Even then it would be clear that their motivation is ratings and sales. I realize that I’m not offering up a new concept by any means, but it’s really counterproductive, even destructive. Freedom of the press is great, I just wish they would have some common sense.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Perfect...
Nice win by the Mets. Sanchez comes back. Reyes goes 4 for 5. Wright looks like an MVP.
And a great, great article by George Will. Must read.
Change of Plans...
I was intending to jot down a few thoughts on the Mets this afternoon, but I was stuck behind an SUV with 8 anti-George Bush bumper stickers and I feel compelled to add my two cents.
First of all, 8 bumper stickers about anything denotes you as a fanatical fool.
Second, what type of point are you trying to prove?
Third, she was driving one of those late 90s SUVs that drink gas more quickly than John Daly throws back beers. Come on, if you have to attach these (anti-GOP/conservative) political statements to your bumper, drive a hybrid, not something that makes an M-1 Abrams look fuel efficient.
I think that bumper-sticker mania is indicative of the political situation that we currently face. As soon as candidates reach national exposure, they are immediately labeled by the national media. Regardless of the congruency of these generalizations, they have a tendency to stick, unless the candidate does something so horrific that a more caustic moniker is within reach. Think about it. Right now we have the Former First Lady, Hope & Change, and the War Hero.
Never mind that they are all senators and have extensive and nuanced policy histories. Never mind that there are still definite questions about Barack's ability to bring about any change, Hillary's past actions in her husband's White House, and Mac's relationship with the armed services (see his testimony on the Khobar Towers attack before the SASC).
A few good links...
A few good links...
John McCain hammers out a key economic speech, while Barack Obama feels mighty put out by the media.
Meanwhile, Jimmy Carter does everything but make out with a terrorist.
In other news, my usual forty minute commute to work today turned into a hour and forty minute ordeal despite the absence of any major accident on the 295N corridor. Gotta love drivnig in VA/DC/MD. This makes for a very cranky blogger.
The Red Sox were on ESPN again last night. This time viewers were treated to the fool that is Steve Philips, as well as a come-from-behind Red Sox victory that needs to remind the American League and the world, that until someone beats the Sox in October, you can take the moniker of "best team in baseball" from their cold, dead hands.
Coming later today, a Mets' fan vents about things that worry him in the new season.
John McCain hammers out a key economic speech, while Barack Obama feels mighty put out by the media.
Meanwhile, Jimmy Carter does everything but make out with a terrorist.
In other news, my usual forty minute commute to work today turned into a hour and forty minute ordeal despite the absence of any major accident on the 295N corridor. Gotta love drivnig in VA/DC/MD. This makes for a very cranky blogger.
The Red Sox were on ESPN again last night. This time viewers were treated to the fool that is Steve Philips, as well as a come-from-behind Red Sox victory that needs to remind the American League and the world, that until someone beats the Sox in October, you can take the moniker of "best team in baseball" from their cold, dead hands.
Coming later today, a Mets' fan vents about things that worry him in the new season.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Concurrence
I guess I better learn to move quickly here as Jersey Matt effectively stole a couple of my main posting points for today: the game last night and the ineptitude of Joe Morgan therein. Thus I will merely acknowledge them and move on.
Wait, I can’t. Last year I would have been happy taking a “what he said” mentality about this, but I have to intervene here. Jon Miller, ordinarily reliable as both an entertaining voice and as a saving grace to Joe Morgan’s blathering, is this season losing his mind enough that it’s noticeable. Last night he reported that the Yankees won the 2004 World Series. Not to be outdone by his boothmate’s insight to PED usage (see story), Miller told us about a player giving “a self-confidence talk to…himself” (paraphrasing due to lack of notes, but barely). He referred to Jose Molina as “Posada”…and as “Varitek”! Excusable offenses for an old guy, sure, but not when it becomes distracting. I will have to take down a full report next time of all the flubs by this dynamic duo. A running diary, perhaps.
A topic to touch upon at a later time is the McCarver-esque fawning over absolutely every player. This is a plague among announcers in all sports but I’ll harp on baseball since it’s in season. Every good player is just spectacular, every play extraordinary either for its flashiness or for its fundamental soundness. I understand that these players have exceptional skill. In this argument I’m usually on the side that’s fighting for the players; to be a below average player in the majors, there is a very good chance (there are exceptions) that that player is still very very good compared to a normal person (i.e. me, or 98% of all guys playing pro ball in any minor league, which is a lot of guys.) That being said, there is no need to go over the top with this.
I find it interesting that it is becoming more and more common for the networks to share with us a player’s slugging percentage when I’m pretty sure most viewers have no idea what that is. I dare say they should explain, but then you’d have them explaining it every game, and it will turn into a John Madden-like “I really think this team is just trying to score more runs that the other team” explanations. Not sure who is to blame for this dilemma…I’ll blame the networks.
That reminds me of another good quote from last night, and I’m not even sure who said it. I think it was Miller. Again, I didn’t write it down at the time, but I repeated it out loud when I heard it, which makes me pretty sure now of my memory’s accuracy: “The Red Sox have won two World Series since the Yankees have won one. That’s a streak the Yankees would like to stop.” That is nearly word for word, I promise you.
Quickly, although this deserves more attention later, let me agree again with JM. My baseball heart truly goes out to fans of any teams who are not the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Phillies, and to some extent Braves and Cubs (because of TBS and WGN). The overexposure of and oversaturation with these teams must be sickening to the rest of the league’s fans.
Reminded randomly again of an announcer musing from last night. This one, though, was intentionally funny and much appreciated. By Jon Miller, after the (I think) 4th inning: “After 49...hundred…pitches, the inning is finally over!”
More later on yesterday’s Caps game and the internal debate it inspired.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Roadtripping...
Middle Relief hits the road next Sunday up I-95 for Mets/Phillies.
Sitting in nosebleed.
Ideas for food at the ball park/good bars around the stadium appreciated.
Sunday Night Baseball
Currently watching the Red Sox meltdown in the 8th inning. And if Francona brings Papelbon in for 6 outs I'll drive up to Boston myself and crush him....Francona goes to the mound and here comes....Javier Lopez...this could get ugly quickly.
Listening to Jon Miller and Joe Morgan is always a bittersweet experience. There is hardly anyone better in the game than Miller when it comes to letting the game do most of the talking while providing context and description that only adds to the experience.
"Double play! Beautiful! Dustin Pedrioia took it the only way it could've been done."
Damon hits into a 4-4-3 double play. (Author breathing easily.) That was classic Miller -- no frills, proper excitement. This is a guy who realizes that the game is being broadcast on TV and that his audience is able to see what is happening. Another great talent that Miller has is the set-up. Too often a lost art, Miller's color commentary consistently places his partner in the position to offer cogent and timely observations...which brings me to "the other guy."
Quickly, however, Joe Morgan jumps into the action. Certainly Morgan has been doing this a long time and has impeccable playing (read: HOF) credentials, yet I think his analysis lacks evenness and depth. Too often, Morgan describes something that the audience can plainly see, thereby covering over more intelligent analysis that he also provides just a few seconds later.
Earlier in the 8th, Miller and Morgan cut away to an in-game conversation with Peter Gammons (who is not only a HOFer but also will go straight to heaven if God is even slightly just) for a discussion about PEDs. (Isn't it sad that PEDs are just as commonly discussed as RBIs and ERAs?) But I digress: the conversation between the three is wrapped up and Morgan says (and I'm paraphrasing): PEDs weren't part of the game, there were players who made it part of the game because they were using them. But there were plenty of players who didn't use them and make them part of the game.
Unfortunately I wasn't quick enough on the keyboard to type his comments down verbatim, but I came away thinking: whhhhat? This is Emmy quality reporting? Not as bad as Charlie Steiner, but we don't need Joe Morgan speaking as if he gets paid by the word, thank you very much.
You're not going to find another Big Papi or Manny in the next few years...
more penetrating analysis from Joe! (Umm Joe, have you seen any Brewers or Phillies games?)
And while I'm thinking about....does ESPN realize that the entire country doesn't want to see the Phillies, Mets, Sox or Yankees every dang weekend?
Saturday, April 12, 2008
News Item: Alicia Keys Claims Vast Conspiracy
In an interview with Blender Magazine, Alicia Keys claims that the feud between Tupac and Biggie was "fueled" by the government and media to "stop another great black leader from existing." She also believes that gansta' rap is part of efforts to convince African Americans to kill each other. As if this doesn't reflect Alicia's train of thought well enough, she proudly wears a gold AK-47 pendant around her neck to "symbolize strength, power and killing 'em dead."
A gold AK-47? Dr. King would be so proud!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Two in a row!
Mets manage to squeak out two in a row.
Heilman screws things up again. Angel Pagan making the most of his second (and possibly last) shot at the show.
Posting tomorrow reminding all of us why most others hate Americans...
307
chili dog and fries. Oh baseball.
Sounds like sour grapes...
A list of ex-Mets who are currently performing well above expectations:
- Jeff Keppinger (IF), Cin. Reds traded to the Reds for the now Atlanta Brave Ruben Gotay.
- Heath Bell (RP), SD Pads, traded to the Pads along with Royce Ring (failed lefty reliever) for Jon Adkins and Ben Johnson. Both of whom are......not on the Mets 25-man roster.
- Brian Bannister (SP), KC Royals, traded to the Royals straight-up for Ambiorix Burgos (currently recovering from a visit to Dr. James Andrews)
Ok, sure I know it's very, very early and all. But you look at the Mets troubles right now, and all three of these guys would plug nicely into New Orleans (Triple A), if not the big league roster.
Omar Minaya's "legacy" will be made or broke this year. You can be sure that the Wilpon clan will not want a "rebuilding" project to be taking place when the Mets open up at Citi Field next year.
As Requested
Last night, in anticipation of a rain storm, Joe Girardi kept scheduled starter young Ian Kennedy in the bullpen, replacing him with long reliever Brian Bruney. This sort of move is not unheard of. The reasoning behind it is to “save” Kennedy’s start. If he had started and then there had been an extended rain delay after only a couple innings, it would have then been unwise to return the young arm to the game. Most pitchers, especially 23 year old pitchers, are likely to hurt their arms if they allow them to cool for a long time then return them to action. Some pitchers are even adversely affected by their offense having an exceptionally long half inning at bat (especially in the AL – lazy bastards). Boston
Managing pitching to win today versus managing pitching to win tomorrow: an interesting dilemma that the old Joe had issues with. It will be interesting to see how the new Joe handles these sorts of things going forward.
Being a former catcher he must know the psychological impact that bringing a young starter in in relief late in the same game he was scheduled to start must have. That’s for a later post, I suppose. I just hope Joe knows what he’s doing.
In the mean time, formerly 0-7Detroit pulled it together for their first win, against Boston
Tonight: Marlins at Nats. Forecast: beautiful, 67 at game time. Tickets: None yet, will buy at box. Pondering infield gallery, will take pictures. Bonus: free curly W and schedule magnet.
Managing pitching to win today versus managing pitching to win tomorrow: an interesting dilemma that the old Joe had issues with. It will be interesting to see how the new Joe handles these sorts of things going forward.
Being a former catcher he must know the psychological impact that bringing a young starter in in relief late in the same game he was scheduled to start must have. That’s for a later post, I suppose. I just hope Joe knows what he’s doing.
In the mean time, formerly 0-7
Tonight: Marlins at Nats. Forecast: beautiful, 67 at game time. Tickets: None yet, will buy at box. Pondering infield gallery, will take pictures. Bonus: free curly W and schedule magnet.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
News Item: Sources: Braves' banned prospect didn't test positive for HGH
Turns out, according to espn.com, Braves prospect Jordan Schaefer did not actually test positive (because there isn't a test to give him). Instead, he is being suspended because of circumstantial evidence. The Mitchell Report suggested more robust enforcement. Is tagging a guy a "user" because of circumstantial evidence really progress?
It will be interesting to see now that we are trying to close the "steroid era" whether the MLB and Bud Selig will swing wildly to a state of panic where innuendo and dubious pretense are enough to besmirch careers for the sake of keeping things "clean."
One would hope not.
Posted by Jersey Matt
What is a Genius?
For a rocking Wednesday night, I'm watching Justice Scalia answer questions asked by some pimply-faced Virginia High School students - someone just asked about intra-state and Scalia is running with the ball, to say the least. Agree with him or not, Scalia's command of the English language, his bravado, ability to speak in clear, ordered sentences off the top of his head is quite impressive. And what a vocabulary! He just challenged the high schoolers to read the Federalist Papers of them in their entirety.
But let me cut to the chase, what seems to be greatly missing from current political discourse is "genius." That is to say, those thinkers who fill up the room with their intellect and oppress those who go against them simply by their force of mind -- not, mind you, force of will, amount of money, etc., etc. Does Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton or John McCain seem to be particularly spectacular in terms of intellect? I suggest the answer is a resounding "no." Moreover, those great thinkers who are part of the political discourse have been marginalized by the 1-hour news cycle so prevalent because of cable news. Genius generally isn't sexy, nor is it particularly marketable. Picture poor Alexander Hamilton needing to kowtow to Larry King because of a slight misspeak regarding his banking scheme. Or Bill O'Reilly castigating a rather down-troden Thomas Jefferson for his failure to fully punish the Barbary Pirates.
Very often we're told that those present within a current period of history will overestimate its own importance. Just as common, however, is the seemingly depressing depravity of intelligence within this particular era. What's my point? We need more idea folks, more geniuses during this point in our history. But no! We have a society dispossessed of any respectable attention span. So, let's start those ideas coming. It's too late for a campaign of ideas for this election cycle, but I can only hope that find an idea person too. And keep this person away from Brett Hume, Chris Matthews and the other fair and balanced bloviators.
Foolish, but I'm in the mood to dream.
Posted by Jersey Matt
Not Unreasonable
Being the other idiot named Matt who is half of this blog, I feel like I should offer my own introduction, which I will do at a later time. I realize that will go against the very nature of and threaten the integrity of the introduction, but this is the sort of hard work and logic you’re going to have to learn to deal with if you plan on being a committed reader of these two particular idiots.
On a quick technical note, the first thing I did yesterday after Jersey Matt told me he had finished setting up Middle Relief I enabled mobile blogging. The idea is that I can blog from my phone via an email to the website. This remains merely an idea as I tried it on the way home from work with no success. I think I’ll use it mostly for easy transfer of pictures I take with my phone, which will be accompanied by a short note or competently witty comment, as writing entire posts on the phone seems a bit tiresome. That being said, I have been known to write excessively long emails on the phone as well as texts, not to mention random paragraphs...
The point is that some posts from me will be sent via phone. I will think of some way to denote those so you know. Or you can just assume that any truncated posts that accompany a picture were sent from phone. No I don’t know why it is so important to me that you are aware of this.
That being said, I was fumbling with the aforementioned phone as I was crossing Independence Avenue this morning. I was fumbling with it because I was trying to plug in the earphones with one hand while holding my Starbucks with the other while trying to not run into any cars or impressively early morning tourists. Starbucks in one hand, iPhone with telltale white earphones in the other (not my choice; I will vent in a later post), security badge swinging from my belt, North Face backpack hanging off my shoulders? I had the distinct feeling that all the eyes peering out from the cars stopped at the light were all rooting against me. Is this unreasonable for me to think?
I’d be rooting against me too if I saw me, I think.
On a quick technical note, the first thing I did yesterday after Jersey Matt told me he had finished setting up Middle Relief I enabled mobile blogging. The idea is that I can blog from my phone via an email to the website. This remains merely an idea as I tried it on the way home from work with no success. I think I’ll use it mostly for easy transfer of pictures I take with my phone, which will be accompanied by a short note or competently witty comment, as writing entire posts on the phone seems a bit tiresome. That being said, I have been known to write excessively long emails on the phone as well as texts, not to mention random paragraphs...
The point is that some posts from me will be sent via phone. I will think of some way to denote those so you know. Or you can just assume that any truncated posts that accompany a picture were sent from phone. No I don’t know why it is so important to me that you are aware of this.
That being said, I was fumbling with the aforementioned phone as I was crossing Independence Avenue this morning. I was fumbling with it because I was trying to plug in the earphones with one hand while holding my Starbucks with the other while trying to not run into any cars or impressively early morning tourists. Starbucks in one hand, iPhone with telltale white earphones in the other (not my choice; I will vent in a later post), security badge swinging from my belt, North Face backpack hanging off my shoulders? I had the distinct feeling that all the eyes peering out from the cars stopped at the light were all rooting against me. Is this unreasonable for me to think?
I’d be rooting against me too if I saw me, I think.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Luis Castillo....
out already, due to some type of malady of the lower half.
Paging Vince Coleman to the front desk, paging Vince Coleman.
Posted by Jersey Matt
A lonely Mets' fan attempts to listen to the home opener...
So I'm sitting in Panera Bread Company attempting to listen to the Mets' home opener against the Phils. Oliver Perez is pitching against Moyer - you can imagine my anxiety level. It always seems as if Moyer finds the fountain of youth (i.e. becomes 38 again) whenever he pitches against the Metsies. I foolishly purchased the mlb.com radio feed but can't manage to get it to work. And of course, the only online FAQs for mlb.com are for their new super TV feed (subject to blackout -- alright Bud!). As I sit here on hold, I can see nothing in my mind but Carlos Delgado hitting into double play, after double play, after....well you get the idea. While I wait on hold, allow me to give you a slight introduction.
A blog. Gee, great, another one. Proudly published by two idiots named Matt who quite frankly, are no more qualified to offer foolish opinions than other easily accessed twits: think Rush or Al Franken. Yet, we hope the name gives you a pretty good idea of what we're all about. Everyone is always looking for middle relief in the darndest places: the Caribbean World Series, the Baseball America Top 50, calling Tim Belcher for one more go 'round the league. (Extra points for someone who could tell me all the teams the great Belcher pitched for...and no cheating on baseball-reference.com).
Isn't Middle Relief what this country needs? Just someone to come in and bridge a few gaps. The deeply polemical nature of American politics is not just troubling, it's also souring an entire generation of Americans who believe that "hope" is a valid political doctrine. Think about Thomas Jefferson suggesting we just needed some more "hope." Or better yet, think about a successful nation-state which completely ignores conventional wisdom for the sake of bring our version of government and values to other places around the globe. Hooray Roman Empire!
Get the idea, we're here to be irreverent and obnoxious, to break chops about baseball, basketball and anything else we come across.
And by the way, I just hung up the phone on mlb.com after being on hold for 15 minutes. Simply awesome.
Posted by Jersey Matt
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