Starting Pitching

Chien-Ming Wang to the DL. Joba Chamberlain struggling. What to do?

Well, first and foremost, CMW's spot on the 25-man roster. Jon Abaladejo is up for now, adding a needed bullpen arm. On Thursday, we'll need a starter. Ivan Nova and Zach McAllister are not on the 40-man roster, so they would not make sense. Sergio Mitre IS on the 40-man, and he has had his cup of coffee [for Joe Girardi in Florida]. Makes perfect sense.....

IF [and it's a mighty big if] Mitre works out right, then let us worry about Joba, who blew up today. Let's hope Mitre works out. I'd prefer to keep Phil Hughes in the bullpen this year - he is light's-out, and BP chemistry is a funny thing. Philip's been locking down the eighth inning, and can go more than one inning, if needed. We can win the WS, with him and Mo.....

Hopefully, Wanger will come back better than ever. THIS time, we can get his rehab right. Plenty of time in the inors, building up arm strength. Maybe he'll be back in September?

What if Wang is shut-down for the season? What if Sergio Mitre doesn't pan out [or, what if Joba regresses]? Alfredo Aceves. Several pitches and arm angles. Mature approach to pitching. Think Eddie Lopat or Ed Figueroa.... yes, he can.

[1] Sergio Mitre.

[2] Alfredo Aceves.

Joba back to the pen [just for this year]?

Go Yankees!!

Hot Dogs

Silly me.....

I meant to wrap up the previous story by mentioning that I always watch the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest [Live at High Noon on ESPN] from Coney Island. Tradition.

So, we polished off the hot dogs last night, cooked Potatoes O'Brien and bacon, had some coffee, watched the tube. Joey Chestnut won again, three years in a row. 68 dogs in ten minutes! [The Great Kobayashi came in second, with 64.5 in a bad, bad haircut ;-)]

Now, I enjoy eating. Always have. I eat hot dogs on the bun, with condiments. I never snap the dog in half and dunk the bun in water. I would like to see a 'natural' hot dog contest, eating them as mere mortals do, on Independence Day, and other summer cookouts. Not too much to ask, is it?

July 4

Happy Independence Day, everyone.

Even you Sassanachs who are all glum-faced.

70 years ago today, Lou Gehrig made his famous speech at Yankee Stadium, and indeed, he WAS lucky [and indeed, did catch a bad break]. Independence Day is celebrated by many things by many people, including baseball, fireworks, and hotdogs.

Derek and I went out to Harbor Park on Thursday night. Tides were hosting the Gwinnett Braves, and there were fireworks after the game. Derek's hometown team is the Atlanta Braves [and Gwinnett, heck, he lived over there when staying with his mom]. John Halama on the hill for Gwinnett and Jake Arrieta for Norfolk. We were also watching the two centerfielders: Jordan Schaefer, just sent down by the parent Braves, and Justin Christian, who had a short stay in the Bronx but is now in the Orioles organization.

I knew I had heard of Halama, but could not place him: came up with Houston, traded to Seattle in the Randy Johnson deal, etc etc.... sinkerballer. Sitting in the first row of the upper section, we could not see any sink, so I was naturally wondering if he was channelling Eddie Lopat. Through five he had given up only one hit, a bunt single by Mister Christian in the first.

Jake Arrieta seems to be the real deal. While Halama was hitting the mid-eighties, Jake was touching 95 on the gun. Across the aisle, just ten feet in front of us, two scouts had their radar guns out, and I trust those readings much more than the ballpark gun. Big guy, 6'4" and 220 or so, had some good movement as well. I feel we will be seeing him up for a cup [hey - it rhymes!] in September.

Jordan Schaefer had a miserable evening. He tipped a grounder in front of the plate and ran into it in fair territory. Out! Struck out as well and lipped off to the home plate umpire [Al Porter]. Later on, after his third weak out, he musta said something, because Porter ran him. Schaefer looked pretty good in CF, but lost at the plate.

Justin Christian. Got three hits, stole a base, played solid defense, showcased his speed. Two things: [1] He belongs in the bigs [2] but not in Baltimore. You see, I see JC as a scrappy, gritty, speedy guy, 4th outfielder, pinch-runner [sorta like what the Yanks already have in Brett Gardner, which is whyJChrist got the heave-ho from da Bronx]. As such, he fits best on a contender. Prove me wrong, J - win a starting nod at Camden Yards [I hope you do, and thank you for your time at YS].

Postgame ballpark fireworks are always cool [especially when wearing 3-D glasses - it made the moon look like something out of the Navajo mythos ;-)]. Across the Elizabeth River, someone was welding on a ship in drydock - it added to the sparkly lights. Nice touch.

Oh, the game? Halama had a one hitter going and gave up only one extra base hit. Arrieta looked good. After seven, Big Jake and the Tides were up 2-1. Both bullpens faltered. Gwinnett scored four runs in the top of the ninth and prevailed, 5-4. Enjoyable night :-)

Here's the text of Lou Gehrig's farewell speech [which I retrieved just now from www.LouGehrig.com - check it out!]:

"Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about the bad break I got. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of this earth. I have been in ballparks for seventeen years and have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans.

"Look at these grand men. Which of you wouldn't consider it the highlight of his career just to associate with them for even one day? Sure, I'm lucky. Who wouldn't consider it an honor to have known Jacob Ruppert? Also, the builder of baseball's greatest empire, Ed Barrow? To have spent six years with that wonderful little fellow, Miller Huggins? Then to have spent the next nine years with that outstanding leader, that smart student of psychology, the best manager in baseball today, Joe McCarthy? Sure, I'm lucky.

"When the New York Giants, a team you would give your right arm to beat, and vice versa, sends you a gift - that's something. When everybody down to the groundskeepers and those boys in white coats remember you with trophies - that's something. When you have a wonderful mother-in-law who takes sides with you in squabbles with her own daughter - that's something. When you have a father and a mother who work all their lives so you can have an education and build your body - it's a blessing. When you have a wife who has been a tower of strength and shown more courage than you dreamed existed - that's the finest I know.

"So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."

Amen, Mr. Gehrig.

God Bless Lou Gehrig, and

God Bless America.

Day Off

I am taking a day off from work today.

My sister, Penny, is flying through Norfolk, and so Derek and I are going to stop by the airport in a little while and meet her for lunch. You see, she is picking up her grandchildren from her son's ex-wife, so we will get to see those lil' fellows too [and, Angela too - haven't seen her since she and Randy were at Rosey Roads when DETROIT pulled in; musta been 1993 or thereabouts].

I think this will be a good visit, and I am glad :-)

Ack! Pfft Pfft....

Wouldn't ya know it?

I think I have a slight throat infection. Doesn't affect how I feel, just scratchy all of the time. My back is killing me - probably not sleeping right. Naturally, I am scheduled like crazy on the operational side of things. I am primarily the health and safety [and quality assurance!] guy at work, but I am qualified to drive two types of boats and can crew several more, and when things are tight, I put away the computer and hop into my life jacket. We have two crews at sea and a bunch of people on vacation, so I was on the op yesterday, plus I have one Wed, Thu, and Fri, and then Tuesday next week. I think I'll live.....

What do I do? Facebook friends, feel free to e-mail and ask. Blog friends, y'all already know. Short answer: we provide target support to the fleet. Fun, fun stuff [probably another reason my back hurts = Tony and I caught big air a few times and the seats bottomed out twice. They're on a shock-absorbing system, and that helps a lot, usually].

Happy Tuesday, everybody!

Happy June

I'm not un-retired. I never retired, either. Time issues. I kinda like sleeping, and with so many other things going on, just not enough time to blog. Not like anyone was reading anyhow....

Back

Yanks win! Man, this feels good :-)
Tex homers.
Swish gets 5 RBI.
Pena gets his first hit.
Damo pranks him.
AJ stands tall.
Good, good stuff.

Opening Day

10-5 Baltimore. So, we're not going 162 and oh. No worries. CC Sabathia always starts slow. Deep breath, everybody.... Now, on to 161 and one ;-)

Overseas Navy Guy and War Bride

Charming Miss Nicola and I attended a real live 1940's-era barn dance last night, at the Princess Anne Airport [not, not the one in Maryland - the one in Pungo]. Live swing music so she and I jitterbugged a bit, swing lessons provided, Cigar and Flower Girls parading about [I purchased two roses for Nikki - a red one for Valentine's Day, and a peach one to match her outfit - I offered to buy her a cigar, but she told me she's trying to quit ;-)]

Nice wee museum, too - mainly aviation, but some ground equipment as well, WWII staff cars, a German 88, various stuff.

Maybe half of the folks in attendance were in 1940's-era garb. Many zoot suits [although, truly, most of those were rented and appeared more from the Roaring Twenties], some Thirties getups [turtleshell caps and all]. Plenty of variegated WWII getups, aviators, Rosie the Riveters and all].

I wore Navy Service Dress Khaki consisting of khaki trousers, long-sleeved khaki shirt, black tie, Lieutenant's collar devices, khaki single-breasted jacket with gold buttons and Lieutenant's shoulderboards [gold star for Unrestricted Line, two gold stripes to signify O-3 Lieutenant status] along with khaki combination cover. No Surface Warfare designator device, no ribbons: the SWO pin and all of my ribbons were not in existence at the time, so I did without. By the way, facial hair was not the norm, so I shaved off my moustache and sould patch [aye, and parted my hair in a 1940's style, too].

Miss Nicola Crombie, Scottish War Bride from Glasgow [sadly, she cheers for Rangers instead of Celtic] looked lovely in a cream-coloured lace dress with a small rosebud at the Vee of her neckline. Matching heels and a wonderful lace hat [with 2.5 inch hatpins, she warned me!]. All finished off with a fur coat, the epitome of loveliness. Oh, delicate blonde hair as always; she did the front into bangs and the sides into pin curls. Truly, a lovely girl [and looks far younger than her 52 years, by the way].

Postscripts:
[1] After the dance party, Nikki and I went to dinner at our favourite spot, Daruma of Japan. I had just mentioned how sometimes when I have changed my appearance that I go unrecognized for a brief moment... we popped through the door and saw Chef Hiro busing a table [it was THAT busy!]; so I asked "Got room for two more?" Hiro-sama said sure, come on in, have a seat... about ten seconds later he started and exclaimed "Oh, Chuck-san, hello!" Hahahaha - took him that long to recognize me in uniform with no moustache. Good stuff, and please know that I am not making fun of my friend, just pointing out a funny circumstance. Daruma of Japan: it is a wonderful Japanese [and Thai!] restaurant with Sushi Bar, tables, booths and a Tatami area that I cannot get up from ;-) In addition to Chef Hiro, Miss Yoko and Miss Sophia [from Yokohama and Djakarta, respectively] were both there; Miss Noi [Hiro's mum-in-law] was back in the kitchen, and Kathy-san, Hiro's wife, came in later on. Good people I am happy to call my friends. Good food and friendly atmosphere - be sure to stop in if you are ever down on the ocean side of Virginia Beach.

[2] Nikki sent me an e-card a bit later thanking me for the best Valentine's Day ever :-) What a sweet girl, and I am so happy to be in her company. I kinda like her, ya know? By the way, I think we were the most authentic and best-matched couple there [and who knows, maybe we will have life follow art some day ;-)]

Verducci?

So, Tom Verducci tells us that Selena Roberts has "a sterling reputation".
Go tell that to the Duke lacrosse players.
Take another hit from the pipe, Tom.

Clearly, clearly, you are in league with your fellow SI jobber.
Good for you. The cock's crowing, pal.....