So Long....

So long, not farewell!
So long it has been since I last updated, and so much has happened in the world.
Israel has finally had enough and struck back at Hamas.
The Broncos fired Mike Shanahan!
The Yankees signed CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, and Mark Teixeira.
I went kayaking with Nikki, am sore, and now own two kayaks!
I might even try and update more often.
[I know, I promise to do so often and fail to deliver - so comment and
encourage me! haha!]

Happy New Year to all; I wish you peace and prosperity, with love for all.

Broke Busted, Disgusted

Agents can't be trusted
Don't you work as hard as you play....

Immortal words of Creeque Alley, from The Mamas and The Papas

I've run once since before Thanksgiving
woke up late today
blew off working out
came home tired and slept
without running
ate far too much at Daruma
and drank!
Tomorrow, I'll get back on track
I promise.
Sadly,
tomorrow never comes.
I feel like a Butterball
only flatulent.
Great.....

Infamy

East Wind, Rain. Climb Mount Niitaka. Tora, tora, tora.

December 7th, 1941.... the day which will live in infamy.

I ask you to remember our valiants: those who perished to defend us, those who survived and who have now gone to meet their maker, and those merry few who remain among us. I ask you to render honors, should you be sailing up or down Pearl Harbor, honors to port (or to starboard, as the case may be) as you pass USS ARIZONA. I shall not ask you to have goosebumps, nor for the hair to stand up on your neck or arms - that will occur, unbidden.

I ask you to forgive the Japanese airmen and submariners who participated in the attack, for they were doing their patriotic duty, just as our people were doing theirs.

I ask you to never forget.
I ask you to always hold the people responsible, responsible.
I ask you to say a prayer for our valiant fallen, and another for those who have passed.
God Bless America.

Threes

[1] 31-20, Gators have beaten the Crimson Tide of Alabama.
[a] This has to have been the closest 31-20 game ever.
[b] 'Bama is a really good team; they should finish #2 in the nation but sadly, will not.

[2] Barry O has appointed Eric Shinseki as head of the Veteran's Administration. General Shinseki was Army Chief of Staff at the beginning of the Iraqi War. He said after the invasion that we would need a bunch more troops than what plans called for. Paul Wolfowitz, and especially Don Rumsfeld [a man who favors technology over troops - how naive!!] scoffed at the idea, and fired Shinseki. Events proved Eric was right, and this is his vindication. Don, on the other hand, opposed enough boots on the ground, armor for Humvees, and enough 5.56 ammo for the troops. Oh, and his minions cheated on the tests to show the Interceptor body armor was superior. It isn't. Rot in Hell, Don. I still don't care for Barry O, but this move gets my attention.

[3] I love Nicola Crombie.

You Might Just be a .....

Racist?

Originally, I was going to point out that:

If you voted for John McCain only because his opponent was partially non-Caucasian -
you are a racist.

If you voted for Barack Obama only because he is [partially] non-white -
you are a racist.

Sadly, it goes deeper than that.......
If you send jokes along about the White House being painted black -
you are a racist.

If you joke that Air Force One should be painted with Curious George and/or watermelons -
you are a racist.

If you joke that Air Force One should have a new tail number [N1663R] -
you are a racist.

I don't care for Barack Obama, I have made that perfectly clear. I believe he is a Marxist and that he has never worked a day in his life. Shake his hand and count the calluses, and you will know what I mean. However, he is our President-elect. Give him a chance. This racist krap, this has nothing to do with doubting Obama. It's not funny, it's not appropriate, and we are better than that. My Christian cousins, is racism allowable? Is it not a sin? WWJD?

Loyal readers, you know I am not pointing out any deficiency of behaviour in any of you.

An Exclusive

Sure, I have been busy. Many things occupying my time besides words.

I am dating Sweet Miss Nicola. We have decided to make it an exclusive relationship, so that we are only dating each other. Exclusive - you heard it here first :-) Yay team! I am very happy.

Welcome

Hi, Nikki, and welcome!
As you can tell, sometimes I write prolifically.
Sometimes, not so much....
I am glad you visited, and hope you will return :-)

First Test

My liberal friends who read what I have to say called it "trash" and a fucked-up situation left by my beloved W. {Their words, not mine}

So glad they have stopped inhaling.

Promises. Anyone can promise.

Now, stand and deliver.

I am beginning to think that Joe Biden's vaunted "1st Test" of Obama may have already begun. In world politics, hardly anything ever happens overnight, but rather, tensions build and things escalate until finally, the powder keg bursts.... Russia might be the place. Somewhat a proud government, did not take the Yeltsin years at all kindly and still feel that they are a world superpower. That they cannot afford to be one is immaterial to the process. We've already seem manifestations: Georgia miscalculated over South Ossetia. Russia stepped in and bloodied their noses [mainly because America had been training and supplying the Georgians]. Ukraine stepped up and refused to allow Russian ships to return to port in the Crimea [the ports are actually in the Ukraine, but the Russians have been occupying them asa carryover from when it was all Russia]. The Ukrainians want surplus Perry-class frigates from us, which will really make the Russians spin..... this is all background, unfortunately.

Up in the Baltic states, we have supplied Poland with an anti-missile system. We say it is to protect against Iranian missiles, and it will certainly do just that. Unfortunately, it will also protect against Russian missiles, and Russia:

[1] Feels that having missiles with which to threaten Eastern Europe is their right{perhaps mainly because

[2] Is extremely paranoid. Kinda hard NOT to be, when one had been invaded so often.Huns, Mongols, Vikings, Charles XII, Napoleon, Kaiser Bill, Hitler..... that's just a small summary. So, the Russians have deployed missiles as a show of force. Because they can. Voila! Instant crisis. Now, remember what I mentioned at the beginning of this message? Things never unfold quickly. We've got a missile shield in Eastern Europe and missiles directly opposite. And, a new president, whose VP has already stated that O will be tested by world crisis within the first six months. The crisis is teed-up and ready to be smacked down the fairway!!

Possibilities:

[1] "Peace in Our Time" (Part Deux) loses Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Georgia back into the Commonwealth of "Independent" States. Maybe Poland, The Ukraine, et cetera as well.

[2] Another war beginning in Eastern Europe. Gee, what a great idea - wonder why no one thought of THAT before? [1914, 1939....]

[3] The campaign promises were not rhetoric and O rises to the occasion.

I am skeptical. I do not care for Barack Obama. I have detested Joe Biden for quite some time. I do not believe that a coalition of elitist social Marxists and those who wish to prosper from the labor of others makes for good government. Nonetheless, in two months that will be the government we will have to rely upon.

Expect the worst.

Hope for the best.

Prayer is good also.

God Bless America

Many, Not Mini

Gators then went on to destroy Kentucky and Georgia. Now when I run in my gator tank tops, people are always "Go-Gatorsing" or making the sign of the chomp. Go Gators!

Barack Hussein Obama. I expect I shall have many words to write, but not for now. Later.

Kevin is moving to Champaign, Illinois, to live with my sister, Pam. I am driving him over at Thanksgiving [in the Blue Bug] and then flying back.

Tonight [in about an hour] Gators against Vanderbilt. Go Gators!

Bad blisters on each lil' toe limited me to 9.33 today instead of the 12 I set out upon. Each was hurting, particularly the right one. When it burst, I screeched to a halt :-(

Nikki is a sensible gal [in addition to being:

• Blonde
• Shapely
• Scottish
• Gainfully employed
• A Nurse
• Active
• Willing to try wrestling and boxing events
• Loves rock n roll
• Love Celtic and Bluegrass, too
• Cute
• Sadly, a supporter of Rangers instead of Celtic. :-(]

Well, anyway, we are biking tomorrow, and she is procuring vittles.

Ya know, I kinda like this gal.... so, we are biking. Saves me toesies ;-)

51-21

Finally, Dan Mullen heard what we were all yelling. Back in the Swamp, the Gators ran an offense that included more than Tebow running the ball, Harvin running the ball, and Tebow passing to Harvin. Jeffrey Demps and Chris Rainey are particularly noteworthy by their inclusion, and to take advantage of their world-class speed [think 10 flat 100 metre times, eh?], the O-Line widened their splits by about two feet. These Mighty Mites ran wild, Demps exceeding 100 yards and gaining 42 on one burst into the end zone. Rainey hurt his shoulder or he might have had more, but gained 21 on one gallop. Percy still claims that he is fastest, but the two freshmen beg to differ: the junior is getting up there in years ;-)

Meantime, Ricky Jean-Francois, you are a punk. Good job inferring that you were going to knock Tebow out of the game, and getting every Gator fired up. P.A.B, you then weaseled out by claiming injury and not even showing up in the Swamp, leaving your teammates hung out like laundry on the line flapping in hurricane winds. You have no cojones, miss, and by the way, xenophobe, it's Jean, not "Gene". Idiot.

Tim Terrific and the Gators prevailed over last year's champs, LSU, 51-21.

Go Gators!

Manny Being.... a Yankee?

Why on God's Green Earth would the Yankees sign Manny Ramirez? Sure, he hits. So does Jason Giambi and Johnny Damon and Bobby Abreu and Hideki Matsui. Two of them might just end up looking for work here shortly.

Here's why not to sign Manny:
[1] He can't field worth a crap.
[2] He's slow.
[3] He's old [36 real soon].
[4] He's represented by Scott Boras.
[5] He can be selfish and brittle, which
[6] Can result in him being a clubhouse cancer.
[7] He'll want multiple years, for $20 mil or so.
[8] At that rate, why not just option-year Jason Giambi? At least he's liked.....

No, let's go with the youth movement. Stop the insanity. Now.

Initials

CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett have both let it be known that they do not wish for the free agency process to take very long. Yo, Cash - get the Brinks truck ;-)

New Readers

Yo, I'd like to welcome all the new readers out there!
Oh, there aren't any.
Oopsie!

Conversing With Kel

Dear Sis had a few questions of me based on my life experience and education. It was good, writing things down causes one to codify thought a bit more cogently. So, read on. You might agree, you might disagree, you might be surprised; all good.

What are your thoughts on the war in Iraq?

I’ll analyze the whys and wherefores of the war in Iraq presently. Keep in mind that this is not the war in Afghanistan; in some ways they are related and in some ways they differ. The war in Iraq overshadows the war in Afghanistan so much that few remember that we are currently fighting two wars.

We are fighting two wars, and with the exception of economic consequences, few citizens at home feel any effect of the war. Society as a whole is impatient; we are in an internet age where attention spans are measured in mere minutes. We saw the nearly instantaneous wrecking of Saddam’s army, and we do not understand that winning peace is infinitely more complex, lengthier that winning a war.

We’re tired of war, yet we have not experienced it. We as a society are unwilling to accept the idea that things are not all black and white; we cannot merely smash an army and have everything in that area be perfect, instantly. We are spoiled and selfish as a whole, and our sense of entitlement allows us to criticize our own nation for its efforts abroad without understanding or offering any pulling together.

In one sense, this is symptomatic of a gradual disintegration of society. We see the effect in gangs, unrestricted illegal immigration and the breakdown of the family unit. The Arab world sees such non-state entities as Hamas, Hezbollah, and even al Qaida. The Romans had their barbarians, after all.

Afghanistan and Iraq are measures to reverse this collapse, to impart order upon a most chaotic area of the world which, if unchecked, could influence further destabilization elsewhere. Imparting order (“winning the peace”) is far more complex than smashing an army. That’s the part that society in general does not understand.

Should we have gone to war?

I’m going to answer this question in terms of Afghanistan (I have answered in regard to Iraq in the question below). Yes, we had to go to war. Al Qaida brought war to our lands; regardless of our response, we were at war. (Recall that al Qaida is not a state entity and as such, there is no “front line” of the battle;.) Supporting the “Northern Alliance” against the Taliban in Afghanistan allowed for the toppling of the Talib government of Afghanistan, a notoriously militant, extremist Islamic government which encouraged the training and basing of al Qaida, allowing al Qaida to project their power across the globe. After the first, lesser, bombing of the World Trade Center, the administration of the time fired off a few cruise missiles and called the threat eradicated. Events proved otherwise.

Should we have invaded Iraq?

It’s a good question, and certainly valid. The answer is, that depends. Depends upon one’s point of view. Taking the short view, no, we should have not gone to war. Forget about the weapons of mass destruction – that’s only a journalistic effort to sell more copy; were this 1898 we’d call it “yellow journalism” (which, ironically, spurred the populace to accept a war with Spain). War is expensive and people die. We have no business invading other countries – that’s why the world hates us. War destroyed the ruling bodies of Afghanistan and Iraq and helped the fragmentation of society there. In the case of Iraq, war increased the likelihood of a confrontation with Iran.

Taking the longer view, which I subscribe to, the war in Iraq was necessary for several reasons. Our administration believed that Saddam’s Iraq was developing, if not in possession of, weapons of mass destruction. In a nutshell, we did not understand that there were no such weapons, that they existed only in strong talk from Iraq directed toward neighboring nations (such as Iran). Saddam was a murdering despot who oppressed the majority of the Iranian people in order to serve his ends, and the war toppled his regime. Simply put, it was the right thing to do, regardless of cost. Additionally, with a pre-existing war raging in Afghanistan, and Al Qaida potentially relocating support facilities to Iraq, it made sense to carry the fight to Iraq in order to keep Al Qaida on the ropes. And, with a chance to establish a democracy in the Arab World, there is great hope for a bright, progressive future for the Middle East, to bring the Arab World into the modern age of education, tolerance, technology and a better economy, which would end the cycle of violence and oppression from radical Muslims, exposing as failed the notion of a reunion of the Islamic Caliphate. Finally, a strong, democratic Iraq would act to counter Iran in regional strategic affairs, essentially forcing them into a defensive posture and limiting the damage Iran could otherwise wreak.

How long should this go on (the US forces in Iraq)?

The common perception is that US forces should remain in Iraq until there is a functioning democracy. Another view is that forces should remain until the threat has passed. After smashing Saddam’s army, we have spent five years crushing the Sunni militias/Ba’ath Party henchmen and al Qaida-in-Iraq, and then worked to marginalize the Shi’ite militias and end the Iranian influences. We have spent five years and countless dollars rebuilding the army and police forces, finding leaders and getting them proper training and experience, rebuilding the country’s infrastructure. The job is nearly complete. What remains is for the elected government to ask us to leave, and for us to go. Only in such manner would the elected government have claim to legitimacy (and thus, permanence) as opposed to being puppets of the Americans.

The Cash Came Back

Ya thought he was a goner
But the Cash came back,
He couldn't just stay away.....

Man, thank the Lord!
Brian Cashman has signed
a three-year deal to return
as Yankees GM.

In the immortal words of Pink,
Let's get this party started!

Lefty

I was wrong about Johan Santana. Johan pitched a shutout yesterday, on three day's rest. The Mets are 89-72, same as Milwaukee, and just like last year, it comes down to one game. Johan cannot pitch today, so the bullpen will implode, leaving the Mess to cheer for whomever plays the Brewers.

That's all background. We could have had Johan Santana from the Twins last year, in exchange for Ian Kennedy, Melky Cabrera, probably two other prospects. Alan Horne? Jose Tabata`? We should have pulled the trigger. Jo's 16-7 with the Mets. I daresay he'd have been 20-5 or so, with the Yanks. The fifth spot in the rotation has been home to several lesser luminaries so far this season [Ian Kennedy, Darrell Rasner, Dan Giese, Carl Pavano - who has actually pitched well - Kei Igawful.....]. I forgot the exact number, but the 5th spot has gone 9-19 or some equally rancid number. 12 games better? Yeah, we'd be in the playoffs. I was wrong.

Now, here's why I was wrong:
[1] I was afraid Johan Santana could not perform in the hot spotlight of Yankee Stadium. We cannot know for sure, but taking the ball on short rest after a career-high pitch count, and then throwing a shutout to keep your team tied for the last playoff spot with one game to go, that's gutsy. I think he'd be okay on the Yanks' hill.
[2] I was afraid of injury. Santana is not the biggest guy, and he showed signs late last year of arm fatigue. I could still be correct [I hope not, I like the guy, I like the Mets and wish them well, and I hope somehow we can pry Santana away from the Mets =:-0]....
[3] I overvalued some prospects. Kennedy has been a wash this season. Melky has returned to replacement-level player. Tabby displayed a bad attitude [and a regression in form] and got banished to Pittsburgh. That leaves either Alan Horne or Dellin Betances, if my memory serves me correctly. Essentially, we'd have sent Horne or Betances or some other prospect, along with three ne'er do wells, to Minnesota, for Johan Santana. I know, I know, hindsight is 20-20. In retrospect, I wish we had made the trade. We'd have made the playoffs this season.

Now, as far as next year goes, it looks like Cash is returning to right the ship. He has the right idea: build up prospects and plenty of pitching. In this one instance, getting Santana would have been the right thing to do, but overall, Cashman has the right idea. Pitching, prospects, speed. We'll be back, you can count on that, maybe even in 2009! [Speaking of back, now that I admitted I was wrong about Santana, does this mean Crazy Eileen is going to start hitting on me again? hahahahopenot.]

Go Yankees!

Abuelo's

Abuelo's will have to wait. The Gators lost [in The Swamp!!] to Ole Miss. Personally, I felt the guys looked flat and showed little sense of urgency, as though they expected to win. After all, they're The Gators, right?

I hate such an attitude :-(

So, I believe good will come from this loss. Tim Tebow really seemed to understand, and he has promised that he will approach things differently. Tim's a real stand-up guy, and a team leader to boot [Quarterback, reigning Heisman Trophy winner and all].

The loss? By one point, as Mississippi blocked a point-after-touchdown kick, and then tackled Tebow on fourth and inches as time wound down on the Gators, driving toward the winning score. I hate losing, but I would far rather lose like this [a game we should have won] than by being clearly inferior.

Rebels? Congratulations on a hard-fought win in enemy territory. Maybe y'all will take this new momentum and gain a bowl berth. Pray you do not have to face us again, in Atlanta.

Gator defense seemed alright from the get-go, but then had some costly lapses. Entering allowing an average of six points, they got torched, and that certainly has to change. 31 points is unacceptable, and I am pretty sure Charlie Strong will have the boys running the stadium steps. I know I would.

The offense seemed totally unimaginative. I know it's the spread offense, but when 95% of the plays are either Tebow running the ball, or something in the flats to Percy Harvin [ok, ok, occasionally, Percy Harvin running the ball], it does not take a genius to key in on what's going to happen next. The offensive line was just that, offensive. Maybe if Jim Tartt had not succumbed to injury.... anyway, the backups need to step up when a leader goes down. No steak for the big boys; hot dogs on paper plates [and doing the dishes afterward!] for you.

We need blocking. We need a traditional running game. We need to throw to wide-outs. Dan Mullen, you are offensive coordinator. How about coordinating some offense, not just something offensive?

We stunk up the joint, but at least it was a team effort.
Now, let's win next week, and build from there.
Still early, plenty of time to get back into title contention,
maybe surprise some teams at the end, just like two years ago.
Let's get the SEC East, and go from there.

Go Gators!

Possible Pitching Prognosis?

This is a short scenario, driven by a question from a friend who likes the Red Sox [he had postulated that the Yanks would land CC Sabathia, and that the Sox would snag AJ Burnett].

Here's a scenario I posted at The Post, envisioning a possible scenario for both clubs if CC goes elsewhere [I promise, I will still do a detailed look at pitching, later on :-)]

Truthfully, not so sure that CC won't turn down the money [and, make no mistake, we'll be lavishing plenty of $$$!]. That means we will make a play for AJ for sure. I still think Sheets is damaged goods [I just mentioned AJ Burnett and held him up as a healthy example. Obviously the world has spun off its axis!] Starting to sound as if Mike Mussina might not be back [that is Jim Palmer's opinion, and he spoke with Moose recently]. I still think Derek Lowe would be good for a year or two, until the kids catch up.

So, if we are correct on CC and Moose, that would give the Yanks:

CM Wang

Andy Pettitte

AJ Burnett

Derek Lowe

Carl Pavano/Phil Hughes/Alfredo Aceves

Notice I actually included Pav in the mix? We hold a club option for 2009 on him, and

[1] He's actually pitched solidly this time, and

[2] It would essentially be a walk year for him, and

[3] He always performs better in a walk year, and

[4] You can never have too much pitching, and

[5] Maybe, once he shows average ability, we could send him to a bad ballclub in need of pitching and get a star in return. Maybe Pittsburgh, and Nate McLouth? [CF]

So, that would leave Boston with:

Beckett

Dicey

Lester

Sheets?

Masterson/Buchholz/Wake/Schill

Plenty of arms to keep things interesting!

Oh, Ian and Joba? IPK's value is low. Keep him down on the farm, re-tooling. Maybe we can build him back up. Joba? 8th inning, building back arm strength [and, auxiliary closer, in case Mo's surgery goes badly]. Aceves? The man knows how to pitch. I really think he will be at Scranton along with Hughsie, mostly because they need to throw innings and be available if/when someone goes down. Andy will have a better off-season and be able to work out correctly. His mind will be far less troubled, and he's a lefty :-)

Center Field

Jon Heyman, over at SI, feels that the Yanks are going to go after Nate McLouth in the off-season. Nate's the Pirates' current center fielder, and the Pirates and Yanks don't seem to have any obstacles to trading, having completed the trade which sent Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte to the Bronx earlier this summer.

Here's the rub: While I like McLouth, I do not see him as an upgrade over Brett Gardner. McLouth looks to be an eventual 25/100/.300 guy. Gardner's game is more speed and finesse, and I don't see him ever hitting 25 homers or knocking in a hundred runs. It's not his game. I do see Brett doing exactly what he has shown so far: running like the wind, playing amazing defense, being pesky on the basepaths, and generally being gritty. His batting average so far is an extremely small sample size, but it has been picking up lately [he's over .200 finally!].

So, McLouth - love the player, hate the cost to acquire. Let's concentrate our resources elsewhere.

At least to me, Gardner projects as a latter-day Mickey Rivers, and that's something we should not turn our noses up at.

How Many Years?

The Detroit Lions finally fired Matt Millen.
How many years overdue is this?

Only Six Games

Hey, don't look now, but there's only six games left in the regular season.....
If we win all six, and if Boston loses all six of theirs, we tie for the Wild-Card.
The last three games are Yanks and Sox, from Fenway......

JDB

Now, I ain't namin' any names, but read between the lines.....

"Just Die, Baby."

Yanks 2009: What if Money Were no Object?

What if money was no object? The Yanks are mailing it in yet again, and I’m in a mood for distractions. Many writers consider who should be in the starting lineup, and that’s fine, but for this look, I want to throw money at the problem [namely, the Yanks are a fourth-place team, and we all want a first-place team], and invite a bunch of guys to Spring Training. Whomever doesn’t cut the mustard, cut ‘em. Now, this is theoretical: I don’t really hope the Yanks follow this model. Remember, a team may only sign three “Type ‘A’” free agents [yeah, more or less, depending on how many are available…].

Catcher

Jorge Posada
Jose Molina
Ivan Rodriguez
Chad Moeller
Each one of these guys has major chinks in his armor. Posada’s throwing arm has always been poor, and is now coming off surgery. He’s never been a master of calling games, either. He might be completely unable to catch. Molina can’t hit for crap. He calls a good game and throws out runners pretty well, but breaks down when he plays more than sporadically. Pudge can hit [not when wearing a Yankee uniform, alas] and can throw out runners. He’s maligned for not being interested in game-calling, and his power hitting is a faded memory. Moeller’s perhaps the best third-string catcher around, and doesn’t cost a bunch.

Wishes:
[1] We get to combine the finest attributes of all four:
Posada’s clubhouse presence and clutch hitting, plus power. Pudge’s batting average and throwing arm. Molina’s defense and game-calling. Moeller’s salary.
[2] Okay, okay, I said money was no object. Get Yogi Berra the Fountain of Youth.

Prognosis:
Posada makes the club, but is woeful behind the plate. If he can catch at all, it will be a rare occasion. Look for him to star at DH with appearances at 1B.
Molina makes the club, but cannot catch every game, and can’t hit anyway.
Pudge gets re-signed, which will cost both several years and a ton of money. He’ll hit more singles than Jose, which isn’t saying much.
Moeller spends time on the farm, biding his time until someone gets hurt, or Frankie Cervelli is ready for the bigs.

First Base

Mark Teixeira [Type ‘A’ FA #1]
Jason Giambi
Juan Miranda
Sign Big Tex and see if he can succeed in Da Bronx. If so, he’ll pretty much do it all, making the other superfluous. If no, he’ll be a costly mistake. Slow, but hits okay. Most of his AB’s come from the left side, and with the short porch, he could hit a jillion homers [unless he changes his swing like Giambi did]. Plays good defense, too. Giambino has an option year left. Sign him as insurance in case Tex wilts in the hot spotlight. He can always DH or pinch hit. Juan Miranda deserves a look, too. If we don’t land Teixeira, or if he $ux, JuMi becomes our first baseman of the future.

Wishes:

Reincarnate Lou Gehrig. Then, give ol’ Biscuit Pants the Fountain of Youth.

Prognosis:

If Tex signs, he’ll be the real deal. Giambi gets relegated to spot starts at 1B, plus DH/PH duty. Miranda stays at SWB, maybe becoming trade bait.

Second Base

Robinson Cano

Get ready to sacrifice chickens or goats or whatever, throw some salt, pray, do something. Kevin Long is going to re-tool Canoe’s swing.

Wishes:

[1] Long is successful. Cano hits .340 with 25 homers and 100 ribbies.
[2] We steal Larry Bowa back to get on Robbie’s a$$, keeping him alert in the field.

Prognosis:

There are other areas which will be more of a stretch than Cano. At worst, he’ll be an average second baseman.

Shortstop

Derek Jeter
At some point, Jeets will have to move to another position. Now is not the time. Sure hands but limited range. Hits for decent average with occasional pop and great in the clutch. Slowing down which is causing more and more groundings into double plays. Great leader by example.

Wishes:

DJ goes through another rigorous off-season training regimen, working on speed, quickness, range, and power.

Prognosis:

One more year. Keep it going for one more year. 2009 will be better than 2008.

Third Base

Alex Rodriguez
Let’s get something straight right off the bat: Alex Rodriguez will not be our shortstop. A-Rod plays a decent third base, runs, throws, hits, walks, hits for power….. when it flows, like 2007, he’s even a positive influence to the kids. Seriously, see a sports psychologist – can’t hit in pressure situations. Needs to channel Graig Nettles.

Wishes:

A-Rod realizes the nature of his frailty, and sees his shrink. Oh, and gets back together as BFF with Jeter.

Prognosis:

Like it or not, we’re stuck with the guy. Build the right team [that will succeed in the playoffs] and he will help get us there.

Utility Infielders

Cody Ransom
Wilson Betemit
Nick Green
Face it – none of these guys are good enough to start. Betemit strikes out way too much, and is eating himself out of being anything but a lumbering first baseman [which the Yanks evidently have a passion for, but we already have so many!!] Cody Ransom can hit, but is almost as old as Derek Jeter. Nick Green just can’t hit.

Left Field

Xavier Nady
“X” marks the spot. Surrounded by stars, X-man should see his productivity soar [although his average and probably his power will decline somewhat]. Decent fielder, decent arm. Best man for the job.

Center Field

Rocco Baldelli [not projecting as a Type ‘A’ or ‘B’ free agent]
Johnny Damon
Baldelli has been battling a mysterious mitochondrial problem. Dude’s Italian, and he wears #5 in Tampa. Get it? And, he throws better than JD. Damon hits for average and runs, has occasional pop and can hit in the clutch. Plus, he has sexy calves [he said so himself]. Sadly, he has a noodle for an arm and can be run on by Little Leaguers.

Wishes:

[1] Roc signs and fulfills the promise he has always hinted at.
[2] Damo works on that throwing arm in the offseason.
[3] We combine “JD” and “#5”….. yeah. Right. But, Ted Williams was cryogenically preserved, so……

Prognosis:

This one’s a stretch. Maybe we won’t take a flyer on Baldelli. Maybe we’ll try Melky again. Maybe……

Right Field

Bobby Abreu
Abreu is clearly on the downswing. His power is pretty much gone, his average is falling, and he is losing his selectivity/patience at the plate. Plus, he’s afraid of outfield fences. Still, signing him gives us an above-average player, and buys us time until the kids begin arriving. Remember, money is no object.

Wishes:

George. Herman. Ruth. Plus, he could serve as an occasional reliever!

Prognosis:

On the Yanks, Abreu will be above league average. On any other team, I am afraid his weakness will begin to glare. He’ll want a multi-year contract, which means we’d be eating one or more years.

Outfield Extras

Melky Cabrera
Brett Gardner
Justin Christian
These guys remain the Not Ready for Prime Time Players. Lounging in Scranton, they are essentially biding their time until Austin Jackson passes them by.

Wishes:

Bowa comes back and gets after Melky. Melky continues with the A-Rod workout [in the training room, peeps! Geez – dirty minds!! =:-0]. Gardner and Christian mature into stars.

Prognosis:

Gardner gets a little less overmatched at the plate. Christian has some fine numbers in Scranton. Melky shows he’s better than the 2008 model. The burning question is: how much better?

Designated Hitter

Hideki Matsui

All of those consecutive games are finally taking their toll on Godzilla. He'll need to split AB's with Giambi and Damon. Almost worth keeping him inactive until June or July, and then activating him for the postseason :-)

Starting Pitchers

CC Sabathia [Type ‘A’ FA #2]
CM Wang
Mike Mussina
Andy Pettitte
Phil Hughes
Ian Kennedy
Alfredo Aceves
Sidney Ponson
Carl Pavano
AJ Burnett [Type A/B FA #3]
Humberto Sanchez
Sabathia should be an excellent addition, lefty, workhorse. Milwaukee has tried to burn his arm out, so he may have an injury or significant dead-arm period in 2009. If he works out right, will anchor the rotation. Wang is a perennial 19 game winner. He’ll do better, next year. Mussina has reinvented himself in the Jamie Moyer/Greg Maddux mould: at this rate, he will be nearly as effective next year. Andy P had a horrible off-season. With proper preparation, he’ll rebound significantly in 2009. Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy get invited to ST but build innings in SWB. Alfredo Aceves comes along for the ride – I think he’d be better served starting regularly in Scranton instead of riding the pine in NYC. Siddy is insurance, as is Pavano. Sid’s a free agent, but will probably sign a one-year deal. Pavano has a club option for 2009, and pitches well when up for a contract. Plus, Pudge seems to find the best in him. AJ Burnett has proven he can succeed in the AL East. Can he stay healthy? Humberto has a power arm and is a local boy; probably needs a year on the farm.

Wishes:

Everyone stays healthy and comes back nicely from injury.
The kids mature and fulfill the promise we all saw in them.

Closer

Mariano Rivera
The Ageless One has another brilliant season.

8th Inning Guy

Joba Chamberlain
At least for now as he builds arm strength. Looks to start by end of 2009.

Relief Pitchers

Jose Veras
Brian Bruney
Chris Britton
Damaso Marte`
Darrell Rasner
Dan Giese
Phil Coke
Edwar Ramirez
Dave Robertson
Mark Melancon
JB Cox
Kyle Farnsworth [Non-Type A/B FA]

Farnsy seemed to find a groove, pitching for his ol’ battery-mate, Joe Girardi. The rest of these guys, shake ‘em up, throw ‘em against the wall, see who sticks.

Okay, that's the "money is no object" look at what can be done with the Yanks. Obviously, I am not serious about this [the payroll would surely be well over $200 mil], but there are some nuggets in there which I will expound upon later. Let's hope Hank Steinbrenner doesn't hear of this [unless he hires me! hahaha].

Mighta' Beens

I haven't been posting of late. It's not because I have nothing to say; ye know me better than that. I've been writing for e-mails rather than posting here, and while that has been the norm of late, a dear friend told me that I should post this info here, so I did. This post, then, is dedicated to my one true reader. Thank you, Cuz :-)

This year is full of might-have-beens for the Yanks.

Play has been shoddy for a number of reasons and we have missed out on any number of golden opportunities.

Seems like half of the brand-new starters are rolled out to face the lads, who oblige by batting as though Cyclone Young or Amos Rusie have sprung back to life.....

I give Joe G. a little slack for this being his first year; but then, how many Yankees managers have won big in THEIR first season?

Bucky Harris, 1947, won WS
Casey Stengel, 1949, won WS
Ralph Houk, 1961, won WS
Yogi Berra, 1964, lost WS
Bob Lemon, 1978, won WS
Dick Howser, 1980, won AL East
Joe Torre, 1995, won WS

Dang! Is there ANY manager that went on to greatness AFTER the first season?
Well, Miller Huggins and Joe McCarthy come to mind.....
and that's pretty much everybody [1981 and 1982 are pretty much a blur - I think we had three managers in each of those years and lost the WS and LCS, respectively], oh, and Buck Showalter, made the playoffs in 1995, lost, lost his job.

So, Joe G. has his work cut out for him! Personally, I think he and Cash will both return, but I could be mistaken.

Georgia on my Mind

Separatists in South Ossetia seceded from Georgia, which itself left the Soviet Union/Commonwealth of Independent States/Unified Team after Mr. Gorbachev did, in fact, tear down that wall. So, the Georgians acted in turn to shell various positions and have troops take some positions. Russia, acting again like the old USSR, shelled the Georgian positions, and escalated things by bombing Georgia, proper, sending troops into Georgia itself, and putting up a naval blockade of Georgia's Black Sea coast. The Ukraine, sharing a desire to bond with the West and join NATO with Georgia, and sharing a resentment of many past Russian actions, announced that the Russian ships may not be allowed to transit through Ukrainian waters whilst returning to their Crimean ports. Things could be escalating.

Here in America, hardly anyone even knows what is going on, and fewer still actually care. This apathy is frustrating. I know it's not 1914 any more, and the shade of Gavrilo Princip is nowhere at hand, but this is dangerous stuff nonetheless. I can understand both the positions of the South Ossetians and the Georgians, and it's damned difficult. I can understand Russia's position, too, but once again, I must disagree with their societal paranoia. Let it go.....

29 Years ago, Today

Twenty nine years ago, today
Our Captain went away.

Thurman Munson, Rest in Peace.

Diana, my condolences.

Now, Go Yankees!

Playoff Bound

We got X-Man Nady to man left field. He's got a better arm than Johnny D, so we are stronger on defense. He's actually tearing the cover off the ball, and after an initial few games getting used to pinstripes, he has resumed same. Johnny can man DH, especially since Godzilla has been out. Even with a brace, the fluid will return. Betting money [other than house money] says he will have to go under the knife, ending his 2008 season.

We got Marte. We will soon get Bruney back. That made two guys expendable: Troy Hawkins [a good man but a mediocre pitcher], and Kyle Farnsworth, now pitching to potential. Hawk is gone for a prospect, and that's fine. Krazy went to Detroit for Pudge Rodriguez. Veras and Edwar, plus Davey Robertson [plus Marte and Bruney] make this a good deal. We can stand losing Farnsy [who actually cried when he left, bless his heart].

Posada got his right shoulder scoped. His throwing shoulder, eh? He'll be ready when pitchers and catchers report in mid-February. Now, here's the rub: his arm wasn't that great to begin with. Actually, it's weak, to be honest. He had an inflamed rotator cuff, plus a torn labrum and damage to the capsule. Projection: he'll never catch again. Contracts and money rule. He's got three years and about $30 mil to go. Pudge will get a new contract to be our catcher. Jose Molina will remain our backup. Posada will become our new first baseman [and not catching, should regain some power. Not being injured, should regain some average.], and he'll be an adequate glove man. I expect Big Sexy will be gone, and frankly, armed with this new info, I anticipate the Yankees giving Jason Giambi his $5 mil buyout for 2009.

For 2008, we are stronger. We didn't get Jarrod Washburn [yet] from Seattle, and no biggie. Ian Kennedy, Phil Hughes, and Chien-Ming Wang are all right around the corner. Don't look now, but Carl Pavano is rehabbing, too. [1] He's playing for a contract {somewhere}, [2] His arm HAS to have plenty of pitches left in it, and [3] I-Rod caught him in Florida, in 2003. 18 victories..... just sayin'.......

Playoff Outlook: Good.
Besides, Tampa is in uncharted territory, and Boston just lost Manny.
We could possibly win the division! :-)

Another Brick in the Wall

Barack Obama wrote a prayer, as is custom, and slipped the paper into a crack in the Western Wall. Some opportunistic jackass dug it out of the wall and made the contents known, and now it's all over the web. Now, I don't especially care for Barry O, but let me tell you this: this is an outrage. What O wrote is between him and his deity, and should remain that way. People and publishers should be held accountable for this.

Gun

There's a new sheriff in town. Joba Chamberlain went seven last night, and gave up no runs. He struck out nine. Yanks 1, Socks 0. All good stuff. Now, here's something even better: Joba pitches inside. Sure, he doesn't care for Kevin Youkilis, and Kevin Youkilis does not care for him. Joba pitched inside, and Youkilis bailed out. In the process of flailing around, getting out of the way, the ball ticked off his bat [methinks it ticked off more than just the bat!]. Both benches were warned, which is fine. Usually it is the Socks who throw inside, and both benches get warned before the Yanks can throw inside. Here's an interesting point: Josh Beckett sometimes comes inside, and we don't care for it, but that is how baseball is supposed to be played. Fear is and should be part of the batting equation. Joba comes inside, and of course Sock fans don't like it. But, there's a history between our teams. This is how it should be. I don't care for Josh Beckett. I don't care for Kevin Youkilis. I don't care for the Red Socks, but that's okay; I don't care for the Rays either. No offense, Melanie. I DO care for the rivalry, though, and it's heating up again. This is how it should be. Go Yankees! Let's win two ;-)

Crickets

{Confidentintial to Miss Melanie:}

Buddy Holly sends his regards ;-)

Update on Chloe

Hey! Remember Chloe Marshall? Miss Surrey? In the national competition, she placed second! Congratulations, Chloe - you're a winner in my book. Here's a bonus photo of the young opera singer trainee:

$564.54

Five hundred and sixty-four dollars, and fifty-four cents.
That's what this site http://www.business-opportunities.biz/projects/how-much-is-your-blog-worth/ has calculated as the owrth of my blogsite.

How much is yours worth?

Woo hoo hoo!
I'm almost rich!!

An Exercise in Participatory Democracy

Really!
Nope, not talking about the government here....
what I AM talking, though, is what do YOU, the reader, want to read about?

Let me know, even if you come across this site randomly and wish to anonymously request a topic. I may not have much to say [but maybe I will!], but if you want to hear about it, I will write about it. Really :-)

Big Sexy

Richie Sexson, in his first at bat as a Yankee, singled in Bobby Abreu to tie the score for Moose, 1-1. Way to go, Big Sexy!!

Crash and Burn

No, not talking about my love life [which is nice, thank you for asking: had a nice dinner with Miss Angela the other day, and Miss Ulrike texted me TWICE today!! :-)]

No, I'm talking running. I was in a rush this morning and did not get my stretching regimen done. Gosh, that hurts!! I ran the 2.6 down to Rudee Inlet, and despite the stiffness, was at 23 minutes and change. Not stellar, but not too bad. Made it past the 17th Street Pier to the 24th Street turn, and was outta gas. Bonked badly. I thought it was the lumbar. Tried to fire it up again, twice, but no dice. Strange..... anyway, ended up being about 4.5 in 38 minutes before the walking action began. So, good run, dinna quite take it to fruition. Still a good workout.

Wow! Melvin Mora of the Orioles just hit a home run off the left field foul pole! Big deal, right? Well, it landed right ON TOP of the pole!!!! I have never seen that or even heard of it before. Cool!

Getting the Shaft

The US Women's National team defeated Brazil, 1-0 in a friendly match right before heading off to Beijing for the Olympics. Natasha Kai got the lone goal on a header, and here's hoping there is plenty of that in our future.

You see, Abby Wambach [Go Gators!], our goal-scoring machine at the front, has gone down to injury. Abby broke her left leg [tibia and fibula] in a collision with Andreia Rosa of Brazil, and will be sidelined for twelve weeks or so. To aid the healing process, a titanium rod was inserted into her lower left leg. Lets hope the Nats don't get the shaft, as well :-(

As Abby herself says, she is only one woman, and championships are not built on the backs of individual players. At the World Cup, there was the 'keeper controversy, and our gals crashed and burned. Maybe this injury will weld them tighter together..... Here's hoping.

7-11

I'll try to find pics and post them when I get a chance.

July 11th, 1920. My mom was born on that day.
Addalena Loretta Nelson, and Adda was one aunt, and Lena another. Mama felt the name far too frilly, so she changed her name to simply, Lee Nelson. Her dad was Axel Edward Nelson, who was born in Chicago to a family just over from Sweden. In those days, there was no such thing as short-term disability, and Axel had four children. He suffered from pneumonia, but kept on working until the day he died, in 1926. My mother's mother was Hazel Dyer Butz, who was about as Germanic as the day is long. Mama got mostly her father's genes, with the result that I look Swedish and Scottish, and not so much German, just so you know.

Mama passed away when I was in basic training [Navy Aviation Officer Candidate School]; indeed, I was off in the wilderness of Eglin AFB in the Florida Panhandle on survival training. I had sent off a card for Mothers' Day, and she really liked it. Pam [my sister] tells me that it made her smile, and then she was gone. She stood for excellence and instilled that trait in me. [She was a huge Yankees fan, too, by the way. She loved The Mick, but I think her fave was actually Moose Skowron.]

Happy Birthday, Ma!

41' 57"

I didn't have any skaters pulling me along on Sunday, just the cumulative effect of running in the heavier Champion G9's [to build leg strength] and running in the Nike Frees [which replicate running barefoot in order to build foot strength]. 41 minutes, 57 seconds. That's a full minute and a half faster than my fastest, ever. I don't mean to sound cheeky, but there's plenty of room for improvement. I have to work on muscle memory, and being able to sprint [which, surprisingly, has been absent lo these many months - my bad!]. This train is coming....

[Today? Nike Frees, just to the Pier and back, but in 29 and change. I think I am getting the hang of things ;-) ]

43' 58"

43' 58", the 5.2 miles to Rudee Inlet and back. I've actually had one quicker, back in April, but I am happy with the progress. I think wearing the heavier Champion G9's and the Nike Frees will ensure that my leg and foot strength builds to where I can hit 42 something by the end of the summer. Today, had a good pace to the inlet, drafted off a skater for a while ;-) She pretty much pulled me to a great first half, 21 and change!! Less juice on the way back, but it'll come. I've been a lot faster, and I know what it feels like. Muscle memory. That's a good thing.

Saw Cross Country Gal today, and that always makes me smile. Way, way too young to date, but always a nice smile [and, she kicks my a$$ - I want to be that fast!]. Haven't bumped into Valerie in a while, very encouraging person [well, let's count attributes: blonde, good figure, positive personality, runs, drinks coffee. Negative: uh, I only see her when I bump into her while running?]. Now, this in no way means I am giving up on Ricki - after the Yanks win today, I am going over for fish n chips [the crabmeat in drawn butter yesterday messed me up a bit to where I did not feel like going out to see fireworks!!] Running. I am not obnoxious. Indeed, I smile at people and wave to other runners. I do my best to avoid confrontations, too [running into people, I mean]. I try to anticipate what could happen and avoid it in advance. However, I will only stop if the situation becomes dire [like yesterday, I almost ran over a gal on a bike who was not looking and slowly circling from right to left, while her friend went right. Only thing I could do was to stop. She said "Sorry" but I know there is no commitment to do better, and that is sad. Skidding to a stop risks injury, and I'll do it because I know I could injure someone by running over them [once, back in Michigan, in soccer league, Jill Baker wound up and kicked me in the back of the calf, and she remarked "Wow! I didn't know you were so solid!" It was a funny moment, and still makes me smile.] Once, here, bicyclists spread apart, so I had to go between. Then, one came back in. To avoid her, I had to go airborne, sideways. Made it, but it should not be that difficult. It's almost as the couch potatoes are trying to subject everyone to their pathetic lives. I choose athleticism, and I will not be dragged down by the nonobservant or the careless.

Kids and dogs. I am reasonably affable, and I like children to a certain degree, dogs as well. Not when I am running. Kids don't look, but dart hither and yon. Dogs connected to their owners by a leash are thus a long object capable of tripping the unobservant runner. Dogs not on a leash are generally inquisitive. I do not go to the boardwalk to play with other people's dogs [or their children, for that matter!]. Do you know that horses are allowed on the beach itself? In some ways being athletic here is akin to playing in traffic. People are by nature roadhogs. I try not to startle people, but I'm a taxpayer too, and I have an equal right to the sidewalk. Bikes: vehicles. They belong on the street, not on the sidewalk. I wish Virginia Beach was proactive enough to put in bike paths, but they are not. People going in the same direction as me [but slower] walk in the center of the sidewalk. Transpose this to driving: it would be down the middle of the road! People like to walk beside their friends. This does not take precedence. Two people on the sidewalk, side by side, does not give them the right of way to force me off the sidewalk. I generally do so to be polite, rather than shoulder someone. Sure wish people were polite. This is supposed to be The South, but I think many did not read that memo. On the boardwalk, six people wide takes up most of the boardwalk. No common sense.....

Dawn Turns to Day, and Nothing Gold Can Stay

Poetry here by Robert Frost, and "Nothing Gold Can Stay" presented in an early, pre-publication form.

My uncle Van passed away this weekend. He was a fun guy, had a good sense of humor [and red hair - can ya see we're related?] Sylvan Earl Wallace. Van was born in Alva, Oklahoma, on June 6th of 1932; the family was from Wichita but during the Great Depression had gone down to OK to farm. He hated being referred to as "Sylvan"; much preferring "Van".

Van was a big Arkansas Razorback fan, having settled in Bentonville, Arkansas [yes, he worked for Wal-Mart and met Sam Walton, whom he always referred to as "Mr. Sam"]. Being an alumnus and huge fan of the Florida Gators, I always gave Unk a lot of guff [like sending him postcards from Florida Field :-)]; naturally, he felt the same about his team.

I'll miss Uncle Van, and my condolences go out to my dear Auntie Rene [Florene, but she prefers the shortened version just as her husband preferred with his own name] and the family.

Here's some words from Robert Frost which I find apropos:

Nature's first green is gold,

Her hardest hue to hold.

Her early leafs a flower;

But only so an hour.

Then leaf subsides to leaf.

In autumn she achieves
A still more golden blaze
But nothing golden stays.

10 Nil

Joba looked good, 6 and 2/3 with seven K's [ERA is 2.03]. Bobby Abreu whacked a 3-run dinger and threw out a dude at the plate. Justin Christian continues to look good. Rubber game tonight with Moose taking the hill, looking for #11.

Tomorrow, twin-stadium bill with Dangerous Dan Giese and Sid Ponson [dangerous for an entirely different reason!] twirling for the Bombers.

In other news, our ol' pal, Shawn Chacon, grabbed his GM by the neck and threw him to the ground [in a restaurant] and proceeded to jump on him. Shawn says he was provoked, and I'm guessing that he probably was, but he's still in trouble. Wonder if we will see him back in the Bronx?

Mister Christian

Welcome to the big leagues, Justin Christian. Got a hit and knocked in two runners, yet Pittsburgh played Captain Bligh [get it? Pirates? Arrrrr!] in holding the Yanks down, 12-5.
This was before my time, but Justin played for O'Fallon, Missouri, in Independent ball. I still have MY Riverdogs ballcap....

Joba's going tonight, and hopefully this will get things going in the right direction. We could use taking the next two from Pitt, and with Willie Randolph conveniently axed, no mercy for the Metsies. [Then again, Sid Ponson.....]

Maz

Growing up, I remember legendary things, some of them painful. Yanks out-scoring the Pirates, 55-27, but losing the 1960 Series. I don't remember actually watching it, being not quite two years old at the time, but I remember the pain. Maz, with the walk-off Series winning homer. Won the Series, cost the ol' Perfesser his job. Bill Mazeroski was a wonderful player and turned a beautiful pivot at second. I respect him, and so I hope no one takes personally what I am about to say: Fuck you, Maz.

Blather

I know I'm not putting together anything remotely relevant.
Now, here's why: I write horribly when I cannot concentrate. Whenever I am awake, either one roommate is up and puttering around, making noise, or the other one is watching TV about eight feet away. Eventually, things will work out: Roomie #1 has sold his house up north and is buying a place here and having his family come down; rooms #2 should have a job shortly, and might actually be out of my hair as well. Good thing, before anyone doesn't make it. ;-)

601

Griff got 601 off Krazy Kyle.
Big deal: dude's still a hater.

Curses!

Curses! Out-duelled again :-(

Moose went eight, but Yanks dropped, 4-2. What, you were expecting to win out? Hey, it's a marathon. When ya win 100 games, ya also lose 62. It happens. Mike pitched his brains out; today, it wasn't quite enough. Next up: Dangerous Dan Giese, today at one.

Curt Schilling is undergoing surgery. His season is over, maybe his career. I don't see him going into coaching; rather, broadcasting, if anything.

I mentioned a while ago that Yankees signed Sidney Ponson. In a move which I believe corresponds, Steven White has been removed from the 40-man roster. Armed with velocity, White seemed an heir apparent to Messrs. Joba, Phil, and Ian, yet his ERA this season at Scranton has hovered around 6.6. He's cleared waivers, and remains in the Yankee organization. This clears a spot for the Mets doubleheader, when we'll need a sixth starter. You guessed it: El Gordo looks to be on the hill for that, and unless he impresses, it'll be one and done for the big goof with baggage and attitude.

Wheeee!

Rasner pitched well-enough to win and Alex Rodriguez belted another ball outta the yard. Yanks win, 8-5. Five and a half back of Boston, but right there in the WC race. Long way to go, many games to be played. Now, WHO doubted the Yankees?

Signs

Signs of the Impending Apocalypse:

The Yankees signed pitcher Sidney Ponson.
Twice, now.

Willie Makeit? Betty Wont.

So the Mets went and fired Willie Randolph. On the road. After a victory. At 3 AM, Eastern Time. Such lack of class by the organization! Ever wonder why we have 26, and they have only two? Class.... They USED to have it, when Gil Hodges managed the team.

Wonder if we can find a spot for Rick Peterson, helping develop young arms? [I am assuming Joe Torre will eventually have Willie help Dem Bums - Willie grew up in Brooklyn.]

Pitchers Hitting

When baseball was invented, pitchers got to bat. In every league except the National League, and the Nippon Central League, pitchers no longer have to hit: the Designated Hitter gets the chore [or, in Billy Crystal's case, the Designated Hebrew ;-) ]. In the National League, and the Nippon Central League, pitchers still hit. Personally, I enjoy the dichotomy - at the top level. In the minors, in college, and in high school, pitchers should have to hit. It's all about learning.
Now, about those individuals carping about Chien-Ming Wang getting injured by running the bases. I love the Yankees, and I hate to see him get hurt. Having said that, all of you whining about the NL joining the 21st century and other unmanly whinings: STFU. Even you, Hank Steinbrenner. Just shut it. Injuries happen. Suck it up. Let's win, regardless. Adversity tempers steel. Whining does not = winning. We are better than that. Shut up.

Big Win and Sweep

Swept the Astros, thanks to many heroic efforts. Johnny D, Gojiru, Alex, Jorgie all well over .300, and Messrs. Giambi and Rodriguez both tearing the cover off the ball. Moose got his tenth, Wanger his eighth, and Joba made good progress. We're [finally] on a roll.

Running the bases, Chien-Ming Wang hurt his foot. Initially, all feared that it perhaps was an Achilles Tendon, and happily, that seems not to be the case. Possibly a stress fracture, which would mean a stint on the DL. Possibly just what they are currently calling it now: a strain. Give it a couple of days for the swelling to go down and for the X-Ray and MRI to be taken/analyzed. Tuesday, we should know more.

Well-earned off-day for the troops today, and that should give me some time to write up Renaissance Festival stories along with Father's Day notes. Hope y'all had a Happy Father's Day [I know I did :-)]

Oh, Captain....

Derek Jeter led off the 8th last night with a bases-empty blast, propelling the Bombers to a 2-1 win over Houston. Johnny D had sat the night out [with no DH in the NL park, Gojiru was out in left], so our Captain led off. Robinson Cano batted second and had an ohfer, dropping his average down to .217. He'd best pick up the pace, or it'll be "Crusoe" instead of "Cano".

Pitching. More heartwarming tales to tell: Joba went six strong innings, only allowing one run. NOW, who still thinks this was a bad idea? QVeras went two and got the "W". Farnsy did a scoreless ninth for the save [Really! I am not making this up!]. Joba even fared better at the plate than Robby, going 0-2 instead of M. Cano's 0-3.

Now, our erstwhile ace, Mike Mussina goes tonight against the estimable Wandy Rodriguez. Juan D has a fine ERA which will no doubt balloon after tonight, and his 2-2 pales next to the 9-4 of Moose. Let's get this one, and then lets batter Oswalt on Sunday for the sweep!

A Granny for the Birthday Boy

Hideki Matsui, 34 years old. Runs like he's 80, hits like Smoky Burgess [falling out of bed deep in winter, could still scorch the hide off the ball]. Gojiru whacked one over the right-center wall with three men on, giving Andy all the run support he needed for a 4-1 victory over Oakland. Andy went eight and allowed one run. He's at 6-5 and maybe starting to roll...

Now, Jobamania hits Houston, and our ol' pal Shawn Chacon takes the hill for the Astros. Shawn did well for us when he was in the Bronx, and I still like him :-) Time to get a winning streak going.... and, Happy Birthday, Hikeki-san!

Milton Bradley's Not a Game

Great idea, Milty: ballplayers tracking down announcers with evil intent. Face it, pal - you do not belong in the game. Hell, Shoeless Joe is not in the Hall of Fame, and his transgression is far lighter than this. Milton Bradley deserves to be banned from baseball. Go get treatment for whatever your disorder is.

Seriously, Milton Bradley's behavior is an embarassment to the game, and the situation should not be allowed to continue.

Welcome Home

So, Ras gives up a slew of runs and the Yanks got beat, 8-4. What didja expect, the second coming of 1978 Gator Guidry? Nerves mighta had something to do with it, after all. Betcha he settles down and gets it going again after this.

Meanwhile, Wanger seems to have straightened-out a bit, and Andy goes tonight. Hopefully he'll straighten up and fly right ;-)

Wang is Right

7-Win Wang defeats Athletics, 3-1. Next up, Darrell Rasner. One in a row - we're on a roll! Mo is going to need a rest sometime soon - hope we clobber the A's tonight so he gets a breather. Go Yankees!

Running Man

It's no secret. Well, I'm not shouting it from the rooftops or any such crap, but I really dig Miss Ulrike. She runs. Marathons. Blond[e]. Great personality. Great legs. Wears Nike. Just about the Perfect Girl [and, younger than me, so that counts as "Trophy"! :-) ] She seems to dig me, too. Good things are worth waiting for. [Unless women begin to fall from the sky]

Toes. I push off on each of my little toes, and wouldn't ya know it, each is very bruised, and blistered, and painful, and a lot of skin has sloughed-off. I can get about two consecutive runs without being injured. Rib cage. Sacro-iliac. Toes. It's frustrating. I'm taking the day off from exercising, today, and tomorrow, off to my Tuesday ritual, dinner with that fabulous Russian girl, Marina. Sure, she'll be working at the time, but that's about the only way to pin her down ;-) Wednesday, I'll run. Thursday, too. Then, Friday with Riki at the Pub.

Moleskin. Works pretty well and seems to prevent new injuries, but it's just a holding pattern. I've broken down and ordered a pair of Nike Free, the shoes which simulate running barefoot. Pix has a pair and likes them, and her bro', Coach Jeff, likes them as well. Gotta begin building those toes, ya know?

Running. Maybe I'll have to catch Riki, ya know ;-) Hope so.

Hey!

32-32, lost 3-2 to KC for a four game split. Yeah, yeah, it's a burr under the saddle and all.

Now: here's why I am not worried.
Moose went eight, giving up two earned. He still has nine wins, and his ERA is 3.86.
Alejandro Rodriguez hit his tenth home run.
Mariano Rivera gave up a dinger in the ninth, for the loss. His ERA remains BELOW 1.00.

Look, sometimes ya play good, and ya still lose. Today was one of those days. The Yanks played good and KC won the game. Can't wait for tomorrow!! :-)

All Hail Dan Giese

All Hail Dan Giese. The rookie came on in support of Joba Chamberlain and held the Royals down. Meantime, Jason Giambi and Alex Rodriguez kept things going on offense, with the Yanks winning, 6-3. Giese was rewarded for his perfecto by getting his first win, and he HAS looked pretty good in long relief [so far].

Joba started, and was down, 3-2, when he left. Still, an improvement over his first start. Anyone who is disappointed with his progress is just downright impatient. Give the boy time. Chip Carey and Ron Darling pretty much said the Yanks, in starting Joba, are using a panic move. Morons. This was the plan all along - keeping Joba in the bullpen would have been the panic move, in that it would have been unplanned. Go Yankees!

Sexy Calves

Johnny Damon and his sexy calves came through last night, leading the Yanks to a wild, 12-11 victory over Kansas City. Johnny D went six for six, the first Yankee to have six hits in regulation since Myril Hoag in 1934, and not only tied things at ten in the bottom of the eighth, but knocked in the winner in the bottom of the ninth. That wild caveman is now up to .326 on the season, and seems to be keying a rejuvenated Bomber attack.

Dave Eiland has his work cut out for him, though. Successive clinkers by Cy Wang and Andy Pettitte were only saved by the boys with bats. Today, Joba Chamberlain strides the hill and takes the pill, and as I write this, Bobby Abreu just went deep, taking the Captain with him. 2-0 Yanks, and a good day beckons :-)

3-3, 2.58

It's Darrell Rasner, who continues to impress. 118 pitches last night, 75 for strikes. Gave up two through eight, but the Yanks only plated one. DR's 3-3 record belies the fact of his stellar pitching. One bad outing; with proper run support, he'd be at 5-1. Over the last three games [granted, his last game was not great], his mates have scored three runs. Losing 1-0 and 2-1 is no crime. Keep up the good work, Ras.

In other news, Tampa and Boston have clashed. Lots of me-too ism coming from that.... Tampa and the Yanks clashed earlier. Anyone else get the feeling that Tampa is just trying too hard? Remember, Yanks and Sox dates back to at least 1904, when the bad guys won the pennant on the last day, beating our 40-game winner. Instant rivalry, Tampa-Boston or Tampa-NY? Let's give it a few years and see.....

Now [imploring sweet Melanie for her opinion on this one] what is up with Manny and Youk tangling? Is it truly over, or will bad blood begin to destroy clubhouse chemistry?

Fools and Gold

Ever hear of the "Sophomore Jinx"? That's a baseball phenomenon wherein a young player who came up and set the world on fire as a rookie finds that the big leagues are tougher in the second season. This occurs because the league has made adjustments and they do not for whatever the reason adapt quickly enough to these adjustments. Typically, they adapt in the third season and go on to have stellar careers [although Mark Fidrych and Joe Charbonneau were unable to do so].

Robinson Cano, now in his third season, is undergoing just such a season. Off to a terrible start, he is finally up above .220, but it's been a struggle. Robbie has poor plate discipline but gets his hacks [kinda reminiscent of Manny Sanguillen, really] - really sweet swing. Doesn't like to walk, so his on-base average is lower than it should be.

I liken this season for him to a sophomore jinx in that the league finally understands that he will swing early and often, and that to begin with a strike can have fatal consequences. The league consensus is to begin out of the strike zone but not too much; entice Mr. Cano to swing at a bad pitch for a strike one count, or [even better] hit the ball fair but without good wood on it for an easy out.

How Robbie will succeed: Here's hoping Bobby Abreu is contagious. With good plate discipline, Cano would begin seeing better pitches to hit, and his on-base average would rise markedly [both because of the increased batting average, but also because of more bases on balls]. His power numbers would also go up; waiting on his pitch would result in better contact and harder hit balls. He can achieve this, if he wants to badly enough. Then and only then would I move him up in the batting order. Right now, he's not ready.

That's the gold portion.
Fools. Can you believe that people are already giving up on Cano? These are the same people that were willing to run Mike Mussina out of town, and relatives of the same mob who booed Roger Maris. Classy, assclowns. Have patience and it will be rewarded. Have impatience and it, too, will be rewarded. Fools.

You Heard it Here, First

Gerrit Cole. [Wonder if the "G" is soft or hard?] He's a high school arm out of California, stands 6' 3" and weighs in at 195. Velocity in the upper 90's at this point counted as a plus. Some bite on the slider which he throws in the 70's [making it almost sound like more of a slurve]; circle change comes in in the high 70's. Throws all three for strikes. Some adjustments coming project slider as a plus pitch in the future.

Some makeup issues: tends to be animated on the mound [he's only 18, for Pete's sake!]. This should clear up with added experience and maturity. Client of Scott Boras. Yankees first round pick in the amateur draft. Could have gone higher, NY probably got a good value as they are now willing to pay over slot money [given their resources, this is a huge advantage].

Tall, lanky, good velocity on fastball, developing slider projects well, effective change which he can hit the strike zone with. Physically and stylistically reminds some of Krazy Kyle Farnsworth [which I take as a good thing].

You heard it here, first [almost!]

Nine to Eight, and Rassie's Up Next

Bottom of the ninth, Giambino homers with one on and two men out. Yanks win, 9-8. Darrell Rasner [our latest hope] takes the hill and throws the pill, tomorrow. Life is good.

When yer going good, ye bail out yer ace [Chien-Ming Wang] who falters.

Krazy Kyle Farnsworth hates one run leads. Down 7-6 in the top of the ninth, he gave up one more, just to be sure. Jason G got him the win. I swear, Kyle hates one run leads so badly, we should put a bat in his hands.

Mick, Mike and Hockeytown

Nine wins for Mike Mussina. I know folks have speculated about what it would take for Mike to win twenty, and it's good to theorize. Meantime, something closer on the horizon: the All-Star Game. It's in The Stadium, and wouldn't it be cool if Moose was in it? I'd call it fitting.

Someone else who may be going: Derek Jeter, our Captain, passed Mickey Mantle on the Yankees' list of batters who have hit safely. Mick is now in fourth place behind Jeter; perhaps you have heard of #s 1 and 2, Messr.s Ruth and Gehrig? At the rate Cap is going, he'll be the first Yank to reach 3000 hits all in pinstripes; who knows - some even postulate 4000!

Detroit Red Wings. Stanley Cup Champions. Congratulations :-)

Joba Time is Here to Stay

62 pitches and a no-decision. Time to build. A time to sow, yet not the time to reap. Behold Joba the Starter, and it will be better as time passes. Now, 9-3 losers and on a three game skid, we turn to our new stopper, same as the old stopper, Mike Mussina. Gotta make three stand up against Totonto, but Halladay IS a tough nut to crack.....

On to other news. David Ortiz is hurting, might be on the DL for fifteen, maybe longer. That hurts both of my fantasy baseball teams! That hurts my pal, Miss Melanie, as well :-( No rejoicing - Yanks need to turn inward and fix their own problems. Focusing on another team is a great way for ten teams to give ya problems. So, heal up, Papi. Now, let's get #9 for Moose.

Ellas

Ellas McDaniel has passed away. Known for his distinctive, square guitar and the rambling beat of his music, Bo Diddley was 79 years old. Back when I lived in Gainesville, the McDaniel family farmed over in Hawthorne [Wikipedia says he lived in Archer, but that's not how I remember things], and if you knew where to look, was even in the local phone book. You don't know Diddley... No Bo, no mo. My condolences to Ellas' family.

Sometimes

Sometimes ya coulda won, but ya didn't. 6-5 to Minnesota. Bombers certainly had the hits, but left some guys stranded. Andy pitched well enough, seven plus innings, four earned runs. At least he was not responsible for the loss. Krazy Kyle, with gas can in hand.....

Tonight, back to the Stadium. It's Joba Time!

Ras(buries)

Darrell Rasner gave up two runs in the first and the Yanks went down to defeat, 5-1. Losing sux, blah blah blah but here's the bottom line: Ras kept us in the game. It's true, being down by two in the first puts pressure on the offense, but our offense should put pressure on opposing pitchers, and last night, they did not do so. [Excepting, of course, that singular pressure to the nose of Minnesota starter Nick Blackburn, provided by a ball batted by Bobby Abreu. Bloody nose, nothing broken. Thank goodness!]

In the Post, one of the resident hacks notes that this will not jeopardize Rasner being in the starting rotation. Why is this even a question? Does anyone question Wang or Pettitte having a bad outing? How about Moose a while back going less than one inning? No, Rasner has earned his spot, and four runs in six is not that bad of an outing, in the context of things.

Jeff Karstens, meanwhile, is hurting again. Maybe it's time to shut down for the season and build toward next. Reckon there will be starting spots to fight for then.

More Odds, Fewer Ends

Catching up a few things:

Molly Jo's just not an option. We have fun together, but we live thirty miles apart, and philosophically, I'm looking to settle down, and she's looking to be "one of the guys". Now, I expect to get a lot of guff from all of the guys I know, but it's not what I am all about. I actually DO think and feel and want to do what's right. Besides, I texted her a Happy Mother's Day and she hasn't gotten back to me.

Smiley. What a gal... don't think that I don't have feelings for this woman, but she's career-minded, and to properly follow her career, she'll have to leave the area. I am not the right man for her, and she's not the right gal for me, painful as that is to admit. I'm smart enough to admit it.

Margaret and/or Linda. Dear, dear friends and unattached. They also own houses! Alas, half a continent away. Long-distance makes no sense. Good to have dear friends [and, an honourable mention to dear Pix, who falls into this category for the most part, and the above-category, too, somewhat].

My Pirate Krew. They love South Dakota, but the snow has been pretty fierce [they just got 3 inches, and 'twas almost June!!]. We're geting back on speaking terms, though; indeed, I sent Lovely Laura some pirate trinkets for her birthday, and at yesterday's Pirate Fest, blew entirely too much $$$ on all four of the gals, which I'll send when the time is right. We've come to an agreement: if I am unattached after the winter, and if the winter is harsh to the point where they wish to leave SD, then I have permission to re-commence pestering them.

Who does that leave? Well, there IS one gal I fancy, and she comes over and sits with me for brief moments. I keep finding more and more good things about her, coincidental stuff, but I am beginning to really dig this chick :-) Great figure, and lo and behold, she told me that she runs [good - I need to find someone who is active, same as me]; she has run in marathons [me, too!]; she prefers Nike to New Balance [man, this is lining up perfectly!!] and she enjoys fusbol. I gave her a small pair of Triskele earrings from the Spotsylvania Fest, and she was clearly touched by the gesture. Naturally, trinkets will continue as I have gotten a nice pair of pirate skull n bone earrings for her, and at the soap salesman, found a nice doggie soap for her pooch. This might be the one.... ;-)

Crazy

No, not the Willie Nelson song, sung so marvelously by Patsy Cline [although that is now going through my mind]. The Yanks and their crazy season and crazy fans.

Last night, 7-6 in twelve over those pesky Twinkies. [Ho ho ho?] Here's the interesting part: Johnny Damon singled and so did the Cap, bringing up Bobby Abreu. Bobby singled, bringing around Johnny D. on those sexy calves to score the winner. Congratulations to all involved. Here's the rub: who have we been talking about mostly these past few weeks?

Well, Mike Mussina, and now Abreu, and let's throw in Pornstache Giambi into the mix. Who's been coming up big for the Yankees, time and again? [Mussina, on track for 24 wins. Abreu, wins it in the 12th and always steady offense. Giambino, leads the club with 11 dingers].

Youth eventually must be served [actually, age eventually kills] but one must make certain. For starters [yes, good pun!] we went with Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy. Hindsight being 20-20, they needed more seasoning. Now, Yankees fans are about as impatient a lot as can be imagined, and the tone over the winter was that we should allow Bobby Abreu and Jason Giambi to play out their options and leave the Bronx, and that we should send Mike Mussina to Philly or shoot him or something, as though he were in some fashion tainted by Pavanoism.

Let's look at reality: what advantage do the Yankees have, far and above every other team? [Well, 26 rings, a storied history, a hallowed cathedral to play in and really cool uniforms, but besides all that.] Resources. We have the resources to prevail. We should use them instead of relying upon wings and prayers.

For example: Jason Giambi. We could re-sign him for a zillion bux, or we could buy out his 2009 season for five million. Face it: G-Man is not likely to get another long term deal. Like PeteAbe said, maybe we could buy out 2009 for those five mil, and then give him another five to play for us one more time. Fans zero in on the fact that the Yankees roster construction is flawed, and it is, but don't throw the baby out with the bathwater! What is the alternative at first? Betty? Morgan Fairchild? The Place Where Derek Jeter/Jorge Posada's Career Went to Die? Nope. We tried the defense thing, and if that was our most important concept at 1B, Man-Cabbage would still be manning the ground. It's all about the offense, man, and Jason Giambi provides it [when he's not injured]. Like it or not, it's our best option.

Bobby Abreu. Let's be real, now. People seriously talk about letting him escape. Okay, Melky to right, and Brett Gardner or Austin Jackson to CF. Why? What have they ever done for us in the bigs? I want those guys to come up and be world-beaters, and they might be someday, but [and this is the key point] - they are not, right now. If we practice slash and burn, we'll have yet another painful session of growing pains to endure, much as the one we are currently experiencing with Phil and Ian. Bring back Bobby, and even though it may take two or three years, do it.

Moose. We'd have been screwed without his production so far. Wanger and Andy have faltered a bit; thankfully Moose leads the league in wins. Now, if Heckle and Jeckyll can get their shit all in one sock [I am referring to CMW and Andy, not Messrs. Hughes and Kennedy], then we'll make a run for it. Andy's tired of it all. He might just up and retire at the end of the season. Think about it: let's assume Moose and Andy both part company. No way is Pavano coming back. That leaves us a rotation of Wang, Rasner, Hughes, Kennedy, and Chamberlain. Absolutely zero room for error, and if that is our rotation in 2009, we won't be going anywhere in October, except home. Once again, we are all-too-quick to jettison the aged as we hope to catch lightning in a bottle, the lightning of youth. I do not enjoy the growing pains when there is no alternative. Bring back Mike!

Rasner. Darrell Rasner. Give that man the ball, and give him a chance. Not the chance afforded to Tyler Clippard or Matt DeSalvo, or Chase Wright. Doesn't throw the ball through a brick wall, doesn't have the sexy rep. Doesn't matter: He's earned his spot. Let him keep it.

It's crazy. Some of the notions dreamed-up by Yankee fans to keep us on top could not be better-designed to have us fail than if they were straight out of Hollywood [incidentally, Major League was on last night, and didja notice that for the most part, actors throw like girls? Not young, athletic girls, either, but old, great-grandmotherly, arthritic, constipated girls.] [Not to segue, but I could not use grandmotherly as an adjective - my dear Kel has been one for ten years now, yet remains blond{e}, shapely, beautiful, and drives a Benz convertible. Not the kind of granny I remember!! Kudos to Crusty the Crustacean ;-)] Crazy.

24?

No, not Jack Bauer. Mike Mussina. Iron Mike won his 8th of the season, leading the Yankees and tying the league lead [with Dicey K, among others]. At the rate he's going, Moose will win 24 games. He's won 19 before, and 18, and he's come down to the wire on no-hitters, and he's almost been on the winning team in the World Series [which means, he was on the losing team in the World Series].

Realistically, I'll take two out of three. Mike no longer has the stuff to throw a no-no. 85 mph fastballs just don't overpower anyone except perhaps Little Leaguers. I don't think he will win 24, but I hope he DOES find a way to finally win 20. AND, be on the winning side in the World Series.

Go, Moose, go!

Happy Birthday, Arrr!

I'd like to take a moment and wish the happiest of birthdays to my Pirate Crewmember, Lovely Laura, who is eleven years old today. Aye!

I spoke with her for awhile yesterday, and she was really excited about the gift package which arrived [arrrrrr!ived] yesterday. [Having to wait until Christmas on the ship in a globe as it is kinda a tree ornament, but that's cool].

What a great gal :-) She's up in the Dakotas now, and I miss her terribly. Happy Birthday, Laura. Arrrrr!

Andy to Joba to Mo

Not exactly Tinker to Evers to Chance [the only Cub DP combo to ever win a championship, for those historically challenged amongst us ;-) ], but good enough for a 4-2 victory, which we needed.

Kudos to Andy for 6.1 and only two runs. Kudos to Joba for striking out three batters of the four he faced =:-0 Kudos to The Great Mariano for being himself.

Now, Joba only got in 30 or so pitches. Wonder if he stretched it out over in the bullpen afterward [the target was 55 pitches]. Still, we needed a win, and danged if 4-2 after nine isn't exactly that! I'll take it..... Okay, checking in with PeteAbe reveals that Joba indeed threw 27 in the 'pen for his 55 total. This points him to a start after the weekend - maybe 75 pitches or so, depending on how he's feeling after the 55 pitches last night.

Moustaches. Giambino, Damon, Shelley Duncan. It's said that Joba is attempting one, too, and that he looks like a grade-schooler. Jason says that his is staying as long as he continues to hit [up to eleven dingers and .250 as he's impressing enough for a 2009 contract, somewhere]. Damon and Duncan, idiot/caveman types both, were certain to follow suit. Wonder if Derek J will grow one? Sounds kinda like Sampson and the hair, really [which would be cool, but I'd settle for The Bronx Zoo, part II, minus the bickering]. Well, I have one [and that swashbuckling soul patch, too! ;-) ]

Hmmmmm

Ian Kennedy is headed to the DL with a strained latissimus dorsi. A lat. How on God's green earth does a pitcher strain a lat? Then again, we do seem to have met our quota of weird injuries [as in, Pavano's butt].

Reckon this means that Joba Chamberlain will get stretched out and take the next start? He could go four and program Ohly to get four [Ross seems to pitch better when he knows he's going in]. Is the alternative Kei Igawful? God, I hope not. He's straight from the Fahrenheit 451 playbook [remember, where the firemen SET fires?]

I have heard that Jon Lester's father has been diagnosed with cancer. Man, that is tough. I hope he is able to beat this; maybe Jon's experience will help him. My best wishes go out to the Lester family for a full recovery.

Lil' Moosie

Ian went six, giving up only one run in the process, and keeping the Yanks in the game.

They went on to win in the ninth, thanks to timely hitting {Matsui singled, Abreu - pinch hitting for Shelley Duncan, walked - Robby Cano singled Godzilla home}.

Interestingly enough, Kennedy is still not getting pitches called his way. Nearly 100 pitches, only 57 found the strike zone; doesn't mean he's wild - means he's nibbling and not getting all the calls. Last night, that was good enough. Thank God for rookie pitchers!!

Next up, Seattle. Hope we can start worrying other teams: Joe Girardi got ejected last night for arguing Giambi's straikeout, and maybe that worked to fire-up the guys....

Weasels Ripped My Flesh?

Weasels Ripped My Flesh? No, but Pixies sewed-up my kilt so that it is now two inches two small in the waist! I am not sure why the pix are ired at me, but they obviously had their wee seamstresses at work into the wee, wee hours.....

It all happened like this: This past weekend, I wanted to go to the Virginia Renaissance Festival, up in Spotsylvania. First weekend, Pirate special weekend, arr! and if there's one thing I enjoy, it's a good pirate fest. Might even have to go back to Saint Looey in September just to attend theirs, but that's another entire story.

Now, part of the fun is to hop into some semblance of piratical looking garb, and, being a Scotsman, mine includes a kilt. Specifically, a black AmeriKilt, [being a proper Scot, I will nae wear me family tartan as a pirate, I wouldna wish to bring discredit or suspicion upon the family in any way] formerly size 36 around the middle portion. [Ye may be aghast at hearin' o' it, but they tend to run on the small side - when I was running every day and avoiding: carbonated anything, alcohol, and eating dinner at restaurants, I just barely fit comfortably - going about 182 pounds. Now, around 188, mainly because of carbonation, rich foods, alcohol, and running only when I am uninjured, I can only get the snaps to properly align by really sucking in my gut to a degree wherein I could maintain posture for aboot five minutes only before passing out].

Along with the kilt go black leather Corcoran jump boots, black soccer sox, a long sleeve black shirt with chest and sleeve ruffles!, a red sash to go around me mid-section, and a tricorn pirate hat, complete with multi-coloured ostrich feathers. Alas, the Pix.... so, I went in a pirate T-Shirt and shorts, and was comfortable. Some mad woman kept calling me "Barry" and telling me that my horse kicked her in the head, but she loved me anyway. I told her I am not "Barely" heeheehee pun intended and asked her if she knew where Maurice or Robin or Andy was [eventually she tired of it and wandered off with her bone-on-a-leash "her draggin' " get it? haha]

This time around, I am going to order another black Amerikilt, and I am going to make it a 38" waist. That way, when the Pixy seamstresses "outsmart" me, they will actually be making the kilt the correct size. Good thing the pix have an attention span of around five seconds, or they might read this and try to outsmart me. No dice, pix ;-)

Had a good time despite being alone. Next pirate fest: Hampton, VA [alas, Smiley will be in Las Vegas]. Maybe I can get Matt and/or Kev to come along. Maybe I can talk Riki and her bairns into coming along.... One of the upcoming weekends will see me back at Spotsylvania, more than likely Celtic weekend, aye! So, anyone in Virginia or that neck o' the woods, shout me up - maybe we'll bump into each other at the Faire!

38 and fin

Scottish Premier League: After 37, Celtic and Rangers tied at 86 points, but we have the goal differential. Final match of the season, both away. Rangers have to beat Aberdeen and have Bhoys lose to Dundee United. If both clubs draw, Celtic wins the title. If both clubs win, or if both lose, Gers have to score at an impossible pace to overhaul the lads from Parkhead [if we win by one, they have to win by six to tie]. If they lose by one, they have to wish for us to lose by six...

We win! 1-0 away at Dundee U. Meanwhile, two flew into the Rangers' net, and alas for them, none into Abs' net. Bhoys win the league, and once again, "You'll never walk alone"! ;-)

Wee Margie, poor lass. Loves her Teddy Bears and tells me Celts = Crrrap. That's fine, we still won. Shoulda made her a wager... Gabba gabba hey!

El Deepo

Alexander Rodriguez. Homer in his first game back. Two balls over the outfield fence in his second [and the umpires even called one a home run!], plus one other double. It's a team effort, but we needed that.

Meantime, Darrell Rasner, our new stopper, twirled seven shutout innings. Joba "Our Next New Stopper" Chamberlain, threw a scoreless eighth and ninth to wrap up the Orioles, 8-0. That's right: Joba's being stretched out to build up his pitch count with an eye toward allowing him to start, this season.

So, when that happens, Phil Hughes will more than likely still be out, so I envision a rotation of Wang, Pettitte, Mussina, Rasner, and Chamberlain. This gives Ian Kennedy a chance to hone his craft at the proper venue, Scranton. For the relievers, Mo remains unchanged as our closer. Perhaps Krazy Kyle Farnsworth will step up and become the setup man, maybe he will share it with Ross Ohlendorf. I think Humberto Sanchez is just about ready to activate, and he has a real live arm, so perhaps that is just what the doctor ordered. Then again, Carl Pavano, coming off the DL, will begin to build arm strength in that role..... Nah, bad idea on that one. I say Sanchez. Thoughts?

Just Peachy :-(

Moose just got clubbed for seven in the first. It's at the Stadium, so the Yanks have all nine innings to go. So much for being the stopper. Ohly's in already.

{Post-game Update} Ended up 12-2, so we now turn to our new[est] stopper, Darrell Rasner. Ras is 2-0 this season, with an ERA of 3.00, albeit a 12 inning limited sample size.

A-Rod homered in his first game back :-)

Jeets was hit on the hand by a pitch and is listed as day-to-day. [Sorry, Melanie!] With the Attorney General in there, we'll have great leather, but a bit less pop.

Go, Yankees!

More odds n ends

Sleep. It must surely be over-rated. So, I'm up, rambling some more [generally hit the sack at 8 PM, up at four]....

Congratulations to Jon Lester for twirling a no-hitter, 7-0 over KC. As dearest Melanie will tell you, the first lefty to do so at the Fens since 1956 [a year in which our righty trumped that, with a perfecto, in the WS, which we won, no less, 2-0 over Newk]. Way to come back, JL.

Matt has an offer on his house! Maybe that is why I could not sleep: checked traffic, saw Cathy had sent an e-mail wondering if I could contact him, so I woke up the blighter and had 'im call 'is wifey.

May 19th. It's Pixie's birthday!! I sent her a nice Kokopelli birthday e-card [back in 2001, when she had known me for one and one-half days, she sent me a similar Kokopelli card on MY birthday]. So, she loved the card, and I am glad. Pix may have broken up with me, but she's still a good person, and we're still friends. We could still pal around, except she's in Tyler, Tejas. Happy birthday, Pix.