Not 97

1997 has come and gone, and things are no longer the same. For me, I'm not in uniform, nor do I live in New Orleans any longer. I'm not married to that person any more, and despite the cost, I am far better off. But, enough about me.....

Mike Mussina no longer has the velocity he had in '97. Gone are the days when he will come within an out or two of a perfect game. Nowadays, batters who suffer the ignomy of going out on strikes against him sulk away sullenly, grinding their teeth and perhaps grinding sawdust out of their bat, thinking that they shoulda, coulda, woulda done better. That, my friends, is Pitching.

Moose (apparently now channelling Jamie Moyer ;-) ) is finding ways to keep the Yankees in ballgames. Last night in Cleveland, our lads were no-hit through five scoreless frames. Mike went five, allowing only two runs and keeping the Yanks alive for a four run outburst in the sixth. Enough to win, both for him personally (now 3 and 3) and the Yanks as a team, now 2 games up on .500 and salvaging a split with the Indians.

Now, all you haters who say such bad things about Mr. Mussina - he's not going to throw the ball through a wall. Get over it, and get over the vitriol. Get over yourselves. Wang is nearly light's-out and Andy has been a stalwart. With the kids having growing pains, we need Moose to be the glue that holds the rotation together. Having found his way, he has become that glue. Don't expect 20 wins from the Moose, but do expect a post-season appearance from the Bombers.

Yes, it Could

Yes, it could, and wouldn't ya know it? She's single, and interested in keeping it that way. But, I like her company, and she seems to enjoy mine [and, she's good to look at, too, and intelligent, and good to talk with, and a lot of good stuff]. Reckon there's more to follow :-)

Working Wimmin

When ya get into a rut, boy, it is difficult to break out of it! I promised Melanie that I would write at some length, though, and so I shall.

The rut involves working women and my dilemma. You see, I like women who work. [Well, as a generality, I like working women, but I am speaking of a few certain individuals here].

When dear Pixie departed, I came out to the East Coast to work, and work is wonderful. I love the work setting, the work I do, and the people I work with. Living at the beach is pretty cool, too. Great area!

Pix wanted to follow her career, and I have no issue with that. Except, she says she doesn't like the East Coast [Personally, I think that if she actually came out here, she would really enjoy it, but she's pretty stubborn.] So, she finished off her degree [and I am so proud of her for it!] and is using it to better her career. This is taking her to Tyler, Tejas. Long-distance relationships just don't make a lot of sense when there is no light at the end of the tunnel, and she was concerned about potential liability issues, so she filed for divorce, and I've got another ex. Now, all joking aside, we're still on good terms and I consider Andrea one of my dearest friends.

So, exactly how does that impact my daily life? Trend analysis, chum. Here in VB, I have had two women say that they would go out with me [although neither has actually done so at this point, but that's just scheduling, right?] [Oh, and one other gal at the supermarket gave me her phone number, but it was disconnected and I think she's off to rehab or some such sad story].

You see, the two gals I like best down here work and have definite plans for their career, and like I said before, I have no issue with that. One must be the best that they may, and strive for excellence, and I support that. Alas, each has no time and in the end, will be leaving the area.

Marina. What a gal! Imagine Angelina Jolie, but taller, brunette, rounder face and less collagen. She's saving up to tour America in the summer, and works two jobs. I've seen her fall asleep, leaning against the wall, standing. Each position began as a part-time assignment, but when yer good, they keep passing ya the ball, right? Last week, she skated ten shifts. That's two full-time jobs! Well, she'll have to get used to business and sleep deprivation, because she returns to Omsk in August to med school. I admire her work ethic and I've told her so, and I am proud of her success. Little time to date, and that is unfortunate, but she said she would. We just have not been able to work out the scheduling details.

Smiley. The girl next door [not literally - she lives and works across town, takes me 20 minutes to drive over and visit on a good-traffic day], but ya know? She's actually a striking blonde, takes yer breath away when she's cleaned-up, but dresses comfortably for work. Great personality [hence the nickname!]; I began by enjoying a steak and beer in her serving area, but over time, discovered that I actually had feelings for her - enough to drive across town on my off day in order to be able to share the space-time continuum, eh? Coming up on finals, and working full-time, which once again inhibits the scheduling process. She's an aspiring actress, and while that ensures I'll get a really nice autographed photo, it also ensures that she'll have to leave the area to follow her career. [Ok, ok, there's an ex in the process for her, and he has the inner track, but that's life, right?]

Three gals, three careers. I am determined, but I am not going to "settle". I am not going to resort to a matchmaking site and I am not going to frequent nightclubs. I, too, am stubborn. I'm going to meet someone whom I like, and go about the process the old-school way. No, I'm not going to try and persuade anyone to change their plans, either. That would not be cricket ;-) I just need to find someone whose career actually takes them here instead of away. It could happen, couldn't it?

Two Games and Knocked Out

Ian Kennedy was trying to pitch to his reputation early on this season [against Tampa and KC in his first two outings]. As a result, he was trying to be too fine, and [in a nutshell?] got shelled as a result.

Last night he had a strong performance again against the Rays, and only got knocked out of the game when he [literally] got knocked out of the game [by a liner off the hip]. Remember what I had to say about two games? IPK's coming around.....

Robbie pinch-hit last night and blasted one against Al Reyes..... man, talk about Old Reliable! Death, taxes, Al Reyes giving up home runs - one can count on a few things in life. Just applied for an extension, as I just did get in one of my W2 forms =:-0 A-Rod whacked #521 to join Ted Williams and Big Willie McCovey on the all-time list, and THAT is rarified air, my friends!

Moose is looking a whole lot better than last year, too, and I am optimistic. With Joba on the bereavement list, Jon Albaladejo has been called-up. In other news, Chad Moeller has come up to spell JoMo at backup catcher [Willie Bet has pinkeye - so THAT's why he can't see well enough to hit the damn ball? Maybe KK has the same affliction?]

More Than Baseball

Joba Chamberlain has returned home rather than accompany the Yanks to Tampa. His dad, Harlan, who battles a number of ailments, collapsed and is in critical condition. Sometimes, there are more important things than baseball. Best wishes, Harlan.

Stiff

Gosh, I am stiff today!
No, it's not the weather, nor my advancing age. I ran down to Rudee Inlet again yesterday after doing the same circuit on Friday afternoon. Had a cracking good time Friday, a hair over 8 minutes per mile. Saturday was not as warm, maybe 74F but nice, had a good time going, but began to feel leaden. My right calf was beginning to get heavy, so I shut things down and walked the last eight minutes. Kept the timer going, finished a bit under 49 minutes.

Today, I've decided not to run, and to avoid Hindu Squats as well. No sense prolonging things, eh? So, hydrate up, plenty of NSAIDs and ice [ack!] and I'll be back on track [like that pun?] in no time :-)

Who's Buried at....

Link accessible by clicking on story title - thanks!

So, a Bronx Benedict Arnold has buried a David Ortiz Red Socks jersey under the new Yankee Stadium in hopes that it will curse the Yankees for the next 30 years....

Doofus. Thank you for answering the question of "Who's buried at Yankee Stadium":

[1] Ortiz

[2] Boston

[3] Your $88 per hour job, since you evidently engage in misconduct.

Oh, and no worries about the negative energy, Gino - we've had a Wiccan witch banish that stuff in a special ceremony [after which - get it? hahaha] a Boston jersey got beaten with a broom. "So easy a cave man could do it?" Not in your case, chum. Leave the curses to those who do it right, numnutz [Bambino, Billy Goat...]

Now, on to brass tacks. One can see that this new "curse" did not affect the old Stadium, as Cy Wang nearly no-hit Boston, winning 3-1 in a masterful complete game. Three wins already! Three wins last year on May 19, and he got 19 overall. Wanger is last year's Beckett :-) Speaking of Bex, he goes this afternoon against Moose, who has erased the vestiges of time, or so it would appear. 3:55 EDT on Fox, and I'll be there :-)

Now, I am certain that Miss Melanie will have a differing view of things, and I welcome her riposte, but even her vaunted logic cannot assuage one vital concept: Traitors should be dealt with appropriately.

2 Games

Two games do not a season make. Two games to KC, when the bats were not working. Phil started but got beat. Ian did not start due to omnipresent squalling, yet the game went on. Brian Bruney got the nod, and went two scoreless, with Billy Traber again looking good in the third. Kyle's gone Krazy again, and Ian finally came in beginning the sixth after being held out in case there was a rain delay.

Two games in September, and Ian was anointed our saviour, one of the Three Amigos. Two games in April, and he's a bum. Two games is not enough to form an opinion upon. Ian is a talented fellow with great promise. He's a rookie. The Yanks have a losing record. It's April. Relax.

[Confidential to Dear Melanie and all of the other denizens of the Fens near and dear to my heart: Thank God for the Red Sox - otherwise, WE would be in the cellar! Ooh! Scary monsters in the cellar!! LOL]

[P.P.S. to sweet Gretchen from Eight Mile: I know it's fashionable to love those scruffy Red Socks, all Cowboy'd Up and all, and the Tigers ARE the home team.... gosh, it MUST be tough to love TWO last place teams :-( Come over to the Dark Side, Baby - the Manhattan Maulers await. Break on through.....] ;-)

Pouring it on

Bobby Abreu, Wrecking Crew.
Homer, triple, single. At this rate, maybe even room in '09.
Mike Mussina, six innings, one run [earned].
We need this guy!
Bruney, Farnsworth, Hawkins, one scoreless inning apiece, Bruney with a Hold.
Matsui and Rodriguez tearing the cover off the ball.
Jeter out wif a sore hammy. Cold-weather injury.
He'll be missed.
He'll be back.

Now, Young Master Philip, in KC, against young scion Bannister
[a great mistake by the Mets, if I do say so myself].
Go Yankees!

Miracle Mario

So, Mario Chalmers hits for three with a few ticks left [2.9, actually] to send the game into OT. Kansas had been down by nine with a little over two minutes back, but Memphis couldn't sink a FT to save their [well, national title hopes, anyway] and our Jayhawks surged back into contention.

Once in OT, Memphis was out of gas and so on to #3. Kansas has now won three national championships in basketball, and I have enjoyed three in a row: UF '06, UF '07, KU '08. What a lucky man, he was....

Tick Tock

Marina.
August.
Wallace is now on the clock.
I can be very persuasive.
Dig it.

Rock, Chalk.....

That's right. Since the Gator Boyz won't be winning the NCAAs this year, I will tell you that I was born in Kansas, and much of my family is from there/still there. Indeed, lovely blonde cuz, Sandy [Colonel] graduated from KU.

A bone to pick: the game STARTS at 9:21 PM.
I get up at 4 AM to go off to NOB and do it all again, and since I am not inclined to follow sweet Marina's lead on this [the poor dear got 90 minutes of sleep and was yawning and falling asleep at dinner tonight], I will be hitting the hay at 8:30.

Go, KU!
Rock
Chalk
Jayhawk!

Cy Wang

2-nil, Yanks over those devilish Rays. Six shutout innings by Chien-Ming, two more for the hold by Joba, and The Great Mariano slams the door in the ninth. Effective pitching :-)

Oh, and the hitting? Newlywed Hideki Matsui cracks the ball, over the wall and touches 'em all, scoring Alexander Rodriguez with the winner [who else?].

Make a mental note: this one's a classic.
Shades of Larson over Newcombe when Mantle took a 2-2 pitch deep and made a running catch to seal it in center. Well done, Yanks.

Once More (With Feeling)

Once through the vaunted order, and the Yanks are two up and three down. The one-time lowly Rays are threatening to sweep. Cy Wang and Phranchise Hughes have come through. Andy P, Moose and Moose Lite have not.

If this continues, we're in for a long season. My point exactly. It IS a long season. 162 games, plus up to 19 more, potentially. We've been ONCE through the order, with 33 or so more turns to go. Relax. We'll win five in a row before you can say "Jack Robinson". We'll lose five straight, too.

162.
157.
Maybe 19.
We'll be fine.
Really.
Relax.

Девушка дня рождения

С днем рождения, Марина!
Препятствуйте дождю упасть по мере того как он может, только не позволить никакие осадки в вашем сердце, ибо ваш специальный день, и вы имеете друзей
:-)

Yes, this is Russian, and yes, it's on purpose.
No, I'm not telling ;-)

April Showers

It's raining outside. Again.
I really do not mind TOO terribly.
I could go running if I wanted - one tends to perspire anyway.
Doesn't affect my work, either.... I'm either in my office or out on the hangar bay floor, or on one of the boats [you guessed it, getting wet]. No worries on the Noah front: I live by the ocean. Plenty of boats ;-)