My Zazzle

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Good AJ, Bad AJ, Jekyll, Hyde

So AJ Burnett threw a meatball and Reid Brignac [9th place hitter, by the by] deposited it over the wall for a two run tweet... AJ was [understandably] annoyed. On the half-inning break, he went to the clubhouse. Going in, he slapped the door open with his palms. The edges of the plastic lineup card holder lacerated his palms, but not so badly that he required stitches. He told the trainer that he had stumbled and scratched his palms in the process. Later, after the game, he 'fessed up. Meantime, full of adrenalin, he overthrew in the third and was yanked.

Now, here's the interesting part. Of course, the Yanks were in a hole. Of course, the long men gave up more runs, and the Yanks ended up on the short end of the stick, 10-5. "Fans" are now comparing AJ to Kevin Brown, who once punched a wall and broke his pitching hand. "Fans" are unfavorably comparing AJ to Paul O'Neill, because Paulie had "fire" and came through in the clutch [obviously, these "fans" are forgetting Game 2 of last year's World Series...{{Recap - Phils won Game One in NYC. AJ pitched a gem and the Yanks went on to win the WS in six games.}}]

Of course, Mister Torre covered for Paulie. Once, O'Neill jammed his thumb in the process of blasting a water cooler, and it affected his swing [causing him to slump at the plate for several weeks]. Hell, our Captain, Mr. November, Derek Jeter, scored the winning run in one of those colossal 2001 World Series games and while doing so, stomped the plate to the point that his ankles took a beating. In the regular season, he probably would have missed a few games. Mickey Mantle used to smash things with regularity. Once, while golfing, he muffed a shot. Whitey Ford gave him some guff, so Mick swung his club at a tree in frustration. Naturally, he missed. He DID follow through, though, and gashed his shin for several stitches.

Proclamation time! So many of these "fans" have the attention spans of gnats and/or the video game baseball mentality, that they truly do not understand. Have patience, learn the game, and stop pissing us fans off who actually know something about the game. By the way, those of you who have never played the game, stop pontificating. OF COURSE it was a stupid thing to do for AJ to whack the door. He was frustrated. That's an emotion. Baseball involves emotion. People are emotional. Numbnuts who want to immediately trade AJ [guess what, geniuses? With AJ's contract, you could not GIVE him away! hahaha!] could greatly use perspective. Too bad y'all sit in mom's basement, not getting any [perspective! Damnit - focus!]. For many reasons, I wish there was adult baseball in America. Not just for professionals, but neighborhoods, even. Guess the concept of neighborhood unity kinda went away with the advent of Suburbia, but that's the topic of another post, I guess.

So, give AJ a break. He's a good guy and respected in the clubhouse. He'll be back. Meantime, Chicken Littles and Negative Nancys, the Yankees are in First Place. Oh, and icing on the cake? Best Record in Baseball. Like the Ol' Perfesser always used to say: "You could look it up".


Thursday, July 15, 2010

Back

Back's doing better - the disc injury seems to be healing pretty nicely. Slow, out of shape [drinking beer has a lot to do with the general condition, too]. Twisted and got a strain in the checkout aisle of the local store, of all things! That was on Saturday. I have taken off from working out for several days, in order to let that heal up.
After work today, I am going to splash the Pelican boat and go for a nice kayak paddle. Nothing overly strenuous, as I have not paddled for ten months or so. Really. Afterward, reckon I will enjoy a beer. [Anonymous, do you still have that Chelada in your fridge? Mmmmmm..... prolly ice cold by now ;-)]

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Loss

Bob Sheppard has passed away. The PA announcer for Yankee Stadium since 1951, he was colloquially known as "The Voice of God". Bob served as a gunnery officer in the Navy during the war, reaching the rank of Lieutenant before returning to civilian life after hostilities ceased. Fair winds and following seas, LT Sheppard.

George Steinbrenner passed away. The Boss brought the Yankees back from Desolation Row of the mid and late Sixties, and he deserves great credit for it. I imagine Bob Sheppard announcing him across the Pearly Gates....

My condolences to the families of both men.
God Bless.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Soccer and Patriotism

You might have guessed, I really enjoy soccer. I am also a patriot. So, here's two things which really annoy me:

[1] People who claim they are patriotic, but say they hate soccer and could not care less if the American team loses. Ever hear of Stephen Decatur? [Yes, dear "Anonymous", he was talking about foreign politics and I am drawing things out a bit, but whatever. No, "Whatever", I am not requesting your presence, either! ;-)] I say it's okay if you do not like soccer, and choose to remain oblivious. Personal right and choice and all of that. But, if you are aware of the American team and you hope they lose? Man, that's not cool [well, unless you are cheering on your OWN nation's team!]. Un-patriotic!

[2] People who claim to be soccer fans who say things like "I would cheer my own team, but they can never win the World Cup, so I will cheer on Brazil or_____ {fill in the blank with current favourite to win, and please note that Brazil just got their arses handed to them by Germany, 4-0, so pick another}. Point being, how do you know they can't win it? Did you think Georgetown would crush Villanova? Did you think the Dodgers would hold on and win the pennant in '51? Did you give up on the Yankees in 1978? How do you know? Stop jumping on the bandwagon already!! Cheer your own team!!

I think it is probably a generational thing. We had a good team back in the 20's and 30's, but lost something during Pax Americana.... I think we got in a habit of looking down on the rest of the world and saw soccer as part of that, thought we were superior and that everything foreign was contemptible. The American team beat England in the World Cup, 1-0, in 1950. Didja know that? Yet, the US team spent the next 40 years, fruitlessly being a small fish in a small, backwater pond [CONCACAF - basically North and Central America]. Lack of public support, and, public disdain even. We can do better. We ARE getting there.

Now, that band-wagon thing. Attention spans rivaling that of a gnat certainly play a part, and I am guessing that with maturity comes wisdom, and perhaps, patience. [Wishing band-wagoners would consider Cub fans, loyal since 1908.]

With that, Happy Independence Day!
Go, hot dog eaters! [Noon ET from Coney Island, on ESPN].
Go, Lance Armstrong! [Tour de France prelude was yesterday, full ride begins today.]
Go, Yankees!
Go, team!
and,
USA! USA!
:-)