Justin Verlander is a Tiger no more. After a nearly a dozen seasons in Detroit, the 2011 AL Cy Young and MVP winner has been dealt to the Houston Astros for three minor leaguers and $10 million in cash. Verlander had wanted to go to the Chicago Cubs, but the Tigers didn't like the minor leaguers Theo Epstein was prepared to offer. So Verlander heads to the eye of the storm instead.
Although the Astros have a relatively comfortable 11.5 game lead in the AL West, Houston came back down to earth with an 11-18 August. The Astros needed a top starter as 2015 AL Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel and Collin McHugh have struggled and are awaiting Lance McCullers, Jr. return from the DL and are likely to want to ease him back into the rotation. Verlander more than meets those credentials.
Verlander has been a fixture in Detroit since 2006 when he won the AL Rookie of the Year on a surprise AL pennant winner. He leaves the Motor City with a record of 183-114 with a 3.49 ERA and 2,373 career strikeouts. Verlander has pitched in two World Series and has tossed two no-hitters not to mention landing Kate Upton. In 28 starts this season, Verlander is 10-8 with a 3.82 ERA with 176 strikeouts. At 34, Verlander has a chance at both 300 wins and 3,000 strikeouts and possibly a plaque in Cooperstown.
Astros fans will be delighted that Verlander won't be a rental as he will be under contract with Houston through 2019 plus a vesting option in 2020. His arrival will also be a nice respite from dealing Hurricane Harvey.
This wasn't the only Justin the Tigers traded today. Earlier, the Tigers traded outfielder Justin Upton to the Los Angeles Angels. The Halos also added Atlanta Braves second baseman Brandon Phillips. Upton and Phillips will likely be rentals for the Angels as Upton has an opt out provision in his contract while Phillips will become a free agent at season's end. Wherever Upton ends up next season, he and Verlander could very well meet each other in the ALDS if the Angels should capture an AL Wild Card spot. To make room for Upton, the Angels sent Cameron Maybin to the Astros. Although Maybin is essentially a fourth outfielder, he is tied with new teammate Jose Altuve for the AL lead in stolen bases with 29.
Meanwhile, the Tigers rebuilding project has only just begun. Will the rebuilding be done with or without Brad Ausmus?
But right now all eyes are on Houston, but this time for a good reason.
Thursday, August 31, 2017
Richard Anderson, R.I.P.
Actor Richard Anderson, best known for his portrayal of Oscar Goldman in both The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman, has passed away at the age of 91.
Before achieving bionic level fame, Anderson was a fixture on TV from the 1950's through the 1990's. His TV credits include Wagon Train, The Untouchables, The Rifleman, The Man from U.N.C.L.E, The Big Valley, Columbo, Fantasy Island, Simon & Simon and Kung Fu: The Legend Continues. Anderson also made several appearances on The Fugitive including on the series finale (which I saw the other night on The Decades Network).
Aside from The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman, Anderson was also a series regular on Zorro, the final season of Perry Mason and Dan August. Anderson also appeared in movies such as Forbidden Planet, Stanley Kubrick's Paths of Glory, The Long, Hot Summer and Seven Days in May.
Here is Anderson discussing his career in a hour long interview recorded in 2014. R.I.P.
Before achieving bionic level fame, Anderson was a fixture on TV from the 1950's through the 1990's. His TV credits include Wagon Train, The Untouchables, The Rifleman, The Man from U.N.C.L.E, The Big Valley, Columbo, Fantasy Island, Simon & Simon and Kung Fu: The Legend Continues. Anderson also made several appearances on The Fugitive including on the series finale (which I saw the other night on The Decades Network).
Aside from The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman, Anderson was also a series regular on Zorro, the final season of Perry Mason and Dan August. Anderson also appeared in movies such as Forbidden Planet, Stanley Kubrick's Paths of Glory, The Long, Hot Summer and Seven Days in May.
Here is Anderson discussing his career in a hour long interview recorded in 2014. R.I.P.
A Thought for Princess Diana 20 Years Later
I had seen Diana, Princess of Wales once, from a distance.
It was in London's Hyde Park during the 50th anniversary of VE Day in April 1995. It was one of the last appearances Di made with Prince Charles. Their entire Royal Family was present were the likes of then Vice-President Al Gore and his then wife Tipper, then Prime Minister John Major, then leader of the Official Opposition Tony Blair, then Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien and then Israel Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who would be snuffed out by an assassin's bullet less than seven months later.
When I learned that Diana, Princess of Wales was in a car accident, I was at home in Ottawa and immediately remembered that Sunday afternoon in Hyde Park nearly two and half years earlier. At the time, I was renting a room from a woman with a rather unpleasant disposition.
But when we learned of the accident we spent some time together and when we learned she had died, we hugged. Unfortunately, the goodwill did not last and I would move out three months later.
Yet it was apparent to both of us that notwithstanding what might have been written in the tabloids, Diana came off as a decent human being who used her prestige to help others without seeking glory for herself. This decency has been carried out by her sons William and Harry.
Diana was cruelly cut down in the prime of her life. Fortunately, her legacy carries on.
Je Ne Suis Pas Charlie Hebdo....Pour Toujours
I think Byron York's response to the Charlie Hebdo cover depicting Nazi flags covered by water with the caption, "God Drowned All The Neo-Nazis of Texas" was perfect:
"Today, we are not all Charlie Hebdo."
Such a cartoon and caption could only be written by a group of people who know nothing of Texas. The idea that the Lone Star state is homogeneous much less one that subscribes to Nazism is a preposterous fallacy. More than a third of the state is Hispanic. A quarter of Houston residents are African-American. So Texas voted for Trump. But even so and even if Texas were 95% white, no one deserves to be kicked while they are down.
With all that said, I don't believe anyone from Paris, Texas will fly to Paris, France and shoot up the Charlie Hebdo offices. Nor should Charlie Hebdo be subject to any penalty by the French government. Charlie Hebdo has every right to put out whatever cover they see fit. In turn, the French public has every right not to buy it and I have the right to declare their cover to be stupid and cruel.
However, the people of Texas, particularly the people of Houston, will survive the stupidity and cruelty of Charlie Hebdo and rebuild from Hurricane HarveyThis cover says more about them than it could ever say about the people of Texas.
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Je ne suis pas Charlie Hebdo....pour toujours.
"Today, we are not all Charlie Hebdo."
Such a cartoon and caption could only be written by a group of people who know nothing of Texas. The idea that the Lone Star state is homogeneous much less one that subscribes to Nazism is a preposterous fallacy. More than a third of the state is Hispanic. A quarter of Houston residents are African-American. So Texas voted for Trump. But even so and even if Texas were 95% white, no one deserves to be kicked while they are down.
With all that said, I don't believe anyone from Paris, Texas will fly to Paris, France and shoot up the Charlie Hebdo offices. Nor should Charlie Hebdo be subject to any penalty by the French government. Charlie Hebdo has every right to put out whatever cover they see fit. In turn, the French public has every right not to buy it and I have the right to declare their cover to be stupid and cruel.
However, the people of Texas, particularly the people of Houston, will survive the stupidity and cruelty of Charlie Hebdo and rebuild from Hurricane HarveyThis cover says more about them than it could ever say about the people of Texas.
Je ne suis pas Charlie Hebdo....pour toujours.
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Skip Prokop, Co-Founder of Canadian Rock Band Lighthouse, Dead at 73, R.I.P.
Drummer and singer-songwriter Ronald Harry "Skip" Prokop, co-founder of the 1970's Canadian rock band Lighthouse, passed away today at the age of 73. The cause of death is not known, but Prokop had been ill for several years with heart troubles and diabetes and had withdrawn from performing.
A native of Hamilton, Ontario, Prokop played drums and contributed songs to the Toronto based psychedelic band The Paupers from 1966 to 1968. The Paupers were managed by Albert Grossman, who also managed Bob Dylan. Because of this connection, The Paupers were invited to play at the Monterey Pop Festival in June 1967. It was there that Prokop's drumming came to the attention of Al Kooper who asked Prokop to join him and Mike Bloomfield to play on their live album The Live Adventures of Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper. Following this collaboration, Prokop participated in some recording sessions with Janis Joplin in an effort to form a new version of Big Brother and The Holding Company, but this did not pan out.
Prokop returned to Canada and in 1969 co-founded Lighthouse with Paul Hoffert. When they made their live debut they were introduced by none other than Duke Ellington. If you are unfamiliar with Lighthouse, think of them as a cross between Chicago and Blood, Sweat & Tears. Lighthouse was very nearly as popular as The Guess Who during the early 1970's. Unlike The Guess Who, Lighthouse didn't have nearly as much success in this country notwithstanding their appearance at the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival and a live album they recorded at New York City's Carnegie Hall in 1972
Prokop wrote or co-wrote virtually all of Lighthouse's hits. Two of their biggest were "One Fine Morning" and "Sunny Days" which featured the vocals of Bob McBride. However, McBride wasn't always reliable. In fact, he disappeared completely when the band recorded their 1973 album Can You Feel It and Prokop had to fill in as the band's lead vocalist. The result their third big hit "Pretty Lady" which is my favorite Lighthouse song.
"Pretty Lady" proved to be Lighthouse's last hurrah. The group would record one more album in 1974 and call it quits by 1976. However, Three Dog Night had a hit with the Prokop penned "I'd Be So Happy" later that year. Here are both versions:
Those of you under the age of 30 might actually recognize the melody of "I'd Be So Happy" because it was sampled by hip-hop artist French Montana on his 2013 hit "Once in a While":
After a one off Lighthouse reunion in 1982, the group made it permanent in 1992 and toured Canada every summer since although Prokop would be replaced on drums by his son Jamie following his illness in 2014.
In 1970, Prokop made history when he became the first musician to speak before Canada's House of Commons. Shortly thereafter, the Canadian government enacted Canadian content rules which benefited Lighthouse and other Canadian recording artists and continues to do so to this very day. It is a shame that Prokop's contribution to Canadian music and to popular music in the late 1960's and early 1970's has been sorely overlooked. Perhaps now he will get some measure of renewed recognition even if he isn't around to appreciate it. He now rests with the other characters who traveled west in 1849. R.I.P.
A native of Hamilton, Ontario, Prokop played drums and contributed songs to the Toronto based psychedelic band The Paupers from 1966 to 1968. The Paupers were managed by Albert Grossman, who also managed Bob Dylan. Because of this connection, The Paupers were invited to play at the Monterey Pop Festival in June 1967. It was there that Prokop's drumming came to the attention of Al Kooper who asked Prokop to join him and Mike Bloomfield to play on their live album The Live Adventures of Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper. Following this collaboration, Prokop participated in some recording sessions with Janis Joplin in an effort to form a new version of Big Brother and The Holding Company, but this did not pan out.
Prokop returned to Canada and in 1969 co-founded Lighthouse with Paul Hoffert. When they made their live debut they were introduced by none other than Duke Ellington. If you are unfamiliar with Lighthouse, think of them as a cross between Chicago and Blood, Sweat & Tears. Lighthouse was very nearly as popular as The Guess Who during the early 1970's. Unlike The Guess Who, Lighthouse didn't have nearly as much success in this country notwithstanding their appearance at the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival and a live album they recorded at New York City's Carnegie Hall in 1972
Prokop wrote or co-wrote virtually all of Lighthouse's hits. Two of their biggest were "One Fine Morning" and "Sunny Days" which featured the vocals of Bob McBride. However, McBride wasn't always reliable. In fact, he disappeared completely when the band recorded their 1973 album Can You Feel It and Prokop had to fill in as the band's lead vocalist. The result their third big hit "Pretty Lady" which is my favorite Lighthouse song.
"Pretty Lady" proved to be Lighthouse's last hurrah. The group would record one more album in 1974 and call it quits by 1976. However, Three Dog Night had a hit with the Prokop penned "I'd Be So Happy" later that year. Here are both versions:
Those of you under the age of 30 might actually recognize the melody of "I'd Be So Happy" because it was sampled by hip-hop artist French Montana on his 2013 hit "Once in a While":
After a one off Lighthouse reunion in 1982, the group made it permanent in 1992 and toured Canada every summer since although Prokop would be replaced on drums by his son Jamie following his illness in 2014.
In 1970, Prokop made history when he became the first musician to speak before Canada's House of Commons. Shortly thereafter, the Canadian government enacted Canadian content rules which benefited Lighthouse and other Canadian recording artists and continues to do so to this very day. It is a shame that Prokop's contribution to Canadian music and to popular music in the late 1960's and early 1970's has been sorely overlooked. Perhaps now he will get some measure of renewed recognition even if he isn't around to appreciate it. He now rests with the other characters who traveled west in 1849. R.I.P.
The Nashville Statement Reminds Me That Jesus Was a Capricorn
There has been a great deal of fanfare regarding the release of The Nashville Statement by a group of Evangelical Christians called the Coalition for Biblical Sexuality. This coalition includes some of the usual suspects such as Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council and James Dobson of Focus on the Family.
Given the topic of discussion is centered around biblical sexuality, the coalition's ire is directed against LGBT people over the course of 14 articles. Take a look at Article 7:
WE AFFIRM that self-conception as male or female should be defined by God’s holy purposes in creation and redemption as revealed in Scripture.
WE DENY that adopting a homosexual or transgender self-conception is consistent with God’s holy purposes in creation and redemption.
When I read an article such as this I am reminded of Kris Kristofferson's song "Jesus Was a Capricorn" which I had the privilege of hearing from the man himself this past May:
'Cause everybody's gotta have somebody to look down on
Who they can feel better than at any time they please
Someone doin' somethin' dirty decent folks can frown on
If you can't find nobody else, then help yourself to me
Needless to say, this collection of Evangelical Christians have LGBT people to look down on and probably always will. Of course, it isn't every Evangelical who thinks this way. There are many who serve God by blessing people and lifting their spirits. Unfortunately, there are just as many who serve God by cursing people and destroying their spirits. The people who drafted and have signed The Nashville Statement subscribe to the latter instead of the former.
Given the topic of discussion is centered around biblical sexuality, the coalition's ire is directed against LGBT people over the course of 14 articles. Take a look at Article 7:
WE AFFIRM that self-conception as male or female should be defined by God’s holy purposes in creation and redemption as revealed in Scripture.
WE DENY that adopting a homosexual or transgender self-conception is consistent with God’s holy purposes in creation and redemption.
When I read an article such as this I am reminded of Kris Kristofferson's song "Jesus Was a Capricorn" which I had the privilege of hearing from the man himself this past May:
'Cause everybody's gotta have somebody to look down on
Who they can feel better than at any time they please
Someone doin' somethin' dirty decent folks can frown on
If you can't find nobody else, then help yourself to me
Needless to say, this collection of Evangelical Christians have LGBT people to look down on and probably always will. Of course, it isn't every Evangelical who thinks this way. There are many who serve God by blessing people and lifting their spirits. Unfortunately, there are just as many who serve God by cursing people and destroying their spirits. The people who drafted and have signed The Nashville Statement subscribe to the latter instead of the former.
Friday, August 25, 2017
Two Reasons Why I'm Troubled By Trump's Pardon of Arpaio
I cannot say I am surprised by President Trump's decision to pardon former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, but I am troubled by it.
The first reason I am troubled by it is because he bestowed it upon one of his most vocal supporters. Had Arpaio been a critic of Trump don't you think the President would be calling him "Crooked Joe"?
Of course, Trump isn't the first President to pardon a political ally. President Clinton's pardon of Marc Rich immediately springs to mind. As egregious as Clinton's pardon was of Rich it came during the final hours of his presidency. Trump pardoned Arpaio eight months into his presidency. Under the circumstances, I believe it is reasonable to wonder if Trump will use this power to benefit his allies who are on the wrong side of the law or who could be in that position in a way none of his predecessors has ever conceived. I think it is safe to say this will not be the last time President Trump uses this get out of jail free card on behalf of his supporters.
The second reason I am troubled by this pardon is because it is a clear endorsement of racial profiling. After all, the reason Arpaio ran afoul of the law was because he defied court orders to refrain from engaging in the practice and was convicted in a court of law for his willful defiance. Trump's pardon will only encourage law enforcement to engage in more racial profiling and thus more violations of due process without fear of being held accountable by federal authorities.
Of course, President Trump is within his authority to pardon anyone he pleases. But as the old saying goes, 'Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should.' Unfortunately for us discretion isn't part of Trump's repertoire.
The first reason I am troubled by it is because he bestowed it upon one of his most vocal supporters. Had Arpaio been a critic of Trump don't you think the President would be calling him "Crooked Joe"?
Of course, Trump isn't the first President to pardon a political ally. President Clinton's pardon of Marc Rich immediately springs to mind. As egregious as Clinton's pardon was of Rich it came during the final hours of his presidency. Trump pardoned Arpaio eight months into his presidency. Under the circumstances, I believe it is reasonable to wonder if Trump will use this power to benefit his allies who are on the wrong side of the law or who could be in that position in a way none of his predecessors has ever conceived. I think it is safe to say this will not be the last time President Trump uses this get out of jail free card on behalf of his supporters.
The second reason I am troubled by this pardon is because it is a clear endorsement of racial profiling. After all, the reason Arpaio ran afoul of the law was because he defied court orders to refrain from engaging in the practice and was convicted in a court of law for his willful defiance. Trump's pardon will only encourage law enforcement to engage in more racial profiling and thus more violations of due process without fear of being held accountable by federal authorities.
Of course, President Trump is within his authority to pardon anyone he pleases. But as the old saying goes, 'Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should.' Unfortunately for us discretion isn't part of Trump's repertoire.
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
Rich Hill Throws 9 No Hit Innings...And It Wasn't Enough
Rich Hill, the 37-year old journeyman pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, pitched the most magnificent game of his career. And he lost.
Hill carried a perfect game into the 9th inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates until an error by Logan Forsythe marred it. But Hill managed to throw 9 no hit innings. The problem was the score was 0-0. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts brought Hill out for the 10th inning and Josh Harrison hit one over the wall just out of the reach of newly acquired Dodgers left fielder Curtis Granderson. No-hitter gone. Game lost 1-0.
A no-hitter would have been a nice feather in Hill's cap whose career has been plagued by injuries including both shoulder and elbow surgery. He did have a career high 12 wins with a 2.12 ERA last year which he split in Oakland and L.A. and was 9-4 coming into tonight's game.
Hill did end up making history. Unfortunately, it was for all the wrong reasons.
On the other hand, the Dodgers have far and away the best record in MLB some 20.5 games ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL West. The Dodgers are the odds on favorite to win the World Series. I'm sure Hill would prefer a World Series ring to a no-hitter. Still, it must hurt for tonight.
Hill carried a perfect game into the 9th inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates until an error by Logan Forsythe marred it. But Hill managed to throw 9 no hit innings. The problem was the score was 0-0. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts brought Hill out for the 10th inning and Josh Harrison hit one over the wall just out of the reach of newly acquired Dodgers left fielder Curtis Granderson. No-hitter gone. Game lost 1-0.
A no-hitter would have been a nice feather in Hill's cap whose career has been plagued by injuries including both shoulder and elbow surgery. He did have a career high 12 wins with a 2.12 ERA last year which he split in Oakland and L.A. and was 9-4 coming into tonight's game.
Hill did end up making history. Unfortunately, it was for all the wrong reasons.
On the other hand, the Dodgers have far and away the best record in MLB some 20.5 games ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL West. The Dodgers are the odds on favorite to win the World Series. I'm sure Hill would prefer a World Series ring to a no-hitter. Still, it must hurt for tonight.
ESPN's Decision To Remove Robert Lee From UVA Game Plays Into Trump's Hands
As you know by now, ESPN has made a mockery of itself for removing announcer Robert Lee from next month's University of Virginia game because of his name. Read their explanation:
We collectively made the decision with Robert to switch games as the tragic events in Charlottesville were unfolding, simply because of the coincidence of his name. In that moment it felt right to all parties. It's a shame that this is even a topic of conversation and we regret that who calls play-by-play for a football game has become an issue.
Well, who exactly made this a topic of conversation? Who made this an issue?
I'm sure this was cooked up in ESPN's boardroom and now they have burned their supper.
Given the inherent absurdity of the situation and the backlash it has created I am sure ESPN will reverse course by the end of the day or by tomorrow at the latest. But the damage has been done. Of course, ESPN has damaged its brand with its vocal support of Colin Kaepernick's refusal to stand for the Star Spangled Banner and for firing Curt Schilling for having the wrong political persuasion.
Moves such as this only serve to help President Trump. It isn't quite 'today we remove a statue of Robert E. Lee and tomorrow we remove a statue of George Washington.' Rather it's today we remove a statue of Robert E. Lee and tomorrow anyone named Robert Lee will be punished for having that name. Even if they reverse course, ESPN won't be hiring anyone named Jefferson Davis in the near future.
When a mainstream media outlet likes ESPN takes political correctness to this level of absurdity it solidifies support for President Trump and makes him look rational, at least until his next tweet. But it is long enough to persuade people who voted for him to want to vote for him again.
Monday, August 21, 2017
The 1979 Total Solar Eclipse Scared The Hell Out of Me & I Feel Trepidation Now
With the hoopla surrounding today's total eclipse of the sun which will be seen in parts of North America, I couldn't help but think back to the last solar eclipse to hit the continent in February 1979.
At the time, I was six years old and was living in Victoria, British Columbia. My Dad was on sabbatical that academic year so we temporarily relocated to Western Canada from Thunder Bay, Ontario. Now Victoria wasn't directly in its path as other parts of the Pacific Northwest were in Washington and Oregon. But we were close enough to it that it was necessary to take precautions.
Frankly, the whole episode scared the hell out of me. We were sternly warned both at home and at school if we looked at the sun we would go blind. The experience of moving to a new city and a new school was enough anxiety. I didn't need to be blinded for life. Now I don't remember if school was cancelled that day or merely delayed, more likely the latter. But what I do remember from that February is having our curtains drawn while watching the whole spectacle on television. I don't remember anything else from that day other than the fact that I was relieved when the thing was over.
Nearly forty years later, I feel a similar trepidation. Although Boston is far from its path (the nearest path on the East Coast is in South Carolina) I want no part of it. I am staying indoors with the curtains drawn. Two or three minutes of spectacle isn't worth a lifetime of darkness.
Yes, there are special glasses with which one can safely view the eclipse, but a lot of those glasses are total frauds. It's simply not worth the chance. I don't deny there's a certain beauty and wonder about it. Appearances, however, are deceiving. I choose to look the other way.
At the time, I was six years old and was living in Victoria, British Columbia. My Dad was on sabbatical that academic year so we temporarily relocated to Western Canada from Thunder Bay, Ontario. Now Victoria wasn't directly in its path as other parts of the Pacific Northwest were in Washington and Oregon. But we were close enough to it that it was necessary to take precautions.
Frankly, the whole episode scared the hell out of me. We were sternly warned both at home and at school if we looked at the sun we would go blind. The experience of moving to a new city and a new school was enough anxiety. I didn't need to be blinded for life. Now I don't remember if school was cancelled that day or merely delayed, more likely the latter. But what I do remember from that February is having our curtains drawn while watching the whole spectacle on television. I don't remember anything else from that day other than the fact that I was relieved when the thing was over.
Nearly forty years later, I feel a similar trepidation. Although Boston is far from its path (the nearest path on the East Coast is in South Carolina) I want no part of it. I am staying indoors with the curtains drawn. Two or three minutes of spectacle isn't worth a lifetime of darkness.
Yes, there are special glasses with which one can safely view the eclipse, but a lot of those glasses are total frauds. It's simply not worth the chance. I don't deny there's a certain beauty and wonder about it. Appearances, however, are deceiving. I choose to look the other way.
Sunday, August 20, 2017
It Has Been One Year Since I Stopped Writing For The American Spectator & Started This Blog
Exactly one year has passed since I stopped writing for The American Spectator and started this blog.
I chose to put TAS behind me the moment Bob Tyrrell told me to lay off Donald Trump. It was the only choice I could have made under the circumstances. TAS has turned into Breitbart Lite. I simply cannot pretend Donald Trump is Jesus Christ walking on water. Don't get me wrong. I'll check in on Ross Kaminsky, Larry Thornberry or David Catron (who I had the privilege of meeting along with his wife Mary last November) from time to time. But honestly I had no place there. If I hadn't left a year ago, I would not have lasted that much longer. Certainly not after Trump's election.
I've had four pieces published at National Review Online in 2017 and hope there will be more to come. Most of the stuff I've written to this point has been fairly apolitical although my Amelia Earhart piece had some anti-Trump undertones. Perhaps I will have more of an opportunity to be overtly anti-Trump if the NRO editors are amenable. Whether this comes to pass or not, I'll continue to write what I want when I want here.
I chose to put TAS behind me the moment Bob Tyrrell told me to lay off Donald Trump. It was the only choice I could have made under the circumstances. TAS has turned into Breitbart Lite. I simply cannot pretend Donald Trump is Jesus Christ walking on water. Don't get me wrong. I'll check in on Ross Kaminsky, Larry Thornberry or David Catron (who I had the privilege of meeting along with his wife Mary last November) from time to time. But honestly I had no place there. If I hadn't left a year ago, I would not have lasted that much longer. Certainly not after Trump's election.
I've had four pieces published at National Review Online in 2017 and hope there will be more to come. Most of the stuff I've written to this point has been fairly apolitical although my Amelia Earhart piece had some anti-Trump undertones. Perhaps I will have more of an opportunity to be overtly anti-Trump if the NRO editors are amenable. Whether this comes to pass or not, I'll continue to write what I want when I want here.
When I Think of Jerry Lewis I Think of The First Day of School
I learned of Jerry Lewis' passing this afternoon on the way back home from Walden Pond.
In just under an hour, I will watch one of his appearances with Johnny Carson. Last night, Antenna TV presented a Carson episode from 1974 featuring Milton Berle. Uncle Miltie wasn't getting over with the crowd until he started impersonating the King of Comedy. L-a-a-a-d-y!!!
Lewis was at the height of his fame in the 1950's and 1960's especially with his partnership with Dean Martin. But when I think of Jerry Lewis I think of the first day of school. Of course, I am referring to his long standing gig as host of the Jerry Lewis Labor Day MDA Telethon. This meant the first day of school was the following day and with it the end of summer.
I always found the telethon to be a depressing spectacle. Aside from seeing disabled children brought up on stage and the mediocre entertainment, the awful affair was on every single channel. You couldn't watch a ballgame. I know Lewis raised millions of dollars for muscular dystrophy research but I never enjoyed watching it and, unless my parents took us out for the day, couldn't really avoid it.
The best thing to come out of it was his reunion with Martin in 1976 brokered by Frank Sinatra. R.I.P.
In just under an hour, I will watch one of his appearances with Johnny Carson. Last night, Antenna TV presented a Carson episode from 1974 featuring Milton Berle. Uncle Miltie wasn't getting over with the crowd until he started impersonating the King of Comedy. L-a-a-a-d-y!!!
Lewis was at the height of his fame in the 1950's and 1960's especially with his partnership with Dean Martin. But when I think of Jerry Lewis I think of the first day of school. Of course, I am referring to his long standing gig as host of the Jerry Lewis Labor Day MDA Telethon. This meant the first day of school was the following day and with it the end of summer.
I always found the telethon to be a depressing spectacle. Aside from seeing disabled children brought up on stage and the mediocre entertainment, the awful affair was on every single channel. You couldn't watch a ballgame. I know Lewis raised millions of dollars for muscular dystrophy research but I never enjoyed watching it and, unless my parents took us out for the day, couldn't really avoid it.
The best thing to come out of it was his reunion with Martin in 1976 brokered by Frank Sinatra. R.I.P.
Friday, August 18, 2017
Why I Won't Attend The Boston "Free Speech" Rally Counterprotests
With the bloodshed in Charlottesville last weekend, I had given thought to attending one of the counter protests to the so-called "Free Speech" Rally to be held on Boston Common on Saturday.
Of course, the organizers of the rally claim they have nothing to do with racists, anti-Semites and white supremacists. Balderdash. People who have nothing to do with racists, anti-Semites and white supremacists don't invite them to speak at their rallies. This group does not have a monopoly on free speech and their aims and objectives have nothing to do with free speech.
But as much am I disgusted by racists, anti-Semites and white supremacists and as much as I am disgusted by President Trump's response to Charlottesville, I cannot bring myself to attend either counter protest.
One counter protest is a march organized by Blacks Lives Matter chapters in Boston and Cambridge. I simply cannot ignore BLM's hatred of the police and their own anti-Semitism. All the more so with the six police officers shot on Friday night throughout the U.S. including one fatally in Kissimmee, Florida. I cannot march with Black Lives Matter and I suspect they would just as soon not welcome me in their ranks.
Nor can bring myself to attend the rally across the State House sponsored by the local ANSWER Coalition and the Coalition to Organize & Mobilize Boston Against Trump (C.O.M.B.A.T.). ANSWER are a bunch of apologists for the North Korean regime while C.O.M.B.A.T. is your typical Marxist-Leninist-Maoist organization. As with Black Lives Matter, I don't think they would want me around any more than I would want to be around them.
Had there been a broad based march led by Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, a Democrat and Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, a Republican a la the Charlie Hebdo March in Paris then I would have participated.
Needless to say, I hope tomorrow's happenings occur peaceably and without incident. Given the sterling job the Boston Police did during the Boston Women's March in January (which I did attend) I have every confidence that order will prevail. But, of course, Boston has seen terrorism and who can say one of the white supremacists wouldn't try to infiltrate one of the counter protests and wreak havoc.
In the grand scheme of things I believe it possible to oppose President Trump's agenda and character and oppose racists, anti-Semites and white supremacists without having to endorse Black Lives Matter or any other far left-wing organization. Black Lives Matter, ANSWER and C.O.M.B.A.T. might argue you can't be neutral. I'm not being neutral. I'm on my own side.
Of course, the organizers of the rally claim they have nothing to do with racists, anti-Semites and white supremacists. Balderdash. People who have nothing to do with racists, anti-Semites and white supremacists don't invite them to speak at their rallies. This group does not have a monopoly on free speech and their aims and objectives have nothing to do with free speech.
But as much am I disgusted by racists, anti-Semites and white supremacists and as much as I am disgusted by President Trump's response to Charlottesville, I cannot bring myself to attend either counter protest.
One counter protest is a march organized by Blacks Lives Matter chapters in Boston and Cambridge. I simply cannot ignore BLM's hatred of the police and their own anti-Semitism. All the more so with the six police officers shot on Friday night throughout the U.S. including one fatally in Kissimmee, Florida. I cannot march with Black Lives Matter and I suspect they would just as soon not welcome me in their ranks.
Nor can bring myself to attend the rally across the State House sponsored by the local ANSWER Coalition and the Coalition to Organize & Mobilize Boston Against Trump (C.O.M.B.A.T.). ANSWER are a bunch of apologists for the North Korean regime while C.O.M.B.A.T. is your typical Marxist-Leninist-Maoist organization. As with Black Lives Matter, I don't think they would want me around any more than I would want to be around them.
Had there been a broad based march led by Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, a Democrat and Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, a Republican a la the Charlie Hebdo March in Paris then I would have participated.
Needless to say, I hope tomorrow's happenings occur peaceably and without incident. Given the sterling job the Boston Police did during the Boston Women's March in January (which I did attend) I have every confidence that order will prevail. But, of course, Boston has seen terrorism and who can say one of the white supremacists wouldn't try to infiltrate one of the counter protests and wreak havoc.
In the grand scheme of things I believe it possible to oppose President Trump's agenda and character and oppose racists, anti-Semites and white supremacists without having to endorse Black Lives Matter or any other far left-wing organization. Black Lives Matter, ANSWER and C.O.M.B.A.T. might argue you can't be neutral. I'm not being neutral. I'm on my own side.
Bannon Is Out Of The White House, Now If Only Trump Would Leave
Steve Bannon is the latest to exit the Trump White House. In just under seven months, we have seen an exodus of Michael Flynn, Sean Spicer, Reince Priebus and now Bannon not to mention Anthony Scaramucci's 10-day stint. No doubt there will be more to come in the next seven months.
But the one constant is Donald Trump. Honestly, it doesn't matter who comes and who goes. So long as Trump is in the White House we will have chaos instability and irrationality.
There are six ways Trump can leave the White House - resignation, impeachment, the 25th Amendment, incapacity, death or losing the election.
Trump ain't quitting. Being President means more than life itself and he will never admit defeat. Quitting will be the ultimate expression of surrender.
Trump ain't getting impeached, certainly not with a Republican Congress. Even if the Democrats were to win the 2018 mid-terms, impeachment is far from certain.
Trump ain't getting ousted by the 25th Amendment. His supporters will view it as a coup and we would see a thousand Charlottesvilles. It would be a prelude to a second civil war.
It also ain't likely Trump will be incapacitated by illness or death. No doubt there are those who wish for the latter at the point of a gun. I do not. Aside from being immoral, it too would be a prelude to civil war.
The only plausible way for Trump to leave the White House is if he is defeated at the polls in 2020. For a lot of people three years and change is an eternity. But perhaps time can be an ally. Right now there are a lot of people who would not only run through a wall for Trump, but build a new one in its place. The only way to convince Trump supporters to abandon them is to convince them that Trump can't bring them so much winning.
Of course, it won't be easy. Incumbency has enormous advantages. Even if Trump gets a viable challenger in the 2020 GOP primaries, Trump has broken so many rules of politics he might very well overcome obstacles that plagued the likes of Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush. The key for Democrats is to nominate someone, man or woman, who can talk to people and not at them. This is far from a certain proposition.
But this is the system we have and if the people want Trump to leave the White House then they will work with ballots, not bullets or bayonets.
But the one constant is Donald Trump. Honestly, it doesn't matter who comes and who goes. So long as Trump is in the White House we will have chaos instability and irrationality.
There are six ways Trump can leave the White House - resignation, impeachment, the 25th Amendment, incapacity, death or losing the election.
Trump ain't quitting. Being President means more than life itself and he will never admit defeat. Quitting will be the ultimate expression of surrender.
Trump ain't getting impeached, certainly not with a Republican Congress. Even if the Democrats were to win the 2018 mid-terms, impeachment is far from certain.
Trump ain't getting ousted by the 25th Amendment. His supporters will view it as a coup and we would see a thousand Charlottesvilles. It would be a prelude to a second civil war.
It also ain't likely Trump will be incapacitated by illness or death. No doubt there are those who wish for the latter at the point of a gun. I do not. Aside from being immoral, it too would be a prelude to civil war.
The only plausible way for Trump to leave the White House is if he is defeated at the polls in 2020. For a lot of people three years and change is an eternity. But perhaps time can be an ally. Right now there are a lot of people who would not only run through a wall for Trump, but build a new one in its place. The only way to convince Trump supporters to abandon them is to convince them that Trump can't bring them so much winning.
Of course, it won't be easy. Incumbency has enormous advantages. Even if Trump gets a viable challenger in the 2020 GOP primaries, Trump has broken so many rules of politics he might very well overcome obstacles that plagued the likes of Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush. The key for Democrats is to nominate someone, man or woman, who can talk to people and not at them. This is far from a certain proposition.
But this is the system we have and if the people want Trump to leave the White House then they will work with ballots, not bullets or bayonets.
Thursday, August 17, 2017
Trump Rightly Calls Barcelona Attack Terrorism, But Why Can't He Do The Same in Charlottesville?
When ISIS struck Barcelona this morning killing a dozen people in a ramming attack, President Trump was unequivocal on Twitter:
The United States condemns the terror attack in Barcelona, Spain, and will do whatever is necessary to help. Be tough & strong, we love you!
The driver of the car is a disgrace to himself, his family and this country. And that is, you can call it terrorism, you can call it murder, you can call it whatever you want. I would just call it as the fastest one to come up with a good verdict. That's what I'd call it. Because there is a question: Is it murder, is it terrorism? And then you get into legal semantics. The driver of the car is a murderer and what he did was a horrible, horrible, inexcusable thing.
The United States condemns the terror attack in Barcelona, Spain, and will do whatever is necessary to help. Be tough & strong, we love you!
But when Trump was asked if the ramming attack in Charlottesville, Virginia was terrorism at his press conference at Trump Tower two days ago, he equivocated:
So when terrorism hits Barcelona, Trump says he will do whatever is necessary to help.
But when terrorism hits Charlottesville, we get semantics.
While Trump might condemn the act itself, not only does he not condemn the ideology which inspired it but he calls people who adhere to this ideology "very fine people."
This is why Donald Trump laments the loss of "beautiful statues and monuments", but cannot do the same where it concerns the loss of a beautiful life.
Of course, if President Obama were still in office we would have the opposite problem. He would not have hesitated to call Charlottesville an act of terrorism, but would have equivocated on doing the same in Barcelona as was the case in Fort Hood, Boston, San Bernardino and Orlando.
Is it really that difficult to have a President of the United States who can unequivocally declare that the loss of life in both Charlottesville & Barcelona were as a result of terrorism?
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
It Only Takes One Brave Republican
In light of President Trump's defense of the alt.Right which
gave white supremacists aid and comfort, the time has come for one brave
Republican to put his or her foot forward and challenge him for the
2020 GOP nomination.
Of course, the odds would be against such a person. Many Republicans are happy with control of the White House and both Houses of Congress and don't want the gravy train to keep chugging along and don't want anyone to slow it down much less put it to a stop.
Any Republican who sees fit to challenge Trump will be declared public enemy number one by conservative talk radio. If a white supremacist saw fit to kill a protester with his vehicle there will be thousands of white supremacists chomping at the bit to put an end to Trump's challenger.
Even if Trump's challenger doesn't face violence, he or she will most likely face defeat and the end of any political future within the Republican Party.
Yet for the sake of the GOP, the sake of conservatism and the sake of the United States, such a challenger must make himself or herself known soon.
Of course, the odds would be against such a person. Many Republicans are happy with control of the White House and both Houses of Congress and don't want the gravy train to keep chugging along and don't want anyone to slow it down much less put it to a stop.
Any Republican who sees fit to challenge Trump will be declared public enemy number one by conservative talk radio. If a white supremacist saw fit to kill a protester with his vehicle there will be thousands of white supremacists chomping at the bit to put an end to Trump's challenger.
Even if Trump's challenger doesn't face violence, he or she will most likely face defeat and the end of any political future within the Republican Party.
Yet for the sake of the GOP, the sake of conservatism and the sake of the United States, such a challenger must make himself or herself known soon.
Tuesday, August 15, 2017
After Calling Racism Evil, Trump Claims Media Treats Racists Unfairly
I didn't believe President Trump when he declared racism to be evil and within 24 hours that assessment proved correct following a press conference in New York City. Here is but a sample:
You had people and I'm not talking about neo-Nazis and the white nationalists, because they should be condemned totally. You had many people in that group other than neo-Nazis and white nationalists, O.K.? And the press has treated them unfairly?
And who exactly does Trump think the media has treated unfairly? David Duke? Richard Spencer? Milo?
Now it is entirely possible one could oppose taking down a statue of Robert E. Lee or the Confederate flag without having a racist bone in their body. But such persons aren't going to associate with the Klan, neo-Nazis or any other white supremacist group. Who would attend a demonstration alongside a group of people carrying a Nazi flag or a torch chanting racist and anti-Semitic statements if they didn't harbor racist and anti-Semitic attitudes themselves?
In making this distinction without difference, President Trump has given aid and comfort to racists and anti-Semites in this country and this presidential seal of approval will only make them stronger and more dangerous. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the real Donald Trump.
You had people and I'm not talking about neo-Nazis and the white nationalists, because they should be condemned totally. You had many people in that group other than neo-Nazis and white nationalists, O.K.? And the press has treated them unfairly?
And who exactly does Trump think the media has treated unfairly? David Duke? Richard Spencer? Milo?
Now it is entirely possible one could oppose taking down a statue of Robert E. Lee or the Confederate flag without having a racist bone in their body. But such persons aren't going to associate with the Klan, neo-Nazis or any other white supremacist group. Who would attend a demonstration alongside a group of people carrying a Nazi flag or a torch chanting racist and anti-Semitic statements if they didn't harbor racist and anti-Semitic attitudes themselves?
In making this distinction without difference, President Trump has given aid and comfort to racists and anti-Semites in this country and this presidential seal of approval will only make them stronger and more dangerous. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the real Donald Trump.
Monday, August 14, 2017
A Thought for Ric Flair
Pro wrestling legend Ric Flair underwent an unspecified heart procedure today after being admitted to hospital on Saturday. Flair, 68, has been retired for a number of years, but does make occasional appearances on WWE programming as his daughter Charlotte is one of the company's top women wrestlers.
When I think of heart procedures, I cannot help but think what my Dad endured nearly three years ago. Gladly, he came out of it stronger than ever.
I can only wish the same for the Nature Boy and hope he will return to a wrestling ring in the not to distant future.
When I think of heart procedures, I cannot help but think what my Dad endured nearly three years ago. Gladly, he came out of it stronger than ever.
I can only wish the same for the Nature Boy and hope he will return to a wrestling ring in the not to distant future.
Trump Calls Racism Evil, But Did He Really Mean It?
After being dragged kicking and screaming, President Trump today explicitly condemned the racist and anti-Semitic organizations involved in the Charlottesville rally which claimed the life of a woman and two police officers on Saturday and declared racism to be evil.
But does he really mean it?
It is a question we must ask given Trump's own racism especially where it concerns his treatment of Judge Gonzalo Curiel a year ago. Trump repeatedly said that Curiel could not preside over the Trump University case because he was a Mexican. Curiel's parents were Mexican, but he was born and raised in Indiana. To this day, Trump has never expressed remorse or admitted wrongdoing in his behavior against Judge Curiel.
We must also raise the question for another reason. Consider this portion of Trump's statement:
We must love each other, show affection for each other, and unite together in condemnation of hatred, bigotry, and violence. We must rediscover the bonds of love and loyalty that bring us together as Americans.
But what does Trump know of love? Trump proclaims his love when people do things that are to his benefit like when he said he loved Wikileaks in the final weeks of the election campaign. But when has Trump loved thy neighbor? Only seven hours before Trump told the country we must love and show affection for one another, he tweeted this about Merck Pharma CEO Ken Frazier after he resigned from the President's Manufacturing Council:
Now that Ken Frazier of Merck Pharma has resigned from President's Manufacturing Council,he will have more time to LOWER RIPOFF DRUG PRICES!
I am reasonably certain that Trump "loved" Frazier when he named him to the President's Manufacturing Council a week after taking office. But with President Trump, love, affection and loyalty are a one way street.
Although it was important for Trump to publicly call racism evil and condemn racist organizations, for the reasons mentioned above, I don't believe he meant a word of it.
But does he really mean it?
It is a question we must ask given Trump's own racism especially where it concerns his treatment of Judge Gonzalo Curiel a year ago. Trump repeatedly said that Curiel could not preside over the Trump University case because he was a Mexican. Curiel's parents were Mexican, but he was born and raised in Indiana. To this day, Trump has never expressed remorse or admitted wrongdoing in his behavior against Judge Curiel.
We must also raise the question for another reason. Consider this portion of Trump's statement:
We must love each other, show affection for each other, and unite together in condemnation of hatred, bigotry, and violence. We must rediscover the bonds of love and loyalty that bring us together as Americans.
But what does Trump know of love? Trump proclaims his love when people do things that are to his benefit like when he said he loved Wikileaks in the final weeks of the election campaign. But when has Trump loved thy neighbor? Only seven hours before Trump told the country we must love and show affection for one another, he tweeted this about Merck Pharma CEO Ken Frazier after he resigned from the President's Manufacturing Council:
Now that Ken Frazier of Merck Pharma has resigned from President's Manufacturing Council,he will have more time to LOWER RIPOFF DRUG PRICES!
I am reasonably certain that Trump "loved" Frazier when he named him to the President's Manufacturing Council a week after taking office. But with President Trump, love, affection and loyalty are a one way street.
Although it was important for Trump to publicly call racism evil and condemn racist organizations, for the reasons mentioned above, I don't believe he meant a word of it.
Saturday, August 12, 2017
Trump Won't Acknowledge White Supremacist Terrorism Just Like Obama Wouldn't Acknowledge Radical Islamic Terrorism
In response to white supremacists plowing a vehicle into a group of anti-racist protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia which claimed the life of one person and injured at least 34, all President Trump could do was tweet:
We ALL must be united & condemn all that hate stands for. There is no place for this kind of violence in America. Lets come together as one!
Just as President Obama was unwilling to acknowledge radical Islamic terrorism in Fort Hood, Boston, San Bernardino and Orlando, President Trump is unwilling to acknowledge white supremacist terrorism. Trump can ill afford to offend the David Dukes and Richard Spencers of the world even if Americans die at the hands of white supremacists. For shame.
We ALL must be united & condemn all that hate stands for. There is no place for this kind of violence in America. Lets come together as one!
Just as President Obama was unwilling to acknowledge radical Islamic terrorism in Fort Hood, Boston, San Bernardino and Orlando, President Trump is unwilling to acknowledge white supremacist terrorism. Trump can ill afford to offend the David Dukes and Richard Spencers of the world even if Americans die at the hands of white supremacists. For shame.
Friday, August 11, 2017
Trump's Foolish Sabre Rattling Against Venezuela
It's bad enough that President Trump is threatening "fire and fury like the world has never seen" against North Korea. But I guess North Korea now bores him because today he turned his attention to Venezuela stating there is "possible military option" against the Maduro regime.
There's no question that Venezuela is becoming Latin America's version of Zimbabwe with the combination of the collapse of oil prices, shortage of basic items like toilet paper and the jailing of opposition leaders and killing of opposition activists. This collapse was set in motion by the socialist policies of the late Hugo Chavez. His successor Nicolas Maduro doesn't have Chavez's charisma and is rightly viewed as a thug. But unlike North Korea which might very well be able to launch a nuclear war, the chaos in Venezuela is a matter which should be resolved in Venezuela. If that is not possible, it should be resolved by its immediate neighbors, not the U.S. military unless there is a specific request for such assistance. With Trump shooting off his mouth this is now highly unlikely. If anything, Trump's remarks strengthens Maduro's hold on power.
This also demonstrates that Trump has no sense of proportion. While I question Trump threat against North Korea, the fact Trump is going after Venezuela with equal fervor has the effect of trivializing the threat North Korea presents to the United States and the world. To the extent that President Trump has to address matters in North Korea and Venezuela requires him to understand the difference between an aspiring nuclear power and a country on the brink of civil war.
But this would require President Trump to read and study briefing books instead of going on Twitter and insulting his Cabinet. This simply isn't part of Trump's repertoire.
There's no question that Venezuela is becoming Latin America's version of Zimbabwe with the combination of the collapse of oil prices, shortage of basic items like toilet paper and the jailing of opposition leaders and killing of opposition activists. This collapse was set in motion by the socialist policies of the late Hugo Chavez. His successor Nicolas Maduro doesn't have Chavez's charisma and is rightly viewed as a thug. But unlike North Korea which might very well be able to launch a nuclear war, the chaos in Venezuela is a matter which should be resolved in Venezuela. If that is not possible, it should be resolved by its immediate neighbors, not the U.S. military unless there is a specific request for such assistance. With Trump shooting off his mouth this is now highly unlikely. If anything, Trump's remarks strengthens Maduro's hold on power.
This also demonstrates that Trump has no sense of proportion. While I question Trump threat against North Korea, the fact Trump is going after Venezuela with equal fervor has the effect of trivializing the threat North Korea presents to the United States and the world. To the extent that President Trump has to address matters in North Korea and Venezuela requires him to understand the difference between an aspiring nuclear power and a country on the brink of civil war.
But this would require President Trump to read and study briefing books instead of going on Twitter and insulting his Cabinet. This simply isn't part of Trump's repertoire.
Thursday, August 10, 2017
Will The Trump Administration Hire Jeffrey Lord?
Leave it to Jeffrey Lord to blow his CNN gig for using a Nazi salute in a Twitter fight.
It's not that I am particularly sympathetic to Media Matters as they aren't fans of mine. But fascists and Nazis they are not. Jeff can say he's mocking fascism and Nazism all he wants. Kind of reminds me when Dr. Laura repeatedly uttered the n-word and claimed she was mocking racism. Sorry but unless you're Mel Brooks the Nazis & the n-word are no laughing matter and Jeff Lord ain't Mel Brooks. Ditto for Dr. Laura.
Now uttering "Seig Heil!" might make one persona non grata at CNN, but could be welcome with open arms at the Trump White House. It would be a perfect fit.
But if that does not come to pass maybe he'll get a gig with Breitbart. Or maybe RT. Wherever he lands, I'm sure Jeff will land on his feet.
It's not that I am particularly sympathetic to Media Matters as they aren't fans of mine. But fascists and Nazis they are not. Jeff can say he's mocking fascism and Nazism all he wants. Kind of reminds me when Dr. Laura repeatedly uttered the n-word and claimed she was mocking racism. Sorry but unless you're Mel Brooks the Nazis & the n-word are no laughing matter and Jeff Lord ain't Mel Brooks. Ditto for Dr. Laura.
Now uttering "Seig Heil!" might make one persona non grata at CNN, but could be welcome with open arms at the Trump White House. It would be a perfect fit.
But if that does not come to pass maybe he'll get a gig with Breitbart. Or maybe RT. Wherever he lands, I'm sure Jeff will land on his feet.
What Does Trump's Fire & Fury Signify?
President Trump's declaration that North Korea's threats to the United States will be met with "fire and fury like the world has never seen" evokes images of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. All the more so as he made the remark the week of the 72nd anniversary of President Truman deploying nuclear weapons.
President Truman's decision to drop the bomb resulted in the deaths of nearly a quarter million civilians. If President Trump is promising "fire and fury like the world has never seen" what does he have in mind? Half a million deaths? A million? Ten million? More?
Let us keep in mind that President Truman and President Trump face very different circumstances. Truman & the Allied Powers were mired in a three and a half year global conflict which cost the lives of more than 30 million people, both civilian and military personnel, in the Pacific Theater. If Truman hadn't dropped the bomb, he faced the likelihood of millions more deaths.
Trump faces no such choice. Although we have troops in the Korea Peninsula, we are not at war with North Korea. His threat is based entirely on a DIA report regarding North Korea having developed a miniaturized nuclear warhead. This report might very well be true. But what if it isn't? After all, our government and those of our allies and adversaries alike sincerely believed that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. When that turned out not to be true, few voices were louder than that of Donald Trump's who repeatedly claimed the Bush Administration lied about WMDs.
Let us also remember, Trump has been less than enamored with U.S. intelligence. When the CIA concluded that Russia had intervened in the election on his behalf in December 2016, his transition team issued the following statement, "These are the same people who said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction." Needless to say, Trump is selective about which intelligence he chooses to believe.
And now Trump is telling us his rhetoric isn't tough enough. All of this could just be bluster and North Korea will call Trump's bluff and this will be his red line in Syria. Or this is a man who wants to use nuclear weapons because he can and looking for any reason to do so. If it's the latter then God help us all.
President Truman's decision to drop the bomb resulted in the deaths of nearly a quarter million civilians. If President Trump is promising "fire and fury like the world has never seen" what does he have in mind? Half a million deaths? A million? Ten million? More?
Let us keep in mind that President Truman and President Trump face very different circumstances. Truman & the Allied Powers were mired in a three and a half year global conflict which cost the lives of more than 30 million people, both civilian and military personnel, in the Pacific Theater. If Truman hadn't dropped the bomb, he faced the likelihood of millions more deaths.
Trump faces no such choice. Although we have troops in the Korea Peninsula, we are not at war with North Korea. His threat is based entirely on a DIA report regarding North Korea having developed a miniaturized nuclear warhead. This report might very well be true. But what if it isn't? After all, our government and those of our allies and adversaries alike sincerely believed that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. When that turned out not to be true, few voices were louder than that of Donald Trump's who repeatedly claimed the Bush Administration lied about WMDs.
Let us also remember, Trump has been less than enamored with U.S. intelligence. When the CIA concluded that Russia had intervened in the election on his behalf in December 2016, his transition team issued the following statement, "These are the same people who said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction." Needless to say, Trump is selective about which intelligence he chooses to believe.
And now Trump is telling us his rhetoric isn't tough enough. All of this could just be bluster and North Korea will call Trump's bluff and this will be his red line in Syria. Or this is a man who wants to use nuclear weapons because he can and looking for any reason to do so. If it's the latter then God help us all.
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
Blame Clinton & Carter for North Korea All You Want, But Trump is Handling This Badly
In light of the revelation from a U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency report indicating that North Korea has developed miniaturized nuclear warheads, it is fair to revisit the lack of wisdom in former President Clinton's 1994 nuclear agreement with the regime (with a significant assist from former President Jimmy Carter) as has been done at NRO by the likes of Jim Geraghty and Jonah Goldberg.
But it doesn't change the fact that this is now Donald Trump's problem and he isn't handling it very well. It doesn't exactly inspire confidence to hear Trump say, “North Korea best not make any more threats to the United States. They will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen.” But Geraghty has an answer for that too:
But it doesn't change the fact that this is now Donald Trump's problem and he isn't handling it very well. It doesn't exactly inspire confidence to hear Trump say, “North Korea best not make any more threats to the United States. They will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen.” But Geraghty has an answer for that too:
The problem is that even if Donald Trump was the most level-headed,
even-tempered guy on the planet . . . North Korea is still making
miniaturized nuclear warheads, is testing ballistic missiles that can
hit the United States, is threatening to use them against the U.S., and
another test is coming soon. In other words, for all of his flaws – and
he has many – Trump isn’t really the problem here.
Actually, he's a very big part of the problem. If Trump was "the most level-headed, even tempered guy on the planet" would his Secretary of State be contradicting him? While defending Trump's rhetoric, Rex Tillerson also made a point of stating, "Nothing that I have seen and nothing that I know of would indicate that
the situation has dramatically changed in the last 24 hours. Americans should sleep well at night."
The gap between "fire and fury like the world has never seen" and "Americans should sleep well at night" is greater than that between Washington, D.C. and Pyonyang.
And this isn't the first time Trump has been contradicted by a senior administration official where it concerns the Korean Peninsula. Given North Korea's aggression, a level-headed, even-tempered President would have brought assurances to South Korea. Instead, this past April, Trump demanded South Korea pay for the THAAD anti-missile defense system. National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster had to do damage control and provide assurances the U.S. would pay for the THAAD system after all.
The buck ought to stop with the President of the United States. But how can it when the President is so unstable that his Secretary of State and his National Security Adviser have to tell our allies to essentially disregard what he says?
While Presidents Clinton & Carter erred where it concerns North Korea, but President Trump is proving unfit for command.
Watch Alice Cooper's Tribute to Glen Campbell
Shortly after Glen Campbell's passing was announced, Alice Cooper paid tribute to his longtime friend.
On the surface, one would think these two men would be worlds apart. That is the case with their music, but they shared a mutual passion for good humor, golf & God. While clearly crestfallen, Cooper conveys the joy he shared with Campbell up to and including a "hillbilly Passover Seder".
He also notes that Campbell was such a highly regarded guitar player that Eddie Van Halen wanted a guitar lesson from him. You don't get much higher praise than that.
R.I.P. Glen Campbell.
Tuesday, August 8, 2017
Glen Campbell, R.I.P.
Country music icon Glen Campbell has passed away following nearly a six year battle with Alzheimer's Disease. He was 81.
Born in Arkansas as the seventh of twelve children, Campbell went to L.A. in 1960 to seek fame and fortune. Soon he would develop a reputation as an outstanding session guitar player and became a member in good standing of the Wrecking Crew cadre of studio musicians. In 1964, Campbell would become a member of the Beach Boys' touring group.
Stardom would come in 1967 with his cover of John Hartford's "Gentle on My Mind". This would be followed by such country standards as "By The Time I Get to Phoenix", "Wichita Lineman" and "Galveston". By the end of the decade, he co-starred with John Wayne in True Grit and would host The Glenn Campbell Good Time Hour on CBS. Campbell's biggest hit came in 1975 when "Rhinestone Cowboy" topped both the country and pop charts.
I first heard "Rhinestone Cowboy" on a TeeVee Records compilation album called Knockout when I was five years old. It was my first real exposure to country music. So when Campbell was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2011, I vowed to see him in concert and made good on that vow in February 2012.
By most accounts, Campbell was very conservative in his outlook and when he met Jimmy Webb he asked him when he would get a haircut. Yet Campbell and Webb found a way to marry tradition and counterculture and the result was music everyone could love.
I leave you with a what sounds like a very unCampbell like tune. In 1967, Gary Usher created a studio group called Sagittarius and recorded a psychedelic album called Present Tense. The highlight of the record is "My World Fell Down" on which an uncredited Campbell sings. R.I.P.
Born in Arkansas as the seventh of twelve children, Campbell went to L.A. in 1960 to seek fame and fortune. Soon he would develop a reputation as an outstanding session guitar player and became a member in good standing of the Wrecking Crew cadre of studio musicians. In 1964, Campbell would become a member of the Beach Boys' touring group.
Stardom would come in 1967 with his cover of John Hartford's "Gentle on My Mind". This would be followed by such country standards as "By The Time I Get to Phoenix", "Wichita Lineman" and "Galveston". By the end of the decade, he co-starred with John Wayne in True Grit and would host The Glenn Campbell Good Time Hour on CBS. Campbell's biggest hit came in 1975 when "Rhinestone Cowboy" topped both the country and pop charts.
I first heard "Rhinestone Cowboy" on a TeeVee Records compilation album called Knockout when I was five years old. It was my first real exposure to country music. So when Campbell was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2011, I vowed to see him in concert and made good on that vow in February 2012.
By most accounts, Campbell was very conservative in his outlook and when he met Jimmy Webb he asked him when he would get a haircut. Yet Campbell and Webb found a way to marry tradition and counterculture and the result was music everyone could love.
I leave you with a what sounds like a very unCampbell like tune. In 1967, Gary Usher created a studio group called Sagittarius and recorded a psychedelic album called Present Tense. The highlight of the record is "My World Fell Down" on which an uncredited Campbell sings. R.I.P.
Monday, August 7, 2017
Lee May, R.I.P.
With the passings of both Darren Daulton and Don Baylor, I sorely neglected to pay proper tribute to another recently departed big leaguer. On July 29th, former MLB player and coach Lee May died of cancer at the age of 74.
A native of Birmingham, Alabama, May was signed by the Cincinnati Reds in 1961 and debuted with the team late in the 1965 season. His breakout season came in 1969 when he hit .278 with 38 HR and career high 110 RBI and the first of his three NL All-Star Team selections. The following year, the Reds won the NL pennant. Although the Reds fell to the Baltimore Orioles in five games, May hit .389 with 2 HR and 8 RBI.
May would belt a career high 39 home runs in 1971, but the Reds would slip to fourth place in the NL West. In one of the most significant trades in MLB history, the Reds dealt May to the Houston Astros in exchange for two key pieces of the Big Red Machine -- Joe Morgan and Cesar Geronimo. Although May enjoyed three productive seasons in Houston and the Astros finished .500 or above in each of his three seasons, they were no match for the Reds who went on to win two World Series while Morgan earned back to back NL MVPs in 1975 and 1976.
In 1975, May would find himself in the AL as the Astros dealt him to the Baltimore Orioles in a trade which included Enos Cabell. May led the Orioles with 99 RBI in his inaugural season in Baltimore where he was teammates with Don Baylor. In 1976, May led the AL in RBIs with 109. Between 1968 and 1978, May belted at least 20 home runs and drove in at least 80 runs. This streak would snap in 1979 when his numbers fell to 19 HR and 69 RBI. But May would return to the World Series with the Orioles who blew a 3-1 series lead to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
May spent his final two big league seasons with the Kansas City Royals retiring after the 1982 season. In 18 seasons, May hit .267 with 354 HR and 1244 RBI.
In 1985, May would finally earn a World Series ring with the Kansas City Royals as he served as the team's hitting coach. May would serve as a hitting coach, first base coach or minor league hitting instructor with the Royals, Reds and Orioles as well as the New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Cleveland Indians and most recently as the hitting instructor for the Greenville Drive, the Single A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.
May's younger brother Carlos spent 10 years in the bigs with the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees and California Angels while his son Jacob made his major league debut with the Chisox on Opening Day 2017. R.I.P.
A native of Birmingham, Alabama, May was signed by the Cincinnati Reds in 1961 and debuted with the team late in the 1965 season. His breakout season came in 1969 when he hit .278 with 38 HR and career high 110 RBI and the first of his three NL All-Star Team selections. The following year, the Reds won the NL pennant. Although the Reds fell to the Baltimore Orioles in five games, May hit .389 with 2 HR and 8 RBI.
May would belt a career high 39 home runs in 1971, but the Reds would slip to fourth place in the NL West. In one of the most significant trades in MLB history, the Reds dealt May to the Houston Astros in exchange for two key pieces of the Big Red Machine -- Joe Morgan and Cesar Geronimo. Although May enjoyed three productive seasons in Houston and the Astros finished .500 or above in each of his three seasons, they were no match for the Reds who went on to win two World Series while Morgan earned back to back NL MVPs in 1975 and 1976.
In 1975, May would find himself in the AL as the Astros dealt him to the Baltimore Orioles in a trade which included Enos Cabell. May led the Orioles with 99 RBI in his inaugural season in Baltimore where he was teammates with Don Baylor. In 1976, May led the AL in RBIs with 109. Between 1968 and 1978, May belted at least 20 home runs and drove in at least 80 runs. This streak would snap in 1979 when his numbers fell to 19 HR and 69 RBI. But May would return to the World Series with the Orioles who blew a 3-1 series lead to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
May spent his final two big league seasons with the Kansas City Royals retiring after the 1982 season. In 18 seasons, May hit .267 with 354 HR and 1244 RBI.
In 1985, May would finally earn a World Series ring with the Kansas City Royals as he served as the team's hitting coach. May would serve as a hitting coach, first base coach or minor league hitting instructor with the Royals, Reds and Orioles as well as the New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Cleveland Indians and most recently as the hitting instructor for the Greenville Drive, the Single A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.
May's younger brother Carlos spent 10 years in the bigs with the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees and California Angels while his son Jacob made his major league debut with the Chisox on Opening Day 2017. R.I.P.
Don Baylor, R.I.P.
Only hours after I learned of the passing of former Philadelphia Phillies and Florida Marlins catcher Darren Daulton came the news that former MLB player, coach and manager Don Baylor had also died of cancer. Evidently, Baylor had been battling multiple myeloma for more than a decade. Baylor was 68.
A native of Austin, Texas, Baylor was a second round draft pick out of high school by the Baltimore Orioles in 1967. He had cups of coffee with the O's on their World Series teams of 1970 and 1971 before getting more playing time in 1972. By 1973, Baylor had supplanted Don Buford as the Orioles' everyday left fielder. Baylor got a taste of the post-season with the O's in 1973 and 1974, but fell short to the mighty Oakland A's in both ALCS contests. His breakout season came in 1975 when he led the team with 25 home runs.
However, Baylor and pitcher Mike Torrez would be traded to the A's prior to the 1976 season in exchange for Reggie Jackson and Ken Holtzman. Baylor's offensive numbers would drop as A's owner Charlie Finley began to dismantle his dynasty. Fortunately, free agency had come about and Baylor was among the inaugural class of free agents and signed a contract with the California Angels along with his ex-Orioles and A's teammates Bobby Grich and Joe Rudi prior to the 1977 season.
While Baylor's numbers were respectable, the Angels were a disappointment in 1977. But after the Angels hired Jim Fregosi to be their manager midway through the 1978 season, Baylor and the team improved. Baylor hit a then career high 34 HR and 99 RBI and finished 7th in AL MVP balloting though that season was marred by the shooting death of teammate and close friend Lyman Bostock. Undoubtedly spurred on by the loss of his friend, Baylor would have the best year of his career in 1979 where he earned his lone AL All-Star Team selection as he led the AL in home runs and RBI with 36 and 139 as the Angels reached the post-season for the first time in franchise history before falling to the Orioles in the ALCS. It should be noted that Fregosi also managed Darren Daulton to a NL pennant in Philadelphia.
A wrist injury would limit Baylor to 90 games in 1980. He would rebound as a full time DH and the Angels would return to the playoffs in 1982 on a team that now included Doug DeCinces, Fred Lynn and the man he was once traded for Reggie Jackson. Baylor hit 24 HR and drove in 93 runs for a team that just fell short of getting to the World Series, this time to the Milwaukee Brewers.
A free agent once again, Baylor would sign a four year contract with the New York Yankees worth $3.675,000 prior to the 1983 season. George Steinbrenner signed Baylor to have a "take charge leader" in the Yankees clubhouse. Although Baylor put up at least 20 HR and 80 RBI during his tenure in the Bronx with one year left on his contract and after just falling short of winning the AL East in 1985, Steinbrenner would trade Baylor to the Boston Red Sox for outfielder Mike Easler.
Baylor's "take charge" presence was immediately felt in Boston as he instituted a "kangaroo court" in the Red Sox clubhouse from which he did not exempt himself. That and his team leading 31 home runs helped the Red Sox to their first AL pennant in 11 years and within one strike of winning their first World Series since 1918. It was the first of three World Series appearances for Baylor who would get that elusive ring with the Minnesota Twins in 1987 and returned to the Fall Classic in his final year as a player back in an Oakland A's uniform in 1988. This marked the first time in MLB history that a player had reached the World Series in three consecutive years with three different clubs, a feat since matched by Eric Hinske (2007 Red Sox, 2008 Rays and 2009 Yankees).
In 19 big league seasons, Baylor hit .260 with 338 HR and 1276 RBIs. He also led the AL in being hit by a pitch eight times. In all, he was hit by a pitch 267 times which stood as the MLB record until it was surpassed by future Hall of Famer Craig Biggio in 2005.
After tenures as a hitting coach with the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers, Baylor was named the manager of the expansion Colorado Rockies in 1993. He spent six seasons in the Rockies dugout and was named NL Manager of the Year in 1995 leading the Rockies to the NL Wild Card. Baylor would return to the World Series in 1999 as Bobby Cox's hitting coach with the Atlanta Braves before being given a second chance at managing with the Chicago Cubs in 2000, but would be dismissed midway through the 2002 season.
Baylor spent 2003 and 2004 as the bench coach of the New York Mets before becoming the Seattle Mariners hitting coach in 2005. Following a stint as an occasional broadcaster with the Washington Nationals, Baylor would return to Denver as the Rockies hitting coach in 2009. Baylor also spent two seasons apiece as the hitting coach with the Arizona Diamonbacks and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. His return to the Angels began inauspiciously when he broke his leg catching the ceremonial first pitch from Vladimir Guerrero. Looking back, his cancer undoubtedly had weakened his once powerful bones.
Baylor was also known for his friendship with former President Richard Nixon and for his charity work for cystic fibrosis research. This disease afflicted his son Don, Jr.
The video above shows Baylor setting the record for being hit by a pitch while with the Red Sox in 1987. Thi man always took one for the team.
A native of Austin, Texas, Baylor was a second round draft pick out of high school by the Baltimore Orioles in 1967. He had cups of coffee with the O's on their World Series teams of 1970 and 1971 before getting more playing time in 1972. By 1973, Baylor had supplanted Don Buford as the Orioles' everyday left fielder. Baylor got a taste of the post-season with the O's in 1973 and 1974, but fell short to the mighty Oakland A's in both ALCS contests. His breakout season came in 1975 when he led the team with 25 home runs.
However, Baylor and pitcher Mike Torrez would be traded to the A's prior to the 1976 season in exchange for Reggie Jackson and Ken Holtzman. Baylor's offensive numbers would drop as A's owner Charlie Finley began to dismantle his dynasty. Fortunately, free agency had come about and Baylor was among the inaugural class of free agents and signed a contract with the California Angels along with his ex-Orioles and A's teammates Bobby Grich and Joe Rudi prior to the 1977 season.
While Baylor's numbers were respectable, the Angels were a disappointment in 1977. But after the Angels hired Jim Fregosi to be their manager midway through the 1978 season, Baylor and the team improved. Baylor hit a then career high 34 HR and 99 RBI and finished 7th in AL MVP balloting though that season was marred by the shooting death of teammate and close friend Lyman Bostock. Undoubtedly spurred on by the loss of his friend, Baylor would have the best year of his career in 1979 where he earned his lone AL All-Star Team selection as he led the AL in home runs and RBI with 36 and 139 as the Angels reached the post-season for the first time in franchise history before falling to the Orioles in the ALCS. It should be noted that Fregosi also managed Darren Daulton to a NL pennant in Philadelphia.
A wrist injury would limit Baylor to 90 games in 1980. He would rebound as a full time DH and the Angels would return to the playoffs in 1982 on a team that now included Doug DeCinces, Fred Lynn and the man he was once traded for Reggie Jackson. Baylor hit 24 HR and drove in 93 runs for a team that just fell short of getting to the World Series, this time to the Milwaukee Brewers.
A free agent once again, Baylor would sign a four year contract with the New York Yankees worth $3.675,000 prior to the 1983 season. George Steinbrenner signed Baylor to have a "take charge leader" in the Yankees clubhouse. Although Baylor put up at least 20 HR and 80 RBI during his tenure in the Bronx with one year left on his contract and after just falling short of winning the AL East in 1985, Steinbrenner would trade Baylor to the Boston Red Sox for outfielder Mike Easler.
Baylor's "take charge" presence was immediately felt in Boston as he instituted a "kangaroo court" in the Red Sox clubhouse from which he did not exempt himself. That and his team leading 31 home runs helped the Red Sox to their first AL pennant in 11 years and within one strike of winning their first World Series since 1918. It was the first of three World Series appearances for Baylor who would get that elusive ring with the Minnesota Twins in 1987 and returned to the Fall Classic in his final year as a player back in an Oakland A's uniform in 1988. This marked the first time in MLB history that a player had reached the World Series in three consecutive years with three different clubs, a feat since matched by Eric Hinske (2007 Red Sox, 2008 Rays and 2009 Yankees).
In 19 big league seasons, Baylor hit .260 with 338 HR and 1276 RBIs. He also led the AL in being hit by a pitch eight times. In all, he was hit by a pitch 267 times which stood as the MLB record until it was surpassed by future Hall of Famer Craig Biggio in 2005.
After tenures as a hitting coach with the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers, Baylor was named the manager of the expansion Colorado Rockies in 1993. He spent six seasons in the Rockies dugout and was named NL Manager of the Year in 1995 leading the Rockies to the NL Wild Card. Baylor would return to the World Series in 1999 as Bobby Cox's hitting coach with the Atlanta Braves before being given a second chance at managing with the Chicago Cubs in 2000, but would be dismissed midway through the 2002 season.
Baylor spent 2003 and 2004 as the bench coach of the New York Mets before becoming the Seattle Mariners hitting coach in 2005. Following a stint as an occasional broadcaster with the Washington Nationals, Baylor would return to Denver as the Rockies hitting coach in 2009. Baylor also spent two seasons apiece as the hitting coach with the Arizona Diamonbacks and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. His return to the Angels began inauspiciously when he broke his leg catching the ceremonial first pitch from Vladimir Guerrero. Looking back, his cancer undoubtedly had weakened his once powerful bones.
The video above shows Baylor setting the record for being hit by a pitch while with the Red Sox in 1987. Thi man always took one for the team.
Sunday, August 6, 2017
Darren Daulton, R.I.P.
I just learned of the passing of former Philadelphia Phillies & Florida Marlins catcher Darren Daulton. He succumbed following a lengthy battle with brain cancer. Daulton was 55.
A native of Arkansas City, Kansas, Daulton was a 25th round draft pick by the Phillies in 1980. He would reach the majors at the end of the 1983 season. That year the Phillies led by the Wheeze Kids triumvirate of Pete Rose, Joe Morgan and Tony Perez won the NL pennant. Daulton spent the next several seasons going back and forth between the majors and minors until he became the everyday catcher in 1989.
Daulton would have a breakout season in 1992 when he led the NL in RBIs earning the first of three NL All-Star Team appearances. The following year, Daulton led the Phillies to their first NL pennant since making his big league debut a decade earlier. He would lead the team with 105 runs and also homered during the 1993 World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays. Daulton finished in the top 10 in NL MVP balloting in both 1992 and 1993.
Daulton was en route to a third straight 100 RBI season in 1994 when he was felled by a season ending knee injury. He would never regain that level of production and would move to first base. However, Daulton would enjoy World Series glory when he was traded to the Florida Marlins in 1997. He would hit another home run in that series and would earn his only World Series ring as the Marlins prevailed against the Cleveland Indians in seven games. Daulton would retire on top. In 14 big league seasons, Daulton hit .245 with 137 HR and 588 RBI.
In 2010, the Phillies inducted Daulton into their Wall of Fame. Three years later, Daulton was diagnosed with brain cancer. Daulton was deemed cancer free in 2015, but it would return last month.
Below is a video of Daulton during the 2015 Broad Street Run in Philadelphia where his foundation raised money for brain cancer research. R.I.P.
A native of Arkansas City, Kansas, Daulton was a 25th round draft pick by the Phillies in 1980. He would reach the majors at the end of the 1983 season. That year the Phillies led by the Wheeze Kids triumvirate of Pete Rose, Joe Morgan and Tony Perez won the NL pennant. Daulton spent the next several seasons going back and forth between the majors and minors until he became the everyday catcher in 1989.
Daulton would have a breakout season in 1992 when he led the NL in RBIs earning the first of three NL All-Star Team appearances. The following year, Daulton led the Phillies to their first NL pennant since making his big league debut a decade earlier. He would lead the team with 105 runs and also homered during the 1993 World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays. Daulton finished in the top 10 in NL MVP balloting in both 1992 and 1993.
Daulton was en route to a third straight 100 RBI season in 1994 when he was felled by a season ending knee injury. He would never regain that level of production and would move to first base. However, Daulton would enjoy World Series glory when he was traded to the Florida Marlins in 1997. He would hit another home run in that series and would earn his only World Series ring as the Marlins prevailed against the Cleveland Indians in seven games. Daulton would retire on top. In 14 big league seasons, Daulton hit .245 with 137 HR and 588 RBI.
In 2010, the Phillies inducted Daulton into their Wall of Fame. Three years later, Daulton was diagnosed with brain cancer. Daulton was deemed cancer free in 2015, but it would return last month.
Below is a video of Daulton during the 2015 Broad Street Run in Philadelphia where his foundation raised money for brain cancer research. R.I.P.
Thursday, August 3, 2017
Sam Shepard is Gone But We'll Always Have Paris, Texas
Earlier this week, the death of Sam Shepard was announced. He died last week of Lou Gehrig's Disease at the age of 73.
Some people remember Shepard as America's greatest playwright of the second half of the 20th Century with works such as Buried Child and A Lie of the Mind while many others remember him for playing Chuck Yeager in The Right Stuff.
But when I think of Sam Shepard, I think of his involvement in the 1984 film Paris, Texas. Adapted from his 1983 book Motel Chronicles, Shepard & Kit Carson would co-write the screenplay for Paris, Texas which would win the Palme d'Or at the 1984 Cannes Film Festival.
In a career spanning more than 60 years and nearly 200 films & TV shows, it is the only lead role of Harry Dean Stanton's long career. Wim Wenders' direction is intense yet understated while Robby Muller's cinematography breathes life into the desolate American Southwest augmented by Ry Cooder's music. But it is Sam Shepard's words and his spare use of them which tells the story. Put them altogether and Paris, Texas is among my five top favorite films ever.
Paris, Texas is but a sliver of Sam Shepard's work, but what a sliver. R.I.P.
Some people remember Shepard as America's greatest playwright of the second half of the 20th Century with works such as Buried Child and A Lie of the Mind while many others remember him for playing Chuck Yeager in The Right Stuff.
But when I think of Sam Shepard, I think of his involvement in the 1984 film Paris, Texas. Adapted from his 1983 book Motel Chronicles, Shepard & Kit Carson would co-write the screenplay for Paris, Texas which would win the Palme d'Or at the 1984 Cannes Film Festival.
In a career spanning more than 60 years and nearly 200 films & TV shows, it is the only lead role of Harry Dean Stanton's long career. Wim Wenders' direction is intense yet understated while Robby Muller's cinematography breathes life into the desolate American Southwest augmented by Ry Cooder's music. But it is Sam Shepard's words and his spare use of them which tells the story. Put them altogether and Paris, Texas is among my five top favorite films ever.
Paris, Texas is but a sliver of Sam Shepard's work, but what a sliver. R.I.P.
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
MLB Notes for July: Cubs Take Charge of NL Central
Until now, the Chicago Cubs have bore little resemblance to the team that won 103 games and their first World Series title in 108 years.
At the beginning of July, the Cubs were a .500 club and by the All-Star Break they were under .500 5.5 games back of the Milwaukee Brewers. But since the All-Star Break, the Cubs are 13-3 and now lead the Brew Crew by 2.5 games. Over this same period, the Brewers are 5-11. How did the Cubs do it? Jose Quintana brought stability to the starting rotation, Wellington Castillo brought stability behind the plate and the rest of the team started to hit.
The St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates aren't entirely out of the NL Central picture at 4.5 and 5.5 games off the pace respectively. But they will need a strong August to continue to be relevant. Only the Cincinnati Reds can truly be said to be looking to next year as they went 8-18 and now stand 14.5 games back of the Cubs.
While being 14.5 games off the pace puts you in last in the NL Central, in the NL East & NL West it puts you in third. But there's a world of difference in being in third between East and West. But first let's look at the division leaders. The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to play other worldly baseball going 20-3 during July finishing the month with 8 straight wins. Since June 7th, the Dodgers are 38-6. Since the All-Star Break, the Dodgers have expanded their lead on the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies from 7.5 and 9.5 respectively to 14 and 14.5 games, respectively. But the D'Backs and Rockies can take comfort in having little competition in the NL Wild Card race. Their nearest competitor is the Brewers who are 5.5 games behind the Rockies and stand a better chance of setting their sights on the NL Central.
Meanwhile, the Miami Marlins and New York Mets also stand 14 and 14.5 games back of the Washington Nationals in the NL East. Unlike the D'Backs and Rockies, neither the Marlins nor Mets have NL Wild Card aspirations. Ditto for the Atlanta Braves who have lost five in a row and 8 of their last 10 games. Conversely, the Philadelphia Phillies have won five in a row and 7 of their last 10 games. It might not mean much in the NL East, but they no longer own MLB's worst record. That dubious distinction now belong to the San Francisco Giants who are now 35 games back of the Dodgers. Any combination of Dodgers wins and Giants losses equally 22 will formally eliminate the former three time World Series champions. With the way the Dodgers are playing and the way the Giants are playing, this could occur by the middle of August.
With the unbelievable play of the Dodgers and the Cubs surge, the Washington Nationals get lost in the shuffle. But the addition of Ryan Madson, Jimmy Doolittle and Brandon Kintzler to their bullpen should not be underestimated down the stretch nor by either the Cubs or Dodgers when it comes to the post-season.
All is quiet on the AL West front with the Houston Astros maintaining a 16 game lead over the Seattle Mariners. The Astros have scarcely missed a beat despite a thumb injury to superstar shortstop Carlos Correa. Pundits are disappointed the team didn't acquire more than Francisco Liriano during the trade deadline, but he gives a young starting rotation all the depth they need. The Mariners are 2.5 games off the second AL Wild Card spot, but the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Texas Rangers and Oakland A's are thinking ahead to 2018. Actually the A's are thinking ahead to when they get a new ballpark. When that comes is anyone's guess.
The Cleveland Indians are still on top of the AL Central. Both the Tribe and the Kansas City Royals were strong after the All-Star Break with both clubs enjoying 9 game winning streaks. So the Royals weren't able to move on the Indians who have been able to hold onto to their two game lead. The Royals, however, now have the second AL Wild Card berth. However, the Minnesota Twins have faded losing 7 of their last 10 games and 5-10 since the All-Star Break. It appears the Twins are focusing on next season with their decision to deal closer Brandon Kintzler to the Nationals and Jaime Garcia to the Yankees only a start after acquiring him from the Atlanta Braves. The Chicago White Sox have been blowing up the team while the Tigers dealt J.D. Martinez, Justin Wilson and Alex Avila. Can Justin Verlander be far behind?
At the All-Star Break, the Boston Red Sox had a 3.5 game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees. The Bronx Bombers now have a half game lead over the Bosox entering August. The Yankees are 12-6 since the All-Star Break. The acquisition of Todd Frazier has given offensive stability at third giving Chase Headley a new lease on life at first base while the return of David Robertson has stabilized a once shaky bullpen. The addition of Sonny Gray should brighten Yankee spirits. Although the Red Sox still have a share of the AL Wild Card, the team has been saddled with David Price's unpleasantness towards Red Sox broadcaster and Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley.
But it could be worse. The Tampa Bay Rays have lost 7 of their last 10 games are now on the outside looking in with regard to the AL Wild Card as both the Rays and Mariners are 2.5 games back of the Royals for the second berth. The Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays bring up the rear in the AL East. But the O's have been buyers acquiring Tim Beckham from the Chisox and Jeremy Hellickson from the Phillies while the Jays have sent pitchers Francisco Liriano and Joe Smith packing.
What will come by the end of August? Will the Dodgers come back down to earth? Will the Cubs continue to expand their lead in the NL Central? Or do the Brewers, Cardinals or Pirates have a second wind? Can the Red Sox get their house in order? Will the Royals overtake the Indians in the AL Central? Or will the Royals have to fend off the Rays and Mariners in the AL Wild Card? I'll let you know on September 1st.
At the beginning of July, the Cubs were a .500 club and by the All-Star Break they were under .500 5.5 games back of the Milwaukee Brewers. But since the All-Star Break, the Cubs are 13-3 and now lead the Brew Crew by 2.5 games. Over this same period, the Brewers are 5-11. How did the Cubs do it? Jose Quintana brought stability to the starting rotation, Wellington Castillo brought stability behind the plate and the rest of the team started to hit.
The St. Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates aren't entirely out of the NL Central picture at 4.5 and 5.5 games off the pace respectively. But they will need a strong August to continue to be relevant. Only the Cincinnati Reds can truly be said to be looking to next year as they went 8-18 and now stand 14.5 games back of the Cubs.
While being 14.5 games off the pace puts you in last in the NL Central, in the NL East & NL West it puts you in third. But there's a world of difference in being in third between East and West. But first let's look at the division leaders. The Los Angeles Dodgers continue to play other worldly baseball going 20-3 during July finishing the month with 8 straight wins. Since June 7th, the Dodgers are 38-6. Since the All-Star Break, the Dodgers have expanded their lead on the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies from 7.5 and 9.5 respectively to 14 and 14.5 games, respectively. But the D'Backs and Rockies can take comfort in having little competition in the NL Wild Card race. Their nearest competitor is the Brewers who are 5.5 games behind the Rockies and stand a better chance of setting their sights on the NL Central.
Meanwhile, the Miami Marlins and New York Mets also stand 14 and 14.5 games back of the Washington Nationals in the NL East. Unlike the D'Backs and Rockies, neither the Marlins nor Mets have NL Wild Card aspirations. Ditto for the Atlanta Braves who have lost five in a row and 8 of their last 10 games. Conversely, the Philadelphia Phillies have won five in a row and 7 of their last 10 games. It might not mean much in the NL East, but they no longer own MLB's worst record. That dubious distinction now belong to the San Francisco Giants who are now 35 games back of the Dodgers. Any combination of Dodgers wins and Giants losses equally 22 will formally eliminate the former three time World Series champions. With the way the Dodgers are playing and the way the Giants are playing, this could occur by the middle of August.
With the unbelievable play of the Dodgers and the Cubs surge, the Washington Nationals get lost in the shuffle. But the addition of Ryan Madson, Jimmy Doolittle and Brandon Kintzler to their bullpen should not be underestimated down the stretch nor by either the Cubs or Dodgers when it comes to the post-season.
All is quiet on the AL West front with the Houston Astros maintaining a 16 game lead over the Seattle Mariners. The Astros have scarcely missed a beat despite a thumb injury to superstar shortstop Carlos Correa. Pundits are disappointed the team didn't acquire more than Francisco Liriano during the trade deadline, but he gives a young starting rotation all the depth they need. The Mariners are 2.5 games off the second AL Wild Card spot, but the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Texas Rangers and Oakland A's are thinking ahead to 2018. Actually the A's are thinking ahead to when they get a new ballpark. When that comes is anyone's guess.
The Cleveland Indians are still on top of the AL Central. Both the Tribe and the Kansas City Royals were strong after the All-Star Break with both clubs enjoying 9 game winning streaks. So the Royals weren't able to move on the Indians who have been able to hold onto to their two game lead. The Royals, however, now have the second AL Wild Card berth. However, the Minnesota Twins have faded losing 7 of their last 10 games and 5-10 since the All-Star Break. It appears the Twins are focusing on next season with their decision to deal closer Brandon Kintzler to the Nationals and Jaime Garcia to the Yankees only a start after acquiring him from the Atlanta Braves. The Chicago White Sox have been blowing up the team while the Tigers dealt J.D. Martinez, Justin Wilson and Alex Avila. Can Justin Verlander be far behind?
At the All-Star Break, the Boston Red Sox had a 3.5 game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees. The Bronx Bombers now have a half game lead over the Bosox entering August. The Yankees are 12-6 since the All-Star Break. The acquisition of Todd Frazier has given offensive stability at third giving Chase Headley a new lease on life at first base while the return of David Robertson has stabilized a once shaky bullpen. The addition of Sonny Gray should brighten Yankee spirits. Although the Red Sox still have a share of the AL Wild Card, the team has been saddled with David Price's unpleasantness towards Red Sox broadcaster and Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley.
But it could be worse. The Tampa Bay Rays have lost 7 of their last 10 games are now on the outside looking in with regard to the AL Wild Card as both the Rays and Mariners are 2.5 games back of the Royals for the second berth. The Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays bring up the rear in the AL East. But the O's have been buyers acquiring Tim Beckham from the Chisox and Jeremy Hellickson from the Phillies while the Jays have sent pitchers Francisco Liriano and Joe Smith packing.
What will come by the end of August? Will the Dodgers come back down to earth? Will the Cubs continue to expand their lead in the NL Central? Or do the Brewers, Cardinals or Pirates have a second wind? Can the Red Sox get their house in order? Will the Royals overtake the Indians in the AL Central? Or will the Royals have to fend off the Rays and Mariners in the AL Wild Card? I'll let you know on September 1st.