After 16 big league seasons, Curtis Granderson has concluded the Grandy Man can't.
Granderson, who turns 39 in March, spent the bulk of his career in Detroit and then New York with both the Yankees and the Mets. After brief stops with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays and Milwaukee Brewers he finished his playing career with the Miami Marlins. In 138 games last season, Granderson batted only .183 with 12 HR and 34 RBI.
A third round draft pick of the Tigers in 2002, Granderson reached the majors in 2004 but wouldn't become an everyday player until 2006 when the Tigers surprisingly won the AL pennant. Granderson led the AL in triples in both 2007 and 2008 with 23 and 13, respectively. He would earn his first AL All-Star selection in 2009.
Following that season, Granderson was involved in a blockbuster trade which sent him to the New York Yankees. The trade also involved the Arizona Diamondbacks who sent Max Scherzer to the Tigers. Granderson had his best season in 2011 when he led the AL in both runs scored (136) and RBI (119) along with 41 HR. He would finish fourth in AL MVP balloting that season. Granderson slugged a career high 43 HR along with 106 RBI in 2012. He would be named to the AL All-Star team both years.
Granderson hit 20 or more HR in each of his four campaigns with the Mets highlighted by his leadership role on the 2015 NL pennant winners.
His one big weakness was strikeouts. In fact, Granderson finished with more strikeouts than hits (1916 to 1800). However, when it came to being a teammate and a goodwill ambassador in the cities in which he played, Granderson made contact each and every time. Granderson earned the Roberto Clemente Award in 2016 and also earned the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award four times. On that count, the Grandy Man always can.
Friday, January 31, 2020
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
The Astros Will Be Dusty Baker's Biggest Managerial Challenge
The Houston Astros have hired Dusty Baker to be their new manager signing a one year contract with a club option for 2021. Baker replaces A.J. Hinch who along with GM Jeff Luhnow were terminated after being suspended for the 2020 season for the team's electronic sign stealing scandal.
The Astros had little choice but to hire an outsider with unimpeachable credentials. In 22 seasons, Baker's teams have reached the post-season 9 times winning a NL pennant with the San Francisco Giants in 2002. In addition to the Giants (1993-2002), Baker has managed the Chicago Cubs (2003-2006), Cincinnati Reds (2008-2013) and the Washington Nationals (2016-2017). Every team Baker has managed has made the post-season at least once.
This marks the first time the 70-year old Baker has managed an AL team and given the circumstances this will be his most challenging task as a big league manager as they will be scrutinized as no team ever before. For all his goodwill, Baker will be managing MLB's most hated team. They will be booed everywhere they go including in Houston. Even if they win, it will be accompanied with considerable cynicism and if they fall apart nearly everyone will cheer their demise.
Even with Baker's credentials, I can see Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman and Justin Verlander resisting his efforts to lay down the law and go, "OK, Boomer!!!" It doesn't help that Baker has a short leash. It could be the case that Baker knows he is only going to be a caretaker manager with Astros bench coach Joe Espada is waiting in the wings. The current situation rendered it impossible for the Astros to name an internal candidate. Assuming the long term plan is to have Espada manage the team one wonders if things will revert back to the way they were under Hinch will the players ran roughshod. In which case, certain Astros veterans might be biding their time.
Whatever the Astros' plans over the next two seasons there's a very good chance Dusty Baker has placed himself in a no win situation. I wish him all the luck because he will need it.
The Astros had little choice but to hire an outsider with unimpeachable credentials. In 22 seasons, Baker's teams have reached the post-season 9 times winning a NL pennant with the San Francisco Giants in 2002. In addition to the Giants (1993-2002), Baker has managed the Chicago Cubs (2003-2006), Cincinnati Reds (2008-2013) and the Washington Nationals (2016-2017). Every team Baker has managed has made the post-season at least once.
This marks the first time the 70-year old Baker has managed an AL team and given the circumstances this will be his most challenging task as a big league manager as they will be scrutinized as no team ever before. For all his goodwill, Baker will be managing MLB's most hated team. They will be booed everywhere they go including in Houston. Even if they win, it will be accompanied with considerable cynicism and if they fall apart nearly everyone will cheer their demise.
Even with Baker's credentials, I can see Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman and Justin Verlander resisting his efforts to lay down the law and go, "OK, Boomer!!!" It doesn't help that Baker has a short leash. It could be the case that Baker knows he is only going to be a caretaker manager with Astros bench coach Joe Espada is waiting in the wings. The current situation rendered it impossible for the Astros to name an internal candidate. Assuming the long term plan is to have Espada manage the team one wonders if things will revert back to the way they were under Hinch will the players ran roughshod. In which case, certain Astros veterans might be biding their time.
Whatever the Astros' plans over the next two seasons there's a very good chance Dusty Baker has placed himself in a no win situation. I wish him all the luck because he will need it.
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
The Palestinians Aren't Interested in Trump's Peace Plan - Or Anyone Else's
People who may be inclined to criticize President Trump's long awaited Middle East peace plan because the Palestinians rejected it out of hand ought to keep in mind the Palestinians always reject peace plans with Israel.
If Palestinians genuinely wanted peace with Israel there would be no BDS movement which demands the return of all Arab lands and the right of return of Palestinian refugees who unlike any other refugees in the world can be born and raised in the United States.
If Palestinians genuinely wanted peace with Israel the Palestinian Authority and Hamas would not name schools, streets and soccer fields after those who murder Jewish civilians.
If Palestinians genuinely wanted peace with Israel they would acknowledge Israel's existence.
The only way I can see Trump's peace plan having any viability is if the Arab states bring pressure to bear on the Palestinians. The Arab states have been friendlier to Israel in recent years given the common threat of Iran so it could be of some help. But even if they do they won't necessarily present a united front. I suspect most Arab states won't recognize Israel beyond pre-1967 borders which would be a complete non-starter for Israel.
Trump's peace plan might help him domestically in that it would put his potential Democratic presidential rivals of defending the Palestinians as Elizabeth Warren has already done (she claims it offers no real hope for a Palestinian state) and I'm sure Bernie Sanders will do as will Joe Biden given his historically difficult relationship with Benjamin Netanyahu. While most Jews will vote Democrat, there might be enough Jews sufficiently uneasy with the Democrats' increasingly pro-Palestinian position to either vote for Trump or stay home on Election Day.
Although Trump's peace plan is more sympathetic to Israel than most I'm sure it will go to the same place all others before it have gone - nowhere. That's because the Palestinians are happy right where they are wallowing in false victimhood instead of being in awkward position of running a failed state.
If Palestinians genuinely wanted peace with Israel there would be no BDS movement which demands the return of all Arab lands and the right of return of Palestinian refugees who unlike any other refugees in the world can be born and raised in the United States.
If Palestinians genuinely wanted peace with Israel the Palestinian Authority and Hamas would not name schools, streets and soccer fields after those who murder Jewish civilians.
If Palestinians genuinely wanted peace with Israel they would acknowledge Israel's existence.
The only way I can see Trump's peace plan having any viability is if the Arab states bring pressure to bear on the Palestinians. The Arab states have been friendlier to Israel in recent years given the common threat of Iran so it could be of some help. But even if they do they won't necessarily present a united front. I suspect most Arab states won't recognize Israel beyond pre-1967 borders which would be a complete non-starter for Israel.
Trump's peace plan might help him domestically in that it would put his potential Democratic presidential rivals of defending the Palestinians as Elizabeth Warren has already done (she claims it offers no real hope for a Palestinian state) and I'm sure Bernie Sanders will do as will Joe Biden given his historically difficult relationship with Benjamin Netanyahu. While most Jews will vote Democrat, there might be enough Jews sufficiently uneasy with the Democrats' increasingly pro-Palestinian position to either vote for Trump or stay home on Election Day.
Although Trump's peace plan is more sympathetic to Israel than most I'm sure it will go to the same place all others before it have gone - nowhere. That's because the Palestinians are happy right where they are wallowing in false victimhood instead of being in awkward position of running a failed state.
Monday, January 27, 2020
Reds Reportedly Sign Castellanos; D'Backs Acquire Marte From Pirates for Prospects & Pool Money
Two significant moves in MLB today. First, free agent outfielder Nicholas Castellanos has reportedly signed a 4-year, $64 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds. This development was followed by the news the Pittsburgh Pirates traded outfielder Starling Marte to the Arizona Diamondbacks for two prospects and $250,000 in international pool money.
Castellanos had spent 6½ seasons with the Detroit Tigers including a 101 RBI campaign in 2017 during which he also led the AL in triples. But Castellanos received more attention during his two months in a Chicago Cubs uniform last summer than he did for his entire tenure in a Tigers uniform. In 51 games with the Cubs, Castellanos, who turns 28 in March, hit .321 with 16 HR and 36 RBI. His combined 2019 stats saw Castellanos finish with .289 with 27 HR and 73 RBI. To put those numbers in perspective, Castellanos drove in nearly as many runs with the Cubs as he did with the Tigers despite playing in half as many games and with more than 200 fewer plate appearances. No doubt being dealt from Detroit which has become one of baseball's worst franchises was a liberating experience as he made no secret of his desire to leave the organization a year ago prior to spring training. Although the Cubs failed to reach the post-season, Castellanos' stint with the Cubs made him an attractive free agent.
While it might be a lot to expect Castellanos to replicate the productivity he had at Wrigley, he has entered the prime of his career and the Reds are expect to compete in the NL Central. But in case they don't, his contract contains opt out provisions after this season and the 2021 season. The addition of Castellanos, Mike Moustakas, Shogo Akiyama to a lineup which already includes Eugenio Suarez and Aristides Aquino is exciting as is the prospect of a resurgent Joey Votto. The Reds finally look like they have the makings of a champion.
The same could be said for the D'Backs. All Arizona had to give up for Marte aside from 250K was minor league pitcher Brennan Malone and minor league shortstop Liover Peguro. The D'Backs have a viable starting center fielder and can move Ketel Marte (no relation) back to second base.
Starling Marte has spent his entire professional career with the Pirates signing with them as a teenager in 2007. The Dominican born Marte made the Bucs big league roster in 2012 and became an everyday player in 2013. Marte won Gold Gloves in 2015 and 2016 and was selected to the NL All-Star Team in 2016. Marte does have a black mark against him with his PED suspension early in the 2017 season. However, he has rebounded from that setback. In 2019, Marte hit .295 with 23 HR and 82 RBI along with 25 stolen bases despite missing time early in the season with an abdominal injury.
In eight seasons with the Pirates, the 31-year old Marte collected 1047 hits for a .287 batting average, 108 HR, 420 RBI and 239 stolen bases.
I think Marte will have a tremendous season in Phoenix and could prove the difference in getting them back to the post-season. Perhaps enough of a difference to win a NL MVP.
Castellanos had spent 6½ seasons with the Detroit Tigers including a 101 RBI campaign in 2017 during which he also led the AL in triples. But Castellanos received more attention during his two months in a Chicago Cubs uniform last summer than he did for his entire tenure in a Tigers uniform. In 51 games with the Cubs, Castellanos, who turns 28 in March, hit .321 with 16 HR and 36 RBI. His combined 2019 stats saw Castellanos finish with .289 with 27 HR and 73 RBI. To put those numbers in perspective, Castellanos drove in nearly as many runs with the Cubs as he did with the Tigers despite playing in half as many games and with more than 200 fewer plate appearances. No doubt being dealt from Detroit which has become one of baseball's worst franchises was a liberating experience as he made no secret of his desire to leave the organization a year ago prior to spring training. Although the Cubs failed to reach the post-season, Castellanos' stint with the Cubs made him an attractive free agent.
While it might be a lot to expect Castellanos to replicate the productivity he had at Wrigley, he has entered the prime of his career and the Reds are expect to compete in the NL Central. But in case they don't, his contract contains opt out provisions after this season and the 2021 season. The addition of Castellanos, Mike Moustakas, Shogo Akiyama to a lineup which already includes Eugenio Suarez and Aristides Aquino is exciting as is the prospect of a resurgent Joey Votto. The Reds finally look like they have the makings of a champion.
The same could be said for the D'Backs. All Arizona had to give up for Marte aside from 250K was minor league pitcher Brennan Malone and minor league shortstop Liover Peguro. The D'Backs have a viable starting center fielder and can move Ketel Marte (no relation) back to second base.
Starling Marte has spent his entire professional career with the Pirates signing with them as a teenager in 2007. The Dominican born Marte made the Bucs big league roster in 2012 and became an everyday player in 2013. Marte won Gold Gloves in 2015 and 2016 and was selected to the NL All-Star Team in 2016. Marte does have a black mark against him with his PED suspension early in the 2017 season. However, he has rebounded from that setback. In 2019, Marte hit .295 with 23 HR and 82 RBI along with 25 stolen bases despite missing time early in the season with an abdominal injury.
In eight seasons with the Pirates, the 31-year old Marte collected 1047 hits for a .287 batting average, 108 HR, 420 RBI and 239 stolen bases.
I think Marte will have a tremendous season in Phoenix and could prove the difference in getting them back to the post-season. Perhaps enough of a difference to win a NL MVP.
Sunday, January 26, 2020
A Thought For The Altobelli Family
While the world is shocked and stunned at the death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna in a helicopter crash, the accident claimed the lives of six other people.
Three of those people are members of the Altobelli family. John Altobelli had been the head baseball coach at Orange Coast College since 1992. Altobelli also managed in the Cape Cod League coaching the likes of Aaron Judge and Jeff McNeil. When I heard his name I wondered if he was related to former Baltimore Orioles manager Joe Altobelli although this does not appear to be the case. However, his son J.J. Altobelli is a scout with the Boston Red Sox. Coach Altobelli was killed along with his wife and daughter Alyssa who was a youth basketball teammate Gianna Bryant.
John Altobelli might not be a household name like Kobe Bryant, but he made a difference in the lives of hundreds of college baseball players on and off the field. His passing will also be deeply felt. Like Kobe Bryant, John and Keri Altobelli were cut down in the prime of their lives. As with Gianna Bryant, Alyssa Altobelli leaves the world only having scratched the surface of her potential. A very sad day all around. R.I.P.
Three of those people are members of the Altobelli family. John Altobelli had been the head baseball coach at Orange Coast College since 1992. Altobelli also managed in the Cape Cod League coaching the likes of Aaron Judge and Jeff McNeil. When I heard his name I wondered if he was related to former Baltimore Orioles manager Joe Altobelli although this does not appear to be the case. However, his son J.J. Altobelli is a scout with the Boston Red Sox. Coach Altobelli was killed along with his wife and daughter Alyssa who was a youth basketball teammate Gianna Bryant.
John Altobelli might not be a household name like Kobe Bryant, but he made a difference in the lives of hundreds of college baseball players on and off the field. His passing will also be deeply felt. Like Kobe Bryant, John and Keri Altobelli were cut down in the prime of their lives. As with Gianna Bryant, Alyssa Altobelli leaves the world only having scratched the surface of her potential. A very sad day all around. R.I.P.
A Thought For Kobe Bryant & 4 Others Killed In The Calabasas Helicopter Crash UPDATE
A few minutes ago, I learned of the death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant in a helicopter crash this morning in Southern California. He was among five people killed in the accident which left no survivors. Bryant was 41.
Even though I'm not a big basketball fan my heart leapt in my throat. My Dad was similarly stunned when I told him the news. "You just never know," he said.
Although Bryant is among the greatest players in NBA history during his 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, he still had his whole life ahead of him until he boarded a helicopter a couple of hours ago. For all of his NBA championship rings, he was a husband and a father to four young daughters and they will now have to find a way to carry on without him in what should have been the prime of his life.
Of course, there are four other people who lost their lives aboard that helicopter today. While we don't yet know their names, they didn't win a NBA MVP or scored 81 points in a game, they too had their lives and now suddenly leave behind families who never dreamed they had gazed upon their loved one for the last time. R.I.P. to all.
UPDATE: The story gets sadder. Bryant's 13-year old daughter Gianna was also killed in the crash. Evidently they were on their way to a basketball practice in Thousand Oaks.
UPDATE II: The sadness continues. Alyhough they have not been identified evidently one of Gianna Bryant's teammates and a parent were also killed aboard the ill-fated flight.
Even though I'm not a big basketball fan my heart leapt in my throat. My Dad was similarly stunned when I told him the news. "You just never know," he said.
Although Bryant is among the greatest players in NBA history during his 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, he still had his whole life ahead of him until he boarded a helicopter a couple of hours ago. For all of his NBA championship rings, he was a husband and a father to four young daughters and they will now have to find a way to carry on without him in what should have been the prime of his life.
Of course, there are four other people who lost their lives aboard that helicopter today. While we don't yet know their names, they didn't win a NBA MVP or scored 81 points in a game, they too had their lives and now suddenly leave behind families who never dreamed they had gazed upon their loved one for the last time. R.I.P. to all.
UPDATE: The story gets sadder. Bryant's 13-year old daughter Gianna was also killed in the crash. Evidently they were on their way to a basketball practice in Thousand Oaks.
UPDATE II: The sadness continues. Alyhough they have not been identified evidently one of Gianna Bryant's teammates and a parent were also killed aboard the ill-fated flight.
Saturday, January 25, 2020
Pompeo & McSally Gaslight Media in Defense of Trump
President Trump is infamous for his repeated declarations the news media are the enemy of the people.
Now that Trump faces an impeachment trial, it is not surprising his acolytes are taking up arms against the news media on his behalf. Last week it was Arizona GOP Senator Martha McSally calling CNN reporter Manu Raju "a liberal hack" when he had the temerity to ask her if the Senate should consider new evidence at the impeachment trial.
Yesterday it was Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's turn when he cut short an interview with NPR's Mary-Louise Kelly when she questioned him about Ukraine specifically concerning the treatment of former Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch in light of taped revelations that Trump wanted to be rid of her. Following the interview, Pompeo went on an obscenity laden tirade against Kelly. Pompeo then put out an official statement calling Kelly a liar, accused her of "violating the basic rules of journalism and decency" and of being "part of a quest to hurt President Trump and this Administration". The Secretary of State concluded by questioning Kelly's intelligence by stating, "It is worth noting Bangladesh is NOT Ukraine." Pompeo knows less about decency than he knows about journalism.
This is Gaslighting 101. Ask a Republican official a question about Ukraine, impeachment proceedings or anything remotely critical of President Trump and one can expect to be called a hack, a liar and be lied about. It is utterly implausible for Pompeo to claim Kelly could not discern between Bangladesh and Ukraine given her academic background is in European Studies. But facts be damned in a realm of alternative facts.
It is a realm in which complete and utter loyalty to Trump is demanded and occasionally rewarded. In Republican circles blind loyalty to Trump carries far more currency than acknowledging the truth and upholding The Constitution up to and including the rule of law and a free press.
It is also a realm where journalism and news media have become dirty words. It isn't to say journalism and news media don't warrant criticism from time to time. But our government, whoever holds the levers of power, must be held to account and not be beyond criticism. This is not possible without a free press. By their gaslighting and maligning the news media as enemies of the people, President Trump, Senator McSalky and Secretary of State Pompeo are rendering a free press impossible and leading us towards an avenue of authoritarianism.
Now that Trump faces an impeachment trial, it is not surprising his acolytes are taking up arms against the news media on his behalf. Last week it was Arizona GOP Senator Martha McSally calling CNN reporter Manu Raju "a liberal hack" when he had the temerity to ask her if the Senate should consider new evidence at the impeachment trial.
Yesterday it was Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's turn when he cut short an interview with NPR's Mary-Louise Kelly when she questioned him about Ukraine specifically concerning the treatment of former Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch in light of taped revelations that Trump wanted to be rid of her. Following the interview, Pompeo went on an obscenity laden tirade against Kelly. Pompeo then put out an official statement calling Kelly a liar, accused her of "violating the basic rules of journalism and decency" and of being "part of a quest to hurt President Trump and this Administration". The Secretary of State concluded by questioning Kelly's intelligence by stating, "It is worth noting Bangladesh is NOT Ukraine." Pompeo knows less about decency than he knows about journalism.
This is Gaslighting 101. Ask a Republican official a question about Ukraine, impeachment proceedings or anything remotely critical of President Trump and one can expect to be called a hack, a liar and be lied about. It is utterly implausible for Pompeo to claim Kelly could not discern between Bangladesh and Ukraine given her academic background is in European Studies. But facts be damned in a realm of alternative facts.
It is a realm in which complete and utter loyalty to Trump is demanded and occasionally rewarded. In Republican circles blind loyalty to Trump carries far more currency than acknowledging the truth and upholding The Constitution up to and including the rule of law and a free press.
It is also a realm where journalism and news media have become dirty words. It isn't to say journalism and news media don't warrant criticism from time to time. But our government, whoever holds the levers of power, must be held to account and not be beyond criticism. This is not possible without a free press. By their gaslighting and maligning the news media as enemies of the people, President Trump, Senator McSalky and Secretary of State Pompeo are rendering a free press impossible and leading us towards an avenue of authoritarianism.
Friday, January 24, 2020
Elizabeth Warren Now Not So Eager To Cast Aspersions Against Bernie Sanders
In a classic case of what a difference a week makes, Elizabeth Warren is now suddenly not so eager to cast aspersions against Bernie Sanders after accusing him last week of telling her in 2018 that a woman couldn't be elected President. The accusation resulted in tensions between the two following the Democratic debate when the two had words with Warren refusing to shake Sanders' hand.
When Gayle King of CBS This Morning asked Warren her thoughts on Sanders she replied, “Bernie and I have worked together for a very long time and we continue to do so. I’ve said all I’m going to say about that.” When King pressed Warren about Hillary Clinton's claim that "nobody likes" Sanders, Warren said, "I'm not going there."
What this tells me is that Warren's tactic against Sanders backfired resulting in a self-inflicted wound. While Sanders rises in popularity in Iowa, New Hampshire and beyond, the Warren campaign is lowering expectations.
Could Warren's lies be finally catching up with her now that she has appears to have alienated the so-called progressive vote she so desperately seeks?
If nothing else aspiring presidential candidate should not make claims about other aspiring presidential candidates they cannot back up and do not have a shred of credibility. In Elizabeth Warren's case, the lesson may have come too late.
When Gayle King of CBS This Morning asked Warren her thoughts on Sanders she replied, “Bernie and I have worked together for a very long time and we continue to do so. I’ve said all I’m going to say about that.” When King pressed Warren about Hillary Clinton's claim that "nobody likes" Sanders, Warren said, "I'm not going there."
What this tells me is that Warren's tactic against Sanders backfired resulting in a self-inflicted wound. While Sanders rises in popularity in Iowa, New Hampshire and beyond, the Warren campaign is lowering expectations.
Could Warren's lies be finally catching up with her now that she has appears to have alienated the so-called progressive vote she so desperately seeks?
If nothing else aspiring presidential candidate should not make claims about other aspiring presidential candidates they cannot back up and do not have a shred of credibility. In Elizabeth Warren's case, the lesson may have come too late.
Thursday, January 23, 2020
Jim Lehrer Leaves This World When We Needed His Wisdom The Most
Longtime PBS news anchor Jim Lehrer passed away in his sleep this morning. He was 85.
I remember how Lehrer's low key Texas drawl counterbalanced the aristocratic authority of Robert MacNeil's voice on The MacNeil/Lehrer Report and The MacNeil/Lehrer News Hour. When MacNeil retired in 1995, Lehrer took over the reigns of the program until his retirement in 2009. Lehrer occasionally made media appearances as a presidential debate moderator most recently in 2012.
Both MacNeil and Lehrer took a far more comprehensive, detailed look at the nuts and bolts of matters great and small and did so in a manner that did not insult the intelligence of the viewer. Canadians of a certain age will remember the ill-fated Meech Lake Accord. MacNeil and Lehrer explained Meech Lake far better than any Canadian news organization could.
Lehrer's passing in the midst of Senate impeachment hearings is a sad pause to an already sorry state of affairs. Like Woodward and Bernstein, MacNeil and Lehrer made their reputations during the Senate Watergate hearings in 1973 with their frank and thoughtful presentation of the corruption of the White House that was happening before our very eyes. In a time such as now where we have become cynical and desensitized to all that is around us the sobriety of Jim Lehrer (and Robert MacNeil) is sorely missed and even more sorely needed during this age of irrationality and intoxication. R.I.P.
I remember how Lehrer's low key Texas drawl counterbalanced the aristocratic authority of Robert MacNeil's voice on The MacNeil/Lehrer Report and The MacNeil/Lehrer News Hour. When MacNeil retired in 1995, Lehrer took over the reigns of the program until his retirement in 2009. Lehrer occasionally made media appearances as a presidential debate moderator most recently in 2012.
Both MacNeil and Lehrer took a far more comprehensive, detailed look at the nuts and bolts of matters great and small and did so in a manner that did not insult the intelligence of the viewer. Canadians of a certain age will remember the ill-fated Meech Lake Accord. MacNeil and Lehrer explained Meech Lake far better than any Canadian news organization could.
Lehrer's passing in the midst of Senate impeachment hearings is a sad pause to an already sorry state of affairs. Like Woodward and Bernstein, MacNeil and Lehrer made their reputations during the Senate Watergate hearings in 1973 with their frank and thoughtful presentation of the corruption of the White House that was happening before our very eyes. In a time such as now where we have become cynical and desensitized to all that is around us the sobriety of Jim Lehrer (and Robert MacNeil) is sorely missed and even more sorely needed during this age of irrationality and intoxication. R.I.P.
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Can Marcell Ozuna Rebound With The Braves?
After two seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, outfielder Marcell Ozuna has signed a 1-year, $18 million deal with the Atlanta Braves.
Ozuna spent his first five big league seasons with the Miami Marlins capped by a career year in 2017 in which he hit .312 with 37 HR and 124 RBI. The Cardinals acquired him that off-season with high hopes as did I predicting he would win the NL MVP in 2018 which was instead won by his fellow former Marlins outfielder Christian Yelich.
While Ozuna's 29 HR and 89 RBI in 2019 were his second best total of his career, he also hit a career low .241 in 130 games missing time with an injured right hand. But Atlanta could give him a lift as he won't be expected to be the guy. Ozuna, 29, can provide protection in the middle of the order between Ronald Acuna, Jr. and Freddie Freeman. He also represents short term insurance for not being able to re-sign Josh Donaldson or acquire Nolan Arenado from the Rockies (yet!!!)
A good year from Ozuna could make him the head of the free agent class of 2021.
Ozuna spent his first five big league seasons with the Miami Marlins capped by a career year in 2017 in which he hit .312 with 37 HR and 124 RBI. The Cardinals acquired him that off-season with high hopes as did I predicting he would win the NL MVP in 2018 which was instead won by his fellow former Marlins outfielder Christian Yelich.
While Ozuna's 29 HR and 89 RBI in 2019 were his second best total of his career, he also hit a career low .241 in 130 games missing time with an injured right hand. But Atlanta could give him a lift as he won't be expected to be the guy. Ozuna, 29, can provide protection in the middle of the order between Ronald Acuna, Jr. and Freddie Freeman. He also represents short term insurance for not being able to re-sign Josh Donaldson or acquire Nolan Arenado from the Rockies (yet!!!)
A good year from Ozuna could make him the head of the free agent class of 2021.
Mets Promote Luis Rojas as New Manager
For the second time this off-season the New York Mets have hired a new manager. This time they hope it will stick by promoting within by hiring Luis Rojas to a multi-year contract.
Rojas, the son of former MLB player and manager Felipe Alou and younger brother Moises Alou, has been in the Mets organization since 2011 primarily as a minor league manager before being promoted to their big league staff as the quality control coach in 2019. Mets players like Pete Alonso and Marcus Stroman have responded positively to the news.
Rojas, 38, replaces Carlos Beltran who was hired in November but summarily dismissed for his involvement with the Houston Astros sign stealing scandal when they won the World Series in 2017. There will be no baggage with Rojas and a seamless start to spring training and what ought to be an outstanding 2020 season.
Rojas, the son of former MLB player and manager Felipe Alou and younger brother Moises Alou, has been in the Mets organization since 2011 primarily as a minor league manager before being promoted to their big league staff as the quality control coach in 2019. Mets players like Pete Alonso and Marcus Stroman have responded positively to the news.
Rojas, 38, replaces Carlos Beltran who was hired in November but summarily dismissed for his involvement with the Houston Astros sign stealing scandal when they won the World Series in 2017. There will be no baggage with Rojas and a seamless start to spring training and what ought to be an outstanding 2020 season.
What Is Fairway's Future? UPDATE
Twenty four hours ago, The New York Post reported the New York grocery chain Fairway would close all 14 of its stores including its flagship store on the Upper West Side.
However, Fairway denies it is filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection. Previously they filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2016 and have been seeking a buyer without success. Rising rents and NYC's minimum wage law haven't helped matters.
As someone who shops at Fairway, I hope they can find a buyer. Of course, there are other options - Zabar's, Pioneer, Gourmet Garage, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Gristedes plus a few independent places. But if they close there will be a void on the Upper West Side. Fairway takes up nearly an entire city block on Broadway between 74th and 75th and has since FDR took office in 1933. Fairway has been a part of peoples' lives in this neighborhood their whole lives.
If Fairway shuts down life will go on, but it won't be the same and it won't be any better.
UPDATE: Fairway filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Thursday. Five of its Manhattan stores including the flagship store will be sold to Village Super Market, Inc. which owns the ShopRite chain while the remaining 9 stores will be liquidated. While it is unfortunate there will be job losses better Chapter 11 than Chapter 7.
However, Fairway denies it is filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection. Previously they filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2016 and have been seeking a buyer without success. Rising rents and NYC's minimum wage law haven't helped matters.
As someone who shops at Fairway, I hope they can find a buyer. Of course, there are other options - Zabar's, Pioneer, Gourmet Garage, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Gristedes plus a few independent places. But if they close there will be a void on the Upper West Side. Fairway takes up nearly an entire city block on Broadway between 74th and 75th and has since FDR took office in 1933. Fairway has been a part of peoples' lives in this neighborhood their whole lives.
If Fairway shuts down life will go on, but it won't be the same and it won't be any better.
UPDATE: Fairway filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Thursday. Five of its Manhattan stores including the flagship store will be sold to Village Super Market, Inc. which owns the ShopRite chain while the remaining 9 stores will be liquidated. While it is unfortunate there will be job losses better Chapter 11 than Chapter 7.
Trump Ought To Have His Head Examined About Brain Injuries (And Visit Walter Reed While He's At It)
That President Trump should have his head examined goes without saying. But this is especially so when he sees fit to trivialize brain injuries sustained by our troops whom he sees fit to send in harm's way.
When an Iranian missile struck a U.S. military base in Baghdad, Trump claimed no troops had been injured in the attack. This turned out to be a lie. Quel surprise. At least 11 troops sustained concussion like injuries in the attack and were flown to U.S. bases in Kuwait and Germany for further treatment.
However, Trump has minimized the seriousness of brain injuries. While at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump stated:
I heard they had headaches and a couple of other things ... and I can report it is not very serious. No, I don't consider them very serious injuries relative to other injuries that I've seen. I've seen what Iran has done with their roadside bombs to our troops. I've seen people with no legs and with no arms. I've seen people that were horribly, horribly injured in that area, that war. No, I do not consider that to be bad injuries, no.
A 2017 study from the National Institutes of Health says otherwise noting that the correlation between TBI (traumatic brain injury) and PTSD, depression, suicide ideation, suicide attempts and suicide:
Chances are this study is too involved for Trump to get his brain around. At the very least, he should visit wounded soldiers with TBI at Walter Reed the next time he goes there to get his head examined.
When an Iranian missile struck a U.S. military base in Baghdad, Trump claimed no troops had been injured in the attack. This turned out to be a lie. Quel surprise. At least 11 troops sustained concussion like injuries in the attack and were flown to U.S. bases in Kuwait and Germany for further treatment.
However, Trump has minimized the seriousness of brain injuries. While at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump stated:
I heard they had headaches and a couple of other things ... and I can report it is not very serious. No, I don't consider them very serious injuries relative to other injuries that I've seen. I've seen what Iran has done with their roadside bombs to our troops. I've seen people with no legs and with no arms. I've seen people that were horribly, horribly injured in that area, that war. No, I do not consider that to be bad injuries, no.
A 2017 study from the National Institutes of Health says otherwise noting that the correlation between TBI (traumatic brain injury) and PTSD, depression, suicide ideation, suicide attempts and suicide:
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been called a “signature injury” of Iraq and Afghanistan Conflicts. The Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC) report nearly 350,000 incident diagnoses of TBI in the U.S. military since 2000. Among those deployed, estimated rates of probable TBI range from 11–23%.
Numerous consequences of traumatic brain injury are reported in the literature. Among veterans with positive TBI screens in Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities, 80% indicate comorbid psychiatric diagnoses. Up to half of all service members with combat-related mild TBI (mTBI) meet criteria for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Over one-third with a history of mTBI have depression, with increased risk of suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and suicide completion. Adjusting for psychiatric comorbidities, veterans with a history of TBI are 1.55 times more likely to die from suicide than those without TBI.Additional sequelae associated with mTBI in veterans include cognitive impairment, alcohol misuse and binge drinking, pain disorders, and unemployment. This corresponds to civilian research where TBI has been linked to suicide,lower quality of life, and mood and anxiety disorders.
Chances are this study is too involved for Trump to get his brain around. At the very least, he should visit wounded soldiers with TBI at Walter Reed the next time he goes there to get his head examined.
Terry Jones, R.I.P.
Monty Python co-founder Terry Jones has passed away following a five year battle with dementia. He was 77.
Not long after hearing the news, I spoke about Jones with a colleague who said that he could not recall a Python skit where Jones was the central character. There is much truth to that as John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle and Graham Chapman had all skits where they were the focus of the sketch. My reply was that Jones was indeed central to the Python vision of humor just behind the scenes. Indeed, Jones co-wrote the lion's share of the group's skit along with his Oxford classmate Michael Palin. Jones also directed all of Python's films - Monty Python and The Holy Grail (along with Terry Gilliam), Life of Brian and The Meaning of Life. There is no comedy without a straight man and for Python it was Terry Jones (even if he occasionally wore dresses doing so) as perhaps best demonstrated in the Nudge Nudge, Know What I Mean, Know What I Mean skit he performed with Eric Idle. R.I.P.
Not long after hearing the news, I spoke about Jones with a colleague who said that he could not recall a Python skit where Jones was the central character. There is much truth to that as John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle and Graham Chapman had all skits where they were the focus of the sketch. My reply was that Jones was indeed central to the Python vision of humor just behind the scenes. Indeed, Jones co-wrote the lion's share of the group's skit along with his Oxford classmate Michael Palin. Jones also directed all of Python's films - Monty Python and The Holy Grail (along with Terry Gilliam), Life of Brian and The Meaning of Life. There is no comedy without a straight man and for Python it was Terry Jones (even if he occasionally wore dresses doing so) as perhaps best demonstrated in the Nudge Nudge, Know What I Mean, Know What I Mean skit he performed with Eric Idle. R.I.P.
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
Jeter & Walker Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
Two players have been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame - one on his first year on the ballot and the other on his final year on the ballot.
New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter received a near unanimous selection earning all but one vote (99.7%). Larry Walker, who played 17 seasons with the Montreal Expos, Colorado Rockies and the St. Louis Cardinals, finally reached Cooperstown with 76.6% of the vote. Walker becomes the second Canadian enshrined into the Hall. Ferguson Jenkins was the first nearly 30 years ago in 1991.
Jeter's credentials are well known - five World Series rings, five Gold Gloves, 14 time AL All-Star and 3,465 hits. For those who begrudge Jeter not getting 100% like Mariano Rivera let's remember Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle didn't get 100% of the vote while Joe DiMaggio and Yogi Berra didn't get in on the first ballot.
For his part, Walker jokingly said he felt like a B-side of a record when asked about being inducted with Jeter. But Walker's career is music to anyone's ear - a NL MVP, 3 NL batting titles and 7 Gold Gloves.
Jeter and Walker will join Ted Simmons, the late MLBPA Executive Director Marvin Miller, former Chicago White Sox broadcaster Ken Harrelson and the late Boston Red Sox beat writer Nick Cafardo on July 27th.
New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter received a near unanimous selection earning all but one vote (99.7%). Larry Walker, who played 17 seasons with the Montreal Expos, Colorado Rockies and the St. Louis Cardinals, finally reached Cooperstown with 76.6% of the vote. Walker becomes the second Canadian enshrined into the Hall. Ferguson Jenkins was the first nearly 30 years ago in 1991.
Jeter's credentials are well known - five World Series rings, five Gold Gloves, 14 time AL All-Star and 3,465 hits. For those who begrudge Jeter not getting 100% like Mariano Rivera let's remember Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle didn't get 100% of the vote while Joe DiMaggio and Yogi Berra didn't get in on the first ballot.
For his part, Walker jokingly said he felt like a B-side of a record when asked about being inducted with Jeter. But Walker's career is music to anyone's ear - a NL MVP, 3 NL batting titles and 7 Gold Gloves.
Jeter and Walker will join Ted Simmons, the late MLBPA Executive Director Marvin Miller, former Chicago White Sox broadcaster Ken Harrelson and the late Boston Red Sox beat writer Nick Cafardo on July 27th.
Dershowitz's Chutzpah on The Abuse of Power Defense
With the impeachment trial of President Trump getting under way in the Senate today, Alan Dershowitz made the rounds on television over the weekend with the abuse of power defense. Simply put, while Dershowitz denies Trump abused his power, but even if he did it is not an impeachable offense. Dershowitz told George Stephanopoulos on ABC's This Week:
When you have somebody who, for example, is indicted for a crime, let's assume you have a lot of evidence but the grand jury simply indicts for something that's not a crime, and that's what happened here. The vote was to impeach on abuse of power, which is not within the constitutional criteria for impeachment, and obstruction of Congress.
But Dershowitz made a far different argument where it concerned impeachment proceedings against President Clinton in 1998:
It certainly doesn’t have to be a crime if you have somebody who completely corrupts the office of president and who abuses trust and who poses great danger to our liberty. You don’t need a technical crime.
Talk about chutzpah. I wonder what Dershowitz is charging Trump for his revised legal opinion. I also wonder if Trump will stiff Dershowitz on the legal bills just as he has stiffed his contractors. When you serve a snake you are bound to be bitten. All the chutzpah in the world cannot save you from a snake's poison.
Contrary to what Dershowitz now argues, Trump has corrupted the presidency in such a way that we don't know where the Trump Organization ends and the White House begins. Where it concerns military aid to Ukraine, there was no other reason to uphold funds authorized by Congress other than to damage Joe Biden, his likely opponent in the 2020 presidential election. Would Republicans tolerate this behavior in a Democratic President? If this isn't a corruption of the office of the President of the United States, an abuse of public trust and a danger to our liberty due to it advancing the interests of our Russian adversaries then nothing is.
It is also damaging when the President's corruption, abuse of public trust and endangerment of liberty spreads and infects once admirable people like Alan Dershowitz.
When you have somebody who, for example, is indicted for a crime, let's assume you have a lot of evidence but the grand jury simply indicts for something that's not a crime, and that's what happened here. The vote was to impeach on abuse of power, which is not within the constitutional criteria for impeachment, and obstruction of Congress.
But Dershowitz made a far different argument where it concerned impeachment proceedings against President Clinton in 1998:
It certainly doesn’t have to be a crime if you have somebody who completely corrupts the office of president and who abuses trust and who poses great danger to our liberty. You don’t need a technical crime.
Talk about chutzpah. I wonder what Dershowitz is charging Trump for his revised legal opinion. I also wonder if Trump will stiff Dershowitz on the legal bills just as he has stiffed his contractors. When you serve a snake you are bound to be bitten. All the chutzpah in the world cannot save you from a snake's poison.
Contrary to what Dershowitz now argues, Trump has corrupted the presidency in such a way that we don't know where the Trump Organization ends and the White House begins. Where it concerns military aid to Ukraine, there was no other reason to uphold funds authorized by Congress other than to damage Joe Biden, his likely opponent in the 2020 presidential election. Would Republicans tolerate this behavior in a Democratic President? If this isn't a corruption of the office of the President of the United States, an abuse of public trust and a danger to our liberty due to it advancing the interests of our Russian adversaries then nothing is.
It is also damaging when the President's corruption, abuse of public trust and endangerment of liberty spreads and infects once admirable people like Alan Dershowitz.
Monday, January 20, 2020
Braves Take a Flier on King Felix
Felix Hernandez, who pitched his entire 15-year career with the Seattle Mariners, will be wearing a new uniform in 2020. King Felix signed a 1-year, $1 million minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves which includes an invitation to spring training.
Hernandez, who turns 34 in April, has been a far cry from being one of the most dominant pitchers in MLB. Between 2009-2015, Hernandez was named to six AL All-Star Teams, won an AL Cy Young Award, led the AL in ERA twice and struck out 200 or more batters six straight seasons. But Hernandez, who made his big league debut in 2005 at the age of 19, has been in steady decline since turning 30. In 15 starts in 2019, Hernandez went 1-8 with a 6.40 ERA.
Signing with the Braves is a low risk proposition. They have a deep rotation and a deep bullpen. Having Hernandez in the mix could be icing on the cake whether as a spot starter or a long reliever. Neither side has anything to lose.
Hernandez, who turns 34 in April, has been a far cry from being one of the most dominant pitchers in MLB. Between 2009-2015, Hernandez was named to six AL All-Star Teams, won an AL Cy Young Award, led the AL in ERA twice and struck out 200 or more batters six straight seasons. But Hernandez, who made his big league debut in 2005 at the age of 19, has been in steady decline since turning 30. In 15 starts in 2019, Hernandez went 1-8 with a 6.40 ERA.
Signing with the Braves is a low risk proposition. They have a deep rotation and a deep bullpen. Having Hernandez in the mix could be icing on the cake whether as a spot starter or a long reliever. Neither side has anything to lose.
Sunday, January 19, 2020
It's Hard To Root Against The Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV
Unless one lives in Northern California, I think most people will be rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs when they take on the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV in a fortnight.
While it has been a quarter century since the 49ers last hoisted the Vince Lombardi Trophy, it has been 50 years since the Chiefs won their lone title when they upset the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV.
But I suspect the big reason people will be pulling for the Chiefs is because of head coach Andy Reid. This marks his first Super Bowl appearance in 15 years having guided the Philadelphia Eagles to the NFC title only to fall to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX. Reid also lost his eldest son to a drug overdose in 2012. Obviously nothing can recompense the loss of a child, but there is many parent in this country who has lost a child to drug addiction. If nothing else, there is a segment of the population who can identify with what Reid has gone through.
It ought to be a good game, but the Chiefs have waited long enough for Super Bowl glory.
While it has been a quarter century since the 49ers last hoisted the Vince Lombardi Trophy, it has been 50 years since the Chiefs won their lone title when they upset the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV.
But I suspect the big reason people will be pulling for the Chiefs is because of head coach Andy Reid. This marks his first Super Bowl appearance in 15 years having guided the Philadelphia Eagles to the NFC title only to fall to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX. Reid also lost his eldest son to a drug overdose in 2012. Obviously nothing can recompense the loss of a child, but there is many parent in this country who has lost a child to drug addiction. If nothing else, there is a segment of the population who can identify with what Reid has gone through.
It ought to be a good game, but the Chiefs have waited long enough for Super Bowl glory.
Duckpin Bowling: One Thing You Can't Do in NYC
New York City thinks of itself as the center of the universe and it is in many ways. There are things to see and do here you can't see and do anywhere else.
But there are a few things you can't do in New York City. One of them is duckpin bowling. So for the first time since moving here almost 16 months ago I left New York City limits and took a Metro North train to West Haven, Connecticut to bowl at Woodlawn Duckpin Lanes.
Before I go further, an explanation of duckpin bowling is in order. For starters, duckpin bowling involves a ball without finger holes weighing no more than four pounds and pins standing less than a foot tall. One would think it would be an easier game, but the pins are actually harder to knock down. So instead of getting two shots per frame, a bowler gets three. Unlike big ball bowling where thousands of perfect games are rolled everywhere there has never been a perfect game rolled in duckpin bowling. The closest anyone has ever come to perfection was Pete Signore, Jr. who in March 1992 rolled a game of 279.
Alas, there are no more than 40 duckpin bowling alleys left in the country. Most of them are in Maryland where it was popularized by John McGraw and Wilbert Robinson of the original Baltimore Orioles in the early 1900s. But duckpin bowling originated somewhere in New England. Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut can all make a claim to inventing the game. The convenience of geography and public transport took me to Connecticut.
Upon arriving in West Haven, it took me awhile to find my bearings. It helped that I called Bob Nugent, owner of Woodlawn Duckpin Lanes, who was kind enough to give me directions. Bob emphasized that the walk was 7/10ths of a mile. It is not uncommon for me to walk at least four miles a day back and forth between the apartment and the Chrysler Building. So the distance wasn't a challenge as much as walking on a road that didn't have much in the way of sidewalks except those covered by snow. Nevertheless, Bob was surprised by how quickly I got there.
Duckpin bowling requires one to press a button in the back to reset the pins after each frame and a pedal in the front to dispose of knocked down pins still in the lane. This kept me on my toes. I initially planned to bowl for an hour. But being on a train for two hours warranted two hours of bowling. While I am no threat to Pete Signore, Jr's record, I didn't do too badly. In four of the six games I played, I rolled 80 or better with my best game being 85. To put this into perspective, a 125 average is good enough to land one a spot on the duckpin pro bowlers circuit.
Bob was reasonably impressed when he looked at my score and said it's on the house. At first, I thought he was kidding. But he wasn't. "Anybody willing to take a train from New York and walk here from the train station deserves to be rewarded." This guy is a mensch. Needless to say, it won't be the last time I visit Woodlawn Duckpin. Next time, hopefully I won't be coming alone.
But there are a few things you can't do in New York City. One of them is duckpin bowling. So for the first time since moving here almost 16 months ago I left New York City limits and took a Metro North train to West Haven, Connecticut to bowl at Woodlawn Duckpin Lanes.
Before I go further, an explanation of duckpin bowling is in order. For starters, duckpin bowling involves a ball without finger holes weighing no more than four pounds and pins standing less than a foot tall. One would think it would be an easier game, but the pins are actually harder to knock down. So instead of getting two shots per frame, a bowler gets three. Unlike big ball bowling where thousands of perfect games are rolled everywhere there has never been a perfect game rolled in duckpin bowling. The closest anyone has ever come to perfection was Pete Signore, Jr. who in March 1992 rolled a game of 279.
Alas, there are no more than 40 duckpin bowling alleys left in the country. Most of them are in Maryland where it was popularized by John McGraw and Wilbert Robinson of the original Baltimore Orioles in the early 1900s. But duckpin bowling originated somewhere in New England. Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut can all make a claim to inventing the game. The convenience of geography and public transport took me to Connecticut.
Upon arriving in West Haven, it took me awhile to find my bearings. It helped that I called Bob Nugent, owner of Woodlawn Duckpin Lanes, who was kind enough to give me directions. Bob emphasized that the walk was 7/10ths of a mile. It is not uncommon for me to walk at least four miles a day back and forth between the apartment and the Chrysler Building. So the distance wasn't a challenge as much as walking on a road that didn't have much in the way of sidewalks except those covered by snow. Nevertheless, Bob was surprised by how quickly I got there.
Duckpin bowling requires one to press a button in the back to reset the pins after each frame and a pedal in the front to dispose of knocked down pins still in the lane. This kept me on my toes. I initially planned to bowl for an hour. But being on a train for two hours warranted two hours of bowling. While I am no threat to Pete Signore, Jr's record, I didn't do too badly. In four of the six games I played, I rolled 80 or better with my best game being 85. To put this into perspective, a 125 average is good enough to land one a spot on the duckpin pro bowlers circuit.
Bob was reasonably impressed when he looked at my score and said it's on the house. At first, I thought he was kidding. But he wasn't. "Anybody willing to take a train from New York and walk here from the train station deserves to be rewarded." This guy is a mensch. Needless to say, it won't be the last time I visit Woodlawn Duckpin. Next time, hopefully I won't be coming alone.
Friday, January 17, 2020
If Jews Can't Trust The NYPD Then Who Can We Trust?
Despite the "No Hate, No Fear" March less than two weeks ago, anti-Semitic incidents in New York City continue unabated. However, in one such incident, the perpetrator is alleged to be a NYPD police officer.
After a Shabbat service last Friday night in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Boro Park, a Hasidic father and son were confronted by a NYPD police officer driving his squad car. The officer rolled down his window and yelled “you fu–in’ Jews”, laughed and sped off.
It's bad enough when common street thugs feel free to accost Jews, but it is far more ominous when it is done by someone carrying a badge. After all, police officers swear uphold to protect and serve the public. And most police officers carry out that oath in good faith. Indeed, with anti-Semitism the ominous force that it is, the NYPD are a constant presence outside synagogues and Jewish community centers throughout the city. One can only hope this is an isolated incident. But should other police officers engage in anti-Semitic behavior while on duty then how Jews be expected to trust the NYPD? And if we can't trust the NYPD then who can we trust?
I'm well aware that other communities, namely African-Americans and Latinos, have had well documented problems with the NYPD and other police forces across the country. Some might argue that we are getting a taste of what they have felt for decades. With that being said, when Jews are singled out for mistreatment by the authorities it is a warning that instability and upheaval are ahead. When things are bad for Jews they will soon be bad for everyone.
After a Shabbat service last Friday night in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Boro Park, a Hasidic father and son were confronted by a NYPD police officer driving his squad car. The officer rolled down his window and yelled “you fu–in’ Jews”, laughed and sped off.
It's bad enough when common street thugs feel free to accost Jews, but it is far more ominous when it is done by someone carrying a badge. After all, police officers swear uphold to protect and serve the public. And most police officers carry out that oath in good faith. Indeed, with anti-Semitism the ominous force that it is, the NYPD are a constant presence outside synagogues and Jewish community centers throughout the city. One can only hope this is an isolated incident. But should other police officers engage in anti-Semitic behavior while on duty then how Jews be expected to trust the NYPD? And if we can't trust the NYPD then who can we trust?
I'm well aware that other communities, namely African-Americans and Latinos, have had well documented problems with the NYPD and other police forces across the country. Some might argue that we are getting a taste of what they have felt for decades. With that being said, when Jews are singled out for mistreatment by the authorities it is a warning that instability and upheaval are ahead. When things are bad for Jews they will soon be bad for everyone.
Thursday, January 16, 2020
Beltran Out as Mets Manager Over Sign Stealing Scandal
The old adage that things come in threes proved to be true today when the New York Mets parted ways with Carlos Beltran over the 2017 Houston Astros sign stealing scandal. His dismissal comes less than 48 hours after the Boston Red Sox did the same with Alex Cora and less than 72 hours after the Houston Astros fired both manager A.J. Hinch and GM Jeff Luhnow following their being suspended for the 2020 season by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred.
This comes only two and a half months after Beltran was hired by the Mets after firing Mickey Callaway. Beltran was the only player named in Manfred's report. On the MLB Network, Billy Ripken wondered if the Mets asked Beltran if he had any role in the scheme during the interview process as it had been bubbling under the surface for the past couple of seasons. Today's move indicates that it might have very well come up and Beltran was not forthcoming.
But even if Beltran had been candid, he would have been under so much scrutiny that it would have impeded the Mets from functioning both on and off the field. So a move had to be made. That and Brodie Van Wagenen didn't want to follow in Luhnow's footsteps.
While the Astros and Red Sox are going through the same process, the Mets are going through it for the second time in less than three months. Mind you this was a team that had a chance to hire Joe Girardi and passed. So it doesn't look good. Still the Mets will probably hire someone with no big league managing experience who won't be a threat to Van Wagenen's authority whereas the Astros and the Red Sox will hire an experienced with sterling credentials and unimpeachable character.
Although I don't think any more managers will be fired between now and Opening Day, I have a feeling this is the tip of the iceberg. All MLB organizations will be under intense scrutiny especially those who have denied engaging this behavior like Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona. I suspect this behavior is far more prevalent than we know. This is baseball's biggest scandal since the Black Sox Scandal a century ago and things will probably get worse before they get better.
This comes only two and a half months after Beltran was hired by the Mets after firing Mickey Callaway. Beltran was the only player named in Manfred's report. On the MLB Network, Billy Ripken wondered if the Mets asked Beltran if he had any role in the scheme during the interview process as it had been bubbling under the surface for the past couple of seasons. Today's move indicates that it might have very well come up and Beltran was not forthcoming.
But even if Beltran had been candid, he would have been under so much scrutiny that it would have impeded the Mets from functioning both on and off the field. So a move had to be made. That and Brodie Van Wagenen didn't want to follow in Luhnow's footsteps.
While the Astros and Red Sox are going through the same process, the Mets are going through it for the second time in less than three months. Mind you this was a team that had a chance to hire Joe Girardi and passed. So it doesn't look good. Still the Mets will probably hire someone with no big league managing experience who won't be a threat to Van Wagenen's authority whereas the Astros and the Red Sox will hire an experienced with sterling credentials and unimpeachable character.
Although I don't think any more managers will be fired between now and Opening Day, I have a feeling this is the tip of the iceberg. All MLB organizations will be under intense scrutiny especially those who have denied engaging this behavior like Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona. I suspect this behavior is far more prevalent than we know. This is baseball's biggest scandal since the Black Sox Scandal a century ago and things will probably get worse before they get better.
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
Steve Martin Caro, Lead Singer of The Left Banke, R.I.P.
Steve Martin Caro, lead singer of the 1960's baroque rock group The Left Banke, has passed away of heart failure at the age of 71. The announcement was made via The Left Banke's Facebook page.
Caro, who had been plagued by health problems which had prevented him from being part of the group's early 2010's reunion, had planned to tour in 2018 with fellow Left Banke member George Cameron but Cameron passed away in June of that year. Michael Brown, who wrote most of the group's material including their signature hit "Walk Away Renee" died in 2015. The only surviving original member of the group is Tom Finn.
The Left Banke had a unique sound and Caro was the right voice for that sound. To get an understanding of what I speak, please have a listen to "Walk Away Renee". R.I.P.
Caro, who had been plagued by health problems which had prevented him from being part of the group's early 2010's reunion, had planned to tour in 2018 with fellow Left Banke member George Cameron but Cameron passed away in June of that year. Michael Brown, who wrote most of the group's material including their signature hit "Walk Away Renee" died in 2015. The only surviving original member of the group is Tom Finn.
The Left Banke had a unique sound and Caro was the right voice for that sound. To get an understanding of what I speak, please have a listen to "Walk Away Renee". R.I.P.
Why I Don't Believe Elizabeth Warren's Claims Against Bernie Sanders
I did touch on this in my Des Moines Democratic debate post-mortem last night, but given all the attention this is getting I think it warrants further comment.
Let me begin by saying I'm not a fan of Bernie Sanders. That any Jew would allow the likes of Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib and Linda Sarsour to be prominent campaign surrogates has done as much as to legitimize anti-Semitism as any public figure in this country. For this he has my contempt.
But when Bernie Sanders tells me its cloudy outside I know it's cloudy. He might tell me billionaires are responsible for it. But it will be cloudy. As such, I don't believe for a nanosecond that Bernie sanders told Elizabeth Warren a woman couldn't be elected President. There's video evidence from 1988 that demonstrates all evidence to the contrary. The best one can speculate is that Sanders didn't think Liz Warren could be elected President. That is quite different from claiming that no woman could ever be elected President.
Whatever the case, I believe Warren's claims about as much as I believe her claims that she is Cherokee. The fact this alleged conversation which purportedly took place in 2018 is coming to light now is awfully ripe. Warren's fundraising efforts had been flagging and she needed something to reignite her campaign. Well, consider things reignited, but will it burn her in the end? Perhaps not.
When Warren responded to Sanders' denial addressed the claim she was wildly cheered when she pointed she and Amy Klobuchar were the only ones on stage who hadn't lost an election. This leads me to believe there is a critical mass of the Democratic Party to whom it is more important there be a woman President than a President who happens to be a woman. They have long memories of Hillary Clinton winning the popular vote but unable the shatter the glass ceiling of the electoral college. So perhaps Warren will be rewarded for her lie. If that is the case then how are Democrats any different than Republicans who rewarded Trump for his lies?
Warren's claim last night on the debate that she's not here to fight Bernie is the height of dishonesty. She is the one who is defaming his character. As such she cannot have it both ways though this won't stop her from trying. Let's just saying Bernie and Warren have gone from hand shaking to hand wringing.
In the long run this is bound to help Joe Biden. By shooting herself in the foot while it was in her mouth, Warren has ruined any chance for so-called progressives to unite around her or unite around Sanders. But if this helps prevent a second term for Donald Trump then so much the better.
Let me begin by saying I'm not a fan of Bernie Sanders. That any Jew would allow the likes of Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib and Linda Sarsour to be prominent campaign surrogates has done as much as to legitimize anti-Semitism as any public figure in this country. For this he has my contempt.
But when Bernie Sanders tells me its cloudy outside I know it's cloudy. He might tell me billionaires are responsible for it. But it will be cloudy. As such, I don't believe for a nanosecond that Bernie sanders told Elizabeth Warren a woman couldn't be elected President. There's video evidence from 1988 that demonstrates all evidence to the contrary. The best one can speculate is that Sanders didn't think Liz Warren could be elected President. That is quite different from claiming that no woman could ever be elected President.
Whatever the case, I believe Warren's claims about as much as I believe her claims that she is Cherokee. The fact this alleged conversation which purportedly took place in 2018 is coming to light now is awfully ripe. Warren's fundraising efforts had been flagging and she needed something to reignite her campaign. Well, consider things reignited, but will it burn her in the end? Perhaps not.
When Warren responded to Sanders' denial addressed the claim she was wildly cheered when she pointed she and Amy Klobuchar were the only ones on stage who hadn't lost an election. This leads me to believe there is a critical mass of the Democratic Party to whom it is more important there be a woman President than a President who happens to be a woman. They have long memories of Hillary Clinton winning the popular vote but unable the shatter the glass ceiling of the electoral college. So perhaps Warren will be rewarded for her lie. If that is the case then how are Democrats any different than Republicans who rewarded Trump for his lies?
Warren's claim last night on the debate that she's not here to fight Bernie is the height of dishonesty. She is the one who is defaming his character. As such she cannot have it both ways though this won't stop her from trying. Let's just saying Bernie and Warren have gone from hand shaking to hand wringing.
In the long run this is bound to help Joe Biden. By shooting herself in the foot while it was in her mouth, Warren has ruined any chance for so-called progressives to unite around her or unite around Sanders. But if this helps prevent a second term for Donald Trump then so much the better.
Pelosi Should Have Named Amash an Impeachment Manager
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi named the seven impeachment managers who will make the case against President Trump at the Senate impeachment hearings beginning next week.
Unfortunately, former Republican and now Independent Rep. Justin Amash was not among them. Pelosi named House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff as the lead manager along with House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerry Nadler as his second in command. Joining them are Democratic Reps. Hakeem Jeffries, Jason Crow, Zoe Lofgren, Val Demings and Sylvia Garcia.
This isn't to say that someone less nationally known like Crow, Demings or Garcia couldn't make an impact on the hearings, but Trump and his defenders can scream partisan witch hunt from now until the end of time.
If Pelosi had named Amash one of the impeachment managers it would have neutralized those claims. Of course, Trump and his apologists have no love lost for Amash, but no one can describe him as a left-wing liberal. In having Amash as a house manager, Pelosi could claim someone more conservative than many of Trump's cohorts in Congress. It would also acknowledge his role as the first non-Democratic Congressman to call for President Trump's impeachment, a call he made long before many Democrats were on board.
It is well worth noting that more than two dozen freshman Democrats clamored for Pelosi to include Amash as an impeachment manager. But Pelosi ignored their pleas. Of course, including Amash won't improve the chance of Trump being impeached. The minds of Senate Republicans are already made up before the facts have been presented. The same could not be said of a segment of the voting public critical of Trump but also critical of impeachment. Amash's presence as an impeachment manager could have moved public opinion on the matter. So even if Trump isn't impeached, the presence of a former Republican like Amash might have weakened his position.
There was no downside for Pelosi had she named Amash an impeachment manager. She would have won plaudits for independence while rankling Amash's former Republican colleagues in one fell swoop. Instead it is yet another opportunity missed.
Unfortunately, former Republican and now Independent Rep. Justin Amash was not among them. Pelosi named House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff as the lead manager along with House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerry Nadler as his second in command. Joining them are Democratic Reps. Hakeem Jeffries, Jason Crow, Zoe Lofgren, Val Demings and Sylvia Garcia.
This isn't to say that someone less nationally known like Crow, Demings or Garcia couldn't make an impact on the hearings, but Trump and his defenders can scream partisan witch hunt from now until the end of time.
If Pelosi had named Amash one of the impeachment managers it would have neutralized those claims. Of course, Trump and his apologists have no love lost for Amash, but no one can describe him as a left-wing liberal. In having Amash as a house manager, Pelosi could claim someone more conservative than many of Trump's cohorts in Congress. It would also acknowledge his role as the first non-Democratic Congressman to call for President Trump's impeachment, a call he made long before many Democrats were on board.
It is well worth noting that more than two dozen freshman Democrats clamored for Pelosi to include Amash as an impeachment manager. But Pelosi ignored their pleas. Of course, including Amash won't improve the chance of Trump being impeached. The minds of Senate Republicans are already made up before the facts have been presented. The same could not be said of a segment of the voting public critical of Trump but also critical of impeachment. Amash's presence as an impeachment manager could have moved public opinion on the matter. So even if Trump isn't impeached, the presence of a former Republican like Amash might have weakened his position.
There was no downside for Pelosi had she named Amash an impeachment manager. She would have won plaudits for independence while rankling Amash's former Republican colleagues in one fell swoop. Instead it is yet another opportunity missed.
Trudeau Claims U.S. Bears Some Responsibility For Downed Ukrainian Airliner; I Say Rubbish
In an interview with Global News, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed the United States was partially to blame for the downing of Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752 which killed all 176 passengers and crew aboard including 63 Canadians:
If there were no tensions, if there was no escalation recently in the region, those Canadians would be right now home with their families.
Absolute rubbish.
The responsibility for the deaths of those aboard the ill-fated flight lies with Iran alone. After all, Iran lied about its involvement until incontrovertible evidence forced them to claim it was accident, a claim about which I find dubious. It also must be remembered that Iran's civil aviation authority did not see fit to ground passenger flights thus making it liable for the incident. Had Iran grounded that flight those Canadians would be right now home with their families.
Not only is Trudeau wrong in his assessment, but in so doing he is putting the United States and the terrorist regime in Iran on the same moral plane. This in part represents Trudeau's world view and in part represents his personal dislike for President Trump. It isn't to say one cannot be critical of Trump's foreign policy but to blame the U.S. for a civilian airliner shot down by Iran is to minimize Iran's act and the evil nature of its regime whose people are now demonstrating against.
If there were no tensions, if there was no escalation recently in the region, those Canadians would be right now home with their families.
Absolute rubbish.
The responsibility for the deaths of those aboard the ill-fated flight lies with Iran alone. After all, Iran lied about its involvement until incontrovertible evidence forced them to claim it was accident, a claim about which I find dubious. It also must be remembered that Iran's civil aviation authority did not see fit to ground passenger flights thus making it liable for the incident. Had Iran grounded that flight those Canadians would be right now home with their families.
Not only is Trudeau wrong in his assessment, but in so doing he is putting the United States and the terrorist regime in Iran on the same moral plane. This in part represents Trudeau's world view and in part represents his personal dislike for President Trump. It isn't to say one cannot be critical of Trump's foreign policy but to blame the U.S. for a civilian airliner shot down by Iran is to minimize Iran's act and the evil nature of its regime whose people are now demonstrating against.
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Why Donaldson's 4-Year Deal With The Twins is Risky
Third baseman Josh Donaldson has reportedly signed a 4-year, $92 million contract with the Minnesota Twins.
After an injury plagued 2018 which Donaldson, 34, split with the Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Indians, he signed a one year, $23 million deal with the Atlanta Braves. In 155 games in 2019, Donaldson hit .259 with 37 HR and 94 RBI for the NL East champions.
I think this is a risky move for the Twins. I don't see Donaldson staying healthy for four seasons. This team needed an upgrade in pitching, not offense. Homer Bailey and Rich Hill are modest improvements, but the Twins don't need to spend nearly another $100 million for a slugger on a club that hit a MLB record 307 HRs last year. This isn't to say Donaldson won't be productive in 2020, but I don't think it's a good long term investment. Even with his great season, Donaldson is five years removed from winning the AL MVP. The Twins have put nearly all their eggs in one basket.
I also don't think this hurts the Braves much. The Braves won the NL East with Donaldson and they won it without him. Freddie Freeman, Ronald Acura, Jr. and Ozzie Albies are as good an offensive triumvirate as there is in MLB. I think they'll win the NL East again in 2020 while the Twins won't play October baseball even with Donaldson's capable bat.
After an injury plagued 2018 which Donaldson, 34, split with the Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland Indians, he signed a one year, $23 million deal with the Atlanta Braves. In 155 games in 2019, Donaldson hit .259 with 37 HR and 94 RBI for the NL East champions.
I think this is a risky move for the Twins. I don't see Donaldson staying healthy for four seasons. This team needed an upgrade in pitching, not offense. Homer Bailey and Rich Hill are modest improvements, but the Twins don't need to spend nearly another $100 million for a slugger on a club that hit a MLB record 307 HRs last year. This isn't to say Donaldson won't be productive in 2020, but I don't think it's a good long term investment. Even with his great season, Donaldson is five years removed from winning the AL MVP. The Twins have put nearly all their eggs in one basket.
I also don't think this hurts the Braves much. The Braves won the NL East with Donaldson and they won it without him. Freddie Freeman, Ronald Acura, Jr. and Ozzie Albies are as good an offensive triumvirate as there is in MLB. I think they'll win the NL East again in 2020 while the Twins won't play October baseball even with Donaldson's capable bat.
Red Sox Fire Alex Cora
Just over 24 hours after the Houston Astros fired manager A.J. Hinch and GM Jeff Luhnow, the Boston Red Sox have parted ways with Alex Cora.
Cora, of course, was a central figure in the sign stealing scandal as Hinch's bench coach in 2017 en route to a World Series title. He is also currently under investigation for similar shenanigans with the Red Sox during their World Series championship run in 2018. The Red Sox took preemptive measures. It might mitigate their punishment, but there will be more consequences to come. Whatever the consequences, Cora's fall from grace is absolutely stunning.
All of a sudden John Farrell doesn't look so bad after all. I don't know if the Sox will bring him back, but he knows the club and is untainted. The Red Sox don't have a lot of time to conduct managerial search with spring training less than one month away.
Cora, of course, was a central figure in the sign stealing scandal as Hinch's bench coach in 2017 en route to a World Series title. He is also currently under investigation for similar shenanigans with the Red Sox during their World Series championship run in 2018. The Red Sox took preemptive measures. It might mitigate their punishment, but there will be more consequences to come. Whatever the consequences, Cora's fall from grace is absolutely stunning.
All of a sudden John Farrell doesn't look so bad after all. I don't know if the Sox will bring him back, but he knows the club and is untainted. The Red Sox don't have a lot of time to conduct managerial search with spring training less than one month away.
Seven Observations From Tonight's Democratic Debate in Des Moines
Tonight I spent the evening watching the Democratic presidential debate at a Mexican restaurant on the Upper West Side sponsored by a couple of local Democratic clubs. The restaurant was small and became smaller when the proprietor berated us for having individual bills instead of one large bill. It was a rather unappetizing thing to do. The debate itself was no more satiating. Here are seven observations to this effect.
1. CNN kept things tight. The panel largely kept candidates from grandstanding, attacking each other and made sure they didn't obfuscate their answers. No complaints here. Well almost.
2. The notable exception to that was when Sanders was asked about Warren's assertion that he told her a woman couldn't be elected President. He called the allegation ridiculous, but Warren said, "I disagree." But then she said, "I'm not here to have a fight with Bernie." So why raise the issue? Because her fundraising numbers are in the toilet and she needs to create something out of whole cloth. So yes I believe Bernie told Warren a woman couldn't be elected President about as much as I believe she is a member of the Cherokee Nation.
With that said, Warren said she and Klobuchar were the only people on stage who had won every election they had contested which brought her big cheers. Warren might cut into Sanders' momentum, but it won't benefit either because they are competing for the same voting universe.
3. The same could be said for Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar. Buttigieg got stronger as the debate went on especially when he said he would confront President Trump about evading service in Vietnam due to fake bone spurs and trying to use religion as a political instrument. "God is not a member of any political party."
However, I cannot help but think Buttigieg has hit his ceiling leaving Klobuchar an opportunity to ascend with another strong debate performance. Neither Buttigieg nor anyone else challenged Klobuchar's record or temperament. The thinking could be that she won't get past 6% in the polls in Iowa and basically be done. But if Klobuchar can finish third or better in Iowa then she lives to fight in New Hampshire and perhaps beyond. In which case, Klobuchar would come under more scrutiny, but this might prove too late for Buttigieg.
4. Joe Biden gets better with every debate. This was also the first time I attended a debate watch party where he wasn't lustily booed. Biden got laughs when he said he was the object of Trump's love and affection. He did nothing to harm himself tonight.
5. Tom Steyer mostly name checked the other candidates and made one lament the absence of Andrew Yang.
6. The first half hour of debate was dominated by Iran. There was plenty of praise for the Iran nuclear deal, but no acknowledgment of Iranians turning their anger towards the Iranian regime, not Trump. The candidates, particularly Sanders, compared what's happening in Iran to the War in Iraq and spoke of the need to build our standing in the world by building coalitions. But there was a coalition built to remove Saddam Hussein. Sanders wanted no part of it while Biden, like John Kerry, was for the war before he was against it.
7. All of which helps President Trump. With the exception of Buttigieg, I don't see anyone nimble enough to bloody Trump in a debate with surgical precision. But it doesn't seem Democrats are smart enough to nominate him and are more interested in having a socialist or the first woman President than someone who can knock out Trumpism.
But we'll see what Iowa Democrats decide in 20 days.
1. CNN kept things tight. The panel largely kept candidates from grandstanding, attacking each other and made sure they didn't obfuscate their answers. No complaints here. Well almost.
2. The notable exception to that was when Sanders was asked about Warren's assertion that he told her a woman couldn't be elected President. He called the allegation ridiculous, but Warren said, "I disagree." But then she said, "I'm not here to have a fight with Bernie." So why raise the issue? Because her fundraising numbers are in the toilet and she needs to create something out of whole cloth. So yes I believe Bernie told Warren a woman couldn't be elected President about as much as I believe she is a member of the Cherokee Nation.
With that said, Warren said she and Klobuchar were the only people on stage who had won every election they had contested which brought her big cheers. Warren might cut into Sanders' momentum, but it won't benefit either because they are competing for the same voting universe.
3. The same could be said for Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar. Buttigieg got stronger as the debate went on especially when he said he would confront President Trump about evading service in Vietnam due to fake bone spurs and trying to use religion as a political instrument. "God is not a member of any political party."
However, I cannot help but think Buttigieg has hit his ceiling leaving Klobuchar an opportunity to ascend with another strong debate performance. Neither Buttigieg nor anyone else challenged Klobuchar's record or temperament. The thinking could be that she won't get past 6% in the polls in Iowa and basically be done. But if Klobuchar can finish third or better in Iowa then she lives to fight in New Hampshire and perhaps beyond. In which case, Klobuchar would come under more scrutiny, but this might prove too late for Buttigieg.
4. Joe Biden gets better with every debate. This was also the first time I attended a debate watch party where he wasn't lustily booed. Biden got laughs when he said he was the object of Trump's love and affection. He did nothing to harm himself tonight.
5. Tom Steyer mostly name checked the other candidates and made one lament the absence of Andrew Yang.
6. The first half hour of debate was dominated by Iran. There was plenty of praise for the Iran nuclear deal, but no acknowledgment of Iranians turning their anger towards the Iranian regime, not Trump. The candidates, particularly Sanders, compared what's happening in Iran to the War in Iraq and spoke of the need to build our standing in the world by building coalitions. But there was a coalition built to remove Saddam Hussein. Sanders wanted no part of it while Biden, like John Kerry, was for the war before he was against it.
7. All of which helps President Trump. With the exception of Buttigieg, I don't see anyone nimble enough to bloody Trump in a debate with surgical precision. But it doesn't seem Democrats are smart enough to nominate him and are more interested in having a socialist or the first woman President than someone who can knock out Trumpism.
But we'll see what Iowa Democrats decide in 20 days.
Four Things I'll Be Looking For In Tonight's Democratic Debate in Iowa
This evening I'll be making another sojourn to another establishment for tonight's Democratic Debate Watch Party. Tonight, the debate takes place in Des Moines less than three weeks away from the Iowa Caucuses. Here are three things for which I shall be watching.
Elizabeth Warren Raises The Sexism Card Against Bernie Sanders
Until now, Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders have played nice with each other. But this was bound to end given they are competing for the same voter universe. In September, Warren topped the polls. In October, Bernie had a heart attack. But a funny thing happened. Warren slumped and Bernie surged. Now she needs to stop his surge. Warren has now accused Sanders of telling her in a private meeting in 2018 that a woman couldn't win the White House, a charge Sanders has denied. This reeks of desperation, but it could work. However, Bernie could remind the debate audience that AOC endorsed him and not her. If AOC intervenes on Bernie's behalf in this matter it could prove a death knell for Warren's campaign.
If Klobuchar Continues to Pester Pete Will He Bring Up Her Temper?
Amy Klobuchar received high marks for her debate performance last month in Los Angeles particularly at the expense of Pete Buttigieg. While Buttigieg's numbers have dropped, it has gained her little traction in the polls in Iowa. But given that Iowa voters often decide late, I suspect she will continue to pester Pete in tonight's debate concerning his lack of experience.
Should this happen then Buttigieg's best defense would be a good offense. If Klobuchar chides Buttigieg for his lack of experience then he ought to bring up her temper. Buttigieg could say something along these lines:
You speak of your experience. Fine. Let's talk about your experience. When things don't go as you wish you lose your temper and throw things at your staff. If anyone in this room had done that in their workplace they would lose their job. It is certainly not something that was tolerated when I was mayor of South Bend. Nor was it an option when I served my country in Afghanistan. You can speak of your experience all you want, but experience without a good temperament doesn't count for much. We have a hot tempered President in the White House right now. We do not need another.
If Pete were to say something along those lines I believe it would leave Klobuchar shaking right out of the race.
Will Biden Be Ignored Despite Narrowly Leading The Polls?
One wonders if Sanders and Warren and Buttigieg and Klobuchar will be so busy with each other that they will neglect Joe Biden who narrowly leads the field in both Iowa and New Hampshire. Oh, Tom Steyer might chime in, but nobody likes him. In which case, Biden should have a good night.
Of course, should anyone target Biden they will have to do so carefully. Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, Julian Castro and Eric Swalwell all went after Biden in the debates and did themselves absolutely no good.
It seems to me the only person who can damage Joe Biden is Joe Biden.
Iran
Had this debate been held a week ago, the candidates would have universally condemned President Trump for his recklessness in killing Iranian Quds Leader Qassam Soleimani. They still might, but over the past week Iran shot down a civilian airliner which led to the deaths of a lot of Iranian students and anger is now being directed at the Iranian regime. When Iranian demonstrators refuse to stomp on American and Israeli flags there is something in the air. There's also something in the air when Britain, France and Germany are now focusing on Iran's violation of the nuclear agreement have seen fit to trigger the dispute settlement mechanism.
While President Trump's foreign policy in haphazard, the Democratic candidates must be cautious in their criticism in light of events on the ground. They would be wise to stand with Iranian protesters instead of the Iranian regime, but who among them would be so wise outside of Buttigieg? In which case, where it concerns Iran, Democrats might end up helping Trump. No Democrat should want that outcome.
Elizabeth Warren Raises The Sexism Card Against Bernie Sanders
Until now, Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders have played nice with each other. But this was bound to end given they are competing for the same voter universe. In September, Warren topped the polls. In October, Bernie had a heart attack. But a funny thing happened. Warren slumped and Bernie surged. Now she needs to stop his surge. Warren has now accused Sanders of telling her in a private meeting in 2018 that a woman couldn't win the White House, a charge Sanders has denied. This reeks of desperation, but it could work. However, Bernie could remind the debate audience that AOC endorsed him and not her. If AOC intervenes on Bernie's behalf in this matter it could prove a death knell for Warren's campaign.
If Klobuchar Continues to Pester Pete Will He Bring Up Her Temper?
Amy Klobuchar received high marks for her debate performance last month in Los Angeles particularly at the expense of Pete Buttigieg. While Buttigieg's numbers have dropped, it has gained her little traction in the polls in Iowa. But given that Iowa voters often decide late, I suspect she will continue to pester Pete in tonight's debate concerning his lack of experience.
Should this happen then Buttigieg's best defense would be a good offense. If Klobuchar chides Buttigieg for his lack of experience then he ought to bring up her temper. Buttigieg could say something along these lines:
You speak of your experience. Fine. Let's talk about your experience. When things don't go as you wish you lose your temper and throw things at your staff. If anyone in this room had done that in their workplace they would lose their job. It is certainly not something that was tolerated when I was mayor of South Bend. Nor was it an option when I served my country in Afghanistan. You can speak of your experience all you want, but experience without a good temperament doesn't count for much. We have a hot tempered President in the White House right now. We do not need another.
If Pete were to say something along those lines I believe it would leave Klobuchar shaking right out of the race.
Will Biden Be Ignored Despite Narrowly Leading The Polls?
One wonders if Sanders and Warren and Buttigieg and Klobuchar will be so busy with each other that they will neglect Joe Biden who narrowly leads the field in both Iowa and New Hampshire. Oh, Tom Steyer might chime in, but nobody likes him. In which case, Biden should have a good night.
Of course, should anyone target Biden they will have to do so carefully. Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, Julian Castro and Eric Swalwell all went after Biden in the debates and did themselves absolutely no good.
It seems to me the only person who can damage Joe Biden is Joe Biden.
Iran
Had this debate been held a week ago, the candidates would have universally condemned President Trump for his recklessness in killing Iranian Quds Leader Qassam Soleimani. They still might, but over the past week Iran shot down a civilian airliner which led to the deaths of a lot of Iranian students and anger is now being directed at the Iranian regime. When Iranian demonstrators refuse to stomp on American and Israeli flags there is something in the air. There's also something in the air when Britain, France and Germany are now focusing on Iran's violation of the nuclear agreement have seen fit to trigger the dispute settlement mechanism.
While President Trump's foreign policy in haphazard, the Democratic candidates must be cautious in their criticism in light of events on the ground. They would be wise to stand with Iranian protesters instead of the Iranian regime, but who among them would be so wise outside of Buttigieg? In which case, where it concerns Iran, Democrats might end up helping Trump. No Democrat should want that outcome.
Monday, January 13, 2020
When a Water Main Breaks in Manhattan
Before leaving home for work on Monday morning I noticed the toilet water was dark. For a moment I thought I had forgotten to flush. But I hadn't and when I flushed again the color didn't change I thought the problem was in the apartment. After all, our kitchen sink had just been fixed as had that of our upstairs neighbor.
But when I reached Broadway via Columbus and saw NYPD and MTA employees walking on a very wet street I realized a water main had broken. Had I been out half an hour earlier I'd have been swimming in it.
Broken water mains are a fact of aging infrastructure. But when a water main breaks in NYC the whole world knows about it just as with the blackout last summer. Yet had I walked down Central Park West I would have never known anything was askew. The fact that I almost always walk to work helps. Had I realized on the subway I would have learned the 1, 2 and 3 were completely shut down. One of my colleagues who lives near Broadway and 98th found this out the hard way. Taking the A, B, C or D wasn't an option as there were lines leading into the subway. My colleague had to walk across Central Park to catch a 6 train on the East Side. And I thought the T in Boston was a pain in the ass. Well, it is but....
The worst of it is around Broadway and 62nd. When I walked by the area after my swim several businesses were closed for the evening because of water main break and might still be closed tomorrow. Time is money especially in a New York minute. In which case those businesses might be taking on more than water.
But by tomorrow morning this will be water under the bridge for most New Yorkers.
Five Observations of The Astros Firing Hinch & Luhnow After Sign Stealing Scandal
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred suspended Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch and GM Jeff Luhnow for the 2020 season following an investigation into the team's practice of using electronic equipment to steal signs dating back to 2017 when they won the World Series. Upon receiving the news, Astros owner Jim Crane fired both Hinch and Luhnow.
Here are five observations of these developments.
First, the Astros will be the most hated team in MLB. Their every achievement - Jose Altuve's 2017 AL MVP campaign, Justin Verlander's 2019 AL Cy Young honors and 2019 AL Rookie of the Year Yordan Alvarez will be called into question. They will be booed in every ballpark they visit. I'm sure some will refer to them as the Houston Assholes. And how will Astros fans react? Will they stay away in droves? It would not shock me if the Astros collapsed and finished dead last in the AL West.
Second, if the Astros are to save face then their new manager and GM must both have impeccable, unassailable credentials. This is particularly important for their next manager. While Hinch was not active in sign stealing he tolerated it. The next manager must be old school whose word is law and will not tolerate any tomfoolery. Dusty Baker, Buck Showalter, Tony LaRussa, Jim Leyland come to mind. The next manager must be the new sheriff in town. As for their GM, I could see someone like former Mets GM Sandy Alderson.
Third, this might be but the tip of the iceberg. Prominently mentioned in the report was Alex Cora who was the Astros' bench coach in 2017. Cora, of course, was named manager of the Boston Red Sox in 2018 winning a World Series title in his inaugural season. The Red Sox have come under scrutiny for stealing signs with electronic equipment and Cora is also under investigation by MLB. Given his central role in the sign stealing shenanigans in Houston in addition to Boston he might receive harsher discipline. With spring training only a month away, it is incumbent upon MLB to make a decision soon. Whatever their decision, it is unlikely to be a good one for the Bosox.
Fourth, New York Mets manager Carlos Beltran will be under scrutiny. Beltran was a member of the 2017 Astros and was active participant in the sign stealing scheme. Since he was a player at the time, Beltran is not subject to discipline. But Beltran is going to be watched as he begins his inaugural season as a big league manager. Unless, of course, Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen gets cold feet, decides he doesn't want to be the next Luhnow and parts ways with Beltran.
Finally, if I'm a Los Angeles Dodgers fan I would be pissed. The Astros and Red Sox World Series triumphs came at the expense of the Dodgers. If this was the NCAA, the Astros and Red Sox would be stripped of their championships and awarded to the Dodgers. But this is MLB and Dodgers fans will feel cheated. If this doesn't motivate the Dodgers in 2020 then nothing will.
This could be MLB's biggest scandal in a century. Yes, the aftermath of the Black Sox took place 100 years ago. Plus ca change.
Here are five observations of these developments.
First, the Astros will be the most hated team in MLB. Their every achievement - Jose Altuve's 2017 AL MVP campaign, Justin Verlander's 2019 AL Cy Young honors and 2019 AL Rookie of the Year Yordan Alvarez will be called into question. They will be booed in every ballpark they visit. I'm sure some will refer to them as the Houston Assholes. And how will Astros fans react? Will they stay away in droves? It would not shock me if the Astros collapsed and finished dead last in the AL West.
Second, if the Astros are to save face then their new manager and GM must both have impeccable, unassailable credentials. This is particularly important for their next manager. While Hinch was not active in sign stealing he tolerated it. The next manager must be old school whose word is law and will not tolerate any tomfoolery. Dusty Baker, Buck Showalter, Tony LaRussa, Jim Leyland come to mind. The next manager must be the new sheriff in town. As for their GM, I could see someone like former Mets GM Sandy Alderson.
Third, this might be but the tip of the iceberg. Prominently mentioned in the report was Alex Cora who was the Astros' bench coach in 2017. Cora, of course, was named manager of the Boston Red Sox in 2018 winning a World Series title in his inaugural season. The Red Sox have come under scrutiny for stealing signs with electronic equipment and Cora is also under investigation by MLB. Given his central role in the sign stealing shenanigans in Houston in addition to Boston he might receive harsher discipline. With spring training only a month away, it is incumbent upon MLB to make a decision soon. Whatever their decision, it is unlikely to be a good one for the Bosox.
Fourth, New York Mets manager Carlos Beltran will be under scrutiny. Beltran was a member of the 2017 Astros and was active participant in the sign stealing scheme. Since he was a player at the time, Beltran is not subject to discipline. But Beltran is going to be watched as he begins his inaugural season as a big league manager. Unless, of course, Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen gets cold feet, decides he doesn't want to be the next Luhnow and parts ways with Beltran.
Finally, if I'm a Los Angeles Dodgers fan I would be pissed. The Astros and Red Sox World Series triumphs came at the expense of the Dodgers. If this was the NCAA, the Astros and Red Sox would be stripped of their championships and awarded to the Dodgers. But this is MLB and Dodgers fans will feel cheated. If this doesn't motivate the Dodgers in 2020 then nothing will.
This could be MLB's biggest scandal in a century. Yes, the aftermath of the Black Sox took place 100 years ago. Plus ca change.
Cory Booker's Sizzle Fizzles
When Cory Booker entered the Democratic presidential race nearly a year ago, I wondered aloud if the New Jersey Senator was sizzle and no steak.
Booker did sizzle during the debates, but didn't resonate with Democratic voters. Fair or not, we've been there and done that with Obama. Soaring rhetoric only gets you so far. Booker didn't help his cause by playing the race card with Joe Biden and later with Michael Bloomberg.
No doubt much will be said of another candidate of color dropping out of the race as was the case with Kamala Harris and Julian Castro. But being a member of a minority group does not entitle one to public office much less the White House. But so long as identity politics reigns supreme it will be difficult to overcome this thinking.
As for Booker, he could have an opportunity to shine during Senate impeachment hearings along with Harris. Otherwise he can take comfort in the loving arms of Rosario Dawson. I can think of far worse fates to befall a man.
Booker did sizzle during the debates, but didn't resonate with Democratic voters. Fair or not, we've been there and done that with Obama. Soaring rhetoric only gets you so far. Booker didn't help his cause by playing the race card with Joe Biden and later with Michael Bloomberg.
No doubt much will be said of another candidate of color dropping out of the race as was the case with Kamala Harris and Julian Castro. But being a member of a minority group does not entitle one to public office much less the White House. But so long as identity politics reigns supreme it will be difficult to overcome this thinking.
As for Booker, he could have an opportunity to shine during Senate impeachment hearings along with Harris. Otherwise he can take comfort in the loving arms of Rosario Dawson. I can think of far worse fates to befall a man.
Sunday, January 12, 2020
Roosevelt Island (Or How I Left Manhattan Without Leaving Manhattan)
Somehow we were blessed with an unseasonably warm 68 degrees in the middle of January. I took advantage of this blessing by venturing to Roosevelt Island. While part of Manhattan, it is situated in the middle of the East River with Manhattan to the west and Queens to the east.
While one can access Roosevelt Island via the F train, I opted to make my way to Second Avenue and East 60th Street to take the aerial tramway. It was the first time I had travelled above ground in over five years and was quite the sensation in all of five minutes.
What struck me most about Roosevelt Island was how it could be so quiet and uncrowded. There was no honking of horns, no shouting and not even a traffic light making for quick movement. Somehow I left Manhattan without leaving Manhattan.
I began by making way to the Four Freedoms Park on the southern point of the island before ambling north. Although Roosevelt Island affords a great view of Manhattan's skyline much of the architecture is not so pleasing. I suppose one must expect this of a place once called Welfare Island which housed a Smallpox Hospital and an insane asylum. Much of the housing looks neo-Stalinist and there is not much in the way of amenities. It's a good thing if you want to save money, but not so good if you need to use the bathroom. Such a place could feel like a prison yard if one wasn't free to leave.
But there is much to be said for peace and quiet and open space. Upon making my way back to Manhattan proper, the noise level went up noticeably and so did the anger. While walking west on 59th Street, a man blocked a truck from moving and the truck driver stormed out of his vehicle to confront this man. While the confrontation did not end violently, it escalated my stress and brought me back to unpleasant reality.
Roosevelt Island is no Walden Pond, but it is somewhere one can get away from things and slow down for a couple of hours in a city where slowing down seems impossible.
While one can access Roosevelt Island via the F train, I opted to make my way to Second Avenue and East 60th Street to take the aerial tramway. It was the first time I had travelled above ground in over five years and was quite the sensation in all of five minutes.
What struck me most about Roosevelt Island was how it could be so quiet and uncrowded. There was no honking of horns, no shouting and not even a traffic light making for quick movement. Somehow I left Manhattan without leaving Manhattan.
I began by making way to the Four Freedoms Park on the southern point of the island before ambling north. Although Roosevelt Island affords a great view of Manhattan's skyline much of the architecture is not so pleasing. I suppose one must expect this of a place once called Welfare Island which housed a Smallpox Hospital and an insane asylum. Much of the housing looks neo-Stalinist and there is not much in the way of amenities. It's a good thing if you want to save money, but not so good if you need to use the bathroom. Such a place could feel like a prison yard if one wasn't free to leave.
But there is much to be said for peace and quiet and open space. Upon making my way back to Manhattan proper, the noise level went up noticeably and so did the anger. While walking west on 59th Street, a man blocked a truck from moving and the truck driver stormed out of his vehicle to confront this man. While the confrontation did not end violently, it escalated my stress and brought me back to unpleasant reality.
Roosevelt Island is no Walden Pond, but it is somewhere one can get away from things and slow down for a couple of hours in a city where slowing down seems impossible.
Texas Takes On Todd Frazier at Third Base
The Texas Rangers have found their new third baseman - at least for 2020. Todd Frazier has signed a 1-year, $3.5 million contract with the Rangers with a club option for 2021.
Frazier, who turns 34 next month, spent the past two seasons with the New York Mets. In 2019, Frazier hit .251 with 21 HR and 67 RBI in 133 games. Entering his 10th big league campaign, Frazier spent the bulk of his career with the Cincinnati Reds with stints in a Chicago White Sox and a New York Yankees uniform.
The Rangers have been seeking a third baseman to fill the shoes of future Hall of Famer Adrian Beltre who retired after the 2018 season. Texas has had hopes of adding Anthony Rendon, Josh Donaldson or Nolan Arenado, but have evidently taken a more fiscally cautious approach in signing Frazier. While Frazier would be a short term option, he can still play and would be a veteran presence on a young ball club. Overall, signing Frazier will be a net positive for the Rangers.
Frazier, who turns 34 next month, spent the past two seasons with the New York Mets. In 2019, Frazier hit .251 with 21 HR and 67 RBI in 133 games. Entering his 10th big league campaign, Frazier spent the bulk of his career with the Cincinnati Reds with stints in a Chicago White Sox and a New York Yankees uniform.
The Rangers have been seeking a third baseman to fill the shoes of future Hall of Famer Adrian Beltre who retired after the 2018 season. Texas has had hopes of adding Anthony Rendon, Josh Donaldson or Nolan Arenado, but have evidently taken a more fiscally cautious approach in signing Frazier. While Frazier would be a short term option, he can still play and would be a veteran presence on a young ball club. Overall, signing Frazier will be a net positive for the Rangers.
Saturday, January 11, 2020
Titans Shock Ravens in AFC Divisional Game
The Tennessee Titans have done the impossible by defeating the number one seed Baltimore Ravens 28-12 in the AFC Divisional Game.
Titans running back Derrick Henry was the star of the game with 30 carries for 195 yards and even threw a touchdown pass. Meanwhile, Ravens QB and likely NFL MVP Lamar Jackson was kept in check. He had flashes of brilliance, but was intercepted twice. It also didn't help that Ravens offense dropped a half dozen passes and couldn't make fourth down conversions. The Titans advance to the AFC Final against either the Houston Texans and the Kansas City Chiefs.
I was not shocked when the Titans defeated the New England Patriots a week ago. Tom Brady's 42 years are catching up with him and he doesn't have a great supporting cast. Plus Titans head coach Mike Vrabel knows Bill Belichik as well as anyone.
But I am completely shocked the Titans beat the Ravens and I'm sure the same can be said for the rest of the country including the 615 area code. You would be hard pressed to find anyone who didn't think the AFC championship game would be played in Baltimore. If anyone did go against the grain and were inclined to gamble could have gone to bed very happy and looking forward to tomorrow. As for next Sunday, a lot more people are going to bet on the Titans.
Titans running back Derrick Henry was the star of the game with 30 carries for 195 yards and even threw a touchdown pass. Meanwhile, Ravens QB and likely NFL MVP Lamar Jackson was kept in check. He had flashes of brilliance, but was intercepted twice. It also didn't help that Ravens offense dropped a half dozen passes and couldn't make fourth down conversions. The Titans advance to the AFC Final against either the Houston Texans and the Kansas City Chiefs.
I was not shocked when the Titans defeated the New England Patriots a week ago. Tom Brady's 42 years are catching up with him and he doesn't have a great supporting cast. Plus Titans head coach Mike Vrabel knows Bill Belichik as well as anyone.
But I am completely shocked the Titans beat the Ravens and I'm sure the same can be said for the rest of the country including the 615 area code. You would be hard pressed to find anyone who didn't think the AFC championship game would be played in Baltimore. If anyone did go against the grain and were inclined to gamble could have gone to bed very happy and looking forward to tomorrow. As for next Sunday, a lot more people are going to bet on the Titans.
Hal Smith, R.I.P.
Hal Smith, a journeyman big league catcher and infielder in the 1950's and 1960's who was best remembered for his World Series heroics for the Pittsburgh Pirates in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series, has passed away at the age of 89. No cause of death has been released.
Originally signed by the New York Yankees in 1949, Smith was lost in the team's minor league system until he was dealt to the Baltimore Orioles after the 1954 season. This was the 17-player deal which brought pitcher Don Larsen to the Yankees. Larsen, of course, pitched a perfect game in the 1956 World Series and passed away just over a week before Smith.
Smith would play in a career high 135 games for the Orioles in his rookie season of 1955. By August of the following season, the O's traded Smith to the Kansas City A's for another journeyman catcher named Joe Ginsberg. Smith played nearly half his career games with K.C. before the A's traded him to the Pittsburgh Pirates prior to the 1960 season. Platooning behind the plate with Smokey Burgess, Smith batted .295 with 11 HR and 45 RBI despite playing in only 77 games.
Like Larsen, Smith would have played in obscurity if not for his World Series performance. In the 8th inning of Game 7 of the 1960 World Series, Smith belted a 3-run HR off Jim Coates to give the Bucs a 9-7 lead. Future Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente and 1960 NL MVP Dick Groat were on base when Smith hit his shot. It ought to have won the Series for the Pirates. But neither Bob Friend nor Harvey Haddix could stop the Yankees from scoring two runs to tie the game much less Mickey Mantle evading a tag allowing Gil MacDougald from scoring the tying run. But Bill Mazeroski had other ideas when he faced Ralph Terry in the bottom of the 9th.
Nevertheless, Pirates fans still celebrate Smith's HR six decades later.
Smith could not replicate his production in 1961. So the Pirates left him unprotected in the 1962 expansion draft and he was drafted by the Houston Colt 45s. After being the team's number one catcher in 1962, Smith took a backseat to John Bateman in 1963 before finishing his big league career with the Cincinnati Reds in 1964. In 10 MLB seasons, Smith batted .267 with 58 HR and 323 RBIs in 879 games plus one of the most memorable home runs in World Series history. R.I.P.
Originally signed by the New York Yankees in 1949, Smith was lost in the team's minor league system until he was dealt to the Baltimore Orioles after the 1954 season. This was the 17-player deal which brought pitcher Don Larsen to the Yankees. Larsen, of course, pitched a perfect game in the 1956 World Series and passed away just over a week before Smith.
Smith would play in a career high 135 games for the Orioles in his rookie season of 1955. By August of the following season, the O's traded Smith to the Kansas City A's for another journeyman catcher named Joe Ginsberg. Smith played nearly half his career games with K.C. before the A's traded him to the Pittsburgh Pirates prior to the 1960 season. Platooning behind the plate with Smokey Burgess, Smith batted .295 with 11 HR and 45 RBI despite playing in only 77 games.
Like Larsen, Smith would have played in obscurity if not for his World Series performance. In the 8th inning of Game 7 of the 1960 World Series, Smith belted a 3-run HR off Jim Coates to give the Bucs a 9-7 lead. Future Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente and 1960 NL MVP Dick Groat were on base when Smith hit his shot. It ought to have won the Series for the Pirates. But neither Bob Friend nor Harvey Haddix could stop the Yankees from scoring two runs to tie the game much less Mickey Mantle evading a tag allowing Gil MacDougald from scoring the tying run. But Bill Mazeroski had other ideas when he faced Ralph Terry in the bottom of the 9th.
Nevertheless, Pirates fans still celebrate Smith's HR six decades later.
Smith could not replicate his production in 1961. So the Pirates left him unprotected in the 1962 expansion draft and he was drafted by the Houston Colt 45s. After being the team's number one catcher in 1962, Smith took a backseat to John Bateman in 1963 before finishing his big league career with the Cincinnati Reds in 1964. In 10 MLB seasons, Smith batted .267 with 58 HR and 323 RBIs in 879 games plus one of the most memorable home runs in World Series history. R.I.P.
Thoughts on Iran Admitting To Shooting Down Ukrainian Airliner
Today, Iran's military admitted to shooting down Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 earlier this week killing all 176 people aboard.
The admission comes after the Iranian government denied any wrongdoing claiming mechanical failure despite video evidence showing the plane being shot down and compromising the scene of the accident thus impeding the investigation of Ukrainian officials.
First, who can say the incident wasn't intentional? The Iranian government treats its populace miserably and thinks nothing of imprisoning and killing those who dare to disagree with it. This alone forfeits any right they have to any benefit of the doubt. The fact they have lied to the world about this accident and have seen fit to obstruct its investigation makes me think their admission isn't the whole truth. It should give people pause to ask if this is a regime which is being truthful about its nuclear program let alone the wisdom of permitting it
to enrich uranium in the first place.
Second, let us for argument's sake, consider the Iranian regime was telling the truth and the attack was indeed an accident. If this is the case then Iran is still guilty of negligence. Given they were in conflict with U.S. forces then why didn't its civil aviation authority ground all flights until further notice? I would once again contend that this is a regime that cares nothing for innocent human life especially of Iranians.
Third, nearly everyone aboard was an Iranian national (many of whom had become permanent residents or citizens of Canada). Because of this Iranians have turned their anger from the U.S. for the killing of General Soleimani to their own government for its dishonesty up to and including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iranians have been protesting against the regime intermittently over the past decade most recently in November 2019. This new wave of protests could do more lasting damage given the raw emotion involved in a government killing its own people and being caught in a lie. If anti-government protests persist for more than a month chances are the regime will crush it. On the other hand, the international community might be more inclined to support this wave of protests than it has in the past, especially in the United States.
Which brings me to my final point. President Trump is certainly more supportive of the Iranian people than President Obama who infamously said in 2009 it was not in the interest of his administration to meddle even as Iran was mudering protesters in broad daylight following a fraudulent election. Nevertheless, Trump must express his support of Iranian protesters in such a way as to not get in the way of the Iranian regime imploding upon itself. Given his lack of discipline and self-awareness this might be nearly an impossible task. One ill-conceived tweet is all it would take for Iran to regain the sympathy of its people and the international community however undeserved. In which case, the last adult remaining in the Trump White House should abscond with his phone. Trump should only escalate his rhetoric when the Iranian regime sees fit to crush the protests. The Trump Administration should come to the aid of Iranian protesters but in a covert manner. If regime change in Iran it is better that it be done from within than from abroad. If the four decade old Islamic Republic of Iran falls its lack of candor in killing its own people aboard a civilian airliner might very well be the spark.
The admission comes after the Iranian government denied any wrongdoing claiming mechanical failure despite video evidence showing the plane being shot down and compromising the scene of the accident thus impeding the investigation of Ukrainian officials.
First, who can say the incident wasn't intentional? The Iranian government treats its populace miserably and thinks nothing of imprisoning and killing those who dare to disagree with it. This alone forfeits any right they have to any benefit of the doubt. The fact they have lied to the world about this accident and have seen fit to obstruct its investigation makes me think their admission isn't the whole truth. It should give people pause to ask if this is a regime which is being truthful about its nuclear program let alone the wisdom of permitting it
to enrich uranium in the first place.
Second, let us for argument's sake, consider the Iranian regime was telling the truth and the attack was indeed an accident. If this is the case then Iran is still guilty of negligence. Given they were in conflict with U.S. forces then why didn't its civil aviation authority ground all flights until further notice? I would once again contend that this is a regime that cares nothing for innocent human life especially of Iranians.
Third, nearly everyone aboard was an Iranian national (many of whom had become permanent residents or citizens of Canada). Because of this Iranians have turned their anger from the U.S. for the killing of General Soleimani to their own government for its dishonesty up to and including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iranians have been protesting against the regime intermittently over the past decade most recently in November 2019. This new wave of protests could do more lasting damage given the raw emotion involved in a government killing its own people and being caught in a lie. If anti-government protests persist for more than a month chances are the regime will crush it. On the other hand, the international community might be more inclined to support this wave of protests than it has in the past, especially in the United States.
Which brings me to my final point. President Trump is certainly more supportive of the Iranian people than President Obama who infamously said in 2009 it was not in the interest of his administration to meddle even as Iran was mudering protesters in broad daylight following a fraudulent election. Nevertheless, Trump must express his support of Iranian protesters in such a way as to not get in the way of the Iranian regime imploding upon itself. Given his lack of discipline and self-awareness this might be nearly an impossible task. One ill-conceived tweet is all it would take for Iran to regain the sympathy of its people and the international community however undeserved. In which case, the last adult remaining in the Trump White House should abscond with his phone. Trump should only escalate his rhetoric when the Iranian regime sees fit to crush the protests. The Trump Administration should come to the aid of Iranian protesters but in a covert manner. If regime change in Iran it is better that it be done from within than from abroad. If the four decade old Islamic Republic of Iran falls its lack of candor in killing its own people aboard a civilian airliner might very well be the spark.
Friday, January 10, 2020
Neil Peart, R.I.P.
Neil Peart, drummer and primary lyricist for the Canadian progressive rock group Rush, passed away on January 7th of brain cancer. He was 67.
Peart joined Rush in 1974 succeeding the group's original drummer John Rutsey. Peart's influence on the band went beyond the drum kit. Influenced by the writings of Ayn Rand, Peart's libertarian inspired lyrics would be instrumental in Rush becoming one of the most popular rock 'n roll bands in the world over the next four decades. Over the years, Peart's drumming style evolved from the hard rock approach of John Bonham and Keith Moon to the big band swing of Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa. Peart would produce two tribute albums to Rich in the 1990's.
Peart took a hiatus from late 1998 through early 2001 following the death of his daughter in an automobile accident and his wife succumbing to cancer in the space of less than a year. During this hiatus, Peart traveled on his motorcycle throughout North America and Central America and chronicled his travels in his 2002 memoir "Ghost Rider: Travels on The Healing Road". During this period, Peart remarried and once again became a father of a daughter. Peart remained with Rush until his retirement in December 2015.
The one Rush song that has long resonated with me is "Distant Early Warning":
The world weighs on my shoulders
But what I am to do?
You sometimes drive me crazy
But I worry about you
I know it makes no difference
To what you're going through
But I see the tip of the iceberg
And I worry about you
Well, listen to it for yourself.
Tonight, the world no longer weighs on Neil Peart's shoulders. But his passing weigh on ours. R.I.P.
Peart joined Rush in 1974 succeeding the group's original drummer John Rutsey. Peart's influence on the band went beyond the drum kit. Influenced by the writings of Ayn Rand, Peart's libertarian inspired lyrics would be instrumental in Rush becoming one of the most popular rock 'n roll bands in the world over the next four decades. Over the years, Peart's drumming style evolved from the hard rock approach of John Bonham and Keith Moon to the big band swing of Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa. Peart would produce two tribute albums to Rich in the 1990's.
Peart took a hiatus from late 1998 through early 2001 following the death of his daughter in an automobile accident and his wife succumbing to cancer in the space of less than a year. During this hiatus, Peart traveled on his motorcycle throughout North America and Central America and chronicled his travels in his 2002 memoir "Ghost Rider: Travels on The Healing Road". During this period, Peart remarried and once again became a father of a daughter. Peart remained with Rush until his retirement in December 2015.
The one Rush song that has long resonated with me is "Distant Early Warning":
The world weighs on my shoulders
But what I am to do?
You sometimes drive me crazy
But I worry about you
I know it makes no difference
To what you're going through
But I see the tip of the iceberg
And I worry about you
Well, listen to it for yourself.
Tonight, the world no longer weighs on Neil Peart's shoulders. But his passing weigh on ours. R.I.P.
Buyer Beware on Nolan Arenado
Less than a year ago, Nolan Arenado signed a contract extension with the Colorado Rockies through 2025 worth $260 million. The Rockies had earned back to back NL Wild Card berths and Arenado was a central figure in those campaigns finishing fourth and third in NL MVP balloting in 2017 and 2018.
But in 2019, the Rockies tumbled to a 71-91 record finishing 35 games back of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. Arenado remained outstanding with a career high .315 batting average along with 41 HR and 118 RBI, his fifth consecutive NL All-Star Team selection and seventh straight Gold Glove. Had the Rockies been better Arenado would have finished higher than 6th in NL MVP balloting.
With the Rockies now appearing to be headed towards rebuilding and six years remaining on his contract, Arenado might soon departing Denver's light air. Possible destinations for Arenado include St. Louis, Atlanta, San Francisco, Philadelphia, New York (both in The Bronx and Queens) the Cubs (even with Kris Bryant remaining with the club in 2020) and the Rangers.
But any of these buyers should beware where it concerns Arenado's offense. In each of the last five seasons, Arenado has more than 35 HR and has thrice topped 40 HR and has had five straight 100 plus RBI seasons. Don't expect Arenado to replicate these figures for his new team. Arenado has played exactly 1,031 games (515 at Coors Field and 516 away from Coors). The splits are dramatic. On Blake Street, Arenado is a career .324 hitter with 129 HR and 446 RBI. Outside the Rocky Mountain State, Arenado is a career .265 hitter with 98 HR and 288 RBI. Arenado, who will turn 29 in April, is still an exceptional third baseman who has thrice won the Plantinum Glove as the best defender in MLB. He can help his new team win games, but if they think he can belt 40 HRs and drive in 130 runs a season then they are setting up themselves and Arenado for failure.
Arenado is hardly the only Rockie whose offensive output was dramatically better in Denver. Todd Helton, who spent his entire 17-year big league career with the Rockies, was a lifetime .345 hitter at Coors Field with an astounding OBP of .441 along with 227 HR and 859 RBI. If Helton had done this on the road, he would already be in Cooperstown. But away from Coors Helton hit .287 with 142 HR and 547 RBI. Not bad, but not enough for a Hall of Fame speech - at least not yet.
There's a very good chance Nolan Arenado will be playing for a new team in 2020. The new team, whoever it might be, will get a very good player but should be aware that won't get what Nolan Arenado delivered in Colorado.
But in 2019, the Rockies tumbled to a 71-91 record finishing 35 games back of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. Arenado remained outstanding with a career high .315 batting average along with 41 HR and 118 RBI, his fifth consecutive NL All-Star Team selection and seventh straight Gold Glove. Had the Rockies been better Arenado would have finished higher than 6th in NL MVP balloting.
With the Rockies now appearing to be headed towards rebuilding and six years remaining on his contract, Arenado might soon departing Denver's light air. Possible destinations for Arenado include St. Louis, Atlanta, San Francisco, Philadelphia, New York (both in The Bronx and Queens) the Cubs (even with Kris Bryant remaining with the club in 2020) and the Rangers.
But any of these buyers should beware where it concerns Arenado's offense. In each of the last five seasons, Arenado has more than 35 HR and has thrice topped 40 HR and has had five straight 100 plus RBI seasons. Don't expect Arenado to replicate these figures for his new team. Arenado has played exactly 1,031 games (515 at Coors Field and 516 away from Coors). The splits are dramatic. On Blake Street, Arenado is a career .324 hitter with 129 HR and 446 RBI. Outside the Rocky Mountain State, Arenado is a career .265 hitter with 98 HR and 288 RBI. Arenado, who will turn 29 in April, is still an exceptional third baseman who has thrice won the Plantinum Glove as the best defender in MLB. He can help his new team win games, but if they think he can belt 40 HRs and drive in 130 runs a season then they are setting up themselves and Arenado for failure.
Arenado is hardly the only Rockie whose offensive output was dramatically better in Denver. Todd Helton, who spent his entire 17-year big league career with the Rockies, was a lifetime .345 hitter at Coors Field with an astounding OBP of .441 along with 227 HR and 859 RBI. If Helton had done this on the road, he would already be in Cooperstown. But away from Coors Helton hit .287 with 142 HR and 547 RBI. Not bad, but not enough for a Hall of Fame speech - at least not yet.
There's a very good chance Nolan Arenado will be playing for a new team in 2020. The new team, whoever it might be, will get a very good player but should be aware that won't get what Nolan Arenado delivered in Colorado.
Thursday, January 9, 2020
My 2020 Baseball Hall of Fame Ballot (If The BBWAA Gave Me a Vote)
I am not a member of the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) and probably never will be. But if I were this would be by Hall of Fame ballot for the Class of 2020 which will be announced on January 21st.
1. Derek Jeter
2. Larry Walker
3. Curt Schilling
4. Omar Vizquel
5. Jeff Kent
6. Scott Rolen
7. Billy Wagner
8. Andruw Jones
9. Barry Bonds
10. Roger Clemens
Of these ten, the only shoo-in is Jeter who is in his first year on the ballot. The question is will he get 100% of the vote as his former New York Yankees teammate Mariano Rivera did a year ago. Well, 100% of the living Hall of Fame inductees won't be there. Andre Dawson and Tony Perez announced last summer they would not be in Cooperstown to see Jeter's induction. Jeter unceremoniously dispensed with the services of Dawson and Perez after his ownership group bought the Miami Marlins in 2017. A backlash forced Jeter to offer them their jobs back albeit with a significant salary cut. Both Dawson and Perez declined the offer. Dawson hooked on with the Chicago Cubs while Perez remains out of baseball. All this to say that Jeter might not get 100% of the vote. But he'll get in. To put the matter into perspective, neither Joe DiMaggio nor Yogi Berra received 100% of the vote much less were inducted on the first ballot. Nevertheless, Jeter's credentials are impressive. A career .310 hitter with 3465 hits (6th on MLB's all-time list), 14 AL All-Star Team selections, five Gold Gloves and five World Series rings. Mr. November will be a welcome addition to Cooperstown.
Six of the players on my list were on my list a year ago - Walker, Schilling, Vizquel, Kent, Rolen and Jones. It is Walker's last year on the ballot and Schilling's next to last year on the ballot and I have a feeling time will run out for both of them leaving it to the Veterans Committee. Ditto for Kent who has two years left. Of the remaining three, I think Vizquel has the best chance for enshrinement but I suspect that won't come until 2022.
Including Jeter, there are new names on my list. Billy Wagner, in his fifth year on the ballot, makes my list for the first time. Wagner, who pitched for 16 seasons with the Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves, is probably the greatest relief pitcher who never led his league in saves. Yet he accumulated 422 saves while striking out 1196 batters in only 903 innings pitched. His 11.9 K per 9 innings pitched is the highest in MLB history with a minimum of 800 innings pitched. MLB hitters only batted .187 against while accumulating 5.99 hits per 9 innings which are also the best totals in MLB history. Most closers have a short life span. Wagner was a 7 time NL All-Star between 1999 and 2010. Wagner certainly has a place in Cooperstown with contemporaries Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman.
Which brings me to Bonds and Clemens. I have kept Bonds and Clemens off my previous ballots because I wanted to give priority to deserving candidates who might end up being overlooked (i.e. Kent, Rolen, Walker, Jones and Vizquel or in years past Alan Trammell, Fred McGriff and Lee Smith). Realistically speaking there is no way Bonds would have hit 73 home runs in 2001 much less eclipsed Hank Aaron for the all time HR record without steroids nor would have Roger Clemens won half of his AL Cy Young Awards, won 300 games or struck out 4,000 batters with the benefit of HGH. With all that said, the things they achieved before they came under the cloud of suspicion were sufficient to warrant inclusion into Cooperstown.
Most significantly, I didn't have any other players I felt strongly enough about championing. I am dubious about the legacy of both Manny Ramirez and Gary Sheffield and did not see fit to cast a ballot for them. I did give some consideration to Todd Helton who is even with Walker is the greatest player to wear a Colorado Rockies uniform. But with no one else on the ballot worthy of consideration left on the ballot, I had two spots left and if I was going to vote for Bonds and Clemens I was going to vote for them together. Of course, if Bonds and Clemens do get in it will improve the chances of Ramirez, Sheffield not to mention Alex Rodriguez. Whether Bonds and Clemens get in this year or next, it will open up a hornet's nest. If they do not I think they will actually have a harder time with the Veterans Committee than with the BBWAA.
Well, that's my ballot. Let me know what you think.
1. Derek Jeter
2. Larry Walker
3. Curt Schilling
4. Omar Vizquel
5. Jeff Kent
6. Scott Rolen
7. Billy Wagner
8. Andruw Jones
9. Barry Bonds
10. Roger Clemens
Of these ten, the only shoo-in is Jeter who is in his first year on the ballot. The question is will he get 100% of the vote as his former New York Yankees teammate Mariano Rivera did a year ago. Well, 100% of the living Hall of Fame inductees won't be there. Andre Dawson and Tony Perez announced last summer they would not be in Cooperstown to see Jeter's induction. Jeter unceremoniously dispensed with the services of Dawson and Perez after his ownership group bought the Miami Marlins in 2017. A backlash forced Jeter to offer them their jobs back albeit with a significant salary cut. Both Dawson and Perez declined the offer. Dawson hooked on with the Chicago Cubs while Perez remains out of baseball. All this to say that Jeter might not get 100% of the vote. But he'll get in. To put the matter into perspective, neither Joe DiMaggio nor Yogi Berra received 100% of the vote much less were inducted on the first ballot. Nevertheless, Jeter's credentials are impressive. A career .310 hitter with 3465 hits (6th on MLB's all-time list), 14 AL All-Star Team selections, five Gold Gloves and five World Series rings. Mr. November will be a welcome addition to Cooperstown.
Six of the players on my list were on my list a year ago - Walker, Schilling, Vizquel, Kent, Rolen and Jones. It is Walker's last year on the ballot and Schilling's next to last year on the ballot and I have a feeling time will run out for both of them leaving it to the Veterans Committee. Ditto for Kent who has two years left. Of the remaining three, I think Vizquel has the best chance for enshrinement but I suspect that won't come until 2022.
Including Jeter, there are new names on my list. Billy Wagner, in his fifth year on the ballot, makes my list for the first time. Wagner, who pitched for 16 seasons with the Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves, is probably the greatest relief pitcher who never led his league in saves. Yet he accumulated 422 saves while striking out 1196 batters in only 903 innings pitched. His 11.9 K per 9 innings pitched is the highest in MLB history with a minimum of 800 innings pitched. MLB hitters only batted .187 against while accumulating 5.99 hits per 9 innings which are also the best totals in MLB history. Most closers have a short life span. Wagner was a 7 time NL All-Star between 1999 and 2010. Wagner certainly has a place in Cooperstown with contemporaries Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman.
Which brings me to Bonds and Clemens. I have kept Bonds and Clemens off my previous ballots because I wanted to give priority to deserving candidates who might end up being overlooked (i.e. Kent, Rolen, Walker, Jones and Vizquel or in years past Alan Trammell, Fred McGriff and Lee Smith). Realistically speaking there is no way Bonds would have hit 73 home runs in 2001 much less eclipsed Hank Aaron for the all time HR record without steroids nor would have Roger Clemens won half of his AL Cy Young Awards, won 300 games or struck out 4,000 batters with the benefit of HGH. With all that said, the things they achieved before they came under the cloud of suspicion were sufficient to warrant inclusion into Cooperstown.
Most significantly, I didn't have any other players I felt strongly enough about championing. I am dubious about the legacy of both Manny Ramirez and Gary Sheffield and did not see fit to cast a ballot for them. I did give some consideration to Todd Helton who is even with Walker is the greatest player to wear a Colorado Rockies uniform. But with no one else on the ballot worthy of consideration left on the ballot, I had two spots left and if I was going to vote for Bonds and Clemens I was going to vote for them together. Of course, if Bonds and Clemens do get in it will improve the chances of Ramirez, Sheffield not to mention Alex Rodriguez. Whether Bonds and Clemens get in this year or next, it will open up a hornet's nest. If they do not I think they will actually have a harder time with the Veterans Committee than with the BBWAA.
Well, that's my ballot. Let me know what you think.
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
Buck Henry, R.I.P.
Writer, actor and director Buck Henry passed away today of an apparent heart attack. He was 89.
After earning his stripes as a humorist at Dartmouth College, Henry earned the attention of Steve Allen who hired him as a writer in the early 1960's. Later, Henry would contribute to the American version of That Was The Week That Was, hosted by David Frost, as both a writer and performer. Henry would his earn his star in 1965 when he teamed up with Mel Brooks to create the hit TV spy spoof "Get Smart" starring Don Adams. Two years later, Henry co-wrote the adapted screenplay of "The Graduate" for which he received an Oscar nomination and also had a small role. A second Oscar nomination came more than a decade later when he and Warren Beatty were jointly nominated for Best Director of "Heaven Can Wait".
But, like many others, I remember Henry from his frequent appearances during the first years of Saturday Night Live. Between 1975 and 1980, Henry hosted the show 10 times and traditionally hosted the season finale. Henry most notably played the straight man to John Belushi's Samurai character.
In 1984, Henry was part of the cast of shortlived "The New Show" produced by Lorne Michaels. Henry's appearances on TV grew more sporadic although he would make guest appearances on programs like Falcon Crest, Murphy Brown, Will & Grace, 30 Rock, Hot in Cleveland and Law & Order: SVU. It is a shame Henry never got another chance to host SNL after 1980. While never a cast member, Buck Henry was integral to the show getting off the ground and becoming a cultural phenomenon. R.I.P.
After earning his stripes as a humorist at Dartmouth College, Henry earned the attention of Steve Allen who hired him as a writer in the early 1960's. Later, Henry would contribute to the American version of That Was The Week That Was, hosted by David Frost, as both a writer and performer. Henry would his earn his star in 1965 when he teamed up with Mel Brooks to create the hit TV spy spoof "Get Smart" starring Don Adams. Two years later, Henry co-wrote the adapted screenplay of "The Graduate" for which he received an Oscar nomination and also had a small role. A second Oscar nomination came more than a decade later when he and Warren Beatty were jointly nominated for Best Director of "Heaven Can Wait".
But, like many others, I remember Henry from his frequent appearances during the first years of Saturday Night Live. Between 1975 and 1980, Henry hosted the show 10 times and traditionally hosted the season finale. Henry most notably played the straight man to John Belushi's Samurai character.
In 1984, Henry was part of the cast of shortlived "The New Show" produced by Lorne Michaels. Henry's appearances on TV grew more sporadic although he would make guest appearances on programs like Falcon Crest, Murphy Brown, Will & Grace, 30 Rock, Hot in Cleveland and Law & Order: SVU. It is a shame Henry never got another chance to host SNL after 1980. While never a cast member, Buck Henry was integral to the show getting off the ground and becoming a cultural phenomenon. R.I.P.
Can Girardi Give Ronald Torreyes' Career a Reprieve in Philly?
I was delighted to hear that the Philadelphia Phillies have signed infielder Ronald Torreyes to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
The Venezuelan born Torreyes became a valuable part of the New York Yankees' bench in 2016 and especially 2017 when he hit .292 in 108 games for the Bronx Bombers. However, when Aaron Boone took over the managerial reigns from Joe Girardi in 2018, Torreyes was largely consigned to playing in Scranton-Wilkes Barre and was limited to 40 games at the big league level although he managed to hit .280 in 100 at bats.
I went ballistic when the Yankees designated Torreyes for assignment after the 2018 season. The Chicago Cubs (with whom Torreyes had played in the minors in 2012 and 2013) acquired him from the Yankees only to designate him for assignment. Torreyes signed as a free agent with the Minnesota Twins in December 2018. I was optimistic for Torreyes' chances in the Twin Cities, but he spent most of 2019 with the club's Triple-AAA franchise in Rochester. Torreyes was called up to the club in September, but only appeared in 7 games batting .188 in 16 at bats before becoming a free agent at season's end.
I think Torreyes' size works against him (he's listed at 5,8 and 151 pounds). If he hit for power like Jose Altuve then he'd be cut some slack, but that isn't his game. Signing with the Phillies' organization gives Torreyes, 27, a chance to reunite with Girardi who certainly appreciates what Torreyes brings to the table. With MLB expanding its roster to 26 players, Torreyes would be an ideal man to fill out that final roster spot. Of course, there are no guarantees, the competition will be fierce and sentiment will only take one so far. But if anyone can champion Torreyes' cause it is Girardi. If the Phillies reach the post-season in 2020 it will have as much to do with Torreyes as it will with Bryce Harper. The best teams are strong from 1 to 25. Torreyes can make that 1 through 26.
The Venezuelan born Torreyes became a valuable part of the New York Yankees' bench in 2016 and especially 2017 when he hit .292 in 108 games for the Bronx Bombers. However, when Aaron Boone took over the managerial reigns from Joe Girardi in 2018, Torreyes was largely consigned to playing in Scranton-Wilkes Barre and was limited to 40 games at the big league level although he managed to hit .280 in 100 at bats.
I went ballistic when the Yankees designated Torreyes for assignment after the 2018 season. The Chicago Cubs (with whom Torreyes had played in the minors in 2012 and 2013) acquired him from the Yankees only to designate him for assignment. Torreyes signed as a free agent with the Minnesota Twins in December 2018. I was optimistic for Torreyes' chances in the Twin Cities, but he spent most of 2019 with the club's Triple-AAA franchise in Rochester. Torreyes was called up to the club in September, but only appeared in 7 games batting .188 in 16 at bats before becoming a free agent at season's end.
I think Torreyes' size works against him (he's listed at 5,8 and 151 pounds). If he hit for power like Jose Altuve then he'd be cut some slack, but that isn't his game. Signing with the Phillies' organization gives Torreyes, 27, a chance to reunite with Girardi who certainly appreciates what Torreyes brings to the table. With MLB expanding its roster to 26 players, Torreyes would be an ideal man to fill out that final roster spot. Of course, there are no guarantees, the competition will be fierce and sentiment will only take one so far. But if anyone can champion Torreyes' cause it is Girardi. If the Phillies reach the post-season in 2020 it will have as much to do with Torreyes as it will with Bryce Harper. The best teams are strong from 1 to 25. Torreyes can make that 1 through 26.
Tuesday, January 7, 2020
Chisox Add Cishek
The Chicago White Sox are at it again. This time the Chisox added veteran reliever Steve Cishek to their bullpen on a one year, $6 million deal with an option for the 2021 season.
Cishek has spent the past two seasons with the crosstown Cubs. He has proven to be one of MLB's most durable relievers making 80 appearances for the Cubs in 2018 and 70 appearances in 2019. In those 70 appearances, Cishek went 4-6 with a 2.95 ERA along with 7 saves. Cishek, 33, will likely join Aaron Bummer as the main set up men for Alex Colome. Should Colome falter or get hurt, Cishek could step into the closer's role as he was a closer for both the Miami Marlins and Seattle Mariners earlier in his career.
Cishek is the latest catch for a Chicago team that has added Yasmani Grandal, Edwin Encarnacion, Nomar Mazara as well as starting pitchers Dallas Keuchel and Gio Gonzalez. Combine that with a team which already has Tim Anderson, Jose Abreu, Yoan Moncada, Eloy Jimenez and Lucas Giolito. And the White Sox still might not be done.
Cishek has spent the past two seasons with the crosstown Cubs. He has proven to be one of MLB's most durable relievers making 80 appearances for the Cubs in 2018 and 70 appearances in 2019. In those 70 appearances, Cishek went 4-6 with a 2.95 ERA along with 7 saves. Cishek, 33, will likely join Aaron Bummer as the main set up men for Alex Colome. Should Colome falter or get hurt, Cishek could step into the closer's role as he was a closer for both the Miami Marlins and Seattle Mariners earlier in his career.
Cishek is the latest catch for a Chicago team that has added Yasmani Grandal, Edwin Encarnacion, Nomar Mazara as well as starting pitchers Dallas Keuchel and Gio Gonzalez. Combine that with a team which already has Tim Anderson, Jose Abreu, Yoan Moncada, Eloy Jimenez and Lucas Giolito. And the White Sox still might not be done.
Sunday, January 5, 2020
Why The NYC Anti-Semitism March & Rally Was a Disappointment
In recent weeks, I have been disturbed by the violent acts of anti-Semitism which have taken place in and around New York City. If Jews cannot observe our traditions and go about our business without fear of violence in a city more Jews call home than any other then we are not safe anywhere.
This was the reason I was among an estimated 25,000 people who participated in the march and rally against anti-Semitism today (officially called the No Fear No Hate March organized by the United Jewish Appeal Federation of New York. To me this is a rather conservative estimate. It took 90 minutes to get from Chambers Street to the Brooklyn Bridge, a trek that would normally take 10 minutes. Crossing the Brooklyn Bridge took a little over an hour.
During this 2 1/2 hour period, I ought to have felt elation at the outpouring of support. Instead I was overwhelmed with disappointment. You see during those 2 1/2 hours there were plenty of chants of support for the rights of Muslims, transpeople and sex workers, signs which said "Anti-Semitic Hate Crimes Up 57% Since Trump Was Elected" and "No War in Iran" along with the refrain of "Hey, hey!!! Ho ho!!! White supremacy has got to go!!!". White supremacy should die an awful death, but it had nothing to do with has transpired in Brooklyn, Monsey and Jersey City. Of course, those chanting for queer rights dare not mention Brooklyn, Monsey and Jersey City. That would mean holding minority communities to account and too many people would rather Jews be murdered than be accused of racism. These people, many of them Jews, also couldn't give a flying fuck about their brethren in the Orthodox Jewish communities.
I am pleased to say once in Cadman Park Plaza there was plenty of talk about Brooklyn, Monsey and Jersey City. Speeches by Bari Weiss and Eric K. Ward (the rare African-American leftist willing to call out African-American anti-Semitism) were rousing as was the brief set by Jewish reggae artist Matisyahu. But a speech by an MaNishtana, an African-American Orthodox rabbi was a downer when he patronizingly suggested that if Jews wanted solidarity they had to confront racism in our own communities and be engaged with other communities. I would suggest MaNishtana does not know his religious community very well at all. By the time the rally concluded at 3:30 I felt drained and dejected.
Now if this rally puts these acts of violence against Jews behind us then it will have been a worthwhile endeavor. But as long as a critical mass of Jews are unwilling to acknowledge who is responsible for attacks against their fellow Jews this violence will continue and get much worse. God help us.
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