There are two major league ballplayers who are having an awful time of it on the field during this young 2019 season - Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis and Washington Nationals relief pitcher Trevor Rosenthal.
Davis has begun the year hitless in his first 23 at bats, striking out 13 times (although he somehow has 2 RBIs). In fact, he is hitless in his last 44 at bats going back to the 2018 season. Davis' last hit was on September 14, 2018 when he doubled off Chicago White Sox hurler James Shields. Indeed, if we go back to September 5th, Davis is 2 for 63.
It has been a long steady decline for Davis since 2015 when he led the AL in home runs with 47. Following that season, Davis signed a 7-year, $161 million contract which takes him to the 2022 season. Unfortunately, his offensive output has diminished in each successive season. In 2018, Davis belted only 16 HR with an anemic .168 average. But .168 is still a lot better than .000. If this keeps up much longer, the O's will very likely eat this money and release him. This might be for the best because with the kind of jeering Davis gets at Camden Yards, a change of scenery is probably in order.
But misery loves company. This is where Trevor Rosenthal enters the action. Rosenthal was formerly the closer for the St. Louis Cardinals saving 45 and 48 games in 2014 and 2015, respectively. However, he tore his UCL late in the 2017 season and required Tommy John surgery. The Cardinals cut him loose and he's trying to revive his career in D.C.
So far it has not been going well. In four appearances this season, Rosenthal has faced nine batters and given up seven runs without recording an out. His ERA is infinity. I saw his most recent appearance this afternoon when he faced the New York Mets. The velocity is there, but the command isn't at all. Rosenthal plunked a batter, threw two wild pitches and then walked the batter. He only threw one strike. With the Nats' bullpen struggling so far this season, Rosenthal is probably on an even shorter lease than Davis an hour up 1-95N.
Naturally, one cannot help but wonder what would happen if Rosenthal faced Davis. He'd probably plunk him. Rosenthal wouldn't record an out and Davis would still be hitless (although he would get on base, but that would be of little consolation).
In any case, I don't wish to rub any more salt in their wounds. I hope both players can find a way out of their rut and make their way back to their former glory. That would be a story I'd rather write about.
Sunday, April 7, 2019
Ilhan Omar's Anti-Semitism Can Be Challenged Without Threatening Her Life
A man from Western New York has been charged with threatening to kill Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. The arrest came as a result of a phone call made to Omar's office last month.
Needless to say, such an act is foolish and, if proven in court, must be punished.
Naturally, Omar's defenders will attempt to lump all her critics with this criminal and irresponsible behavior.
Don't let them. Congresswoman Omar is an anti-Semite who questions the loyalty of American Jews. Her views should not be represented on the House Foreign Relations Committee and must be challenged at every opportunity. But those views can only be challenged by legal and peaceful means. To do otherwise makes us no better than those who hate.
Needless to say, such an act is foolish and, if proven in court, must be punished.
Naturally, Omar's defenders will attempt to lump all her critics with this criminal and irresponsible behavior.
Don't let them. Congresswoman Omar is an anti-Semite who questions the loyalty of American Jews. Her views should not be represented on the House Foreign Relations Committee and must be challenged at every opportunity. But those views can only be challenged by legal and peaceful means. To do otherwise makes us no better than those who hate.
Thursday, April 4, 2019
Will Tim Ryan Be Viewed As Just "Another White Male"?
Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan has become the latest Democrat to enter the 2020 presidential race. Ryan, 45, in his 9th term as the Representative from Ohio's 13th District which covers much of Youngstown and Akron. These are areas that voted for Donald Trump in 2016 and Ryan naturally thinks he can get these blue collar voters back and for that matter in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.
Naturally, Ryan will face resistance. Unfortunately, in an era of identity politics, Ryan is perceived as "another white male". I mean if the openly gay Pete Buttigieg is getting the "white male" tag then what chance does Ryan stand? His challenge of Nancy Pelosi for the House Minority leadership following the 2016 won't earn him plaudits among progressives.
Of course, it could be the case that Ryan might not be the best candidate Democrats have to offer. If I am going to cast a ballot for Ryan he is going to have to earn my vote just like every other Democrat. With that said, I don't think a lot of Democrats are going to be open to hearing what he has to say especially if he's praising the free market. In which case, Democrats might very well give Tim Ryan the Paul Ryan treatment.
Naturally, Ryan will face resistance. Unfortunately, in an era of identity politics, Ryan is perceived as "another white male". I mean if the openly gay Pete Buttigieg is getting the "white male" tag then what chance does Ryan stand? His challenge of Nancy Pelosi for the House Minority leadership following the 2016 won't earn him plaudits among progressives.
Of course, it could be the case that Ryan might not be the best candidate Democrats have to offer. If I am going to cast a ballot for Ryan he is going to have to earn my vote just like every other Democrat. With that said, I don't think a lot of Democrats are going to be open to hearing what he has to say especially if he's praising the free market. In which case, Democrats might very well give Tim Ryan the Paul Ryan treatment.
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
NY City Councillor Kicked Off Immigration Committee For Tweeting "Palestine Does Not Exist"
A New York city councilor named Kalmen Yeger has been booted from the city's Immigration Committee because he tweeted, "Palestine Does Not Exist" in a series of tweets criticizing the anti-Semitism of Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar.
NY City Council President Corey Johnson stated, “I found Council Member Yeger’s comments completely unacceptable. They were dehumanizing to Palestinians and divisive, and have no place in New York City.” NYC Mayor de Blasio demanded Yeger apologize for his remarks or be removed from the committee.
Yeger has nothing for which to apologize. There are Palestinians and there is a Palestinian Authority, but there is no state of Palestine. There is nothing in his statement that dehumanizes Palestinians in any way and thus has every place in New York City.
It should be noted that Yeger is a Democrat. But for how long? How is it that the Democratic Party can tolerate someone who says American Jews pledge allegiance to a foreign country on its Foreign Relations Committee, but cannot tolerate someone on an Immigration Committee who states a fact of geography? The only explanation is that the Democratic Party holds Jews to a standard to which they don't hold Muslims. How else does one explain House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's excuse that Omar didn't understand the import of what she was saying?
There might not be a "Jexodus" to the Republican Party anytime soon, but the Democratic Party cannot expect to treat Jews with such disrespect while turning a blind eye to anti-Semitism without consequence.
NY City Council President Corey Johnson stated, “I found Council Member Yeger’s comments completely unacceptable. They were dehumanizing to Palestinians and divisive, and have no place in New York City.” NYC Mayor de Blasio demanded Yeger apologize for his remarks or be removed from the committee.
Yeger has nothing for which to apologize. There are Palestinians and there is a Palestinian Authority, but there is no state of Palestine. There is nothing in his statement that dehumanizes Palestinians in any way and thus has every place in New York City.
It should be noted that Yeger is a Democrat. But for how long? How is it that the Democratic Party can tolerate someone who says American Jews pledge allegiance to a foreign country on its Foreign Relations Committee, but cannot tolerate someone on an Immigration Committee who states a fact of geography? The only explanation is that the Democratic Party holds Jews to a standard to which they don't hold Muslims. How else does one explain House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's excuse that Omar didn't understand the import of what she was saying?
There might not be a "Jexodus" to the Republican Party anytime soon, but the Democratic Party cannot expect to treat Jews with such disrespect while turning a blind eye to anti-Semitism without consequence.
Trudeau Is Far More Unconscionable Than Jody Wilson-Raybould
Last night, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that former cabinet ministers - Jody Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott have been expelled from the governing Liberal Party caucus.
For the past two months, the Trudeau government has been rocked by the SNC-Lavalin scandal amidst revelations that the Prime Minister's Office had pressured then Attorney General Wilson-Raybould to drop a bribery and fraud case against the Quebec based construction firm. Wilson-Raybould refused to bow to pressure. Trudeau subsequently demoted her to Minister of Veterans Affairs, a portfolio from which she later resigned but remained in the Liberal Party caucus. For her part, Philpott resigned her portfolio as President of the Treasury Board in solidarity with Wilson-Raybould.
Over the weekend, Wilson-Raybould released a recorded phone conversation she had last December with Michael Wernick, Canada's soon to be former top civil servant who has also resigned because of his role in the scandal. While it is not illegal to record phone conversations in Canada, it is considered unethical for lawyers to behave in this manner.
For his part, Trudeau called Wilson-Raybould's recording "unconscionable." Talk about chutzpah. A Prime Minister who pressures his Attorney General to drop a criminal case against a company in his home province that donates generously to the Liberal Party behaved in a far more unconscionable manner than Wilson-Raybould who was effectively blowing the whistle on corruption. Trudeau is in no position to lecture anyone.
And even if Wilson-Raybould's actions warranted discipline then why was Philpott kicked out of the caucus? What did she do that was unconscionable other than dare to cross Justin Trudeau?
Canadians vote in six months. If Trudeau's behavior towards Wilson-Raybould is still on the minds of voters in the fall then his government is going to fall.
For the past two months, the Trudeau government has been rocked by the SNC-Lavalin scandal amidst revelations that the Prime Minister's Office had pressured then Attorney General Wilson-Raybould to drop a bribery and fraud case against the Quebec based construction firm. Wilson-Raybould refused to bow to pressure. Trudeau subsequently demoted her to Minister of Veterans Affairs, a portfolio from which she later resigned but remained in the Liberal Party caucus. For her part, Philpott resigned her portfolio as President of the Treasury Board in solidarity with Wilson-Raybould.
Over the weekend, Wilson-Raybould released a recorded phone conversation she had last December with Michael Wernick, Canada's soon to be former top civil servant who has also resigned because of his role in the scandal. While it is not illegal to record phone conversations in Canada, it is considered unethical for lawyers to behave in this manner.
For his part, Trudeau called Wilson-Raybould's recording "unconscionable." Talk about chutzpah. A Prime Minister who pressures his Attorney General to drop a criminal case against a company in his home province that donates generously to the Liberal Party behaved in a far more unconscionable manner than Wilson-Raybould who was effectively blowing the whistle on corruption. Trudeau is in no position to lecture anyone.
And even if Wilson-Raybould's actions warranted discipline then why was Philpott kicked out of the caucus? What did she do that was unconscionable other than dare to cross Justin Trudeau?
Canadians vote in six months. If Trudeau's behavior towards Wilson-Raybould is still on the minds of voters in the fall then his government is going to fall.
Tuesday, April 2, 2019
Get Well Soon Bobby Cox
Former Atlanta Braves and Toronto Blue Jays manager Bobby Cox was hospitalized this evening with an apparent stroke. Cox, who turns 78 next month, was seen in public yesterday during Opening Day ceremonies at Sun Trust Field in Atlanta.
Cox managed the Braves from 1978 to 1981 before moving to Toronto in 1982. He managed the Jays to their first ever winning season in 1983 and to their first AL East title in 1985. Cox would return to Atlanta in 1986 as the team's general manager. He would return to the bench in 1990 and the following year would win the first of 14 consecutive division titles (three in the NL West and 11 in the NL East). The Braves would win four NL pennants during the 1990's and a World Series title in 1995. Cox retired after the 2010 season and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.
One can only hope Cox was treated early enough to make a full recovery. Even in retirement, neither the Braves nor baseball is the same without him.
Cox managed the Braves from 1978 to 1981 before moving to Toronto in 1982. He managed the Jays to their first ever winning season in 1983 and to their first AL East title in 1985. Cox would return to Atlanta in 1986 as the team's general manager. He would return to the bench in 1990 and the following year would win the first of 14 consecutive division titles (three in the NL West and 11 in the NL East). The Braves would win four NL pennants during the 1990's and a World Series title in 1995. Cox retired after the 2010 season and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.
One can only hope Cox was treated early enough to make a full recovery. Even in retirement, neither the Braves nor baseball is the same without him.
If Nats Fans Hate Harper Now Then Wait Until September
Bryce Harper received the kind of jeers normally reserved for heel pro wrestlers when he returned to Nationals Park tonight as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies. There was even a sign which read "Pardon Papelbon" referring to a 2015 incident where former Nats reliever Jonathan Papelbon grabbed Harper by the throat during a dugout altercation.
Nats fans were elated when their ace Max Scherzer struck out Harper his first two times up. But Harper would have the last laugh collecting a RBI double and a two run HR. In his return, Harper went 3 for 5 with a HR and 3 RBIs.
If Harper can get this kind of heat on a cold, rainy April night in D.C. then imagine what kind of heat he'll generate on a hot muggy September night. Especially if the Nationals and Phillies are fighting over the last NL Wild Card berth.
Harper might be public enemy number one in D.C., but he will put asses in seats and the very fans who jeer will be recording his every move. One day Nats fans will have a good laugh about it. But that day won't come for at least 20 years. Maybe more. The fun has only just begun.
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