After leaving Fenway Park aglow in the Boston Red Sox's second consecutive AL East title, we went to Woody's Grill & Tap.
With the Red Sox & Yankees spots in the post-season all that remained to be determined was the second NL Wild Card spot. The Colorado Rockies have held that spot virtually the entire season, but the Milwaukee Brewers have been knocking on the door. The Brewers were playing the St. Louis Cardinals while the Rockies would host the Los Angeles Dodgers in the early evening.
I made a point of checking the Brewers-Cardinals game and saw the Brew Crew had a 6-0 lead in the third inning. It seemed the Rockies would have to win their game against the Dodgers. But after returning home and turning to the game, the Cardinals were in the midst of three run rally in the 8th inning to take a 7-6 lead. The Brewers could not capitalize in the 9th which mean the Colorado Rockies have earned a NL Wild Card spot and their first post-season appearance since 2009.
The Brewers might be baseball's most disappointed fan base. They weren't expected to do much this year, but jumped out to a good start and led the NL Central by 5.5 games at the All-Star Break. But then they faltered and the Chicago Cubs took off. The Brewers would rebound and give the Rockies a run for their money but never could quite catch them. Milwaukee will be a very hungry team in 2018.
As for the present, the Rockies will travel to Phoenix to play their NL West division rival Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL Wild Card game on Wednesday night. If the Rockies prevail they will play the Dodgers in the NLDS.
I feel good for Rockies manager Bud Black. He never reached the post-season in his nine years as skipper of the San Diego Padres. Black was supposed to be the manager of the Washington Nationals, but that turned out to be a snafu. But Black has landed in the black in Denver. Having Charlie Blackmon, Nolan Arenado, DJ LeMahieu and Carlos Gonzalez in the middle of your order can't hurt either. But they've only got one game to make their point.
Saturday, September 30, 2017
Oh Yeah, The Yankees Earn a AL Wild Card Berth
While watching the Red Sox clinch the AL East at Fenway Park, we kept a close eye on the Green Monster scoreboard. Specifically, we were paying attention to the New York Yankees-Toronto Blue Jays game. If the Yankees lost, the Red Sox would have automatically clinched the AL East. Of course, the Yankees did not lose. They beat the Jays 2-1 and the Sox won the division in their own right.
This means the Yankees have earned a AL Wild Card berth and will host the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night in the AL Wild Card Game.
Many did not expect the Yankees to reach the post-season, but Aaron Judge proved more than ready for prime time. (I will be writing an article for NRO about Judge which should be up just in time for the Wild Card match up).
Honestly, I'm not surprised the Yankees are in the post-season as I picked them to win the AL pennant. It remains to be seen if they'll get that far, but I would be shocked if they don't beat the Twins on Tuesday night.
This means the Yankees have earned a AL Wild Card berth and will host the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night in the AL Wild Card Game.
Many did not expect the Yankees to reach the post-season, but Aaron Judge proved more than ready for prime time. (I will be writing an article for NRO about Judge which should be up just in time for the Wild Card match up).
Honestly, I'm not surprised the Yankees are in the post-season as I picked them to win the AL pennant. It remains to be seen if they'll get that far, but I would be shocked if they don't beat the Twins on Tuesday night.
Today I Saw The Red Sox Clinch The AL East at Fenway Park
I have lived in Boston for more than 17 years. For eight of those years I lived in the Fenway and was within walking distance of the ballpark. After going to 18 games in 2000, I went to at least one game a month between 2001 and 2008. After moving out of the neighborhood, my trips to Fenway became less frequent. I'd go to two or three games a year and then over the past couple of seasons I'd only go to one game a year, usually on Patriot's Day in mid-April.
Over time I have become less comfortable in crowds. I hate having to constantly stand up and sit down to make room for inebriated fans who don't give a damn about the game. So this year I was in no hurry to get to a game. But I knew I couldn't stay away forever.
It had also been years since my roommate Christopher Kain had gone to a game. My initial thought was to go the last game of the year on October 1st. But Chris said September 30th would be better. As it turned out he chose well because it gave us the opportunity to see the Red Sox clinch the AL East.
The weather was less than ideal. After a week of 90 plus temperatures, today it was raining and the low 50's, if that. But the rain had subsided by the time we arrived at Fenway. But the Red Sox would not have an easy task as they would face the AL West champion Houston Astros and their 100 wins.
Red Sox starter Drew Pomeranz and Astros starter Lance McCullers, Jr. were locked in a scoreless pitcher's duel until the fourth when the Sox scored two runs on a Hanley Ramirez single and a Rafael Devers double. In the fifth, the Sox added three runs on a Andrew Benintendi single and a two run double by Mitch Moreland.
Pomeranz was absolutely brilliant. He thought he could have gone nine. But Sox manager John Farrell gave him a quick hook after he surrendered a lead off single to Jose Altuve in the sixth. I thought it was the wrong move. It was only the third hit Pomeranz had given up and he only threw 82 pitches. It didn't help matters that Sox reliever Carson Smith gave up three straight singles to Carlos Correa, Evan Gattis and Yuliesky Gurriel plating two runs.
It was left to David Price to put out the fire. Brian McCann's liner went off Moreland's glove but it richocheted into Brock Holt's glove who fired the ball back at Moreland to retire McCann. Price then fanned Cameron Maybin, but walked pinch hitter Tyler White before getting George Springer looking to end the inning. Price has pitched very effectively out of the bullpen.
The Sox added some insurance in the seventh on a solo home run by Mookie Betts to extend the lead to 6-2.
The weather was cold, miserable and it rained throughout the game. But nobody was leaving. Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel came on in the ninth. After striking out Gurriel he gave up a solo home run to McCann and a double to Maybin. The natives got restless, but I said the Red Sox were like Tina Turner. They never do anything nice and easy. Kimbrel settled down and struck out Tony Kemp and Springer to end the game and clinch their second consecutive AL East title, the first time that's been accomplished in franchise history. The Red Sox will travel to Houston to face these same Astros to begin the ALDS on Thursday.
I only went to one Red Sox game this season, but it might very well be the most memorable one I've ever attended.
Friday, September 29, 2017
Pete Mackanin Won't Return as Phillies Manager in 2018
In a surprise move, Philadelphia Phillies GM Matt Klentak announced that Pete Mackanin would not be returning to manage the club in 2018. Klentak had extended Mackanin's contract through 2019 back in May. Mackanin took over the reins of the club in June 2015 when Ryne Sandberg abruptly resigned.
Although the Phillies are in last place in the NL East 32 games back of the Washington Nationals with the second worst record in MLB, the Phillies have played .500 ball since the All-Star Break. The emergence of Nick Williams and Rhys Hoskins along with Tommy Joseph, Maikel Franco, Odubel Herrera and Aaron Altherr have made the Phillies one of the NL's most potent offenses.
The blow against Mackanin was softened with his appointment as a special assistant to Klentak. But one has to wonder why Klentak soured on Mackanin's continued presence in the dugout.
It will be interesting to see who succeeds Mackanin and how the team responds. I've a feeling things will get worse for the Phillies before they get better.
Although the Phillies are in last place in the NL East 32 games back of the Washington Nationals with the second worst record in MLB, the Phillies have played .500 ball since the All-Star Break. The emergence of Nick Williams and Rhys Hoskins along with Tommy Joseph, Maikel Franco, Odubel Herrera and Aaron Altherr have made the Phillies one of the NL's most potent offenses.
The blow against Mackanin was softened with his appointment as a special assistant to Klentak. But one has to wonder why Klentak soured on Mackanin's continued presence in the dugout.
It will be interesting to see who succeeds Mackanin and how the team responds. I've a feeling things will get worse for the Phillies before they get better.
Thursday, September 28, 2017
How I Moved Art Garfunkel To Stand Up & Swing
On Wednesday night, I went to the First Parish Church in Harvard Square in Cambridge to see Art Garfunkel interviewed about his memoir What Is It All But Luminous Notes From An Underground Man.
This wasn't the first time I've seen Garfunkel perform. I saw him in a solo concert at the Berklee Performance Center in Boston in April 2007. What I remember most from that show wasn't anything he sang but rather his declaration that reading a poem was a dangerous thing in George W. Bush's America. This was, of course, utter nonsense. I wrote an article about it. Alas it is disappeared into the cyber ether.
It's probably just as well. Time to move on and agree to disagree.
Garfunkel was interviewed by Jared Bowen, the host of WGBH's Open Studios. He told Bowen that he hasn't spoken to Paul Simon in over a year and that this is the longest they have gone without talking to each other ever. But Garfunkel added that something spontaneous could always bring them back together. He read an excerpt from his book which asked the question which of them would deliver the eulogy at the other's funeral.
His voice sound smokier and raspier than I had remembered it. As it turned out, Garfunkel lost his voice after a European tour with Paul Simon at the beginning of the decade. I recall that my younger brother Micah was supposed to see them in concert at around that time when he was living in Nova Scotia and that concert was cancelled. That would certainly explain things.
I have read and heard things about Garfunkel being difficult with reporters and rather odd in his behavior and personal habits. But the Art Garfunkel I saw was in good spirits and seemed to enjoy talking to his audience including myself. When Garfunkel saw me approach the mike he said, "You look like a very happy person." "Well, I'm happy to be here."
And why wouldn't I be? Even if while waiting in line I had learned I would not be landing a job I interviewed for last week. That battle could be fought another day. I had a story to tell and this was probably the best chance I had to tell it. I recounted an exchange between my Dad and I (which I describe in my 2011 American Spectator review of Paul Simon's concert at the House of Blues in Boston.) I was visiting my Dad in New York and we were watching a Yankees game at which Simon & Garfunkel were in attendance. I told Garfunkel, "My Dad, who was born the same year as you and Paul, said, 'They look like two old Jews.' The audience burst out laughing. While they laughed, Artie said, "This story I got to hear." I then added my retort. "Dad, they are two old Jews!!!"
More laughter.
I told Garfunkel I was inspired to start a list of books I had read after seeing his list of every book he has read since November 1968. Garfunkel said he started this list while filming Catch-22 to pass the time. Some of those books were baseball books and I asked Garfunkel if he had a favorite baseball book. He said his favorite was The Game From Where I Stand by former MLB outfielder turned broadcaster Doug Glanville (which I have read as well). This prompted him to stand up and describe a passage in the book in which Glanville if because of an argument with your wife you are slightly off focus by a tenth of a second is the difference between success and failure in baseball. As he described this passage, he pantomimed swinging a bat. Following our exchange I told him, "Keep swinging Artie."
Garfunkel is supposed to return to Boston in a month to do two shows at the newly opened City Winery near the TD Garden. Given the warmth of our exchange I am sorely tempted to see him again. I don't know if he'll remember me if he sees me. But I'll remember how my words got him to stand up and swing. These days I need all the warm memories I can carry with me.
This wasn't the first time I've seen Garfunkel perform. I saw him in a solo concert at the Berklee Performance Center in Boston in April 2007. What I remember most from that show wasn't anything he sang but rather his declaration that reading a poem was a dangerous thing in George W. Bush's America. This was, of course, utter nonsense. I wrote an article about it. Alas it is disappeared into the cyber ether.
It's probably just as well. Time to move on and agree to disagree.
Garfunkel was interviewed by Jared Bowen, the host of WGBH's Open Studios. He told Bowen that he hasn't spoken to Paul Simon in over a year and that this is the longest they have gone without talking to each other ever. But Garfunkel added that something spontaneous could always bring them back together. He read an excerpt from his book which asked the question which of them would deliver the eulogy at the other's funeral.
His voice sound smokier and raspier than I had remembered it. As it turned out, Garfunkel lost his voice after a European tour with Paul Simon at the beginning of the decade. I recall that my younger brother Micah was supposed to see them in concert at around that time when he was living in Nova Scotia and that concert was cancelled. That would certainly explain things.
I have read and heard things about Garfunkel being difficult with reporters and rather odd in his behavior and personal habits. But the Art Garfunkel I saw was in good spirits and seemed to enjoy talking to his audience including myself. When Garfunkel saw me approach the mike he said, "You look like a very happy person." "Well, I'm happy to be here."
And why wouldn't I be? Even if while waiting in line I had learned I would not be landing a job I interviewed for last week. That battle could be fought another day. I had a story to tell and this was probably the best chance I had to tell it. I recounted an exchange between my Dad and I (which I describe in my 2011 American Spectator review of Paul Simon's concert at the House of Blues in Boston.) I was visiting my Dad in New York and we were watching a Yankees game at which Simon & Garfunkel were in attendance. I told Garfunkel, "My Dad, who was born the same year as you and Paul, said, 'They look like two old Jews.' The audience burst out laughing. While they laughed, Artie said, "This story I got to hear." I then added my retort. "Dad, they are two old Jews!!!"
More laughter.
I told Garfunkel I was inspired to start a list of books I had read after seeing his list of every book he has read since November 1968. Garfunkel said he started this list while filming Catch-22 to pass the time. Some of those books were baseball books and I asked Garfunkel if he had a favorite baseball book. He said his favorite was The Game From Where I Stand by former MLB outfielder turned broadcaster Doug Glanville (which I have read as well). This prompted him to stand up and describe a passage in the book in which Glanville if because of an argument with your wife you are slightly off focus by a tenth of a second is the difference between success and failure in baseball. As he described this passage, he pantomimed swinging a bat. Following our exchange I told him, "Keep swinging Artie."
Garfunkel is supposed to return to Boston in a month to do two shows at the newly opened City Winery near the TD Garden. Given the warmth of our exchange I am sorely tempted to see him again. I don't know if he'll remember me if he sees me. But I'll remember how my words got him to stand up and swing. These days I need all the warm memories I can carry with me.
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Twins Clinch AL Wild Card Berth; Reach Post-Season For 1st Time Since 2010
The Minnesota Twins have clinched the second AL Wild Card spot this evening reaching the post-season for the first time since 2010.
The Twins needed a little help tonight. After falling 4-2 to the Cleveland Indians, the Twins got some help from Chicago White Sox rookie third baseman Nicky Delmonico who hit a walk off home run against the Los Angeles Angels to eliminate them from playoff contention.
A year ago, the Twins had MLB's worst record with 103 losses. In fact, they are the first team in MLB history to lose 100 plus games and make the post-season the following year.
Minnesota showed promise early in the season but ended up becoming sellers during the MLB trade deadline sending their closer Brandon Kintzler to the Washington Nationals and trading Jaime Garcia to the New York Yankees only days after acquiring him from the Atlanta Braves. An injury to their best player Miguel Sano didn't help matters much. But the Twins persevered.
The Twins will very likely travel to the Bronx and face the Yankees in the AL Wild Card Game on Tuesday. However, the AL East is still up in the air. The Boston Red Sox have a magic number of two. They could clinch as early as tomorrow. But if the Sox falter, the Twins could be re-routed to Fenway Park.
Wherever the Twins play on Tuesday, look for Paul Molitor to be named AL Manager of the Year. Baseball fans beyond the Land of 10,000 Lakes could get to know Byron Buxton, Brian Dozier, Eddie Rosario and Max Kepler very well in October provided they get past the Yankees or Red Sox on Tuesday night.
The Twins needed a little help tonight. After falling 4-2 to the Cleveland Indians, the Twins got some help from Chicago White Sox rookie third baseman Nicky Delmonico who hit a walk off home run against the Los Angeles Angels to eliminate them from playoff contention.
A year ago, the Twins had MLB's worst record with 103 losses. In fact, they are the first team in MLB history to lose 100 plus games and make the post-season the following year.
Minnesota showed promise early in the season but ended up becoming sellers during the MLB trade deadline sending their closer Brandon Kintzler to the Washington Nationals and trading Jaime Garcia to the New York Yankees only days after acquiring him from the Atlanta Braves. An injury to their best player Miguel Sano didn't help matters much. But the Twins persevered.
The Twins will very likely travel to the Bronx and face the Yankees in the AL Wild Card Game on Tuesday. However, the AL East is still up in the air. The Boston Red Sox have a magic number of two. They could clinch as early as tomorrow. But if the Sox falter, the Twins could be re-routed to Fenway Park.
Wherever the Twins play on Tuesday, look for Paul Molitor to be named AL Manager of the Year. Baseball fans beyond the Land of 10,000 Lakes could get to know Byron Buxton, Brian Dozier, Eddie Rosario and Max Kepler very well in October provided they get past the Yankees or Red Sox on Tuesday night.
What if Esquire Had Given Hugh Hefner That $5 Raise in 1952?
I learned of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner's death at the age of 91 a short time ago. When I read his Wikipedia page I saw that he founded the magazine after Esquire refused to give him a $5 raise at his copywriter job at the beginning of 1952. That would be about $45 in today's money. Hef left Esquire and by the end of 1953 had published the inaugural issue of Playboy with Marilyn Monroe in all her naked glory.
What if Esquire had given Hefner the raise?
Would there be no Playboy?
Would there be no sexual revolution? Or would it have been delayed by decades?
Would Bob Guccione or Larry Flynt got there first?
Whatever one thinks of Playboy because Esquire didn't give Hugh Hefner a raise, America's sexual and cultural landscape underwent a revolution. Hugh Hefner left an imprint on America and the world over with the help of a few thousand beautiful women as well as a few good writers and cartoonists along the way. R.I.P.
What if Esquire had given Hefner the raise?
Would there be no Playboy?
Would there be no sexual revolution? Or would it have been delayed by decades?
Would Bob Guccione or Larry Flynt got there first?
Whatever one thinks of Playboy because Esquire didn't give Hugh Hefner a raise, America's sexual and cultural landscape underwent a revolution. Hugh Hefner left an imprint on America and the world over with the help of a few thousand beautiful women as well as a few good writers and cartoonists along the way. R.I.P.
Cubs Clinch Back to Back NL Central Titles; Will Face Nationals in NLDS
The Chicago Cubs clinched the NL Central with a 5-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium this evening. This is the first time the Cubs have won back to back NL Central titles since 2007-2008.
The Cubs will face the NL East champion Washington Nationals in the NLDS. Game 1 begins in D.C. on October 6th.
At the All-Star Break, the Cubs were 43-45 and 5.5 games back of the Milwaukee Brewers. But since the All-Star Break, the Cubs have gone 46-24. They took over first place on July 26th and have never looked back.
The Cubs are still a far cry from the team that won 103 games & their first World Series in 108 years last year. I don't think the Cubs will get past the Nats this time around.
The Cubs will face the NL East champion Washington Nationals in the NLDS. Game 1 begins in D.C. on October 6th.
At the All-Star Break, the Cubs were 43-45 and 5.5 games back of the Milwaukee Brewers. But since the All-Star Break, the Cubs have gone 46-24. They took over first place on July 26th and have never looked back.
The Cubs are still a far cry from the team that won 103 games & their first World Series in 108 years last year. I don't think the Cubs will get past the Nats this time around.
Monday, September 25, 2017
Aaron Judge Hits 50th HR, Breaks Mark McGwire's Rookie HR Record
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge made MLB history when he tied and then broke Mark McGwire's 30-year old record for most home runs by a rookie when he slammed his 49th and 50th home runs in an 11-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium this afternoon. McGwire hit 49 HR for the Oakland A's in his rookie season in 1987.
After slumping following the All-Star Break, Judge has returned to form slamming 13 home runs this month. Given that the Yankees will reach the post-season either with an AL Wild Card berth or possibly the AL East title, Judge has made a strong case for winning the AL MVP. If Judge were to win this honor he would only become the third rookie do so after Fred Lynn in 1975 and Ichiro Suzuki in 2001.
When you consider all the Yankee who have preceded Judge as rookies - Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle, Berra and Jeter, this is a remarkable achievement. It is very nearly Ruthian in stature.
The Yankees right fielder might be the one judge on whom liberals and conservatives can agree, except if they root for the Red Sox.
After slumping following the All-Star Break, Judge has returned to form slamming 13 home runs this month. Given that the Yankees will reach the post-season either with an AL Wild Card berth or possibly the AL East title, Judge has made a strong case for winning the AL MVP. If Judge were to win this honor he would only become the third rookie do so after Fred Lynn in 1975 and Ichiro Suzuki in 2001.
When you consider all the Yankee who have preceded Judge as rookies - Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle, Berra and Jeter, this is a remarkable achievement. It is very nearly Ruthian in stature.
The Yankees right fielder might be the one judge on whom liberals and conservatives can agree, except if they root for the Red Sox.
Sunday, September 24, 2017
D'Backs Clinch NL Wild Card Berth; Reach Playoffs For 1st Time Since 2011
The Arizona Diamondbacks will be in the post-season for the first time since 2011. They clinched a NL Wild Card berth with a walk off victory over the Miami Marlins courtesy of a two run single by J.D. Martinez.
The D'Backs are MLB's most surprising team of 2017. After losing 93 games in 2016, little was expected of the club under rookie manager Torey Lovullo. Instead, the D'Backs jumped out of the gate and held at least one of the two NL Wild Card spots for nearly the entire season. If not for the (mostly) spectacular play of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the D'Backs would have been a far bigger story.
It does seem a shame that the D'Backs have one shot to stay in the post-season. After all, the D'Backs are 2.5 games ahead of the NL Central leading Chicago Cubs. But the Cubs (barring a collapse) are guaranteed at least three games in the NLDS against the Washington Nationals. The D'Backs will likely host their NL West rival Colorado Rockies in the NL Wild Card game although the Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals are 2 and 2.5 games back of the Rockies, respectively, and still stand a chance for a playoff berth. At least D'Backs fans will get at least one chance to see their team play in the post-season. Rockies (or Brewers/Cardinals) fans might not be so fortunate.
If the D'Backs prevail in the NL Wild Card game then they will face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS. The D'Backs actually went 11-7 against the team with the best record in MLB including winning their last six match ups. So baseball pundits shouldn't overlook the D'Backs in the post-season.
The D'Backs are MLB's most surprising team of 2017. After losing 93 games in 2016, little was expected of the club under rookie manager Torey Lovullo. Instead, the D'Backs jumped out of the gate and held at least one of the two NL Wild Card spots for nearly the entire season. If not for the (mostly) spectacular play of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the D'Backs would have been a far bigger story.
It does seem a shame that the D'Backs have one shot to stay in the post-season. After all, the D'Backs are 2.5 games ahead of the NL Central leading Chicago Cubs. But the Cubs (barring a collapse) are guaranteed at least three games in the NLDS against the Washington Nationals. The D'Backs will likely host their NL West rival Colorado Rockies in the NL Wild Card game although the Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals are 2 and 2.5 games back of the Rockies, respectively, and still stand a chance for a playoff berth. At least D'Backs fans will get at least one chance to see their team play in the post-season. Rockies (or Brewers/Cardinals) fans might not be so fortunate.
If the D'Backs prevail in the NL Wild Card game then they will face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS. The D'Backs actually went 11-7 against the team with the best record in MLB including winning their last six match ups. So baseball pundits shouldn't overlook the D'Backs in the post-season.
Saturday, September 23, 2017
Will Trump Go After Bruce Maxwell?
Oakland A's rookie catcher Bruce Maxwell became the first MLB player to kneel during the Star Spangled Banner prior to Saturday's game against the Texas Rangers.
Given how President Trump has called free agent NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick a son of a bitch and called upon sports owners to fire anyone who takes a knee prior to the national anthem and given how Trump rescinded his invitation to Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors after Curry had the temerity to criticize him one wonders if Trump will now make Maxwell public enemy number one.
Maxwell is the son of an American soldier and was born on a U.S. military base in Germany. But given how Trump went after the Khans I don't think Maxwell is safe from Trump's wrath.
Honestly, I don't think kneeling during the national anthem is going to stop police brutality or end racial inequality even f Maxwell has his hand over his heart. I do think Maxwell is being disrespectful and disagree with his stance. But we still live in a free country and it isn't Trump's place to tell his employer to fire him. That is what heads of state and government do in authoritarian states.
In any case, the A's are supportive of Maxwell's expression so he is unlikely to face the sort of blackballing the NFL has given Kaepernick. If Trump does go after Maxwell, the A's and MLB will have no problem telling Trump to mind his business.
Given how President Trump has called free agent NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick a son of a bitch and called upon sports owners to fire anyone who takes a knee prior to the national anthem and given how Trump rescinded his invitation to Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors after Curry had the temerity to criticize him one wonders if Trump will now make Maxwell public enemy number one.
Maxwell is the son of an American soldier and was born on a U.S. military base in Germany. But given how Trump went after the Khans I don't think Maxwell is safe from Trump's wrath.
Honestly, I don't think kneeling during the national anthem is going to stop police brutality or end racial inequality even f Maxwell has his hand over his heart. I do think Maxwell is being disrespectful and disagree with his stance. But we still live in a free country and it isn't Trump's place to tell his employer to fire him. That is what heads of state and government do in authoritarian states.
In any case, the A's are supportive of Maxwell's expression so he is unlikely to face the sort of blackballing the NFL has given Kaepernick. If Trump does go after Maxwell, the A's and MLB will have no problem telling Trump to mind his business.
President Trump is a Poor Sport
It comes as no surprise that President Trump would refer to free agent NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick as a son of a bitch nor is it a surprise that President Trump would publicly uninvite two time NBA MVP Stephen Curry after he indicated he would not attend a White House ceremony honoring the Golden State Warriors for their second NBA title in three years.
In both instances, President Trump has yet again demonstrated that he is a poor sport.
Like many people, I disagreed with Kaepernick taking a knee during the Star Spangled Banner last season. I don't see how taking a knee during the national anthem will do anything to stop police brutality or end racial inequality and I share Trump's view that Kaepernick was being disrespectful. Yet it is quite striking that Trump is angrier at Kaepernick for taking a knee than he is at white supremacists for taking a human life.
However, I do not believe Kaepernick should be deprived of earning a living as a quarterback if he is capable of performing as one nor do I think it is the place of President Trump to tell NFL owners to fire him or any player who takes a knee during the national anthem. Of course, the irony in Trump's comment is that the NFL owners have already effectively blackballed Kaepernick as he remains unsigned into Week 3 of the NFL season. Does Trump think Tom Brady is a son of a bitch for saying he hopes Kaepernick gets another shot to play in the NFL? President Obama didn't call Brady a SOB when he skipped the White House ceremony honoring the New England Patriots' Super Bowl XLIX victory.
As for Curry, President Trump is within his right to welcome or not welcome who he sees fit at the White House. Indeed, inviting championship sports teams to the White House is a relatively new tradition that began in earnest during the Reagan Administration. But now that Trump has made a point of publicly uninviting Curry, he has effectively uninvited the rest of his team. What member of the Warriors would set foot in the White House after Trump expressing his disdain for their team captain? Did President Obama diss the Boston Bruins after Vezina Trophy winning goalie Tim Thomas declined to attend the White House ceremony after their Stanley Cup triumph in 2011 on political grounds? Did President Reagan diss the Boston Celtics after Larry Bird said, "If the president wants to see me, he knows where to find me,"? Given all the problems we have with North Korea, Iran and ISIS, President Trump should choose his battles more wisely. But he never will.
How could he? Trump is not only a poor sport, but he is a sore winner. In his very first interview after being elected President, 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl asked him about his calls from the two President Bushes. Trump turned his focus on the Bush who didn't become President:
I went to war with Jeb. And Jeb's a nice guy, but it was a nasty campaign. It was a nasty campaign. And I mean, I'm disappointed in one thing. He signed a pledge and I don't know how you sign a pledge and then you don't honor it.
Never mind that Trump repeatedly refused to support any GOP nominee not named Donald Trump while threatening to run on a third party ticket. Let us remember that Trump utterly humiliated Bush during the GOP primary debates, insulted his wife and landed a lethal blow in the South Carolina primary rendering him with 7.8% of the vote while Trump won all 50 delegates. And despite vanquishing the Bush Dynasty and rendering him but footnote in the 2016 campaign, Trump was still bitter at the former Florida Governor for not supporting him.
So whether its Colin Kaepernick, Stephen Curry or Jeb Bush, Trump believes he hasn't been treated fairly and lashes out. But when the game is over and the final score tallied, it is President Trump who knows nothing of fair play.
In both instances, President Trump has yet again demonstrated that he is a poor sport.
Like many people, I disagreed with Kaepernick taking a knee during the Star Spangled Banner last season. I don't see how taking a knee during the national anthem will do anything to stop police brutality or end racial inequality and I share Trump's view that Kaepernick was being disrespectful. Yet it is quite striking that Trump is angrier at Kaepernick for taking a knee than he is at white supremacists for taking a human life.
However, I do not believe Kaepernick should be deprived of earning a living as a quarterback if he is capable of performing as one nor do I think it is the place of President Trump to tell NFL owners to fire him or any player who takes a knee during the national anthem. Of course, the irony in Trump's comment is that the NFL owners have already effectively blackballed Kaepernick as he remains unsigned into Week 3 of the NFL season. Does Trump think Tom Brady is a son of a bitch for saying he hopes Kaepernick gets another shot to play in the NFL? President Obama didn't call Brady a SOB when he skipped the White House ceremony honoring the New England Patriots' Super Bowl XLIX victory.
As for Curry, President Trump is within his right to welcome or not welcome who he sees fit at the White House. Indeed, inviting championship sports teams to the White House is a relatively new tradition that began in earnest during the Reagan Administration. But now that Trump has made a point of publicly uninviting Curry, he has effectively uninvited the rest of his team. What member of the Warriors would set foot in the White House after Trump expressing his disdain for their team captain? Did President Obama diss the Boston Bruins after Vezina Trophy winning goalie Tim Thomas declined to attend the White House ceremony after their Stanley Cup triumph in 2011 on political grounds? Did President Reagan diss the Boston Celtics after Larry Bird said, "If the president wants to see me, he knows where to find me,"? Given all the problems we have with North Korea, Iran and ISIS, President Trump should choose his battles more wisely. But he never will.
How could he? Trump is not only a poor sport, but he is a sore winner. In his very first interview after being elected President, 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl asked him about his calls from the two President Bushes. Trump turned his focus on the Bush who didn't become President:
I went to war with Jeb. And Jeb's a nice guy, but it was a nasty campaign. It was a nasty campaign. And I mean, I'm disappointed in one thing. He signed a pledge and I don't know how you sign a pledge and then you don't honor it.
Never mind that Trump repeatedly refused to support any GOP nominee not named Donald Trump while threatening to run on a third party ticket. Let us remember that Trump utterly humiliated Bush during the GOP primary debates, insulted his wife and landed a lethal blow in the South Carolina primary rendering him with 7.8% of the vote while Trump won all 50 delegates. And despite vanquishing the Bush Dynasty and rendering him but footnote in the 2016 campaign, Trump was still bitter at the former Florida Governor for not supporting him.
So whether its Colin Kaepernick, Stephen Curry or Jeb Bush, Trump believes he hasn't been treated fairly and lashes out. But when the game is over and the final score tallied, it is President Trump who knows nothing of fair play.
Friday, September 22, 2017
Dodgers Clinch 5th Consecutive NL West Title
The Los Angeles Dodgers have just clinched their fifth consecutive NL West title with a 4-2 win over the San Francisco Giants.
It wasn't as easy as it should have been. On August 25th, the Dodgers were 91-36 with a 21 game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks and a magic number of 14. The Dodgers were on pace to clinch the division in early September. But the Dodgers went on a major skid losing 16 out of 17 games including an 11-game losing streak. Since August 25th, the Dodgers have gone 7-20.
To put this into perspective while the Dodgers had a magic number of 14 on August 25th, the Washington Nationals' magic number was 24. The Nats would clinch the NL East on September 10th. On that day, the Dodgers magic number was 11 and their lead over the D'Backs had been reduced to 9 games.
Few in Chavez Ravine could've imagined it would take until Tommy Lasorda's 90th birthday to finally clinch the NL West. The Dodgers still have the best record in MLB. But if they continue to play they've played over the past month they won't be long for the NLDS against the NL Wild Card winner be it against the D'Backs, the Rockies (and possibly the St. Louis Cardinals or Milwaukee Brewers).
But the Dodgers still have Clayton Kershaw, Cody Bellinger, Chris Taylor, Justin Turner and Kenley Jansen. Regardless of their recent setbacks, the Dodgers will be favored to win their first NL pennant since 1988.
It wasn't as easy as it should have been. On August 25th, the Dodgers were 91-36 with a 21 game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks and a magic number of 14. The Dodgers were on pace to clinch the division in early September. But the Dodgers went on a major skid losing 16 out of 17 games including an 11-game losing streak. Since August 25th, the Dodgers have gone 7-20.
To put this into perspective while the Dodgers had a magic number of 14 on August 25th, the Washington Nationals' magic number was 24. The Nats would clinch the NL East on September 10th. On that day, the Dodgers magic number was 11 and their lead over the D'Backs had been reduced to 9 games.
Few in Chavez Ravine could've imagined it would take until Tommy Lasorda's 90th birthday to finally clinch the NL West. The Dodgers still have the best record in MLB. But if they continue to play they've played over the past month they won't be long for the NLDS against the NL Wild Card winner be it against the D'Backs, the Rockies (and possibly the St. Louis Cardinals or Milwaukee Brewers).
But the Dodgers still have Clayton Kershaw, Cody Bellinger, Chris Taylor, Justin Turner and Kenley Jansen. Regardless of their recent setbacks, the Dodgers will be favored to win their first NL pennant since 1988.
Tigers To Part Ways With Brad Ausmus Following 2017 Season
To the surprise of no one, Brad Ausmus will not be back to manage the Detroit Tigers in 2018. The team announced they would not renew his contract.
Ausmus managed the team for four seasons reaching the post-season only once in his inaugural season in 2014, but were swept by the Baltimore Orioles in the ALDS. In 2017, the Tigers have the second worst record in the AL (only a half game ahead of their division rivals Chicago White Sox). Since August 1st, the Tigers are 15-34 and 4-17 in September. Of course, the Tigers have traded away Justin Verlander, Justin Upton, J.D. Martinez, Alex Avila and Justin Wilson and are soon headed for full rebuild mode. But honestly I am surprised Ausmus wasn't dismissed during the season. But the team graciously let him manage out the season without firing him.
The question is who will succeed Ausmus in 2018. I am inclined to think the Tigers stay within the organization and hire hitting coach Lloyd McClendon who has had previous big league managerial stints with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Seattle Mariners. When the Tigers hired McClendon to manage the Triple-AAA Toledo Mud Hens prior to the 2016 season, it was thought that Ausmus was on a short leash. McClendon joined Ausmus' coaching staff this season, but Ausmus hung on. Or could they coax Tom Brookens out of retirement to manage the team he loyally served for decades? Or they could very easily hire a first time manager not much older than the Tigers' roster? Whoever manages the Tigers in 2018 can expect to manage a last place team.
Ausmus managed the team for four seasons reaching the post-season only once in his inaugural season in 2014, but were swept by the Baltimore Orioles in the ALDS. In 2017, the Tigers have the second worst record in the AL (only a half game ahead of their division rivals Chicago White Sox). Since August 1st, the Tigers are 15-34 and 4-17 in September. Of course, the Tigers have traded away Justin Verlander, Justin Upton, J.D. Martinez, Alex Avila and Justin Wilson and are soon headed for full rebuild mode. But honestly I am surprised Ausmus wasn't dismissed during the season. But the team graciously let him manage out the season without firing him.
The question is who will succeed Ausmus in 2018. I am inclined to think the Tigers stay within the organization and hire hitting coach Lloyd McClendon who has had previous big league managerial stints with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Seattle Mariners. When the Tigers hired McClendon to manage the Triple-AAA Toledo Mud Hens prior to the 2016 season, it was thought that Ausmus was on a short leash. McClendon joined Ausmus' coaching staff this season, but Ausmus hung on. Or could they coax Tom Brookens out of retirement to manage the team he loyally served for decades? Or they could very easily hire a first time manager not much older than the Tigers' roster? Whoever manages the Tigers in 2018 can expect to manage a last place team.
Thursday, September 21, 2017
Ken Burns' Vietnam War Documentary Reminds Me of Trump's POW & Anti-Mexican Comments
I've watched two of the four installments of Ken Burns' Vietnam War documentary which is airing this week on PBS. It's a bleak portrait of a war in which this country should have never involved ourselves unless it could be won and it is evident that LBJ and Robert McNamara didn't think it was winnable and yet proceeded apace.
Yet in watching this documentary my thoughts turn to our current President. Among those interviewed were former U.S. Navy Commander Everett Alvarez, Jr. who spent more than eight years in captivity. In addition to the interview, Burns includes footage of Alvarez and other POWs being paraded through the streets of North Vietnam.
I wonder if President Trump has watched this documentary. If he has what does he say when he sees Alvarez? Does he say he likes people who weren't captured? If he does say such things is he aware that Alvarez earned two Legion of Merits, two Bronze Star Medals, two Purple Hearts, a Silver Star and a Distinguished Flying Cross? And if Trump is aware does Alvarez's service mean anything to him? Or is Alvarez just another Mexican like Judge Gonzalo Curiel? (Alvarez's grandparents immigrated from Mexico).
The fact that I have to pose these questions leads me to a single conclusion. Donald Trump isn't worthy to lick the boots of Everett Alvarez, Jr., John McCain or for that matter the North Vietnamese who kept them in captivity.
Yet in watching this documentary my thoughts turn to our current President. Among those interviewed were former U.S. Navy Commander Everett Alvarez, Jr. who spent more than eight years in captivity. In addition to the interview, Burns includes footage of Alvarez and other POWs being paraded through the streets of North Vietnam.
I wonder if President Trump has watched this documentary. If he has what does he say when he sees Alvarez? Does he say he likes people who weren't captured? If he does say such things is he aware that Alvarez earned two Legion of Merits, two Bronze Star Medals, two Purple Hearts, a Silver Star and a Distinguished Flying Cross? And if Trump is aware does Alvarez's service mean anything to him? Or is Alvarez just another Mexican like Judge Gonzalo Curiel? (Alvarez's grandparents immigrated from Mexico).
The fact that I have to pose these questions leads me to a single conclusion. Donald Trump isn't worthy to lick the boots of Everett Alvarez, Jr., John McCain or for that matter the North Vietnamese who kept them in captivity.
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Five Reasons Why I Believe Trump Will Renegotiate The Iran Nuclear Deal
Yesterday, I took President Trump to task for not having already ended the Iran Nuclear Deal if he saw fit to tell the UN General Assembly it was an embarrassment to the United States.
Today, President Trump says he has made a decision concerning the Iran Nuclear Deal, but won't specify his decision right now. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie thinks Trump is withdrawing from the deal while Secretary of State Rex Tillerson believes he will renegotiate.
To my way of thinking, I am inclined to agree with Tillerson. I believe Trump will renegotiate the deal.
First, if Trump were going to pull out of the deal why wouldn't he have dropped that bombshell in front of the rest of the world?
Second, there are key figures in Trump's administration who support the Iran deal - Tillerson, John Kelly, James Mattis and H.R. McMaster. I can't see Trump deviating so significantly from this consensus among key members of his foreign and defense policy inner circle.
Third, Trump's reputation is that of a deal maker. The next best thing to negotiating a deal is renegotiating one.
Fourth, Trump has favored negotiations with Iran in the past. He said as much when then Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was in New York City to address the UN General Assembly exactly 10 years ago this month as demonstrated by this appearance on Fox & Friends when he spoke far more favorably of Ahmadinejad than he did of President Bush. During this appearance Trump said, "Maybe the President, instead of saying let’s not even see this guy, maybe he should be negotiating with him, maybe he should be talking with him."
Fifth, President Trump has until October 15th to certify the Iran Nuclear Deal. I believe the Trump Administration will use the next three weeks to develop a framework with which to renegotiate it.
I hope I am wrong about this scenario. I hope President Trump puts an end to the Iran Nuclear Deal. If he does it will be his greatest foreign policy legacy. Which is exactly why I think he won't do it.
Today, President Trump says he has made a decision concerning the Iran Nuclear Deal, but won't specify his decision right now. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie thinks Trump is withdrawing from the deal while Secretary of State Rex Tillerson believes he will renegotiate.
To my way of thinking, I am inclined to agree with Tillerson. I believe Trump will renegotiate the deal.
First, if Trump were going to pull out of the deal why wouldn't he have dropped that bombshell in front of the rest of the world?
Second, there are key figures in Trump's administration who support the Iran deal - Tillerson, John Kelly, James Mattis and H.R. McMaster. I can't see Trump deviating so significantly from this consensus among key members of his foreign and defense policy inner circle.
Third, Trump's reputation is that of a deal maker. The next best thing to negotiating a deal is renegotiating one.
Fourth, Trump has favored negotiations with Iran in the past. He said as much when then Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was in New York City to address the UN General Assembly exactly 10 years ago this month as demonstrated by this appearance on Fox & Friends when he spoke far more favorably of Ahmadinejad than he did of President Bush. During this appearance Trump said, "Maybe the President, instead of saying let’s not even see this guy, maybe he should be negotiating with him, maybe he should be talking with him."
Fifth, President Trump has until October 15th to certify the Iran Nuclear Deal. I believe the Trump Administration will use the next three weeks to develop a framework with which to renegotiate it.
I hope I am wrong about this scenario. I hope President Trump puts an end to the Iran Nuclear Deal. If he does it will be his greatest foreign policy legacy. Which is exactly why I think he won't do it.
Even If Darci Lynne Farmer Doesn't Win America's Got Talent She'll Become a National Treasure UPDATE
I quickly learned that this was Darci Lynne Farmer, a 12-year old ventriloquist from Oklahoma who only began studying her craft two years ago to overcome her shyness. She's done that and then some.
The America's Got Talent finale airs this evening. She ought to win. But if she doesn't it is far from the end of the world. There are so many places where she could take her talent other than Las Vegas (which is part of the grand prize). She could hit the concert circuit, star in her own weekly TV show (which Simon Cowell has suggested), record albums and DVDs and entertain our troops overseas.
Whether or not Darci Lynne Farmer wins America's Got Talent she is at an age and has the sort of signature talent that I believe will make her a National Treasure.
UPDATE: As you all know by now, Darci Lynn won. The best is yet to come.
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
If Trump Considers The Iran Nuclear Deal An Embarrassment Then Why Doesn't He End It?
Most of the commentary on President Trump's first address to the UN General Assembly has focused upon referring to North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un as "Rocket Man".
However, I was most struck by what he said about the Iran nuclear deal:
We cannot let a murderous regime continue these destabilizing activities while building dangerous missiles, and we cannot abide by an agreement if it provides cover for the eventual construction of a nuclear program. The Iran Deal was one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into. Frankly, that deal is an embarrassment to the United States, and I don’t think you’ve heard the last of it -- believe me.
If President Trump considers the Iran nuclear deal to be an embarrassment to the United States then why hasn't he announced that he will withdraw from the agreement? This isn't a binding treaty. How is this any different than the Paris Agreement? Who or what is stopping him from putting an end to the Iran nuclear deal? Mattis? McMaster? Kelly? Or is Trump using the Iran nuclear deal as a rhetorical device in the way President Obama did with Gitmo?
I'm not sure why conservatives are falling over themselves in praise of this speech. Then again I'm not sure why conservatives worship the ground on which Trump walks either. Whatever the reasons, I can't take this speech seriously.
Should Trump actually withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal then his words before the UN General Assembly will mean something. But unless its in 140 characters or less, Trump's words are generally meaningless.
However, I was most struck by what he said about the Iran nuclear deal:
We cannot let a murderous regime continue these destabilizing activities while building dangerous missiles, and we cannot abide by an agreement if it provides cover for the eventual construction of a nuclear program. The Iran Deal was one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into. Frankly, that deal is an embarrassment to the United States, and I don’t think you’ve heard the last of it -- believe me.
If President Trump considers the Iran nuclear deal to be an embarrassment to the United States then why hasn't he announced that he will withdraw from the agreement? This isn't a binding treaty. How is this any different than the Paris Agreement? Who or what is stopping him from putting an end to the Iran nuclear deal? Mattis? McMaster? Kelly? Or is Trump using the Iran nuclear deal as a rhetorical device in the way President Obama did with Gitmo?
I'm not sure why conservatives are falling over themselves in praise of this speech. Then again I'm not sure why conservatives worship the ground on which Trump walks either. Whatever the reasons, I can't take this speech seriously.
Should Trump actually withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal then his words before the UN General Assembly will mean something. But unless its in 140 characters or less, Trump's words are generally meaningless.
I'm Live Tweeting Johnny Carson Again - For Now
Much to my delight I got to see Johnny Carson tonight.
As it turns out WBIN-TV will be airing AntennaTV programming for a few more weeks before switching formats. More importantly, I am now able to find AntennaTV on another channel and cannot tell you how happy I was when the opening bars of The Tonight Show theme.
So at least for the next few weeks I'll be live tweeting Johnny Carson. Hopefully during these next few weeks AntennaTV will find a new home in the Boston/New Hampshire viewing area.
As it turns out WBIN-TV will be airing AntennaTV programming for a few more weeks before switching formats. More importantly, I am now able to find AntennaTV on another channel and cannot tell you how happy I was when the opening bars of The Tonight Show theme.
So at least for the next few weeks I'll be live tweeting Johnny Carson. Hopefully during these next few weeks AntennaTV will find a new home in the Boston/New Hampshire viewing area.
Monday, September 18, 2017
I Shall Host a Columbo Viewing Party on Twitter on October 28th at #ColumboTV
While I am utterly annoyed that I will not be seeing Johnny Carson on Antenna TV anytime soon, I still have Columbo.
I would like to announce that at 5 p.m. EST on Saturday, October 28th I will be hosting a Columbo viewing party on Twitter at #ColumboTV.
The Columbo episode in question is "A Case of Immunity". It originally aired on October 12, 1975 and features Hector Elizondo as the villain and Sal Mineo in one of his last TV appearances before his murder.
If you can manage not to blink you could see a young Jeff Goldblum in an uncredited cameo role as a protester.
Just one more thing. Everyone is invited.
I would like to announce that at 5 p.m. EST on Saturday, October 28th I will be hosting a Columbo viewing party on Twitter at #ColumboTV.
The Columbo episode in question is "A Case of Immunity". It originally aired on October 12, 1975 and features Hector Elizondo as the villain and Sal Mineo in one of his last TV appearances before his murder.
If you can manage not to blink you could see a young Jeff Goldblum in an uncredited cameo role as a protester.
Just one more thing. Everyone is invited.
Sunday, September 17, 2017
I Don't Get To See Johnny Carson Anymore UPDATE
Anyone who follows my Twitter feed or read my article at National Review Online will know I'm an aficionado of Johnny Carson which was renewed when Antenna TV began airing Tonight Show reruns last year. It's been wonderful to see Carnac The Magnificent, the conversations and current events of the time. Last night, I spent my birthday in New York City with my Dad watching an April 1979 episode where Johnny joked about Three Mile Island.
But back in Boston I tuned into Channel 951 at 10 p.m. and got a test pattern which read:
WBIN-TV is no longer broadcasting the programming previously seen on this channel. Please contact WBIN-TV should you have any further questions.
Well, I tried to send them a message through their website, but they were convinced I was a robot. So I left a message.
But I gather WBIN-TV is no longer showing Antenna TV programming. Unless some other channel is willing to carry Antenna TV then I am SOOL where it concerns Johnny Carson.
In the grand scheme of things this is a minor inconvenience. Tonight, I watched The Rockford Files. I can always watch something else or I can go to bed. But I much preferred ending my evening with Johnny Carson.
UPDATE: I got in touch with Antenna TV and they notified me that WBIN-TV of Derry, New Hampshire had been sold and has changed its programming and that they are looking for a new home in the Boston/New Hampshire area.
But back in Boston I tuned into Channel 951 at 10 p.m. and got a test pattern which read:
WBIN-TV is no longer broadcasting the programming previously seen on this channel. Please contact WBIN-TV should you have any further questions.
Well, I tried to send them a message through their website, but they were convinced I was a robot. So I left a message.
But I gather WBIN-TV is no longer showing Antenna TV programming. Unless some other channel is willing to carry Antenna TV then I am SOOL where it concerns Johnny Carson.
In the grand scheme of things this is a minor inconvenience. Tonight, I watched The Rockford Files. I can always watch something else or I can go to bed. But I much preferred ending my evening with Johnny Carson.
UPDATE: I got in touch with Antenna TV and they notified me that WBIN-TV of Derry, New Hampshire had been sold and has changed its programming and that they are looking for a new home in the Boston/New Hampshire area.
Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, R.I.P.
Longtime wrestling manager and announcer Bobby "The Brain" Heenan passed away today after a long battle with throat cancer. He was 73.
I remember Heenan from his days in the American Wrestling Association when he managed the promotion's longtime champion Nick Bockwinkel. Although nicknamed "The Brain", he was derisively referred to as "The Weasel".
Heenan would gain broader exposure when he took his act to the WWF (now the WWE) in 1984 and became a well known adversary to Hulk Hogan and managed many of Hogan's rivals including Paul Orndorff, King Kong Bundy and Andre The Giant. Eventually, Heenan moved away from managing to being a "broadcast journalist" as the heel counterpart to Gorilla Monsoon. Although they sniped onscreen, they were the closest of friends off-screen until his death in 1999. When the WWE inducted Heenan into their Hall of Fame in 2004, his only regret was that Monsoon wasn't there to share it with him.
During most of the 1990's, Heenan was a broadcaster in World Championship Wrestling. While he retained his Weasel persona, he became more sympathetic to the babyfaces when Hulk Hogan became a villain during his NWO phase.
Throat cancer would cruelly rob Heenan of his jaw and eventually his voice which once so powerfully riled up wrestling fans. Here is The Brain at the height of his powers back in 1989 at the helm of his own "talk show". R.I.P.
I remember Heenan from his days in the American Wrestling Association when he managed the promotion's longtime champion Nick Bockwinkel. Although nicknamed "The Brain", he was derisively referred to as "The Weasel".
Heenan would gain broader exposure when he took his act to the WWF (now the WWE) in 1984 and became a well known adversary to Hulk Hogan and managed many of Hogan's rivals including Paul Orndorff, King Kong Bundy and Andre The Giant. Eventually, Heenan moved away from managing to being a "broadcast journalist" as the heel counterpart to Gorilla Monsoon. Although they sniped onscreen, they were the closest of friends off-screen until his death in 1999. When the WWE inducted Heenan into their Hall of Fame in 2004, his only regret was that Monsoon wasn't there to share it with him.
During most of the 1990's, Heenan was a broadcaster in World Championship Wrestling. While he retained his Weasel persona, he became more sympathetic to the babyfaces when Hulk Hogan became a villain during his NWO phase.
Throat cancer would cruelly rob Heenan of his jaw and eventually his voice which once so powerfully riled up wrestling fans. Here is The Brain at the height of his powers back in 1989 at the helm of his own "talk show". R.I.P.
Astros Win 1st AL West Title
The Houston Astros beat the Seattle Mariners 7-1 to win their very first AL West title. The Astros last reached the post-season in 2015 with an AL Wild Card berth. They beat the New York Yankees in the AL Wild Card Game before falling to the eventual World Series winning Kansas City Royals in the ALDS. The last time the Astros won a division title was as a National League team in 2001 when they won fourth NL Central title in five years.
The Astros never relinquished the lead in the AL West after April 14th. They led the division by as much as 18 games on July 28th. They fell back to earth with an 11-17 mark in August, but retained a double digit lead which never went below 11 games. Until the Cleveland Indians embarked on a 22 game winning streak, the Astros were considered the team to beat in the AL.
They still could be. The team has an outside shot at winning 100 games for the only second time in franchise history. In 1998, they won 102 games during the Killer B's era of future Hall of Famers Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio. Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa are today's Killer B's with Altuve the odds on favorite to win the AL MVP.
Chances are the Astros will face the winner of the AL East in the ALDS. At the moment, that would be the Boston Red Sox who currently hold a three game lead over the New York Yankees in the AL East. If the Astros do face the Red Sox they will see a lot of them as they play the final four regular season games against each other from September 28th through October 1st.
Should the Astros reach the World Series they will become the first team in MLB history to have represented both leagues. The Astros won the NL pennant in 2005, but were swept by the Chicago White Sox in that year's Fall Classic. A World Series win would be the first in franchise history which began in 1962 as the Houston Colt 45's. In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, a World Series win would be a great morale boost.
The Astros never relinquished the lead in the AL West after April 14th. They led the division by as much as 18 games on July 28th. They fell back to earth with an 11-17 mark in August, but retained a double digit lead which never went below 11 games. Until the Cleveland Indians embarked on a 22 game winning streak, the Astros were considered the team to beat in the AL.
They still could be. The team has an outside shot at winning 100 games for the only second time in franchise history. In 1998, they won 102 games during the Killer B's era of future Hall of Famers Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio. Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa are today's Killer B's with Altuve the odds on favorite to win the AL MVP.
Chances are the Astros will face the winner of the AL East in the ALDS. At the moment, that would be the Boston Red Sox who currently hold a three game lead over the New York Yankees in the AL East. If the Astros do face the Red Sox they will see a lot of them as they play the final four regular season games against each other from September 28th through October 1st.
Should the Astros reach the World Series they will become the first team in MLB history to have represented both leagues. The Astros won the NL pennant in 2005, but were swept by the Chicago White Sox in that year's Fall Classic. A World Series win would be the first in franchise history which began in 1962 as the Houston Colt 45's. In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, a World Series win would be a great morale boost.
Saturday, September 16, 2017
Indians Win Back to Back AL Central Titles; Can They Win Back to Back AL Pennants?
After snapping their 22 game winning streak yesterday, the Cleveland Indians returned to the win column on Saturday with an 8-4 win over the Kansas City Royals to reduce their magic number to clinch the AL Central Division to 1 game. That one game went to zero when the Minnesota Twins fell 7-2 to the Toronto Blue Jays to make the Tribe back to back AL Central winners. Overall, this is their ninth AL Central since 1995.
Assuming the Indians maintain the best record in the AL they would play the winner of the AL Wild Card in the ALDS. At the moment that would be between the Twins and the New York Yankees. However, the Twins have a one game lead on the Los Angeles Angels for the second AL Wild Card spot so this is still very much up in the air with two weeks to go in the regular season.
The Indians are the first AL team to clinch their division. The Houston Astros could clinch the AL West tomorrow with a win over the Seattle Mariners of if the Angels lose to the Texas Rangers. Meanwhile, the Boston Red Sox hold a three game lead over the Yankees in the AL East.
But for now the Indians are considered the team to beat in the AL especially if they should go on another winning streak.
Assuming the Indians maintain the best record in the AL they would play the winner of the AL Wild Card in the ALDS. At the moment that would be between the Twins and the New York Yankees. However, the Twins have a one game lead on the Los Angeles Angels for the second AL Wild Card spot so this is still very much up in the air with two weeks to go in the regular season.
The Indians are the first AL team to clinch their division. The Houston Astros could clinch the AL West tomorrow with a win over the Seattle Mariners of if the Angels lose to the Texas Rangers. Meanwhile, the Boston Red Sox hold a three game lead over the Yankees in the AL East.
But for now the Indians are considered the team to beat in the AL especially if they should go on another winning streak.
Friday, September 15, 2017
Indians Winning Streak Ends at 22 Games; Fall 4-3 to K.C.
It had to happen sooner or later. The Cleveland Indians lost a game. They fell 4-3 to the Kansas City Royals 24 hours after a comeback extra innings walk off win.
However, the Minnesota Twins lost to the Toronto Blue Jays reducing the Tribe's magic number to 2. The Indians could clinch the AL Central as early as tomorrow.
In just over three weeks, the Indians expanded their AL Central lead from 4.5 to 13.5 games and now own the best record in the AL and for good measure set the AL record for consecutive wins without a tie. At worst, the Indians will play the AL Wild Card game should they falter over the fortnight. But losses for the Indians are likely to be the exception rather than the rule.
However, the Minnesota Twins lost to the Toronto Blue Jays reducing the Tribe's magic number to 2. The Indians could clinch the AL Central as early as tomorrow.
In just over three weeks, the Indians expanded their AL Central lead from 4.5 to 13.5 games and now own the best record in the AL and for good measure set the AL record for consecutive wins without a tie. At worst, the Indians will play the AL Wild Card game should they falter over the fortnight. But losses for the Indians are likely to be the exception rather than the rule.
Harry Dean Stanton, R.I.P.
Actor Harry Dean Stanton has passed away at the age of 91.
Stanton's acting career spanned more than six decades. His TV credits included The Adventures of Run Tin Tin, Bat Masterson, The Rifleman, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Untouchables, The Fugitive, The Big Valley, The Andy Griffith Show, Mannix, Gunsmoke, Adam-12, Laverne & Shirley and Two and a Half Men. Viewers of a more recent vintage will remember him from HBO's The Big Love and the revival of Twin Peaks.
His movie credits include Cool Hand Luke, Kelly's Heroes, Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid, The Godfather: Part II, The Missouri Breaks, Renaldo & Clara, Alien, The Rose, Private Benjamin, Escape from New York, Repo Man, Red Dawn, Pretty in Pink, The Last Temptation of Christ and The Avengers.
In his nearly 200 acting credits, Stanton (until this year when he starred in his final film Lucky) had the lead role only once when he was cast in Wim Wenders' 1984 film Paris, Texas co-written by Sam Shepard and Kit Carson. Paris, Texas is one of my favorite films of all time and much of it due to Stanton who is silent in the first half of the film. His face, however, spoke volumes. R.I.P.
Stanton's acting career spanned more than six decades. His TV credits included The Adventures of Run Tin Tin, Bat Masterson, The Rifleman, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Untouchables, The Fugitive, The Big Valley, The Andy Griffith Show, Mannix, Gunsmoke, Adam-12, Laverne & Shirley and Two and a Half Men. Viewers of a more recent vintage will remember him from HBO's The Big Love and the revival of Twin Peaks.
His movie credits include Cool Hand Luke, Kelly's Heroes, Pat Garrett & Billy The Kid, The Godfather: Part II, The Missouri Breaks, Renaldo & Clara, Alien, The Rose, Private Benjamin, Escape from New York, Repo Man, Red Dawn, Pretty in Pink, The Last Temptation of Christ and The Avengers.
In his nearly 200 acting credits, Stanton (until this year when he starred in his final film Lucky) had the lead role only once when he was cast in Wim Wenders' 1984 film Paris, Texas co-written by Sam Shepard and Kit Carson. Paris, Texas is one of my favorite films of all time and much of it due to Stanton who is silent in the first half of the film. His face, however, spoke volumes. R.I.P.
Wednesday, September 13, 2017
Sarah Huckabee Sanders Shouldn't Give a Damn What An ESPN Anchor Says About President Trump
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders raised eyebrows when she said ESPN anchor Jemele Hill's tweet accusing President Trump of being a white supremacist "a fireable offense."
So is Huckabee Sanders asking ESPN to fire Hill or is she telling them?
Honestly, she shouldn't give a damn what Jemele Hill thinks of the President of the United States. Right or wrong, it is Hill's opinion and Hill certainly isn't the only one who holds it. Does she believe anyone who writes a mean tweet about President Trump be deprived of earning a living? If ESPN wants to discipline her for that view that is their prerogative, but this isn't the business of the Trump Administration.
Now I don't expect Huckabee Sanders or anyone in the Trump White House to like what Jemele Hill tweeted. But guess what? Not everyone is going to like the President. Many are going to hate him. It comes with the territory. This should be water down their back. At most, Huckabee Sanders should have simply said she didn't share Hill's view and then moved on. But this is the Trump Administration and they just can't let it go. It's easier for them to call upon their critics to be fired rather than do their job.
So is Huckabee Sanders asking ESPN to fire Hill or is she telling them?
Honestly, she shouldn't give a damn what Jemele Hill thinks of the President of the United States. Right or wrong, it is Hill's opinion and Hill certainly isn't the only one who holds it. Does she believe anyone who writes a mean tweet about President Trump be deprived of earning a living? If ESPN wants to discipline her for that view that is their prerogative, but this isn't the business of the Trump Administration.
Now I don't expect Huckabee Sanders or anyone in the Trump White House to like what Jemele Hill tweeted. But guess what? Not everyone is going to like the President. Many are going to hate him. It comes with the territory. This should be water down their back. At most, Huckabee Sanders should have simply said she didn't share Hill's view and then moved on. But this is the Trump Administration and they just can't let it go. It's easier for them to call upon their critics to be fired rather than do their job.
Indians Set AL Record With 21st Consecutive Win
The Cleveland Indians made history this afternoon with a 5-3 victory over the Detroit Tigers earning their 21st consecutive victory breaking the AL record set by the Oakland A's in 2002. This win equals the feat set by the Chicago Cubs in 1935. The MLB record is held by the 1916 New York Giants went 26 games without a defeat (although there was a tie in the middle of that streak).
They have reduced to magic number to win the AL Central to four. Should the Minnesota Twins lose to the San Diego Padres this evening that number will go down to 3. The Indians could clinch the division on Friday.
They have reduced to magic number to win the AL Central to four. Should the Minnesota Twins lose to the San Diego Padres this evening that number will go down to 3. The Indians could clinch the division on Friday.
Tuesday, September 12, 2017
Cleveland Indians Tie 2002 Oakland A's AL Record For 20th Consecutive Win
The Cleveland Indians have matched the 2002 Oakland A's by winning their 20th consecutive game defeating the Detroit Tigers 2-0 on the strength of a complete game five hit shutout by Corey Kluber and Francisco Lindor's 30th home run of the season.
The win not only ties the AL record for consecutive wins, but reduces the Tribe's magic number to clinch the AL Central to five.
The Indians can set the AL record with a win tomorrow afternoon against the Tigers. The win would also tie the Chicago Cubs' 21 game winning streak they set in 1935 when they would go on to win the NL pennant before falling to the Tigers in seven games.
Whatever happens between now and October 1st, the Indians have earned the name Windians.
The win not only ties the AL record for consecutive wins, but reduces the Tribe's magic number to clinch the AL Central to five.
The Indians can set the AL record with a win tomorrow afternoon against the Tigers. The win would also tie the Chicago Cubs' 21 game winning streak they set in 1935 when they would go on to win the NL pennant before falling to the Tigers in seven games.
Whatever happens between now and October 1st, the Indians have earned the name Windians.
Monday, September 11, 2017
Why Trump's 9/11 Remarks at The Pentagon Are Meaningless
This morning President Trump commemorated the 16th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with some remarks at the Pentagon.
Among other things, Trump said, "On that day not only did the world change but we all changed our eyes were opened to the depths of the evil we face. On that hour of darkness we came together with renewed purpose, our common bonds never felt so strong."
Coming from Trump these words are utterly meaningless. After all, they were written for him and read off a teleprompter.
What matters is what Trump has said about 9/11 off the cuff.
We have a President who is on public record as claiming the Bush Administration "knew in advance" there would be an attack. There's a world of difference between George Tenet telling President Bush al Qaeda was planning attacks in the United States and Tenet actually telling Bush there would be a series of attack on a Tuesday morning in September 2001.
Now that Trump is President one would hope he would understand that difference. But given that he likes his intelligence briefings full of pictures I have my doubts.
We also have a President who is on public record as claiming "thousands and thousands" of Muslims in New Jersey cheered the 9/11 attacks. Now think about that for a minute. If this were actually true don't you think there would have been a lot of violence given the raw emotion of the time?
Of course, it is the duty of the President of the United States to pay tribute to those who lost their lives on this day and this task will fall to Donald Trump for many years to come. But given what he has said about the attacks of September 11, 2001 in the past (and what he might say off the cuff in the future) please don't expect me to believe a word he has to say about it in his ceremonial capacity.
Among other things, Trump said, "On that day not only did the world change but we all changed our eyes were opened to the depths of the evil we face. On that hour of darkness we came together with renewed purpose, our common bonds never felt so strong."
Coming from Trump these words are utterly meaningless. After all, they were written for him and read off a teleprompter.
What matters is what Trump has said about 9/11 off the cuff.
We have a President who is on public record as claiming the Bush Administration "knew in advance" there would be an attack. There's a world of difference between George Tenet telling President Bush al Qaeda was planning attacks in the United States and Tenet actually telling Bush there would be a series of attack on a Tuesday morning in September 2001.
Now that Trump is President one would hope he would understand that difference. But given that he likes his intelligence briefings full of pictures I have my doubts.
We also have a President who is on public record as claiming "thousands and thousands" of Muslims in New Jersey cheered the 9/11 attacks. Now think about that for a minute. If this were actually true don't you think there would have been a lot of violence given the raw emotion of the time?
Of course, it is the duty of the President of the United States to pay tribute to those who lost their lives on this day and this task will fall to Donald Trump for many years to come. But given what he has said about the attacks of September 11, 2001 in the past (and what he might say off the cuff in the future) please don't expect me to believe a word he has to say about it in his ceremonial capacity.
Sunday, September 10, 2017
Cleveland Indians Now Own Best Record in AL With 18th Straight Win
The Cleveland Indians just beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-2 in front of a national audience on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball to extend their winning streak to 18 games.
The win gives the Tribe the best record in the AL after the Houston Astros fell victim to a four game sweep by the last place Oakland A's. On August 23rd, the Indians were beat 6-1 by the Boston Red Sox. If there was any team that looked like it could challenge the Astros for the league's best overall record it was the Bosox who were four games back of the Astros in that category. The Tribe, although leading the Twins in the AL Central by 4.5 games, was 11.5 games back of the Astros for the best overall record. The Indians have gone 18-0 since August 23rd while the Astros and Red Sox have gone 11-8 and 8-9, respectively.
If the Indians finish the season with the best record in the AL then they will play the winner of the AL Wild Card Game in the ALDS. Up until now it looked like they would face the Red Sox in the ALDS. Of course that could still be the case if the Sox fall out of the lead in the AL East and win the AL Wild Card game.
Of course, the Tribe have won 18 straight games, but there are now 19 games to go. They could come back down to earth like the Los Angeles Dodgers have recently and this streak could be but a mere footnote.
On the other hand, the Indians could also make MLB history. If they eclipse the 2002 Oakland A's streak of 20 games then they will set an AL record. A 21 game winning streak would match the 1935 Chicago Cubs. The MLB record is 26 wins by the 1916 New York Giants although there is an asterisk because there was a tie game during that streak.
It should be noted that none of the teams I mentioned won the World Series however. If you gave Indians players the choice of having the streak end tomorrow and winning the team's first World Series since 1948 I think they would take that trade off in a second. But then again why not do both?
The Tribe resumes their home stand tomorrow night with a three game series against the Detroit Tigers. A sweep of the Tigers would give them the AL record for consecutive wins. But one game at a time.
The win gives the Tribe the best record in the AL after the Houston Astros fell victim to a four game sweep by the last place Oakland A's. On August 23rd, the Indians were beat 6-1 by the Boston Red Sox. If there was any team that looked like it could challenge the Astros for the league's best overall record it was the Bosox who were four games back of the Astros in that category. The Tribe, although leading the Twins in the AL Central by 4.5 games, was 11.5 games back of the Astros for the best overall record. The Indians have gone 18-0 since August 23rd while the Astros and Red Sox have gone 11-8 and 8-9, respectively.
If the Indians finish the season with the best record in the AL then they will play the winner of the AL Wild Card Game in the ALDS. Up until now it looked like they would face the Red Sox in the ALDS. Of course that could still be the case if the Sox fall out of the lead in the AL East and win the AL Wild Card game.
Of course, the Tribe have won 18 straight games, but there are now 19 games to go. They could come back down to earth like the Los Angeles Dodgers have recently and this streak could be but a mere footnote.
On the other hand, the Indians could also make MLB history. If they eclipse the 2002 Oakland A's streak of 20 games then they will set an AL record. A 21 game winning streak would match the 1935 Chicago Cubs. The MLB record is 26 wins by the 1916 New York Giants although there is an asterisk because there was a tie game during that streak.
It should be noted that none of the teams I mentioned won the World Series however. If you gave Indians players the choice of having the streak end tomorrow and winning the team's first World Series since 1948 I think they would take that trade off in a second. But then again why not do both?
The Tribe resumes their home stand tomorrow night with a three game series against the Detroit Tigers. A sweep of the Tigers would give them the AL record for consecutive wins. But one game at a time.
Dodgers Lose 10 in a Row, Have Lost 15 of Their Last 16 Games But Still Have Best MLB Record
The Los Angeles Dodgers have lost their 10th consecutive game falling 8-1 to the Colorado Rockies this afternoon. Since August 26th, the Dodgers have gone 1-15. During this period, their lead in the NL West has slipped from 21 to 9 games over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
And yet the Dodgers still own MLB's best record. From June 7th through August 25th, the Dodgers went 56-11 and had winning streaks of 10, 11 and 9 games. Needless to say, this has given the team a considerable buffer. A case could also be made that a correction was inevitable and that correction has come. The question is how long will it continue. And if does continue can the D'Backs take advantage and win the NL West forcing the Dodgers to win the NL Wild Card Game, most likely against a Rockies team just swept them.
And yet the Dodgers still own MLB's best record. From June 7th through August 25th, the Dodgers went 56-11 and had winning streaks of 10, 11 and 9 games. Needless to say, this has given the team a considerable buffer. A case could also be made that a correction was inevitable and that correction has come. The question is how long will it continue. And if does continue can the D'Backs take advantage and win the NL West forcing the Dodgers to win the NL Wild Card Game, most likely against a Rockies team just swept them.
The Washington Nationals Win Their Fourth NL East Title Since 2012
The Washington Nationals have very quietly become the first team in MLB to clinch a post-season spot although they needed a little help from the Atlanta Braves. The Nats clinched a tie for the division by beating the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2. The deal would be sealed when the Braves topped the second place Miami Marlins 10-8 in 11 innings. It is the Nats' fourth NL East title since 2012.
Up until a couple of weeks ago, it was a fait d'accompli that the Los Angeles Dodgers would be the first team to clinch a playoff spot. But the Dodgers have fallen on hard times having lost 9 in a row and 14 of their last 15 games going into this afternoon. Over this same period, the Nats have gone 12-5 and now own a season high 20 game lead in the division over the Marlins.
Honestly, this has been Washington's division from nearly the get-go. They have been in first place in the NL East since April 18th. What is all the more remarkable is that the team has been without Bryce Harper for nearly a month after he hyperextended his knee running down to first base. But the Nats still have the triumvirate of Daniel Murphy, Anthony Rendon and a resurgent Ryan Zimmerman which has more than picked up the slack.
They have four starting pitchers in double digits in wins (Gio Gonzalez, Stephen Strasburg, Max Scherzer and Tanner Roark) despite the fact that both Strasburg and Scherzer have spent time on the DL this season. Unlike past seasons, the Nats made significant trade deadline deals bolstering the bullpen with the addition of Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson from the Oakland A's and Brandon Kintzler from the Minnesota Twins.
With the spotlight on the Dodgers and the defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs, the Nationals have received comparatively little respect. Of course, the Nats have won the NL East three other times in the past five years only to be ousted in the NLDS by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012, the San Francisco Giants in 2014 and the Dodgers last year. The Nats probably aren't going to get a lot of respect until they prove they can get past the NLDS. Assuming the Dodgers still finish the season with the best record in the NL, the Nats will likely face the Cubs in the NLDS. Given the Cubs won last year's World Series, the Nats will be heavy underdogs despite finishing with a better won-loss record.
Of all the teams that reach the post-season, the Washington Nationals might very well have the most to prove.
Up until a couple of weeks ago, it was a fait d'accompli that the Los Angeles Dodgers would be the first team to clinch a playoff spot. But the Dodgers have fallen on hard times having lost 9 in a row and 14 of their last 15 games going into this afternoon. Over this same period, the Nats have gone 12-5 and now own a season high 20 game lead in the division over the Marlins.
Honestly, this has been Washington's division from nearly the get-go. They have been in first place in the NL East since April 18th. What is all the more remarkable is that the team has been without Bryce Harper for nearly a month after he hyperextended his knee running down to first base. But the Nats still have the triumvirate of Daniel Murphy, Anthony Rendon and a resurgent Ryan Zimmerman which has more than picked up the slack.
They have four starting pitchers in double digits in wins (Gio Gonzalez, Stephen Strasburg, Max Scherzer and Tanner Roark) despite the fact that both Strasburg and Scherzer have spent time on the DL this season. Unlike past seasons, the Nats made significant trade deadline deals bolstering the bullpen with the addition of Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson from the Oakland A's and Brandon Kintzler from the Minnesota Twins.
With the spotlight on the Dodgers and the defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs, the Nationals have received comparatively little respect. Of course, the Nats have won the NL East three other times in the past five years only to be ousted in the NLDS by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012, the San Francisco Giants in 2014 and the Dodgers last year. The Nats probably aren't going to get a lot of respect until they prove they can get past the NLDS. Assuming the Dodgers still finish the season with the best record in the NL, the Nats will likely face the Cubs in the NLDS. Given the Cubs won last year's World Series, the Nats will be heavy underdogs despite finishing with a better won-loss record.
Of all the teams that reach the post-season, the Washington Nationals might very well have the most to prove.
Thursday, September 7, 2017
How Does Ta-Nehisi Coates Explain Trump's Increase in The African-American & Latino Vote?
"It is insufficient to state the obvious of Donald Trump: that he is a white man who would not be president were it not for this fact."
Thus begins Ta-Nehisi Coates' overwrought article "The First White President" in the latest issue of The Atlantic.
It isn't to say that Trump didn't deploy racial demagoguery during the 2016 campaign. He most certainly did and much of it was directed towards Latinos whether it was his ugly comments about Mexican illegal immigrants being rapists to open his campaign or repeatedly suggesting Judge Gonzalo Curiel's Mexican heritage rendered him unfit to preside over the Trump University trial. His heinous words were among my 10 reasons why I could not vote for him.
But Trump doesn't sit in the Oval Office simply because he is a white man. He is President because of his mastery of celebrity and his perceived wealth and that he was able to utilize these qualities to convince American voters he could bring them so much winning.
It is certainly true that Trump convinced far more white Americans than African-Americans and Latinos. But curiously Coates ignores the fact that Trump actually garnered fewer white voters than Mitt Romney did in 2012 while modestly increasing Republican vote totals among both constituencies as well as Asian Americans.
How does Coates explain this fact? Would he even try?
Well, let me take a stab. In August 2016, I attended a rally by Libertarian ticket of Gary Johnson and William Weld in Boston Common. Following the rally, Weld, a former Massachusetts Governor, posed for pictures and made a brief statement. When Weld said that immigrants took jobs than Americans wouldn't take, a Latino man repeatedly shouted, "What jobs won't Americans take?" Weld did not answer. It became clear this Latino man was a strong supporter of Donald Trump
Afterwards, this man was approached by a reporter who asked him why he supported Trump. "His honesty. I like his honesty," the man said, "He's putting his fortune on the line." Now, of course, Trump lies with nearly every breath he takes. No doubt this man confused bluntness with honesty. Be that as it may his perception was that Trump is an honest man and surely this Latino man wasn't alone in that perception.
No doubt Coates would dismiss this Latino man as having insufficient racial consciousness. But Coates thinks of America entirely in terms of race. That man didn't and most people don't. Of course, it doesn't mean race isn't part of our collective thinking. It's just that most people think in terms of winning and losing and those thoughts have no color.
Whether Coates wants to admit it or not, there were African-Americans and Latinos who voted for Donald Trump. And whether Coates wants to admit it or not, there were Obama voters of all races who saw fit to vote for Trump. Not a majority mind you, but enough.
If Coates wants to attribute Trump's win to whiteness and being a white man that is certainly his prerogative. But then what of 2020? It seems to me that Coates would rather rail against whiteness than persuade people to vote Trump out of the White House. The former is easier than the latter. Yet if you convince Trump voters he isn't a winner and can't bring them winning then and only then will he lose. But so long as Coates convinces the Left that Trump's triumph is about whiteness instead of winning then Trump is going to go on winning.
Thus begins Ta-Nehisi Coates' overwrought article "The First White President" in the latest issue of The Atlantic.
It isn't to say that Trump didn't deploy racial demagoguery during the 2016 campaign. He most certainly did and much of it was directed towards Latinos whether it was his ugly comments about Mexican illegal immigrants being rapists to open his campaign or repeatedly suggesting Judge Gonzalo Curiel's Mexican heritage rendered him unfit to preside over the Trump University trial. His heinous words were among my 10 reasons why I could not vote for him.
But Trump doesn't sit in the Oval Office simply because he is a white man. He is President because of his mastery of celebrity and his perceived wealth and that he was able to utilize these qualities to convince American voters he could bring them so much winning.
It is certainly true that Trump convinced far more white Americans than African-Americans and Latinos. But curiously Coates ignores the fact that Trump actually garnered fewer white voters than Mitt Romney did in 2012 while modestly increasing Republican vote totals among both constituencies as well as Asian Americans.
How does Coates explain this fact? Would he even try?
Well, let me take a stab. In August 2016, I attended a rally by Libertarian ticket of Gary Johnson and William Weld in Boston Common. Following the rally, Weld, a former Massachusetts Governor, posed for pictures and made a brief statement. When Weld said that immigrants took jobs than Americans wouldn't take, a Latino man repeatedly shouted, "What jobs won't Americans take?" Weld did not answer. It became clear this Latino man was a strong supporter of Donald Trump
Afterwards, this man was approached by a reporter who asked him why he supported Trump. "His honesty. I like his honesty," the man said, "He's putting his fortune on the line." Now, of course, Trump lies with nearly every breath he takes. No doubt this man confused bluntness with honesty. Be that as it may his perception was that Trump is an honest man and surely this Latino man wasn't alone in that perception.
No doubt Coates would dismiss this Latino man as having insufficient racial consciousness. But Coates thinks of America entirely in terms of race. That man didn't and most people don't. Of course, it doesn't mean race isn't part of our collective thinking. It's just that most people think in terms of winning and losing and those thoughts have no color.
Whether Coates wants to admit it or not, there were African-Americans and Latinos who voted for Donald Trump. And whether Coates wants to admit it or not, there were Obama voters of all races who saw fit to vote for Trump. Not a majority mind you, but enough.
If Coates wants to attribute Trump's win to whiteness and being a white man that is certainly his prerogative. But then what of 2020? It seems to me that Coates would rather rail against whiteness than persuade people to vote Trump out of the White House. The former is easier than the latter. Yet if you convince Trump voters he isn't a winner and can't bring them winning then and only then will he lose. But so long as Coates convinces the Left that Trump's triumph is about whiteness instead of winning then Trump is going to go on winning.
Gene Michael, R.I.P.
Former MLB player, coach, manager and general manager Gene Michael died of a heart attack today at the age of 79.
Nicknamed Stick, Michael spent most of his big league tenure with the New York Yankees. He played seven of his ten big league seasons with the Yankees as a light hitting shortstop and with the exception of his managerial stint with the Chicago Cubs in 1986 and 1987, Michael served the Yankees in some capacity for nearly 40 years.
Michael is probably best remembered for his two short-lived managerial stints with the Yankees in 1981 and 1982. The Yankees would win the AL pennant in 1981, but George Steinbrenner sacked him in favor of Bob Lemon before the season ended. Steinbrenner replaced Lemon with Michael early in the 1982 season only to be replaced by Clyde King later that summer.
His greatest legacy with the Yankees was when he served as the team's GM from 1991 through 1995. Early in Michael's tenure, Steinbrenner was serving a suspension for his ties to a gambler. Without Steinbrenner's meddling and micromanagement, Michael was able to draft the likes of Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera - the Core Four. Unfortunately, Steinbrenner would fire Michael the year before the Yankees won their first of four World Series in five years. But for better or worse, Michael was a loyal company man. He bled Yankee pinstripes to very end. R.I.P.
Nicknamed Stick, Michael spent most of his big league tenure with the New York Yankees. He played seven of his ten big league seasons with the Yankees as a light hitting shortstop and with the exception of his managerial stint with the Chicago Cubs in 1986 and 1987, Michael served the Yankees in some capacity for nearly 40 years.
Michael is probably best remembered for his two short-lived managerial stints with the Yankees in 1981 and 1982. The Yankees would win the AL pennant in 1981, but George Steinbrenner sacked him in favor of Bob Lemon before the season ended. Steinbrenner replaced Lemon with Michael early in the 1982 season only to be replaced by Clyde King later that summer.
His greatest legacy with the Yankees was when he served as the team's GM from 1991 through 1995. Early in Michael's tenure, Steinbrenner was serving a suspension for his ties to a gambler. Without Steinbrenner's meddling and micromanagement, Michael was able to draft the likes of Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera - the Core Four. Unfortunately, Steinbrenner would fire Michael the year before the Yankees won their first of four World Series in five years. But for better or worse, Michael was a loyal company man. He bled Yankee pinstripes to very end. R.I.P.
Trump Supporters Don't Seem Bothered By Debt Ceiling Deal with Pelosi & Schumer
When I heard that President Trump had agreed to Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer's demand that he lift the debt ceiling for the last three months of the year and possibly eliminate it altogether, I thought how Tea Partiers would have reacted if President Obama had made such a deal with Pelosi and Harry Reid or, for that matter, John Boehner/Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell. Tea Partiers would have been apoplectic. We would have been greeted to gales of anger about the swamp and bankrupting the country.
But since it was Trump who made the deal it's fine. As far as they are concerned Trump is a great deal maker. It doesn't matter that the substance of the deal isn't different than what we saw during the Obama Administration. It doesn't matter that Pelosi & Schumer drove this deal and did circles around Trump. If Trump does something it's automatically good. If Trump decided to give the DREAMers amnesty the Tea Partiers would be OK with it. If Trump decided to introduce single payer the Tea Partiers would be OK with it.
As someone who addressed several Tea Party rallies it is disheartening to know they didn't mean a word they said. They opposed Obama for the sake of opposing Obama and nothing more. Of course, Trump's core support goes beyond the Tea Party universe. But what it amounts to is a cult of personality which worships at the altar of Trump. It's no different than the Left which knelt before Obama. Both sides worship false idols. The danger in that is when false idols tell you to jump off a cliff there is seldom anyone around to ask where the parachutes are being kept. And those who around to ask questions are likely to be thrown off first.
But since it was Trump who made the deal it's fine. As far as they are concerned Trump is a great deal maker. It doesn't matter that the substance of the deal isn't different than what we saw during the Obama Administration. It doesn't matter that Pelosi & Schumer drove this deal and did circles around Trump. If Trump does something it's automatically good. If Trump decided to give the DREAMers amnesty the Tea Partiers would be OK with it. If Trump decided to introduce single payer the Tea Partiers would be OK with it.
As someone who addressed several Tea Party rallies it is disheartening to know they didn't mean a word they said. They opposed Obama for the sake of opposing Obama and nothing more. Of course, Trump's core support goes beyond the Tea Party universe. But what it amounts to is a cult of personality which worships at the altar of Trump. It's no different than the Left which knelt before Obama. Both sides worship false idols. The danger in that is when false idols tell you to jump off a cliff there is seldom anyone around to ask where the parachutes are being kept. And those who around to ask questions are likely to be thrown off first.
Indians Set Franchise Record With 15th Straight Win
The Cleveland Indians keep rolling. They set a franchise record with their 15th straight win with a an 11-2 drubbing of the Chicago White Sox. During this streak, the Tribe has outscored their opponents 109-28.
Indians ace Corey Kluber won his 15th game of the season bolstering his claim for a second AL Cy Young Award.
The Tribe hasn't lost a game since August 23rd. In a fortnight, the Indians have gone from a 4.5 game lead in the AL Central to an 11 game lead over the Minnesota Twins. Their magic number to win the division is 12.
Before this winning streak, the Indians had the third best record in the AL and were 7.5 games back of the Houston Astros in that category. The Tribe has now come within 2.5 games of the Astros and mind you the Astros have a seven game winning streak of their own. For most of the season, it was a fait d'accompli the Astros would have home field advantage throughout the post-season. The Indians have now put all that into question.
Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Cleveland's winning streak is that 11 of their 15 wins have come on the road. When is the last time a team went 11-0 on a road trip? When the Oakland A's won an AL record 20 consecutive games in 2002 they won 10 in a row on the road. Have the Tribe set a record?
The Indians return home tomorrow night to begin a 10-game home stand against the Baltimore Orioles before hosting divisional rival Detroit Tigers and the Kansas City Royals.
Indians ace Corey Kluber won his 15th game of the season bolstering his claim for a second AL Cy Young Award.
The Tribe hasn't lost a game since August 23rd. In a fortnight, the Indians have gone from a 4.5 game lead in the AL Central to an 11 game lead over the Minnesota Twins. Their magic number to win the division is 12.
Before this winning streak, the Indians had the third best record in the AL and were 7.5 games back of the Houston Astros in that category. The Tribe has now come within 2.5 games of the Astros and mind you the Astros have a seven game winning streak of their own. For most of the season, it was a fait d'accompli the Astros would have home field advantage throughout the post-season. The Indians have now put all that into question.
Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Cleveland's winning streak is that 11 of their 15 wins have come on the road. When is the last time a team went 11-0 on a road trip? When the Oakland A's won an AL record 20 consecutive games in 2002 they won 10 in a row on the road. Have the Tribe set a record?
The Indians return home tomorrow night to begin a 10-game home stand against the Baltimore Orioles before hosting divisional rival Detroit Tigers and the Kansas City Royals.
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
Red Sox Prevail Over Blue Jays in 19 Innings
I just watched the Boston Red Sox beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-2. It took them 19 innings to do it. But they did it courtesy of a single by Hanley Ramirez which fell in front of Blue Jays center fielder Kevin Pillar.
This isn't the first 19 inning game I've seen involving the Red Sox. I remember seeing the Red Sox and Seattle Mariners play two 19 inning games in 2000 and 2006, respectively. They also had 19 inning affairs against the Los Angeles Angels and the New York Yankees in 2014 and 2015, respectively.
But the Red Sox needed this win. Despite going 18-9 in August, the Red Sox lost three of four to the Yankees and then lost yesterday to the Jays. Red Sox Nation was giving the team the 1964 Phillies treatment. Then came the news that the Sox were using the Apple Watch to steal signs from the Yankees over the weekend. Not that it did them that much good. But it's a big deal because it's the Red Sox-Yankees. If this were the D'Backs-Rockies nobody east of the Rocky Mountains would give a shit.
But hype or not, the Red Sox needed this game. For good measure, the Yankees lost to the Orioles when Dellin Bettances gave up a walk off home run to Manny Machado. The Red Sox gained a game on the Yankees. At least for tonight, Red Sox Nation loves Machado.
It is also worth noting that Carson Smith finally made his long awaited Red Sox debut. He was acquired from the Seattle Mariners following the 2015 season, but injured his elbow during spring training in 2016 requiring Tommy John surgery.
This is the kind of game the starts positive momentum and keeps a team loose and relaxed. At least until the next loss.
This isn't the first 19 inning game I've seen involving the Red Sox. I remember seeing the Red Sox and Seattle Mariners play two 19 inning games in 2000 and 2006, respectively. They also had 19 inning affairs against the Los Angeles Angels and the New York Yankees in 2014 and 2015, respectively.
But the Red Sox needed this win. Despite going 18-9 in August, the Red Sox lost three of four to the Yankees and then lost yesterday to the Jays. Red Sox Nation was giving the team the 1964 Phillies treatment. Then came the news that the Sox were using the Apple Watch to steal signs from the Yankees over the weekend. Not that it did them that much good. But it's a big deal because it's the Red Sox-Yankees. If this were the D'Backs-Rockies nobody east of the Rocky Mountains would give a shit.
But hype or not, the Red Sox needed this game. For good measure, the Yankees lost to the Orioles when Dellin Bettances gave up a walk off home run to Manny Machado. The Red Sox gained a game on the Yankees. At least for tonight, Red Sox Nation loves Machado.
It is also worth noting that Carson Smith finally made his long awaited Red Sox debut. He was acquired from the Seattle Mariners following the 2015 season, but injured his elbow during spring training in 2016 requiring Tommy John surgery.
This is the kind of game the starts positive momentum and keeps a team loose and relaxed. At least until the next loss.
Obama Created The DACA Mess, But Trump Will Probably Make It Worse
That this country cannot come to a reasonable decision regarding the fate of people who came to this country illegally when they were children represents everything I cannot stand about American politics.
It should surprise no one that President Trump was going to end DACA. But how can I have confidence Congress can pass legislation to remedy this matter if they cannot pass a bill to replace Obamacare? (And even if they do what if Trump says no?) How can the Trump White House work with Congress when the Trump White House cannot function on its own?
Most important of all how does the Trump Administration proceed to deport thousands of people to countries they have never called home? After all, many of the people affected have served in our armed forces. They serve our country and we tell them to get the hell out. What is the public good in deporting these people? If the Trump Administration actually embarks on deporting these DREAMers he will do this country far more harm than good?
Now I must say that we are in this state of affairs due to former President Barack Obama. Not surprisingly, Obama saw fit to weigh in on Trump's decision characterizing it as "self-defeating" and "cruel". The problem here, of course, is that Obama overstepped his authority when he instituted and expanded the program via Executive Order and the Supreme Court put the kabosh on the program last year. Now one can certainly argue that it would have been probably been impossible for Obama and a Republican Congress to agree where it concerned immigration. But there was a Democratic majority in Congress during his first two years in office. If this matter was of such importance why didn't he make it a priority for the early days of his administration? Or was passing the Stimulus Bill and Obamacare all that mattered?
If one were to take a more Machiavellian point of view, Obama wanted to wait for a Republican controlled Congress and use the DREAMers as a wedge issue? But let us say for argument's sake that Obama's intentions were good. He still didn't cover himself in glory. At best, Obama did not make this matter a priority when his party controlled Congress and then embarked on unilateral action with the knowledge that it would likely be thwarted by the judiciary. Or perhaps because Obama is so full of himself he probably thought he could get away with doing an end run around the Constitution. Or maybe Obama simply thought the ends justified the means.
Whatever Obama's reasoning concerning DACA, this is now in Donald Trump's lap. As we saw with Obamacare, Trump possesses an infinite capacity to turn the poor decisions Obama made far, far worse. In which case, nothing good can come of this state of affairs.
Monday, September 4, 2017
J.D. Martinez Belts Four Home Runs as D'Backs Extend Winning Streak to 11 Games
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder J.D. Martinez slammed four home runs and drove in six runs en route to a 13-0 shellacking of the Los Angeles Dodgers. This extends their winning streak to 11 games.
Martinez is the 18th player in MLB history to blast four home runs in a game and the second in 2017. On June 6th, Cincinnati Reds second baseman Scooter Gennett hit four dingers in a game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
It should be noted that D'Backs starter Robbie Ray struck out 14 batters in seven innings pitched.
Although the Dodgers still own the best record in MLB and have a 13.5 game lead over the D'Backs, they have lost five in a row and 9 of their last 10 games.
But the man of the hour is J.D. Martinez. Not only did he hit 4 home runs today, he has belted 11 home runs and driven in 20 runs in his past 17 games going back to August 16th. Interestingly, Martinez now has more home runs and RBI this season with the D'Backs than he does with the Tigers despite playing fewer games. In 57 games with Detroit, Martinez hit 16 HR and 39 RBI. In 40 games with the D'Backs, Martinez has hit 18 HR and 40 RBI and counting. Martinez is a big reason why the D'Backs have won 11 consecutive games.
Martinez is the 18th player in MLB history to blast four home runs in a game and the second in 2017. On June 6th, Cincinnati Reds second baseman Scooter Gennett hit four dingers in a game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
It should be noted that D'Backs starter Robbie Ray struck out 14 batters in seven innings pitched.
Although the Dodgers still own the best record in MLB and have a 13.5 game lead over the D'Backs, they have lost five in a row and 9 of their last 10 games.
But the man of the hour is J.D. Martinez. Not only did he hit 4 home runs today, he has belted 11 home runs and driven in 20 runs in his past 17 games going back to August 16th. Interestingly, Martinez now has more home runs and RBI this season with the D'Backs than he does with the Tigers despite playing fewer games. In 57 games with Detroit, Martinez hit 16 HR and 39 RBI. In 40 games with the D'Backs, Martinez has hit 18 HR and 40 RBI and counting. Martinez is a big reason why the D'Backs have won 11 consecutive games.
Sunday, September 3, 2017
D'Backs Win 10 in a Row (Or Why Torey Lovullo Should Win NL Manager of the Year)
A day after the Cleveland Indians won their 10th game of the row, the Arizona Diamondbacks matched that feat with a 5-1 victory over their NL West rival Colorado Rockies. In the space of a week, the D'Backs have swept both the Rockies and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The D'Backs might be 14 games back of the Dodgers, but they sure aren't playing like it. Yes, there's Paul Goldschmidt and Zack Greinke, but the D'Backs are largely a cast of unknowns - David Peralta, Brandon Drury and Ketel Marte.
The big difference, of course, is manager Torey Lovullo. In 2016, the D'Backs were 69-93 and finished 22 games back of the Dodgers. No one expected much of the D'Backs when Lovullo was named manager in the off-season. But Lovullo got a lot out of the Boston Red Sox when he managed them when John Farrell fell ill late in the 2015 season. Indeed, many in Red Sox Nation wish Lovullo were managing the club now notwithstanding their current first place lead in the AL East.
In the eighth inning, Lovullo brought in Jimmie Sherfy with runners on first and second with nobody out. It was only his third big league appearance. He promptly struck out the side including NL MVP candidate Nolan Arenado. Sherfy came back in the ninth and had a 1-2-3 inning for his first big league save. I like that Lovullo isn't afraid to bring in untested players into a critical situation.
As for the Rockies, they now only have a half game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers for the second NL Wild Card spot.
It will be interesting to see if the D'Backs can continue their hot play in Chavez Ravine against the Dodgers. At the moment they are firmly ensconced in the top spot in the NL Wild Card spot. For this, Torey Lovullo should be named NL Manager of the Year.
The D'Backs might be 14 games back of the Dodgers, but they sure aren't playing like it. Yes, there's Paul Goldschmidt and Zack Greinke, but the D'Backs are largely a cast of unknowns - David Peralta, Brandon Drury and Ketel Marte.
The big difference, of course, is manager Torey Lovullo. In 2016, the D'Backs were 69-93 and finished 22 games back of the Dodgers. No one expected much of the D'Backs when Lovullo was named manager in the off-season. But Lovullo got a lot out of the Boston Red Sox when he managed them when John Farrell fell ill late in the 2015 season. Indeed, many in Red Sox Nation wish Lovullo were managing the club now notwithstanding their current first place lead in the AL East.
In the eighth inning, Lovullo brought in Jimmie Sherfy with runners on first and second with nobody out. It was only his third big league appearance. He promptly struck out the side including NL MVP candidate Nolan Arenado. Sherfy came back in the ninth and had a 1-2-3 inning for his first big league save. I like that Lovullo isn't afraid to bring in untested players into a critical situation.
As for the Rockies, they now only have a half game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers for the second NL Wild Card spot.
It will be interesting to see if the D'Backs can continue their hot play in Chavez Ravine against the Dodgers. At the moment they are firmly ensconced in the top spot in the NL Wild Card spot. For this, Torey Lovullo should be named NL Manager of the Year.
Walter Becker, R.I.P.
Walter Becker, co-founder of the 1970's rock group Steely Dan, has passed away of an undisclosed illness at the age of 67.
Becker was the Steely Dan's bass player and later it's lead guitarist after Jeff "Skunk" Baxter left for The Doobie Brothers and co-wrote all of the group's songs with Donald Fagen. During the 1970's, Steely Dan released seven albums including Katy Lied, Pretzel Logic & Aja and hit singles such as "Do It Again", "Reelin' in The Years" and "Rikki Don't Lose That Number". In 2001, Steely Dan would win Record of the Year Grammy for Two Against Nature.
The two would meet as students at Bard College fifty years ago. Fagen described how they met in a 2006 Entertainment Weekly article:
One day in 1967, Fagen happened by a long-gone campus coffee shop, the Red Balloon. ”I hear this guy practicing, and it sounded very professional and contemporary,” he says. ”It sounded like, you know, like a black person, really. And that was Walter. I walked in and introduced myself to him. I just said, ‘Do you want to be in a band?”
Talk about serendipity. What if Fagen had stayed in his dorm that day? Or decided to go somewhere other than the Red Balloon? Or went to the Red Balloon when Becker wasn't playing guitar? And what if Becker wasn't at the Red Balloon? If Fagen walks into the Red Balloon a few seconds or minutes later there is a distinct possibility the world misses out on some wonderful music as exemplified by "Rikki Don't Lose That Number". R.I.P.
Becker was the Steely Dan's bass player and later it's lead guitarist after Jeff "Skunk" Baxter left for The Doobie Brothers and co-wrote all of the group's songs with Donald Fagen. During the 1970's, Steely Dan released seven albums including Katy Lied, Pretzel Logic & Aja and hit singles such as "Do It Again", "Reelin' in The Years" and "Rikki Don't Lose That Number". In 2001, Steely Dan would win Record of the Year Grammy for Two Against Nature.
The two would meet as students at Bard College fifty years ago. Fagen described how they met in a 2006 Entertainment Weekly article:
One day in 1967, Fagen happened by a long-gone campus coffee shop, the Red Balloon. ”I hear this guy practicing, and it sounded very professional and contemporary,” he says. ”It sounded like, you know, like a black person, really. And that was Walter. I walked in and introduced myself to him. I just said, ‘Do you want to be in a band?”
Talk about serendipity. What if Fagen had stayed in his dorm that day? Or decided to go somewhere other than the Red Balloon? Or went to the Red Balloon when Becker wasn't playing guitar? And what if Becker wasn't at the Red Balloon? If Fagen walks into the Red Balloon a few seconds or minutes later there is a distinct possibility the world misses out on some wonderful music as exemplified by "Rikki Don't Lose That Number". R.I.P.
Saturday, September 2, 2017
Indians Win 10 in a Row
The Cleveland Indians have won their tenth consecutive game on Saturday with a 5-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers. This streak puts the Indians' lead in the AL Central over the Minnesota Twins to eight games. The Tribe becomes the third team in MLB to win at least 10 consecutive games in 2017. The others are the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers (twice). There is a very distinct possibility the Tribe could face the Astros in the ALCS and the Dodgers in the World Series.
Friday, September 1, 2017
MLB Notes for August: Brewers Still Have a Chance at NL Central Title or Wild Card Spot
At the end of August there isn't much of a pennant race in the National League. The Washington Nationals lead the NL East by 15 games and despite losing five in a row, the Los Angeles Dodgers enjoy a 16 game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL West. No one need feel sorry for the D'Backs though. They finished August winning seven in row and 9 of their last 10 games and are in the driver's seat in the NL Wild Card race.
The only two races that are close are the NL Central and the second NL Wild Card spot. The Cubs have a 3.5 game lead and the Colorado Rockies have a 2.5 game cushion in the second NL Wild Card spot. The team chasing the Cubs and the Rockies is the Milwaukee Brewers who, at this point, are the only NL team who could upset the apple cart at this point. Both the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins did look promising at times in August. As recently as August 18th, the Cardinals were only 1.5 games back of the Cubs but the Cards have lost 7 out of their last 10 games and are now 6.5 games back. There was also excitement in South Beach as Giancarlo Stanton blasted 18 home runs in August and now has 51 for the season. Even more exciting was the Marlins were winning and by August 27th had come within 4.5 games of the Rockies. But the Marlins have come back down to earth after being swept by the Nationals and losing to the Phillies last night are now six back of the Rockies.
Unless the Brewers step up in September, the NL playoff picture is all set.
The same, however, cannot be said in the AL. To be sure, the Houston Astros and Cleveland Indians have virtually locked up the AL West and AL Central, respectively. Although the Astros were a subpar 11-18 in August they still have an 11.5 game cushion over the Los Angeles Angels. In light of what has happened in Houston in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, the Astros will play a much larger role in lifting the city's morale. The team's morale certainly got a boost with the last minute acquisition of Justin Verlander from the Detroit Tigers. As for the Tribe, they finished August with seven straight wins and victories in 8 of their last 10 games and have a comfortable 6.5 game lead on the Minnesota Twins.
Although the Boston Red Sox went 18-9 in August their 4.5 game lead over the New York Yankees is too close for comfort for many in Red Sox Nation considering the Yankees finished the month under .500. Should the Yankees sweep the Sox this weekend they will be within 1.5 games of the division. But if the Red Sox rebound, the Yankees still have the top seed in the AL Wild Card race.
It is the second AL Wild Card spot where things get really interesting. At the moment, the Minnesota Twins have this spot following a 20-10 August. But hot on their heels are the Los Angeles Angels (18-10) and the Baltimore Orioles (17-12) who are 1.5 and 2.5 games back of the Twins, respectively. Despite having sub .500 records the Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Kansas City Royals and Seattle Mariners cannot be counted out just yet. However, the odds are strongly against the Mariners who have lost five in a row and seven of their last 10 games in no small part due to nearly the entire starting rotation being on the DL. The Mariners had to get a struggling Mike Leake from the Cardinals just to find a healthy arm. Nevertheless, they cannot be counted out. After all, the Twins, Angels and Orioles began August with sub .500 records and look where they are now.
Of course, what counts is where they will be on October 1st.
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