My 2021 MLB Predictions: The 1st Yankees-Dodgers World Series in 40 Years

Due to my discomfort with the conditions under which the 2020 MLB season was played, I did not make any predictions for last season unlike previous seasons. But with Opening Day of the 2021 MLB season for a full 162 game schedule I'm back to making predictions.

My big prediction for 2021 is that the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers will meet in the World Series for the first time in 40 years. Between 1941 and 1981, the Yankees and Dodgers met in the Fall Classic 11 times with the Yankees winning eight of those contests. When they last met in the World Series in 1981, the Dodgers took the Series in six games. Who do I think will win the 2021 World Series? You'll see at the end. Here's how they meet up.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

AL East

New York Yankees

Toronto Blue Jays*

Tampa Bay Rays

Boston Red Sox

Baltimore Orioles

AL Central

Minnesota Twins

Chicago White Sox

Cleveland Indians

Kansas City Royals

Detroit Tigers

AL West

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Oakland A's*

Houston Astros

Seattle Mariners

Texas Rangers

* - denotes AL Wild Card winners

AL Wild Card - Toronto Blue Jays vs. Oakland A's - Winner: Blue Jays

ALDS (Best 3 out of 5) - Minnesota Twins vs. New York Yankees - Winner: Yankees in 3

ALDS (Best 3 out of 5) - Toronto Blue Jays vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - Winner: Angels in 4

ALCS (Best 4 out of 7) - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs. New York Yankees - Winner: Yankees in 6

ALCS MVP: Gio Urshela, New York Yankees

AL Rookie of the Year: Ryan Mountcastle, Baltimore Orioles

AL Manager of the Year: Joe Maddon, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

AL Cy Young Award: Lucas Giolito, Chicago White Sox

AL MVP: DJ LeMahieu, New York Yankees (Note: I think LeMahieu will make a serious run at either Joe DiMaggio's 56 game hitting streak or becoming the first player to hit .400 since Ted Williams. Both marks were attained in 1941).

NATIONAL LEAGUE

NL East

Atlanta Braves

New York Mets**

Miami Marlins

Philadelphia Phillies

Washington Nationals

NL Central

St. Louis Cardinals

Milwaukee Brewers

Cincinnati Reds

Chicago Cubs

Pittsburgh Pirates

NL West

Los Angeles Dodgers

San Diego Padres**

San Francisco Giants

Arizona Diamondbacks

Colorado Rockies

** - denotes NL Wild Card winners

NL Wild Card - New York Mets vs. San Diego Padres - Winner: Padres

NLDS (Best 3 out of 5) - Atlanta Braves vs. St. Louis Cardinals - Winner: Braves in five

NLDS (Best 3 out of 5) - San Diego Padres vs. Los Angeles Dodgers - Winner: Dodgers in three

NLCS (Best 4 out of 7) - Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers - Winner: Dodgers in six

NLCS MVP - Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers

NL Rookie of the Year: Ian Anderson, Atlanta Braves

NL Manager of the Year - Don Mattingly, Miami Marlins

NL Cy Young Award Winner: Walker Buehler, Los Angeles Dodgers

NL MVP: Nolan Arenado, St. Louis Cardinals

2021 WORLD SERIES: New York Yankees vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Winner: Yankees in six

2021 World Series MVP: Brett Gardner, New York Yankees

These are my 2021 MLB Predictions. What are yours?

Dr. Walensky Warns of "Impending Doom" as U.S. COVID Deaths Exceed 550,000

Although more than 3 million Americans are being vaccinated everyday, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky publicly expressed a sense of "impending doom" citing rising cases, hospitalizations and deaths over the past week citing a number of states which have seen fit to end mask mandates and open up without restriction.

This evening this country recorded its 550,000th death from COVID-19. According to Johns Hopkins University, there have been 550,003 deaths out of 30,330,242 cases.

Deaths have been slowing down of late. The U.S. went from 450,000 to 500,000 deaths in 19 days. It took 35 days to go from 500,000 to 550,000 deaths. This is encouraging, but if Dr. Walensky is right it will take less than five weeks to reach 600,000 deaths. 

Vaccinations are helping, but it is not a license to take off our masks and crowd shoulder to shoulder without a care in the world. At least not yet.

Let me put it this way. I'm not sure when I'm getting my vaccine(s). But when I do I'll still be wearing my mask and will maintain social distancing until I get the all clear. Better safe than sorry.

Thoughts on The Trial of Derek Chauvin

Today the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin got underway. Chauvin is being tried for second degree murder, third degree murder and second degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd. 

His defense claims Floyd died of cardiac arrhythmia, hypertension and coronary disease, and that the ingestion drugs and the adrenaline in his body "all acted to further compromise an already compromised heart."

Is Chauvin's lawyer trying to tell us that his client did George Floyd a favor?

If Chauvin didn't have his knee on Floyd's neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds then it is reasonable to conclude that George Floyd would be alive and otherwise anonymous. 

Like many people, I have a bad feeling that Chauvin will be acquitted on all counts resulting in violence all over the country including here in Atlanta which has had its own share of police violence. 

The other possibility is that Chauvin gets convicted of the lesser of three offenses, gets a light sentence which gets overturned on appeal. It might not engender that same violent reaction of an outright acquittal but there will be little satisfaction and nothing will have changed. The African-American community at large will live in fear of the police and the police will continue to kill African-Americans and anyone they darn well please with impunity.

Will Georgia's New Voting Law Force MLB to Move All-Star Game Out of Atlanta?

The 2021 MLB All-Star Game is scheduled to take place here in Atlanta at Truist Park on July 13th.

But in light of Georgia's new voting law this could change. MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark has indicated he will be in conversation with players about moving the All-Star Game out of Atlanta in protest. Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who would manage the NL squad in this year's game, is considering not accepting the honor if the game isn't moved out of Atlanta. New York Yankees superstar Giancarlo Stanton is open to the idea.

This proposal isn't far fetched. Less than five years ago, the NBA moved the 2017 All-Star Game from Charlotte to New Orleans in protest of North Carolina's "bathroom bill" which was viewed as discriminatory against the transgender community. Given this recent history I think the chances are good this could happen.

While it would be disappointing to see it move from here and miss out on possible fan fest activities, I think it needs to be made known to Georgia Republicans what a terrible mistake they have made. The only way Georgia Republicans will pay attention is if hurts them financially. 

If the All-Star Game is moved I think it should be moved to Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. It was to have hosted last year's All-Star Game but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Mike Bell, R.I.P.

Minnesota Twins bench coach Mike Bell has passed away of kidney cancer. He was only 46. 

Bell was a third generation player. His grandfather Gus Bell played outfield for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets and the Milwaukee Braves during the 1950's and 1960's. His father Buddy Bell played third base with the Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, Cincinnati Reds and Houston Astros during the 1970's and 1980's and would later manage both the Detroit Tigers and Colorado Rockies in the 1990's and the Kansas City Royals in the 2000's. His older brother David Bell played third base with the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Cardinals, Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers and is the current manager of the Cincinnati Reds.

The younger Bell brother was a first round draft pick by the Texas Rangers in 1993. After toiling in the minors with the Rangers and New York Mets, Bell finally reached the big leagues with the Reds in 2000 playing 19 games. He would spend another five years in the minors with the Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago White Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals before joining the Arizona Diamondbacks' organization in 2007 as a minor league manager and later in player development. In 2020, Twins manager Rocco Baldelli tapped Bell to be his bench coach after Derek Shelton was named manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

Bell was widely seen as a future big league manager and had interviewed for vacancies in recent years with the Pirates, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles. He had a bright future ahead of him. But in January he would be diagnosed with kidney cancer and took a leave of absence to have surgery. No doubt Bell hoped he would be back in the Twins dugout and I'm sure many in the Twins organization thought the same. And now he is gone. R.I.P.

Dr. Bobby Brown, R.I.P.

Bobby Brown, former New York Yankees third baseman turned cardiologist & President of the American League, passed away yesterday. No cause of death was released. He was 96.

A veteran of both WWII and the Korean War, Brown spent his entire 8-year big league career with the New York Yankees where he earned five World Series rings. In 548 big league games, Brown had a lifetime batting average of .279. 

Brown would spend two decades as a cardiologist in Texas before joining the Texas Rangers' organization as its interim President in 1974 and was a member of its Board of Directors until 1980. From 1984 to 1994, Brown served as President of the American League.

I leave you with a rare radio interview Brown conducted while he was AL President in 1993. R.I.P.

America Loses Two Literary Giants on The Same Day: Larry McMurtry & Beverly Cleary

Yesterday, this country lost two literary giants - Larry McMurtry and Beverly Cleary.

McMurtry passed away of heart failure at the age of 84. No cause of death has been released for Cleary but she lived to the age of 104. 

McMurtry carved out a reputation for writing unsentimental accounts of his native Texas in books such as Horseman Pass By, The Last Picture Show and Terms of Endearment all of which were adapted for the big screen while Lonesome Dove turned into one of television's most beloved mini-series. McMurtry and his longtime collaborator would later win an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for Brokeback Mountain. In 2014, McMurtry received the National Humanities Medal from President Obama.

Cleary started out as a librarian but would turn to writing when she found children's books to be wanting. So she wrote her own books and created indelible yet ordinary characters such as Henry Huggins, his dog Rigsby as well as Ramona and Beezus Quimby in a literary career which spanned nearly half a century. In her own way, Cleary wrote about Portland, Oregon as McMurtry wrote about Texas.

Both McMurtry and Cleary kept their readers turning pages and will keep doing so now that they have left this world. R.I.P.

Georgia GOP Turns The Peach State Into a Banana Republic When It Comes To Voting Rights

Georgia's Republican Governor Brian Kemp has signed into law a draconian voter suppression law which would among other things strip the Secretary of State of his authority to oversee elections and put it into the hands of the state legislature. The Georgia legislature would also have the authority to suspend local and county election boards. 

In other words if a Democrat wins in a certain county and Republicans don't like the result they can replace that county's election board. If Raphael Warnock is re-elected in 2022 then the Republican controlled legislature can overturn that result if it feels like it. If Joe Biden should beat Donald Trump in Georgia again in 2024, the state legislature will find the votes for Trump that Brad Raffensperger wouldn't find because there were none to find.

Republicans can scream fraud and election integrity all they want. The reason Republicans in Georgia and elsewhere want to change the rules is because they are losing elections and cannot gain voters through the power of persuasion. 

If that wasn't bad enough there is also the spectacle of a duly elected African-American female state legislator being arrested for knocking on a door. 

The Senate is deliberating over the Fore The People Act which would prevent these shenanigans, but West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin is the lone Democratic holdout. In which case, the only viable remedy to this nonsense is through the courts. 

There might be relief down the line. But here in Georgia, the GOP has turned the Peach State into a Banana Republic.

I'm Eligible For The Vaccine - Or Am I?

Today, all Georgia residents 16 years of age or older became eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. 

Well, maybe not all Georgia residents. When I registered for the vaccine through the Georgia Department of Public Health I received an email stating that I was not eligible to receive the vaccine. Perhaps this is just a glitch. 

Or perhaps not. The GDPH has a list of all vaccine sites but when I checked out the facility nearest to my apartment it indicated the vaccine was unavailable and limited and to not call them about it.

Let's keep in mind that Georgia is dead last in the nation when it comes to the percentage of the adult population that has received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine although Governor Kemp denies this is the case. 

If only Kemp and Georgia Republicans used the same energy to vaccinate Georgians as they have in trying to prevent people from voting we would be first in the nation in vaccines. For shame.

I have a feeling I'm in for a very long wait and that I won't be alone in waiting.

Jessica Walter, R.I.P.

 

Actress Jessica Walter passed away in her sleep yesterday. She was 80. 

Although her acting career spanned more than 60 years, Walter would enjoy some of her greatest success in this century. She is probably best known for her portrayal of Lucille Bluth in the TV series Arrested Development which aired on FOX between 2003-2006 and would reprise the role in 2018. For more than a decade, she had also been the voice of Mallory Archer in the F/X animated series Archer.

Some of Walter's TV credits include The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, The Fugitive, Mission: Impossible, Love, American Style, Mannix, Cannon (pictured above), Columbo, a recurring role on Trapper John M.D. as well as starring in the short-lived Amy Prentiss - a spinoff of Ironside. On the big screen, Walter is probably best remembered for her role as the obsessive stalker Evelyn Draper in the 1971 film Play Misty for Me starring Clint Eastwood which was also his directorial debut.

An executive member of the Screen Actors Guild, Walter was twice married including 36 years to actor Ron Liebman who died in 2019. She is survived by a daughter. R.I.P.

Kim Janey Makes Boston History; But For How Long?

Some news from my old stomping grounds. Today, Kim Janey made Boston history as she was sworn in as Acting Mayor becoming both the first woman and first Africa-American to hold the position. 

As President of Boston City Council, Janey landed the post after Marty Walsh submitted his resignation following his confirmation as the new U.S. Secretary of Labor earlier this week. Walsh was well into his second term of his mayoralty and would have likely sought a third term until President Biden saw fit to appoint him to his cabinet. 

The question is whether Janey will make her mark on Boston as the likes of Walsh, Tom Menino, Ray Flynn and Kevin White or if she will be but a footnote. Boston voters will be choosing a mayor in November. As of this writing there are seven candidates and it is unclear if Janey will throw her hat into the ring.

Even if Janey does run in November there is no guarantee she will win much less serve in office for 20 years as Menino did when he ran in 1993 after serving as Acting Mayor. Should Janey contest the election three of her opponents will be visible minority women all of whom serve on Boston City Council - Andrea Campbell, Michelle Wu and Annissa Essaibi George. Campbell and Wu are also former Boston City Council Presidents. Massachusetts State Representative Jon Santiago and former Boston Economic Development chief John Barros are also running. So Janey will have her work cut out for her if she presents herself to Boston voters.

Whatever becomes of Janey in November she made history today.

U.S. COVID-19 Cases Hit The 30 Million Mark

Today, the United States recorded its 30 millionth COVID-19 case. According to Johns Hopkins University, as of this writing, there have been 30,004.079 COVID-19 cases in this country resulting in 545,103 deaths representing a mortality rate of 1.8%.

It took 106 days for the number of COVID-19 cases to double from 15 million to 30 million. That might not seem like a long time but it took 79 days for COVID cases to double from 14 million to 28 million. Let us also consider that back in December we were adding 1 million new cases every five days. By contrast, it took 16 days to get from 29 million to 30 million cases. The baby steps are beginning to spring into leaps.

The vaccines are helping and tomorrow I (along all everyone in Georgia 16 years of age and older) will be eligible for a vaccine. Of course, when I get the vaccine is a whole other question. But it will be a question for another day.

Is Atlanta a Dangerous City or Does It Just Feel That Way? UPDATE

The building where I work in Midtown Atlanta was put on lockdown this afternoon after a shooting at the Arts Center MARTA Station a short distance away. No fatalities were reported. I'm not sure what time the incident occurred but I had just walked by there during m lunch hour. 

I alerted my supervisors by email and they were worried for my safety. Given that we are only 8 days removed from the Atlanta spa shootings which claimed the lives of 8 people I can imagine my message might have triggered more alarm than usual although I clearly stated I was in no danger. I must confess I was more worried about not being able to leave the building on time. Fortunately, the situation was resolved and was able to leave work on time.

Nevertheless there has been a lot of violent crime in Atlanta recently. Just last night I was alerted by my cousin (the same cousin who helped me find my apartment) that there was a shooting about a block away from the entrance to Piedmont Park where I walk from home to work everyday. Again no fatalities were reported. 

A couple of Saturdays ago there was a shooting on the 1000 block of Peachtree Street near the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. I was walking on that block a couple of hours before the incident occurred. Once again this did not result in a fatality. A little over a month ago, my cousin also alerted me someone was robbed at gunpoint on my street. I sometimes take walks on my street at night for some fresh air. It is also happens to be lovely treelined street. My walks have been less frequent since that time.

In late November there was the brawl which took place at the newly opened Bowlero Atlantic Station. I had been there a couple of weeks earlier and had contemplated going back there that day but opted to go duckpin bowling instead. 

I don't know if Atlanta is any more dangerous than Boston or New York City, but it sure feels that way. Perhaps it's been my proximity to these incidents. When it happens with such frequency and within a short space of time one cannot help but wonder if I will eventually find myself in the wrong place and the wrong time. 

Of course such things can happen anywhere. I lived in Ottawa for nearly a decade. I still remember the Sunday nearly 27 years ago when British born engineer Nicholas Battersby was shot to death walking on Elgin Street by a teenager who wanted to kill someone to see what it felt like. I remember that killing because I walked that same street only an hour before he did. But for the Grace of God....

The question of public safety is often a matter of perception. Although Atlanta is not listed in the 50 most dangerous cities in America this is of cold comfort to a lot of residents of this cities and Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has been taking heat over it from members of her own city council especially after a 7-year old girl was killed outside a mall in Buckhead in December. Violent crime did increase in Atlanta last year, but it also increased nationwide. So this isn't confined to Atlanta but it is a problem Bottoms will have to deal with as she is seeking re-election this year and faces a tough opponent in Atlanta City Council President Felicia Moore. 

I must keep in mind Atlanta is still a somewhat unfamiliar place to me. I've been here almost five months and have not been to Downtown Atlanta. And then there's the small detail of a global pandemic which has made me reluctant to venture out very far without a specific purpose. COVID-19 has put our collective anxiety into interstellar overdrive and the thought of being randomly and violently accosted does little to ease said anxiety.

For better or for worse, I will be in Atlanta for the foreseeable future. All I can do is make the best of it. And make sure I keep my eyes and ears open and my wits about me.

UPDATE: The Atlanta PD had a busy afternoon. Aside from the shooting at the Arts Center MARTA station, there was the subduing of a man carrying five firearms and wearing body armor at a Publix supermarket at Atlantic Station scarcely 48 hours after 10 people were killed at a supermarket in Boulder, Colorado.

George Segal, R.I.P.

Actor and musician George Segal has passed away of complications of bypass surgery. He was 87.

Segal came to prominence during the mid-1960's in films such as Ship of Fools, King Rat (one of my Dad's favorites) and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? which earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. 

In the early 1970's, Segal co-starred with Robert Redford in The Hot Rock, with Kris Kristofferson in Blume in Love, with Elliott Gould in California Split and with Glenda Jackson in A Touch of Class earning Segal a Golden Globe for Best Actor.

Segal would reemerge as a star on the small screen with his roles on the NBC sitcom Just Shoot Me which aired from 1997 to 2003. Since 2013, Segal had been a cast member on the ABC sitcom The Goldbergs. 

While primarily known as an actor, Segal was an accomplished banjo player who could also play trombone as demonstrated in this 1983 appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. R.I.P.

Brad Raffensperger's Bizarre Tweet About Stacey Abrams

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger composed this bizarre tweet yesterday about Stacey Abrams likening her to former President Trump:

For 2 years, @staceyabrams spread the same conspiracy theories about Georgia’s elections that have been used since November to devastating effect. Securing Georgia’s elections means acknowledging baseless “stolen” election claims are a bipartisan problem.

This is nonsense and Raffensperger knows it. Stacey Abrams did not initiate an hour long phone conversation with Raffensperger demanding he overturn the election. Nor did she encourage violence much less prevent Brian Kemp from taking office. 

I would venture to guess this tweet has a great deal to do with the fact that Trump very publicly endorsed Georgia Congressman Jody Hice to challenge Raffensperger for his position. In order to survive Hice's potential challenge and Trump's seal of disapproval he needs to get back into the good graces of Republicans. Putting Stacey Abrams on the same plane with Trump is the way to do it.

I doubt it will be particularly effective. If Fulton County DA Fanni Willis' investigation into Trump's call goes full speed ahead, Raffensperger could end up as the star witness. None of this will endear Raffensperger no matter how many mean tweets he writes against Stacey Abrams.

Mass Murderers Are Bad People Be They Evangelicals or Muslims

The man who has been charged with 10 counts of murder at a supermarket in Boulder, Colorado yesterday has been identified as Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, a 21-year old Syrian born Muslim who came to America with his family as a toddler. 

At this point, it is not definitive if this was act of Islamic terrorism. Of course, there have been mass shootings motivated by this ideology as was the case in San Bernardino in December 2015 and in Orlando in June 2016. It has been indicated that Alissa believed he was being persecuted for being a Muslim and a had a history of a violent temper as he was convicted of a misdemeanor assault while in high school. Misdemeanor assault is troubling but it is a long way from killing 10 people with an AR-15. As such one cannot discount the possibility that this was an act of Islamic terrorism.

There will be those who will wish to separate the suspect's religious background from his actions. However, much has been made of Atlanta spa shooter Robert Aaron Long's Evangelical beliefs. Unfortunately, the state of our politics is such that those who deride Long for his Southern Baptist roots while pretending Alissa is only a white man. Conversely there are those who would have dismissed Alissa's acts just as they have dismissed Long's actions thinking he too was a Christian man.

Let me therefore make a radical proposition. Most Evangelical Christians and Muslims manage to go through life without committing mass murder. Thus those who commit mass murder are bad people whether they practice Evangelical Christianity or Islam or for that matter Judaism, Buddhism or any other faith or no faith at all. Because what we are left with are grieving families whose loved ones were taken away from them in the cruelest manner possible.

Shooting at Boulder Grocery Store Claims Lives of 10 People Including a Police Officer

A horrific scene at a grocery store in Boulder, Colorado this afternoon.

After the passage of several hours, the Boulder police chief announced 10 people were killed by a gunman including a police officer named Eric Talley, a 10-year veteran of the department.

The suspect has been taken into custody and is being treated for injuries at a local hospital. As of this writing, the suspect has not been identified.

This attack comes six days after a mass shooting here in Atlanta which claimed the lives of 8 people including six Asians.

Naturally these two heinous attacks coming in rapid succession will increase calls for gun control. It was only last week that a judge in Boulder County blocked Boulder's ban on assault weapons and large capacity magazines. This will only add to the anger and grief. The Colorado Supreme Court will likely hear the case down the road. Whatever the constitutionality of Boulder having such a law on the books, it remains to be seen if that law or any other gun control measure would have prevented what happened today. Undoubtedly we will learn more about the man once he is formally charged. 

I'm not against gun control measures per se. I like Red Flag laws and I don't think people with violent criminal records should own guns. But people with criminal records who don't observe the law aren't likely to observe gun control laws. It might be a good idea to have these laws on the books. Yet having these laws doesn't guarantee they will be effective.

I wish there was an easy answer to such awful violence. There are, of course, no easy answers. But that won't stop people from offering them.

Andrew Sullivan Minimizes Anti-Asian Hate

Last Friday, Andrew Sullivan wrote an editorial at The Daily Dish dismissing the idea that last week's shooting of eight people including six Asians was racially motivated and chided the mainstream media for forming this narrative:

We have yet to find any credible evidence of anti-Asian hatred or bigotry in this man’s history. Maybe we will. We can’t rule it out. But we do know that his roommates say they once asked him if he picked the spas for sex because the women were Asian. And they say he denied it, saying he thought those spas were just the safest way to have quick sex. That needs to be checked out more. But the only piece of evidence about possible anti-Asian bias points away, not toward it.

On Saturday, I made a point of walking to where two of the shootings took place on Piedmont Road. I saw a young man carrying a sign which read, "We Are Not a Virus". What would Sullivan tell this young man? Would he tell that anti-Asian hate is nothing more than a media creation and that he ought not to be there?

One particular passage also perturbed me. Sullivan writes, "None of them mentioned that he killed two white people as well — a weird thing for a white supremacist to do — and injured a Latino."

I would remind Sullivan that a Latino man was killed at the Jewish deli in Jersey City that was targeted by two members of the Black Hebrew Israelite movement in December 2019. According to Sullivan's logic, because a Latino was killed at a Jewish owned business then the attack couldn't be anti-Semitic in nature. That a non-Jew was killed in the attack doesn't change the fact the target was a Jewish owned business. Ergo the fact that non-Asian persons were killed last week doesn't change the fact the targets were Asian owned businesses. This logic has escaped Sullivan's grasp.

Now I\it could be the case that Sullivan is pulling a Tucker Carlson and just wants to be a contrarian or to be provocative for its own sake. At best it is self-indulgent and Sullivan hasn't thought through his argument. At worst, Sullivan is grossly insensitive and only succeeds in minimizing anti-Asian thereby adding insult to injury to a community reeling from hatred and contempt.

Elgin Baylor, R.I.P.

NBA legend Elgin Baylor has passed away of natural causes at the age of 86.  

Baylor spent his entire NBA career with the Lakers in both Minneapolis and in Los Angeles. The Lakers would make him the number one pick in the 1958 NBA Draft and he immediately paid dividends by winning the league's Rookie of the Year Award and was All-Star Game MVP in 1959, his first of 11 All-Star appearances.

Although Baylor never won a NBA MVP, he did lead the Lakers to seven NBA Finals but never won a championship. Baylor retired early during the 1971-1972 season when the Lakers would win a NBA record 33 consecutive games and won their first NBA title. The Lakers gave Baylor a ring despite his retirement.

To give you an idea of how good Baylor was, his 27.4 points per game is still the third highest in NBA history. Only Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain are better at over 30 points per game. Baylor would be inducted into the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame in 1977.

Baylor had less success as a head coach with the New Orleans Jazz in the late 1970's and as an executive with the Los Angeles Clippers for more than two decades. The Clippers were generally the laughingstock of the league although Baylor was named NBA Executive of the Year in 2006 when the Clippers won their first playoff series in 30 years. However, two years later, Baylor's tenure with the Clippers came to an abrupt resulting in a ugly lawsuit which would eventually be dismissed. 

None of that, however, changes the fact that Baylor was one of the greatest players in NBA history.

Baylor also made a handful of acting appearances. Just yesterday, I saw his guest appearance in a 1980 episode of The White Shadow which also featured Red Auerbach, Rosey Grier and Sparky Anderson. 

Having just seen him on TV makes me think. I wonder if Baylor saw himself on TV yesterday. I wonder if he knew his time was coming to a close. R.I.P.

Biden Attains 100 Million Vaccinations Almost 6 Weeks Ahead of Schedule

Over the past 12 months, I have been noting the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the United States. In the not too distant future I shall be writing entries when we reach 30 million cases and 550,000 deaths. These numbers are sad and sobering.

Fortunately, for a change, there is a positive number to report. Today, President Biden kept his promise of 100 million vaccinations in 100 days. In fact, the promise was kept well ahead of schedule. To be precise it took 59 days nearly six weeks ahead of schedule.

So where do we go from here? Biden is now hinting we could reach 200 million vaccinations by his 100th day in office. Given how quickly we got to 100 million vaccines and how quickly his $1.9 trillion stimulus package passed Congress (a stimulus package which included funding for vaccines) I am inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt. Promises made, promises kept.

Of course, the fight against COVID-19 is far from over. The spread of variants and the decision of certain governors to lift mask mandates and social distancing provisions could impede the progress we have made over the past 59 days. But the news concerning COVID-19 has been getting better of late and there is a chance it could stay that way.

Ed Armbrister, R.I.P.

Former Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ed Armbrister, best known for his controversial bunt during Game 3 of the 1975 World Series, has passed away of complications of diabetes. He was 72.

Armbrister, who is one of only six MLB players to hail from The Bahamas, was signed by the Houston Astros prior to the 1967 season. Following the 1971 season, Armbrister was part of the eight player deal which brought future Hall of Famer Joe Morgan to the Reds. Armbrister would make his big league debut late in the 1973 season. However, playing time would be scarce for Armbrister given the emergence of both Ken Griffey and George Foster. In parts of five seasons with the Reds, Armbrister only played 224 games collecting 65 hits although he would earn World Series rings in both 1975 and 1976. 

But Armbrister would get his 15 minutes of fame on baseball's biggest stage. Armbrister was sent up to pinch hit for Rawley Eastwick in the bottom of 10th inning facing Boston Red Sox reliever Jim Willoughby. With Cesar Geronimo on first base, Armbrister drew a bunt but would collide with Boston Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk. The collision forced Fisk to throw the ball into centerfield which enabled Geronimo to reach third. 

Fisk and Red Sox manager Darrell Johnson protested that Armbrister had interfered. But home plate umpire Larry Barnett wouldn't change the call. Later in the inning, Morgan hit a walk off single off Roger Moret to give the Reds a 2-1 lead in the Series. The Reds would, of course, win the '75 Fall Classic in seven games. While many focus on Game 6 there are those who believe the Red Sox would have won the World Series had Armbrister been called out for interference. 

Armbrister's big league career would end in 1977 although he would play Triple-AAA ball in the Reds organization in 1978 and also played in the Mexican League during the 1979 and 1980 seasons before returning to The Bahamas where he would promote baseball when he wasn't working at casinos and later in the civil service.

Ed Armbrister did not have a long big league career. But he did have a memorable one. R.I.P.

So 8 People Were Murdered But Its Their Killer Who Had a Bad Day

So eight people, six of whom were Asian women, are murdered in cold blood. Four of the eight victims were killed in Cherokee County. But according to a Deputy from the Cherokee County Sheriff's Department it's the killer who had "a bad day". 

Needless to say Captain Jay Baker deserves all the criticism which he has received. The fact that he wrote a Facebook post depicting T-shirts with the slogan "Covid 19 IMPORTED VIRUS FROM CHY-NA" can make one reasonably conclude Officer Baker has little sympathy for those who were slaughtered. 

Those who died will never know another day - good or bad. One can only begin to imagine how the families of those who died yesterday are feeling right about now. If anyone is having a bad day it is surely them. Sadly they might not ever have another good day again.

If the killer should elect to go on trial one cannot help but wonder how many in the jury pool in Cherokee County will be more inclined to have sympathy for the murderer than his victims. 

Dick Hoyt, R.I.P.

Sad news out of Boston. Dick Hoyt, known for pushing his wheelchair bound son Rick in more than 30 Boston Marathons as well as numerous other marathons and triathlons around the world, passed away in his sleep today at the age of 80. 

Rick Hoyt was born was cerebral palsy and could not talk until the age of 10. He persuaded his father to enter a five mile charity run when he was a teenager. They would go on to compete in 234 triathlons, 67 marathons and 6 Iron Man competitions including 32 Boston Marathons. The father and son ran their last Boston Marathon together in 2014. Bryan Lyons would succeed the elder Hoyt, but sadly passed away suddenly last June. 

I remember seeing Team Hoyt a couple of times while watching the Marathon in person and just being amazed and awed that they would endure those 26 plus miles year in and year out. 

Dick Hoyt's race has been run. But as long as Rick Hoyt is prepared to take the journey then someone will step in for his Dad and honor his memory. R.I.P.

Shooting Spree at Atlanta Massage Parlors Kills 8 Including Several Asian Women

Some absolutely horrific news in the Atlanta area. 

A shooting spree at three massage parlors has claimed the lives of 8 people. At least several of victims are Asian women. One of the shootings took place at a massage parlor in Cherokee County while the other two occurred at massage parlors across the street from one another on Piedmont Road here in Midtown. A 21-year old white male has been taken into custody.

While it might be too early to officially declare the cause for these attacks. But given the setting where this barbarity occurred it would be impossible not to consider this to be a racially motivated attack. 

Last year saw a surge in violent crime in Atlanta. The resignation of Atlanta police officers has not helped matters much. Things are not looking much better in 2021.

Yaphet Kotto Thanked His Father For Instilling Judaism in Him

Actor Yaphet Kotto, best known for his appearance as the villain in the James Bond film Live and Let Die and later as an integral part of the 1990's NBC series Homocide: Life on the Street, passed away last night in The Philippines. His cause of death was not released. He was 81.

A few weeks ago, I was watching a weekend marathon of the original Hawaii Five-O on The Decades Network. Among the episodes that was aired was one from the first season in which Kotto played a Vietnam veteran who thought he was on the battlefield and ends up shooting Danno (played by James MacArthur) all the while confusing him for a wounded war buddy. 

It was a very intense episode. You couldn't keep your eyes off Kotto. By watching the episode, I could sense that Kotto's presence was upping everyone's game especially MacArthur with whom he had considerable screen time. 

One of Kotto's other notable roles on the small screen was his portrayal of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in the TV film Raid on Entebbe which dramatized the IDF rescue mission of passengers hijacked by Palestinian terrorists aboard an Air France flight from Tel Aviv to Paris. 

There was a certain irony on Kotto playing Amin given that he was Jewish. In a 2019, Kotto praised his father, a crown prince in Cameroon, for instilling Judaism in him. "If it weren’t for him, I would have probably gone to hatred or violence or drugs or alcohol," said Kott, "I escaped all of those things because of Judaism."

It certainly served him well as well the people who lives he touched. R.I.P.

Syria's Civil War: 10 Years, 400,000 Deaths, Millions of Refugees - And The World Shrugs

Today marks the 10th anniversary of the Syrian Civil War. What began as an outgrowth of the Arab Spring quickly turned violent with Bashar al-Asaad using chemical weapons against his own people. 

Over the past 10 years, Syria's Civil War has resulted in more than 400,000 deaths, 5.6 Syrian refugees and more than 6 million Syrians displaced within their own country. 

And the world has shrugged.

Former President Obama wouldn't enforce red lines. Former President Trump lobbed a few missiles but vilified Syrian refugees. President Biden did target Iranian backed militias in Syria late last month much to the consternation of many in his own party. Sadly, I would be very shocked if things are any better in Syria when Biden leaves office. 

Then there's the UN who is too busy condemning Israel to pay much attention to Syria. In 2020, the UN condemned Syria once while condemning Israel 17 times. For good measure, the slaughter of 400,000 Syrians hasn't stopped the UN from appointing Syria to various human rights committees.

In view of these facts, I would not be surprised that come March 15, 2031 that Assad will still rule Syria, the Civil War will continue unabated and the world will continue to shrug.

"Marvelous" Marvin Hagler, R.I.P.

Former middleweight boxing champion "Marvelous" Marvin Hagler passed away today suddenly in New Hampshire. He was 66.

Born in New Jersey, Hagler pursued boxing after moving to Brockton, Massachusetts (the hometown of Rocky Marciano) in the late 1960's. It is worth noting that 36 of 67 Hagler's fights took place in the Bay State. But it would be in the UK where Hagler would win the WBA and WBC Middleweight Title defeating Alan Minter by a 3rd round TKO in September 1980. Over the next seven years, Hagler defended the title a dozen times (later adding the IBF Middleweight Title) against the likes of Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns and John Mugabi before losing to Sugar Ray Leonard in a controversial split decision in his final fight in 1987. 

Hagler would spend most of his life after boxing living in Italy starring in action films. I leave you with an interview Hagler did with Johnny Carson shortly before the Leonard fight on March 18, 1987 - almost exactly 34 years ago to the day. R.I.P.

Nick Markakis Bows Out After 15 Seasons

Yesterday, Nick Markakis called it a career retiring after 15 big league seasons with the Baltimore Orioles and the Atlanta Braves. 

After twice declining to sign with the Cincinnati Reds in 2001 and 2002, Markakis would join the Orioles' organization after being drafted by the team in the first round of the 2003 MLB draft. Markakis would reach the majors in 2006 finishing 6th in AL Rookie of the Year balloting.

In the early part of his career, Markakis was a run producer with 100 plus RBI seasons in 2007 and 2009. While his production would decline during the early 2010's, Markakis was a solid hitter and an impeccable defender in right field winning two Gold Gloves. 

Markakis would play 1365 career games before finally reaching the post-season in 2014. When the Orioles reached the post-season in 2012, Markakis was sidelined with a wrist injury.

A native of Georgia, Markakis would sign as a free agent with the Atlanta Braves prior to the 2015 season. In 2018, Markakis would be selected to his only All-Star Team as well as his lone Silver Slugger while earning his third career Gold Glove.

Last season, Markakis opted out after speaking with Freddie Freeman after his COVID-19 ordeal. However, Markakis would reconsider and felt compelled to apologize to his teammates. At the time, I made the case there was no need for Markakis to be sorry for anything. Perhaps Markakis knew it would be his final campaign.

Markakis finished his career with 2388 hits for a lifetime batting average of .288 with 189 HR and 1046 RBI. Those numbers won't get him into Cooperstown, but they will get him into the Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame. 

Why Are NY Democrats Calling for Cuomo's Resignation Instead of Awaiting NY AG Investigation?

Earlier this evening Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and New York's junior Senator Kristen Gillibrand issued a joint statement calling on New York Governor Andrew Cuomo amid multiple accusations of sexual harassment and misconduct. 

This follows calls for his resignation from a majority of Democrats in the New York State Legislature as well as New York's congressional delegation including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

However, these allegations are currently under investigation by New York Attorney General Letitia James. Why are New York Democrats unwilling to await the outcome of the AG's investigation? Do they not trust her to conduct a fair and impartial investigation? After all, it was her office who confirmed that his office had misrepresented the number of nursing home deaths due to COVID-19.

Are they simply impatient? Or are they afraid James' investigation could damage the credibility of Cuomo's accusers?

The fact that Senator Gillibrand is not among those demanding Cuomo's resignation draws our attention to her railroading of former Senator Al Franken who was pushed to resign without the benefit of an investigation into sexual harassment allegations against him. It appears Gillibrand and New York Democrats have learned nothing.

This isn't to say there aren't grounds for Cuomo to resign. The COVID nursing home scandal certainly warrants it. As I pointed out last week, the deaths of 15,000 nursing home patients did not move Democrats to call for Cuomo's resignation but allegations of harassment did. 

Right or wrong, it is hard to see how Cuomo holds on much longer. I could see a scenario where he says he won't run in 2022 but will finish his term. But those calling for his resignation would smell blood in the water and those waters would become shark infested.

Yet it still wouldn't explain why New York Democrats are unwilling to let AG James complete her investigation of Cuomo. 

President Biden: Every American Adult Eligible For Vaccine No Later Than May 1st

Hours after signing the $1.9 trillion stimulus bill into law complete with $1400 stimulus checks and funding for vaccines, President Biden made his first prime time White House address of his presidency.

The 46th President has directed the states to make every adult eligible for a vaccine no later than May 1st. While Biden emphasized this did not mean all Americans would get a vaccine by May 1st he indicated that the federal government would have a website for all American adults to register for a vaccine appointment.

President Biden also emphasized that if all American adults were vigilant in getting ourselves and our neighbors and friends vaccinated then it would be possible to gather in small groups by the Fourth of July. He proclaimed that we could celebrate our independence from the pandemic:

After this long hard year, that will make this Independence Day something truly special, where we not only mark our independence as a nation, but we begin to mark our independence from this virus.

But Biden was also candid that this might come not to pass if we didn't do our part:

Because if we don't stay vigilant and the conditions change and we may have to reinstate restrictions to get back on track, please, we don't want to do that again. We've made so much progress.

I am inclined to give Biden the benefit of the doubt. He has struck the right balance of candor and compassion. He has also exceeded expectations. I thought 100 million vaccinations in 100 days was a tall order. It appears this will be done within 60 days. 

Perhaps most important of all, President Biden isn't declaring victory much less appearing under a "Mission Accomplished" sign. He is telling us that things are getting better, here are the tangible results and we could have a cookout on the Fourth. But he is also telling us that our one step forward could easily lead to two steps back. 

Simply put, President Biden is everything that former President Trump isn't - compassionate, truthful, trustworthy and making it about us instead of himself.

Or put another way, the Biden presidency thus far has been a shot in the arm.

On March 11, 2020, COVID-19 Changed Our Lives & Then Soon Began To End Lives

One year ago today, the World Health Organization deemed COVID-19 (or the Coronavirus as it was then described) changed life as we knew it. That day also marked my first comments on the subject. They would not be the last:

Although the Coronavirus became a global public health concern at the end of January, it has only been over the past week or so that I every time I walk out into the streets of New York City nearly every conversation I hear is about the Coronavirus. The only other I ever experienced something like this was in the days following the September 11th attacks when I lived in Boston (no doubt those conversations in NYC were a thousand fold). The difference is that those conversations in 2001 concerned an event which had already occurred whereas with the Coronavirus conversations the discussion revolves around an event where the worst is yet to come.

And the worse did come. COVID-19 changed our lives and then soon began to end lives. According to Johns Hopkins University, at this hour, there have more than 118 million COVID-19 cases worldwide (118,357,116) along with more than 2.6 million deaths (2,625,729). No country has suffered worse than the United States and the tragedy here is that it didn't have to be. There have been more than 29 million cases (29,206,727) and today we recorded our 530,000th death (530,523).

Much of this suffering was exacerbated by the malevolence of former President Trump. Fortunately, our country had the good sense to elect Joe Biden who has moved Heaven and Earth to secure more vaccines and ensure Americans are inoculated. President Biden's signing of the $1.9 trillion stimulus bill into law will expedite this process. In a little over an hour from now, President Biden will address the nation on our next steps in fighting and defeating COVID-19.

A year ago we were only beginning to comprehend how much COVID-19 would disrupt our lives whether it be work, school, getting health care and just going out in public. What I remember the most about the day was partaking in the Lousy Bowlers Club at Bowlero Queens. It was there that we learned that the NBA had suspended its season and that Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson had tested positive for COVID-19. It was a shock to the system. Needless to say, it would be the last night of the Lousy Bowlers Club.

The following night I remember the long lines at the Westerly Market on Eighth Avenue and West 54th Street as panic had set in. That Saturday I went bowling in a vain effort to live a normal life. It would be six months before I bowled again. 

I cannot the say same about swimming. The last time I went into a pool or any body of water was March 16, 2020. 

Two days later, I was sent home from work after someone at the law firm where I was assigned tested positive for COVID-19. I would never return to the Chrysler Building as I was officially laid off on April 3rd. 

Seventy two hours later, I would move into an upstairs apartment to socially distance from my Dad. I would remain in that apartment for nearly 7 months until I moved to Atlanta in late October. 

During my last months in New York, masking and social distancing became the norm. Down here in Atlanta, where there are only local mask mandates, while people are required to mask indoors most people remain unmasked outdoors. As for me, I have retained the mask habit established in NYC. I do not go out in public without wearing one. This will not change anytime soon.

With a pandemic comes chaos and displacement but there is also opportunity and discovery. In the grand scheme of things, I have done alright. I have not become sick (despite a brief scare here in early December) and I managed to find a better paying job after more than half a year of unemployment. Meanwhile, back in New York, my Dad recently got his first shot of the Moderna vaccine. 

Despite cause for optimism these past 12 months have felt like 12 years - probably more. Even when life turns back into something to which we are more accustomed this time is going to leave a mark however we might try to forget it. I wonder what outlook we will have on this day a year from now.

Norm Sherry, R.I.P.

Former big league player, coach and manager Norm Sherry passed away on Monday. No cause of death was released. He was 89.

The older brother of relief pitcher Larry Sherry (who died in 2006), the younger Sherry was a catcher by trade who signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers out of high school in 1950. Sherry would not reach the majors until 1959. By this time, the Dodgers had moved to Los Angeles.

However, Sherry was teammates with his brother and in 1960 they became the first brothers to work as a pitcher-catcher battery in MLB history. Sherry remained with the Dodgers through the 1962 season before spending 1963 with the New York Mets. In four big league seasons, Sherry was right at the Mendoza Line hitting .215 in 194 big league games.

Despite his modest statistics, Sherry had one enduring legacy. During spring training in 1961, Sherry told Sandy Koufax to take something off the ball. For the next six seasons, Koufax went 129-47, threw three no-hitters (including a perfect game), won three Cy Young Awards, a NL MVP and two World Series rings. 

Some advice.

After Sherry's playing career, he scouted for the New York Yankees, managed in the Los Angeles Dodgers and California Angels minor league organizations and served as a pitching coach with the Angels. Then during the middle of the 1976 season, Sherry replaced Dick Williams as the team's manager. At the time, Sherry was one of the few Jewish managers in MLB history. However, his tenure as Angels' skipper would be short-lived as he was dismissed during the middle of the 1977 season and replaced by Dave Garcia.

Sherry would reunite with Williams as his pitching coach with both the Montreal Expos and San Diego Padres including the NL pennant winning team in 1984. He would also serve in this capacity under Roger Craig with the San Francisco Giants until retiring after the 1991 season. 

I leave you with an interview Sherry did with the Jewish Baseball Museum in 2016 in which he discussed his brother, Koufax, his work with another Hall of Famer - Gary Carter and briefly managing actor Kurt Russell in the minor leagues. R.I.P.

Why is MLB Allowing The Texas Rangers To Have Full Capacity Seating for Exhibition Games & Opening Day?

In the wake of Texas Governor Greg Abbott's decision last week to allow businesses to open without restriction, the Texas Rangers have announced they will have full seating capacity for two exhibition games against the Milwaukee Brewers on March 29th and 30th and on Opening Day against the Toronto Blue Jays on April 5th. The Rangers become the first professional sports team in North America to have full seating capacity of any kind during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This strikes me as really, really bad idea. 

On one hand, the Rangers indicate that no one will be admitted to Globe Life Park without a mask. On the other hand, the Rangers are also emphasizing "voluntary compliance."

What the hell does this mean?

I'll tell you that this means we have a superspreader event. 

Yes, the roof will be open for these games. However, people will be eating and drinking in close proximity to each other. 

The Rangers say they will ask anyone to leave if they have been caught not wearing a mask thrice. But how does this "three strikes" rule possibly get enforced?

It is worth noting the Rangers will revert to distanced seating after the home opener. Again, this doesn't make sense. If it's safe to have full capacity crowd on Opening Day then why are they reverting to distanced seating? Well, because the home opener is usually a sellout and the Rangers are putting profits ahead of people. 

Of course, no one is being forced to attend this game. But someone who does attend the game could become infected and spread COVID to someone who didn't attend the game.

Above all else why is MLB permitting this to happen?

Roger Mudd, R.I.P.

Former TV news anchor and correspondent Roger Mudd has passed away of complications of kidney failure. He turned 93 last month. 

Mudd spent two decades with CBS where he served as the weekend anchor of the CBS Evening News and would frequently substitute for Walter Cronkite on weekdays. In 1979, Mudd had his finest hour when he stumped Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy when he asked him why he wanted to be President of the United States. 

Mudd would leave CBS for NBC after the network chose Dan Rather over him to succeed the retiring Walter Cronkite. While with NBC, Mudd co-anchored the NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw in 1982 and 1983 before becoming co-moderator of Meet the Press with Marvin Kalb. 

In 1987, Mudd would join PBS where he would become a correspondent on the McNeil-Lehrer Newshour. He would spend the final decade of his TV career as the principle of The History Channel. Mudd retired from broadcasting in 2004.

I leave you with a clip of Mudd anchoring the CBS Evening News on August 5, 1974 - three days before President Nixon announced his resignation. R.I.P.

Rheal Cormier, R.I.P.

Former big league pitcher Rheal Cormier has passed away of cancer. He was only 53. 

The Canadian born southpaw, who grew up in the province of New Brunswick, represented his home and native land in the 1987 Pan-Am Games and in the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Cormier was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 6th round of the 1988 MLB Draft. He would make his big league debut with the Cardinals during the 1991 season.

Cormier would remain with the Cardinals through the 1994 season where he was primarily utilized as a starting pitcher. Shortly before the 1995 season, the Cardinals traded Cormier along with outfielder Mark Whiten to the Boston Red Sox for Scott Cooper and Corey Bailey. The Red Sox utilized Cormier primarily out of the bullpen en route to an AL East title.

Following the 1995 season, the Red Sox traded Cormier along with Shayne Bennett and Ryan McGuire to the Montreal Expos in the deal which brought Wil Cordero to Boston. While pitching in his native Canada, Cormier was mainly a starting pitcher during the 1996 season but a shoulder injury limited him to a single appearance in 1997. His should injury persisted after signing with the Cleveland Indians as a free agent in 1998 and he would miss the entire season.

Cormier would return to the Red Sox in 1999 and would never make another big league start. After two seasons in Boston, Cormier signed as a free agent with the Philadelphia Phillies where he would spend the next five and a half seasons. He would enjoy a career year in 2003 when at the age of 36 he went 8-0 with a 1.70 ERA in 65 appearances. In 2004, Cormier made a career high 84 appearances.

In 2006, Cormier represented Canada at the inaugural World Baseball Classic. Later that year, The Phillies traded Cormier to the Cincinnati Reds for Justin Germano at the trade deadline but was ineffective. The Reds released Cormier early in the 2007 season. He would sign a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves shortly thereafter but did not make the big league roster and would retire but not before representing Canada in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. At 41, Cormier was the oldest competitor in the Olympic baseball tourney. 

In 683 big league appearances over 16 seasons (more than half of them with the Phillies), Cormier went 71-64 with a 4.03 ERA and 760 career strikeouts. He would be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2012. I leave you with his induction speech. R.I.P.

U.S. Records 29 Million COVID-19 Cases & 525,000 Deaths as CDC Eases Mask Guidelines

Early this morning, the United States recorded both its 29 millionth COVID-19 cases and passed 525,000 deaths. According to Johns Hopkins University, there are 29,040,513 COVID-19 cases which have resulted in the deaths of 525,701 Americans. This represents a mortality rate of 1.8%. 

Also today, the CDC released new mask guidelines for fully vaccinated people. The CDC defines fully vaccinated people as individuals at least two weeks removed from receiving their second shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or the single shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. 

The effect of this that fully vaccinated can visit other fully vaccinated people in their homes or even certain unvaccinated persons without masks and social distancing. Fully vaccinated people also do not need to quarantine or get tested should they be exposed to someone with COVID-19 unless they develop symptoms. 

However, it is not recommended that fully vaccinated people partake in medium or large indoor gatherings and to maintain a regimen of wearing a mask and socially distancing when out in public. 

Of course, it's going to be sometime before all Americans (much less a critical mass) are fully vaccinated. Still, there are now more Americans who have been vaccinated than have been infected.

Baby steps folks. People are still getting sick and still dying. But we are moving forward.

Texans Stuck With $10,000 Plus Electric Bills

The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) is sticking it to Texans. Many Texans were received monthly electric bills in excess of $10,000 following last month's devastating winter storm which crippled Texas' power grid. The five figure electric bills compounded the devastation. 

Unfortunately, PUCT has basically told Texans to PUCT off. They are stuck with the bills:

Texans facing those unexpected bills were hoping that Texas' utility regulator would retroactively reduce the electricity market prices. But on Friday, the Public Utility Commission of Texas chose to let the charges stand.

It might seem like retroactively reducing the charges would be good for consumers, said Texas PUC Chairman Arthur D'Andrea during Friday's public meeting. But, he argued, that reflects a "simplistic" view of how Texas power markets work.

"We just see the tip of the iceberg," D'Andrea said. "You don't know who you're hurting. You think you're protecting the consumer and turns out you're bankrupting a co-op or a city. And so it's dangerous, after something is run, to go around and redo it."

Gee, how many Texans are going to have file for bankruptcy because they can't pay their electric bill through no fault of their own?

A decent society doesn't allow something like this to happen. Of course, it could be said that a decent society would see fit to winterize their energy grid so people don't lose power and be deprived of clean running water. But something this egregious simply cannot stand. 

The question is who will step in and say enough? The Biden Administration? Congress? Unfortunately, a $1,400 stimulus check won't be nearly enough to relieve this sort of burden. So will it be somebody like Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban? Even that wouldn't be enough. Cuban has a net worth of just over $4 billion. But Texans owe $16 billion in electricity bills. 

So what is to be done?

In Idaho Parents Get Their Children to Burn Masks

Today, during a protest at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise, parents got their children to burn masks by dumping them into a flaming oil barrel. 

Talk about playing with fire.

Mind you, Idaho does not have a state measure requiring masks. 

Now Boise has had a mask mandate since July 2020. Shortly before the measure went into effect there were those who saw fit to burn masks. 

But this is something else altogether. Aside from getting children to play with fire these parents are passing down their ignorance and selfishness thereby perpetuating familial foolishness. They are effectively telling their children they don't need to love thy neighbor much less members of their own family. 

One wonders how many of these parents will not see fit to get vaccinated. It is well worth remembering that COVID-19 was so bad in Idaho last October that plans were made to send patients to hospitals in Portland and Seattle. Evidently, some Idahoans haven't learned their lesson.

Now one make the case there were only 100 or so people at the protest and these actions do not represent the views of most Idahoans. Or do they? Let's remember that Trump bested Biden in Idaho by 30 points. And we know how Trump's words infected his audiences. A crowd of 100 can infect thousands more. It only takes one match to start an out of control blaze.

Jackie Bradley, Jr. Will Be a Real Catch For The Brewers

After eight seasons with the Boston Red Sox, free agent centerfielder Jackie Bradley, Jr. has signed a 2-year, $24 million contract with the Milwaukee Brewers with an opt out provision after the 2021 season. 

Bradley, Jr., who turns 31 next month, had spent his entire professional career with the Bosox who picked him in the first round of the 2011 MLB Draft. Affectionately known as JBJ, he made the AL All-Star Team in 2016, a Gold Glove in 2018, earned two World Series rings and was named the 2018 ALCS MVP. Although he only hit .200 going 3 for 15 his hits counted slamming 2 HR with 9 RBI. Bradley, Jr. enters the 2021 season with 692 hits for a lifetime batting average of .239 with 98 HR and 376 RBI in 873 games with the Red Sox. 

I think JBJ will be a real catch for the Brewers who have strengthened themselves up the middle with his acquisition and that of former St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong. Bradley, Jr. is an absolutely spectacular defender. If not for the presence of the two Kevins - Kiermaier and Pillar, JBJ would have more than one Gold Glove to his credit. He is also a good catch due to his strong work ethic and even tempered disposition. Bradley, Jr. will endear himself to Brewers fans as he has to the Red Sox fans.

A Thought for June Millington

Last summer, while I was in New York City struggling to find work and doing my best to avoid COVID-19, I became enamored with the 1970's all-female rock band Fanny after seeing their rendition of Marvin Gaye's "Ain't That Peculiar" which was part of an incredible seven song set they performed on the Wester German TV show Beat Club in 1971. I highly recommended you check it out because it will be the best 35 minutes of your week. I made a point of singing their praises. 

Since that time I have connected with two of the band members on Facebook - lead guitarist June Millington and drummer Alice de Buhr. Alice has been active with co-hosting the biweekly Get Behind Fanny podcast. Meanwhile, June has spent many years as the musical director of the Institute of Musical Arts (IMA) which she co-founded with her longtime partner Ann Hackler some 35 years ago. Based in Goshen, Massachusetts, IMA mentors young women in the world of music. 

During the course of the pandemic, June has spent most Thursday evenings going on Facebook Live to do the IMA Livestreams. It is a very informal hour of music with family and friends, occasional public service messages and readings from her 2015 autobiography Land of a Thousand Bridges: Island Girl in a Rock 'n Roll World. It is a warm and cozy way to spend an evening after a stressful day at the office.

However, over the past several weeks, the IMA Livestream has gone on an unexpected hiatus. During the same period, my Facebook communication with June has also been curtailed. Today, I found out why. June disclosed that she was diagnosed with breast cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy. Needless to say, she doesn't have the energy to do an hour long livestream for the time being. 

I can only hope June's cancer was detected early. A dozen years ago, my Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. Later this month she celebrates her 77th birthday. So there is hope. 

In a time which has not been very pleasant, June has given me a great deal of joy with her music and her messages on Facebook. Indeed, she has given a great deal of herself to the young women who attend IMA. It is fair to say there a lot of people who are giving back right now.

I am optimistic that June will make a full recovery and will soon be shredding a guitar creating her fiery brand of June Jam. Get well soon my friend.

Alabama is a Cut Above Texas & Mississippi on Masks, But Only a Cut

Back in July when Georgia Governor Brian Kemp forbade municipalities from instituting mask mandates, I quipped that Georgia made Alabama look progressive as it has a state mask mandate.

Little did I know at the time that I would be moving down to Georgia just over three months later. Well, at least municipalities are able to implement mask mandates. But I digress.

Now this week Texas and Mississippi have succeeded in making Alabama look progressive as Republican Governor Kay Ivey opted to extend the state's mask mandate to April 9th. The mandate was to have ended tomorrow at 5 p.m.

However, Ivey also indicated this would be the final extension stating the wearing of masks would become "a matter of personal responsibility and not a government mandate." This I find troubling. What if the scientific data doesn't justify ending the policy? Does this mean municipalities are precluded from instituting mask mandates if they so choose? 

Governor Ivey has certainly been more prudent than fellow Republican Governors Abbott, Reeves or Kemp in this regard. Her behavior has been very much non-Neanderthal. Indeed she has been a cut above. But only a cut. And soon she will cut it out. I fear that she will cut and run resulting in Alabama losing all the progress it has made against COVID.

Pence's "Election Integrity" Op-Ed Was Intended For An Audience of One

Former Vice-President Mike Pence has written an editorial in the conservative journal The Daily Signal questioning the integrity of the 2020 election and opposing the For The People Act, a voting rights reform bill currently under consideration in Congress. Pence called the For The People Act "a blatant disregard of the U.S. Constitution."

I would suggest the people who wanted to hang Mike Pence were displaying a blatant disregard for the U.S. Constitution amongst many other things. But that's just me. Why should Pence be different than any other Republican?

When it comes to editorials, I cannot take Pence with any degree of seriousness. Keep in mind, this is the same Mike Pence who scarcely 9 months ago claimed in the pages of The Wall Street Journal there would not be a second wave of COVID-19 in the United States. Only 48 hours ago, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky warned of a fourth wave of COVID-19. 

Pence's arguments don't stand up to scrutiny. He writes:

In 2008, when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Indiana’s new voter ID law, the ruling noted that America has a long, well-documented history of election fraud. The court cited the 2005 report of the bipartisan Commission on Federal Election Reform headed by former President Jimmy Carter and former Secretary of State James Baker, which said the “electoral system cannot inspire public confidence if no safeguards exist to deter or detect fraud.”

The case in question, Crawford v. Marion County Election Board, does indeed cite the Commission on Federal Election Reform chaired by former President Carter and former Secretary of State Baker. But here is what Pence left out of Justice Stevens' citation:

There is no evidence of extensive fraud in U. S. elections or of multiple voting, but both occur, and it could affect the outcome of a close election. The electoral system cannot inspire public confidence if no safeguards exist to deter or detect fraud or to confirm the identity of voters. 

Pence would have you believe "the ruling noted that America has a long, well-documented history of election fraud." Crawford vs. Marion County Election Board said no such thing. There was no extensive fraud in U.S. elections when the Supreme Court made its decision in 2008 and there was no extensive fraud in the 2020 election. Joe Biden won and Donald Trump lost. Mike Pence knows this to be true, but he has chosen to lie.

This brings me to the reason Pence wrote this op-ed. He wrote it for an audience of one - former President Trump. Pence not only wants to get back in Trump's good graces but he wants to be Vice-President again even if it means a cadre of Trump supporters still want him dead. 

I would venture to guess that Trump has moved on from Pence. Should he be the Republican nomination I'm sure he would rather choose South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem or Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene - people who are wholly devoted to him. 

Pence can call for "election integrity" all he wants. Trump will always view him as one who lacked the "courage" to not overturn the election. 

I do agree with Trump that Pence is a coward but not for his reasons. Mike Pence is a coward because he chooses to live on his knees and refuses to stand up to Trump for disregarding his very life and that of his family on January 6, 2021.