Paul Goldschmidt to be Yankees First Baseman in 2025

Free agent first baseman Paul Goldschmidt has signed a 1-year, $12.5 million contract with the New York Yankees.

Goldschmidt, 37, has spent his entire 14-year MLB career in the NL. He spent 8 seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks and the past six seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals.

An 8th round draft pick of the D'Backs in 2009, Goldschmidt made his MLB debut in 2011. His breakthrough season came in 2013 when he finished runner up in NL MVP balloting to Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen. Goldschmidt led the NL in HR (36), RBI (125), SLG (.551), OPS (.962) and OPS + (160) and would win the first of his four Gold Gloves, his first of five Silver Sluggers as well as the first of his seven NL All-Star Team selections. Goldschmidt would finish runner up in NL MVP balloting again in 2015 this time to Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper. In 2017, Goldschmidt would finish 3rd in NL MVP balloting behind winner Giancarlo Stanton of the Miami Marlins and Cincinnati Reds slugger Joey Votto. 

The D'Backs would trade Goldschmidt to the Cardinals prior to the 2019 season. In 2022, Goldschmidt earned the elusive NL MVP leading the Senior Circuit in SLG (.578), OPS (.981) and OPS + (177) while batting .317 with 35 HR and 115 RBI. 

Goldschmidt's production has fallen off since his MVP season, however. In 2024, Goldschmidt hit a career low .245 with 22 HR and 65 RBI - his worst RBI total since his rookie season. Still, that is infinitely better than how Anthony Rizzo was doing at the plate. But in a lineup with Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Anthony Volpe along with the newly acquired Cody Bellinger, Goldschmidt has a chance to rebound in 2025.

Goldschmidt enters 2025 having played in 1928 games collecting 2056 hits for a lifetime batting average of .289 with 362 HR and 1187 RBI. He has been a very durable player during his career. Aside from the COVID shortened 2020 season, Goldschmidt has played fewer than 145 games only once in his career. In 2014, Goldschmidt's season came to an end in early August when he fractured his left hand. Barring any bad luck, the Yankees can expect to get a good 150 games out of Goldschmidt in 2025. 

Kepler Signs with Phillies After 15 Years with the Twins Organization

Outfielder Max Kepler, who has played his entire professional baseball career in the Minnesota Twins organization, is now a member of the Philadelphia Phillies. 

Yesterday, Kepler signed a 1-year contract worth $10 million contract and is expected to be the team's starting left fielder in 2025. 

The German born Kepler, 31, signed with the Twins back in 2009 and reached the big-league club at the tail end of the 2015 season. His best overall season came in 2019 when he hit .252 with a career best 36 HR and 90 RBI. Kepler's offensive output has been inconsistent since then. In 2023, Kepler belted 24 HR with 66 RBI, but this past season fell to only 8 HR and 42 RBI. 

It could either be the case that Kepler simply needed a change of scenery or that he is amid a decline as a big-league player. In 10 seasons with the Twins at the big-league level, Kepler played 1,072 games collecting 893 hits for a lifetime batting average of .237 with 161 HR and 508 RBI. 

Whatever he does going forward, Kepler does have the distinction of being the best German born player to wear a big league uniform.

Rickey Henderson Was in a Class All His Own

This is a shock to my system.

A short time ago I read of the passing of MLB Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson. He died five days shy of his 66th birthday on Christmas Day. Henderson succumbed to pneumonia. 

To me, Henderson had always looked like the picture of health. Among his last public appearances was at the Oakland Coliseum less than three months ago when he and Dave Stewart threw out the first pitch during the A's last home game in Oakland before their move to Sacramento next year. Hell, he looked like he could still play and probably could have. 

Rickey Henderson was in a class all his own. He is best remembered as MLB's all-time stolen bases leader finishing his career with 1406. Henderson had nearly 500 more stolen bases than Lou Brock had been baseball's all-time stolen bases king from 1974 to 1991 finishing his career with 938 thefts. Yet this only scratches the surface.

Born in the back seat of an Oldsmobile in Chicago, Henderson lived in Arkansas before his family moved to Oakland when he was 7. It was in Oakland where Henderson to come into his own excelling in sports - baseball, football, basketball and track. Although Henderson was highly sought after to play college football, his mother persuaded him to play baseball due to longevity. 

Henderson's adopted hometown Oakland A's picked him in the fourth round of the 1976 MLB draft. He would make his MLB debut during the 1979 season when he was only 20 years old. It was in 1980 when Henderson put the league on notice with 100 stolen bases playing under the tutelage of Billy Martin earning the first of AL All-Star Team selections. Henderson would lead the AL in steals every season during the 1980's except for 1987 when Seattle Mariners second baseman Harold Reynolds was atop the leaderboard. 

During the strike shortened 1981 season, Henderson finished runner in AL MVP in balloting to Milwaukee Brewers closer Rollie Fingers - himself an A's legend. After reaching the post-season in 1981, the A's would regress in 1982. But Henderson didn't as he set an MLB single season record with 130 stolen bases surpassing 118 stolen bases by Lou Brock in 1974. 

After two more seasons in Oakland, the A's would trade Henderson to the New York Yankees in a six-player deal. The trade would reunite Henderson with Billy Martin. In 1985, Henderson finished third in AL MVP balloting behind Yankees teammate Don Mattingly (who won the award) and Kansas City Royals legend George Brett. Henderson led the AL in steals with 80 and runs scored with 146 as the Yankees fell one game short to the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East.

While Henderson was productive in a Yankee uniform, they would never reach the post-season during his tenure in the Bronx. In the middle of the 1989 season, the Yankees returned Henderson to Oakland and he proved to be the spark plug they needed to get over the hump. Henderson earned ALCS MVP honors against the Blue Jays and would win the first of two World Series rings. In 1990, Henderson won his lone AL MVP leading the Junior Circuit in stolen bases (65), runs scored (119) and OBP (.439). Henderson would reach his second consecutive World Series appearance but the A's would be swept in four games by the Cincinnati Reds.

In 1991, Henderson would surpass Brock on MLB's all-time stolen base list when he swept his 939th career base on May 1st of that year against the Yankees. During an acceptance speech, Henderson said, "Lou Brock was a symbol of great base stealing. But today, I am the greatest of all-time." Coming from anyone else, it might have come across as arrogant and disrespectful. But Rickey was simply stating a fact which he could back up. Henderson would lead the AL with 58 that season. It was the 11th time in his career he would lead the AL in stolen bases. 

The A's would send Henderson to the Blue Jays during the trade deadline in 1993 and earn his second World Series ring. The trade amounted to a loan as he would return to the A's for his third stint spending two more seasons in his adopted hometown. In 1996, Henderson would join the San Diego Padres where he helped the team make its first post-season appearance since winning the NL pennant in 1984. Henderson would split the 1997 season between the Padres and Anaheim Angels before returning to Oakland for the fourth and final time in 1998. Henderson would enjoy a renaissance season in 1998 leading the AL in stolen bases for the 12th and final time with 66 bags. He also led the AL in walks that season with 118. Not a bad encore for a 39-year-old.

Henderson would spend 1999 with the New York Mets while splitting the 2000 season with the Mets and Seattle Mariners making the post-season both years. In 2001, Henderson would return to the Padres for his second stint surpassing Ty Cobb as MLB's all-time leader in runs scored while collecting his 3,000th hit on the final day of the regular season. In 2002, I would get to see Henderson play in a Boston Red Sox uniform before he finished his big-league career with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2003 at the age of 44. 

In 24 MLB seasons, Henderson was not only MLB's all-time leader in stolen bases with 1406 but MLB's all-time leader in runs scored with 2295. In 3081 games, Henderson collected 3055 hits for a lifetime batting average of .279 with 297 HR and 1115 RBI. Of his 297 HR, 81 of those bombs led off a game. 

The BBWAA elected Henderson to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in his first appearance on the ballot in 2009 garnering 94.8%.

Rickey Henderson played for 9 teams but will forever be identified with the Oakland A's. With apologies to the greats on the A's World Series championship teams from 1972-1974, Rickey Henderson is the greatest to wear an Oakland uniform. His passing truly cements the death of the A's in Oakland. R.I.P.

Astros Add Christian Walker; Bye-Bye Bregman

Yesterday, free agent first baseman Christian Walker signed a 3-year, $60 million contract with the Houston Astros. 

Walker, 33, has ten years of MLB service. A fourth-round draft pick of the Baltimore Orioles in 2012, Walker had cups of coffee with the O's in 2014 and 2015. In 2017, Walker bounced around the waiver wire with the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds before landing with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

However, it would not be until 2019 that Walker got a chance to show what he could do when the D'Backs traded Paul Goldschmidt to the St. Louis Cardinals. In 2019, Walker hit .259 with 29 HR and 73 RBI. Walker would struggle in 2021 when the team lost 110 games but has enjoyed three consecutive productive seasons between 2022 and 2024 winning three Gold Gloves batting .250 belting 95 HR with 291 RBI. Walker also got a taste of World Series play as the D'Backs won the NL pennant in 2023. 

In joining Houston, the Astros will now definitely say goodbye to Alex Bregman with Walker at first base and the recently acquired Isaac Paredes at third. It is worth noting the Astros did try to acquire Nolan Arenado from the Cardinals, but he nixed the deal as he would rather be a Dodger.

Well, evidently Christian Walker is proud to be an Astro.

Elon Musk Endorses Tucker Carlson's Anti-Semitism....Again

Elon Musk took time from his busy schedule as President-elect Donald Trump's errand boy to shut down the federal government just in time for Christmas to praise yet another piece of anti-Semitic discourse from Tucker Carlson.

This time, Musk endorsed a conversation between Carlson and Columbia University professor Jeffrey Sachs during which both men engaged in apologia for deposed Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad blaming Israel for his ouster while claiming Israel controlled U.S. foreign policy. Musk called their conversation, "A very interesting interview." 

Back in September, Musk also thought Carlson's conversation with Holocaust denier Darryl Cooper was, "Very interesting. Worth watching." Cooper claims Hitler did not conceive of the Final Solution against the Jews. In November 2023, Musk praised a tweet in which a white supremacist argued Jews pushed hatred against whites writing, "You have said the actual truth." At the time I wrote:

Of course, none of it is true and all of it is defamatory which is precisely the point.

When one says Jewish are promoting hatred against whites what is actually being said is the old blood and soil argument that Jews aren't white and therefore deserve everything that is coming to them.

And Elon agrees.

When the richest man in the world openly promotes anti-Semitism at a time when anti-Semitism is already surging, he is throwing gasoline onto the fire.

Musk did "apologize" for the November 2023 tweet but pretty much said the same thing about the ADL two months earlier.

The one difference between his praise of Carlson's conversation with Sachs is that Musk is now serving President-elect Trump under the auspices of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency. If Musk is making these statements while working for the incoming Trump Administration, then it is reasonable to ask if Musk's views of Israel also represent Trump's views. 

Unfortunately, I don't think there will be inclination among Democrats to pose these questions. Why? Because more than a critical mass of Democrats is every bit as hostile to Israel and to Jews as Musk is - or at the very least are willing to look the other way. 

Cody Bellinger Will Be a Good Fit For The Yankees

The New York Yankees have acquired outfielder-first baseman Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs for pitcher Cody Poteet and cash considerations. 

The Cubs practically gave Bellinger away after signing him to 3-year contract extension worth $80 million. 

There was a time when Bellinger was arguably the best offensive player in MLB. 

The son of former MLB pitcher Clay Bellinger, the younger Bellinger was a 4th round draft pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2013. In 2017, Bellinger earned NL Rookie of the Year honors. In 2019, Bellinger won NL MVP honors hitting .305 with 47 HR and 115 RBI while also earning a Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove.

But by 2021, injuries caught up to Bellinger. Calf, hamstring and rib injuries limited Bellinger to 95 games in which he hit a paltry .165 with 10 HR and 36 RBI. While healthy for most of the 2022 season, Bellinger didn't get much better hitting .210 with 19 HR and 68 RBI. One could make a case that he had some decent production, but it was quite a fall from where he had been. The Dodgers simply gave up on Bellinger. 

Bellinger would sign with the Cubs prior to the 2023 season and rebounded significantly hitting nearly 100 points higher at .307 along with 26 HR and 97 RBI as well as a career high 20 stolen bases earning a second Silver Slugger while finishing 10th in NL MVP balloting. For good measure, Bellinger was also named 2023 NL Comeback Player of the Year. Unfortunately, Bellinger took a step back in 2024 hitting .266 with 18 HR and 78 RBI. Bellinger could have opted out of his contract but decided to stay. At which point, the Cubs decided Bellinger had to go. 

Bellinger enters 2025 with 942 hits in 1,005 games for a lifetime batting average of .259 with 196 HR and 597 RBI. In joining the Yankees, Bellinger, 29, succeeds Juan Soto. Soto is now the player Bellinger was five years ago. Yet I think Bellinger can be that player again. Bellinger is going to see a lot of good pitches hitting behind Aaron Judge and will enjoy the short right field porch in Yankee Stadium. 

Who knows? If there is a Yankees-Dodgers rematch in the 2025 World Series perhaps it will be Bellinger who tips the scales in favor of the Bronx Bombers.

Could Freeland's Sudden Resignation Mean Trudeau's Days as Canadian PM Are Numbered?

Chrystia Freeland, Canada's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, abruptly announced her resignation from Justin Trudeau's cabinet.

Freeland has been Trudeau's most trusted lieutenant having served as Deputy Prime Minister since 2019 and Finance Minister since 2020. She previously served as Canada's Minister of International Trade from 2015 to 2017 and Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2017 to 2019. 

Her resignation came the morning she was deliver an economic statement to Canada's House of Commons. But as her resignation letter revealed, Trudeau informed her she was being relieved of her duty as Minister of Finance and to be reassigned to another (presumably lesser) portfolio. Freeland wrote in part:

Upon reflection, I have concluded that the only honest and viable path is for me to resign from the cabinet.

To be effective, a Minister must speak on behalf of the Prime Minister and with his full confidence. In making your decision, you made clear that I no longer credibly enjoy that confidence and possess the authority that comes with it.

For the past number of weeks, you and I have found ourselves at odds about the best path forward for Canada.

Our country today faces a grave challenge. The incoming administration in the United States is pursuing a policy of aggressive economic nationalism, including a threat of 25 per cent tariffs.

We need to take that threat extremely seriously. That means keeping our fiscal powder dry today, so we have the reserves we may need for a coming tariff war. That means eschewing costly political gimmicks, which we can ill afford and which make Canadians doubt that we recognize the gravity of the moment.

That means pushing back against 'America First' economic nationalism with a determined effort to fight for capital and investment and the jobs they bring. That means working in good faith and humility with the premiers of the provinces and territories of our great and diverse country, and building a true Team Canada response.

I know Canadians would recognize and respect such an approach. They know when we are working for them, and they equally know when we are focused on ourselves. Inevitably, our time in government will come to an end. But how we deal with the threat our country currently faces will define us for a generation, and perhaps longer. Canada will win if we are strong, smart, and united.

While Freeland did not elaborate what she meant by "eschewing costly political gimmicks", she presumably was referring to Trudeau's proposed 2-month GST holiday and $250 tax rebates for Canadians earning less than $150,000.  

Freeland's announcement caught everyone in Ottawa off guard and now faced with the gravity of the situation, Trudeau is weighing all options including resignation. After all, the Liberals have a minority parliament and the opposition NDP and Bloc Quebecois along with angry Liberal MPs could join the Tories in bringing down the government. Resignation might be Trudeau's only option to save face.

In the meantime, Trudeau has named Minister of Public Safety Dominic LeBlanc to be his new Finance Minister. However, Trudeau had reportedly wanted to replace Freeland with former Bank of Canada Governor and Bank of England Governor Mark Carney. However, Freeland's resignation made that appointment untenable. 

It also remains to be seen how tenable Trudeau's future at 24 Sussex Drive is. There have been increasing calls for his resignation within the Liberal Party and Freeland's departure will only accelerate these demands. 

Should Trudeau resign then Freeland would be a natural successor. In which case Freeland could be Kamala Harris to Trudeau's Joe Biden, and this has not been lost on some observers. Though I doubt the Liberals would want the same outcome. 

However, in this scenario, Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre becomes Donald Trump and, unlike here, Trump is not popular in Canada. If Freeland can convince Canadians that Poilievre would be Trump's puppet then perhaps the Liberals would have a chance. But the odds are very long. Not only do the Tories have a 2:1 lead over the Liberals (44%-21%), the Liberals are in a tie with the NDP which could give the NDP an opportunity to supplant the Liberals as Canada's main center-left political party. Should Trudeau resign and Freeland (or anyone else) succeed him, the Canadian election is still Poilievre's to lose. 

Who says Canadian politics are boring?

Black Christmas Was Full of Stocking Stuffers (Or Perhaps Stalking Stuffers)

 

Last night, I attended a 50th anniversary screening of Black Christmas at the Brattle Theatre.

I am generally not a fan of the horror genre, but attended primarily because of the cast and the fact it was a Canadian film shot on location in Toronto. It was also a case of being one of those movies I watched to get out of the apartment for a couple of hours on a Saturday night.

Black Christmas starred Olivia Hussey (pictured) and Keir Dullea who had both attained stardom six years earlier in Franco Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet and Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, respectively. Joining Hussey and Dullea was John Saxon fresh off his success in the Bruce Lee film Enter the Dragon. Rounding out the cast were a pre-Superman Margot Kidder and a pre-SCTV Andrea Martin. She would also appear in the 2006 remake. 

There were also a couple of lesser-known Canadian actors who certain audiences might recognize from certain films - Doug McGrath and Art Hindle. McGrath starred in the Canadian film classic Goin' Down the Road and would later appear in several films with Clint Eastwood including The Outlaw Josey Wales and Pale Rider. Hindle was of the main characters in the drama series E.N.G. which aired on CTV from 1989 to 1994. Both McGrath and Hindle also appeared together in the 1981 sex comedy Porky's. That film was directed by Bob Clark as was Black Christmas.

Bob Clark also directed A Christmas Story starring Peter Billingsley. After I bought my ticket, several Brattle employees were discussing the fact that Clark had directed both Black Christmas and A Christmas Story and thought there should be mashup of the two movies. Considering Darren McGavin is in A Christmas Story, such a mashup could have a Kolchak: The Night Stalker quality to it.

While the film is ostensibly set in the U.S., those with a keen eye can recognize it is in Toronto. There are several shots of the University of Toronto as well as the intersection of Main Street and Swanick Avenue which is not too far from the old headquarters of the Ontario NDP. 

Although Black Christmas is an influential film in the horror genre, the plot itself isn't terribly interesting. A sorority gets a series of obscene phone calls, and the women of the sorority get killed one by one while the authorities refuse to take it seriously until it is too late. I did find it interesting to see Dullea with really long hair. He could easily be mistaken for Malcolm McDowell, and I wonder if this was Dullea's goal here. 

While I'm not a fan of Black Christmas, it had some stocking stuffers. Or perhaps stalking stuffers.

Thoughts on Trump & Vance Welcoming Daniel Penny at the Army-Navy Game

Following Daniel Penny's acquittal of killing Jordan Neely last week, I made the following observation:

The New York Post is celebrating Penny's acquittal while accusing Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg of politicizing the case. Last I checked, Ron DeSantis referred to Penny as a "Good Samaritan" while Nikki Haley said Penny should have received a pardon. Who exactly is doing the politicizing here? 

Let me put it another way. Would anyone be surprised if Penny gets an audience with President-elect Trump?

Well, sure enough, Daniel Penny was in the company of both President-elect Trump and Vice-President-elect Vance at the Army-Navy game. It was Vance who invited Penny to the game. Penny not only enjoyed the company of Trump and Vance but of Elon Musk, Tulsi Gabbard, Pete Hegseth, House Speaker Mike Johnson, soon to be Senate Majority leader John Thune and Pennsylvania Senator-elect David McCormick among others.

Some of Trump's supporters on social media called for Penny to bestowed with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. For his part, Vance heaped praise upon Penny:

Daniel's a good guy, and New York's mob district attorney tried to ruin his life for having a backbone.

I'm grateful he accepted my invitation and hope he's able to have fun his fellow citizens admire his courage.

I find none of Daniel Penny's actions to courageous. While Jordan Neely uttered threats, he did not have a weapon, nor did he physically attack anyone. The situation called for de-escalation. Instead, Daniel Penny escalated the situation and took the life of another human being. Now he is being celebrated and rewarded for his actions at the highest levels of power. 

This gives an extraordinary incentive for others to engage in similar manner in the hope of receiving similar prestige and recognition. Just ask Kyle Rittenhouse or members of the January 6th mob who can soon look forward to their presidential pardons.

Let me put it another way. Would Trump have given Rittenhouse a second thought if he hadn't killed people who supported Black Lives Matters? Would Vance have issued Penny an invitation if he hadn't killed a homeless black man? 

In which case, the January 6thers can expect a monument on The Ellipse or perhaps a round of golf near Mar-a-Lago.

Does the Kyle Tucker-Isaac Paredes Trade Spell the End for Alex Bregman in Houston?

Yesterday, the Houston Astros traded outfielder Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for infielder Isaac Paredes, relief pitcher Hayden Wesneski and prospect Cam Smith.

Tucker, who turns 28 next month, was a first-round draft pick (and fifth overall in the nation) by the Astros during the 2015 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut during the 2018 season and became an everyday player during the COVID shortened 2020 season leading the AL in triples with 9. Tucker enjoyed back-to-back 100 RBI seasons with Houston in 2022 and 2023 - leading the league in the latter year. A shin fracture limited Tucker to only 78 games in 2024 but still slammed 23 HR in only 277 at bats. He has earned three consecutive AL All-Star Team selections, a Gold Glove, a Silver Slugger and a World Series ring in 2022. Needless to say, the Cubs hope Tucker will be the key to getting the team back to the post-season for the first time since 2020.

The key player for the Astros is Paredes who split the 2024 season between Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs. Prior to the mid-season trade, Paredes had earned his first AL All-Star Team selection. His overall numbers (.238 AVG, 19 HR 80 RBI) were down from 2023 (.250 31 HR 98 RBI) but at 25 the best is yet to come for the Mexican born infielder.

The question is where the Astros plan to play Paredes. If it is at third base, then Alex Bregman has played his last game in a Houston uniform. Paredes can also play second base, but Jose Altuve isn't going anywhere. He can also play first base. But Paredes can play third base for the Astros for a lot less money than Bregman would command. It might be the case the Astros would rather have Bregman walk, Paredes play third and acquire Nolan Arenado from the St. Louis Cardinals and move him to first with the Cards eating part of his contract. 

Bregman, like Tucker, was also a first-round draft pick in 2015 (and second in the nation behind only Dansby Swanson) has been with the Astros his entire professional career including 9 seasons in the big leagues. If Bregman does depart Houston then he might end up with the New York Mets, New York Yankees, or perhaps an A.J. Hinch reunion with the Detroit Tigers. Or perhaps another team altogether.

Who Will Get the Better of the Devin Williams-Nestor Cortes Trade Between the Brewers & Yankees?

Yesterday, the Milwaukee Brewers sent their closer Devin Williams to the New York Yankees in exchange for starting pitcher Nestor Cortes, Jr. along with minor league prospect Caleb Durbin.

So, who will get the better of this trade?

In Williams, the Yankees get a brand new closer after Clay Holmes signed a free agent deal with the crosstown Mets. Williams, a second-round draft pick by the Brew Crew in 2013, reached the major leagues late in the 2019 and would become NL Rookie of the Year during the 2020 COVID shortened season emerging as then Brewers closer Josh Hader's set up man. Williams struck out 53 batters in 27 innings pitched posting a 0.33 ERA finishing 7th in NL Cy Young balloting. 

Williams, 30, took over the closer role when the Brewers traded Hader to the San Diego Padres during the trade deadline in 2022. He would earn back-to-back NL All-Star appearances in 2022 and 2023 but would miss the first four months of the 2024 season with stress fractures in his back. Williams would return to the mound in late July and ended up posting 14 saves in 22 appearances down the stretch. Unfortunately for Williams, his last appearance in a Brewers uniform was a sour one giving up the go-ahead 3-run HR to Mets slugger Pete Alonso in Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series.

Well, Cortes can certainly relate. There's a very good chance that when people think of Cortes they will invariably think of the walk-off extra innings grand slam HR he surrendered to Freddie Freeman in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series. It was Cortes first appearance on the mound in over five weeks due to a flexor strain and would overshadow a serviceable season. In 31 appearances (30 of them starts), Cortes went 9-10 with a 3.77 ERA striking out 162 batters in 174.1 innings pitched while walking only 39. 

But the Yankees decided to part ways with Cortes. He found out he was traded after waking up to a flurry of text messages while vacationing in Las Vegas to celebrate his 30th birthday. It would mark the end of his third stint with the Bronx Bombers.

The Cuban born southpaw was selected by the Yankees in the 36th round of the 2013 MLB Draft. After toiling in the minor leagues for nearly five seasons, the Baltimore Orioles was selected him the 2017 Rule 5 Draft. This would require the O's to keep Cortes on their major league roster the entire 2018 season or return him to the Yankees. While Cortes made his MLB debut with the O's in 2018, he was returned to the Yankees after only four appearances.

Cortes would make his Yankees debut in 2019 pitching mainly out of the bullpen only to be traded to the Seattle Mariners following the season. After making only 5 appearances for the M's during the 2020 COVID shortened season, Cortes was granted free agency and joined the Yankees for a third time. After initially pitching out of the bullpen in 2021, Cortes joined the starting rotation in July. He finished the year 2-3 with a 2.90 ERA striking out 103 batters while walking only 25 over 93 innings pitched.

2022 proved to be Cortes' breakout season going 12-4 with a 2.44 ERA posting 163 strikeouts against only 38 walks over 158.1 innings pitched earning his first AL All-Star selection. Unfortunately, a rotator cuff injury limited Cortes to only 12 starts in 2023. As previously mentioned, while Cortes pitched a fuller season this year, he did get hurt in September. 

From where I sit this could be an even trade. Williams and Cortes are free agents after 2025. So, it could be one and done for pitchers. On the other hand, it remains to be seen if Williams can handle the New York spotlight. As for Cortes, I think he will be comfortable pitching in Milwaukee and will add depth to that rotation. Another factor which could give the Brewers the edge in this deal is the fate of Caleb Durbin. Originally drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 2019, Durbin spent most of 2024 in AAA ball. With Willy Adames having departed for the Giants, perhaps Durbin will get his big break.

Red Sox Pry Crochet From White Sox

Yesterday, the Boston Red Sox acquired pitcher Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox for four minor league players. 

As abysmal as the 2024 Chicago White Sox were with a modern MLB record 121 losses, Garrett Crochet was a gem. Although his 6-12 record isn't anything to brag about, he did strikeout 209 batters while walking only 33 in 146 innings pitched. Crochet posted an ERA of 3.81 which is quite respectable on a team which recorded an AL worst team ERA of 4.68. It was good enough to earn Crochet AL Comeback Player of the Year honors at the tender age of 25.

What is even more impressive is that the Mississippi born Crochet never started a big-league game until this season. A first-round draft pick by the Chisox in 2020 (after declining to sign with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2017 so he could attend the University of Tennessee), Crochet made his MLB debut late during the COVID shortened season. He pitched effectively out of the bullpen in 2021 before missing all of 2022 with Tommy John surgery. In his return in 2023, he picked up where he left off before being named the team's Opening Day starter in 2024 earning a spot as the White Sox's lone representative to the MLB All Star Game. 

The one thing I worry about are the inevitable comparisons to Chris Sale, another southpaw who the Red Sox acquired from the White Sox. Aside from changing Sox, Sale was named NL Comeback of the Player for his renaissance season in Atlanta. Yet let us not forget that Sale pitched 7 full seasons on the South Side of Chicago, was named to five consecutive AL All-Star Teams along four Top 5 finishes in AL Cy Young balloting. Sale's resume is much deeper than Crochet. 

With that said, Crochet has a lot going for him and coming to Boston will be a boost. At the very minimum it softens the blow of losing out on Max Fried to the Yankees. I am sure Crochet will weave some pitching masterpieces at Fenway in 2025 and beyond.

Rocky Colavito Was Among the Most Feared Sluggers in the AL in the 1950s & 1960s

Rocky Colavito, one of baseball's most feared sluggers in the 1950s and 1960s, passed away today at the age of 91. While no cause of death was given, Colavito did have a leg amputated due to diabetes in 2015. 

Born and raised in the Bronx, Colavito's heart was in Cleveland. Colavito signed with the Indians prior to the 1951 season making his MLB debut late in the 1955 season. In 1956, Colavito would finish runner up in AL Rookie of the Year balloting to future Hall of Famer Luis Aparicio after hitting .276 with 21 HR and 65 RBI. 

Colavito's breakout season came in 1958 when he hit a career high .303 with 41 HR and 113 RBI along with leading the AL in SLG at .620 finishing third in AL MVP balloting behind Boston Red Sox outfielder Jackie Jensen and New York Yankees pitcher Bob Turley. The following year Colavito finished fourth in AL MVP balloting behind three members of the AL champion Chicago White Sox - Nellie Fox, the aforementioned Aparicio and pitcher Early Wynn. Colavito earned his fourth-place finish by leading the AL with 42 HR along with 111 RBI though his batting average did slip to .257. That year Colavito also hit 4 HR in a game. 

Prior to the 1960 season, the Indians traded Colavito to the Detroit Tigers for Harvey Kuenn who had won the AL batting title in 1959 with a .353 average. It proved to be an unpopular trade with both Cleveland and Detroit fans as Kuenn only spent one season in Cleveland before being shipped to San Francisco. The trade baffled Colavito for the rest of his life.

Colavito would spend four seasons in Detroit and despite driving in 100 or more runs in three of those seasons, Tigers fans did not embrace him. In 1961, the Tigers gave the Yankees everything they got in the AL pennant race with Colavito hitting a career high 45 HR and 140 RBI. But it wasn't enough.

The Tigers would deal Colavito to the Kansas City A's prior to the 1964 season. In his lone season in an A's uniform, Colavito hit .274 with 34 and 102 RBI. Prior to the 1965 season, the A's made a deal with the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians which saw Colavito return to Municipal Stadium. Colavito responded by playing in all 162 games hitting .287 with 26 HR and a league leading 108 RBI along with leading the AL with 93 walks. It was good enough to earn a fifth-place finish in AL MVP voting behind Zoilo Versalles, Tony Oliva, Brooks Robinson and Eddie Fisher.

The Tribe would trade Colavito yet again in the middle of the 1967 season to the Chicago White Sox before splitting the 1968 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees. During his brief stint with the Yankees, Colavito actually pitched in a game earning a win. He would be the last position player to earn a win in MLB until Brett Mayne did so with the Colorado Rockies against the Atlanta Braves in 2000 (in a game I saw on TV). 

In 1841 games over 14 seasons, Colavito collected 1730 hits for a lifetime batting average of .266 with 374 HR and 1159 RBI. He was named to 9 AL All-Star Teams. During the 1970s, Colavito returned to the Indians serving as both a broadcaster and member of the coaching staff throughout the decade. Colavito would later serve as the hitting coach for the Kansas City Royals in 1982 and 1983 under Dick Howser partaking in the infamous pine tar game against the Yankees. 

Colavito never earned above 1% of the vote while on the BBWAA Hall of Fame ballot in 1974 and 1975. Colavito's case for Cooperstown would be reviewed by the Veterans Committee in 2003, 2005 and 2007 but he never received more than 10% of the vote. However, Colavito would earn his spot in the Cleveland Indians/Guardians Hall of Fame in 2006. R.I.P.

Michael Cole Was The Last Original Surviving Cast Member of "The Mod Squad"

Actor Michael Cole, best known for his portrayal of Pete Cochrane, on the TV series The Mod Squad which ran on ABC from 1968 to 1973, passed away today at the age of 84. No cause of death was released.

Cole co-starred on The Mod Squad with Peggy Lipton and Clarence Williams III. He was also the last surviving member with Lipton and Williams passing away in 2019 and in 2021, respectively. Both Lipton and Williams died of cancer. All three symbolized the youth of the 1960s counterculture and now all are gone. 

His last acting credit was nearly 15 years ago. After The Mod Squad, Cole appeared on TV shows like Wonder Woman, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island and CHIPs while reuniting with Lipton and Williams in a Mod Squad TV movie in 1979. During the 1990s, Cole did a stint on the ABC soap opera General Hospital and did occasional guest spots on shows like Diagnosis Murder, 7th Heaven and ER. He also had a small role in the 2007 film Mr. Brooks starring Kevin Costner and Demi Moore. 

Cole came from a broken home, fathered two children by the time he was 20 and was homeless before trying his hand at acting. There was a certain intensity in his portrayal of Pete Cochrane and that intensity connected with a generation of TV viewers. R.I.P.

Max Fried Will Be a Good Fit for the Yankees

After spending his entire 8-year big league career with the Atlanta Braves, pitcher Max Fried has found a new home with the New York Yankees. Fried, 30, signed an 8-year, $218 million contract with the Bronx Bombers. 

A first round draft pick of the San Diego Padres in 2012 (and seventh pick overall), Fried was dealt to Atlanta in a multiplayer deal which brought Justin Upton to the Braves. During his eight seasons in Atlanta, Fried has gone 73-36 with a 3.07 ERA with 863 strikeouts and only 246 walks in 884.1 innings pitched. Fried has captured 3 Gold Gloves, earning 2 NL All-Star Team selections and a World Series ring in 2021. His best overall season came in 2022 when he finished runner up in NL Cy Young balloting to Miami Marlins hurler Sandy Alcantara. 

I think Fried will be a good fit in New York. Given the team's perennial success there is no reason to believe he won't have comparable numbers in pinstripes. I also think the Yankees having a Jewish player on their squad can't hurt either. If nothing else, it will soften the blow of losing Juan Soto to the crosstown New York Mets. 

Why I'm Not Surprised Daniel Penny Was Acquitted of Killing Jordan Neely

I am saddened but unsurprised a New York jury acquitted Daniel Penny of choking Jordan Neely to death on the F train in May 2023.

Many among us hate homeless people. I've known a few people in my life who have expressed the desire that homeless people should be executed for being homeless. Mind you, some of these same people do not think the death penalty is warranted for serial killers. But for them homelessness is an irredeemable capital offense. 

I cannot say whether any of those 12 jurors are necessarily glad that Daniel Penny killed Jordan Neely, but I do suspect those people probably had a bias against homeless people strong enough that they did not view of Neely as a human being worthy of life. 

While Neely was in an agitated state uttering threat, he did not physically attack anyone. Nothing Neely did justified Penny's actions. Now that Penny has been acquitted, it sends the message that homeless people can be killed without fear of consequence. 

The New York Post is celebrating Penny's acquittal while accusing Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg of politicizing the case. Last I checked, Ron DeSantis referred to Penny as a "Good Samaritan" while Nikki Haley said Penny should have received a pardon. Who exactly is doing the politicizing here? 

Let me put it another way. Would anyone be surprised if Penny gets an audience with President-elect Trump?

Neely's family is pursuing a civil suit and may get a measure of justice which alluded them in criminal court. Even if they get recompense Jordan Neely is still dead while Daniel Penny gets away with murder.

Juan Soto Stays in New York But Moves From Bronx to Queens Signing With Mets for 15-Yr, $765 Million

The biggest free agent in MLB is now off the market. 

Juan Soto, who spent 2024 with the New York Yankees, will be moving from the Bronx to Queens reportedly signing a 15-year, $765 contract with the New York Mets. 

It is the biggest contract in MLB history. 

Soto, 26, enters 2025 with nearly 1,000 career hits (934) for a lifetime batting average of .288, 201 HR and 592 RBI over 7 big league seasons spent with the Washington Nationals, San Diego Padres and the Bronx Bombers.

The Dominican born sensation has accomplished a lot in a short time. After finishing runner up to Atlanta Braves superstar Ronald Acuna, Jr. in NL Rookie of the Year balloting in 2018 he would earn a World Series ring with the Nats in 2019. In 2021, Soto finished runner up in NL MVP balloting to Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper - the man he replaced in D.C.

The Nats, amid rebuilding, would trade Soto and Josh Bell to the San Diego Padres during the 2022 season. Soto would finish 6th in NL MVP balloting for an underachieving Padres team in 2023 prompting a trade to the Yankees one year ago yesterday. In 2024, Soto finished third in AL MVP balloting behind teammate Aaron Judge and Jose Ramirez of the Cleveland Guardians. 

Soto needed to be somewhere where he is number one. As long as Judge wears a Yankees uniform, it won't be the Bronx, and it wouldn't be with the Dodgers so as long as Shohei Ohtani plays in Chavez Ravine. While the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays were interested, they are rebuilding. 

Soto wants to win again now. The Mets put up a good fight against the eventual World Series champion Dodgers in the NLCS but were one piece short and Soto is probably the last piece of the puzzle needed in the Mets arsenal to taste a World Series title for the first time in nearly 40 years. 

If nothing else, the Yankees-Mets rivalry got that much more interesting especially if they face off in the World Series for the first time in 25 years. Judge vs. Soto.

Of course, this will be accompanied with a great deal of pressure. If the Mets fall short in 2025 or 2026 or take a few steps back, then Soto is going to hear it from Mets fans and from the New York sports media. Soto does have an opt-out provision in his contract following the 2029 season.

If things don't go well in New York, he might be happy to return to San Diego.

Dick Allen & Dave Parker's Induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame Will Be Bittersweet

(Associated Press)

This evening it was announced that the Classic Era Baseball Committee had elected both Dick Allen and Dave Parker to the Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2025. 

The pair will be inducted in Cooperstown, New York on July 27, 2025, along with players voted upon by the BBWAA. Those results will be announced next month.

While I am glad that both Allen and Parker have finally been given their due this news is bittersweet. 

For starters, Allen passed away four years ago yesterday at the age of 78. His family can enjoy this honor, but Allen cannot. 

Although Parker is still with us at age 73, he has been battling Parkinson's Disease for about a dozen years and is now wheelchair bound. For someone with a terminal disease, seven months is a long time. I truly hope Parker will be able to enjoy what will be his last moment in the sun. 

Allen, a native of Wampum, Pennsylvania, signed with the Philadelphia Phillies prior to the 1960 season making his big-league debut at the tail end of the 1963 season. Allen would win 1964 NL Rookie of the Year honors hitting .318 with 29 HR and 91 RBI while leading the Senior Circuit with 352 total bases,13 triples and 125 runs scored. 

Unfortunately, his rookie season was marred by the Phillies' late season collapse to the eventual World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals. There was also the incessant booing and hurling of objects towards Allen's direction often accompanied by racist abuse. This would prompt Allen to wear a batting helmet while he played the field - something he did for the rest of his playing career. 

Allen's relationship with Phillies fans did not improve despite five more productive seasons including three consecutive NL All-Star Team selections between 1965 and 1967. A fight with Phillies teammate Frank Thomas (not to be confused with the Hall of Famer) only accelerated the contempt with which he was held in Philly. 

The Phillies would trade Allen to the St. Louis Cardinals following the 1969 season in a multiplayer deal which included Curt Flood who refused to report to the Phillies and eventually led to a challenge of the reserve clause which went all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court. Flood refused to accept the trade in part because of the treatment Allen endured in the City of Brotherly Love.

Although Allen continued to have productive seasons with the Cardinals in 1970 and with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1971, it wasn't until he arrived with the Chicago White Sox in 1972 that he finally felt at ease. Chisox manager Chuck Tanner let Dick Allen be Dick Allen and Dick Allen thrived.

Allen would win the 1972 AL MVP hitting .308 while leading the Junior Circuit with 37 HR, 113 RBI, .420 OBP, .603 SLG, 1.023 OPS and a 199 OPS +. Injuries would limit Allen to 72 games in 1973, but he would rebound in 1974 leading the AL in HR (32), SLG (.563) and OPS (.938).

Following the 1974 season, however, the Chisox would trade Allen to the Atlanta Braves, but he did not want to play in the South. The Braves, instead, traded Allen back to the Philadelphia Phillies. This time around, however, Allen was welcomed back warmly by the Phillies faithful. While not an everyday player, Allen did help the young Phillies team and would reach the post-season for the first time when the team won the NL East title in 1976 though they would be swept in the NLCS by the eventual World Series champion Cincinnati Reds. 

Allen would finish his playing career with in 1977 with the Oakland A's. In 1749 games over 15 seasons, Allen collected 1848 hits for a lifetime batting average of .292 with 351 HR and 1119 RBI with 7 All-Star Team selections (4 in the NL and 3 in the AL). 

Between 1983 and 1997, Allen appeared on the BBWAA ballot but never received more than 20% of the vote. Before his ascension today, Allen also appeared on six Veterans Committee/Classic Baseball Era Committee ballots between 2003 and 2022. Due to these past votes, Allen's family wasn't expecting much today but was delighted once they received the news.

Born in Mississippi, Dave Parker grew up in Cincinnati and would be drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates out of high school in the 14th round of the 1970 MLB Draft. Parker would reach the big leagues in 1973 and began to put the NL on notice in 1975 when he finished third in NL MVP balloting behind the Big Red Machine's Joe Morgan and Philadelphia Phillies slugger Greg Luzinski, hitting .308 with 25 HR and 101 RBI while leading the NL in slugging at .541.

While Parker did well under the tutelage of longtime Pirates manager Danny Murtaugh, he would do even better when the Bucs acquired Chuck Tanner from the Oakland A's to manage the team in 1977. Yes, the same Chuck Tanner who let Dick Allen be Dick Allen. Tanner adopted much the same approach with Parker and got amazing results in return. Parker would win the NL batting title in 1977 with a .338 mark while also leading the NL in hits (215), doubles (44) and would win the first of three consecutive Gold Gloves for his superior play in rightfield. 

Somehow Parker outdid himself in 1978 winning the NL MVP with a second consecutive NL batting title (.334) with 30 HR and 117 RBI. Parker led the NL in SLG (.585), OPS (.979), OPS + (166) and total bases (340). 

While Parker would cede the spotlight in 1979 to teammate Willie "Pops" Stargell (who would share NL MVP honors with Keith Hernandez of the St. Louis Cardinals), he would earn MVP honors in the 1979 MLB All-Star Game in Seattle when he made a spectacular throw to future Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter of the Montreal Expos to gun down California Angels catcher Brian Downing at home plate. 

The Pirates would go on to win the 1979 World Series coming back from a 3-1 deficit against the Baltimore Orioles. Unfortunately, despite this triumph, Pirates fans had begun to sour on Parker. So much so that Parker saw fit to skip the World Series parade.

Parker's relationship with Pirates fans would continue to disintegrate as he was often the target of bullets and batteries thrown at him during home games not unlike the treatment Allen received from Phillies fans during the 1960s. 

Prior to the 1984 season, Parker would return home to Cincinnati to play with the Reds. In 1985, Parker enjoyed a renaissance season hitting .312 with 34 with a league leading 125 RBI while also leading the NL with 42 doubles. Parker would finish runner up in NL MVP balloting to St. Louis Cardinals speedster Willie McGee. 

Unfortunately, Parker's comeback was overshadowed by the Pittsburgh drug trials. Parker and other players admitted to using cocaine. He was to have been suspended for the 1986 season, but his punishment was commuted in exchange for donating 10% of his salary to anti-drug causes, 100 hours of community service and random drug testing for the remainder of his playing career. 

Parker would have another 30 HR 100 RBI campaign for the Reds in 1986 before being traded to the Oakland A's in 1987 for pitchers Jose Rijos and Tim Birtsas. This would result in World Series play in both 1988 and 1989 winning his second World Series ring in the latter contest. For his part, Jose Rijo would win 1990 World Series MVP honors for the Reds against the A's. But by this time, Parker was in Milwaukee where he would earn his 7th and final All-Star Team selection. Parker split the 1991 season between the California Angels and Toronto Blue Jays. 

In 2466 games over 19 seasons, Parker collected 2712 hits for a lifetime batting average of .290 with 339 HR and 1493 RBI. In addition to his 7 All-Star selections, 3 Gold Gloves, 2 World Series rings and 2 NL batting titles, Parker also won the Silver Slugger thrice (twice in the NL in 1985 and 1986 and once in the AL in 1990). 

Parker would appear on the BBWAA ballot 15 times between 1997 (Allen's last year on the ballot) and 2011 never garnering more than 25% of the vote. He would not receive a single Classic Baseball Era Committee vote in either 2014 or 2018 before receiving 7 votes in 2020, the year Ted Simmons and MLBPA Executive Director Marvin Miller got the call to the Cooperstown. 

It's been a long time and coming for both Dick Allen and Dave Parker. Let them have their plaques. 

Assad Flees to Russia; Could Putin Help Restore Him to Power in Syria Down the Road?

(Reuters)

After speculation that deposed Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad had been killed in a plane crash after fleeing the country, it has now been confirmed that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has granted him and his family exile in Moscow on "humanitarian grounds."

The only time dictators engage in humanitarian behavior is when they do favors for fellow dictators.

I cannot help but think that by accepting Assad that Putin is planning a long game to return him to power. While Assad has run Syria for nearly a quarter century, he is still a relatively young man, not even 60. So, his time might not be done.

But make no mistake. Russia has been calling the shots in Syria for years and now its sphere of influence has shrunk overnight. Unless Russia has plans to embrace HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, it is in their interest to try to return Assad to power. 

Yes, Russia is presently occupied in war with Ukraine. But President-elect Trump is likely to give Russia a way out of the war even if only to save face. Once that comes to pass then Russia can focus their attention on returning Assad to power in Syria. 

Mind you, Russia would have to bide its time. If Abu Mohammad al-Jolani proves to be even worse than Assad (i.e. al Qaeda and ISIS on steroids) then perhaps such machinations might more readily come to pass. But if al-Jolani lives up to his rhetoric of a tolerant Syria open to religious minorities and to the West (including Israel) such plans will be more difficult to carry out. 

Nevertheless, so long as Assad remains welcome in Russia, I would not count him out.

Merv Rettenmund Won 3 World Series Rings with 3 Different Teams as a Player & Coach

Former MLB player and coach Merv Rettenmund passed away yesterday following a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 81. 

A native of Michigan and a collegiate athlete in both baseball and football at Ball State University, Rettenmund signed with the Baltimore Orioles following the 1964 season. Rettenmund would make his MLB debut with the O's in 1968 and would be part of three consecutive AL pennant winners from 1969 thru 1971 including a World Series ring in 1970.

Largely a fourth outfielder, Rettenmund would get more playing time after Paul Blair got beaned during the 1970 season. Rettenmund would hit a HR in Game 5 of that year's World Series against the Cincinnati Reds which proved to be the clinching game. His best seasons came in 1970 and 1971 when he hit .322 and .318, respectively.

Rettenmund's productivity declined in both 1972 and 1973 and would be traded to the Cincinnati Reds in December 1973 in a deal which saw pitcher Ross Grimsley go to the O's. While with The Big Red Machine, Rettenmund reverted back into a utility player and would earn his second World Series ring in 1975 as the Reds bested the Boston Red Sox in seven games. 

Just before the beginning of the 1976 season, the Reds traded Rettenmund to the San Diego Padres for infielder Rudy Meoli. After two seasons in San Diego, Rettenmund finished his big-league career with the California Angels. In 13 MLB seasons, Rettenmund collected 693 hits in 1023 games played for a lifetime batting average of .271 with 66 HR and 329 RBI. 

After being released by the Angels during the 1980 season, he was promptly invited to join their coaching staff at the request of manager Jim Fregosi. Rettenmund would spend the next quarter century as a hitting coach with the Angels, Texas Rangers, Oakland A's, San Diego Padres (twice), Atlanta Braves, Detroit Tigers and the Toronto Blue Jays. In 1989, Rettenmund earned his third World Series ring in his capacity as the A's hitting coach under Tony La Russa and would go two more World Series with the A's in 1990 and with the Padres in 1998. Rettenmund stopped coaching after he was dismissed by the Padres during the 2007 season and enjoyed a lengthy retirement. R.I.P.

Assad Reportedly Flees Syria as Jolani, a Former al Qaeda Leader, is Poised to Take Power

The Assad regime in Syria appears to have come to an abrupt end with Bashar Assad having fled the country to an unknown destination. 

While Syria has been in a civil war since 2011, a ceasefire brokered in 2020 by Russia and Turkey had largely kept hold until late last month when the rebel group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) captured Aleppo. In rapid succession, HTS subsequently captured Hama, Homs and now Damascus. 

HTS bided its time and seized the opportunity as Syrian forces were left vulnerable with Russia being occupied with Ukraine and Iran and Hezbollah turning their attention towards Israel. 

The U.S. and much of the international community view HTS as a terrorist organization as the group led by Abu Mohammad al-Jolani was founded as an affiliate of al Qaeda in 2011 when it was known as Jabhat al-Nusra. However, by 2017, Jolani broke away from al Qaeda although it is believed the two organizations retain covert ties. Jolani has tried to present himself as a moderate who will be tolerant towards the Alawites (a sect of Shiite Muslims to whom the Assad family belongs) and Christians. But who can say what Jolani will do once he is in power?

It must not be forgotten that Assad is a butcher who gassed his own populace much like Saddam Hussein did in Iraq with the Kurds. Yet one must wonder if a post-Assad Syria will be any better than a post-Saddam Iraq. With that said, Saddam was ousted by U.S. and multinational forces whereas Assad was defeated from within. So, this might be viewed with greater legitimacy within the Arab/Muslim world in the long term. 

Complicating matters is that we are in the final weeks of the Biden Administration and heading full steam ahead into Trump 2.0. The President-elect is signaling the U.S. will stay out of things. This gives the Russians a lifeline to commit mischief especially if Trump tips the scale for Russia in Ukraine. 

Then there are everyday Syrians who might be celebrating today. But to quote The Who this could easily become yet another case of, "Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss."

Smokey Robinson Concert Postponed; I Hope He is Alright

 

I was looking forward to seeing and hearing Smokey Robinson in concert this evening at The Wang Theatre in Boston. 

When I approached the Wang, however, I noticed there was no barricades or lines of people as would normally occur for such an event. Upon turning into the entrance there were a few people around and a gentleman with the theatre notified people that Robinson's representatives had contacted them a week ago to postpone the show and that they posted in on their website. 

I was a bit perturbed because when I purchased the ticket at the box office I was asked for my phone and email address in the event of any change in plans. The gentleman replied that was Ticketmaster's responsibility and that they had done their due diligence. Sounds like a lot of buck passing. Nevertheless, I wish I had looked at their website. This is what I shall do going forward. In the meantime, I'll hold onto my ticket.

The only other time I recall going to a concert which ended up being postponed was when The Zombies were scheduled to perform at The Wilbur Theatre in March 2017 when lead singer Colin Blunstone suddenly became ill and went to MGH for medical attention. Fortunately, the show was rescheduled for May 2017, and I had an absolutely splendid time. 

Given my previous experience with cancellations, I cannot help but wonder if Robinson is having health issues. Performing concerts night after night can be grueling for a person in their mid-30s let alone their mid-80s. G-d willing, Smokey Robinson will turn 85 in February.

I have seen and heard Smokey sing in person once before. That was during the 1999 Ottawa Blues Fest. He was an incredible showman and had the audience eating out of his hand. Of course, he's been basically doing this his whole life. I'm sure it's second nature to him. 

As it stands, 25½ years is the longest I've gone in between concerts. It will have to wait just a little bit longer.

The evening wasn't a total loss. I made a point of stopping to look at the Christmas tree in Boston Common. 

Well, good things come to those who wait.

Thom Christopher Soared as Hawk in Buck Rogers in the 25th Century

Last night, I read that actor Thom Christopher had passed away on Thursday at the age of 84.

While most who have noted his passing have emphasized his years in the dual role of Carlo and Mortimer Hesser on the soap opera One Life to Live, I remember his short-lived tenure as Hawk during the second season of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.

Christopher's portrayal of Hawk was about the only good thing during Buck Rogers' second season prompting the series to be abruptly cancelled. The show's producers turned Colonel Wilma Deering (played by Erin Gray) from a person of authority to a flight attendant, replacing Tim McNamara with Jay Garner, introduced an annoying robot named Creighton while Twiki no longer sounded Jewish (owing to a contract dispute with Mel Blanc). 

Hawk was half-man, half-bird whose people had been exterminated by humans save for himself and his wife Koori (played by Barbara Luna) and takes vengeance on the universe. It is left to Buck Rogers (played by Gil Gerard) to stop him. Along the way, Buck Rogers and Hawk develop mutual respect for each other after Rogers accidentally injuries Koori and tries to save her life. After Koori dies, Buck and Colonel Deering persuade Hawk to join forces with them. It has been said that Hawk is Spock to Buck's Captain Kirk.

In the hands of another actor, Hawk might have come across as cheesy, but Christopher's stoic yet sensitive portrayal makes him a standout character who deserved greater exploration. Yet Hawk made a deep impression on Justin Roiland, creator of the Rick and Morty animated series, who developed Birdman based on Christopher's portrayal of Hawk.

Although Christopher only played Hawk for 13 episodes in Buck Rogers, he made him soar. R.I.P.

A's Sign Free Agent Pitcher Severino in Surprise Deal

Yesterday, free agent pitcher Luis Severino signed a 3-year, $67 million contract with the A's in an unexpected development.

It is the largest contract in franchise history with the A's expected to raise their payroll from $62 million to around $100 million. Who else will be lured to play in a minor league ballpark in the California state capital? I'm sure baseball fans in Oakland are in a huff wondering, "Gee, why couldn't have we signed Severino while the team was still at the Coliseum?" The A's, of course, said goodbye to Oakland back in September and will call Sacramento home for the next three seasons before moving to Las Vegas. Or at least that is what the plan is in theory. 

The 30-year-old Dominican born right-hander had his best years with the New York Yankees in 2017 and 2018 with back-to-back AL All-Star selections finishing third in AL Cy Young balloting in 2017 and ninth in 2018. But Severino would only pitch in 7 games for the Bronx Bombers between 2019 and 2021. 

Severino would enjoy his first healthy year in six seasons in 2024 as he went 11-7 with a 3.91 ERA in 31 starts for the crosstown New York Mets who earned an NL Wild Card spot. I remember seeing Severino toss a complete game against the Miami Marlins on SNY-TV back in August and how fired up he was about it. 

Depending on who else they can sign perhaps there could be October baseball in Sacramento.

President Biden Should Not Issue Preemptive Pardons to Cheney, Fauci, Schiff or Anyone Else

There has been increasing talk that President Biden is considering preemptive pardons for the likes of former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney, Dr. Anthony Fauci and recently elected California Democratic Senator Adam Schiff.

The argument is that by doing so that President-elect Trump will be deterred from going after "the enemy within". Trump has called for the arrest of Cheney and that she be subject to a military tribunal even though she has never served in the military and called for Schiff to be arrested and charged with treason. While Trump has never explicitly called for Dr. Fauci to be arrested or tried, it is an article of faith among MAGA. 

I think Biden should resist any temptation to issue such pardons.

First, by doing so, Biden would create the public perception that Cheney, Fauci and Schiff and anyone in receipt of such a pardon had actually committed crimes. People would think, "Gee, Biden pardoned Cheney. She must have done something real bad."

Second, Biden would also be basically telling us that if Cheney, Fauci and Schiff and others should not expect a fair trial with an impartial judge and jury. This certainly sends a bad message.

Third, let us not forget that President-elect Trump called for the "termination" of the U.S. Constitution. Trump could do that and render Biden's pardons moot. Absent the U.S. Constitution (including the 5th and 14th Amendments), the law would be whatever Trump says it is leaving him free to go after Cheney, Fauci, Schiff and anyone else he perceived as an enemy. 

Preemptive pardons are an easy answer. But easy answers are invariably the wrong answers.

Bill Melton Was the First White Sox Player to Lead AL in Homeruns

Former MLB player Bill Melton, who spent the bulk of his 10-year MLB career with the Chicago White Sox, passed away today following a brief illness. He was 79. 

A native of Mississippi, Melton grew up in San Diego and signed with the Chisox in 1964. Originally an outfielder, he converted to third base while still toiling in the minor leagues in 1967. Melton would make his MLB debut with the White Sox in May 1968. He would become the team's regular third baseman the following season leading the team with 23 HR and 87 RBI.

Prior to the 2024, the worst team the Chisox fielded was in 1970 when they lost 106 games. But Melton was the team's lone bright spot blasting 33 HR with 96 RBI. In fact, Melton became the first player in franchise history to hit 30 or more HR in a season. 

Melton would hit 33 HR again in 1971 earning his lone AL All-Star Game selection. This time it was good enough to lead the AL just edging out future Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson and Detroit Tigers slugger Norm Cash. It was the first time a White Sox player would ever lead the AL in HR. Only one other White Sox player has done so with Dick Allen doing it the following season en route to an AL MVP and again in 1974.

Unfortunately, Melton would injure his back catching his son after he fell off their garage roof limiting him to 57 games. Melton did have some productive seasons between 1973 and 1975 but would never have another 30 HR season. Prior to the 1976 season, the Chisox traded Melton to the California Angels in a four-player deal in which the White Sox received first baseman Jim Spencer. Melton would only hit 6 HR in 118 games for the Halos. He finished his MLB career with the Cleveland Indians in 1977. In 1144 games, Melton collected 1,004 hits for a lifetime batting average of .253 with 160 HR and 591 RBI. Of his 160 HR, 154 were hit in a Chisox uniform which is still good enough for 9th in team history. White Sox fans of a certain generation will always remember him as Beltin' Bill.

Nearly a quarter century after playing his last game in a White Sox uniform, Melton would rejoin the team as a pre-game and post-game show analyst in 1998 and remain in that role until retiring in 2020. R.I.P.