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.

Did Obama Recommend Biden Buy a Copy of Rashid Khalidi's Latest Anti-Israel Screed?

 

On Thanksgiving weekend, President Biden made headlines when he exited a bookstore in Nantucket, Massachusetts carrying Rashid Khalidi's latest anti-Israel screed, The Hundred Years War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism & Resistance, 1917-2017. 

Clifford May, President of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, quipped, “Why didn’t Obama just give him one of his dog-eared copies?” 

It would not surprise me if it was Obama who recommended that his former VP buy the book over the Thanksgiving holiday. If you're old enough to remember the 2008 presidential election, you might remember the L.A. Times stashed away a videotape of Obama praising Khalidi during a tribute dinner in 2003 as Khalidi was departing the University of Chicago for Columbia University. Before his life in academia and becoming a colleague of Obama at the University of Chicago, Khalidi was in the employ of the PLO in Beirut when it was designated as a terrorist organization. While the tape remains under lock and key to this very day, Obama reportedly praised Khalidi for acts of "resistance" against Israel. In this case, resistance=terrorism. I would not be surprised if Obama said far worse.

While the Right is predictably angry with Biden over his purchase, if Obama recommended the book to Biden it would be because he views Biden as too pro-Israel. For Khalidi's part, he says Biden bought the book four years too late. Under the circumstances, perhaps it would be best if Khalidi's book were to gather dust on Biden's shelf.

Al Fitzmorris Was The Most Underappreciated Pitcher in Kansas City Royals History

Former MLB pitcher Al Fitzmorris who pitched the majority of his 10-year big league career with the Kansas City Royals passed away of cancer at the age of 78. 

Signed by the Chicago White Sox out of high school prior to the 1965 season, the Royals would select him in the 1968 Expansion Draft. Fitzmorris would make his MLB debut with the Royals late in the 1969 season.

After spending his first four big league seasons in the bullpen, Fitzmorris was moved into the Royals starting rotation in 1973 and he thrived. Between 1973 and 1976, Fitzmorris went 52-32 with a 3.13 ERA along with 31 complete games. Fitzmorris enjoyed a16-win campaign in 1975 and a 15-win season in 1976 when the Royals captured their first AL West title. 

Yet Royals manager Whitey Herzog left Fitzmorris off the post-season roster in favor of southpaw Larry Gura. Fitzmorris was furious with Herzog and an argument ensued. While Gura did pitch well in Game 1 of the 1976 ALCS against the Yankees, he would fall short against future Hall of Famer Catfish Hunter while lasting only 2 innings in Game 4 with Doug Bird (who passed away in September) earning the win in relief to force Game 5. 

The one thing which worked against Fitzmorris was that he wasn't a strikeout pitcher fanning a career high 80 batters over 220.1 innings pitched in 1976. During his glory years, in 741.1 innings pitched, he struck out 238 batters while walking 218. 

Fitzmorris would never pitch for the Royals again after his falling out with Herzog. The Toronto Blue Jays drafted him in yet another Expansion Draft following the 1976 season only to be traded hours later to the Cleveland Indians for catcher Alan Ashby. Fitzmorris would struggle with the Tribe in 1977 posting a 6-11 record with a career worst 5.41 ERA. He would split the 1978 season between Cleveland and the California Angels. He signed with the San Diego Padres in 1979 but spent the season in the minor leagues although at least he got to finish his professional career pitching in Hawaii. 

However, Fitzmorris would return to the Kansas City area and was active in the community with various charitable causes, was involved in the local music scene and spent a number of years working pre-game and post-game shows on TV and radio for the Royals. In 10 big league seasons, Fitzmorris pitched in 288 games (159 starts) with a record of 77-59 with a 3.65 ERA. Of those 77 wins, 70 came in a Royals uniform. Nearly 50 years after throwing his last pitch with the Royals, those 70 wins are still tied for 9th in franchise history with Steve Busby. 

Al Fitzmorris will go down as the most underappreciated pitcher in Kansas City Royals history. R.I.P.

I Wish I Could Believe Trump When He Says There Will Be Hell to Pay if Hamas Doesn't Release The Hostages

President-elect Trump made headlines earlier this week when he said "there would be hell to pay" if Hamas did not release all remaining hostages by the time he takes office on January 20, 2025. Trump wrote on Truth Social:

Everybody is talking about the hostages who are being held so violently, inhumanely, and against the will of the entire World, in the Middle East – But it’s all talk and no action!

Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity.

Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW!

I wish I could believe him.

But given Trump's lack of fidelity to the truth he is not entitled to the benefit of the doubt. 

I remember the Trump, who in the hours after the October 7th attacks, saw fit to attack Israel's leaders instead of condemning Hamas much less of offering words of comfort to the families of the hostages. 

When Trump speaks of hostages, he usually means those who were held responsible for attacking the U.S. Capitol on January 6th. 

Should Hamas see fit to release all hostages by January 20, 2025, then Trump will make it about how great he is rather than about innocent people who have been freed from captivity. 

Of course, if Hamas doesn't release all hostages by then Trump there will be hell to pay. But what does this mean? I think Trump is all talk when it comes to the hostages being held by Hamas. After all, Trump thought the hostages were all dead until Israeli President Isaac Herzog wised him up. 

Don't get me wrong. I'll be more than happy if Hamas releases the hostages any time before January 20, 2025. I'll also be happy if Trump backs up his words with deeds should Hamas fail to release the hostages by the time he assumes office once more. I just wouldn't count on it.

MLB's Proposed Golden At Bat Rule is Every Bit as Stupid as The Ghost Runner

It's no secret that my enthusiasm for Major League Baseball has diminished considerably since the start of this decade. 

The thing I loathe more than anything else is the ghost runner during extra-inning games. Why should a runner be entitled to second base if he did not earn his way on base?

Well, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has outdone himself having now floated the idea of a "Golden at Bat". As Ryan Phillips of Sports Illustrated explains:

Most probably haven't heard of the proposal for a "Golden At-Bat," but the basic concept is that a team could choose one at-bat in every game to use its best hitter regardless of where they are in the lineup. So if, say the New York Yankees had the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the ninth, they could bring Aaron Judge to the plate even if it wasn't his turn in the order. It would be a one-time replacement, not a substitution like a pinch hitter.

There could be variations on it. As The Athletic's Jayson Stark points out, restricting the rule only to teams trailing at the time could be an interesting constraint. It could also lead to scenarios where a hitter bats one spot before his turn in the lineup, so what would happen if he gets on base? Would the original hitter take his spot on the bases, for the Golden hitter to step back in the batter's box for a second consecutive at-bat? There is a ton to think through here.

On the contrary, there is nothing to think about here. The idea is garbage and serves only to make a mockery of the game and further erodes any concept of fair play. 

While I am heartened that World Series MVP Freddie Freeman opposes the idea, the true rationale behind it makes the idea even more appalling. Here is what an anonymous official with the MLB Commissioner's office told Jayson Stark:

Look at the way entertainment is consumed now. Look who you're competing with," they said. "Today's fans have grown up on their phones. … They're used to getting exactly what they want, what they like, what they find engaging and compelling—and they want it now. And they want to watch it for a few minutes and move on. So the Golden At-Bat accomplishes all those things.

In other words, MLB wants to dumb down baseball even further than it has already done.  

I can only hope this idea is placed upon the ash heap. But, what Rob Manfred wants, he gets. So, I would not be surprised if this rule will soon be implemented. 

If it is then that would be the final straw for me. My only interest in baseball would be from a historical perspective pre-2020. 

Of course, living in the past can only take you so far. The only suitable remedy would be an alternate baseball league played under more traditional rules. Of course, MLB's anti-trust exemption would likely render such a league dead on arrival. But if such a league had the financing, talent and an audience, then anything is possible. However, I hope it won't have to come to that. 

President Biden Should Not Have Pardoned His Son

President Biden has just pardoned his son Hunter Biden concerning his convictions for gun possession and tax evasion. Here is part of the President's explanation:

Today, I signed a pardon for my son Hunter. From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department’s decision-making, and I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted. Without aggravating factors like use in a crime, multiple purchases, or buying a weapon as a straw purchaser, people are almost never brought to trial on felony charges solely for how they filled out a gun form. Those who were late paying their taxes because of serious addictions, but paid them back subsequently with interest and penalties, are typically given non-criminal resolutions. It is clear that Hunter was treated differently. 
 
The charges in his cases came about only after several of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to attack me and oppose my election. Then, a carefully negotiated plea deal, agreed to by the Department of Justice, unraveled in the court room – with a number of my political opponents in Congress taking credit for bringing political pressure on the process. Had the plea deal held, it would have been a fair, reasonable resolution of Hunter’s cases.   

President Biden is right. Hunter Biden was treated differently. 

But President Biden was wrong to pardon his son.

The facts of Hunter Biden's case today are no different than they were yesterday or, for that matter, in June 2024 when he stated, “I abide by the jury decision. I will do that and I will not pardon him.”

Now that he has pardoned his flesh and blood, it reinforces the perception that all politicians are corrupt, self-serving, are part of the deep state and that Biden is no different from President-elect Trump (minus the criminal convictions.)

Biden's decision also detracts and overshadows Trump's own egregious decisions such as his appointment of Kash Patel as FBI Director. That is, unless, Biden will have more such decisions to follow over the course of the last 50 days of his presidency. After all, he does have presidential immunity just as Trump does.

Trump Has Appointed Patel for FBI Director to Carry Out His Retribution

President-elect Donald Trump appointed Kash Patel yesterday to be the next director of the FBI for one reason and one reason only - to carry out his retribution.

Patel said as much during an interview with Steve Bannon a year ago on his podcast:

We will go out and find the conspirators — not just in government, but in the media. Yes, we’re going to come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens, who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections.

We’re going to come after you. Whether it’s criminally or civilly, we’ll figure that out. But yeah, we’re putting you all on notice, and Steve, this is why they hate us. This is why we’re tyrannical. This is why we’re dictators. Because we’re actually going to use the Constitution to prosecute them for crimes they said we have always been guilty of but never have.

Mind you, Patel wants to prosecute people for stating the fact that Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election. 

If Patel is prepared to prosecute people for stating this fact, then they are surely prepared to prosecute people who characterized January 6th as an insurrection or that his inauguration crowd in 2017 wasn't the largest in history.

One can only hope Senate Republicans will thwart Patel's appointment as they did with his appointment of Matt Gaetz as Attorney General. But it does not appear that Patel has a predilection for underaged girls. So, I would not count on any profiles in courage. 

Of course, even if the Senate does make it clear to Trump that Patel is unacceptable, he will appoint simply appoint someone else to carry out his retribution as he has done with Pam Bondi in lieu of Gaetz's withdrawal at AG. Trump is still going to fire Christopher Wray despite the fact that he appointed Wray to lead the FBI in 2017 after firing James Comey. 

Nevertheless, most Trump loyalists are seldom as nakedly explicit about their aims and objectives as Patel has been. If it is possible to prevent his appointment, then all reasonable action must be taken.