Dodgers Force Game 7 as Yamamoto & 3 Relievers Limit Blue Jays to 1 Run

There would be no celebration for the Toronto Blue Jays tonight as the Los Angeles Dodgers would force a Game 7 following a 3-1 victory in Game 6.

All of the offense took place in the 3rd inning with the Dodgers scoring three runs on a double by Will Smith and a two-run single by the struggling Mookie Betts. The Jays responded with a single by ALCS hero George Springer who returned to the lineup after missing both Games 4 & 5. Indeed, Springer was on deck in the bottom of the 9th as the potential winning run when Andres Giménez lined out into a game ending double play.

The Blue Jays actually outhit the Dodgers 8 to 4 and had runners on base in every inning except for the second. But three inning-ending double plays including the 9th inning did not help matters. Dodgers pitching found a way to keep the Jays' offense grounded. 

No complete game for Yoshinobu Yamamoto this time around, but he pitched six strong innings giving up only one run on five hits while the triumvirate of Justin Wrobleski, Roki Sasaki and Tyler Glasnow pitched three scoreless innings. 

So, given everything which has happened in this World Series, perhaps it is fitting this goes to a seventh and deciding game. 

Can the Blue Jays rebound and regroup and win their first World Series title since 1993? Or will the Dodgers sweep the Jays at home in Games 6 & 7 and become the first team to win consecutive World Series in a quarter century?

The 2025 MLB season comes down to this tomorrow night for some November baseball.

At 33, New Nats Manager Blake Butera is The Youngest MLB Skipper Since 1972

The Washington Nationals have hired Blake Butera as their new manager.

At 33, Butera is the youngest man hired to manage a team since the Minnesota Twins hired Frank Quilici back in 1972. Quilici managed the Twins for 3½ seasons guiding them to a 280-287 record. The Twins dismissed Quilici at the end of the 1975 season replacing him with former Philadelphia Phillies and Montreal Expos manager Gene Mauch.

Growing up outside of New Orleans, Butera played collegiate baseball at Boston College from 2011 through 2015 before being drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays. After two seasons as a minor league player, Butera remained with the Rays organization becoming the manager of their High-A affiliate Hudson Valley Renegades at the age of 25. Butera would later manage the Charleston RiverDogs and guide them to consecutive Carolina League championships in 2021 and 2022. In 2023, Butera joined the Rays' front office as Assistant Field Director before being promoted to Senior Director of Player Development the following year.

Despite his age, Butera will be managing a team mostly younger than him. The Nationals have not had a winning season since their World Series triumph in 2019. The Nats fired both manager Dave Martinez and longtime GM Mike Rizzo last July. Miguel Cairo became the interim manager, but clearly Paul Toboni, the new President of Baseball Operations (who is only 35 himself), wanted someone from his generational point of view to oversee the club in the dugout. Toboni spent a decade in the Boston Red Sox front office rising to Assistant GM in 2023. 

Realistically, there will probably be some more growing pains for the Nats but if Butera and Toboni can collaborate successfully, the Nats could be a juggernaut by the end of this decade.

Twins Give Former Pirates Manager Derek Shelton Another Chance

Yesterday, the Minnesota Twins hired Derek Shelton as their new manager. 

Shelton managed the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2020 until he was dismissed this past May after losing 26 of their first 38 games and replaced by bench coach Don Kelly who went 59-65 the rest of the way. Over five plus seasons, the Bucs went 306-440 under Shelton. 

Shelton is not a stranger to the Twin Cities. Prior to being named Pirates skipper, Shelton served as the Twins bench coach in 2018 and 2019 under Paul Molitor and Rocco Baldelli, who was dismissed at the end of this season. 

The hiring of Shelton is not being greeted with much enthusiasm with the decision to bring him aboard being looked as a rebuild. Perhaps a last place finish for the Twins is a possibility in 2026. The Guardians and Tigers are the head of the class with the Royals looking to rebound. Although the White Sox lost 100 plus games this season, they had a 19-win improvement from modern MLB record 121 losses in 2024. 

But baseball is a funny game. A good manager can help a team find a way to exceed expectations. In which case, perhaps Shelton can navigate his way to success in a way he couldn't in Pittsburgh.

Belated Thoughts on New Orioles Manager Craig Albernaz

I must confess that I missed the news of the Baltimore Orioles hiring Craig Albernaz as their new manager. It is an easy thing to do amid an exciting World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

All things considered, it would have not been an unreasonable proposition to predict the O's winning the AL pennant prior to the 2025 season. After all, they were in the post-season in both 2023 and 2024.

But following a 15-28 start to the 2025 season, the O's axed manager Brandon Hyde. Tony Mansolino actually guided the club to a winning record of 60-59 the rest of the way. But the Orioles still finished in last place in the AL East, and it was clear that the Orioles were not committed to Mansolino in the long term as team president Mike Elias was seeking other options while giving lip service to his candidacy. Despite the fact that Mansolino was popular with his players and wanted him to remain their skipper, it appears he will not remain with the Orioles organization at all.

Which isn't to say that Albernaz is a bad choice. Albernaz, who turned 43 yesterday, was a minor league catcher with the Tampa Bay Rays and Detroit Tigers organizations between 2006 and 2014. The native of Fall River, Massachusetts rejoined the Rays organization in 2015 starting out as a coach before becoming a manager. 

Albernaz got his first taste of the big leagues in 2020 when he became part of the San Francisco Giants coaching staff as their bullpen and catching coach, a role he held through the 2023 season. For the past two seasons, he has served as a bench coach with the Cleveland Guardians under Stephen Vogt. 

It's not inconceivable the Orioles could rebound, but they are in a very competitive AL East including the possible World Series champion Blue Jays. The Red Sox and Yankees made the post-season this year and one can never count out the resilience of the Rays. Albernaz ought to know.

Still, Mansolino did a good job as interim manager, and it is a shame he not only won't get a chance to continue in that role but will not remain with the organization. If he is available then perhaps the Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies or San Diego Padres might be calling.

Yesavage Strikes Out 12 Dodgers as Toronto Takes 3-2 World Series Lead

The Toronto Blue Jays have taken a 3-2 lead in the World Series with a 6-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers tonight.

The star of the game was 22-year-old phenom Trey Yesavage who was the team's number one pick in the 2024 MLB draft. Despite only 3 regular season games under his belt, Yesavage has had a phenomenal post-season. Earlier this month, Yesavage struck out 11 New York Yankees in 5.1 innings of hitless baseball during the AL Wild Card Round.

Tonight, Yesavage topped himself striking out 12 Dodgers over 7 innings giving up only one run on three hits. The only blemish for Yesavage was a solo HR by Kike Hernandez in the 2nd inning.

All things considered; however, the Jays had the lead even before Yesavage threw his first pitch of the night when Davis Schneider and Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. hit back-to-back HRs to lead off the game - the first time that has ever happened in World Series history.

The Jays added a run in the 4th on a sacrifice fly by Ernie Clement. They would add two more runs in the 7th on a wild pitch by Dodgers reliever Edgardo Henriquez allowing Addison Barger to score followed by a Bo Bichette RBI single. Toronto would add one more run in the 8th on a RBI single by Isaac Kiner-Falefa. 

Having taken 2 out of 3 games at Dodger Stadium, the Blue Jays can win their first World Series title since 1993 on Halloween night back in Toronto. With the Dodgers on the brink of elimination, Yoshinobu Yamamoto who tossed a complete game victory in Game 2 gets the ball for Los Angeles. The Jays counter with Kevin Gausman who took the loss in the aforementioned Game 2. 

Will it be repeat of Game 2 forcing a decisive Game 7? Or do the Jays have some Halloween tricks up their sleeves to spook the Dodgers?

Blue Jays Overcome Ohtani to Even World Series at 2-2

(A view of Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. after he took Shohei Ohtani deep in Game 4 of the 2025 World Series from the Shine Square Pub in Cambridge, MA)

After going 4 for 4 at the plate last night with 5 walks en route to a 6-5 Dodgers win in 18 innings in Game 3, Shohei Ohtani would take the mound against the Blue Jays in Game 4.

But former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber was more than equal to the task tonight outpitching Ohtani en route to a 6-2 victory to even the Fall Classic at 2 games apiece and, at the very minimum guaranteeing a Game 6 in Toronto on Saturday night.

After gaining the upper hand on a Kike Hernandez sac fly in the 2nd inning, Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. would take Ohtani deep in the 3rd inning for a 2-run HR. Ohtani would be charged with 2 more runs when Daulton Varsho and Ernie Clement scored after surrendering a single and a double to the pair in the 7th inning. The Jays scored 2 more runs against the Dodgers bullpen on singles by Bo Bichette and Addison Barger. 

The only other offense the Dodgers could muster was an RBI groundout from Tommy Edman in the 9th. 

I made a point of watching several innings at the Shine Square Pub in Cambridge. It's a nice little low-key sports bar I've gone to a handful of times since returning to the area in the rare instances where I have felt the overwhelming urge just to watch a little baseball. I might just go back there for Game 6 or, if necessary, Game 7. 

While at the pub I got to see Vlad, Jr. take Ohtani deep which was deeply satisfying. Some people see Ohtani as the second coming of Babe Ruth. Despite his talent, I see Ohtani as a novelty act whereas Vlad, Jr. is the real deal. Frankly, I think Vlad, Jr. should have been named AL MVP in 2021 instead of Ohtani, but I will be more than happy if he gets a World Series ring instead.

With that said, there is still much baseball to be played until that is determined.

Freeman Hits Walk-Off HR to Give Dodgers 2-1 Series Lead in 18-Inning Epic

(Freddie Freeman hitting walk-off HR in Game 3 of 2025 World Series)

The Los Angeles Dodgers have taken a 2-1 lead in the World Series on a walk-off HR by Freddie Freeman to give the defending World Series champion a 6-5 win over the Toronto Blue Jays in an 18-inning epic.

Freeman becomes the first player in MLB history to hit two walk-off HRs in World Series competition. Over course, Freeman famously ended Game 1 of last year's World Series against the New York Yankees with a grand slam HR off Nestor Cortes.

Freeman also had a RBI single with former Blue Jay Teoscar Hernandez getting the party started with a solo HR in the 2nd inning. Despite Freeman's heroics, it was Shohei Ohtani who was the star of the game reaching base 9 times with 2 HR, 2 doubles and five walks (four of them intentional) knocking in three runs. 

The Blue Jays didn't roll over and play dead by any means. Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk gave Toronto a 3-2 lead with a 3-run HR in the 4th inning with another run added on a sac fly by Andrés Giménez. After the Dodgers tied the game, Bo Bichette gave the Jays a 5-4 lead in the 7th on a RBI single before Ohtani tied it in the bottom of the inning.

No runs would score for 11 innings.

If Yogi Berra were still alive, he might say it was déjà vu all over again. After all, the Dodgers won an 18-inning matchup in Game 3 of the 2018 World Series against the Boston Red Sox on a walk-off HR by Max Muncy. Alas, it was the only game the Dodgers would win during that Fall Classic as the Red Sox would win it all in five games.

I must admit that I kept my eye on the game online and then as happens far too often, I conked out. Upon awaking at 2:20 a.m., my curiosity got the better of me and was shocked to discover the game was in the 17th inning. Of course, I remembered the 18-inning game and kept in mind the Dodgers had homefield advantage in this situation. I must admit I thought Muncy might end up the hero yet again, but he went 0-for-7 in this contest. Under the circumstances, however, I'm sure he didn't mind that much.

Game 4 is set to take place in just over 14 hours from now with Ohtani on the mound for the Dodgers. However, the Jays have former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber toeing the rubber. Will the Dodgers take a 3-1 series lead, or can the Jay tie the Series and force a Game 6 in Toronto?

June Lockhart Was The Coolest TV Mom Ever

Actress June Lockhart passed away on Thursday just under four months after he 100th birthday.

Lockhart was best known for her portrayal of maternal figures Ruth Martin on Lassie from 1958 to 1964 and Dr. Maureen Robinson on the 1960's TV series Lost in Space from 1965 to 1968 and Dr. Janet Craig from 1968 to 1970. The daughter of actors Gene and Kathleen Lockhart, June's acting career spanned nearly 9 decades.

A fairly strong case can be made that Lockhart was the coolest TV mom ever. Not that she was the only one. I mean Barbara Billingsley who played June Cleaver on Leave it to Beaver will always have cool points for speaking jive. And Mrs. C. is the only one who could get away with telling the Fonz to sit on it.

Yet Lockhart was in a class of her own. Although she generally played conventional mother roles on TV, her outlook and perspective on life were radical for the times. 

Lockhart was a fixture at rock concerts, drove army tanks, rode in hot air balloons and hang gliding. She once hosted a Halloween party and hired a band called the Hour Glass to perform. That band later became The Allman Brothers Band. Her Lost in Space co-star Bill Mumy recounted how Lockhart would sneak him and Angela Cartwright to seek shows at L.A.'s Whisky-a-Go-Go.

Even more notably, Lockhart stood up for the LBGTQ community at a time when it was still taboo to do so. It occurred during a 1970 episode of The Virginia Graham Show and Lockhart challenged Graham in a such a gentle, motherly way, the audience immediately sided with Lockhart. Given that Lockhart spent nearly her entire life in Hollywood, she and her family undoubtedly knew people who identified as LBGTQ and viewed them with compassion and understanding and not to be treated with contempt and scorn.

June Lockhart comes across as someone I would like to have known. Had I met her I have no doubt the memory would have been a happy one. R.I.P.

Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere Delivers an Unconventional Biopic for an Unconventional Album

 

On Saturday night, I went to the Kendall Square Cinema to take in a screening of Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere starring Jeremy Allen White as The Boss.

I remember seeing White in the 2023 film The Iron Claw in which he portrayed the late professional wrestler, Kerry Von Erich. Being able to portray both Kerry Von Erich and Bruce Springsteen takes a certain amount of range.

While Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere is nowhere nearly as depressing as The Iron Claw, the film is bleak and does address Springsteen's history of depression. It is the subtext of Springsteen's creation of his 1982 album Nebraska which was a significant left turn from his preceding album The River which was released in 1980. Springsteen would record Nebraska on a four-track recorder at a rented house in New Jersey. While these sessions would yield many of the songs which would eventually appear on his most commercially successful album Born in the U.S.A., Springsteen felt the need to shelf those songs and concentrate on the sparse and stripped-back acoustic folk songs which would comprise Nebraska. 

Whereas most musical biopics focus on a musician's launch to stardom as was the case with A Complete Unknown starring Timothee Chalamet which documented the rise of Bob Dylan, Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere focuses on a Springsteen who is an established musical artist but is subject to the pressures of building on his commercial success. It should be noted that the film's source material is derived from the book Deliver Me from Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska written by Warren Haynes.

The best part of the film is the relationship between Springsteen and his manager Jon Landau (played by Jeremy Strong). While Springsteen and Landau are opposites in temperament, Landau makes it his mission to represent Springsteen's vision on record even if it isn't his own. As Landau tells a Columbia Records executive, "In this office, we support Bruce Springsteen." Yet Landau knows Springsteen needs more help than he can give him where it concerns his depression and sees to it that his friend gets the help he needs. 

The two Jeremys portray Springsteen and Landau as something more than brothers. In one scene, Springsteen tells Landau that he is "bringing the real." To which Landau retorts, "If you bring the real then I will deal with the noise." This is also well exemplified during a scene during the latter portion of a film when Springsteen is about to depart New Jersey for California when Landau plays Springsteen "Last Mile of the Way" by Sam Cooke. The two listen to the song sitting down next to each other bonded by an unbreakable yet unspoken friendship. 

What felt less authentic was Australian actress Odessa Young's portrayal of Faye Romano, Springsteen's love interest. I got the sense that Faye Romano was something of a composite character and my suspicions turned out to be correct. While the events which transpired between Springsteen and Romano in the film may have based on real life events, that part of the film felt contrived and less than authentic.

I must admit I did not recognize Gaby Hoffmann in her portrayal of Springsteen's mother, Adele. While I know Hoffmann has maintained her acting career as an adult with her appearances in TV shows like Girls and Transparent, when I think of her, I cannot help but think of her work as a child actress in Field of Dreams and Uncle Buck.

While Nebraska might have represented a departure for Bruce Springsteen, his reputation was such that it was going to be a commercially successful album even without any singles, tour or promotion. The same, however, probably would not have held true for a lesser-known musician. Nevertheless, Nebraska remains a significant focal point of Bruce Springsteen's discography as it represented both a professional and personal crossroad for him from which he would find deliverance.

Yamamoto Tosses First Complete Game in a World Series Since 2015 as Dodgers Get Even

After scoring 11 runs last night, including 9 runs in the 6th inning, the Toronto Blue Jays were brought back down to earth by Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto who tossed a complete game besting the Jays 5-1 to even the World Series at one game apiece.

Yamamoto's complete game was the first complete game in World Series competition since Johnny Cueto tossed one for the Kansas City Royals in Game 2 of the 2015 World Series against the New York Mets. It is worth noting that when Cueto tossed his complete game, 24 years had elapsed since the previous World Series complete game when Jack Morris went 10 innings in the Game 7 clincher for the Minnesota Twins against the Atlanta Braves in 1991. 

Getting back to the present, Yamamoto surrendered a single run on four hits and that was on a sacrifice fly by Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk in the third inning. Dodgers' catcher Will Smith drove in 3 runs including a solo HR in the 7th. Max Muncy also blasted a solo HR later that inning.

Keep in mind, this is not Yamamoto's first complete game this post-season. Yamamoto also tossed a complete game in Game 2 of the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers which the Dodgers also won by a score of 5-1. The Japanese born pitcher gave up a lead-off HR to Jackson Churios and then only surrendered two more hits the rest of the game.

Yamamoto, 27, signed with the Dodgers for $325 million over 12 years prior to the 2024 season following seven seasons with the Orix Buffaloes of the Nippon Baseball League going 70-29 with a 1.82 ERA earning three Pacific League MVPs. In 48 regular season starts over two seasons with the Dodgers, Yamamoto is 19-10 with a 2.66 ERA striking out 301 batters in 263.2 innings pitched. 

It might be that Yamamoto is entering the peak of his career. In which case, the Blue Jays will have a very tall order should they have to face him again in this World Series.

The World Series moves to LA where Game 3 will be played on Monday night.

Ireland Elects a Hamas Apologist as its New President

Ireland has decisively elected socialist Catherine Connolly as its new President winning nearly two-thirds of the vote.

Last month, Connolly raised eyebrows when she said that Hamas was "part of the fabric of the Palestinian people" and that it wasn't up to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to say whether Hamas should have no role in governing the Palestinian people. Connolly stated, “The Palestinians must decide, in a democratic way, who they want to lead their country.”

Although Connolly subsequently condemned the October 7th attacks, she could not unequivocally declare Hamas a terrorist organization. When asked if she considered Hamas a terrorist organization, Connolly only said that Israel has also been described as a terrorist state. She has repeatedly accused Israel of committing genocide.

It is interesting that Connolly describes Hamas as "part of the fabric of the Palestinian people." I am old enough to remember when leftists of her generation would tell me the PLO is the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. Indeed, there are those who claim Israel created Hamas. While Connolly might not subscribe to that particular view, she has gone on record to say that the October 7th attacks are "not comparable" to so-called Israeli genocide. Yet what is the Hamas Charter other than a blueprint for genocide against Israel?

It is all well and good for Connolly to say that the Palestinians should decide in a democratic way who should lead their country. However, this is an unrealistic proposition so long as Hamas sees fit to execute its political opponents in the streets. Mind you, this is something Connolly has not seen fit to condemn. And need I remind anyone that the nearly 90-year-old Mahmoud Abbas is in the 20th year of his four-year term as President of the Palestinian Authority?

As abhorrent and appalling as I find Connolly's views, it comes as no surprise she was elected so decisively. Her views on Israel reflect that of many in Ireland who vociferously support the Palestinians while seeing a surge of anti-Semitic incidents across the country. I strongly suspect this surge of anti-Semitism will only continue to flourish in Ireland under Connolly's presidency.

Blue Jays Scored More Runs Against the Dodgers in an Inning Than the Brewers Did During The NLCS

(Addison Barger hitting the first pinch-hit grand slam HR in World Series history)

The Toronto Blue Jays made quite the statement during Game 1 of the World Series with a decisive 11-4 win in front of a raucous home crowd at Rogers Centre.

The Jays score 9 runs during the 6th inning. The Milwaukee Brewers only scored 4 runs against the Dodgers in the NLCS.

Entering the bottom of the sixth inning, the game was tied 2-2. Ernie Clement gave the Jays a 3-2 lead on a single. A bases loaded walk to Nathan Lukes made it 4-2. Andrés Gimenéz singled to extend the lead to 5-2.

Then the dam burst when Addison Barger got a pinch-hit grand slam HR to make it 9-2. It was the first pinch-hit grand slam HR in World Series history. Catcher Alejandro Kirk put icing on the cake with a 2-run HR of his own to make it 11-2.

Shohei Ohtani did hit a 2-run HR in the 7th to make it 11-4, but the damage had been done to the Dodgers, and they were done for the night.

Now it remains to be seen if Game 1 sets the tone for the Series or if the Dodgers will regroup and rebound in Game 2 tomorrow night. But one thing is for damn sure. No one is underestimating the Blue Jays now.

Unlike Reagan, Trump Isn't Serious About a New Trade Deal with Canada

(Getty Images)

Last night, President Trump abruptly suspended trade talks with Canada - again.

This time it was over an ad run by the Government of Ontario which used a voiceover from the late President Reagan during an address he gave in April 1987 regarding the harm of tariffs.

Despite the fact it was a provincial government which ran the ad, Trump claims:

CANADA CHEATED AND GOT CAUGHT!!!They fraudulently took a big buy ad saying that Ronald Reagan did not like Tariffs, when actually he LOVED TARIFFS FOR OUR COUNTRY, AND ITS NATIONAL SECURITY.

Ah yes, Reagan who loved tariffs so much he asked Congress to pass the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement in 1988:

The reason for the free trade agreement is simple: Throughout North American history, whenever and wherever trade barriers have been lowered, we've seen our economies bloom like mountain meadows after a spring rain. And this agreement is a sun rising on a new morning of economic vitality for the United States and Canada. It'll produce vast numbers of new jobs and new opportunities on both sides of the border. It'll save U.S. consumers up to $3 billion a year. It'll help keep the North American economy growing for a generation to come.

And yet in a broader sense, the free trade agreement is a case of governments rushing to catch up with their peoples. As one news report noted recently, the U.S.-Canadian relationship has grown ``so vast that government officials acknowledge they cannot keep track of its complex dimensions, let alone control them.''

Yes, our border is what all borders should be: a meeting place, not a dividing line. And one sign of that is that North Americans cross it about 75 million times a year. There's one more -- or, there's more trade, I should say, between the United States and Canada than any other two countries in the world. Why, there's more U.S. trade with Ontario alone than between most nations.

These are not the words of a man who loved tariffs. Perhaps the board of the Ronald Reagan Foundation and Presidential Institute missed those remarks because they are exhibiting Trumpian behavior stating they are "reviewing their legal options." It is a shame that the Reagan Foundation have sacrificed Reagan to the altar of Trump.

Because the reality is Trump's suspension of talks with Canada has nothing to do with this ad. Trump is just playing games and was looking for any reason to suspend talks with Canada just as he did at the end of June when he was "shocked, shocked" to learn that Canada had passed a Digital Services Tax a year earlier. At the time, I wrote:

But rest assured, so long as he is in the White House, Trump is going keep pulling stunts like this against Canada every couple of months.

In this case, it was just under four months. Regardless of the time frame, it demonstrates that Trump isn't acting in good faith and, unlike Reagan, isn't serious about implementing a new free trade deal with Canada.

Oh, I'm sure Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will make some kind of concession as he did with the DST. Talks will resume and Carney will continue to make visits to the White House only to have the rug pulled out from under him yet again.

At some point, Carney is going to have to say, "Enough!!!" and just walk away and prioritize trade with the EU & Asia. I know Carney doesn't want to get the Trudeau treatment from Trump. But these "negotiations" are simply counterproductive and do not serve Canada's interests.

Vance is All Over The Map on Hamas

Vice-President JD Vance is all over the map when it comes to Hamas.

During his visit to Israel, Vance simultaneously tells us Hamas will be "obliterated" if it doesn't comply with the terms of the ceasefire while at the same time telling us the ceasefire is "going better than expected" despite the fact Hamas has not returned the remaining hostages and continues to attack the IDF.

The VP claims he is insulted that the Knesset has held a vote on West Bank annexation after making the insulting suggestion that Hamas ally Turkey be allowed to keep the peace in Gaza. That would guarantee Hamas survival.

All of this tells me that Hamas will play Trump, Vance, Witkoff, Kushner like a fiddle and apply pressure to Israel. Meanwhile, Hamas rebuilds with plans to launch another October 7th.

A Giant Leap: Tennessee Volunteers Baseball Coach Vitello Named New SF Skipper

Talk about a giant leap.

The San Francisco Giants have hired Tennessee Volunteers head baseball coach Tony Vitello to manage the team.

This marks the first time in MLB history that a team has hired a college baseball coach to manage a team without any previous coaching experience at the professional level. Vitello led the Volunteers to a College World Series title in 2024.

When I learned about Vitello's hiring, I thought of the late Bobby Winkles who guided Arizona State University to three College World Series titles in the 1960s. Winkles would jump from ASU to the pros when he was named to the California Angels coaching staff in 1972 and would become its skipper the following season and would later briefly manage the Oakland A's during the latter part of Charlie Finley's ownership. But Winkles was a minor league player in the White Sox organization. Not only has Vitello not coached at the professional level, but he also never played at the professional level.

If this works, then Vitello will be the first of many college baseball coaches who will jump directly into MLB managerial roles. If not, then Giants President Buster Posey will have egg on his face, and nobody will touch the idea for 50 years. Still, there is no reward without risk.

Kurt Suzuki Becomes the Angels 6th Manager Since 2019

Former MLB catcher Kurt Suzuki has been named the new manager of the Los Angeles Angels.

Suzuki becomes the sixth manager for the team since Mike Scioscia stepped down after the 2018 season after 19 years at the helm. Since 2019, the Angels have been managed by Brad Ausmus, Joe Maddon, Phil Nevin, Ron Washington and Ray Montgomery. Sadly, Washington had a heart procedure during the 2024 season which effectively ended his managerial career.

I cannot help but wonder if the Angels have set up Suzuki for failure as he is on a 1-year contract. Of course, Suzuki was not the team's first choice as it sought the services of former Angels slugger Albert Pujols until negotiations broke off. Yet somehow, I cannot imagine that Angels owner Arte Moreno would have only given Pujols a year to turn things around.

Suzuki has his work cut out for him. The Angels have not had a winning record since 2015 and were last in the post-season in 2014. He has very little margin for error.

If Suzuki has anything going for him is that he is an Angels insider. He ended his 16-year MLB career with the Halos playing for them in 2021 and 2022 and joining the front office prior to the 2023 season.

Suzuki drew interest from Buster Posey and the San Francisco Giants who have hired college baseball coach Tony Vitello to be their new manager.

In 2019, Suzuki earned a World Series ring while playing with the Washington Nationals. The Angels will need more than that, but it is somewhere to start.

There's a Big Difference Between Truman's Renovation & Trump's Desecration of the White House

Now that President Trump has seen fit to completely obliterate the East Wing of the White House despite promises to the contrary, his defenders are making a point of saying that Trump isn't the first President to renovate the White House.

In particular, it is noted that President Truman completely renovated the White House from within. But there is a world of difference between Truman's renovation of the White House and Trump's desecration of the White House.

Truman undertook renovations out of necessity. The White House was in danger of collapsing. 

For crying out loud, Margaret Truman's piano fell through the floor. 

And while Truman had a significant role in the renovation, he didn't undertake it alone. Congress established a Commission to oversee the renovation in 1949. Truman moved to Blair House across the street for the duration of his presidency. This undertaking wasn't done for his benefit, but for the benefit of his successors.

There was nothing structurally wrong with the White House. Our democracy is another matter altogether. Trump did this out of vanity and acted unilaterally. He is building a ballroom which is nearly twice the size of the White House. Trump is treating the White House like one of his personal properties much like he has with the federal government at large. This is not the act of a man who intends to leave the White House in January 2029.

Next summer it will be UFC matches. Perhaps the ballroom will host the execution of his political opponents a la the Roman Colosseum.

Aside from being President, the only thing Truman and Trump have in common are the first four letters of their last names. 

Harry Truman famously declined appointments to corporate boards by stating, "You don't want me. You want the office of the President, and that doesn't belong to me. It belongs to the American people and it's not for sale." No doubt Truman felt the same about the White House.

Let me put it this way. Could you imagine Trump saying the White House belongs to the American people and is not for sale?

Blue Jays Outlast Mariners in 7 Games to Win AL Pennant; Vlad, Jr. Wins ALCS MVP

The Toronto Blue Jays have outlasted the Seattle Mariners to win the AL pennant.

The Jays won the seventh and deciding game of the ALCS by a score of 4-3 with the difference being a 3-run HR by DH George Springer in the 7th inning which neutralized HRs hit earlier in the game by Julio Rodriguez and Cal Raleigh. It was Springer's 23rd career post-season HR tying him with Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber for third on the all-time MLB list and behind only his former Houston Astros teammate Jose Altuve (27) and Manny Ramirez (29).

Despite Springer's heroics, it was Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. who was bestowed with the ALCS MVP hitting .385 (10 for 26) with 3 HR. 

Toronto had been down in the ALCS 0-2 after the Mariners won the first two games of the series in Toronto. After tying the series, the Mariners took a 3-2 lead in Game 5 needing only one more victory to win their first AL pennant. But the Jays came back home, rallied and ultimately prevailed. 

While it would have been nice to see Seattle play its first ever World Series, this is the Jays first appearance in the Fall Classic since 1993. 

I think both Canada and the United States (aside from Southern California) will be united in rooting for the Blue Jays against the heavily favored Dodgers.

The World Series commences on Friday night in Toronto.

Carney Threatens to Arrest Netanyahu if He Steps on Canadian Soil

In an interview with British podcaster Mishal Hussain last week, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney revealed that if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would be arrested if he stepped on Canadian soil in accordance with the ICC warrant. 

Mind you, this is the edict which also issued an arrest warrant against a Hamas leader who had already been killed. Nevertheless, Carney's stance is a continuation of the policy initiated by his predecessor, Justin Trudeau.

It is well worth remembering that Carney saw fit to recognize a Palestinian state last month despite the fact that none of the conditions he set out for recognition were met - reforms by the Palestinian Authority, elections in 2026, that Hamas disarm and demilitarize and play no role in the governance of a Palestinian state and release the hostages. So, Carney recognized a Palestinian state before Hamas began releasing hostages and they still hold hostages as of this hour. 

But let's be clear here. Canada is perfectly happy to make nice with Qatar, long a benefactor of Hamas while Carney treats Mahmoud Abbas, currently in the 20th year of his four-year term as President of the Palestinian Authority, as a near reverential figure.

Yet Carney is set to honor a warrant issued by a kangaroo court to arrest Netanyahu, a man legitimately elected to his office by the people of Israel - who were grievously massacred and taken hostage on October 7th. And for what? Is it to ensure the Liberals keep the Muslim vote in the next election? 

For all of my skepticism of President Trump where it concerns Hamas, I cannot imagine he would take kindly to Netanyahu being arrested on Canadian soil. If Canada were to arrest Netanyahu, Trump would surely impose stiff and severe retaliatory tariffs and suspend any trade negotiations. Indeed, if Netanyahu were to plan a Canadian visit, I would think the Trump White House would see to it that Canadian authorities stay out of Bibi's way. At least, I hope. 

It was my intention to vote Liberal this past spring, but I never received the mail-in ballot. Probably just as well because in light of what has occurred in the months since Canada elected a Liberal minority government, I now regret my sympathies towards Carney and the Liberals though I still have strong reservations about Pierre Poilievre and the Tories.

Nevertheless, Carney has made his contempt for Israel and its democratically elected leadership abundantly clear. All of which is equally abundantly clear to Hamas and to the anti-Semitic mobs who terrorize Jews on Canadian soil.

As far as I am concerned, Mark Carney can go to hell.

Caligula is an Awful Film No Matter How You Cut It

 

Tonight, I took in a screening of Caligula at the Harvard Film Archive. This screening is part of the HFA's Gore Vidal Goes to the Movies series in honor of Vidal's centennial birthday.

I remember seeing Caligula on VHS about 35 years ago and don't remember it being much good despite a cast which included Malcolm McDowell, Helen Mirren, Peter O'Toole and Sir John Gielgud. However, the version we were treated to this evening was not seen when the film was originally released in 1980. This version is referred to as the Ultimate Cut which originally came to light in 2023. Gone are the porn scenes which Penthouse publisher Bob Guccione inserted into the film. But nudity and sex abound just the same. Helen Mirren (who played Caesonia) called it "an irresistible mix of art and genitals." 

Genitals, yes. Art, well, not quite.

This ultimate cut was 3 hours long and featured a 10-minute intermission mixed into the film. As soon as the screen faded to black for the intermission an audience member a couple of seats to my left yawned audibly prompted the loudest laughter of the night. Another audience member asked how much longer it would go on. As it turned out, we had another 90 minutes left. We couldn't wait for Caligula and Caesonia to be butchered to put the evening to a merciful end. Honestly, it doesn't matter how one cuts Caligula. It will be an awful film.

Indeed, with all the Roman garb, I couldn't help but think of Monty Python's Life of Brian or Mel Brooks' History of the World, Part One with the hope someone would say "biggus dickus." Now that would have been risible.

Nevertheless, I could not help but think of our contemporary political times as millions of Americans took to the streets during the "No Kings" protests against President Trump. In some sense, Trump is every bit as capricious as Caligula whether by renaming the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America, his designs on Greenland and the Panama Canal, appointing himself President of the Kennedy Center, threatening to disallow Boston from hosting World Cup games, prosecuting his political opponents and militarizing ICE against undocumented immigrants and American citizens alike. 

The question remains as to how fate Trump will face. Will he return to private life in 2029? Will he run for another term even if the Constitution forbids it? Should this come to pass will he become President for Life, or will someone wrest power from him by force? With Trump, America is very much in uncharted territory.

Aside from provoking thoughts of our current day and age, Caligula has very little to offer. Even the genitalia don't do much in the way of stimulation. 

Why We Shouldn't Be Surprised Trump Let Santos Out of Jail

Having scarcely served 3 months of a 7-year prison sentence, former Republican Congressman George Santos was freed from a jail yesterday following the commutation of his sentence by President Trump.

I cannot say I am surprised at this development. Let us consider what I wrote when Santos was expelled from Congress in December 2023:

I do not want to diminish the significance of the crimes of which Santos stands accused. He used campaign donations for his personal benefit which fits his long pattern of deceitful and dishonest behavior where it concerns other people's money. 

However, Santos' crimes pale in comparison to those of Trump when one considers his business practices in New York, intimidating public officials in trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election in Georgia, deliberately withholding top secret classified information and, of course, inciting an insurrection to prevent the peaceful transfer of power. Trump has made no secret of his desire to seek retribution against those who have the temerity to hold him to account. 

Despite this, American voters are giving serious consideration to hands the nuclear codes back to Trump. 

This must not come to pass. If we see fit to return Trump to power then not only does it mean the end of American democracy, but it means the enshrinement of corruption. This will ensure Congress and all of our public institutions will be filled with George Santos types eager to do Donald Trump's bidding.

Well, this did come to pass. American voters did hand the nuclear codes back to Trump and he has filled the White House and his cabinet with George Santos types willing to do his bidding and the law be damned (i.e. Kash Patel, Kristi Noem, RFK, Jr., Pam Bondi, Pete Hegseth, Dan Bongino, etc.)

Could Trump appoint Santos to some kind of post within his administration? Possibly, but not highly likely. The fact that Trump told Santos to "have a great life" tells me he is not eager to have him in his orbit.

In which case, perhaps Santos will try to run for Congress yet again. If we were foolish enough to give Trump a second bite at the apple, then it is not beyond the realm of possibility that a congressional district that would elect a potato if it were a Republican could do the same with Santos. Or perhaps Santos will stay in private life and concoct new criminal schemes and do so with the knowledge that he will stay out of jail so long as Trump or one of his minions is still in power.

Mind you, Trump didn't deny Santos' guilt in his Truth Social post announcing his decision to commute his sentence. But Trump made it very clear why Santos is now a free man:

(A)t least Santos had the Courage, Conviction, and Intelligence to ALWAYS VOTE REPUBLICAN!

As the late Peruvian President Oscar Benavides put it, "For my friends, everything!!! For my enemies, the law!!!" 

Dodgers Sweep Brewers to Win 5th NL Pennant Since 2017; Ohtani MVP with 3 HR, 10 K Performance

The Los Angeles Dodgers have swept the Milwaukee Brewers to win back-to-back NL pennants and their 5th NL pennant since 2017.

The Dodgers bested the Brewers 5-1 on the strength of Shohei Ohtani both on the mound and at the plate. Ohtani blasted 3 HR while striking out 10 batters in six innings of shutout baseball. Ohtani was named NLCS MVP.

During the regular season, the Brew Crew went 6-0 vs. the defending World Series champions. But in October they showed precious little of their regular season form as the Dodgers outscored them 15-4 limiting Milwaukee to a run per game. The Brewers have reached the post-season in 7 of the past 8 seasons and have yet to win the NL pennant. It is now the third time they have been eliminated by the Dodgers. 

Prior to the post-season, Dad predicted the Dodgers would be undefeated in October. Well, he's been almost on the mark, and the Dodgers are 9-1 in this post-season. The Dodgers swept the Reds in the NLWC, ousted the Phillies in four games in the NLDS and have now swept the Brewers in the NLCS. Aside from a Game 3 loss to Philadelphia in the NLDS, the Dodgers have been flawless.

The Dodgers will attempt to become the first team to win consecutive World Series titles since the New York Yankees won thrice in a row between 1998-2000. Los Angeles will either face the Seattle Mariners or the Toronto Blue Jays. The Mariners currently hold a 3-2 lead in the ALCS and could clinch their first AL pennant tomorrow night. Or the Jays could force a Game 7 on Sunday evening.

Whoever prevails I have only thing to say - Beat L.A.

Jews Not Welcome at UK Soccer Match & Swedish Film Festival

The place of Jews in civil society grows more tenuous by the day. 

In the U.K., The Aston Villa F.C. along with authorities have prohibited Israeli fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv from attending their matchup next month for "public safety concerns."

Nearly a thousand miles away in Sweden, cinemas in Malmo refused to participate in a Jewish film festival for "security reasons" and "that something might happen."

Gee, I thought the Palestinians and their supporters wanted a ceasefire.

Well, now they've got their ceasefire. 

So why should there be public safety concerns? What is it that could happen?

What this tells me is that this was never about a ceasefire. 

What this is about is killing Jews be it in Israel, the U.K., Sweden or anywhere else we might dare to be.

In the case of the U.K. and Sweden, we have societies who have given in to hooligans and thugs telling Jews they cannot watch soccer matches or organize film festivals.

Today, it is soccer matches and film festivals. Tomorrow, Jews will be prohibited from attaining education, employment and housing for "security reasons."

This cannot stand. Because when a society cannot stand up for Jews, it will soon fall into mob rule and tyranny.

I Wonder if JD Vance Ever Said "Stupid" Things When He Was a "Kid"

Earlier this week, Politico revealed that prominent Young Republicans had made a long series of racist, anti-Semitic and homophobic remarks in group chats. 

Not surprisingly, this is fine with Vice-President J.D. Vance who stated during an appearance on The Charlie Kirk Show:

Grow up! Focus on the real issues. Don't focus on what kids say in group chats... The reality is that kids do stupid things, especially young boys — they tell edgy, offensive jokes. That's what kids do.

Of course, as has been pointed out, these kids were in their 20s and 30s and were working for prominent Republicans. 

Which brings me back to Vance who ascended to his current position at the age of 40 and was elected to the U.S. Senate at the age of 38.

The fact that Vance is so vehement in defending the behavior of these Young Republicans, I cannot help but wonder what sort of things Vance might have said in these sorts of group chats when he was, say, a "kid" of 35.

Did Vance utter the n-word or the f-word in a group chat?

Did Vance praise Hitler in a group chat?

Is his defense of the behavior of these Young Republicans a confession?

Perhaps Vance is too careful to be so indiscreet in that setting. Or perhaps Vance is disgusted by what was said but simply wishes to maintain his good standing with Trump. On the other hand, this is the same JD Vance who not only spread false information about Haitian migrants eating cats and dogs but bragged about "creating stories".

In defending this behavior, Vance is basically telling the Young Republicans he calls "kids" that it is OK to express racist, anti-Semitic and homophobic views and that such views are indeed tolerated by the Republican Party at large up to and including the White House.

Trump is Responsible for Hamas Carrying Out Public Executions & Not Returning Deceased Hostages to Israel

Hamas remains large and in charge of Gaza.

They have demonstrated this by carrying out public executions.

On top of that, they have also been flaunting the ceasefire by handing Israel a dead Palestinian instead of a deceased hostage something I predicted they would do scarcely 48 hours ago.

This is on President Trump's head.

If he wants to accept credit for the release of the last 20 living hostages, then he is going to have to accept blame for Hamas actions going forward.

Indeed, by Trump's own admission he gave Hamas his blessing:

Well, they [Hamas] are standing because they do want to stop the problems, and they’ve been open about it, and we gave them approval for a period of time.

What problems? And for what period of time?

In a sense it doesn't really matter because Trump has given Hamas approval to remain in power indefinitely.

Yes, I am aware that Trump has called upon Hamas to disarm. Trump claimed, "If they don't disarm, we will disarm them. And it will happen quickly and perhaps violently."

But I'm afraid actions speak louder than words and Trump has permitted them to remain armed and thus remain in power in Gaza.

These actions are not something which warrants a Nobel Peace Prize.

But no matter. I'm sure Trump is enjoying all those gifts he has been bequeathed to him by the Qataris.

I Like John Candy; I Wish I Felt the Same for Ryan Reynolds

 

(Ryan Reynolds, kneeling at the front of the stage and

Steven Page standing behind at the Shubert Theatre in Boston following the screening of John Candy: I Like Me on October 14, 2025)

More than 30 years after his death, John Candy remains a larger-than-life figure. Whether viewing him on SCTV, in films like Uncle Buck or even on the sidelines of a football field when he co-owned the Toronto Argonauts, you remembered him and he left you with a smile.

On Tuesday evening, I ventured to the Shubert Theatre to take in a screening of the documentary John Candy: I Like Me. Following the film would be a discussion led by fellow Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds of Deadpool fame. Reynolds is among the co-producers of the documentary which was directed by Colin Hanks.

At Reynolds request there would be no cell phone pictures or video permitted until the conclusion of the show. Unfortunately, security personnel took things far too seriously. An audience member right directly behind me said, "This gentleman wants to talk to you." It was security guard who told me, "Put that away now!!!" 

I complied having no desire to escalate the situation. Mind you, however, I was just looking at my phone. At no point did I take any pictures. Nevertheless, it made Dan Pasternack's plea to put away our phones so we could experience "joyousness and togetherness" not resonate with me. I did not feel much in the way of joyousness and frankly far too much togetherness. I was sandwiched between two extremely large people with very little leg room. My knees were burning.

The documentary itself was fine although at times it was hard to hear the dialogue. John Candy is a worthy subject and the insights of his widow Rosemary, children Chris and Jennifer along with contemporaries and friends like Tom Hanks, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Eugene Levy, Dave Thomas, Macaulay Culkin, Catherine O'Hara and Andrea Martin were well worth hearing. It was also nice seeing excerpts from old SCTV skits and having a bit of a laugh.

Following the screening, Pasternak introduced journalist Paul Myers who is the author of the book John Candy: A Life in Comedy before bringing out Reynolds and later former Barenaked Ladies lead singer Steven Page. This was the first time I had seen Page onstage since my freshman year at Carleton University in the fall of 1991 when they were the opening act for the Skydiggers during Frosh Week. But that is another story for another time.

It should be noted that Myers is the older brother of comedian Mike Myers. He relayed a story about his brother meeting Candy in Toronto when he was in early teens. Myers asked Candy how he could make it in comedy and Candy suggested he sign up for improv courses at Second City noting that while there was no guarantee of fame or fortune, he could end up doing something he loved. The elder Myers said that Candy could have easily told him he had no chance to make it but ended up instead giving some practical advice.

Reynolds, on the other hand, mostly talked about himself and even showed a clip from Deadpool & Wolverine. What any of this had to do with John Candy was unclear. Pasternak tried to steer Reynolds back to Candy several times, but he just kept talking about himself. 

The only substantive comment Reynolds made about the film was to claim, "This film isn't about death. It is about a life lived." While John Candy did live a full life, death was an underlying theme of the film as time and again, the formative event of his life was the death of his father on his 5th birthday. Candy's friends and contemporaries mentioned Candy was trying to do everything because he was living on borrowed time.

Steven Page's contribution to the evening was to sing "What a Good Boy" which was referenced during the film before ending the proceedings with "If I Had a Million Dollars." At which point, we were allowed to use our phones. 

John Candy always struck me as a mensch, and I just don't get that impression from Ryan Reynolds. Yes, I am aware that the net proceeds of the performance go to St. Jude's Hospital. But what role Reynolds played in that if any is unclear. Ryan Reynolds comes across as a guy who says, 'Look at me. I'm famous.' He is not someone I would approach if I were bleeding to death. John Candy, on the other hand, was an everyman who was accessible to all perhaps to a fault.

My favorite John Candy story came from when he starred in Only the Lonely with Ally Sheedy, Anthony Quinn and Maureen O'Hara who came out of a 20-year retirement to work on the film. O'Hara was given a small trailer which Candy thought to be insufficient for someone her stature. Candy lobbied the film's producers to give O'Hara a larger trailer. They refused. So, he gave O'Hara his trailer. It was only then that the producers spent additional money for another trailer for him. Unfortunately, this story was not mentioned in the documentary though there was a brief excerpt of Candy and O'Hara appearing on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.

John Candy and Ryan Reynolds are both Canadian. The similarities end there.

I think I would have enjoyed John Candy: I Like Me more without the hoopla and in a more intimate setting like the Brattle Theatre. I like John Candy, but I just didn't enjoy the experience.

Sandy Alomar, Sr. Had His Greatest Baseball Success with the California Angels

Former MLB player and coach Sandy Alomar, Sr. passed away today less than a week shy of his 82nd birthday.

Alomar is best remembered for being the father of six-time All-Star catcher Sandy Alomar, Jr. and Hall of Fame second baseman Roberto Alomar.

Yet the elder Alomar had a lengthy career in MLB as both a player and a coach. Alomar, Sr. played in the MLB for 15 seasons with the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, Chicago White Sox, California Angels, New York Yankees and the Texas Rangers. His big-league coaching career began in 1986 with the San Diego Padres where both of his sons made their MLB debut.

After five seasons in San Diego, Alomar joined the Cubs organization and spent most of the 1990s as a minor league manager eventually joining the big-league coaching staff in 2000. Alomar would spend the balance of the 2000's on the big-league coaching staffs of both the Colorado Rockies and the New York Mets. A native of Puerto Rico, Alomar also played, coached and managed the Puerto Rican national team.

Getting back to his playing career, Alomar, Sr.'s statistics were modest in comparison to his sons. In 1481 career games, Alomar collected 1168 hits for a lifetime batting average of .245 with 13 HR and 282 RBI. But he would enjoy his greatest success as a player during his tenure with the California Angels from the middle of the 1969 season through the middle of the 1974 season.

It was in an Angels uniform where Alomar, Sr. belted his first career HR after more than 900 career plate appearances leading off a game against Minnesota Twins pitcher Dick Woodson. In both 1970 and 1971, Alomar played all 162 games at second base leading the AL in plate appearances both seasons. Alomar would be named to the 1970 AL All-Star Team. But his best overall season came in 1971 when came to bat a league leading 689 times while hitting a career best .260 with 4 HR and 42 RBI. At one point, Alomar played in 648 consecutive games with the Angels until a broken leg following a collision with Jerry Hairston, Sr. ended his season in 1973.

Alomar would become an everyday player again during his tenure with the New York Yankees when they played in Shea Stadium in 1974 and in 1975. By the time the Bronx Bombers had returned to Yankee Stadium in 1976, Alomar was relegated to utility play with the emergence of Willie Randolph at second base. Despite limited play, he would be part of an AL championship team for the only time in his career.

While Sandy Alomar, Sr. may have been a bit player, he will always remain an Angel in the infield. R.I.P.

Shildt Steps Down as San Diego Padres Skipper

In a stunning decision, Mike Shildt has stepped down as San Diego Padres skipper after only two seasons at the helm with two more years on his contract.

Shildt led the Padres to back-to-back post-season berths and for the first time in franchise history, the team posted back-to-back 90 plus win seasons. But Shildt was burned out. In which case, it is for the best that he walks away under his own power. 

Aside from the fact the Padres have never won a World Series title, I would have liked Shildt to have earned a World Series ring after the way he was abruptly dismissed by the St. Louis Cardinals after the 2021 season despite having led the team to the post-season in three of the four years he was there.

Who knows? Perhaps Shildt will be back in a big-league dugout and just needs to recharge his batteries much like Terry Francona did. Or perhaps Shildt will return to baseball in a player development capacity or return to the dugout as a bench coach with less pressure on his shoulders. Whatever he decides to do, I hope nothing for the best for Mike Shildt.

So where do the Padres go from here? To be precise, what does GM A.J. Preller want to do? Does he go with a manager with less experience along the lines of former Padres skippers Andy Green or Jaycee Tingler? Or does he go with a guy with more experience like former Padres manager Bob Melvin? To be clear, given Preller and Melvin's past relationship I don't think there would be a reunion. But is it out of the question for Preller to give Bruce Bochy a call? Bochy, who recently ended his tenure in the Texas Rangers dugout, began his big-league managerial career with the Padres leading the team to the NL pennant in 1998. They've never got that far ever since.

Whatever the case, with Shildt's sudden departure there are now 8 teams seeking a new skipper in 2026. Aside from the Padres, the Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Angels, Minnesota Twins, Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies, Washington Nationals and San Francisco Giants are also seeking new managers.

Some Thoughts for the Israeli Hostages Both Living & Dead

(Freed Israeli hostage Evyatar David)

Today is a mixture of joy, sadness, anger and unease about the future.

First, the joy. The 20 living Israeli hostages are back home!!!

After 738 days in captivity, they are safe. Of course, these 20 men will endure scars from their ordeal for the rest of their lives. But they will live.

I am particularly gratified that Evyatar David is among the surviving hostages. Back in August, Hamas posted a video of an emaciated David digging his own grave. Back in February, David along with fellow surviving hostage Guy Gilboa-Dalal was forced to watch three other hostages being freed from a van before being shuttled back to captivity.

When this deal was first announced with President Trump shamelessly campaigning for a Nobel Peace Prize, I made it clear he was not entitled to any prizes until I saw the hostages released. Now that the 20 living hostages have been released, I am prepared to bestow Trump and his team all due credit including any measures they may have took to ensure they were not released in front of an angry mob against a backdrop of pro-Hamas and anti-Semitic propaganda. 

But then comes the sadness, anger and unease about the future.

For starters, there are the dead hostages and ensuring them a proper burial. Of the 28 hostages who were murdered by Hamas, only four have been returned - maybe. The bodies of Guy Illouz, Yossi Sharabi, Bipin Joshi and Daniel Perez have not been positively identified as of this hour. Hamas has willfully turned over the remains of the wrong person as was the case with Shiri Bibas. Frankly, there's nothing stopping them from doing this now. The fact that Vice-President Vance has publicly said that Hamas might never turn over the remains of the deceased hostages despite an agreement that they do exactly that does not inspire my confidence.

The release of the 20 living hostages came with a stiff price. The release of approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners many of whom had murdered Israelis. Who can say they won't do so again?

Then there is what happens to Hamas? Somehow, I think Hamas will outlast Trump, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff at the negotiating table and continue to rule Gaza. It doesn't exactly help matters the Trump Administration remains on friendly terms with Qatar, Hamas' long-time benefactor. With Qatar setting up a military base in Idaho, they will have the convenience of training Hamas operatives in the United States. What could go wrong?

And lest I forget the torrent of anti-Semitism which has been unleashed in the United States and around in the world at a time when Jews needed support the very most. The genie is out of the bottle and cannot be so easily returned. The damage has only just begun.

Yet despite all of this, we must take whatever joy we can find out the muck of sadness, anger and unease about the future. On this day, there are at least 20 good reasons to feel joy.