Rafael Devers is Damned if He Works Out at First Base & Damned if He Doesn't

Rafael Devers remains public enemy number one in Boston.

Enter Red Sox play-by-play announcer Will Flemming who during an interview with WEEI claimed that Devers no-showed three consecutive work outs at first base with San Francisco Giants legend Will Clark:

Will Clark was there to work on ground balls with him at first base, and Raffy didn't show up. So that's the person that (the Red Sox) have been dealing with.

The problem is that Flemming left out a critical detail acknowledged by Clark himself. While it was true Devers skipped those workouts, he did so because that was the weekend the Red Sox were in San Francisco: 

Everybody's like, 'Oh my God, Will, I'm so sorry.' I'm like 'Don't worry about. I know what the f*** happened.' I said he didn't want to go out and be 20 feet in front of their freaking dugout with, you know, what went on in Boston, and now he's working with me at first base. He didn't want to go through all that bulls*** in the press and the media. So I completely understand. But Rafael Devers, the next time I'm in San Francisco, your ass will be on the field at first base.

That's a pretty significant detail for Flemming to omit. 

From where I sit, Devers is damned if he works out at first base and damned if he doesn't. Had Devers worked out with Clark at first the weekend the Red Sox were in town, Flemming and the rest of the Boston sports media would have said, 'Gee, now he works out at first base. Why didn't he do that with us?' They would have raked him over the coals no matter what he did.

This is just another reminder of how petty and vindictive the Boston sports media can be.  

Globalizing the Intifada in Australia

Several days ago, Melbourne, Australia witnessed two anti-Semitic events in the name of "globalizing the intifada."

First, came an attack against a synagogue during Shabbat services when a man attempted to set the house of worship ablaze. Fortunately, no one was harmed at the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation. A suspect was taken into custody on Sunday.

Second, a group of pro-Hamas hooligans stormed Miznon, an Israeli owned restaurant during a Shabbat dinner chanting "Death to the IDF" and chasing out those in attendance before turning over tables and chairs and breaking glass.

Two days later, a rally took place in support of those who attacked the synagogue and the Israeli owned restaurant with chants of "Death to the IDF" ringing through the air.

When New York Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks of "globalizing the intifada" this is what happens. 

Sadly, this won't be the last such incident in Australia. I fear the next time anti-Semitism in the name of globalizing the intifada strikes, there will be dead Jews. Of course, this is exactly what those who wish to "globalize the intifada" want.

Nationals Fire Martinez & GM Rizzo While Cairo Gets Another Chance as an Interim Manager

(Getty Images)

Yesterday, after being swept by the Boston Red Sox, the Washington Nationals fired both manager Dave Martinez and GM Mike Rizzo.

Martinez had been the team's skipper since 2018 while Rizzo had been GM since 2009. The Nats won the World Series in 2019 but have not had a winning season since. They enter tonight in last place in the NL East, 16 games back of the Philadelphia Phillies.

At the end of May, the club was treading water at 28-30 but have gone 9-23 since. Mike DeBartolo is the team's new interim GM while bench coach Miguel Cairo gets another chance to be an interim manager. Cairo stepped into the breach for the 2022 Chicago White Sox after Tony LaRussa departed the club for health reasons. Despite going 18-16 under Cairo, the Chisox decided to hire Pedro Grifol as their new skipper. Grifol was a big part of the White Sox's modern MLB record 121 losses last year.

Frankly, I'm shocked that the Martinez and Rizzo weren't let go sooner. On the other hand, it does seem odd they would be let go now rather than at the end of the season. But if this gives Cairo another opportunity to show what he can do in the dugout then I'm all for it. I just hope the Nats give him a chance as their full-time manager.

E.T. is One of Those Movies Which is Best Seen Every 20 Years or So

 

No sooner than I left AMC Boston Common after attending a special screening of This is Spinal Tap, I made my way back to Cambridge via the Red Line and departed at Harvard Square. After a quick supper at Charlie's Kitchen, I sauntered over to the Brattle Theatre to attend a screening of E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial. I was the second person in line.

It was only the third time I ever seen E.T. since it was released in 1982. I first remember seeing on January 2, 1983, in Thunder Bay, Ontario with my mother and my siblings. I specifically remember the date for reasons I shall not detail. All you need to know is that I remember the date. During its 20th anniversary re-release in 2002, I would take in a screening at a cinema near Fenway Park. 

I have come to the conclusion that E.T. is one of those movies which is best viewed once every 20 years or so. It packs such an emotional punch which is both exhilarating yet exhausting. The time had come to see it again. Now that I have seen it yet again, I think I am good to at least 2045 - assuming I am still up and about.

Aside from the genuine warmth and, dare I say, humanity of E.T. himself what stands out the most about the film is just how extraordinary Drew Barrymore's performance was considering she was all of 6-years-old when it was filmed. She somehow combined childhood innocence with a worldly wit without a hint of contrivance. Having the Barrymore name may have helped, but that performance came from within. 

In a film landscape full of sequels and prequels, E.T. stands on its own. He phoned home, got back there with no need to ever return. There is nothing more to be added. 

Before We Tap into The Future, We Must Tap into The Past

 

One of the most anticipated films of 2025 is Spinal Tap 2: The End Continues, the 41st anniversary sequel to This is Spinal Tap.

To whet our appetites, This is Spinal Tap is being shown in AMC Theatres thru tomorrow. I took in a showing yesterday afternoon at AMC Boston Common. Normally, I do my best to avoid AMC theatres because of their excessive and exhaustive number of commercials. However, much to my surprise, there were no commercials or coming attractions. The film began on schedule. It was almost like being at the Brattle or the Somerville Theatre.

This is Spinal Tap is one of those movies best experienced with an audience. By my count, this is the fourth time I've seen in a theatre. The first time took place in the fall of 1991 not long after I arrived in Ottawa for my freshman year at Carleton University. I saw This is Spinal Tap at the Mayfair Theatre with a fellow named Mike "Ozzy" Drukarsh. "Ozzy" gave me the nickname "Cucumber" because I once brought a cucumber to a sexed presentation. 

I must admit a great many of my memories of my time in Ottawa and at Carleton University have faded considerably. But not this one. The main reason for this was because "Ozzy" had seen the film over 400 times and began reciting the film's lines much to the annoyance of the audience around us.

More than a decade would pass before I would see it on the big screen again. By this time, I had moved to Boston. I cannot quite remember the year though I would estimate it was in 2002. I do remember that I saw it at the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline. However long I had been in Boston, by this point the line from Ian Faith (played by Tony Hendra), "Boston isn't a big college town." Not surprisingly, this was one of the big laugh lines in the entire film and was again yesterday.

Prior to yesterday, I last saw This is Spinal Tap in April 2019 at the Beacon Theatre in New York City with Dad. The screening marked the film's 35th anniversary and director Rob Reiner, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer were on hand to talk and perform following a showing of the film. However, much to my consternation Elvis Costello made an unannounced appearance. Costello infamously cancelled concerts in Israel back in 2010 and is a supporter of the BDS Movement. Had I known he was going to be there, I would not have attended.

Fortunately, there were no unpleasant surprises yesterday. Following the screening, we were treated to a trailer featuring Rob Reiner as Marty DiBurgi promoting Spinal Tap 2: The End Continues featuring a scene with McKean, Guest and Shearer having aged considerably discussing a memorial concert in which one of the members is required to die onstage. Spinal Tap 2: The End Continues is due in theatres on September 12th. Now that I have tapped back into the past, I look forward to tapping into the future.

Bobby Jenks Was the Final Piece of the Puzzle for the 2005 Chicago White Sox

Former MLB closer Bobby Jenks passed away of stomach cancer yesterday in Portugal at the age of 44. 

Jenks will always be fondly remembered on the South Side of Chicago for being the final piece of the puzzle for the 2005 World Series champion Chicago White Sox. It is worth remembering that Dustin Hermanson had been the team's closer for the most of that season when a back injury put him on the shelf. Jenks, a 24-year-old rookie, stepped into the breach earning six saves in the final month of the season. Jenks would earn two saves in the ALDS sweep of the Boston Red Sox and two saves in the World Series sweep of the Houston Astros (then a National League team). It was the first World Series title for the Chisox since 1917. 

In 2006 and 2007, Jenks saved 41 and 40 games, respectively, earning back-to-back AL All-Star Team selections. During the 2007 season, Jenks retired 41 consecutive batters tying a MLB record held by San Francisco Giants pitcher Jim Barr during the 1972 season. His White Sox teammate Mark Buehrle would break the record in 2009 by retiring 45 consecutive batters. 

Jenks remained in the closer role with the Chisox through the 2010 season. He would sign as a free agent with the Boston Red Sox prior to the 2011 season but injuries rendered him ineffective. A botched surgery on his back following the 2011 season prematurely ended his MLB career at the age of 30 and would subsequently result in litigation against the doctor who performed the surgery and Massachusetts General Hospital which was settled out of court in 2019. Over 7 MLB seasons, Jenks recorded 173 career saves (all with the White Sox). 

Life after baseball proved difficult for Jenks who developed an addiction to alcohol and pain medication following the botched surgery. Then came this year. First, he lost his home during the Pacific Palisades fires in California and then his terminal cancer diagnosis.

It is heartbreaking that Jenks suffered so greatly for such a long period of time. One can only hope he is at peace. For all of his pain, no one can take away the role he played in the Chicago White Sox World Series triumph 20 years ago. R.I.P.

Trump Doesn't Get the Benefit of the Doubt on His Use of The Anti-Semitic Term "Shylock"

President Trump claims he had no idea "shylock" is an anti-Semitic term. 

During a rally in Iowa to celebrate the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, Trump discussed its effect on the estate tax:

Think of that. No death tax, no estate tax. No going to the banks and borrowing from in some cases a fine banker, and in some cases shylocks and bad people.

When confronted with his use of the term by reporters, Trump said, "I've never heard it that way. The meaning of shylock is somebody that's a moneylender at high rates. You view it differently. I've never heard that." 

I do not believe him.

Given Trump's propensity towards lying, he does not get the benefit of the doubt. When we also consider that Trump's long business career and Ivy League education, it is implausible that he is not aware of the term "shylock".

Naturally, there are those who will point out that his daughter Ivanka converted to Judaism and that his grandchildren are Jewish. Well, then that makes it even more implausible that he is unaware of the term.

Let us also keep in mind that Trump has repeatedly questioned the loyalty of American Jews. The term shylock certainly questions Jews for having loyalty to no one other than themselves.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Joe Biden used the term when he was Vice-President back in 2014 and made a heartfelt apology. Unlike Biden, Trump will never admit to wrongdoing much less make amends for it.