Rip Torn, R.I.P.

Actor Rip Torn has passed away at the age of 88. A cause of death has not been released.

Although Torn's career began in the early 1950's, the bulk of his mainstream success came later in his career during the 1990's with his role as Artie on The Larry Sanders Show for which he won an Emmy and in the Men in Black franchise.

But before this Torn had an extensive resume in TV, movies and the stage both on Broadway and Off-Broadway. Torn had a difficult personality and when profiled by Studs Terkel for his seminal work Working in the early 1970's, Torn admitted he was easily angered and saddened. Alcohol didn't help matters much and may have very well contributed to his attacking Norman Mailer with a hammer on the set of the ill-fated film Maidstone. However, Torn won a substantial sum from Dennis Hopper after Hopper told Jay Leno on The Tonight Show that Torn had gone after him with a knife on the set of Easy Rider. Torn was replaced by Jack Nicholson and the rest is cinematic history. He would also make headlines in 2010 after breaking into a bank with a firearm while intoxicated thinking it was his home. Perhaps not surprisingly this behavior made for difficult, tumultuous marriages with Geraldine Page and Ann Wedgeworth.

Nevertheless, Torn leaves behind an impressive body of work. Aside from The Larry Sanders Show and Men in Black, there were appearances on stage in Sweet Bird of Youth, an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor in Cross Creek and a recurring role on 30 Rock not to mention TV credits on shows ranging from Bonanza, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. as well as when he portrayed the murderer on the 1991 Columbo episode "Death Hits The Jackpot". He also co-starred with musical icons David Bowie and Paul Simon in The Man Who Fell to Earth and One Trick Pony. 

I leave you with his lone appearance on Late Night with David Letterman in 1983 where he promotes Cross Creek. R.I.P.

AL Wins 7th Straight All-Star Game

The American League won its seventh straight All-Star Game besting the National League 4-3 in front of a capacity crowd at Progressive Field in Cleveland.

Former Tribe outfielder Michael Brantley, now of the Houston Astros, got the scoring started in the second with a double off Los Angeles Dodgers legend Clayton Kershaw. Minnesota Twins shortstop Jorge Polanco singled in the fifth to give the AL a 2-0 lead.

The NL finally got on the board in the sixth when Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon hit a solo HR off Oakland A's closer Liam Hendriks. The AL would get that run back when A's third baseman Matt Chapman scored after Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts hit into a double play. NL manager Dave Roberts removed Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff in favor of San Francisco Giants closer Will Smith who promptly gave up a solo HR to Texas Ranger slugger Joey Gallo to give the AL a 4-1 lead after 7 innings.

The NL would make things interesting in the 8th inning when HR Derby champion Pete Alonso hit a two run single. But Indians closer Brad Hand managed to get out of the inning by getting Brewers third baseman Mike Moustakas to foul out to White Sox catcher James McCann.

New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman struck out the side in the 9th with the help of a visit from teammate C.C Sabathia who got a nice hand from the Cleveland crowd. Sabathia, of course, began his Hall of Fame career with the Tribe. Other classy gestures included a tribute to fallen Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs and the presence of cancer striken Tribe pitcher Carlos Carrasco on the field during the Stand Up to Cancer ceremony.

There wasn't an obvious All-Star Game MVP. The hometown fans were happy that Indians pitcher Shane Bieber was chosen on the strength of striking out the side in the fifth inning. Bieber becomes the first pitcher to win the honor since Mariano Rivera's swan song at the 2013 All-Star Game at Citi Field in New York.

The 2020 MLB All-Star Game will take place at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. It will be the first time the mid-season classic will be held at Chavez Ravine in 40 years. The NL, like the Dodgers, will have to wait until next year.

Alonso Edges Vlady, Jr. in 2019 Home Run Derby

New York Mets rookie Pete Alonso bested Toronto Blue Jays rookie Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. to win the 2019 MLB Home Run Derby tonight in Cleveland.

Although Vlady, Jr. enjoyed much of the spotlight hitting 91 home runs overall, he faded in the final round and gave Mets fans the only thing they will probably have to cheer about for the rest of the season. The younger Guerrero hit 29 home runs in the first round breaking Josh Hamilton's single round record of 28 home runs in the 2008 Derby at old Yankee Stadium. Granted, the ball is juiced and Guerrero wasn't limited to 10 outs. Still, Vlady, Jr. hit some mammoth shots.

Vlady, Jr. did even better in the second round hitting 40 home runs in the second round and he needed everyone of them as he and Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson needed three tiebreakers to settle the score.

Needless to say, Vlady, Jr. didn't have as much oomph in the final round, but he still managed 22 home runs. But Alonso would prevail and managed to win over the crowd after eliminating hometown favorite Carlos Santana in the first round.

I'm not generally a fan of the Home Run Derby, but Alonso and Guerrero, Jr. are two of the game's best young Ambassadors and if they are the face of the sport in the next decade or so then baseball will be in good hands however the idiots might run the game into the ground.

The Torch Won't Be Passed to Eric Swalwell

Congressman Eric Swalwell is expected to drop out of the Democratic Party race for the White House later today.


The 38-year old four term Representative from California mostly made a negative impression during his three months in the race. Most of that negative impression was made during last month's second Democratic debate during which Pete Buttigieg gave him a death stare and Joe Biden told him he was still carrying the torch and was not planning to pass it to him. This isn't to say that Biden is entitled to the nomination, but it was very clear Swalwell doesn't have the goods at the presidential level.

As it turns out, Swalwell has a fight on the home front as he faces a primary challenge from the AOC backed Aisha Wahab, an Afghan-American city councilor in Hayward.


Now that the herding has begun the question is whether more Democratic aspirants will drop out between now and the next set of debates in Detroit on July 30th and 31st. If I had to hazard a guess it would be folks like Seth Moulton, Tim Ryan, Jay Inslee, Michael Bennet, John Hickenlooper and John Delaney among others. In other words, all the straight white males not named Biden or Bernie.


As for right now, I guess Swalwell does not end well.

Thoughts on the Jonathan Lucroy-Jake Marisnick Collision

Yesterday afternoon, my Dad and I saw this collision at home plate between Los Angeles Angels catcher Jonathan Lucroy and Houston Astros outfielder Jake Marisnick as it happened.


WARNING: This video might be difficult to watch!!!

The collision and its aftermath nearly made Dad sick to his stomach. It appeared for a moment that Lucroy was convulsing and Dad thought his life was in danger.


In less than 24 hours, the collision has taken on a life of its own. Astros players like pitcher Lance McCullers, Jr. defended Marisnick. Angels manager Brad Ausmus, on the other hand, has called for MLB to suspend Marisnick for his actions. Meanwhile, St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina rushed to the defense of his fellow catcher Lucroy and launched an expletive laden tirade on his Instagram account which only escalated when Astros shortstop Carlos Correa defended Marisnick.


Frankly, I am puzzled as to why Marisnick didn't slide on the outside of the plate. But after he knocked out Lucroy, Marisnick appeared crestfallen and immediately checked to see if he was alright. Following the game, Marisnick issued an apology via video. Unfortunately, it didn't help matters when someone in the Astros dugout yelled "that's fucking bullshit" when Marisnick was called out at the plate following an umpire review. However, Marisnick was clearly in violation of MLB Rule 6.01 (i)(1) which reads in part:

A runner attempting to score may not deviate from his direct pathway to the plate in order to initiate contact with the catcher (or other player covering home plate), or otherwise initiate an avoidable collision. If, in the judgment of the umpire, a runner attempting to score initiates contact with the catcher (or other player covering home plate) in such a manner, the umpire shall declare the runner out (regardless of whether the player covering home plate maintains possession of the ball).

When the call was reversed, the scored reverted back to a 10-10 tie. The Astros would win the game in extra innings on a single by George Springer, but it was a hollow victory.


The question now is what Lucroy has to say about all of it, but at the moment he probably isn't in any condition to say much of anything. At last word, Lucroy was hospitalized and has to undergo a CT scan. He will undoubtedly be placed on the 7-Day IL for concussion and possibly the 10-Day IL for a broken nose. At the very worst, this could be a career ending injury for the 10-year big league veteran.


Complicating things is the fact the Astros will be visiting Anaheim for a four game series beginning on July 15th, one week from today. Unless Lucroy is in a forgiving mood and is inclined to issue a statement and shake hands with Marisnick at home plate before the game begins, Angels fans who have been grieving over the sudden death last week of pitcher Tyler Skaggs could channel their grief into anger upon the very sight of Marisnick. If Lucroy is not inclined towards forgiveness, MLB could see fit for suspend him during this series for his own safety. Suspension or no suspension, contrition or no contrition, Jake Marisnick is the most hated man in MLB and fans in every city will let him know it barring forgiveness by Lucroy.


One can only hope the All-Star Break can serve as a cooling off period.

MLB Notes for All-Star Break: Nats Claw Way to NL Wild Card

Although more than 81 games have passed we have reached the halfway point of the 2019 MLB season with the All-Star Game to take place in Cleveland on Tuesday night.

One team that probably wishes there wasn't a pause in the action is the Washington Nationals. This wasn't the case right before Memorial Day. On May 23rd, the Nats had just lost their fifth straight game and 7 of their last 10 games and were only 1.5 games ahead of the last place Miami Marlins. They were 10 games back of the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East, 8.5 games off the NL Wild Card with The Washington Post's Thomas Boswell making the case that Dave Martinez shouldn't be managing the team.

Since May 23rd, the Nats have gone 28-11 and have overtaken the Phillies in the NL East standings. Although the Nats are six games back of the division leading Atlanta Braves, they are now atop the NL Wild Card standings - a half game ahead of the Phillies. Although the Phillies have gone 18-22 over this same period and fallen out of the first place they own the other NL Wild Card berth at the midway point. Needless to say, a Nationals-Phillies NL Wild Card match up would be mammoth especially if the Nats overcome the Phillies and demonstrate they have moved on without Bryce Harper. Anthony Rendon has become a NL MVP candidate, Juan Soto has avoided the sophomore jinx, Max Scherzer is striking out 10 batters a game - black eye or no black eye and their bullpen has sorted out most of its issues.

Yet let us not forget the Braves who have gone 26-14 since May 23rd. Actually, the Braves have been on a roll since May 15th when rookie sensation Austin Riley made his debut. They were a .500 team before Riley made his debut and have gone 33-16 since his call up. Riley might not win NL Rookie of the Year, but he will likely play baseball in October unlike Pete Alonso.

While Alonso might have 30 home runs, he and NL batting leader Jeff McNeil are the only good things about the New York Mets who go into the break 13.5 games back of the Braves. It's never a good sign when the team's GM is throwing chairs and its manager and players are swearing at newspaper reporters. Of course, the Marlins have the worst record in the NL, but this was expected. It was not expected that the Mets would be out of contention. The Mets are the biggest disappointment not only in the NL, but in all of MLB.

At this point, the Mets wish they were in the NL Central. They'd be only 7 games back of the Chicago Cubs. At the end of June, the gap between first and last was 5.5 games. It is now 4.5 games. The Cubs have a half game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers with the St. Louis Cardinals two games out, the Pittsburgh Pirates 2.5 games back with the last place Cincinnati Reds only 4.5 games behind the Cubs. The Reds could easily be leading the NL Central by the end of July.

There won't any such sweeping changes in the NL West. Although the Los Angeles Dodgers finished the half with three straight losses (their longest losing streak since they dropped six in a row in mid-April), they are 13.5 games ahead of the second place Arizona Diamondbacks, 14 ahead of the .500 San Diego Padres and 14.5 ahead of the Colorado Rockies. The Rockies limp into the second half having lost six in a row and 7 of their last 10 games. Colorado appeared to have turned the corner. After beginning the season 3-12, the Rockies managed to climb over .500 by Memorial Day Weekend only to drop under .500 as they are winless thus far in July. The last place San Francisco Giants have won 7 of their last 10 games and are now 5.5 games back of the second NL Wild Card berth. Could the Giants be the NL's sleeper team in the second half?

Outside of D.C., the happiest fans in MLB can probably be found in Cleveland. Aside from hosting the All-Star Game for the first time since 1997, the Indians go into the second half having won six games in a row and 8 of their last 10 games. Since the end of June, the Indians have gone from being 8 games back of the Minnesota Twins in the AL Central to only five games back. If the season ended now, the Tribe would earn an AL Wild Card berth and face off against the Tampa Bay Rays. At the end of May, the Indians were 28-29, tied with the Chicago White Sox and 10.5 games back of the Twins. Since that time the Tribe are 20-9. The Indians might not be content with an AL Wild Card berth and certainly have a shot at overtaking the Twins. As for the Chisox, they might not reach the post-season in 2019, but they have a shot of being over .500 for the first time since 2012. The Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals might soon be selling off parts.

The New York Yankees end the first half with the best record in the AL and a 6.5 game lead in the AL East over the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays have scuffled of late having gone 11-15 since June 10th when they had a half game lead on the Yankees. But the Rays still have the top berth in the AL Wild Card race. Will the Rays be able to hold off the Boston Red Sox? While the Bosox are 9 games back of the Yankees they are only 2 games back of the Rays in the AL Wild Card race. The Red Sox, however, are not the only team in the AL Wild Card hunt. More on that in a moment. As with the Tigers and Royals, the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles will likely be selling their wares at the trade deadline.

The Houston Astros will enter the second half with a 7.5 game lead over the Oakland A's in the AL West. The A's are only 1.5 games back of the Cleveland Indians for the second AL Wild Card berth. The Texas Rangers who began July with the second berth have slipped back but are only three games back and far from out of it. The Los Angeles Angels, fresh off the death of pitcher Tyler Skaggs earlier this month and devastated by today's home plate collision with Jonathan Lucroy, will be treading water for the rest of the season even with Mike Trout in the middle of the lineup. Only the Seattle Mariners are keeping the Angels from being at the bottom of the heap.

Will the Mets fire Mickey Callaway? Does anyone want to win the NL Central? Will anyone give the Dodgers are run for their money in the NL West? Will the Indians overtake the Twins in the AL Central? Can the Rays keep hold of their AL Wild Card berth? Or will the A's overtake them to earn their second straight AL Wild Card match up? I will chime in after the July 31st trade deadline.

A Thought for Carlos Carrasco

Cleveland Indians pitcher Carlos Carrasco has told a media outlet in the Dominican Republic that he has been diagnosed with leukemia.

I had a feeling this might be the case when the 32-year old Venezuelan born hurler was placed on the IL a month ago for "a blood disorder." However, Carrasco is optimistic and says he hopes to pitch again this season. I don't know if this is wishful thinking, but then again Roman Reigns had a recurrence of the cancer back in the fall and was back in the ring within four months.

While most fans might think of Corey Kluber or Trevor Bauer when it comes to Cleveland Indians' pitcher, Carrasco deserves to be up there with them. He has spent his entire 10-year big league career with the Tribe after being acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies in the Cliff Lee deal back in 2009. In 2017, Carrasco finished fourth in AL Cy Young balloting after winning a league leading 18 games with a 3.29 ERA. Last season, Carrasco went 17-10 with a 3.38 ERA and a career high 231 strikeouts. At the time he was placed on the IL, Carrasco was 4-6 with a 4.98 ERA in a dozen starts. Overall, he is 83-68 with a 3.78 ERA and 1206 strikeouts in 219 career appearances with 183 of those appearances being starts.

The Indians have been playing strong baseball going 20-9 since June 1st and currently the second berth in the AL Wild Card. While this will no doubt dampen their spirits there's a good chance their longtime teammate's battle will bring them closer together both off the the field and on it. Should Carlos Carrasco return to pitch this season his teammates and fans will celebrate as if they had won the World Series.