I was at yesterday's Yankees-Indians game and the Tribe got a 9th-inning win to make it two in a row over New York. I may be missing something, but I saw the words "playoff atmosphere" and "September" being used. Puh-leeze. I understand this is the Yanks only visit, but if you were there, that atmosphere was not even close to those descriptions. Of course, the food I had after the game (Salisbury Steak) at Sokolowski's was definitely post-season caliber.

If you look at the game objectively (I know, for some, that's a chore), the Indians really hit in only two innings, the 2nd and the 9th. Their lack of baserunners was so apparent, that when Grady Sizemore led off the 7th with a single, I insisted to my Dad that he had to steal. Many in the crowd were mumbling the same thing. Finally, after two were out, he was caught stealing, but it was absolutely worth the risk, due to frozen bats.

As for pitching, I thought Jeremy Sowers looked pretty good, before giving out in the 6th inning. He scattered a lot of hits, but the Yanks weren't scoring...until Borowski-Lite, Jensen Lewis, came in. Seems to be giving up the big hit this year, this Mr. Lewis, and Jorge Posada obliged with a line drive triple to left that knocked in three. David Delucci dove for it, but he missed. Uh-oh, tie game.

And Eric Wedge got tossed on a really subpar call at second base. Robinson Cano fumbled a relay at second and there were pretty clear doubts as to whether his foot was on the bag, while simultaneously juggling the ball. He got a big pop from the fans on his departure, which was kind of strange. He's not the most loved guy around here. Oh, I guess he is, as an upcoming giveaway is an Eric Wedge t-shirt. Ay carumba!

Anyhow, a big Domo Arigato to Masa Kobayashi who looked good in the 8th and 9th for the win. He pitches fast and has some pop. I noticed in the game notes, the Indians are using him more now that the weather is warmer. Someone may want to remind the front office of our zip code. I also noticed Masa was not wearing a jacket in the dugout between innings. I need to make a note of that and see if it's SOP with him.

Regarding "playoff atmosphere", there were only 35,000 in attendance. Hard to figure. Nice day, Yankees in town, national TV (again today on TBS), but the NFL has its claws in so many sports fans, the Draft may have actually cut into attendance. Rather tame lot yesterday, with towel waving kept to a minimum, because of the lack of action. No wave though. After the 4-3 victory, we'll see how the Indians continue, as this was their best week of results this season.

Only four hits in today's 1-0 loss, so it continues.

Meal of Links

OK, Carly was voted off of "Idol" because she sang "Jesus Christ Superstar"? Huh? Did anyone sing "I Don't Know How To Love Him"? That may have been a better choice because Jesus wasn't in the title. Either that, or the conspiracy theorists have way too much time on their hands.

Another musical primer, this one on Elvis Costello, someone I know a bit about. I was so obsessed with E back in the day, I wore out all of his records. I even got to the point of memorizing lyrics to some of his obscurities like "Clean Money", "But they won't take my love for tender...". Anyhow, many terrific choices amongst the ones put up for listening.

"Pump It Up" and "Oliver's Army" need to be in the discussion and they're in with some other good early selections. Good to see "Man Out Of Time" represented, a wonderful song that was massively underplayed, then and now. "B Movie" from "Get Happy" is an interesting pick (great bassline), but "I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down" remains my favorite from that record. Excellent selection with "Lovers Walk". "13 Steps Lead Down", very inspired stuff and listen how everyone gets involved musically on the track. Then it's one of my Costello favorites. I would put up "Shipbuilding" against any song ever written. It's that good. "With all the will in the world. Diving for dear life. When we could be diving for pearls." Who doesn't wish they could have been the one who wrote that? And over Chet Baker's trumpet, my God, what a tune! Nice tip of the hat to "Taking Liberties" ("Clean Money" is on that album) with the solo version of "Hoover Factory" a nice surprise. Listen to the crowd, that's a different time, eh? No "We love you"s, whistles, or anything else during the song. The five albums they choose at the end are the ones you need to own, although "My Aim Is True" could be added. As always, the comments are pretty smart.

I thought this was cool. Early color (or colour) photos of Britain. A much simpler time, it seems.

There's that phrase again. "Global Food Crisis".

Who kicked ass at Coachella, thus far? Why, it was The Raconteurs on Friday,















and Prince on Saturday. Prince even covered Radiohead by playing "Creep". Check out the Ginobili/Nash or Nash/Kidd commercials for the NBA playoffs. That's "House of Cards" by Radiohead in the background.

John McCain's foreign policy. I am beginning to wonder if he's gone bats. The media's free pass with McCain needs to stop. And soon, I might add. Hopefully, these things are not ignored and will not be forgotten by the time of the presidential campaign.

50 Ways to Cook Your Bacon. Make a new plan, Stan.

"Smoke On The Water" (The Japanese Version)



Exercise Yard

Who knows how the Browns draft will work out? Two fourth-rounders with Beau (not Bing) Bell about to become the most scrutinized fourth-round pick ever, and a couple of sixth-rounders and a seventh-rounder. Truly a crapshoot and hopefully not a crapfest. We also gave up a third and fifth-rounder next year. Gee, we are getting awfully cocky in giving up picks.

Not much to say about the Cavs win today. Only that I yelled at Paul's TV on Delonte's West's game-winner, "Why is LeBron passing it that guy...who made the shot...what a great decision."

Visitor

None, it's NFL Draft Sunday (well, at least the Browns start today).