There are only a handful of mascots I like. Most of them, well, they aren't worth the distraction they cause. During the heyday of Jacobs Field, I recall missing an Albert Belle homer because myself and a bunch of other idiots were too busy clapping along with Slider. I vowed never again.

The Wall Street Journal reminds us of a long-forgotten mascot. Yes, even the Yankees, a team still without names on their jerseys, employed a mascot for a few years. The name was Dandy. And he failed miserably.

Meal of Links

A pin-up calendar from Eizo. Why, you can almost see right through them.

If you like to click a lot, here are the 100 Best Films of World Cinema. "Godzilla" is in. Lots of Kurosawa. Some Fellini, "Das Boot", "The Vanishing", "Wings of Desire", some Chow Yun-Fat epics, and "Run Lola Run" all made it. Of course, the oldies like "M", "Metropolis", "Nosferatu" and "Battleship Potemkin" are in, as well. "Battle for Algiers" made the Top 10. I recommend that one.

Australia may soon join China and Iran. In what? Internet censorship.

One word. Leon!

Even Billo is stunned by Palin. Norwegians and dikes!



Exercise Yard

Hirsh finally checks in with a World Cup update. Today saw the biggest upset, the Swiss over Spain, and the most cohesive team, Chile. Yes, Chile. And their coach, El Loco.

Oh, and Maradona told Pele to "go back to the museum". Snap.

Visitor

57 Across: Haggard of country music (5 letters) Answer: Merle

"Cherokee Maiden"/Merle Haggard