I was actually at the Tribe game on Thursday. The Indians had some insane deal (meaning advance ticket sales were dreadful) for the Toronto series where you can still get $44 tickets for $13 plus fees. Take that, StubHub!

But I wasn't there for this:



Somewhere, Bill Selby nods approval.

Anyhow, I'm not a master of the ALE (Always Leave Early) theory, but if you witnessed the first 7 innings of that game, no one would begrudge you leaving. Indians starter Zach McAllister threw 94 pitches in only 4 innings, while Carlos Villanueva for Toronto threw 110 in 6 innings.

I may have had a sense of kismet on the way home because I mentioned to my Dad that we had missed comebacks from large deficits in the past (ahem...the largest), so no big deal if we missed something that night. With that Joey Bats homer in the 9th to put Toronto up by 4, I thought that was the clincher.

But then Hafner came up and he smoked one. Good for them. Victories like that can really mean something come September.

Hey, at least the hot dogs were good.

Meal of Links

I don't know this guy from Adam. But he did co-invent Rotisserie Baseball. Deserves a parade.

What is with the fake fireworks? Child, please.

Another series jumps ahead in time. This time, it's "Dexter"!

There was a time if you had anything to do with baseball memorabilia, you knew the name, Barry Halper. Turns out most of his artifacts were stolen or forgeries. it's a long read, but fascinating.

Getting your kicks. On Route 66. Don't forget Winona!

Philly saves $2 million a year. How? By essentially decriminalizing marijuana.

Marc Maron does have a fine podcast. Listen here.

F-A-T. That spells fat.

Monkey self-portraits. Funny. Put a hat on hiim. Really funny.

Exercise Yard

We have two lockouts. One has been rumored as "close to ending" for weeks now (NFL), the other (NBA) has two factions divided like Korea.

Bill Simmons tries to solve the latter.

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10 Down: Pink Floyd's "The Wall:, e.g. (9 letters) Answer: Rock Opera

I must confess, today's Klitschko-Haye fight was an abomination. This was wrong on so many levels from one of the strangest ring entrances by both fighters (featuring cameos by Lennox Lewis and George Foreman) to an apparent lack of security ringside. Plus, this was held at an outdoor stadium in Hamburg where patrons only 10 rows back were getting rained on. All sides should be glad there was no controversy or this could have ended badly for lots of people.

One more thing, the ring entrances were so tardy, HBO comes on at 4:45 local time and the opening bell sounds at about 5:27. Lamps kept blaming German TV. Anyhow, once the fight started, Roy Jones insanely insisted Haye's strategy was to beat Klitschko with one punch and it didn't matter when it came. Larry Merchant, around Round 5, said that may be true, but Haye was wasting his time. God bless Larry Merchant! Harold Lederman with, "Haye bobs, he weaves, he ducks, he moves. But he doesn't throw any punches." It was that bad.

For Haye didn't do anything. He had a habit of ducking around Klitschko's knees and Klitschko would oblige him by helping him to the mat. This happened about 5 times, like bad wrestling, before Klitschko had a point deducted for pushing. It continued later a few more times, and Haye even made a feeble attempt to steal another point. Finally, late in the fight, the ref, fed up like everyone else, gave Haye a standing-8 to stop him from doing it.

I wish I could describe any action. But it was like that movie title, give me "Something, Anything", and until a bit of a flurry in Round 12, there was nothing.

The disappointment of this fight is endless. I have to believe HBO will go back to avoiding the heavyweights. After the fight, Haye blamed a broken toe, suffered three weeks ago, as an excuse, and didn't want to drop out. You know, for the fans. Last time I looked, you don't throw punches with your feet.

Each guy got paid between $15 and $20 million for the bout. Haye should get down on his knees and thank his favorite deity for that check. For the "Hayemaker" should retire before he's known as the "Paytaker".

This one will leave a bad taste in everyone's mouth for quite a while. Or, maybe not, as the heavyweights will continue to be ignored.

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Kutcher vs. Village Voice seems to have more fight than the boxing match. Advertisers are leaving.

The Top 100 Products on Amazon. I actually have that OXO Can Opener and the OXO Tongs. Those tongs are great for the grill. Also have the "iPad Blender", but it's not an iPad. It's a Blendtec. Love that thing. Got an insane deal on it earlier this year.

NYPD blows up 5,000 lbs. of illegal fireworks...

Happy Birthday, America!



It was sort of tragic to see Spike Lee in attendance at the NBA Draft. He hasn't made a feature film in thre years, because he can't get funding.

Exercise Yard

The Tour started today. Two major pileups. The booed Alberto Contador is way back already. He'll be the story, if he catches up.

Visitor

15 Across: "The Defense Never Rests' co-author (10 letters) Answer: F. Lee Bailey

So, what are you going to watch this weekend? Hopefully, not much, so you can enjoy the weekend outdoors. But, if you are inside, here are some hints.

Here are this weekend's TV Marathons. My Dad will be psyched for that "Martin" marathon. And a very theme-worthy "How The States Got Their Shapes".

Klitschko vs. Haye is tomorrow. Like the old days, HBO has this one live at 4:45. Has potential to revive the heavyweights.

The Tour returns. I confess, I'm an Andy Schleck guy.

The closing arguments in the Tot Mom Trial are on Sunday. A quiz is included.

Alan Sepinwall makes a case for "Treme". That's a 90-minute closer on Sunday.

Close it out with a sold-out Indians-Yankees game on the 4th.

Meal of Links

A rerun of Fireworks suck.

Really loud movies. "Shoot the glass."

Work hard, feel poor. Explained here.

What's this? I may have missed Bash "Treme" Week.

Exercise Yard

First USC. Then Ohio State. Now Oregon.

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56 Across: Super bowl party array (6 letters) Answer: Salsas

Remember these dudes with "The whistling song" from a few years ago. I really like this single.

"Second Chance"/Peter Bjorn & John



The video blows. I think he's mocking my drumming style. Is that a mean cowbell or a sample from "Knock Three Times"?

Meal of Links

One of the crazies has left the building. That's Glenn Beck. Oddly enough, he thinks he doesn't need TV.

MoviePass update. It appears the San Francisco trial has been scrapped because they didn't have the OK of the theaters involved. Automatically tossing this venture into the "Shady" category. Current irritants if you watch movies at a theater.

You can't call the President a dick. Especially on TV. BTW, I actually found Keith Olbermann's channel. It's right above the digital BBC America on Time Warner. Shitty sound, had to crank it. Really bad set compared with Rockefeller Plaza. And odd guests like Markos from Daily Kos. Banned on MSNBC, but front and center here.

It's that time again. Know your fireworks!

Are zucchini pancakes on your Holiday menu? Good God, does that look good. Also, 5 Burger recipes from the LA Times contest.

I always mention "There's an app for that, unless you have a Blackberry". A RIM exec tells all.

I'm with "Treme" every week. Another opinion.

Spin has the best albums this year. So far.

Sampling Lou Reed. Glad they included "Vicious". But here's a throwback to the Velvets:

"Waitin' For The Man"/Lou Reed



The Enquirer says Chris Hansen has been cheating on his wife. There is video.

What if these morons actually avoid raising the debt limit/ Can they be that stupid? I'm now starting to hear rhetoric about "artificial deadlines" being repeated by those who should know better.

Exercise Yard

God bless the Internets! Hunt Me 4 Sport.

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43 Across: The Boss's backup (11 letters) Answer: E Street Band

"The E Street Shuffle"/Bruce Springsteen

I think we've all heard about the homeless guy who has these great pipes and then there's a video by the side of the road in Columbus, then there's a job offer from the Cavs, acceptance of work from MSNBC and Kraft, then there's also visits to the "Today Show". All the time, my spider-sense is tingling (well, maybe my cynical side) about this guy's past.

I mean, no one ever stepped up immediately and said, yeah, used to work with him, a peach of a guy, but he fell on some hard times. Nothing. Not one peep. Now, the truth is coming out bit by bit and no one wants to pee on the parade. I guess, because these feel-good stories sometimes have a dark side to them. And no one wants to admit that.

I get that this has an "Only in America" feel to it, but jeezy creezy.

I think the worst part was other local media outlets looking for talent among our homeless. Shameless.

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A very special episode of "The Tonight Show". Clips show Johnny Carson in a visit to LA before the permanent move a few years later.

Cable TV doesn't really like Netflix. They will be denied lots of content.

Fireworks. Hooray.

More Top 10 Movies. Love for "Scott Pilgrim".

Italy bans plastic bags. Only biodegradable going forward.

Who knew they still gave out the People's Choice Awards? Looking at the winners, it may be time for an overhaul.

Rich vs. poor. The poor do not exist in the eyes of the rich.

Exercise Yard

The upcoming BCS National Championship Game is the best-selling game in StubHub history. They had to pull the game, because of some sellers who didn't have tickets.

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41 Across: Reliant Stadium NFL team (6 letters) Answer: Texans

Baghdad-by-the-Zoo survived another Independence Day. It seems the populace has dissed the louder fireworks for the more professional "puttin' on a show" types. Sounds better until you consider these amateurs have no idea how high these things go (some seemed awfully low before explosion time) or how windy it might be.

I spent most of the day by my Dad's. Where we tore into some burgers, ribs, corn-on-the-cob, slaw, baked beans, watermelon, and his famous iced tea. Later on, my brother and niece stopped by for some root beer floats using that Duetto ice cream. That's good stuff.

Of course, a highlight on July 4th is always watching Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, probably the grossest thing I see all year. This was an event that was mainly seen as a taped special on Discovery for many years. They never hesitated to show people getting ill, known as a "reversal". Maybe not graphically, but you knew what was happening.

Since the four-letter has carried it live the last several years, it is reaching a much wider audience. The color announcer on these broadcasts is hilarious. The guy kills me every year. They had a faith-based contestant he described as the "Billy Graham of Ham". He called the defending champ, Joey Chestnut, the "Clay Aiken of Bacon" and alternatively, the "Chikezie of Greasy". He also said "They attack those dogs like Lindsay Lohan attacks a mini-bar." And the graphics for each contestant are great. The old-timer in the competition once ate a gallon-and-a-half of chili in 10 minutes. Good God!

Although I thought Kobayashi won, they called it a tie. He probably couldn't argue because his mouth was full. Then, it seemed rules were made on the fly (A Dog Off?) and Chestnut won again. Then I realized it's only a Hot Dog Eating Contest and decided to enjoy the moment.

Quote from the on-site announcer: “Gas is 5 dollars. You can’t eat tomatoes. But the Mustard Belt will stay in America and that’s good enough for me”.

But my favorite Kobayashi moment is from the late, lamented series "Man Vs. Beast". Kobayashi takes on a bear in a hot dog eating contest, but it's Michael Buffer's intro from the "main scene of cuisine" that has stuck with me since the day I heard it. Remember, the bear "doesn't know he's in a competition".



Meal of Links

All is not great working for Google. Take the price of in-house day care as an example.

This guy says Starbucks is getting what it deserves.

Ruhlman talks about cast iron for cooking. I don't have any presently, but have been thinking of grabbing a skillet. I was watching that PBS show, America's Test Kitchen and they had these selections.

Exercise Yard

I thought the Indians version of the Stars and Stripes cap looked spiffy last night. Too bad they suck. BTW, it's not that Joe Borowski was a bad signing. He was a bad signing for two years. That noodle of his just wasn't cutting it this year. See David Delucci for other signings that were too lengthy. Toronto was not forced to wear a Stars and Stripes cap, because the Blue Jays cap had the Maple Leaf.






















This is what modern athletics has to face with the steroid issue. Dana Torres becomes the oldest swimmer ever in the Olympics and it only takes one to pee on the parade.

The Tour de France starts today. Google Maps with the route.

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Not sure what that was in today's PD. Certainly not a Saturday crossword. Oh, Saturday's solution was in, just not the actual puzzle, which forced me to go online.

13 Down: Joe, first A.L. catcher to win a batting title (2006) (5 letters) Answer: Mauer ("The Chairman")

Catch-up time, while the Spice Girls raise flags:


I attended some of my niece's T-ball game the other day. Not sure about her future on the diamond, as afterward she stated, "I hate T-Ball." I don't think I can argue that. It may have been the pink glove. Or the fact she pulls her visor way down over her eyes, so she has to tilt her head up to see what's going on. Or it could have been the arms outstretched and then proceeded to turn around in a circle several times to get dizzy, while in the field. Now, I've never seen Josh Barfield do that. I think I'm now hoping for a rock star future for her.

Finally made it to Art's Pub to watch the Tribe last night. Pretty good menu. I opted for the strip steak sammie. The early crowd was rather old as I could have been called "Sonny." When you hear old-timers barking, "The Yankees have won 36 World Series and the Indians have won, what, two?", you know they are old. Of course, the Yankees have not won 36, it's 26. That's why I am there. To criticize. They were also touting the Washington Senators as a ballclub. I heard names like Frank Howard, Roy Sievers, and Eddie Yost. Eddie Yost, for cryin' out loud! Then they tried to say the Senators always had good ballclubs. Uh, no. That's why it was: “First in war, first in peace, and last in the American League.” God, please don't let me be like that when I'm old. "Indians, why that Casey Blake was a helluva ballplayer..."

The NBA Draft was on Thursday. I like the NBA Draft. It moves quicker than the NFL, and the guys and their families always seem so happy they made it. The Cavs didn't have a pick, but they will probably make some moves on the free agent market. BTW, I saw a rating on free agents. If you thought baseball tossed around insane money last winter, how about $10 million for Anderson Varejao? Per season. I know Dan Gilbert has money, but to pay him $10 million and then be slapped with an equal amount on the luxury tax, you are talking essentially $20 million to keep Varejao. No way a smart organization makes that move.

Meal of Links

Summer means an endless wave of lists. This time, TV Guide picks the Top Cult Shows. No "Arrested Development"? Idiots.

The turn of the calendar toward July means only one thing. Fireworks. Here's a guy who gut busted in SoCal for having 2,500 pounds of illegal fireworks. Can I laugh that his middle name is "Stoner"?

Here's a World Clock that tracks tons of stats. Hey, somebody just went to prison. And another. And one more.

Exercise Yard

It really could be the Indians year. Yesterday, they beat the Devil Rays on Ben Francisco's ninth inning homer. That was the third homer in their last at-bat for the win in the last 7 days. They lead the AL with 12 last-inning wins.

These are the types of charmed-life victories that can get you to October.

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36 Down: "You Are There" host of the '50s (8 letters) Answer: Cronkite

Today is "Happy Odd Couple Day". So, Oscar, use your coaster!

The greyhound episode:

Felix: You were right, Oscar. He's got racing in his blood.
Oscar: Then he needs a transfusion.

"Password":

Felix: "It's a known fact that Lincoln loved mayonnaise."

Hah!

Meal of Links

The GQ food critic ate a lot in NOLA. And has a long report on what he found. And, of course, the local rebuttal.

Life is good for Keith Olbermann. Ratings and book sales are up.

This guy hates the fireworks at the Cavs games. Imagine that, someone disliking pyrotechnics.

Exercise Yard

My Dad and I attended this evening's CSU game against Notre Dame. This wasn't Notre Dame from South Bend. This was Notre Dame from South Euclid. I expected Cleveland State to win by 25, and they won by 26. The final score, in a Friends and Family game, was 88-62.

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53 Down: "My Dinner with Andre" director Louis (5 letters) Answer: Malle