Scenes from last night's Tribe game. The weather and StubHub gave rise to a last-minute decision to attend the Indians 11-2 thumping of the White Sox.
Beautiful night for a game.
Asdrubal Cabrera knocked in five runs.
Harold Baines was coaching first for the Sox last night. I was waiting for a bus at the Federal Building several years ago as Harold was making his way down East 6th for a game.
Me: "Hey, Harold. Don't hit us too hard tonight."
Baines (smiling): "4-for-4 with 4 RBIs."
Jeanmar Gomez is 5-0 for the Tribe since his last callup.
Can't we bunt on this guy?
Fukudome is tired. It's September.
Joe Smith doing an imitation of my contorted body following the Foo Fighters.
Carlos Santana, looking prepared.
Two Indians pitchers I didn't even know were on the team finished up last night.
First, Putnam.
Then Kluber.
Meal of Links
Roger Ebert fixes Netflix for them. Even he thinks streaming is the way to go.
Last night, Best Friend and I saw the Foo Fighters. As always, when Dave Grohl is in town, you know you are going to a ROCK show.
The Venue: Quicken Loans Arena. The home of the $8 cocktail.
Dave Grohl: Grohl remains quite the entertainer. He reminded us that about 40 minutes to an hour away from here, there is a city with a street named after him. The city would be Warren, OH. He also said it wasn't really a street, but "an alley behind a Burger King. Because there is no way they are gonna name a fuckin' boulevard after Dave Grohl."
After the last song when everyone is waiting for encores, the video screen comes on. Again with the night vision backstage. People cheer. Then who do they switch to? Of course, it's Grohl. How many are they gonna play? He cups his ear to the crowd, they go crazy. It's always funny. Are they gonna do two songs? The negotiation begins. Then Tyler Hawkins gets into the act. Eventually, they decide five is enough and they come back on stage.
The Tickets: We were in Club Section 108 about 5 rows from the front. Pretty good seats which allowed us to see everything.
The Crowd: The upper section facing the stage was curtained off. The other uppers maybe half-filled. The floor was not overly packed and it looks like 10,000 were there. I gotta say the atmosphere in the clubs was way different than the last time we saw them, when we had great seats downstairs. Lesson learned.
The Sound: The Q used to really suck soundwise. Dave's screaming and cussing came through with no problems.
They had two opening acts last night and we got in a lot earlier than last time, when Supergrass was on the bill. The first was Mariachi el Bronx. Sort of disappointed we didn't see them. Rise Against was next and I thought they were very good. Really a hard driving sound.
The Stage: The setup was a bit different this time. The stage floor was lit up at times.. Grohl still has a ramp into the audience. This allows for the typical gesturing and running around with your guitar. At the end of the ramp was a stage, which later elevated maybe about 15 steps and that gave everyone at the shitty end to say they at least saw Dave Grohl, up close. Two video screens fronted the stage.
The Foos were back to a more normal number with 5 members and an ocassional keyboardist. You have four guitars, including Grohl, up front. In the back, we have the keyboards and Taylor Hawkins on drums, of course.
The Music: A consistently strong performance once again last night. All the hits were terrific, "Let It Die" "My Hero" and "Monkey Wrench". We got a solo version of "Best of You" this time. "Everlong" closed it out with the full band treatment, which was acoustic last time.
Setlist:
Bridge Burning
Rope
The Pretender
My Hero
Learn to Fly
White Limo
Arlandria
Breakout
Cold Day in the Sun
Long Road to Ruin
Stacked Actors
Walk
Monkey Wrench
Let It Die
These Days
This Is a Call
All My Life
Encore:
Wheels (Grohl solo)
Best of You (Grohl solo)
Times like These (Grohl solo)
Dear Rosemary
Breakdown (The Tom Petty song)
Everlong
Once more, a great performance by the Foo Fighters. More bang for the buck than any band out there. You get great tunes, jocularity from the band, and an adoring audience. Still impressive after all these years.
Albert Brooks is a revelation in "Drive". A long way from the Danny the Dummy era. Which slays me all the time. Somewhere, I see Andy Kaufmann getting inspired.
Albert Brooks with Danny the Dummy
Does Troy Davis signal the end of the death penalty? I remain a staunch opponent.
Connie Schultz leaves the PD. Probably under a cloud, as her Tea Party mea culpa was a scant two weeks ago. Generally, I thought she had an important voice, but for some, they couldn't get beyond Mrs. Sherrod Brown was in their paper. All you need to know is to read the comments on Cleveland.com to find out there is no middle ground.
Netflix has survived a lot over the years. Lately, it seems they cannot do anything right. It's obvious they need to concentrate more on streaming, while not totally abandoning DVDs. Now, they can't even name the spinoff without catching heat.
Exercise Yard
College realignment is all the rage currently. But, look at the current Big East. They expanded in 2005 (including Marquette, Louisville and Cincinnati) and now certain schools, like Pitt and Syracuse, several years later decide, eh, it's not so good here. Eventually we get those 4 super conferences and a football playoff system.
45 Across: Scotch partner (4 letters) Answer: Soda
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
MLB had nothing better to do today, so they released the 2012 schedule . The Indians open against the Blue Jays on Holy Thursday. So, that means hot dogs unless there is a rainout. Next year, the season extends into October.
The Red Sox and Yankees only come in once, but both are here in August. Interleague is awfully strange with the new "Miami" Marlins, Pirates, and Reds at home and the Reds, Astros and Cardinals on the road. Memorial Day and Independence Day are at home. This may be the year to take a roadie out to Seattle or Minnesota, during the dog days.
The other thing you notice is those dreaded two-game series. They have two of those in May and only 9 home games in June. The June schedule is tough, because if they suck, they are out of sight, out of mind. Or, if they play well, you wish you could see them more.
Meal of Links
Frank Deford called this, "the most important article ever written about college sports". Well worth the time.
The "Austin City Limits" schedule is up. As always, it's worth watching. Jeff Bridges this year.
What happened to my alma mater's football team? After whomping on Brooklyn, 64-14, they got shutout at JFK. Last week, they were getting shutout at Cleveland Central Catholic when a brawl erupted in the third quarter. That game got called. So, being shorthanded, they did what any smart team would do. They will forfeit this week's game to Glenville. That was allegedly a home game, but they were playing it at Marshall.
On an unrelated note, we get Marv Albert for this week's Browns-Colts game!
Visitor
52 Across: Seven-time Grammy-winning jazz singer (9 letters) Answer: Al Jarreau
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Sunday's conclusion of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" made me laugh really hard. Michael J. Fox and his Parkinson's. The soda kills me. Later on, Leon says, "If he handed you a carton of milk, you'd end up with a motherfuckin' milkshake." Leon is always good.
LD and Michael J. Fox on "Curb"
This season of "Curb" was probably one of the best. Oh, there were a couple of clunkers, but most times I laughed a lot this season.
Meal of Links
John Calley died today. Responsible for bringing many great movies to the screen. Especially at his stint at Warner Bros.
"Let him die." There is your republican healthcare answer.
10 Worst New Shows of the fall season. I have been watching "The Hour" on BBC America. But that's only got two episodes left. I would rather be watching Season 2 of "Terriers". "Archer" has a limited run starting this week on FX.
NFL retirees are suing the NFLPA. Claiming they had no right to negotiate payments for them. I still think that 10-year deal sucked for the players.
Visitor
15 Across: Pop singer Brickell (4 letters) Answer: Edie
"What I Am"/Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians
Thursday, September 08, 2011
A few thoughts...
Rick Perry and the "Ponzi Scheme" line about Social Security caught fire today.
Get used to it. ESPN has Monday Night Football for 10 more years. Hello, cable rate increase. Plus more Berman.
Interesting item about Carlos Carrasco's Tommy John surgery. Geez, they couldn't wait to get Jake Westbrook tossing on a one-year timetable. Carrasco? 12 to 18 months.
Jeff Tweedy Covers Black Eyed Peas
President Obama talks tough. Now that's the guy I voted for.
Are you ready for some football? The broadcast maps are up! Somwhere Navin Johnson is dancing. Looks like it's Kevin Harlan and Solomon Wilcots for the Browns.
I know he's bad, but today's Kevin O'Brien column was downright awful. Using semantics to deny the existence of a middle class is astoundingly stupid. Deconstructed here.
This is low. A mentally disabled guy got swindled out of a bunch of Superman memorabilia.
My idea of relaxing was to take in the Tribe game against the Tigers this afternoon. Bonus was "jets flying aroung making loud noises" from the air show during the game. That would have been greater if there had been less clouds today.
Anyhow, my Dad and I sat in the Clubs for a game that would probably determine the Tribe's season. Crowd into it early. Ubaldo looking unhittable with 5 K's in the first two innings from mainly high heat. Then in the fourth, Victor Martinez, in a year where his power has diminished, hit his ninth homer of the year for the Tigers. Too bad for Ubaldo, it came with two guys on.
After that, the crowd moved on with their lives. Fister continued to handcuff the Indians and Jimenez got back on track after that. But the damage was already done.
So, in a game where Ubaldo allows only five baserunners, Detroit wins. The Indians inept offense just can't make up any ground against good pitching. Once Detroit pushed across their 4th run, it was definitely over.
Thanks For Playing
Meal of Links
What is really behind the financials of the Postal Service. And no, there is no default coming.
Billy Buck was on "Curb" last night! Absolutely loved it. Buckner palling around with LD, because he had nothing better to do.
TIFF starts up this week. Here's a preview . "Moneyball" arrives here in 2 weeks. Shut the fuck up. "Senna" actually gets here this weekend. HUGE buzz. I am there.
You can't ask to have the Notre Dame coach fired for cursing, can you? I'm starting to wonder if Brian Kelly is in over his head there? Losing to South Florida in your home opener? Terrible.
Visitor
39 Across: Designer Karan (5 letters) Answer: Donna
Sunday, September 04, 2011
Last night was my first try at attending the Cleveland Oktoberfest . OK, I'll say it. I didn't have any German food. It was too warm to even think about having a pigout session. I just stuck with the beer at this sauna. Hofbrau's Oktoberfest Beer being a really keen brew. Beer was relatively cheap here. If you stayed away from promotional cups and all, the German beers were $5 and I think Buds were only $4 for a draft pounder. You cannot beat the carny food, as I had a gyro. Overall, a nice gastric experience.
The crowd showed up despite the heat, however. There seemed to be an unusual attraction from the human glockenspiel activity. These people would come out every hour on the hour. Do a little German dancing and then throw stuff to the audience. It sorta reminded me of the lines at the Food Show where people would stand in them for a lengthy time, just because something was free. The items tossed were mainly beads, but I think there were other trinkets and t-shirts were also distributed. I didn't really get this attraction, but it seemed to be very popular, so I won't quibble too much.
The Cleveland Pops Orchestra was scheduled to appear there during this evening's rain. Even with the shower, let's hope more people observed that than the clock.
Meal of Links
One of the great things about Harry Shearer is he tracks the Olympic movement. Well, lookee here. The no-fly zone in London next summer may bankrupt firms. You know, small companies like flight schools.
Not that I've watched it in years. And it's hard to believe that Channel 8 always used to cancel US Open Tennis coverage because of it. But it will be strange to see the MDA Telethon proceed without Jerry Lewis. Such an odd breakup.
Economy class is getting better. Apparently on airlines I don't frequent.
An R who left the cult. That's why even an off-year election is important.
Somehow this guy is always overlooked when it comes to hosting the Oscars. How about Eddie Murphy?
Another Ed Gein tribute. This time, it's "Ed Gein, The Musical". I am laughing so hard, I could barely type that.
Exercise Yard
The Cubs may stop serving Old Style at Wrigley field. That's a shame. However, even Giant Eagle has such a wide selection of beer these days, these old brands are bound to suffer.
Having said that, I'm off to finish a Modelo.
Visitor
None, on a cloudy Sunday.
Friday, September 02, 2011
Do you ever hate it when your name is attached to TV or film projects? It's the angst of hoping "James and the Giant Peach" doesn't get more popular as a movie than the book did. because you don't want to be asked about "The Giant Peach" all the time. Well, the latest one is up for me, "JJK Security"! AMC calls it a dramedy. Right there, I have major doubts creeping in.
The show chronicles a family-owned private security company in rural Georgia. AMC said the series was inspired “by what filmmakers like the Coen Brothers, Christopher Guest and Robert Altman have done capturing quirky, larger than life characters in the scripted realm,” and will make its debut in the third quarter of 2012.
I have plenty of time to work on my cringe face.
Meal of Links
Your Labor Day Weekend TV Marathons. A tossup between "BBQ Pitmasters" on Planet Green and Discovery Health's "Strange Sex". But I'll probably look at the Current "50 Documentaries" one that i missed.
Tracking the sales of Girl Scout Cookies. A sucker for Thin Mints, but hey, they ain't healthy.
All the foods we love have high calories. Pasta was Number One. The last time I made pasta, it was fusilli. No Kramer present.
Bruce Feldman winds up at CBS. This concludes one of the oddest personnel moves in the history of ESPN.
More Terrence Malick love. This time for the impossibly beautiful "Days of Heaven".
Exercise Yard
Finally the preseason is over. So, of course, the Browns start next weekend. Now, how many of these teams do the Browns play again. If they win against all of these Pretenders, maybe I'll have them winning more than 4.
Visitor
44 Across: Original Speed Stick Maker (6 letters) Answer: Mennen
By Mennen
Monday, August 29, 2011
The new sports station in town hit the airwaves today. It's 92.3 The Fan. And if you have suffered through listening to WKNR, there is finally an alternative.
I like some of what I heard today. I admit I was a big fan of Kiley and Booms when they were on Fox nationally. So, I'm sorta in the tank for those two. Some of their throwaway lines are the best. Like today when the Indians sent them a welcome basket of cookies and pastries and they implied a player had been cut to pay for it. Lots of folks hate Booms, but I like the chemistry these two have.
Andy Baskin is on middays and it sounds like they are still trying out partners for him. It had been announced that job was going to Jeff Phelps, but Reggie Rucker and Dennis Manoloff from the PD each pulled a 2-hour shift with Manoloff clearly the better of those two. The D-Man has overall sports knowledge that suits the show better.
Adam the Bull and Dustin Fox handle afternoons. Adam came from New York and really should do the show solo. Fox is too much of a novice right now. Too eager, needs to relax. He'll do fine on OSU, not much else.
So, there you have it. It's only Day One. Once the Browns get going, we'll know for sure where they are headed.
Meal of Links
MoviePass is back. Movie exhibitors still chafe at this idea. I'm not sure if this ever gets off the ground. If it does somehow ring popular, I can see the theatre chains offering this themselves.
My thing for Judy Greer continues. She joins "Two and a Half Men" as Kutcher's ex-wife. Sill on "Archer", which returns next month for a few shows after "Sunny" returns on FX.
was Irene overhyped? Deaths and damage say no. Is the feeling a bullet was dodged? Yes.
Exercise Yard
Tiger Woods will play the Frys.com Open. Now, before you say WTF?, this a move more golfers should pull.
Show up at minor tournaments (although this purse is $5 million) where you are perceived as the best golfer there. Play and win. Boosts attendance and player confidence.
When you hear golfers who "haven't learned how to win", this is a great strategy. Works for injured and mentally whipped golfers, too. No idea why it isn't employed more.
Visitor
6 Down: Quarterback Manning (3 letters) Answer: Eli
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Storm damage, for sure, but Irene was nothing as predicted, right? My sense is that this got so much coverage because:
a) It was a weekend
b) New York was involved
I get the uniqueness of NYC being a target of a hurricane. But it seemed the networks were just aching to show some familiar landmarks engulfed by a natural disaster. Then they blamed the fact that Irene's landfall hit in North Carolina took some steam out of it, plus it tracked a bit differently after that. I'm no meteorologist and even I know when a storm makes landfall, it traditionally weakens.
Unfortunately on Saturday evening, I saw a Weather Channel clip where two guys said there was no way they couldn't see flooding in lower Manhattan near Wall Street. Mainly because of a storm surge and high tides. That didn't happen.
Oh well, at least I got to see Geraldo doing hurricane duty. On Broadway.
"Reggae On Broadway"/Bob Marley
Meal of Links
Errol Morris with a different twist this time. A book.
I wanna stay in a hotel. That's cheap and chic. Here you go.
"Good Eats" is wrapping up this week. Always an excellent show.
Exercise Yard
I saw Joey Barton at the Wigan-QPR match yesterday. They need him.
Visitor
None, on a cloudy, then sunny Sunday.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
The men in my family took my niece to see the old alma mater take on Brooklyn. I don't even know what they call this rivalry these days. The Backyard Brawl? The Battle of Biddulph? All I know is Rhodes is dominating this series lately and won last night, 64-14. That's right they scored 64 points! Would have been 70 if they had a kicker or were not just 4 of 8 on 2-point conversions.
First of all, it's a pretty cheap night. $5 to get in, pop and pizza squares were a dollar and it's $1.50 for popcorn. But there seems to be a malaise hanging over the football games at Brooklyn. Clearly, the kids who go in don't even care about the game as they congregate and do their own thing seemingly miles apart from the game. The cheerleaders don't have any focus and don't seem too thrilled to participate. They have a mascot without any direction. The band doesn't seem fired up. If I were an administrator at the school, I'd be embarrassed, or at least concerned, about the overall production.
Shockingly, Rhodes actually had fans show up on their side. They have a band this year, as well. And the guys really play hard on the field. Seems like some good things happening there.
But, much like last year's game we attended, Rhodes had big plays all night. I mean plays you wouldn't think would result in 6 points. They led, 20-0, at the end of the first quarter and it was inconceivably 40-0 at the half. Rhodes only put the ball in the air three times that I recall. A stupid backward pass on the first play of the game that failed and resulted in a turnover. A beautiful two-point conversion that made it 20-0. And a failed pass attempt on a 4th down play late in the fourth quarter. Otherwise, they must have run for at least 500 yards. Seriously. Their big running back, Wall, totaled 116 yards on his first two carries and had TD runs of 94, 36, 55 and 3 yards.
Here were the TDs:
A 94-yard run (6-0)
A 64-yard run (12-0)
A 36-yard run (20-0)
A 70-yard punt return (28-0)
A 10-yard run (34-0)
A 55-yard run (40-0)
A 3-yard run (46-0)
A 15-yard run (52-0)
A 45-yard fumble return (58-7)
A 65-yard kick return to finish the game (64-14)
Needless to say, lots of fun to watch.
Meal of Links
Irene must be important because I see Wolf Blitzer on my TV. No Geraldo sighting yet, my favorite part of hurricanes. Details here. Mail was delivered in Virginia Beach today. Kudos.
Now I find this interesting. Fox, yes, Fox, the big network, will start showing tape-delayed EPL games on a few Sundays they don't have football doubleheaders. And on Super Bowl Sunday, Chelsea and Manchester United will be on Fox that morning. As long as Michael Strahan makes no appearances and my drinks are cold, that will be the start to a great day.
Do you have any of the !00 Most Sought-After Out of Print Books. Some interesting titles, but I don't have any of them. Although, I thought I had a copy of "Cards As Weapons' by Ricky Jay laying around here, but have his other book, "Learned Pigs and Fireproof Women". That's out of print, but not as popular, I guess.
How to discover new music. I still haven't had time to comprehend Spotify, but I will.
More "Louie". Although his Afghanistan looked a lot like the Korea of "M*A*S*H".
Ric Flair not only has trouble inside the ring, he's got huge issues outside the squared circle. A long history of failed marriages and financial turmoil.
Hey, my favorite sign from last week's show: "It doesn't matter what my sign says".
Visitor
3 Down: Country that eliminated the United States at the last two World Cups (5 letters) Answer: Ghana
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
I found it odd that the penis amputation victim was from the city of Waddy, KY. BTW, how unsympathetic of a character are you when the jury rules unanimously in favor of the doctor?
Meal of Links
Steve Jobs resigned today. Hard to believe he's been a headline grabber for over 30 years.
Another Louis C.K. interview. I am sure after his series hit the high water mark two weeks ago, something's been missing since. Although those kids were awfully cute in the Halloween episode. One dressed as Frederic Douglass!
Here's the Jimenez-Pomeranz/White trade from the Rockies perspective. The takeaway? Rockies fans hate Dan O'Dowd and loved Ubaldo.
Visitor
6 Down: Five-time Grammy winner James (6 letters) Answer: Taylor
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
While wondering whatever became of Robert Benigni...
I'm listening to the Tribe game. Tom Hamilton is describing what sounds like an earthquake. I don't feel a thing. Apparently, the East Coast was in a panic. Or wanted a free day on a nice summer afternoon.
Jerry Lieber died yesterday. How would you like to have your name attached to that songbook? Think of the Elvis hits, the Coasters hits and on and on. Lieber and Stoller also produced "Stuck In The Middle With You". This is my favorite Lieber and Stoller tune:
"Spanish Harlem"/Ben E. King
Nickolas Ashford died yesterday, as well. He, and his wife, Valerie Simpson wrote many Motown hits. Listen to Marvin Gaye just kill on this Ashford and Simpson record.
"Ain't No Mountain High Enough"/Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
The odd death of Arturo Gatti. Next week, a P.I. gives his findings. Never bought the suicide for one moment.
15 arcade games we miss. They are all there. Circus never makes these lists, but damn, I ruled that game.
Art of the Title with the classic, "Catch Me If You Can". One of the best title sequences ever.
Versus is getting more NFL on its network. Mike Florio has a Friday at 6 show, with Darren Rovell following. Now, NFL Films is producing "Turning Point". This looks like old-style NFL Films stuff, Thursdays at 10.
Exercise Yard
Pat Summitt has early onset dementia. At age 59. Fairly obvious she can't coach much longer. But damn, that's an early diagnosis.
Today, in tech world, it was like Black Friday. Because the HP TouchPads were being dumped on the market at prices that would make Crazy Eddie proud.
Two of the biggest online retailers haven't dropped their price yet. That would be Newegg and Amazon, but that'll happen later today or tomorrow. Best Buy claims they still have some in-store and will be sold starting tonight or tomorrow, but that seems completely random, as they allegedly sent all their stock back. But the Office Depot/OfficeMax/Staples Axis of Evil seems to be out. As are Target and Wal-Mart and your warehouse clubs.
Meal of Links
Groupon is running low on cash. This is really good insight as to how the company actually operates and how they get paid. And how accounting principles allow you to tell a story that is kinda true.
Probably the quintessential piece on the demise of Borders. The last time I was in the Crocker store was last Christmas and could not believe how much that store had changed. Especially when I found they now opened at 10:00.
Finally got a look at "Ebert Presents: At The Movies", while stumbling around the dial after the Browns and Indians last night. A trip down memory lane as Roger and Gene talked about overlooked acting of the '80s. Got affirmation when Gene mentioned Gene Hackman in "The Conversation" and Roger piped up with James Caan in "The Gambler". Looks like WVIZ runs this on Fridays at 10:30 with overnight reruns on early Saturdays and Sundays.
Nate Silver on Rick Perry's electability. I just can't see it. I actually like what Jon Huntsman (However, he blew the Iowa debate) and Gary Johnson (He skipped Iowa every way possible) have to say, but they have worse than a snowball's chance.
42 Down: Laker teammate of Magic (6 letters) Answer: Kareem
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
I kinda feel bad for Jim Thome. He hit his 600th homer and it barely scratched the surface of coverage. It didn't help that he banged out 599 and 600 in the same night. After I saw 599 on MLB Network, they said they would show everyone of his at-bats until he hit 600. Well, that didn't last very long.
Today, all the talk nationally asked if Thome is a first ballot Hall-of-Famer. I say he'll get in, but maybe not on that first ballot. He lacks a ring, no MVP, only 5 All-Star games. It's true that Thome never won an MVP, but look at that 2002 season while he was still a position player:
and he finished SEVENTH in the voting that season. OPSed by more than 200 over FOUR guys in front of him (Tejada MVP, Soriano 3rd, Garret Anderson 4th, Hunter 6th). With voting like that, it's hard to hold the lack of an MVP against him.
Locally, of course, the venom is still out on sportstalk radio. The common theme seems to be that somehow Thome lied to us when he opted to go to Philly. I may have been in a coma, but is this some sort of perceived slight? I recall the Indians being really late to the table with legitimate offers, which were easily trumped by the Phillies.
The Indians were originally around $45 million for four years and eventually tapped out between $62 and $64 million for 5 years. The Phillies easily added another year and he eventually signed for $85 million for six years. Unless we came up with something and named it "Thomeville", I don't think he could refuse that Philly offer. And weren't the Dolans happy he didn't sign?
And let's not forget 2002. The Tribe dumped Robbie Alomar in the offseason and made the Colon trade that year. Even a blind man could see the rebuilding. Thome's signing was the start of the renaissance of the Phillies as David Bell and Kevin Millwood arrived as free agents, as well. Outside of World Series appearances in 1980, 1983 and 1992, the Phillies only made the playoffs in '81.
The 3 years before Thome, the Phillies had 77, 65 and 86 wins. But he didn't get them in the playoffs in the three seasons he was there and the emergence of Ryan Howard made him expendable. He's hardly played with a glove since.
And you really can't dismiss any non-steroid use for sure, can you? There is a famous PD photo of 1995 World Series Thome that looked a helluva lot different than the behemoth I saw up-close walking out of a Wrigley Field dugout a scant few years later. When you hear Hammy waxing about Thome "doing it the right way" or "country strong", there has to be some doubt, no?
So, there are bound to be some doubters on the Hall of Fame. And it proves, once again, that no one holds a grudge like Cleveland Fan.
Jim Thome's First Homer
What do you notice on that clip?
Ex-Indian Steve Farr on the mound.
Thome wearing Number 6.
Thome is a bit thinner then.
Hey, what's with those socks?
OK, it's late season (October) and the Indians and Yankees both suck, but where are the people?
Baerga's haircut.
That's Reggie Jefferson congratulating Thome at home plate.
Meal of Links
Deviled eggs at the movies? For only 50 cents more...
Here are your TV premieres for fall. Both new and old. Have not picked my "Terriers" of 2011 yet. It will NOT be "New Girl", which should just be named "Zooey Being Zooey".
A new solo album from David Lynch. I wanna do "I Know" at karaoke.
The 5 best car commercials. No way. "Time to unpimp ze auto" is easily on this list. Joe Isuzu golfing, as well. "Birdie".
If you have never seen "Children's Hospital", there is good news. It got renewed.
Remember that show where Bobby Flay helped judge someone to a new restaurant? He blames Chipotle for the failure.
The art of seat poaching. What really sucks though, is when the poacher is around you. Someone comes in late, claims their rightful seats, then the poacher moves. I've seen these guys disrupt at least five rows at a game. "We'll sit here until someone arrives" is not necessarily a bad line to hear at a game, but it's downright awful, if you know there is a crowd.
Even the right is getting tired of Palin. Playing the "victim" again.
It rained this evening. And I had pea-sized hail littering my yard. Have you felt hail lately? It's pretty cold.
Meal of Links
The rioting in England, certainly opportunistic thievery instead of some socio-economic statement, claimed a Sony warehouse. At least 120,000 DVDs went poof! They even got a Jamie Oliver restaurant in Birmingham. Now soccer matches are being postponed or cancelled.
I was getting bids on my roof, as I have to get a new one. So, on Saturday, I got a call from a prospective bidder, who said he would be over but about 20 minutes later than planned. This gave me an opportunity to run to the bank.
So, as I was heading up to Third Federal on Ridge, I encountered some slow traffic on Pearl past Brookpark. I mean REALLY slow. I was third through the light, but, damn, the first car through was like following a horse and buggy. Naturally, I bolted to the right lane for a seemingly easy pass. Just as I was about to make my move into the left lane. I check my mirrors and now the guy is right next to me. WTF?
Yep, it was the old "I was going slow, but I will now prevent that guy from passing me" move. Some sort of strange behavior where he is judge and jury on YOUR driving. As we come to the next light, I decided to get behind this car, which is obviously being driven by an old-timer. As we are now stopped, he looks in his rearview, starts yelling, and seems to be writing something in the air.
I am now truly puzzled, but he is still yelling. I decide to yell back, "Whatever you're writing, you are! Yeah, that's you! That's what you are!" As we approach Ridge Road, I realize this dance is gonna be played again because:
a) We are stopped at another light. b) We are both turning left onto Ridge. c) We both know I am passing him pretty much as that light changes and I get onto Ridge.
So, as we complete c, I see him once again crazily pointing his arm towards the right side of the road. It finally dawns on me. He is pointing at the speed limit sign! Which reads 25! So, this is what he had been drawing at the previous light, the number "25"!
Yes, while on vacation, I yelled at a old-timer and called him, in not so many words, a "25".
Meal of Links
S&P downgrades U.S. Treasuries. That kinda blows. First time ever.
The verdicts in the Danzinger Bridge shootings, alluded to very much on "Treme" are in. 5 NOLA cops guilty.
Why the markets are tanking. And not a lot can be done.
I mentioned the lack of Joey Barton for Newcastle in Columbus last week. Now Newcastle doesn't want him anymore. For a free transfer.
Exercise Yard
Joe Pos on a forgotten moment of Track & Field. Carl Lewis and the 30-foot jump.
Visitor
18 Down: Wile E. Coyote's supplier (4 letters) Answer: Acme
Thursday, August 04, 2011
I'm back. What have we learned lately?
Facts for economic arguments: Here is a graph describing Obama vs. Bush effects on the deficit. Half of Americans do not pay federal income tax. (Hat tip to Paul).
Last I heard today, the Dow was down 330. Oops! A really bad day for the markets. Is it time for extending the payroll tax holiday? It's one of the easiest quick fixes out there.
Breakstone's Zesty Blends Jalapeno Sour Cream is wonderful.
Hey, the Skinny Cow has moved into the candy aisle. Really good.
This year's Taste of Cleveland was cancelled. Not really a surprise. The Taste of Cleveland started in 1995 at Nautica with Cheap Trick as the headliner. So, they've handled this event at that venue before. I'm not buying the construction spin so much as a lack of interest by all concerned.
This event peeked the year George Clinton was the Saturday night entertainment. Without incident, I may add. Since that time, the Saturday musical acts have tended to be more mainstream or local...Michael McDonald, Squeeze, Blues Traveler, Michael Stanley, Donnie Iris.
The amount of vendors has dropped (last year, maybe 18-20) and the prices have gone up. Even the firemen, who used to have steak-on-a-stick for MD have been long gone. I think losing Giant Eagle as a main sponsor killed the entertainment piece. Marc's did a nice job as a sponsor and, for sure, Ohio Natural Gas Taste of Cleveland sounded funny, but I don't think the event had the same funding commitment.
The Taste of Cleveland, much like larger events like Taste of Chicago, has been spiralling downward for a few years now. Curious to see if a 2012 event makes it on the calendar.
Meal of Links
Speaking of food, I found myself watching back-to-back reruns of "Man v. Food", with Man losing. I thought his record was more invincible. But Adam Richman is only 37-22 against Food.
Rolling Stone lists the Top 10 Punk Bands of All Time. Better list than you'd think.
The NYC Lebowski Fest has a cast reunion. Where's Turturro, doesn't he live in New York? Didn't mean anything by that, because "nobody fucks with the Jesus".
The easy way to keep track of the flip-flops of Mitt Romney. It's Multiple Choice Mitt.
Exercise Yard
Ed Sabol gets his due as he is inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame this weekend. But here's how the NFL Network is neutering the gold standard that was NFL Films.
