- The reason we sing Sweet Caroline is finally explained. The two people that don't like it should be shot.
- Check out Baseball America's Draft Tracker, where they are forecasting who will be selected in the first round of the upcoming MLB draft.
- My good friend, colleague, and client Steven Goldman kept a running diary of tonight's Red Sox triumph over the Yankees at his YES-sanctioned Pinstriped Blog. Check it out, it's good stuff. I was actually talking to him on IMer most of the game, I don't know how he was doing two things at once, but I guess after you edit two books at the same time for six months, everything else is Parchesi. Also, check out his blog entry on May 25 entitled "Star Kabuki: The Love Suicides at Coruscant", it's his Star Wars: Episode III review. As always, Steven finds a way for you to enjoy something that you didn't agree with, as was the case for me here. The Rapid City line is priceless.
- Did you know Mark Cuban has his own blog? It's pretty cool, he has some cool business ideas, whether or not he ever makes good on them.
- Looking to get an in-depth look at Red Sox prospects and insiders? Check out the interviews on Red Sox Nation.
- Joe, I couldn't agree more...
- More on the draft, Boyd's World is one of the best, if not the best source for college baseball info and news on the Web.
- Good story out of Detroit on Pudge's weight loss...
- And finally, my last Prospectus Triple Play. It was supposed to run on Thursday but got pushed back one day. It's not my last article, just my last PTP. You'll see why soon enough.
Monday, May 30, 2005
Saturday, May 28, 2005
Well Then
Two important things happened today:
1) Edgar Renteria's coming out party. I hope all of you people shut the heck up about him not being good enough for the Boston "spotlight". What a drubbing. I'm sure glad Carl Pavano's mother is/was a Yankees fan.
2) The Cubs compounded their bad luck with complete stupidity, trading LaTroy Hawkins for Jerome Williams and David Aardsma of the Giants. It was a bad trade for one reason: they did it with the wrong intentions. The intention, to me, is that they wanted to ship out a guy the fans didn't like. In Jerome Williams they acquired a pitcher who has the skills to be very good, but after making 21 and 22 starts in 2003 and 2004, he has been in the minors most of 2005.
Perhaps this will work out well for the Cubs, but making trades under these conditions is not the formula for success.
Also, one tragic thing happened today. Actually, it happened a long time ago. Fox became idiots. They typically televise three games as part of their "national" coverage. They use broad geographical blocks for televising these games. This usually pisses me off to no end living in Denver, because the "Eastern" game usually involves the Red Sox. Here's today's lineup:
- Red Sox at Yankees
- Rockies at Cubs
- Padres at Giants
Now, in all seriousness, Fox could not expect to get much ratings from the Cubs or Giants games. The Red Sox at Yankees game could be reasonably expected to get much better ratings. However, I can understand trying to be a little more regional with the coverage. So with that in mind, the Rockies at Cubs would clearly be the game televised in Denver, would it not? It would not. We got the Padres at Giants game instead. So not only was I unable to watch my favorite team, but then I also wasn't able to watch my LOCAL team. This is something that should never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever happen. In fact, the NFL goes to the trouble of making sure local fans never miss a moment of their games, to the point where if an early game goes to overtime and the Broncos game is starting, they cut it off for the Broncos. Apparently, Fox and MLB don't really care all that much about local fans, as long as they can trumpet their ridiculous "national" schedule. Bravo!
1) Edgar Renteria's coming out party. I hope all of you people shut the heck up about him not being good enough for the Boston "spotlight". What a drubbing. I'm sure glad Carl Pavano's mother is/was a Yankees fan.
2) The Cubs compounded their bad luck with complete stupidity, trading LaTroy Hawkins for Jerome Williams and David Aardsma of the Giants. It was a bad trade for one reason: they did it with the wrong intentions. The intention, to me, is that they wanted to ship out a guy the fans didn't like. In Jerome Williams they acquired a pitcher who has the skills to be very good, but after making 21 and 22 starts in 2003 and 2004, he has been in the minors most of 2005.
Perhaps this will work out well for the Cubs, but making trades under these conditions is not the formula for success.
Also, one tragic thing happened today. Actually, it happened a long time ago. Fox became idiots. They typically televise three games as part of their "national" coverage. They use broad geographical blocks for televising these games. This usually pisses me off to no end living in Denver, because the "Eastern" game usually involves the Red Sox. Here's today's lineup:
- Red Sox at Yankees
- Rockies at Cubs
- Padres at Giants
Now, in all seriousness, Fox could not expect to get much ratings from the Cubs or Giants games. The Red Sox at Yankees game could be reasonably expected to get much better ratings. However, I can understand trying to be a little more regional with the coverage. So with that in mind, the Rockies at Cubs would clearly be the game televised in Denver, would it not? It would not. We got the Padres at Giants game instead. So not only was I unable to watch my favorite team, but then I also wasn't able to watch my LOCAL team. This is something that should never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever happen. In fact, the NFL goes to the trouble of making sure local fans never miss a moment of their games, to the point where if an early game goes to overtime and the Broncos game is starting, they cut it off for the Broncos. Apparently, Fox and MLB don't really care all that much about local fans, as long as they can trumpet their ridiculous "national" schedule. Bravo!
Sunday, May 22, 2005
Checking In
Today was a good day. Got to help out at the Rockies charity Home Run 5K Run/Walk this morning, which was a lot of fun. Then I got to come home and see both the Sox and Rox win. Complete game for Clement. Oh, he's so unpredictable? Why did we spend so much for him? Hah. Great game.
The Rockies weren't as clean, but I'll take a win from them any way I can get them. In the season ticket department, we predict how many games the team will win each month, with the winner getting a statue called "The Predictor" next to their desk the next month. Needless to say, my optimistic prediction of 15 wins in May is going to fall a little short. The Rox are up to 7 wins this month, which is already 1 win better than last month. The Rox were 6-15 in April, and are 7-13 in May thus far, so baby steps are being made. But for me to get the statue, the Rox will have to go 8-1 for the rest of the month. I'm not holding my breath. The Brewers walked into Minnesota this weekend and are about ready to win the 2nd of 3 games there. The Cubs are good enough to split a four game series, and the Cardinals are up to their old tricks. But tomorrow is a new day.
The Rockies weren't as clean, but I'll take a win from them any way I can get them. In the season ticket department, we predict how many games the team will win each month, with the winner getting a statue called "The Predictor" next to their desk the next month. Needless to say, my optimistic prediction of 15 wins in May is going to fall a little short. The Rox are up to 7 wins this month, which is already 1 win better than last month. The Rox were 6-15 in April, and are 7-13 in May thus far, so baby steps are being made. But for me to get the statue, the Rox will have to go 8-1 for the rest of the month. I'm not holding my breath. The Brewers walked into Minnesota this weekend and are about ready to win the 2nd of 3 games there. The Cubs are good enough to split a four game series, and the Cardinals are up to their old tricks. But tomorrow is a new day.
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Last Night
Made me feel younger than I have in a while. I went to the midnight screening of Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, and sat in a theater with young people and old, die-hard fans. Being around both made me feel a little younger. And then there was the movie. Get off your ass and go see it. No excuses, it was a tremendous flick! Get to the theater this weekend or be doomed to the fate of the Dark Side, you will.
Sunday, May 15, 2005
Moments
"You do have your moments. Not many of them, but you do have them..."
-- Princess Leia, The Empire Strikes Back
This seems like a fitting quote for this past weekend. My best man Hollywood Nicky was in town, and we had a great time. It was the first time I've seen him since I went home for the World Series, which is far too long. Fortunately, I was able to get some time off from work, and we painted the town burnt umber. It was an excellent prelude to June and July, when I will get to see him, and my family, when I make two trips back east, to the West side.
-- Princess Leia, The Empire Strikes Back
This seems like a fitting quote for this past weekend. My best man Hollywood Nicky was in town, and we had a great time. It was the first time I've seen him since I went home for the World Series, which is far too long. Fortunately, I was able to get some time off from work, and we painted the town burnt umber. It was an excellent prelude to June and July, when I will get to see him, and my family, when I make two trips back east, to the West side.
Sunday, May 08, 2005
The Good, The Bad, And The Future (It Ain't Ugly)
The Good:
1) The Celtics won the division for the first time in 13 years this year. No matter the competitive level in the East, that is still a noteworthy accomplishment.
2) Antoine Walker reminded us why he deserves to be in Celtic green next year. Antoine played sparkling basketball over the last seven quarters of this series, and other than Payton, seemed like the only one trying in last night's 3rd quarter.
The Ugly:
1) Losing 97-70 at home in a Game 7 when the whole city turns out to watch you play. That hurts any way you slice it.
2) Paul Pierce's play in the final two games. Ill-advised shots, ill-advised displays of emotion, all around ugly.
The Future:
1) Of the twelve men we have on our team, there is only one (Mark Blount) I can honestly say I don't want around. And he's not the worst twelfth man in the league, even though he's paid to be a starter.
2) "I walked into the locker room," said Rivers, "and every single one of the young guys was sitting there crying. They are not used to this. And this is not anything you want to get used to. Al [Jefferson] walked into my office after that and he was still crying. I love their passion."
The future is bright Celtics fans. It is a credit to Danny Ainge that the rebuilding process ramped up quicker than anticipated, but go back and look at how many media rags picked us to finish last in the Atlantic. That tells you all you need to know about the Celtics future. I can't wait 'till next year.
1) The Celtics won the division for the first time in 13 years this year. No matter the competitive level in the East, that is still a noteworthy accomplishment.
2) Antoine Walker reminded us why he deserves to be in Celtic green next year. Antoine played sparkling basketball over the last seven quarters of this series, and other than Payton, seemed like the only one trying in last night's 3rd quarter.
The Ugly:
1) Losing 97-70 at home in a Game 7 when the whole city turns out to watch you play. That hurts any way you slice it.
2) Paul Pierce's play in the final two games. Ill-advised shots, ill-advised displays of emotion, all around ugly.
The Future:
1) Of the twelve men we have on our team, there is only one (Mark Blount) I can honestly say I don't want around. And he's not the worst twelfth man in the league, even though he's paid to be a starter.
2) "I walked into the locker room," said Rivers, "and every single one of the young guys was sitting there crying. They are not used to this. And this is not anything you want to get used to. Al [Jefferson] walked into my office after that and he was still crying. I love their passion."
The future is bright Celtics fans. It is a credit to Danny Ainge that the rebuilding process ramped up quicker than anticipated, but go back and look at how many media rags picked us to finish last in the Atlantic. That tells you all you need to know about the Celtics future. I can't wait 'till next year.
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Sean "The Hack" McAdam
If Sean McAdam was any more of a hack, he'd be wearing a Jason mask. The sub-header to his article today is "The Red Sox pitching is suspect". Yes, so suspect that Bronson Arroyo fired a 3-hitter today to improve to 4-0, and Keith Foulke has pitched two straight perfect innings, and hasn't blown a save in over a week. Overreact much? Yes, Wells had a fluke injury, and Schilling came back too soon, but management knew the risks. We have some guy named Wade Miller coming back Sunday, and while the old guys are out, the Sox can turn to veterans like John Halama and Jeremi Gonzalez, rather than rookies like the Yanks have been doing. The Sox will be just fine.
In addition, I find it hard to take the Orioles seriously. On May5 last year, the Orioles were 13-12. This year they are 18-9, which is a 3 game improvement in the loss column. They have added Bruce Chen to their rotation. Bruce Chen is a decent pitcher, but am I really supposed to believe that Chen, and some improvement on Erik Bedard's part, are the difference between the middling 78 win team they had last year and a division championship in 2005? Why don't I just start believing in unicorns or talking rabbits? No thanks. Adding Sosa was nice, but the fact is that this IS your 2004 Orioles, playing in 2005. They will fall back to the pack eventually.
Unfortunately, writers don't get paid these days to write headlines like "The Sox will be just fine" or "It's only May, calm down!". At least Sean McAdam isn't.
In addition, I find it hard to take the Orioles seriously. On May5 last year, the Orioles were 13-12. This year they are 18-9, which is a 3 game improvement in the loss column. They have added Bruce Chen to their rotation. Bruce Chen is a decent pitcher, but am I really supposed to believe that Chen, and some improvement on Erik Bedard's part, are the difference between the middling 78 win team they had last year and a division championship in 2005? Why don't I just start believing in unicorns or talking rabbits? No thanks. Adding Sosa was nice, but the fact is that this IS your 2004 Orioles, playing in 2005. They will fall back to the pack eventually.
Unfortunately, writers don't get paid these days to write headlines like "The Sox will be just fine" or "It's only May, calm down!". At least Sean McAdam isn't.
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