tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55921173413701624822023-11-16T00:07:03.797-07:00A Real Slow DragA Quintessence Even From NothingnessLiam, Summa Contrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738593234083660468noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5592117341370162482.post-24625198228553064862011-07-09T19:21:00.003-07:002011-07-09T19:26:56.967-07:00Speaking of Good NewsI am going to the All Star Game. I will try to bring back pictures.Liam, Summa Contrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738593234083660468noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5592117341370162482.post-47395013240306478072011-07-09T15:08:00.006-07:002011-07-09T15:14:49.441-07:00After 3000Derek Jeter got hit number 3000 this afternoon. I'm tempted to quote Mickey Mantle ("Weren't most of them singles?") or wonder out loud how great an accomplishment that many hits is considering players like Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, Mike Schmidt and Joe DiMaggio fell far short of that total.<br /><br />But that would be passive agressive nonsense.<br /><br />Now he only needs 1,200 or so to catch Pete Rose.<br /><br />It might could happen.*<br /><br />*No way in hell.Liam, Summa Contrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738593234083660468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5592117341370162482.post-69036763337837068102011-05-04T00:31:00.002-07:002011-05-04T01:00:41.479-07:00Rabbit's FootThat's me.<br /><br />The D-Backs are 3-0 at games when I go. 10-15 when I don't.<br /><br />I saw Ian Kennedy, yes, <em>that</em> Ian Kennedy, shut out the Phils and Cliff Lee on April 25th.<br /><br />Then I saw them pummel the Cubs 11-2 (with a 7-run 1st) on the 28th.<br /><br />Tonight, I saw them beat the Rockies 4-3.<br /><br />Coincidence? Abosolutely. But I'm wondering if I can get a Charles Victory Faustesque spot with the team? Stranger things have happened.<br /><br />I made a few observations at the game tonight:<br /><br />-Troy Tulowitzki is what the press pretend Derek Jeter was.<br /><br />-It's a good thing Joe Saunders can "win games" because he sure can't pitch.<br /><br />-Billy Bean traded away Carlos Gonzalez, Dan Haren and Andre Eithier, the last one for Milton Bradley. I don't think that's going to be in <em>Moneyball</em>.<br /><br />-According to the numbers, Justin Upton is a good right fielder, so why do I get the impression he isn't? On the other hand, Chris Young is an average/below CF, but I don't see that. Guess it shows the problems with small sample sizes. But I would like to add I have never seen Young dive for a ball, nor have I seen him have to.Liam, Summa Contrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738593234083660468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5592117341370162482.post-28083306319421537462011-05-02T21:48:00.003-07:002011-05-02T23:17:16.831-07:00OsamaThomas Aquinas offered three points to consider regarding the morality of an action:<br /><br />1) The act itself<br /><br />2) The situation<br /><br />3) The motivation<br /><br />Seeing scores of people waving flags, cheering, shouting "U-S-A!" I've no idea their motivation or intentions, but it does remind me at times of those who stand outside of prisons and cheer as people are executed.<br /><br />Not an exact parallel, as this might be more in line with the famous photos from V-J Day. I doubt those people were cheering because of what happened in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.<br /><br />But I don't know. That's the only conclusion I've come to. I can't stare into their hearts and determine why they're happy.Liam, Summa Contrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738593234083660468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5592117341370162482.post-52320242571169860612011-04-25T22:55:00.004-07:002011-04-25T23:10:29.873-07:00Three Days, Two Games, Pt. 1Saw the Angels lose to Boston in Anaheim. For those who don't know, the "Los Angeles Angeles of Anaheim" is the single dumbest name in the history of sports. Worse even than the Mighty Ducks. It's that bad because it's factually incorrect. <br /><div></div><br /><div>See, Anaheim is a city in Orange Country, Los Angeles is a seperate city in a seperate county (Los Angeles County). They share a state, and are both considered part of Southern California, but Anaheim is not in any part of Los Angeles, city or county.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Imagine if the Yankees called themselves the Manhatten Yankees of the Bronx. Yes, it's that dumb.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Having said that, I do like going to games at the Halo, as the fans there are generally pleasant, though passive-agressive in their issues with Sox fans filling out the stadium during our visits. They do know their baseball, hate the Yankees and I've never heard any of them call it "Edison Field." So they have that going for them.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Anyway, I got to see my 3-year-old nephew Grahm's first baseball game. My brother dressed him in his Daisuke jersey and let him wear his '75 Boston hat, and carried him on his shoulders through the center field concourse to our seats in right. Grahm shouted the whole way, "Let's go, Red Sox!"</div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599769867144290146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKavTzKt71JJycPAYtdWxey05P5EynM3ybGDOuCWH3b1Cdz4d_k0EXNZ3syCEFCzKEKK-2xsYZQlXmGkitjqZXOG0VZyOJDg8OMgKWf9vxVXW90z38dG7eAURO7ZFMyf5ApGXlLN2lFsR4/s320/224104_1792175281534_1154215157_31669144_8316684_n.jpg" /> <br /><div></div><br /><div>I'm serious. The whole way. Above, you see him standing and clapping for the last out, as Daniel Bard got Vernon Wells to ground out to Pedroia.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>He ate some cotten candy during the fourth inning, and when given a baby wipe to clean his hands, crumbled the paper into a ball and threw it a few rows in front of us, hitting some lady in the back.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>After being scolded by his father, he responded, "But daddy, we have to win the game."</div><br /><br /><div>I think he'll fit right it at Fenway.</div>Liam, Summa Contrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738593234083660468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5592117341370162482.post-77543285842637219002011-04-18T20:17:00.001-07:002011-04-18T20:18:18.303-07:00You Win Three In A Row...And it's called a streak. A winning streak.<br /><br />I have to admit, I was officially worried after Friday's game, but just as swiftly I'm feeling really good about Saturday.<br /><br />I'll be seeing the Sox play in Anaheim. I might even take pictures.Liam, Summa Contrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738593234083660468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5592117341370162482.post-41551624542785796472011-04-12T06:40:00.003-07:002011-04-12T06:50:55.193-07:00First 7-0, then 2-8My brother asked if I wanted to watch the game on his HD TV but, as I was working a bit later, told him I'd drop by after I got off. When I walked into his place and saw the score, I had one of those fleeting feelings that this was a joke he was pulling on me. Thinking back on it, I've no idea how I thought he could have arranged the TV to offer such a ridiculous score, but still, I couldn't believe after last night, against the Rays, that this would happen. Nope, Dice-K just got smacked around like he was Phil Hughes or something. All of which sucked even more because we kept up a conversation while he was at the station yesterday, inspired by Beckett's domination of the Yankees. That curve was a thing of beauty. But, my nephew, Grahm, who is three, did make me laugh with this one: He told his mother that the pizza she made "smelled dangerous." That itself is funny in the way children sometimes offer observations slightly off in their word choice. But Grahm clearly had an agenda, and announced a solution to the problem: "I know, I will have a cookie. They don't smell dangerous!"Liam, Summa Contrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738593234083660468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5592117341370162482.post-89577142239117013612011-04-09T15:27:00.004-07:002011-04-09T15:46:27.518-07:00The Red Sox are 1-7, And I Am...Regarding, today's games, thinking about two players: Clay Buccholz and Carl Crawford. Last year, Clay Buchholz gave up 9 HRs in 173 IP. This year, he's given up 5 in 10 IP. It's only two starts, and considering he gave up four of the dongs in Texas, and the one today came off Russell Martin, I can chock that up to a fluke. However, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't... <strong>Concerned</strong>. Last year, Carl Crawford hit .307 and stole 47 bases. This year he's hitting .152 and stolen 2 bases. Between May 31st and June 10th of last year, Crawford went 5-33 at the place (that's a .152 BA). There is nothing to indicate he's doing nothing more than starting the season in a slump. Hey, it happens. Therefore, I'm... <strong>Just waiting</strong>.Liam, Summa Contrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738593234083660468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5592117341370162482.post-43862765555400561692011-04-04T23:47:00.003-07:002011-04-04T23:56:52.522-07:00Well, That Totally SuckedA crude title but entirely appropriate considering the Sox' weekend in Texas.<br /><br />But, before I put my head in the oven, I was reminded by a few sources that a three-game losing streak is something plenty of great teams have had. Including, but not limited to the '98 Yankees, who began their season 0-3. <br /><br />The optimist in me is a little voice ringing the reminder, "It's not just history, it's precedent."<br /><br />As for Mr. Crawford, let's not forget that A-Rod started his career in pinstripes hitting .196 over the first 14 games with 13 K's and only 1 HR and 3 RBIs.<br /><br />Cliches about marathons all well-worn because they're not only effective descriptors but absolutely true.<br /><br />Does anyone really think the Orioles are going to win the division? If you do, put some money down because you'll clean up come October.Liam, Summa Contrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738593234083660468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5592117341370162482.post-17836921899042951972011-03-27T07:35:00.003-07:002011-03-27T07:46:22.348-07:00Give And TakeI gave up meat for Lent, and for some reason I'm craving more "ethnic foods" (Mexican, Chinese, doughnuts, etc.). I don't know if the two are related, but it does make me wonder...Liam, Summa Contrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738593234083660468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5592117341370162482.post-68329649526384601792011-03-16T19:20:00.002-07:002011-03-16T19:29:35.757-07:00As GOB Would Say..."Well, that's just <a href="mailto:!@#$%">!@#$%</a> great."<br /><br />It appears that my debit/credit card might have been "compromised," which is a clever and soft way of telling me someone (maybe) has gained access to my personal information.<br /><br />They were kind enough to leave a message that a new card will be here in 7-10 days, though they offered me no suggestions on what I was to do until then.<br /><br />Confession: I'm old enough to remember when using a credit card to purchase something like a bottle of Coke was considered impossibly annoying, but times have changed, and I don't carry nearly as much cash as a I used to.<br /><br />Which got me thinking how different the world is going to be for my nephews.<br /><br />Except for Fenway.<br /><br />Another <a href="mailto:!@#$%">!@#$%</a> great thing is that the two moles removed from my middle left toe has been mildly infected, leaving my already skewed and knarled toes (it's genetic I'm sure) unbelievably sore considering the size of the wound and the fact that it's just my toe.<br /><br />And it itches. It really really really itches.<br /><br />But at least <a href="http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2011/03/16/matsuzaka_finally_delivers/">Dice-K is pitching better</a>.Liam, Summa Contrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738593234083660468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5592117341370162482.post-54711711531983119942011-03-09T21:25:00.002-07:002011-03-09T21:38:27.626-07:00Ash WednesdayIt's one of the few holy days from my religious tradition that has not been co-opted by Hallmark, but I do imagine it'd be hard to create a card that someone wants to buy with the theme, "Thou art dust and unto dust thou shall return."<br /><br />Anyway, Lent has begun, which always takes place during Spring Training and St. Patrick's Day, so it's good thing I don't drink enough to have to give it up.<br /><br />Note: My late grandfather is the one who told me about how Easter is celebrated: It's the first Sunday after the first full moon after the first day of Spring, thus explaining why it's on a different day from year to year.Liam, Summa Contrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738593234083660468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5592117341370162482.post-48002743297124841392011-03-05T01:58:00.004-07:002011-03-05T02:17:38.510-07:00He Is A Tiger's Fan, Maybe He Likes The D-Backs TooChuck Klosterman, one of the Dakota's finest music writers, gave an interview to Esquire where he said, "There's a lot of great Alice Cooper songs, but not 'School's Out.' That one's too overt. It's sort of an Alice Cooper song for people who don't like Alice Cooper. The Alice Cooper songs you want to listen to are 'Cold Ethyl' and 'Under My Wheels.'"<br /><br />As a native-born Phoenician who grew up in Southern California, I've always liked Coop, even when I grew out of my heavy metal early high school phase and traded my Danzig and Metallica albums for John Coltrane and the Buzzcocks.<br /><br />He seemed to "get" it. Especially in light of the then-popular Marilyn Manson, who took himself so seriously that you kind of felt sorry for him. His was always destined to be a short ride. That his music wasn't any good made his future as obvious as lights on a Christmas tree.<br /><br />Anyway, my uncle owned <em>Love It To Death</em> and <em>Killer</em>, and those unaware of Alice except for "School's Out" might be surprised at how good those early records are. According to his autobio, after two banal exercises in psychedelia (as was the style of the time), producer Bob Ezrin pretty much broke the band down and, like a Phoenix, what rose from the ashes was a collective that understood volume is not the same thing as power.<br /><br />So yes, Chuck is absolutely right that "Under My Wheels" is a better song than "School's Out." So is "Desperado," "Black Juju," "Dead Babies," and, well, again, those first two albums after Ezrin's remake/remodel sessions are worth actually paying money for.<br /><br />But, "Cold Ethyl?" That I'd never heard.<br /><br />It's on <em>Welcome To My Nightmare</em>, which I did not own until a couple of weeks ago.<br /><br />As a song, he's right: it's awesome. But, better yet, it perfectly captures why Alice is so awesome. Spoiler alert for the tamer readers: It's about necrophilia. Yes, and it's put over with just the right touch of a wink that while it will creep you out, it won't be with the feeling that he's wallowing in the subject matter with a desperate, "mommy didn't hold me enough" shtick. I mean, really, it's about necrophilia.<br /><br />Like I said, he gets it.Liam, Summa Contrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738593234083660468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5592117341370162482.post-4361055673945321002011-03-03T20:14:00.001-07:002011-03-03T20:16:35.194-07:00If I Believed In Flow ChartsLike <a href="http://httphttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77nhIKhyVIqnVYsTq7xDX3aASlpPD6G3BDw8Y_1MCw1Ug1LYWahw9_Qkg21Ty-o_MOzOJPwtywfHErhtBtkLSn9BH5jh-pyjQEh4a60Zf67bK6EdMweHxV1nWyBXVff2dmB2S0YvueAG0/s1600/whatteamshouldyouroot.jpg">this one</a>.<br /><br />I would be a Braves fan.Liam, Summa Contrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738593234083660468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5592117341370162482.post-66355537606699285122010-12-21T02:53:00.001-07:002011-02-14T14:16:42.335-07:00Liam, Summa Contrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738593234083660468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5592117341370162482.post-32718527844715474092010-12-06T23:18:00.003-07:002010-12-06T23:23:11.054-07:00It's A Long Trip Back To Queens"I never came here to kiss Bill Belichick's, you know, rings, I came here to win." - Rex Ryan<br /><br />Pucker up Rex, because you sure didn't win tonight.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglR_1lT6mVMvQxxx9aKFMf2Ddrmghzcs48kJ9MeavmO1ElQgtV6u5EkoIbMZP__kR0iAtQzJi2K9VVl9o4RsphCnIgDtP6fgo5seqVl7KLZWD3z9D1NnvvNK-svuLQ390sgLscIRZ9R5xJ/s1600/Kiss.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 195px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 262px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547821214426232690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglR_1lT6mVMvQxxx9aKFMf2Ddrmghzcs48kJ9MeavmO1ElQgtV6u5EkoIbMZP__kR0iAtQzJi2K9VVl9o4RsphCnIgDtP6fgo5seqVl7KLZWD3z9D1NnvvNK-svuLQ390sgLscIRZ9R5xJ/s320/Kiss.bmp" /></a>Liam, Summa Contrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738593234083660468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5592117341370162482.post-11530193168143176772010-12-06T10:28:00.002-07:002010-12-06T10:32:07.181-07:00He Gets ItAdrian Gonzalez: "I'm very excited to be here in Boston and ready to beat the Yankees."<br /><br />I like this guy already.Liam, Summa Contrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738593234083660468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5592117341370162482.post-47781023164719739502010-11-29T23:12:00.003-07:002010-11-29T23:23:05.930-07:00Where I've BeenMy mother was doing some work on her bathroom when she stepped off the ladder she was painting from and right onto an exposed bolt, sticking from the floor.<br /><br />The bolt went through her sandal and pushed a large chunk of the shoe into her foot.<br /><br />She went to the ER, where they cleaned and dressed the wound but refused to investigate further if that lump inside her foot was chunk of missing sandal. The PA told her to keep an eye on her foot and sent her home.<br /><br />My mother, not content with those instructions, went to a podiatrist and the good doctor was flabbergasted that the ER staff had told her, a diabetic, to leave a bacteria-infested piece of rubber in her foot over the weekend after she stepped an on old, rusty bolt that was used to keep a toilet in place.<br /><br />Good news is that she's out of surgery now and doing fine.<br /><br />Plus, she won $5 from the surgeon, who bet her that the chunk of sole didn't go into her foot.Liam, Summa Contrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738593234083660468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5592117341370162482.post-74730734587257212892010-11-26T22:32:00.002-07:002010-11-26T22:36:36.520-07:00Half A VictoryHalftime. 19 - 14. In Eugene. Super excited.<br /><br />Then came the <a href="http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=303302483">second half</a>...Liam, Summa Contrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738593234083660468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5592117341370162482.post-56444792035435575522010-11-25T17:26:00.002-07:002010-11-25T17:29:33.085-07:00Happy Thanksgiving!To all, and to all a good...<br /><br />Whoops, wrong holiday.<br /><br />But, still hope everyone has a great one.<br /><br />Now off to stand in line. My nephew wants a "red kitchen."Liam, Summa Contrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738593234083660468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5592117341370162482.post-54891907053212352462010-11-24T21:55:00.006-07:002010-11-24T22:14:36.466-07:00Really? Really?OK, so the president of OSU <a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/collegefootball/story/Boise-State-president-responds-to-Ohio-State-president-Gordan-Gee-slam-112410">thinks that a playoff system </a>in college football is ''a slippery slope to professionalism.''<br /><br />You know what else is a slippery slope to professionalism?<br /><br />Athletic scholarships.<br /><br />Playing your games in a stadium that seats over 100,000 people.<br /><br />A marching band.<br /><br />Paying coaches more than most professors.<br /><br />''You know, it's a mystery,'' Gee said. ''We were No. 1 then No. 11 then No. 7 and we ended up playing for the national championship. I think I kind of like that mixed-up mystery.''<br /><br />I don't care about the "mystery" of a national title. There's a reason college football is the only semi-professional or professional sport that decides a title by voting. Don't try to maintain a stupid and corrupt system by offering flowery reminiscences about mixed-up mysteries.<br /><br />Maybe it's just me, but glance at the image below and tell me how "amateur" that looks.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3J_XhaIBUIX0jT2goZU-_xGnan7oXIfucS-iGHgiqDMutDur9d_XHSGT2DEu5f409UK750lwnF4ErOvY6Ga4VUGSbD_MealDzMCXhU4XZvt75RW9G2MXK-q0EOho86e0IdcRzITwXA638/s1600/Ohio-State-University-Stadiums-Ohio-Stadium-Lights-on-Script-Ohio-O-S-OOS-00028lg.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543350848065994178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3J_XhaIBUIX0jT2goZU-_xGnan7oXIfucS-iGHgiqDMutDur9d_XHSGT2DEu5f409UK750lwnF4ErOvY6Ga4VUGSbD_MealDzMCXhU4XZvt75RW9G2MXK-q0EOho86e0IdcRzITwXA638/s320/Ohio-State-University-Stadiums-Ohio-Stadium-Lights-on-Script-Ohio-O-S-OOS-00028lg.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Then explain why a playoff system is part of that slippery slope.<br /><br />Oh, and here's a joke: How do you get an OSU grad off your porch?<br /><br />You pay for the pizza.Liam, Summa Contrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738593234083660468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5592117341370162482.post-20220523335875536352010-11-24T09:32:00.002-07:002010-11-24T09:33:59.031-07:00It Gets Better...<a href="http://www.nypost.com/rw/nypost/2010/11/24/covers/back112410.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 251px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 280px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.nypost.com/rw/nypost/2010/11/24/covers/back112410.jpg" /></a>Liam, Summa Contrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738593234083660468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5592117341370162482.post-6495647153251504402010-11-24T05:03:00.003-07:002010-11-24T05:54:24.302-07:00Derek, Now A True Yankee<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/new-york-yankees-treatment-of-derek-jeter-is-puzzling-112310">Isn't it a pity</a>?<br /><br />Jeter's agent, in trying to fight this battle through the press, has reminded those willing to write it down that there is a reason Jeter has been compared to Babe Ruth for his contributions to the Yankee organization.<br /><br />Clearly, Mr. Close has forgotten how the Yankees treated the Bambino in the twilight of his career.<br /><br />Nor does he remember the way they treated such icons as Phil Rizzuto, Roger Maris, or Reggie Jackson.<br /><br />While it is absurd to insist Jeter played no part in the rise of the Evil Empire in the late 90s/early 00s, members of the press like Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal appear unwilling to admit that they allowed the hype machine to go into overdrive when promoting Jeter as the "face" of the franchise and now have to wonder why the Yankees, unlike much of the press during the last fifteen years, is paying attention to his abilities on the diamond and not his cologne line or who he's dating. As a Red Sox fan, much as I hate to admit it, those Yankee teams were great "teams," they won because the collective often played better than the sum of its parts. Derek Jeter was a part of that machine, he was not the straw that stirred the drink.<br /><br />Lest anyone think this is historical revision, consider two sets of numbers. Let's argue that the five pennants in six years (1996 - 2001) are what led to the creation of YES. How many of those years was Jeter the best player on the team?<br /><br />I'd argue one: 1999, when he was probably the 2nd best player in the AL (1st: Pedro Martinez).<br /><br />Here are Jeter's numbers (BA/OBA/SLG/HR) for that period (1996 - 2001):<br /><br />.321/.393/.471/99<br /><br />Excellent, though they are, how did Bernie Williams do during the dynasty:<br /><br />.321/.407/.546/157<br /><br />And Williams actually deserved some of his gold gloves.<br /><br />Does anyone remember the "classy" way they treated Williams on his way out the door?<br /><br />Has the press forgotten that Bernie almost went to Boston, as the Yankees wanted to sign Albert Belle, after the 1998 season?<br /><br />So when Ken Rosenthal wonders, "Why are the Yankees taking such a harsh stance" on Jeter and his absurd demands?<br /><br />The answer is simple: Tradition.Liam, Summa Contrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738593234083660468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5592117341370162482.post-15703131527529541902010-11-23T00:44:00.004-07:002010-11-24T06:02:04.666-07:00(The Press Hates) Days Like TheseUsually, around this time of year, baseball's award season, you'll find articles here or there and sometimes everywhere expressing outrage or some minor form of vitriol towards their fellow writers for voting so incorrectly for [fill in the award]. Sometimes the postseason and even last few weeks of the regular season will take up space in the sports pages.<br /><br />Who among us can forget <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203706604574379071188424390.html">Allen Barra's</a> hilarious, Swiftian parody of those singing the praises of Jeter and begging that he should be MVP of the AL despite being statistically outweighed by his fellow players. <a href="http://deadspin.com/5360440/jesus-is-the-derek-jeter-of-christianity?skyline=true&s=x">Deadspin</a> even wrote a response, obviously not getting the joke.<br /><br />A dissenting voice can be good for clear thinking, but Phil Rogers, of the <em>Chicago Tribune </em>wondered out loud how much of Felix Hernandez's Cy Young was the result of "Bullying on the Internet" is something else entirely.<br /><br />Is that what they call clear-headed thinking today? "Bullying." Yes, King Felix only managed a 13 - 12 record, but he also led the AL in IP and ERA while finishing 2nd in K's (by one strikeout, btw) to Jarred Weaver. Yes, the games are about winning, but when your offense bottoms out in virtually every major offensive category and is 2nd in strikeouts, why should the pitcher be blamed for not winning more? Where is the critique of CC Sabbathia, who only managed to win 61% of his starts despite having the Yankees leading the AL in runs?<br /><br />Statistics are like a picture mosaic, and if you focus on one image, you're going to miss the bigger picture.<br /><br />In 1989, Oakland A's pitcher Storm Davis went 19 - 7 despite posting an ERA 15% higher than the league average. The Kansas City Royals gave him a large contract, insisting that they didn't care about ERA, but about pitchers who could win games.<br /><br />Rob Neyer pointed out that's like a CEO saying they don't care if the company makes money as long as the stock price goes up. Funny that some writers (and players) still think that.<br /><br />I hesitate to even call it a minor controversy, but I'm sure the BCS will offer plenty for sports reporters to get up in arms about. As well it should.Liam, Summa Contrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738593234083660468noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5592117341370162482.post-25169447641604394712009-10-25T22:05:00.000-07:002009-10-25T22:09:44.602-07:00Let's Go PhilliesThere are ten reasons any decent American, even Mets fans, should root for the Phillies:<br /><br />1. Economics - At times like these, one should easily support a levelheaded, low-risk payroll like the Phillies that rewards good performance rather than the reckless spending of the Yankees. 1.1 billion (with a "b") dollars over the last six yeas, a slew of cheaters, and they finally get to go to the World Series. They should be so proud!<br /><br />2. More Economics - The Angels have a payroll of $113 million, good for fourth in the AL. Still, the Yankees payroll is 78% larger. And don't give me cost of living bullshit, I grew up near Orange County: it ain't cheap to live there. Add to that, if you combine the Angels and Twins payroll, they still spend less, together, than the Yankees.<br /><br />3. The Press - Despite the lies in the headlines, they know those free agents are playing for New York for money and not to fulfill a lifelong dream. Buster Olney, on ESPN, made the comment after the Boston/Los Angeles series that the Red Sox should have offered Merc Teixeira more money to get him to Boston. Wait, I thought his wife is the reason he went to New York? I will give Yankee fans that: I've yet to meet one naive enough to think he really went to the Yankees for anything but money money money.<br /><br />4. Yankee Fans - But Yankee fans are naive about their past. They talk about tradition, pride, and pinstripes. They forget collusion, racism, reckless spending and shamelessly getting rid of such players as Babe Ruth, Phil Rizzuto, and Reggie Jackson because they weren't believed to be necessary for the team's future.<br /><br />5. The Erin Andrews Videos - Mickey Mantle's "beaver shooting" expeditions with the Yankees during the 50s and 60s contributed to the misogynist culture that still exists in professional sports.<br /><br />6. The Umps (Are Obviously Yankee Fans) - Terrible calls by the umpires: Joe Mauer's "Yankee Stadium Foul" or Game 4's obviously new rule that you can only tag one player if you find two off the base. And anyone who thinks Pettitte's strike zone wasn't at least "generous" needs to stop listening to the radio and watch the games. You'd think a payroll that obnoxious would give you all you need to succeed. Apparently, the umps are still needed to ensure Yankee victory. This is, of course, nothing new. Just ask Jeffrey Maier.<br /><br />7. A-Rod - Went from a straight-arrow, wholesome family man who was himself a bit embarrassed by his obnoxious contract to a steroid-shooting, philandering, openly greedy mercenary. It says a lot about Yankee fans that they hated the former but absolutely adore the latter, simply because he hits now that the leaves have changed color.<br /><br />8. Andy Pettitte - "Yeah, I cheated, but, now that I've been caught, I admit it!" For Yankees, that's considered the brave, honorable thing to do.<br /><br />9. Pedro Martinez - Best pitcher of his era, against the Yankees. I'm starting a fund, right now, to pay Pedro's fines if he decides to drill A-Rod, Teixeira, or any of those other smug mercs.<br /><br />10. Grahm: My nephew. I don't want him to think that hard work, fidelity, frugality, and challenging yourself are vices. He shouldn't grow up in a world thinking that money is how you value yourself. I don't want him to think that you solve problems by simply throwing capital at them.<br /><br />That he has to learn this by rooting for the Phillies, a team whose fan base would, in the words of Bob Uecker, "boo cancer patients," should tell you how utterly evil the Yankees are.Liam, Summa Contrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738593234083660468noreply@blogger.com0