Satan's Luau

I have seen the documentary GP, meant to see it in the theatres but never got around to it, due to a very short run here

It is a documentary that follows a group of US soldiers around in Iraq and basically is not judgmental about their lives or situations. It basically lets them tell their own stories through their words, and watches them as they work and play.

I thought the film was effective in conveying the human face of the war. Our soldiers have faces, lives, opinions, etc. It is easy to be desensitized with casualty numbers each day, and not seeing or hearing from the boots on the ground in the media

It did scrub injuries and carnage, and did not do too much with putting a face on Iraqis other than those assisting US soldiers, trying to be soldiers for their own national security force, and showing some kids from time to time. But, I don't think that was the focus of the film, so it would be hard to critique it on that basis ... it's like saying a hot dog is not pizza, um yeah and ...

If I had to pinpoint the agenda of the filmmaker, it would be along the lines of support the troops and do not forget that there are human faces and lives that fight even though the politicians, media, and pundits talk in grand and unrealistic, idealistic terms ... those concepts and ideas are not even close to the reality of the foot soldier

I believe it was towards the end of the film where a soldier was quoted to the effect that he was more concerned each day about surviving than bringing democracy to Iraq. That's more honesty about this war than I've heard in 2+ years from conventional sources.

Posted by at 11:30 PM | Permalink

Well, we got ourselves a good old fashioned summer rain out east, so whilst I wait out the baseball rain delay

Saw three more clips today on the Stryper website previewing tracks off Reborn, now due about a month and a half from now ... I like the sound of it, back to the hard rock sound

There are two live tracks from OPM2 on the Queensryche website. Checked them out as well, ... I was kind of ehhhhhh about them

Listened a bit to the vast selection of podcees on da new iT, and I think there is one eminent danger of this ubiquity ... or overload. Even a lot of the national ones aren't very good or interesting ... I do feel that this will lead to pay per p/ct, and quite honestly I wouldn't buy it, especially when it is just a condensed program you can hear for FREE on broadcast radio ... just my 2 pesos, I do like a few p/cts, and I suppose I will continue to listen to them

Well, the Supreme Ct yesterday not surprisingly affirmed the rights of the RIAA and other rights holders to sue the makers of programs that FACILITATE in their mind, piracy and other illegal file sharing/downloading ... once again, why doesn't the RIAA, the labels, and the rights holders come up with a 21st century workable solution to the "problem" rather than running a business like it's still 1985

Is there any good person left? or where have all the heroes gone? I saw the clips of the interview that our locally famous bounty hunter did (you know, the one that is on A&E), claiming he could capture OBL within 90 days, if only the government doubled the reward (hey, call it what it is, a bounty). Now I could be out of date with my info but I believe the current reward for FBI Most Wanted #1 now stands at 25 million smoleans ... does it make a difference in your mind if it were 50 million, it sounds like just a publicity stunt to get people to watch his show ... and see him take down one by one local ice fiends and scold them in the back of his SUV ... lame

Lastly in case you missed it in 02, the unleash the fkn fury tape is now in mp3 form ... it's the infamous Yngwie tirade, see if you can write up good subtitles for this classic, hilarious Spinal Tap moment (avail. on Blabbermouth)

Saw the president's speech yesterday, and I for one am increasingly amazed at hao dumm dey tink we iz

Posted by at 3:02 PM | Permalink

Well, yesterday the Yankees ground out another comeback victory ... we shall see if it carries over until today. If past experience with this season is a predictor, probably not LOL

Inside, impressions of NYY at BAL (77/162)
---

TOP 1: Ponson going for Os -- Jeter hits a sharp grounder to third, Gomez knocks it down, has a little trouble .... the throw is not in time, a leadoff infield single -- The runner goes, Cano reaches out and grounds a single to left, runner to third on the hit

Runners now at the corners for Sheffield, he goes down swinging, one down -- ARod flies to right, Jeter tags ... the throw from Sosa is offline, the sacfly scores a run, Yankees out front, 1-0

Matsui hits a bomb off the centerfield wall, Cano is waved, the throw from Tejada is cut off, one run scores ... Matsui is tagged out in the basepaths trying for three to end the rally, Yankees lead, 2-0

BOT 1: Wang going for Yankees -- Roberts hits the first pitch right at Wang, it deflects off of him to third, ARod guns and puts Roberts out, one down -- trainer and bench coaches out to check on Wang, he will continue -- Bigbie blasts it over the scoreboard and into the pavilion in right, the Yankee lead is cut to 2-1

Tejada shatters his bat, grounds to short, two away -- Palmeiro goes down swinging to end the rally

TOP 2: Posada goes the opposite way and lines leadoff single to left -- Giambi draws a walk, runners now at first and second -- Sierra grounds the first pitch to second into a 463 double play, two gone, runner to third on the play -- Womack grounds to second to retire the side

BOT 2: Gibbons goes the opposite way and grounds a leadoff single through to right -- Sosa grounds to short into a 643 double play. two gone -- Matos goes down looking to end the inning

TOP 3: Jeter flies to right, one down -- Cano blasts the first pitch over the scoreboard in right, a solo shot -- Yankees now lead 3-1

Sheffield flies the first pitch to right, two away -- ARod rips an atom ball at short, Tejada leaps and backhands to end the rally

BOT 3: Gomez fists a comebacker to the mound, Wang puts him out at first, one down -- Gil goes down looking, two away -- Roberts flies to center to end the inning

TOP 4: Matsui grounds the first pitch through the infield and into right for a leadoff single -- Posada pops to short, one down -- Giambi draws a walk, runners at first and second -- Sierra grounds into another 463 double play to retire the side

BOT 4: Bigbie hits a soft grounder to second, one down -- Tejada hits a tough chopper back at Wang, off his glove and trickles into center for a single -- Palmeiro pops the first pitch to second in the infield, two away -- Gibbons grounds to short, Jeter tags the second base bag to end the inning

TOP 5: Womack grounds a leadoff single to center up the middle -- Womack goes on the 1-2 to Jeter ... the throw is very high, Tejada soars over the sliding Womack -- runner on second, Jeter grounds to short, one down -- Cano flies to center, two away -- Sheffield just misses ... a deep fly to the track in left to retire the side

BOT 5: Sosa grounds to short ... ARod steps in front of Jeter and makes the play, one down -- Matos grounds to short, two away -- Gomez lines a two out single to center -- Gil grounds to third, the force is made at second to end the inning

TOP 6: ARod goes down swinging, one gone -- Matsui bashes one to straightaway center, a solo shot -- Yankees now lead, 4-1

Posada grounds to third, two away -- Giambi flies to center to end the rally

BOT 6: Roberts lines one into the rightfield corner for a leadoff double -- Bigbie hits a sharp grounder at second, Cano boots, recovers and puts him out, runner to third on the play, one down -- Tejada pops foul to the catcher near the first base dugout, two away -- Palmeiro drives the two strike pitch out to center, a two run shot, the Yankees lead is cut to 4-3 ... more two out crap biting NY

Gibbons pops foul to third to end the two out rally

TOP 7: Sierra grounds leadoff single through to right -- Kline and Williams warm for Birds -- Womack grounds to second into a 463 double play, two gone -- Jeter goes down swinging to retire the side

Seventh Inning Stretch, Yankees lead, 4-3

BOT 7: Full count to Sosa, the payoff ... he grounds to second, one down -- Sturtze and Stanton warm for NY -- full count to Matos, he trickles the payoff where they ain't ... into right for a single -- Gomez hits a comebacker to Wang, he turns and throws to second to get the force, Cano's throw to first is offline and away ... runner to second on the overthrow, two away -- Marrero in to PH for Gil, he lines to left to end the inning

TOP 8: Fasano in at C -- Cano hits a sharp grounder to first, great backhand stop by Palmeiro, he puts him out, one down -- Sheffield pops to first, two away -- ARod chops to second to retire the side

BOT 8: Gordon pitching for NY -- Tino in at 1B -- full count to Roberts, the payoff ... in the dirt, ball four, a leadoff walk -- Bigbie bunts to Gordon, Gordon looks at second, then throws losing sight of first ... throws past Tino, Tino's recovers, and guns to third, not in time -- runners now at the corners, none out -- Stottlemyre out to confer

Tejada singles up the middle, one run scores, Gordon has blown the save ... he looks horrible today, and the game is tied 4-4

Runners first and second for Palmeiro, full count, the payoff ... he goes down swinging, one down -- Stanton and Sturtze warm for Yankees, Ryan warms for Os -- Gibbons waves weakly at a breaking ball, two away -- Sosa grounds to the hole at short, Jeter gloves .... throws away from ARod at third ... oh crap, same shit again ... this time ARod gloves, falls down ... but his FOOT IS ON THE BAG!!!, great play to end the rally

TOP 9: Ryan pitching for Birds -- Matsui hits a deep fly to the warning track in center ... just missed, one down -- Posada chops to third, two away -- full count to Tino, the payoff is grounded to second, Roberts ranges and puts him out to retire the side

BOT 9: Full count to Matos, the payoff ... frozen pizza, one gone -- another full count, Gomez flies the payoff to right, two away -- Fasano goes down swinging to end the inning

EXTRA INNINGS

TOP 10: Ryan continues for Os -- Sierra grounds to second, one down -- Bernie in to PH for Womack, he grounds to short, Tejada bobbles, recovers and puts him out ... no hustle from Bernie, that is a piece of crap!!!, two away -- Stanton warms for NY -- Mo now warms for NY -- full count to Jeter, the payoff ... he is blown away swinging to retire the side

BOT 10: Bernie in CF -- Stanton to pitch for NY -- Roberts bats from the right, he blasts the first pitch to left ... GAME OVER

Does anyone doubt that pitching is a problem for the Yankees this year?

FINAL: Os win, 5-4

Muss and Penn go tomorrow in the rubber game of the three game set

39UP 38DOWN

Posted by at 2:07 PM | Permalink

Is it me or is Tom C. totally crzz, loony boy ... yes, you see it too

Seem to be in a lazy funk, probably jet lag and other time issues ... lack of sleep, ack -- Anyways, will try to type out my journals for the ninth island trip, I don't have the camera, so no pictures just yet

Not much to report today, other than my current favorite listening is Every Move A Picture's EP available on iTunes -- anddddd, you can watch most of the new bands live on KCRW.com, that's been a great timekiller for me lately

Of course, later this afternoon is our fearless leader El Busho speechifying about the state of the war in Iraq ... supposedly important this speechify, we'll see

Posted by at 10:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Yankees pull one out of the fire last night ... another improbably walk off hit by Giambi -- They begin a six game road swing leading to the All-Star break

Inside, impressions of NYY at BAL (76/162)
---

1:0PM HST

TOP 1: Cabrera goes for the Os -- Jeter grounds to second, one down -- Cano goes down looking, two away -- full count to Sheffield, the payoff ... is chopped to third to retire the side

BOT 1: Pavano goes for NY -- Roberts pops to short in shallow center, one away -- Matos grounds up the middle to short, two gone -- Tejada lines a two out single to center -- Palmeiro draws a walk, runners at first and second -- Sosa bloops to second to end the inning

Pavano shakiness after easy two outs seems to be turning into a pattern

TOP 2: ARod goes down with a checkswing, one down -- Matsui grounds a single up the middle -- Posada flies to left center, two away -- Giambi draws a two out walk, runners now first and second -- full count to Sierra, he also draws a walk, the bases are now loaded

The reset, two down, bases loaded for Womack, he flies to left to retire the side

BOT 2: Full count to Gibbons, the payoff ... is grounded to first, one away -- Gomez ... another full count, he grounds up the middle to second, two down -- Fasano hits a sharp grounder to second and is put out to end the inning

TOP 3: Jeter goes down swinging, one down -- Cano grounds to short, two away -- full count to Sheffield, the payoff ... ball four, draws a two out walk -- ARod grounds to short, the force is made at second to retire the side

BOT 3: Bigbie jacks a leadoff, solo shot to right, Os lead 1-0

Roberts is plunked in the number on his back, HBP -- Yankees back to back pitchouts, Roberts is long gone trying to steal second, one down -- Matos grounds to short, two away -- Tejada hits the first pitch and flares out to first to end the inning

TOP 4: Matsui grounds to second, one down -- full count to Posada, he draws a walk -- Giambi grounds a two strike pitch through to right, runner to third on the play -- runners at the corners for Sierra, he just misses and hits a sacfly to right, one run will score, two away, the game is tied 1-1

Womack grounds to third, the force is made at second to end the rally

BOT 4: Palmeiro lines a leadoff single to right -- full count to Sosa, the payoff ... grounded to short into a 663 double play -- Gibbons golfs a two out single to right -- Pavano balks Gibbons over to second -- Gomez flares a single to right, the Os wave Gibbons, Sierra's throw is there ... the runner just beats it, one run scores -- Os lead 2-1

Fasano grounds the first pitch to third to end the two out rally

TOP 5:
- Jeter grounds to third, one down --

Cano hits a sharp grounder to first, great backhand stab by Palmeiro, two away -- Sheffield grounds up the middle to second to retire the side

BOT 5: Bigbie lines a hit to the gap in right center, he hustles out a leadoff double, great play -- Roberts lines a ball over the head of Matsui in left, who misjudges it, a run scoring double for the Os -- the score is now 3-1

Matos sacbunts to first with Cano covering, runner to third, one down -- Groom warms for NY -- Tejada lines a sacfly to center, two away, another run scores, the Os now lead 4-1

Palmeiro lines a sinking ball to left, it gets under the glove of Matsui in left center, another double -- Sosa grounds to short to end the rally

TOP 6: And Cabrera sends one behind ARod, probably in retaliation for the Roberts beanball... both benches are warmed -- ARod grounds to short, one away -- Matsui lines a single to right -- Posada goes down swinging, two down -- Giambi draws a two out walk, runners at first and second

Miller out to confer, Ray warms for Os -- Sierra hits a broken bat flare to right, it falls in front of Sosa, a run scoring single, one run scores, runners now first and second -- Os now lead 4-2

Tino in to PH for Womack, full count, he draws another walk, the bases are now loaded -- Mazzili out to change the pitcher, Ray will now pitch for Os

Full count to Jeter, the payoff ... is low and outside, Ray walks in a run, the bases still loaded -- Birds lead cut to 4-3

Julio warms for Os -- the 2-2 to Cano gets away from Fasano, another run scores and the game is knotted again 4-4

Cano grounds to first to end the rally

BOT 6: Reese in at CF -- Gibbons swings away at the first pitch ... it's hit, long, far ... and great catch by Sierra, a foul out, one down -- Sturtze and Stanton warm for NY -- Gomez hits a Baltimore chopper for seeing eye single up the middle -- Fasano grounds to third into an inning ending 543 double play

TOP 7: Ray continues for Os -- Sheffield goes down looking, one down -- ARod goes down swinging, two away -- Mazzili out to get the ball, Kline will pitch L-L

Matsui grounds to second to retire the side

Seventh Inning Stretch, Yankees and Orioles tied, 4-4

Pavano very lucky to get a no decision here

BOT 7: Sturtze in for NY -- Bigbie grounds a leadoff single to right past the diving Cano -- Roberts gives it a ride to deep center but caught, one away -- Stanton and Proctor warm for Yankees -- Matos goes down swinging, two down -- Tejada bloops to short to end the inning

TOP 8: Kline continues for Birds -- Posada lines a leadoff single up the middle -- During Giambi's AB, Kline balks Posada over to second ... Kline is really pissed and is going berzerk, he's been tossed, he bumps two umps ... and throws a ball in their direction on his way out -- Julio will pitch for Os

Runner at second for Giambi, he will get an intentional pass, runners now first and second -- Sierra grounds to first, the force is made at second ... Sierra legs it out to bust up the double play ... great hustle play, runners at the corners, one down

Bernie in to PH for he hits a sacfly to center, one run scores, Yankees take their first lead, 5-4

Jeter hits the first pitch and grounds to short, the force is made at second to end the rally

BOT 8: Gordon in for Yankees, Bernie at CF -- Palmeiro draws a leadoff walk on four pitches -- Newhan in to PR for Palmeiro -- Sosa flies to center, the runner holds, one down -- Ryan warms for Os -- Gibbons grounds to second into an inning ending 463 double play

TOP 9: Newhan at 3B, Gomez to 1B -- Cano lines a leadoff hit to right, Sosa bobbles and kicks it ... Cano in at second, on a single and error -- runner at second for Sheffield, he rips the first pitch, a linedrive single to right, one run scores -- Yankees increase their lead to 6-4

The 0-1 to ARod is swung on and missed, and gets away from Fasano ... Sheffield moves to second on the passed ball -- ARod flies to center, one down -- Matsui will receive the intentional pass IBB, runners at first and second

Runners at first and second for Posada, he goes down swinging, the ball is dropped ... but the ump rings him up with no putout, two away -- Giambi goes down looking to end the rally

BOT 9: Mo will close for Yankees, Russ Johnson at 1B -- full count to Gomez, he grounds to third, one down -- Marrero in to PH for Fasano, he gets blown away swinging, two away -- Bigbie grounds softly to second to end the game

FINAL: Yankees win, 6-4

Yankees looked flat and horrible for a little over half the game. Pavano is definitely not right at this point, but the Yankees grind out another comeback win

39 UP 37 DOWN ... two straight wins

Posted by at 1:04 PM | Permalink

Well, back to work ... if I didn't have a meeting today, I think today should have been a recovery day for our trip to the ninth island

I have a few journals to post later and will get around to the pics ... I must say, LV is a really interesting place to be while on vacation

More later

Posted by at 9:09 AM | Permalink

Yankees trying to salvage one in the Yankee Stadium stand in the Subway Series, and basically right the ship after a rough go of it this week against the Rays and the Mets ... the last game of this season's interleague play is also the Captain's 31st birthday

Inside, impressions of NYM at NYY (75/162)
---

TOP 1: Unit going for NY -- Reyes grounds back to the mound, Johnson barehands and puts him out, one down -- Cameron goes down swinging (RJ 1) -- Beltran grounds back to the pitcher to retire the side

BOT 1: Benson going for Mets -- Jeter grounds to short, one down -- Womack bloops a single to center -- Sheffield grounds to the mound, the throw is made to second for the force ... the relay to first is not in time, two away -- ARod pops tosecond in shallow right to end the inning

TOP 2: Piazza flies to center, one down -- Floyd goes down swinging (RJ 2), two away -- Wright lines a two out single to left -- Woodward flies to center ... Womack runs in and makes the catch at his shoetops, great play .... to retire the side

BOT 2: Matsui pops to second in shallow right center, one down -- Giambi flies to center. two away -- Cano flies to right center to end the inning

TOP 3: Castro lines the 0-2 pitch for a leadoff single to left -- Anderson lines a doubled to the gap in right center, the lead runner to third on the hit -- runners now second and third for Reyes, he grounds to short ... the tag is applied by Giambi at first, one run scores, one down -- Mets lead, 1-0

The 1-2 to Cameron gets away from Flaherty, runner to third on the passed ball -- Cameron battles then goes down swinging on the full count payoff (RJ 3), two away -- Beltran grounds to short to retire the side

BOT 3: Flaherty pops to second at the edge of the outfield grass, one down --
Reese draws a walk -- Jeter grounds softly to short, the force is made at second ... the relay to first is not in time, two away -- Womack flies the first pitch to center to end the inning

TOP 4: Piazza grounds to third, one down -- Floyd grounds to short, two away -- Wright flies to right to retire the side

BOT 4: Sheffield flies to left, one away -- ARod grounds a single up the middle and into center -- full count to Matsui, he draws a walk, runners now first and second -- Giambi goes down swinging, two down -- Cano flies to left to end the inning ... opportunity goes by the boards

TOP 5: Woodward goes down swinging (RJ 4), one down -- Castro lines to left ... a leaping catch by Reese, two away (looks like he might have misjudged it a bit) -- Anderson grounds to second to retire the side

BOT 5: Flaherty goes down looking, one down -- Reese goes down swinging, two away -- Jeter battles, has a quality AB, then draws a two out walk -- Womack grounds to the pitcher to end the inning

TOP 6: Reyes pops to second, one gone -- Cameron rips the 2-2 to left, over the head of Reese and off the wall for a double -- Cameron goes, Beltran goes down swinging (RJ 5), two away... the throw to third, Cameron just beats the throw and has stolen third -- Piazza grounds to short to retire the side

BOT 6: Sheffield grounds to third ... the throw is offline, he reaches first on the error -- ARod grounds to short, nice block by Reyes, he won't make a play, an infield singled for ARod, runners now first and second

Full count to Matsui, the payoff ... he pops up to left center ... the campfire defense, and out of nowhere Floyd comes hustling in from left to glove it, one down ... great play

Giambi works a walk after falling behind 0-2, the bases are now loaded --
Cano hits a broken bat grounder to second, great stop by Anderson, he gets the force at second, one run scores -- the game is tied, 1-1

Runners at the corners, Posada to PH for Flaherty. he flies to left center ... Beltran hustling over to the gap and runs it down to end the irally ... more missed opportunities

TOP 7: Posada in at C -- Floyd pops to short in shallow left, one down -- Wright lines a singled back up the middle and into center -- On the 1-0 to Woodward, Wright goes ... Woodward swings and misses, the throw is there in plenty of time, and is caught stealing, two away

Woodward flies to center .... Womack doesn't get a good bead on it, it's over his head, just beyond his out reached glove, Woodward in with a two out double --
Full count to Castro, the payoff ... is way outside and away from Posada draws a walk ... Woodward to third on the wild pitch

Runners now first and third for Anderson, he grounds to second ... Cano boots the ball, recovers and throws to first ... TOO LATE, one run scores -- Mets back ahead, 2-1

Torre out to get the ball, solid performance by the Unit ... his defense works against him this inning -- Gordon now pitching for NY

Runners at first and second, full count to Reyes, the payoff ... he hits a slow roller to first, Giambi gloves ... and FLIPS IT OVER THE HEAD of the covering Gordon, one run in ... Gordon fields in foul territory, the Mets wave in Anderson ... the throw home is not in time, two runs have scored on the play -- Mets increase their lead to 4-1

Cameron pops to right to end the ridiculous TWO OUT rally

Yankees melt down after two outs, bad plays ALL AROUND

Seventh Inning Stench, Mets lead, 4-1

BOT 7: Heilman warms for Mets -- Bernie in to PH for Reese -- full count to Bernie, the payoff ... inside, he draws a leadoff walk

That will end Benson's night, a very good outing -- Heilman is in for the Mets -- Prior to the 1-0 to Jeter, Heilman balks the runner over to second -- Ring warms for Mets

Jeter hits a broken bat flare to center, it falls in for a single ... one run will score, Beltran guns all the way home ... Jeter takes second on the braindead play by Beltran -- the score is now Mets 4-2

Sierra in to PH for Womack, he goes down swinging, one down -- Sheffield grounds back to the mound, off the pitcher's glove and angling, Anderson makes a great play to field it and guns ... JUST gets him at first, runner to third on the play -- Sheffield is in the face of the first base umpire, after slamming down the helmet near the ump, he is thrown out of the game ... Torre out to confer and calm down Sheffield (replay: looked like a tie, tie goes to the runner ... not this time)

ARod lops a single to left center, another run in -- the score is now Mets 4-3

Randolph out to get Heilman, he will make the change to Ring to match up L-L -- Hernandez warms for Mets -- Matsui grounds to second to end the rally

TOP 8: Sierra in LF, Russ Johnson in RF, Bernie in CF -- Gordon continues --
Beltran grounds to second, one pitch, one gone -- Piazza goes down swinging, two down -- Floyd sharply lines to deep right ... Johnson gloves it on the track to retire the side

BOT 8: Ring continues -- Giambi flies to left center, one down -- Cano loops a single to right -- that will be all for Ring

Hernandez pitching for Mets -- Posada draws a four pitch walk, runners now first and second -- Mo warming for NY -- Peterson out to confer, Bell warms for Mets

Bernie lines to left, two away -- Jeter draws a walk, the bases are now loaded --
Sierra blasts one to left center .... Beltran races over and gloves it to end the inning .... gakk!!

TOP 9: Mo in to hold the Mets -- Wright grounds to short, one down -- Looper the closer warms for Mets -- Woodward flies to right center, two away -- Castro grounds to short to retire the side

BOT 9: Looper in to close for Mets -- Tino in to PH for Russ Johnson, he battles then draws a leadoff walk -- ARod lines one down the third baseline, inside the bag, and into the leftfield corner for a double

Runners now second and third for Matsui, he gets the intentional pass and that loads the bases -- Giambi lines one to the gap in right center, two runs will score to end the game ... a walkoff single -- Yankees rally to win, 5-4

FINAL: Yankees win, 5-4

A very ugly game late that the Yankees managed to grind out despite their recent struggles. Overall a respectable 8-5 record on the homestand, of course, tainted somewhat by the three losses to the Rays and losing the series to the Mets

38UP 37DOWN ... back above .500

And the Subway Series 05 comes down to an unsatisfying 3-3 deadlock

Posted by at 6:00 PM | Permalink

There is one thing that always seems to suck about going on vacation packages. They always want to pull you out at some ungodly hour in the morning, and the lack of sleep really makes the rest of your day when you finally get back ... pretty much a lost cause due to sleep deprivation

It happened to me again, I don't really have anything to say about it

Posted by at 1:00 PM | Permalink

Last night the Mets came out strong out of the gate and held off a minor rally late

Inside, impressions of NYM at NYY (74/162)
---

TOP 1: The rookie Henn tries to get a good start going for NY -- Reyes battles off FIVE pitches in the full count then lines to short, one down -- Cameron draws a four pitch walk -- Beltran flies to left center ... Bernie is not paying attention, the runner tags and advances to second ... seriously weak, two away

Henn gets ahead on Floyd 0-2 ... then can't find the strikezone, full count to Floyd, the payoff ... he blasts one to deep right into the upper deck for a two run shot -- Mets lead, 2-0

Stottlemyre out to confer after going 2-0 on Piazza -- full count to Piazza, the payoff ... he flies to right to end the rally

BOT 1: Glavine goes for Mets -- Jeter pops to first near the mound, one down -- Bernie grounds to third, two away -- Sheffield grounds to short ... it eats up Reyes and on a bounce is into left for a two out single -- ARod grounds to short to end the inning

TOP 2: Wright blasts the 0-2 pitch for a leadoff solo shot to right -- Mets extend to 3-0

Woodward goes down swinging, one away -- Mientkiewicz grounds to second ... great diving stop by Cano who makes the play to first, two gone -- full count to Castro, the payoff ... he lashes a shot off the wall in right center, he slides in with a two out double AFTER DOGGING IT, watching what he thought was a homer -- Reyes grounds to short to end the rally

BOT 2: Matsui grounds the first pitch to short, one down -- full count to Posada, the payoff ... inside, he draws a leadoff walk -- Giambi lines a single off the wall in right, runner to third on the hit

Runners at the corners for Sierra, he pops to shallow right, two away --
Cano blasts the full count payoff over the head of Beltran and rolls to the wall, two runs will score. Cano in with a clutch two out double -- the score is now Mets 3-2

Runner at second for Jeter, he grounds up the middle ... Reyes dives and makes a great stab, the throw to first ... on time to end the rally and save the tying run (replay: Jeter beat that play out) -- Roy White at first arguing the point

TOP 3: Cameron flies to center, one down -- Beltran flies to the track in right, two away -- Floyd flies to right center to retire the side

BOT 3: Bernie flied out to right, one down -- Sheffield grounds to short, two away -- ARod lines a two out single to left -- full count to Matsui, the payoff ... he grounds a singled off Glavine's foot and into center, runner to third on the hit
Posada flies the first pitch to left center to end the inning ... rally opportunity unrealized

TOP 4: Piazza rips a shot into the leftfield corner for a leadoff double -- Proctor warms for NY -- Wright draws a four pitch walk, runners now first and second --
Woodward goes down swinging, one down -- Mientkiewicz grounds to third, the force is made at third, two away -- runners still first and second for Castro, he flies to center to retire the side

BOT 4: Giambi lines to left, one gone -- Sierra lines to second, two away -- Cano draws a two out walk after falling behind 0-2 in the count, nice at bat -- Jeter loops a single to right, runners now first and second -- Bernie lines to left to end the inning

TOP 5: Reyes lays down a surprise bunt in front of the plate that just drops dead, no play, a leadoff bunt single -- on the first pitch to Cameron, Reyes goes ... and gets in just ahead of the tag to steal second -- runner on second for Cameron, full count, he flies to center ... the runner tags and advances to third, one down

Runner at third for Beltran, he flares a hit into shallow left ... one run will score, Beltran hustles in with a double -- Mets now lead, 4-2

Runner at second for Floyd, he blasts the first pitch for a two run shot to the bleachers in right center, his 2nd HR of the day -- the score is now Mets 6-2

That will be all for Henn, yet another outing where he was shelled and had shaky location -- Proctor will pitch for the Yankees -- Piazza pops to second, two away -- Wright goes down swinging ... uno dos adios, to end the rally

BOT 5: Daubach at 1B -- Sheffield lines to center ... Beltran runs it down on the track, great play, one down -- ARod grounds to short, two gone -- Matsui lines one the opposite way for a two out single to left -- runner at first for Posada, he
grounds the first pitch to third, the force play is made to end the inning

TOP 6: Proctor continues -- Woodward bloops to center ... Bernie dives, can't get it ... Woodward hustles in for a double, that's a nice play -- runner at second for Daubach, he grounded back to the mound ... Proctor bobbles, finally picks it up and makes the putout to first, one down

Heilman warms for Mets -- runner at second for Castro, full count, the payoff ... he draws a walk ... the ball gets away from Posada, the runner advances to third on the passed ball

Stottlemyre out to confer, Quantrill and Stanton warm for -- runners at the corners for Reyes, he flares to left center ... Sierra can't get to it, one run scores, and the lag runner to second -- Mets extend to 7-2

Well as you can tell, great play from the elderly outfielders for the Yankees --
runners at first and second for Cameron, he goes down swinging after the full count payoff, two gone -- Beltran lines to right to end the rally

BOT 6: Giambi goes down swinging, one down -- Heilman ready for Mets --Sierra hits the first pitch and flies to left, two gone -- Cano flares to second in shallow right ... great leaping play by Woodward to end the inning

TOP 7: Stanton in the pitch for the Yankees -- full count to Floyd, the payoff ... he draws a leadoff walk -- Torre comes in to take the ball, Quantrill now pitching -- runner at first for Piazza, he grounds a single up the middle into center, runners now first and second

Wright grounds sharply down the third baseline, JUST past the diving ARod and into left, one run will score, Wright in with a double, lag runner to third on the hit -- Mets now lead, 8-2

Runners at second and third for Woodward, he flies to right, the runners tag, another run in, and a runner to third on the sacfly, one down -- the score is now Mets 9-2

Daubach grounds to second, two away -- Castro lines to the gap in left center ... Bernie having trouble with the ball, it gets away from him, another run in ... Castro has a two out double, another run in -- quietly, the rout is really on now, Mets 10-2

Reyes flies to left to end the rally

Seventh Inning Slaughter, Mets lead 10-2

BOT 7: Heilman in for Mets, Glavine out after a quality start -- Jeter goes down looking, one down -- Bernie lines to center, two gone (then he goes back and takes it out on the refreshments) -- Sheffield flies to left to end the inning

TOP 8: Quantrill continues -- Cameron goes down swinging, one gone -- Beltran single to right -- Groom warms for the Yankees -- full count to Floyd, he draws a walk, runners now first and second

Gerald Williams in to PR for Floyd at first -- runners first and second for Piazza, he pops to third, two away -- Wright bloops to right ... Sheffield runs in to make a basket catch to retire the side

BOT 8: Graves now pitching for the Mets -- Gerald Williams in LF -- ARod lines a leadoff single to left -- Matsui flies the 0-2 pitch to center, one down -- runner at first for Posada, he grounds to second, the force is made at second ... the ball is dropped by Reyes before the return throw to first, two gone

Giambi grounds a single through to left ... no one there due to the Giambi shift, runner to second on the hit -- runners first and second for Sierra, he goes down swinging to end the inning

TOP 9: Groom now pitching for the Yankees -- Woodward bloops a leadoff single to center -- Daubach flies to center, one down -- Castro flies to center, two gone -- Reyes draws a two out walk, runners now first and second -- Cameron grounds to short, the force is made at second to retire the side

BOT 9: Graves continues -- Cano lasers a leadoff solo shot to right -- the score is now Mets 10-3

Jeter grounds the first pitch to second, one down -- Bernie grounds to second ... off the glove of the diving Woodward, Bernie reaches on an infield single --Sheffield flies to the track in left, two gone -- on the 0-1 pitch to ARod, Bernie to second on indifference -- ARod goes down swinging on the full count payoff to end the game

FINAL: Mets win, 10-3

Did this team win seven straight to start this homestand?

And the Yankees dominance in interleague, having won 13 straight series at home comes to an end.

37UP 37DOWN ... back to .500

Posted by at 2:00 PM | Permalink

Well, we were tired from doing a lot of stuff yesterday

A bit of a late start out of the gate

Actually, I suppose today was my day ... after running all over the mall trying to find clothes and shoes for SD to wear to the shows yesterday. This of course since she was too hardheaded to be driven back home on Tuesday night. All editorializing aside ....

Premium Outlets

Well, we took a walk around the PO, and this is also reasonably close to downtown, probably not even five minutes away by car. It's hard now to go to outlets because we have most of them here at Waikele. The notable ones that we poked our head into were Oakley, which if that is outlet pricing, I am a stupid monkey ... Nike was quite good, Adidas not so good ... and a few others where it was like okay, I wouldn't buy any of this at any price

Star Trek: The Experience

Oh, this one is a must if you are a Trek fan. It's at the Hilton, and yeah, a bit pricey, so I hope you are a triple A member like me to get a few bucks off.

It features a walk through museum that has displays, glass cases with costumes, and other cool stuff to see. And it has two interactive rides, one involving the Borg, the other the Klingons. The Borg one involves 4D, so put on those Captain EO glasses, hee hee LOL -- The Klingon one involves a flight simulator, so if you get queasy ... like SD, you may feel sick afterwards

And it has the world's largest Star Trek Store, so prepare to shell ... what remaining cashish there is, after the big admission

In N Out Burger

After SD made some calls, we headed to the nearby INOB -- Funny, but I don't remember INOB being such an OKAY burger, boy I overhyped my LA memories ... disappointing

Tonight's Entertainment

Well tonight we slipped through the backstreets of Paradise to get to our show at the Bellagio to see some Cirque du Soleil. Traffic ... again ... a bitch

Oh and by the way, if you are brown and look ... well remotely Middle Eastern, or should I say in the estimation of parking security, they will stop your car and force you to open up and have your car searched. We obviously don't look that way, but I thought that was a bit overkill even in the post 911 era

Since we had time to kill before the show we walked around a bit ... this hotel is simply awesome. I mean, lots a really cool ornate, decorative stuff to see

There was this really cool indoor garden with pretty huge statues and cool plants

What we really liked was going outside to go see the prancing waters, aka fountains choreographed to music ... SD refers to them as the sprinkler show, well ... these were some major sprinklers LOL

Cirque du Soleil's O

What to say about this show ... in one word, a SPECTACLE.

It is hard to characterize in words or to rationalize ... because it doesn't really make sense. I really liked the music, some of the acrobatic spots which are totally holyshit moments ... the other 70% I could leave

In other words, I don't want to say that it suct ... but I do think some people need to be slapped for exaggerating their appreciation of this show. I honestly don't believe 98% of people will GET IT

Posted by at 11:59 PM | Permalink

Back into interleague play after the difficult series loss to the cellar dwelling Rays

Inside, impressions of NYM at NYY (73/162)
---

TOP 1: Mussina pitching for Yankees -- Reyes grounds to first, one down --
Cameron lashes one down the third baseline and into left for a double -- Beltran goes down swinging, two away -- Floyd is plunked with the first pitch, on first via HBP -- runners now first and second for Piazza, he grounds to third to retire the side

BOT 1: Pedro pitching for the Mets -- Jeter blasts a solo shot into the bleachers in right center, Yankees lead, 1-0

Cano pops the first pitch foul to third, one gone -- Sheffield flies to left ... Floyd doesn't get there and lets it drop for a single -- ARod lines a single to left, runner to second on the hit -- Matsui grounds to first, runners advance to second and third on the play, two away -- Bernie grounds to second to end the rally ... had that feeling it should have been more

TOP 2: Anderson lines to first ... off the glove of Tino and into right for a leadoff single -- full count to Wright, the payoff ... he draws a walk, runners now first and second --

Mientkiewicz lays down a great bunt to third, Mussina can only field, he does not have a play ... that will be a bunt single, the bases are now loaded

Castro hits the first pitch and lines to right, one run scores on the sacfly, and a runner advances to third -- the score is now tied, 1-1

Runners at the corners for Reyes, he flies to right center ... Bernie just drops the fly ball, one run scores on the sacfly and the runner to second on the error -- Mets now lead, 2-1

Runners now first and second for Cameron ... on a checkback to second throw by Muss, it gets away from Cano and into center, it draws a throw to third ... the runners advance to second and third

Cameron flies to right, a run scores on the sacfly, and the lag runner to third, two gone -- the score is now Mets 3-1

Runner at third for Beltran, he pops to short to end the bizarre rally

BOT 2: Posada goes down looking, one down -- Tino grounds to second, two away -- Womack goes down swinging ... uno dos adios, to end the inning

TOP 3: Floyd lasers the 2-0 for a solo shot to right -- Mets now lead, 4-1

Piazza flies to left, one away -- Anderson lines to right, two gone -- Wright goes down looking to end the rally

BOT 3: Jeter falls behind 0-2, but battles and draws a leadoff walk -- Cano grounds slowly to third, only play is at first, runner to second on the play, one down -- runner on second for Sheffield, he grounds to third ... the runner is checked and the play is made at first, two away -- ARod grounds a two out, run scoring single, past the diving Anderson and through to center -- the score is now Mets 4-2

ARod goes on the first pitch to Matsui ... he slides in and Reyes loses the ball applying the tag, ARod has stolen second base -- runner at second for Matsui, full count, the payoff ...low, he draws a walk -- runners first and second, two down for Bernie, he goes down swinging to end the two out rally

TOP 4: Mientkiewicz grounds to first, one down -- Castro goes down looking, two gone -- Reyes grounds to third to retire the side

BOT 4: Posada grounds to first ... great stop by Doug M. to prevent a potential double, Pedro covers at first one down -- Tino flies the first pitch to right center, two away -- Womack flies to right to end the inning

TOP 5: Cameron grounds to short, one gone -- Beltran blasts the first pitch for a solo shot to right -- Mets extend to 5-2

Floyd flies to center ... Bernie has trouble with it, quickly steps to his right and gloves it, two down -- Piazza rips one to the leftfield corner ... off the wall, Piazza in with a two out double -- Anderson grounds to second to end the rally

BOT 5: Jeter grounds to deep short ... Reyes throws across his body offline, Jeter reaches on a leadoff infield single -- Cano lines to right ... Cameron slides and makes the catch, great play, one down -- Sheffield takes an awkward cut ... this will be fair and flies to right near the line, two gone -- ARod flies the first pitch to right to end the inning

TOP 6: Wright goes down swinging, one gone -- Mientkiewicz grounds to second -- Castro flies to right to retire the side

BOT 6: Matsui flies to left center, one away -- Sturtze warms for Yankees --Bernie flies to left, two down -- Posada grounds to first to end the inning

TOP 7: Sturtze now pitching for Yankees -- Reyes flies to left, one down -- full count to Cameron, the payoff ... he draws a walk -- Beltran flies to center, two gone -- Floyd grounds to short, the force is made at second to retire the side

Seventh Inning Stench, Mets lead 5-2

BOT 7: Full count to Tino, he pops to short in shallow left, one down -- Womack flies to center, two gone -- Jeter grounds softly back to the mound to end the inning

TOP 8: Piazza pops to first in shallow right, one pitch, one gone -- Anderson grounds a single through to left -- Hernandez warms for Mets -- on the 1-0 pitch to Wright, Anderson goes ... Posada's throw is perfect, Cano applies the tag and Anderson is caught stealing, two down -- Wright grounds to the mound, the play is made at first to retire the side

BOT 8: Cano lines the first pitch to right, one pitch, one out -- Sheffield pops to left ... Reyes is way into left from short, he gets in the way of Floyd ... the ball hits Floyd's glove, pops up ... and he squeezes it, two gone -- ARod grounds the first pitch up the middle and into center for a two out single -- Matsui flies to center ... Beltran running after it, to the wall, leaps, makes the catch, bashes into the wall, holds on to it .... to end the inning, great defensive play by Beltran

TOP 9: Quantrill in for Yankees -- Looper warms for Mets -- full count to Mientkiewicz, he lines one the opposite way ... it bounces into the leftfield stands for a leadoff ground rule double -- runner at second for Castro, he grounds to second, runner to third on the play, one down

Proctor and Stanton warm for Yankees -- Reyes flies to center ... the runner will tag and score on the sacrifice fly -- Mets now lead, 6-2

Cameron flies to right to end the rally

BOT 9: Looper in to pitch for Mets, a mostly dominant outing by Pedro -- Bernie grounds to first, one down -- Posada draws a four pitch walk -- runner at first for Tino, full count, the payoff ... he blasts one into the stands in right center ... GONE!!, a two run shot -- the score is now Mets 6-4

Womack lays down a surprise bunt to third ... Wright barehands and guns ... Womack is called out, two down (replay: he was out) -- Jeter grounds the 1-2 through to right for a two out single -- Cano chops to second ... Anderson charges and guns ... Cano slides head first, but he is put down to end the game

FINAL: Mets win, 6-4

The Yankee woes continue ... and a very strong outing by Pedro

37UP 36DOWN ... four straight losses

Posted by at 4:00 PM | Permalink

Well this morning we went to go pick up the rental car and go see some of the things around town

The theme of the day is: this ain't fricking service with a smile town, no, it's not

The rental car was a very economical Focus ... it was funny because we couldn't find where it was because the service counter lady's instructions were basically go that way and go left, and then she got on to another customer

Outside when we found the car, the lot attendant was mr. monosyllable ... I mean, I suppose you wouldn't want to be having convos in the middle of a 105 degree day, with tourists in an open lot, would you?

Off we went, first stop ... Trader Joes. This seems to be the new hot place to bring back omiyage from. I've never been to a TJ's in a while, well long enough so I don't remember what it really is ... yes, a grocery market

There are so many varieties of dried nuts and fruits, frozen and fresh food stuffs, and of course baked goods and other goodies to make your head spin with the varieties ... so having piled up the goods, obviously with no regard for space in luggage

Our conversation in the store was basically about how SD's brother and wife try to feed her nephew almost exclusively organic stuff from D2E ... of course, you know me, mr. goddamn skeptical about shit like that ... well you can go organic at TJ's too ... but that's beside the point

We drove back in to the LV strip ... one word, and yes you can't escape it ... so if you think you can leave here and move to LV ... guess what follows you, that's right ... FKNTRAFFIC!!! ... good Lord, traffic is intense there, any time of day

Notable stops

Desert Passage at Aladdin

This is one of those larger than life places in Vegas ... a mall that is circular ... so, no chance at getting lost. I refer to it as Cool Looking Mall. SD had stuff to return at Bath & Body Works ... ironically they had a $5 everything sale

M&M World/Coke Store

Well okay, at the Showcase Mall ... after being told by a parking attendant cashier that she couldn't give us a ticket because she was eating her lunch, we got in and were pretty awed by two things ... the four FULL large floors of all M&M merchandise at M&Ms World ... anything M&Ms related can be had here ... a pound of puke green candy, sure ... a Darth Vader head from the dark choco candy promo, sure ... pictures with dudes in plush outfits, yep

Coke store is equally as filled for the dedicated to the cult of Coke ... we got to drink Coke from a bottle for me, the first time in years, we were planning on getting a float but the line was too long

Tonight's Entertainment

Well apparently, only the well connected and well to-do can sit down in shows at Vegas, so although the cosmos aligned and put the WFs and EJ back to back. Shithead peons (like us) can't get seats besides GA seats, so being the old farticuses (read as: NOT WANTING TO STAND UP THE WHOLE TIME) that we is, we decided to go see Blue Man at the Luxor

Why do we have this picture ... well, it's about this far to walk from its parking lot into the hotel

A few notes about our evening at the Luxor:

You can buy margarita by the yard at the inside bar. The size refers the gigantus sized container that is literally three feet high. And yes, you can bring it in with you to the show

The BMG put on their typically excellent, eccentric show. We sat pretty close to the front ... and we learned that is the poncho area. So each seat had a clear bag on it to put on over your clothes. Putting plastic on your body makes body hot, so I used it at first as a blanket, then took it off

Bad idea ....

During a portion of the show, they shoot out some strained banana ... and maybe it's not supposed to reach the first five rows, but YES, it definitely does and I have shirt stains to prove it

Well, back through the traffic, we were tired ... but hungry so we headed to Triple 7 before going to bed -- good Lord, who hires the service in this town ... our food was taking quite long, so we pulled aside our waitress ... who said, oh I forgot what you ordered (note: we had seen our order sitting on the pickup counter for a good 5-10 mins.) ... guess who didn't get a tip

(editor's note: I think we also went to The Meadows Mall, which is fairly nearby the hotel ... traffic was unbelievable trying to get there in the afternoon on the freeway -- SD did buy something that she called particularly Vegasy)

Posted by at 11:59 PM | Permalink

Okay, so today SD and I set off on a voyage to the ninth island

Where is the ninth island, you ask ... well wonder no more

I think this is a pretty good clue, no?

Wednesday: enroute to LV

Well, maybe three weeks ago, SD and I decided to finalize where we going on vacation this summer. Ironically, we decided on LV ... I say ironic because it's so cliche that people from the lower 50th, decide to go to the hotel named after the 31st in the middle of the hostile desert climate

Well, we planned a lot of stuff, and I suppose a few days ago, I thought that it might be really too much ... well, we shall see

My first praise goes to my handy dandy Panasonic LS 55 DVD player, the battery life is just wayyy the hell off the chart at close to 10 hours a charge ... and the picture is fairly amazing for an affordable portable ... that helped distract from the slave trader-like quarters of the charter flight

I'm not even going to mention how bad the charter service is that the VH company uses, I've ranted about it before ... let's just say your choices are either cramped up against the window, in between two plate lunch eating humans, or on the aisle where you will be bumped at least 100+times on your outside arm, guaranteed

Live from Viva LV: Wednite

We actually got there in the early evening, so early that we decided to wander around the downtown area. Our first stop was Neonopolis -- there is something to be said about shill journalism. We had read in the LVRJ newspaper that this was one of Vegas' best places (... perhaps we should have read the 2003 ... apparently things have a shelf life of 18mos. to 2 years here, soooo, lesson learned)

It is supposed to be a mall concept very very similar to the Ward Ent Complex here, well, someone should notice that the place is over 50% vacant LOL

We did get to go in Kentucky style D&B, Jillians ... one of the cooler aspects of it is that it has cosmic bowling with huge TV screens, lounge cushy seating in the bowling area, pretty fab looking bowling alley .... the rest is standard big videogames, game area, etc.

As we walked down the FreSt. Expx, one thing was very noticeable to me ... it's damn hot even at 8 at night in LV .... I guess besides that, it is very crowded and the street experience is like all these little kiosks, tons of people from all over, lots of drunk sweaty people, and of course, more than a truckful of homeless pan handlers.

This shouldn't be a unique point, but with the corporatization of all radio, there was a night promotion being held by LV 1027, ironically they have the same promo line as our 931, and same format ... yeah yeah, 80s and more, that one -- well all we hear is radiooo googoo radiooo gaga

Well, we looked up and down FreSt., afterwards we went over to MainSt to have beers and nachos at the Triple 7 -- we each had a 5-beer sampler and the most massive plate of chkn nachos ever created ... this is fabulousville, after all

And so, eight beer cups later for me ... why gfs decide to order too much will always and forever baffle me, and two plus one for SD, we went back to the hotel to las neh-neh time

Posted by at 11:59 PM | Permalink

Great game yesterday ... amazing and improbable comeback

Inside, impressions of TB at NYY (71/162)
---

A bit delayed in watching this one -- a long plane trip to the ninth island will do that

TOP 1: Pavano will go for Yankees -- Crawford grounds a leadoff single up the middle -- On the first pitch to Lugo, Crawford steals second fairly easily ... and the Rays are off and running -- Lugo goes down swinging, one down --
Cantu also goes down swinging on a caught foultip, two away -- Lee goes down swinging as well ... as Pavano strikes out the side

BOT 1: Kazmir going for Rays -- Jeter grounds to short, one down -- Bernie grounds a single into left -- Sheffield lasers a slider to left ... and he is absolutely on a tear, a two run blast -- Yankees lead 2-0

ARod in disbelief, is down looking at a inside fastball, two down -- Matsui hits a broken bat grounder to second to end the rally

TOP 2: Gomes goes down swinging, one down ... four straight Ks by Pavano --
Huff grounds to second, two away -- Hollins grounds to third to retire the side

BOT 2: Sierra hits a broken bat grounder to short, one down -- Russ Johnson goes down swinging, two away -- Flaherty hits it sharply but flies to left to end the inning

TOP 3: Hall grounds to third ... off ARod's glove, the error counter clicks on, psshh just lazy on that one ... safe at first on the error -- Green flies to right, one away -- Crawford grounds to second into an inning ending 463 double play

BOT 3: Cano goes down swinging, one away -- Jeter grounds to second, two down -- Bernie pops to first in shallow right to end the inning

TOP 4: Lugo goes down looking, one down -- Cantu flies to center, two away --
Lee hits a two out single into center, great piece of hitting -- Gomes blasts one out to deep left center, a two run shot, the game is tied 2-2 ... and the two out crap after being much in control continues for Yankee pitching

Huff hits a sharp single into right past Cano -- On the first pitch to Hollins, Huff is running ... and is gunned down by Posada to end the two out rally

BOT 4: Sheffield gets alot of another one, but flies to the warning track in left, one down -- ARod grounds to third, two away -- Matsui grounds to second to end the inning

TOP 5: Hollins goes down swinging, one away -- Hall is MINIMALLY NICKED by the pitch, a dubious HBP -- full count to Green, the payoff ... is floated into center, runner to third on the play, runners now at the corners -- the trainer is in to see Pavano -- Crawford grounds to second into 463 double play to retire the side ... two straight double plays off Carl Crawford, IMPROBABLE!!!, great D

BOT 5: Taylor in CF, Hollins in RF -- Sierra hits a bomb to the gap in left center, off the wall, he is in with a leadoff double -- Russ Johnson is plunked trying to bunt, runners now first and second

Flaherty perfectly executes a sacbunt to third, runners advance to second and third, one down -- Cano grounds to second, runner to third on the play, one run scores -- Yankees edge back into the lead, 3-2

Runner on third, two down for Jeter, he ticks a ball in front of the plate, and is put out by the catcher to first and end the rally

TOP 6: Lugo grounds to third, one down -- Cantu grounds to short, two gone -- Lee flies to left to retire the side

BOT 6: Bernie draws a leadoff walk -- Sheffield lines a single to left, runners now first and second -- ARod flies to the track in right center ... a just miss jack, the runners tag and advance on the play

Runners now second and third for Matsui, he works it full, the payoff ... is tapped to first, one down ... no chance for Bernie to score

Sierra gets the free pass to first, IBB -- Russ Johnson flies to right to end the inning .... MISSED OPP to bust it open

TOP 7: Gomes draws a leadoff walk -- Sturtze and Stanton warm for NY -- Taylor goes down looking, one down -- Hollins hits the first pitch and flies to center, two away -- Hall is NICKED again ... WTF!!!, another HBP, runners now first and second

Green lines a two strike pitch to left ... GONE, a three run shot -- ONE BATTER TOO FAR ... ARGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -- Rays lead, 5-3

Stanton in to pitch for Yankees -- Crawford pops foul to the catcher to end the rally

Seventh Inning Stench, Rays leading 5-3

BOT 7: Kazmir continues for Rays -- Flaherty flies to center, one down -- Cano hits the first pitch to right .... long far but FOUL, he goes down swinging, two away -- Jeter lines out to short, great leaping catch by Lugo to end the inning

TOP 8: Sturtze pitching for NY -- Lugo hits the first pitch and flies to right, one away -- Carter warms for TB -- Cantu goes down swinging, ball is dropped, he is tagged at the plate, two gone -- full count to Lee, he grounds to first to retire the side

BOT 8: Carter in to pitch for Rays -- Bernie hits the first pitch, just misses it ... a deep fly to the warning track in right for the first out, one down -- Baez warms for Rays -- Sheffield pops up foul to catcher to the left of the plate, two away -- ARod hits the first pitch and grounds a two out single to center

The pitching coach is out to take the ball, Baez in to pitch for TB -- Mo warms for NY -- Matsui draws a walk, runners now first and second -- Womack to PR for Matsui -- The 0-1 pitch to Sierra gets away from the catcher, the runners advance to second and third on the passed ball -- full count to Sierra. the payoff ... he goes down swinging to retire the side

TOP 9: Sturtze continues for NY -- Gomes goes down on a checkswing, uno dos adios, one down -- Taylor grounds the first pitch to third, two away -- Hollins grounds a comebacker to the pitcher, he is put out at first to retire the side

BOT 9: Gonzalez at 3B -- Posada in to PH for Russ Johnson, full count, the payoff pitch ... he goes down swinging, one gone -- Giambi in to PH for Flaherty, he flies to left, two down -- Cano blasts the first pitch up against the base of the wall and away from the centerfielder ... he hustles in for a triple -- runner at third, two down and Jeter is the tying run, full count ... the payoff pitch, he goes down swinging to end the game

FINAL: Rays win, 5-3

Lots of scoring chances by the boards and .... surprise surprise, poor pitching
in the form of giving up critical two out offense in key situations that lost the game

37UP 34DOWN

Posted by at 11:00 AM | Permalink

Little late getting to this one ... not tremendously motivated to watch baseball today

Inside, impressions of TB at NYY (70/162)
---

TOP 1: Crawford goes down swinging (RJ 1), one gone -- Lugo also goes down swinging (RJ 2), two away -- Cantu lines a two out single to center -- Huff grounds to second to retire the side

BOT 1: Jeter hits it well but flies to left, one down -- Womack goes down swinging, two away -- Sheffield grounds to shortstop to end the inning

TOP 2: Perez draws a four pitch leadoff walk -- Gomes pops to short, one gone -- Hollins jacks a pitch to deep left, a two run shot, Rays lead 2-0

Cash jacks the very next pitch deep to left ... that one is gone, too -- TB 3-0

Gonzalez hits one into the gap in left center for a single -- On the first pitch to Crawford, Gonzales steals second uncontested -- Crawford lines a shot into the right center gap, one run will score, and Crawford cruises into third with a triple -- the score is now 4-0

Lugo grounds a single through the left side, another run scores -- Rays 5-0

Stottlemyre out to confer -- Cantu pops out to second in shallow right, two down -- The 1-0 to Huff is up and in and gets away from Flaherty, runner to second on the pitch -- Huff ticks one in front of the plate, Posada gloves and puts him out at first to end the carnage

BOT 2: ARod lines to third, one gone -- Matsui draws a walk -- Giambi pops up to shallow left ... no one can get to it, and it bounces into the stands, a ground rule double, runners now second and third

Bernie hits a deep sac fly to right, one run scores, two down -- Rays lead 5-1

Runner on second for Flaherty, he grounds to third to end the rally

TOP 3: Perez lines a leadoff single to center -- Gomes hits a shot ... that goes out to right, a two run shot, Rays now lead 7-1

Stottlemyre in to confer -- Hollins flies to left, one down -- Proctor warms for NY -- Cash goes down swinging, two away -- Gonzalez lines to third to end the rally

BOT 3: Cano goes down swinging, one away -- Jeter drives a ball to right center, it bounces into the stands for a ground rule double -- Womack flies to center, runner tags and goes to third, two down -- Sheffield grounds a single to right, one run scores, Rays now lead 7-2

Runner at first for ARod, he goes down swinging to end the rally

TOP 4: Proctor in to pitch for Yankees -- Crawford lines the 0-2 into center for a leadoff single -- Lugo draws a walk after a full count, runners now first and second -- Cantu pops to right, one gone -- On the first pitch to Huff, the Rays perfectly execute a double steal

Runners second and third, they give an intentional pass to Huff to load up the bases -- Stottlemyre out to confer -- Lee grounds to second, Cano tries to glove and slap Huff ... he doesn't even field it, one run scores, bases still loaded -- Rays 8-2

Gomes pops foul to third, tow away -- Hollins slaps a single to right, two more runs score, the score is now TB 10-2

Runners at the corners, two down for Cash, he goes down swinging to end the continuing carnage

BOT 4: Lee in at 1B -- Matsui lines a leadoff single over the leaping second baseman into right -- Giambi hits a deep fly ... out to right, one down -- Bernie chops to third, two away, runner to second on the play -- Flaherty grounds to short to end the inning

TOP 5: Gonzalez goes down looking, one down -- Stanton warms for Yankees -- Crawford lines a single to center -- Lugo grounds to third, two away -- Cantu also grounds to third to retire the side

BOT 5: Cano hits one long far .... and foul to right, he flies out to right center, one away -- Jeter grounds the first pitch just past the third baseman's glove into right for a single -- Womack lines a single into center, runners now first and second -- Sheffield jacks one over the left field wall, a three run shot -- Rays lead cut in half 10-5

Hernandez out to confer, Orvella up warming for TB -- ARod grounds to short, two down -- Matsui bloops a two out single to center -- Giambi lines a single to center, runners first and second -- Bernie rips a shot down the rightfield line and into the corner, runners now second and third, another run scores -- Rays 10-6

Piniella out to make a change, Orvella will pitch for the Rays -- Posada in to PH for Flaherty, he draws a walk and now the bases are loaded -- Hernandez in out to confer, Harper warms for the Rays

Cano comes to the plate, and .... he is the tying run?!?!?!?!, sheesh, he hits it well but grounds to second to end the rally

TOP 6: Stanton now pitching for NY -- Posada in at C -- Huff grounds to second, one down -- Sturtze warms for Yankees -- Lee reaches out and singles to right

Torre out to get Stanton, Sturtze will take over -- Lee goes on the first pitch to Gomes, Posada's throw is wide ... Cano tags him on the ass, one down -- Gomes lines a single to left -- grounds to third, the force is made at second to retire the side

BOT 6: Orvella continues for Rays, Jeter hits a first pitch bomb to center, a solo shot ... WHOA, Rays 10-7

Womack goes down swinging, one down -- Harper warms for TB -- Sheffield pops to center, two away -- ARod flies to right to end the rally

TOP 7: Sturtze in for Yankees -- Cash down swinging, one down -- Gonzalez lines a single to left -- Crawford rips a single past ARod on the bag side, runners only first and second due to the slow afoot Gonzalez, runners now first and second

Groom warms for NY -- Lugo lines a single to right to load up the bases -- Stottlemyre out to confer -- Cantu hits a sharp grounder to third, ARod makes a great diving stab, steps on third and guns to first ... runner safe, one run scores, Rays now 11-7

Torre out to make another move, Groom in to pitch for NY -- Huff hits the first pitch and flies to right to end the rally

Seventh Inning Stench, Rays leading 11-7

BOT 7: Orvella still pitching for TB -- Matsui goes down swinging, one away -- full count to Giambi, the payoff ... ball four, he draws a walk -- Bernie flies the first pitch to left, two down -- Nunez warms for TB -- Posada pops foul to third alongside the bag to end the inning

TOP 8: Q in to pitch for NY -- Lee hits a shot into the left center gap for a leadoff double -- Gomes hits a sinking liner to right, Sheffield slides in, gloves ... it pops out, a single and runners at the corners -- Hollins grounds to short, runner checked back to third, play is made at first, one down

Runners at second and third, one away for Cash, full count, the payoff ... inside, ball four, the bases loaded ... dejavualloveragain -- Gonzalez grounds to third into an inning ending 543 double play

BOT 8: Nunez in to pitch for Rays -- Gordon warms for NY -- Cano lines a leadoff single into center -- Jeter lines a single to right, runners at the corners

Sierra in to PH for Womack -- Hernandez in to confer -- Sierra hits a hot shot to deep second, great glove by Cantu to save the single and an additional run, one run scores, runners to second on the play, one down -- Rays 11-8

Sheffield bloops a single to left center, Jeter had to hold and wait for the ball to drop, runners now second and third -- ARod comes up ... and he is the tying run

ARod rips a single into left, another run scores, Rays 11-9 ... runners now at the corners -- Lou has seen enough, Harper now pitching for Rays -- Mo and Gordon warm for Yankees

Runners at first and second, one away for Matsui, he rips a shot to right ... over the head of the fielder and off the wall, one run will score ... a clutch double for Godzilla, runners now second and third -- Rays 11-10

They give the intentional pass to Giambi to load them up for Bernie -- Johnson in to PR for Giambi -- Bernie pounds one to deep center ... OVER THE HEAD of the centerfielder and off the wall

BERNIE WILLIAMS CLEARS THE BASES WITH A 3-RUN TRIPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -- Yankees take their first lead, 13-11

Mo warming alone now -- still one down, runner at third for Posada, he blasts one to deep right center.... IT's GONE! ... into the stands, a 2-run shot ... the Yankees now lead, 15-11!!!

Cano flies to center, two away -- Gordon now up for NY with the four run lead -- Jeter grounds to second, Cantu stops it .... and that's all, an infield single for Jeter and that's a 5-HIT game for The Captain

Sierra rips a single to right, runner to third on the hit, runners now at the corners -- Sheffield ... good GOD .... GONE ... A 2-RUN BLAST TO LEFT CENTER!! -- Yankees now 18-11 ... and SEVEN RBI for Sheff

ARod just smashes one to right center... this one's gone too, good lord, a solo shot -- NY leads 19-11

Matsui ... INTO THE BLACK SEATS ... jeebus, GONE -- Yankees now lead 20-11

Russ Johnson lifts one to right center to end the onslaught

TOP 9: Gordon in to pitch for NY -- Sierra in LF, Johnson at 1B -- Crawford flies to left, one away -- Lugo down looking at a curveball, two down -- Cantu goes down swinging ... gets away from Posada, Cantu marching back to the dugout ... and is tagged out to end the game

A testament to the explosiveness and ... ultimately, a summary of what is wrong and could be right with the team this year

FINAL: Yankees win, 20-11

Ugly.

37UP 33DOWN

Posted by at 1:32 PM | Permalink

The Yankees start a four game series versus the D-Rays today ... we get the TB broadcast team today

Inside, impressions of TB at NYY (69/162)
---

1:07PM HST

TOP 1: The once again called up Sean Henn to go for NY, the last time we saw him ... he was roughed up by these same Rays -- Crawford singles to left center -- Lugo grounds to third, the force is made at second, runner at first, one down -- On the 1-0 to Cantu, Lugo steals second -- Lugo breaks, Cantu grounds back to Henn, he looks to third then puts him out at first, two away, runner at third -- full count to Huff, the payoff pitch ... down swinging to retire the side

BOT 1: Fossum goes for TB -- the 1-0 plunks Jeter on the right knee -- the trainer is out to check on Jeter, he will stay in -- Womack goes down swinging, one down -- Sheffield goes down swinging, two away -- ARod goes down swinging ... Fossum has struck out the side

TOP 2: Perez grounds back to the pitcher and is put out at first, one down -- Gomes draws a walk -- Hollins also draws a walk, runners first and second -- Hall pops to short, two away -- Gonzalez also draws a walk and Henn has walked the bases loaded

Stottlemyre out to confer -- Crawford draws a bases loaded walk, one run scores, Rays lead 1-0

Lugo grounds to the hole in short, Jeter gloves, and launches it by ARod (deja vu all over again) trying to get the force at third, the ball goes into foul territory, two runs score, the score is now TB 3-0

Cantu ticks one in front of the plate, Posada puts him out at first to end the rally

BOT 2: Matsui pops out to right center, one down -- Posada hits it hard but lines to short, two away -- Giambi hits a comebacker to the pitcher and is put out at first to end the inning

TOP 3: Huff flies to center, one down -- Perez grounds to short, two away -- Gomes draws a two out walk -- Hollins hits a soft comebacker to Henn, he puts him out at first to retire the side

BOT 3: Bernie draws a leadoff walk -- Cano hits a comebacker to the mound to start a 163 double play, two down -- Jeter flies to right center to end the inning

TOP 4: Hall hits the first pitch and singles to right center -- full count to Gonzalez, he grounds to first, the throw from Giambi is high to short, the force is made at second, one down, runner at first -- Crawford pops to left, two away -- Lugo pops the first pitch foul to the catcher to retire the side

BOT 4: Womack fouls out to right at the edge of the stands, one down -- full count to Sheffield, he flies to center, two away -- ARod grounds to second to retire the side

Good lord, the TB announce team is boring and annoying, volume down

2:25PM HST

TOP 5: Full count to Cantu, the payoff pitch is low, ball four, he draws a leadoff walk -- Quantrill warms for Yankees -- Huff grounds into a 463 double play, two gone -- Perez draws a two out walk, runners now first and second -- Stottlemyre out to confer -- Gomes hits a flare single to right, runners at the corners

Torre out, that will be all for Henn -- Quantrill in to pitch for Yankees -- Hollins bloops to shallow right, Cano can't get there, one run scores, runners at the corners, the Rays now lead 4-0

Hall flies to center to end the rally

BOT 5: Matsui blasts it to center, Hollins gives chase ... can't catch up to it, it bounds over the centerfield wall for a leadoff ground rule double -- Posada grounds to short, one down -- Giambi grounds to first, runner to third on the play, two away -- Bernie draws a walk, runners now at the corners -- Cano hits the first pitch and flies out to left to retire the side

TOP 6: Q continues for NY -- Gonzalez pops to right, one down -- Crawford grounds an opposite field single to left -- They pitch out on 1-0 to Lugo, the throw from Posada is on the money, he is caught stealing, two away -- Lugo hits a two out flare single to right -- Cantu flies to the gap in right center, Sheffield retreats, it's ... off his glove, one run scores, Rays now lead 5-0 ... Cantu in with a two out double

Huff grounds to first to end the rally

BOT 6: Jeter hits the first pitch and pops to second, one down -- Womack down looking, two gone -- Sheffield hits the first pitch and pops to first to retire the side

TOP 7: Q continues -- Lee in to PH for Perez, he grounds a single to right -- Gomes down looking, one away -- Hollins flies to center, two gone -- Groom warms for Yankees -- Hall grounds to third, the force is made at second to retire the side

Seventh Inning SNORE ZZZZZ .... Rays leading, 5-0

BOT 7: Lee in at 1B -- ARod hits a bomb to left, off the wall for a leadoff double -- Matsui draws a four pitch walk, runners now first and second -- Carter and Nunez warm for TB during the mound visit

Posada flies to left, one down -- Giambi goes down looking, two away -- Bernie grounds to third to end the inning

3:26PM HST

TOP 8: Groom pitching for NY, Carter warms for TB -- Gonzalez grounds back to the pitcher, one down --Crawford grounds the first pitch to second, two away -- Lugo hits a shot over Sheffield's head and off the wall in right for a two out double -- Cantu is plunked, runners now first and second -- Huff flies to center to retire the side

BOT 8: Taylor in CF, Hollins in RF --Cano fists a bloop leadoff single to center -- that will be all for Fossum, great outing for him -- Carter now pitching for the Rays, Baez and Nunez warm for Rays

Jeter grounds the full count payoff to left for a single, runners now first and second -- Womack pops foul to short, one down -- Sheffield grounds a single to left past the third baseman, one run scores, the shutout is over, Rays 5-1

Runners first and second for ARod, he pops to second, two down -- Matsui hits a bomb to right, a three run HR ... wake up the ghosts, Rays lead cut to 5-4

That will be all for Carter, Baez will pitch for Rays -- Posada draws a two out walk -- Crosby in to PR for Posada -- Giambi goes down swinging to end the rally

TOP 9: Mo in for Yankees -- Tino at 1B, Flaherty at C -- Lee grounds to second, one down -- Gomes draws a walk -- Gomes goes on the first pitch to Hollins, the throw from Flaherty is a rainbow, Gomes has stolen second -- full count to Hollins, he draws a walk, runners now first and second -- Hall goes down swinging, uno dos adios, two away -- Mo falls behind Gonzalez 3-0, then booms it full, he grounds to short to retire the side

BOT 9: Full count to Bernie, the payoff ... down swinging, one down -- Cano hits the first pitch up the middle, gloved by the shortstop, and put out at first, two away -- Jeter hits a grounder back at Baez, it goes off his glove ... into the air, the shortstop gloves, guns, and the game is over

4:15PM HST

FINAL: Rays win, 5-4

SLOWWWWW, DULLLLLL, BORRRRINNNNNGGGGG .... ugly.

36UP 33DOWN

Posted by at 1:07 PM | Permalink

As the master of low expectations related to shipping companies, I am puzzled again with certain matters of efficiency

I have a package coming to me that I had hoped will get to me prior to our departure to the ninth island. So the vendor emails me this morning with the details, and looking at it, I am puzzled about a certain company's approach to being efficient as a shipper

This company that rhymes with Chex has done this to me before on a 2D. The package will be picked up on Fri, leave the continent on Sat, get logged Sun evening ... and be promised for delivery on TUESDAY

Even though it is on the island, and I could go at any moment, hop in my car and go get it ... it was not put on today's truck to get delivered to me today. Wouldn't it be more EFFICIENT to get it out of your warehouse facility sooner rather than letting it sit

Needless to say, today would qualify as the so called SECOND DAY ... but for Hawaii, this would be like premium fake "overnight" shipping, I guess?

I am finding it harder to support companies that use this Ex shipping service because they do stupit crap like this that results in stuff getting delivered late, when all they have to do is turn out that which they can turn out for delivery

Posted by at 11:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all the fathers out there, especially to my own dad

Yankees going for the second sweep of the homestand -- early morning start for this one ... so, of course, watching it on delay

Inside, impressions of CHC at NYY (68/162)
---

TOP 1: Mussina going for Yankees -- Perez lines to first, one down -- Hollandsworth goes down swinging, two away -- full count to Lee, the payoff ... he goes down swinging on a foul tip to retire the side

BOT 1: Mitre going for the Cubs -- Jeter grounds to second, one down -- Womack also grounds to second, two gone -- Sheffield grounds to short to end the inning

TOP 2: Burnitz launches one the opposite way over the leftfield wall for a leadoff solo shot -- Cubs lead 1-0

Ramirez down swinging, one gone -- Walker pops to right in shallow right center, two away -- Barrett pops to second in shallow center to retire the side

BOT 2: Full count to ARod, the payoff is inside, ball four, a leadoff walk -- Matsui grounds the first pitch to first into a 361 double play, two gone -- Posada draws a two out walk -- Giambi grounds a single into right, runners now first and second -- Bernie grounds to second to end the inning

TOP 3: Patterson pops foul alongside the first base bag, one down -- Dubois flies to deep right center, two away -- Perez grounds to second to end the inning

BOT 3: Cano grounds the first pitch into center for a leadoff single -- Jeter grounds to third, the force is made at second, and the throw to home is in the dirt and rolls away, one down, runner at first -- Womack lines a single up the middle and into center, runners now at the corners

Sheffield bounces a single through the left side, one run scores, the game is tied 1-1

Runners now first and second, ARod goes down swinging, two away -- Matsui grounds back to the pitcher to end the rally

TOP 4: Hollandsworth grounds to first, one down -- Lee grounds to the left of the mound, Mussina backhands, and does a JUMP THROW (HS!!!), but pulls Giambi off the bag, infield single ... what an effort by Muss -- Lee steals second on the 1-0 to Burnitz

Burnitz flies to center, two away -- runner at second, two down for Ramirez, full count, he draws a two out walk, runners now first and second -- Walker hits a flare to shallow right, Sheffield dives ... misses, a 2-out single, one run scores, Cubs back on top 2-1

Runners at the corners, Barrett lines to third to end the rally

BOT 4: Posada grounds to short, one down -- Giambi draws a walk -- Bernie singles in the shadow of short as the shortstop moved to cover second, runners now at the corners -- Cano lines a single to right, one run scores, the game is knotted up again 2-2

Jeter is plunked, the bases are now loaded -- Womack hits a sacfly to center, one run scores, two away, Yankees take their first lead 3-2

Sheffield draws a walk, the bases are reloaded up -- Remlinger warms for Cubs -- ARod singles under the shortstop's glove and into left center, two runs score, the score is now NY 5-2

Runners at the corners, two down for Matsui, he flies to left to end the rally

TOP 5: Patterson down swinging, one down -- Dubois also goes down swinging, two away -- Perez flies to center to retire the side

BOT 5: Posada grounds to second, one gone -- Giambi strikes out swinging, but the ball gets away from Barrett and to the backstop, so Giambi reaches first -- Bernie grounds to first, Lee boots it, gloves, tosses to first, and Bernie is called safe ... the ump blows the call, E3 ... Mitre is arguing with the first base ump, Dusty is out to confer

Runners first and second, for Cano -- Wellemeyer warms for the Cubs, Rothschild is out to confer -- Cano flies to first, two down -- Jeter grounds to third, the force is made at second to end the inning

TOP 6: Hollandsworth grounds to first, one down -- Lee flies to center, two away -- full count to Burnitz, the payoff is smashed at first, it's off Giambi's glove and rolls into foul territory alongside the base, a two out infield single -- Ramirez hits a bomb to deep center, but Bernie is there to make an over the shoulder basket catch to retire the side

BOT 6: Womack grounds to second, one down -- Ohman warms for Cubs -- Sheffield flies to left, two away -- ARod grounds to short, Perez bobbles, the throw to first is way off, E6

On the first pitch to Matsui, ARod goes ... and steals second -- Matsui lifts a two out single to right center, one run scores, the Yankees now 6-2

That will be all for Mitre, Dusty comes in to take the ball -- Ohman now pitching for Cubs -- Posada goes down looking to end the rally

TOP 7: Walker pops to short, one down -- Barrett lines single to left over the leaping Jeter -- Sturtze and Stanton warm for Yankees -- Patterson draws a walk, runners now first and second -- Torre is out to take the ball, another very solid start for Muss

Sturtze in for Yankees, he plunks Dubois with the first pitch to load the bases -- Perez grounds back to the pitcher into a rare 123 inning ending double play

Seventh Inning Stretch: Yankees lead, 6-2

BOT 7: Giambi down swinging, one down -- Bernie grounds the first pitch to third, two away -- Cano grounds to first to end the inning

TOP 8: Sturtze continues, Tino in at 1B -- Hollandsworth flies to left, one down -- Lee grounds a single to left past third -- Torre in, that will end Sturtze's outing

Gordon now pitching for NY -- Burnitz lines a single to right, runners now first and second -- Ramirez grounds to short, Jeter tries to get the force at third and launches one into foul territory past ARod, the bases are loaded

Stottlemyre out to confer -- Walker hits a grounder to first, Tino makes a great diving stop, and throws to second to get the runner there, one run scores, two away -- Runners at the corners, two down for Barrett, he goes down swinging to end the rally

BOT 8: Wuertz pitching for Cubs, Mo warms for Yankees -- Jeter draws a leadoff walk -- Womack lays a bunt down in front of the plate, Ramirez and Wuertz are crossed up, no one gets it, Womack on with a bunt single, runners now first and second

Sheffield goes down swinging, one away -- On the 0-1 to ARod, runners going, Barrett drops the ball ... a double steal -- Runners now second and third for ARod goes down swinging, two down -- Matsui draws the intentional pass to load the bases

Russ Johnson in to PR for Matsui -- Posada goes down swinging ... Wuertz strikes out the side to end the inning

TOP 9: Mo in to close -- Patterson grounds to second, one down -- Dubois goes down swinging, two away -- Perez flies to left to end the game

The Yankees sweep again, and are off to a great start to this homestand

FINAL: Yankees win, 6-3

Interleague takes a pause until the upcoming weekend series with the Mets, the Yankees start a four game series against the D-Rays

36UP 32DOWN ... six straight wins

Posted by at 11:00 AM | Permalink

Just a few thoughts, do you have a favorite restaurant in your neighborhood that you personally love and have been going to forever

I suppose the irony of such restaurants is that you love them more than they are good -- we went to such a place tonight, and I'm not the one who is in love with this restaurant, in case you were wondering ... and when I go to such places, I don't eat curveballs. In other words, I'm not there to try something that someone will farq up ... I'm there to eat, and leave the experimentation to others

Because people shop late ... we were at Swooshtown at a quarter to eleven tonight. I was amazed that it still was rather nicely filled with people -- I mean, who goes, hey I need some athletic apparel at like 10:00 at night when there are so many other things to do in tourist trap city

One thing that puzzled me about tonight is this ... if you invite people to a special occasion party, do you let them pay ... especially after you know that the guest of honor will be getting gifts? Well, it did strike me as bizarre

Posted by at 11:59 PM | Permalink

I think ...

Was reading the front page story in today's PBN ... it said that now experts are BEGINNING to discuss whether Hawaii has reached its carrying capacity for sustainable tourism and sustainable growth

Some of the points ... at what point does Hawaii get so congested, that visitors decide to go elsewhere ... we don't have enough McJobbers to fill the service industry McJobs so service is beginning to suffer terribly (our note: service is totally crucial with Japanese tourists and the complain-a-lot mainlander market)

The mayor of the BI has been holding meetings with developers to urge them to screen out speculators and NON-RESIDENT buyers in favor of local buyers ... I now see why the D party wants him to come over and run against Zia Zifle, the guy has always had common sense ideas

The final point is just BRUTAL ... and it makes one wonder why it is only now the PTB want to "strategically" plan ... it makes note of a pattern that visitors, visit, invest and then stay -- which leads to GROWTH, but at the expense of the quality of life here and local culture (or the character of the way of life here)

Posted by at 2:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Well, for the first time since 1938 ... Yankees versus Cubs, interleague is great

Inside, impressions of CHC at NYY (66/162)
---

I guess I'm very superstitious, get this Kay guy out of here LOL

1:07PM HST

TOP 1: Pavano going for NY -- Perez pops to short, one away -- Patterson hits one into the gap in left center, he rounds second, the throw from Jeter to third is crud, a triple -- runner at third for Lee, he goes down swinging uno dos adios, two down -- Burnitz hits one to the gap at second, Cano ranges, gloves, spins and guns him out to retire the side ... and waste the triple

BOT 1: Carlos Zambrano going for Cubs -- Jeter down looking, one gone -- Cano flies to left, two away -- Sheffield just lasers one out to left, solo shot ... umps confer, foul ball is called -- he draws a two out walk -- ARod down swinging to end the inning

1:24PM HST

TOP 2: Ramirez pops to first, one down -- full count to Walker, the payoff ... ball four, he draws a walk -- Hollandsworth grounds to second, the force is made at second, no throw to first, two away -- Blanco down swinging to end the inning

BOT 2: Matsui draws a four pitch leadoff walk --Posada lines a single up the middle and into center, runners at first and second -- Giambi grounds to third, Ramirez steps on third and fires to first to complete the 553 double play, two down

Runner at second for Bernie, he slaps a single into center, one run scores, Yankees 1-0

Runner at first, two down for Womack, he hits one long, far, and .... just foul to right -- Womack battles and works it full, he flares to left to end the rally

1:46PM HST

TOP 3: Wilson hits a slow chop to the right of the mound, Pavano gives chase, gloves, and tags him out, one down -- Perez hits one to the right of the mound, Pavano reaches, gloves and puts him out, two away -- Patterson goes down swinging to retire the side

BOT 3: Jeter flares the first pitch to center for a leadoff single -- Cano hits the first pitch and bloops to shallow right, one away -- Sheffield draws a walk, runners at first and second -- ARod hits a tailing ball into the rightfield corner, it bounces fair and then bounds into the seats, a ground rule double, one run scores, Yankees now lead 2-0

Runners second and third, one down for Matsui, he slaps an opposite field seeing eye single through the infield and into left, another run scores, NY leads 3-0

Runners at the corners for Posada, he grounds to second ... off Wilson's glove and into right, another run in, Yankees 4-0

Runners now first and second for Giambi, he grounds to second into an inning ending 463 double play

2:07PM HST

TOP 4: Lee hits the first pitch and flies out to right, one down -- Burnitz lines a single into left -- Ramirez singles through the left side, runners now first and second -- Walker smashes one by Giambi down the first baseline and into right, one run scores, the Yankees now lead 4-1

Runners at the corners for Hollandsworth, he chops to first, the play is made at second, another run scores, two away, the score is now 4-2

On the first pitch to Blanco, Hollandsworth steals second uncontested -- Blanco flies to right to end the rally

BOT 4: Bernie grounds a leadoff single up the middle -- Womack chops a comebacker to Zambrano, he fields and puts him out at first, runner at second, one down -- Jeter battles and draws a walk, runners at first and second -- Cano flies the opposite way to left, two away -- Wellemeyer warms for Cubs -- Sheffield down swinging to end the inning

2:31PM HST

TOP 5: Wilson battles then lines to third, one gone -- Perez grounds to third, two away -- Patterson hits a slicing two out double to the leftfield corner -- Lee hits a single up the middle under the diving Jeter, one run scores, the score is now NY 4-3

The Yankees pitchout and catch Lee trying to steal second to end the rally

BOT 5: ARod grounds a leadoff single through the infield and into left -- Matsui grounds to second into a 463 double play, two gone -- full count to Posada, the payoff ... he draws a 2 out walk -- Giambi grounds to second to end the inning

2:47 PM HST

TOP 6: Tino now at 1B -- Burnitz nubs one down the third base line, Posada fields and throws wide to first, leadoff infield single -- Ramirez grounds a single to right, runners now first and second -- Quantrill and Stanton starts to warm for Yankees, Stottlemyre out to confer

Walker hits the first pitch and flies to left, one down -- Hollandsworth grounds a single to left, Womack bobbles ... the run will score, the game is tied 4-4

Runners now first and second, one down for Blanco ... the 2-1 is in the dirt, off Posada's glove, and away from Posada, runners move up to second and third -- full count to Blanco, the payoff ... is singled through the left side, two runs score, the Cubs now lead 6-4

That will be all for Pavano, Torre out -- the brutal Quantrill in to face Wilson -- Wilson flies to right center, two away -- Perez flies to right to end the rally

BOT 6: Bernie draws a leadoff walk -- Womack flies to right, one down -- Jeter grounds to third into an inning ending 543 double play

3:11PM HST

TOP 7: Patterson grounds to second, one down -- Lee grounds to third, two away -- Burnitz hits a bomb off the wall in left center, Womack turns the wrong way, and it's off the wall, a two out double -- full count to Ramirez, the payoff is ball four, runners now first and second

That will be all for Q, Torre is out, and Stanton will pitch Walker -- Walker pops to shallow left, Jeter follows and yields to Womack who makes a basket catch to retire the side

Seventh Inning Stench, Cubs leading, 6-4

BOT 7: Cano flies to deep left center, one away -- Sheffield lines a double to the left field corner -- Ohman warms for Cubs -- ARod lines a single up the middle under the diving shortstop, one run scores, the Cubs lead is now 6-5

Zambrano is done, and gets showered with boos on his exit -- Ohman in to pitch for the Cubs -- Matsui lasers one to right ... GONE, a two run shot, Yankees edge ahead, 7-6

Posada lines a single up the middle and into center -- Rothschild out to confer -- Tino walks on four pitches -- Dusty out with the hook

Wuertz in to face Bernie -- Bernie goes down swinging, two gone -- Womack grounds to deep second, the first baseman ranges himself out of the play, the second baseman gloves, and has no one to throw to ... the pitcher didn't cover, bases now loaded

Jeter flies out to right to end the rally

TOP 8: Stanton still in, probably only to match lefty-lefty with Walker -- Walker pops to left center, one down -- Torre out as suspected to pull Stanton and insert Gordon

Barrett to PH for Blanco -- Barrett flies to center, two away -- Wilson draws a two out walk -- Hairston in to PR at first, Stottlemyre in to confer and get Mo ready -- Perez goes down swinging to retire the side

BOT 8: Cano grounds a leadoff single through to right -- Sheffield reaches out and lofts one to center, runners now first and second -- ARod draws a walk, the bases are now loaded up for the Yankees

Dusty out to get the ball, and a very quick warmup for the lefty vet Remlinger -- Matsui lines a double into the rightfirld corner, two runs score, Yankees now lead, 9-6

Russ Johnson in to PR for Matsui at second, runners now second and third --
Posada flies to left, one down -- Tino grounds to second, the throw to the plate, ARod is tagged out, two away -- Bernie hits it well to left, robbed by Hollandsworth with an over the shoulder running grab to end the rally, great play

4:26PM HST

TOP 9: Mo to pitch for Yankees -- Patterson grounds to third, one gone -- Lee lines a single to center over Rivera's head -- Burnitz chops to Rivera, he turns to second, he throws to first it's wide but Tino applies the tag, two away, runner to second on the play -- Ramirez hits a broken bat grounder to short to end the game

FINAL: Yankees win, 9-6

Pavano and Brown are clearly having some problems as starters, however the Yankee bats of late have been equal to the task, salvaging two victories from the post-6th inning jaws of death recently

Tomorrow, Wang and Rusch to pitch on the national game on FOX ... and FINALLY, it's live here!

34UP 32DOWN ... four straight wins

Posted by at 12:56 PM | Permalink

Giambi shuts em up ... well for one day anyways -- Pass the bbq-d crow, it's the last game of the series with the Pirates

Inside, impressions of PIT at NYY (65/162)
---

1:05PM HST

TOP 1: Unit going for NY -- Sanchez goes down swinging, UDA, one gone (RJ 1) -- Lawton down swinging after the high cheese, UDA again, two down (RJ 2) -- Bay lines a two out single to left -- Doumit shatters his bat fouling a pitch on 0-2, then goes down swinging on the checkswing (RJ 3) to retire the side

BOT 1: Perez pitching for PIT -- Jeter hits a first pitch bomb to the gap in left center, the fielders converge, neither one gets to it, it falls in ... and bounces over the wall for a ground rule double

Matsui absolutely crushes the 0-1 over the right center field fence and into the stands, a 2-run shot, Yankees lead 2-0

Sheffield pops foul to the catcher, one down -- ARod goes down swinging, two away -- Sierra also goes down swinging to end the rally

1:25PM HST

TOP 2: Restovich goes down swinging, one away (RJ 4) -- Ward pops to second in short right, two down -- Castillo hits a comebacker and is put out to retire the side

BOT 2: Bernie draws a leadoff walk -- Giambi bashes a double to the gap in right center, one run scores, Yankees now 3-0 -- McClendon out to confer

Runner at second for Flaherty, he hits a sharp lineout at third, one down -- Cano flares a single to short right center, another run scores, NY now leads 4-0

Jeter goes down swinging, two away -- runner at first for Matsui, he draws a two out walk, runners at first and second -- Sheffield pops to short to end the rally

1:48PM HST

TOP 3: Cota grounds to third, one down -- Wilson lays down a perfect surprise bunt to third, Posada fields, an infield single ... great play -- Sanchez is plunked on a free swing after the first offering, he flies out to center, two away -- Lawton pops foul to first to retire the side

BOT 3: ARod grounds to short, one down -- Sierra grounds to third, two away -- Bernie flies to right to end the inning

2:01PM HST

TOP 4: Bay pops foul to first, one down -- Doumit grounds to short, two away -- Restovich crushes one to right, it rolls on the top of the rightfield wall, and falls back into the field ... called a HR, solo shot, Yankees lead cut to 4-1

Ward down swinging to end the rally (RJ 5)

BOT 4: Giambi is plunked with the first pitch, a leadoff plunk -- Flaherty down swinging, one away -- Cano lines an opposite field single to left over the leaping shortstop, runners now first and second

Jeter draws a four pitch walk, bases now loaded, one down -- Williams in to confer, Vogelsong warms for PIT

Matsui pops to short, infield fly rule, two away -- Sheffield fists a bloop to left, Restovich slides in and ... misses it, it bounds into the stands, a ground rule double, two runs score, Yankees now lead 6-1

Runners at second and third for ARod, he will receive an intentional pass, the bases reloaded with two down -- Sierra pops foul to the catcher near home plate to end the rally

TOP 5: Castillo flies to center, one down -- Cota hits a comebacker and is put out, two away -- Wilson goes down on a half pirouette to retire the side (RJ 6)

BOT 5: Bernie flies to right, one away -- full count to Giambi, payoff is ... low, ball four -- Flaherty lines a single to left, runners now at the corners

Cano grounds to second, the second baseman throws to the plate and cuts down the runner, two down -- Jeter goes down swinging to end the inning

TOP 6: Sanchez grounds to short, bobbled by Jeter E6, runner on first -- Lawton down looking, one gone (RJ 7) -- Bay gives it a ride but Sheffield makes a great catch falling back to the rightfield wall, the attempt to double off Sanchez is short and wide, two down -- Doumit down looking to retire the side (RJ 8)

BOT 6: Vogelsong now pitching for PIT -- Matsui grounds to first, one away -- Sheffield flies to left, two down -- ARod lines to left center to end the inning

TOP 7: Restovich down swinging, one gone (RJ 9) -- Ward grounds the first pitch past Giambi and into right for a single -- full count to Castillo, the payoff ... he is down looking, two away (RJ 10) -- Cota grounds to third to retire the side

Seventh Inning Stretch, Yankees leading 6-1

BOT 7: Grabow pitching for PIT -- Sierra pops to center, one down -- Bernie flies to deep left center but Restovich flags it down on the warning track, two away -- Giambi smashes the first pitch to deep right center but caught on the warning track to end the inning

3:09PM HST

TOP 8: Crosby at LF, Tino at 1B -- Wilson grounds to second, one away -- Sanchez hits an atom ball at third, two down -- Lawton grounds to first to retire the side

BOT 8: Flaherty grounds a leadoff hit through the right side -- Cano grounds the first pitch to second, into a 463 double play, two gone -- Jeter hits a two out single up the middle and into center -- full count to Matsui, the payoff is grounded to second to end the inning

3:22 PM HST

TOP 9: Johnson out for the CG -- Bay hits another atom ball at third ... and ARod steals another hit away, one down -- Doumit hits the first pitch and flies to right, two away -- Restovich grounds a two out single up the middle and into center -- While Ward battles 0-2, Unit is called for a balk, runner to second -- Unit then gets Ward to go down swinging to end the game

3:28PM HST

FINAL: Yankees win, 6-1

The Yankees sweep three from the Pirates, two bookend dominant pitching performances (Brown is turning out to be the lemon of the staff at this point), and good offensive production

Yankees and Cubs begin a marquee interleague three game series tomorrow at The Stadium

Pavano and Carlos Zambrano get the start tomorrow

33 UP 32 DOWN ... 3 straight wins, and back above .500

Posted by at 1:03 PM | Permalink

Well, here's my first entry in about a week or so ... well at least one that doesn't involve hype, ranting, or baseball

Now that we are in the post-MJ trial era ... what will be news now?

It has been a while since good TV has been on USA, well, there once was a show called LFN which was fantastic (janitor was a huge fan of that show) ... anyways now there's the full season run of The 4400 mini-series. The best description I can think of is a blend of XMen, the XFiles, and crash TV (it keeps moving along) ... good stuff, I really like its pacing and style

---

I should have done a review for the new White Stripes, and I still haven't done one for the Ryan Adams and The Cardinals either. Well, I'll get around to it ... famous last words

---

As a matter of news commentary, what is with the social morality bullshit news locally in the past month or so -- stuff like they are going to dry out the UH campus, oh shock me, people at UH drink -- stuff like now they are going to stop people on beaches and in parks to stop drinking there, get this ...

BECAUSE OF VIOLENCE .... huh?

Otherwise, traffic congestion is a great news story because people always seem to crash or stall on the freeway -- Gas prices are a fantastic story, only because people seem to love SUVs and other inappropriately gas consumptive vehicles ... another anonymous jackass interviewee saying, please build rail, because gas is so expensive ... duh, look at the size of your ride, it's obviously inversely proportional to your intelligence ... let's not even discuss your designer sunglasses, wonder woman gold bracelets, and fancy hair streaks

As I once discusses here, I never saw the point of most people here until SD's grand aunt scolded her uncle and essentially said, some people's priorities are not the same as yours ... this was in response to saying that money for a baby's gold bracelet was better off in a savings account

It ain't too smart on the other side of town either ...

---

Moment of Zennn:

Gas available for the everyday consumption of you, me, and that person in the big ass truck with the DARK DARK glass will end by 2040 ... certainly it will be available for electricity and other industrial heavy use

The riddle is this ... if we build rail by 2020-2030 as is projected, will that be enough to deal with transportation demand when even hybrid cars won't have fuel to run

Popping popcorn in the microwave everyday and watching it all sink into the sea
... California love!!! LOL

Posted by at 12:18 PM | Permalink

But to where I do not know.

Over the past few months, a seeming perfect storm has been brewing and boiling over this place where we live. Again in the news this morning, tales of the difficulties to get affordable shelter ... note: I do mean shelter because 333 sq. ft. hardly qualifies as housing ... you want a close approximation, try a little over 18 feet by 18 feet, I think some jail cells are larger. Add to it the compounding traffic problems that I see each morning on the news, the high gas prices that are covered daily, and all these stories about STRESS

I don't mean the poofy kind about how people should get some coping skills, exercise, etc. I mean the kind about violence ... and dammit, stop throwing lit cigarettes out of your car

This place is changing a lot, and a lot of the PTB think that we can GROW our way out of the problems that we face as a society. So here's a few questions, can we grow more fresh water for all of our drink flush wash

How about this one, I had a weird dream last week about DH erupting ... besides the point, but can we grow more land, so we can have more open space, so we can fill it up again

At what point does this become a banana republic, I know that for many years while growing up we made jokes about or looked down our nose at immigrants who had to live 2-3-4-5 families in a house ... and we wondered about how they managed to do it ... well, wonder no more, because very soon that could be you or I ... and for that matter, everyone else

There is this heated debate now in the city about allowing the development of vacation rentals or BnBs ... because everyone really wants to wake up in the morning in their beachhouse, walk out on the beach, fry their skin to a bacony crisp ... or apple red, take a nap, and REPEAT

Tourism ... this implies the creation of transient accommodations. This is the straw that stirs the drink here. Well, what if you let people from other places that had a ton of cashish BUY space here that they lived in maybe a week or two out of the year ... oh and geared most development towards that aim

Well, to put it simply, you can't incentivize (my term) these same developers to build low profit margin affordable housing now, can you? Oh no, not when they are allowed to build high margin $1M+ condos and vacation homes

In many ways, I realize that the state and local governments have a TON of power here still. So what will the bloated, paralyzed Legislature do, or the bickering city council, or the Governor who promised change but instead increased the speed of the downward spiral?

Like I said, it's going somewhere ... but for a lot of us, we may not be here when it arrives

Posted by at 9:23 AM | Permalink

After games like yesterday given the way this season has gone, I always wonder if the total game can carry over to the next game

Inside, impressions of PIT at NYY (64/162)
---

1:08 PM HST

TOP 1: Brown going for Yankees after missing his last turn with a sore left shoulder -- Lawton goes down looking, one gone -- Sanchez lines a single into left -- Bay flies to right, two away -- On the first pitch to Mackowiak, he swings and misses at a ball in the dirt that gets away from Posada, runner to second on the pitch -- Brown gets ahead 0-2 on him, then can't find the strike zone, full count, he goes down swinging to retire the side

BOT 1: Redman going for the Bucs -- Jeter battles then bloops a leadoff single to right -- Bernie grounds to short into a 643 double play, two down -- Sheffield goes the opposite way with a two out single to right -- ARod grounds to short, the force is made at second to end the inning

1:29PM HST

TOP 2: Doumit down on a checkswing, ball dropped, he is tagged, one down -- Ward chops to first, two away -- Castillo flies to right to retire the side

BOT 2: Posada hits a leadoff, opposite field solo shot to right, Yankees 1-0

Matsui is down looking, one gone -- Sierra goes down swinging, and loses the bat ... thrown all the way up to the third base bag, two down -- Giambi lines a two out single up the middle -- full count to Cano, the payoff ... is flared to short right center, Castillo runs, dives, trying to make the over the shoulder grab ... it falls in for a single, runners now at the corners

Jeter hits the first pitch up the middle, it's knocked down by Redman, he puts out Jeter to end the rally

1:47PM HST

TOP 3: Wilson hits a sharp grounder at third, ARod dives, gloves and makes the play over to first, one gone -- Ross goes down swinging, two away -- Lawton hits the first pitch and flies out to left to retire the side

BOT 3: Bernie hits a broken bat bloop to deep short, one away -- Sheffield hits a comebacker off Redman's glove, it kicks to Castillo, he puts Sheffield out, two down -- ARod lines out to left to end the inning

2:01PM HST

TOP 4: Sanchez grounds to third, tough hop by ARod and into left, a leadoff single -- Bay goes down swinging, one down -- Mackowiak lines an opposite field single to left, runners now first and second

Doumit rips a single the opposite way to left, one run scores, the game is tied 1-1

Runners now first and second, one down for Ward, he hits the first pitch up the middle and into center, another run scores, Pirates with their first lead 2-1

Full count to Castillo, he flies out to right, the lead runner tags and goes to third, runners at the corners, two away

Wilson goes down swinging, the ball is dropped, he is tagged to end the rally

BOT 4: Posada draws a leadoff walk -- the hit and run is on, Matsui grounds to short, quick flip to second starts the 643 double play, two gone -- Sierra is down looking to end the inning

2:23PM HST

TOP 5: Ross draws a leadoff walk -- Lawton grounds to second, the force is made at second, the ball bounces on the way to first, one down, runner at first

Hit and run is on, Sanchez rips a single up the middle, runners now at the corners -- Bay hits the first pitch into right for a single, one run scores, runners now first and second, and the Pirates now lead 3-1

Stottlemyre out to confer, Quantrill and Groom warm for Yankees -- On the first pitch to Mackowiak, Brown looks like he tweaked something -- trainer out, and Kevin Brown leaves the game with an injury -- Groom in to pitch for Yankees

The reset, runners first and second, one out for Mackowiak, he grounds to second into an inning ending 463 inning ending double play

BOT 5: Giambi is down swinging, one away -- Cano draws a walk -- Jeter grounds to short into a 643 inning ending double play

2:46PM HST

TOP 6: Groom still in for Yankees, Sturtze warms -- Doumit hits a slow roller to third, ARod gloves, guns, just on time, one down -- Ward grounds to second, two gone -- Castillo grounds to third to retire the side

BOT 6: Bernie flies to right, one down -- Sheffield hits one, deep, far ... and foul to left, he works a full count, and goes down swinging, two away -- ARod bombs a two out double to center off the wall -- Posada fouls out behind the plate to the catcher to end the inning

3:01PM HST

TOP 7: Sturtze in for Yankees -- Wilson jacks the first pitch to left ... and it's deja Sunday all over again, Pirates 4-1

Ross flies to center, one down -- Lawton hits a comebacker at the pitcher, Sturtze reaches, gloves and puts him out, two away -- Sanchez grounds to third to end the rally

Seventh Inning Stench, Pirates lead, 4-1

Another Vietnam vets tribute ... nice

BOT 7: Matsui lines a leadoff double to the right field wall -- Sierra grounds the first pitch up the middle, the short stop charges, gloves and puts him out at first, runner on third, one away -- White warms for PIT

Giambi pops up to right, it's more of an adventure than it should have been but Lawton gloves it, two down -- Cano hits a chopper up the middle, the pitcher jumps, it bounces off his glove, slows down, the second baseman gloves, no chance at first, one run scores, Pirates now 4-2

Jeter hits a sharp grounder to deep third on the line, the throw is first is off and gets away from Ward ... Jeter into second on the play, Cano only to third because he was watching the play unfold at second

Two down, two runners in scoring position, Bernie draws a walk to load the bases -- that will be all for Redman, White is in to pitch for the Bucs

Sheffield grounds to third, the force is made at second to end the rally

TOP 8: Bay first pitch swinging, bombs a solo shot to center, Pirates 5-2

Mackowiak grounds to third, one down -- Doumit grounds to second, two away -- Ward flies to center to end the rally

BOT 8: ARod lines a leadoff single to center -- Posada taps one out front of the plate, the catcher gloves and throws him out at first, runner to second, one down -- White is taken out, Gonzalez now pitching for PIT

Runner at second, one down for Matsui, he fists a bloop single to center, one run scores, the Pirates now lead 5-3

Phillips in to PR for Matsui -- the 0-2 to Sierra is a WP that bounces in front of the plate and over the catcher to the backstop, runner to second -- Sierra lines smash to the left field corner, one run scores, Sierra in with a double, the score is now 5-4

Womack in to PR for Sierra at second, Williams out to confer. Mesa warms for PIT -- Giambi goes down swinging, two away -- Cano grounds to second to end the rally

TOP 9: Womack in LF, Mo getting work tonight, even though the Yankees are down -- Castillo down swinging, one down -- Wilson grounds to second, two away -- and now monkey business, there is a delay as someone runs out onto the field

Ross down looking to retire the side

BOT 9: Mesa in to close -- Jeter grounds to third, one down -- Bernie draws a four pitch walk -- McClendon out to confer

Sheffield hits one back at Mesa, off his leg, bounds to short, the force is made at second, the relay to first ... safe (replay shows he was out), two away

Two down, runner at first for ARod, he lines a two out single to center, runners now first and third -- Posada absolutely crushes one off the wall in right, one run scores ... ARod is held by Sojo ... but comes home anyway, the throw is on time, the tag, the bump, the ball stays in glove to end the rally, but the Yankees have tied it up, 5-5

Another bonehead running play by ARod

EXTRA INNINGS

TOP 10: Mo continues -- Lawton grounds to first, one down -- Sanchez draws a walk -- Bay flies to center, two down -- Mackowiak down looking to retire the side

BOT 10: Tino draws a four pitch walk -- Russ Johnson in to PR for Tino -- Yankees call the hit and run on the 1-1, Mesa throws a pickoff to first, Johnson is way off base, the throw to second, Johnson retreats to first, the throw to first hits him in the back and he is back in safe, the Yankees get a break

Womack lays down a perfect sacbunt to third, the runner to second, one away

Giambi ... walkoff ... good night

Giambi pounds the 2-2 into the rightfield upper deck, a two run shot

FINAL: Yankees win 7-5

Yankees guarantee a win in their first series since dropping five consecutive series (and going 4-11) over that stretch, and are now 2-0 on the home stand

Unit and Perez going into the series finale

32UP 32DOWN ... 2 straight wins and back at .500

Posted by at 1:08 PM | Permalink

Consider me a full fledged convert to the church of that place for subs that starts with a Q. I have been dabbling over the past three weeks. I figure that since I really like it, it must not be that good for you, in the health sense

But their new steak and cheese sandwich is something freaking amazing

Posted by at 12:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Yankees back at home after a putrid 3-9 road trip. Lucky them they get to face one of the hotter teams in baseball, the Pirates

Inside, impressions of PIT at NYY (63/162)
---

1:05PM HST

TOP 1: Mussina going for Yankees -- Lawton ticks one in front of the plate, Posada picks it up and puts him out at first, one down -- Sanchez down on a checkswing, two away -- Bay down swinging to retire the side

BOT 1: Kip Wells going for Bucs -- full count to Jeter, the payoff ... is grounded to short, one down -- Cano lines to short, two away -- Sheffield hits a broken bat grounder to third to end the inning

1:25PM HST

TOP 2: Mackowiak grounds to the pitcher, one down -- Doumit grounds to second, two away -- full count to Ward, the payoff ... is grounded to second to retire the side

BOT 2: ARod grounds to short, one gone -- Matsui blasts one out to right center, a solo shot, Yankees lead 1-0

Bernie flies to left, two down -- Posada lines one the opposite way to left to end the rally

TOP 3: Castillo fouls out behind the plate to Posada, one down -- Cota hits the first pitch to left center, two down -- Wilson flies to right to retire the side

BOT 3: Giambi draws a leadoff walk -- Womack flies to center, one down -- Jeter rips a single into left through the left side, runners now first and second

Cano grounds one up the middle, the shortstop gets the force at second, the throw to first is in the dirt and kicks away on the deflection off Ward, one run scores, two down, Yankees now 2-0

Runner at first, two down for Sheffield, he draws a four pitch walk, runners now first and second -- Williams out to confer with Wells

ARod grounds to short, the force is made at second to end the rally

2:00PM HST

TOP 4: Lawton grounds the first pitch up the middle, Jeter ranges and gets him at first, one down -- Sanchez grounds to third, two away -- Bay down swinging to retire the side

BOT 4: Matsui grounds a leadoff single through the right side -- Bernie on with a four pitch walk, runners now first and second -- Posada hits single the opposite way to left, Matsui wheels his way in home ... on a sprained ankle, whoa!, one run scores, the Yankees now lead 3-0

Runners at first and second, Giambi down swinging, one down -- Womack lines the first pitch to center, two away -- Jeter grounds to short, the force play is made at second to end the rally

TOP 5: Mackowiak grounds to second, one down -- Doumit pops to center, two away -- Ward rips one down the rightfield line for a single ... the replay shows that it was CLOSE ... could have gone either way

Castillo draws a two out walk, runners now first and second -- Cota hits a sharp comebacker at Muss, he gloves it, and retires Cota to retire the side ... and save a run

BOT 5: Cano smashes a leadoff double over the centerfielder's head that rolls to the wall -- Sheffield hits a line shot into center off the first pitch, one run scores, Yankees now 4-0 -- Williams again out to confer

On the 1-2 to ARod, the pitch is low and gets away from the catcher, runner to second on the play -- the 2-2 plunks ARod, runners now first and second

Meadows warms for the Bucs -- full count to Matsui, the payoff ... is grounded to second, and gets the 463 double play, two down, runner to third

Runner at third, two down for Bernie, full count, he draws a 2-out walk, runners now at the corners -- Posada chops one over the head of the pitcher, the shortstop comes across, can't glove, play by the second baseman ... not in time to first, another run scores, NY 5-0

Bernie tweaked his ankle on the play at second -- runners now first and second, two down for Giambi, he BASHES one to deep center, the CF leaps ... misses, and it's off the wall, two runs score on the hit ... and Giambi in with a 2-out double, the score is now Yankees 7-0

Wells is knocked out of the game -- in to pitch for the Bucs, Meadows -- Womack flies to right to end the rally

2:55PM HST

TOP 6: Wilson grounds to third, one away -- Lawton lines the first pitch to right, in for a single -- Sanchez has a quality AB, he lines a tough ball to left ... great diving catch by Womack, two down, what a play! -- Bay bombs one off the wall in center, off the wall, Lawton chugging ... they wave him home, the throw is so on time, Posada can eat his lunch before tagging out Lawton to retire the side

BOT 6: Jeter grounds to short, one gone -- Cano singles up the middle and into center -- Sheffield draws a walk, runners now first and second

ARod down swinging, uno dos adios, two away -- Sierra in to PH for Matsui, grounds to short, the force is made at second to end the inning

3:15PM HST

TOP 7: Tino in at 1B -- Mackowiak down swinging, uno dos adios, one down -- Doumit flares a single to right -- Ward down swinging, two away -- pops to short to retire the side

Seventh Inning Stretch, Yankees lead 7-0

Always class at The Stadium, today a 30th anniversary tribute to Vietnam Vets and other vets in the house

Who sung? Yep, it's back to the Kate Smith recording ... oh no, not superstitious at alllll

BOT 7: Vogelsong in pitching for Bucs -- Bernie down looking on the full count payoff, one down -- Posada rips a grounder at second, diving stop by Castillo ... he makes the play, two away -- Tino lines a two out single to the gap in right center -- Womack grounds to first to end the inning

TOP 8: Cota hits a sharp grounder to the backhand of Jeter, he gloves and guns, one down ... great play -- Wilson pops to second in short rightfield, two away -- Lawton hits the first pitch, flying to left to retire the side

BOT 8: Restovich in at RF, Hill in at 3B -- Jeter draws a leadoff walk -- Cano fists one to left, one down -- Sheffield draws a walk, runners now first and second

ARod is plunked ... again, bases now loaded -- Sierra hits the first pitch off the end of the bat and bloop into right, two runs score, the Yankees lead, 9-0

Bernie rips the first pitch into right for a single, the bases loaded again -- Williams out to confer

Posada pops to shallow center, two gone, bases still loaded for Tino -- Tino down swinging to end the rally

3:52 PM HST

TOP 9: Hill grounds to first, one away -- Bay lines a single to left -- Mackowiak battles, but finally goes down swinging, two down -- Quantrill warms for Yankees -- Doumit battles, but grounds a comebacker to Muss, he puts out Doumit to end the game

Another masterful complete game shutout by Mussina (109 pitches), only scattering 5-hits

4:02 PM HST

FINAL: Yankees win 9-0

Awesome all around game by the Yankees, hitting, pitching, defense -- about as good as it gets

Brown and Redman going tomorrow

31 UP 32 DOWN ... back in the W column

Posted by at 1:05 PM | Permalink

And that's what happens when worlds collide ...

I was thinking about our visit to the annual P-walk yesterday, and I came to some odd conclusions about it.

People usually get pets for the purpose of companionship, and yes there are other reasons like security or assistance, etc. What I find odd about things like the walk yesterday is that you have literally thousands of people with their companion pets and they all march along a preselected path

And even though there are literally thousands of humans there, very little interaction is had from owner to owner. It's like walking in your little protective bubble pod with whoever you came with, part of this massive group yet alone

And that's socializing, that's being out with the people -- I call that being in a crowd with people you don't know or care about, and makes the whole enterprise feel empty or pointless. Certainly you can walk with your dog at anytime and any place for that matter.

Honestly, I do wonder what some people get out of it ... ooh look at that dog (and that dog), only takes me so far

The funny part is that people do their LAP ... and then go home, most people don't hang around after. That's so weird to me, like okay cool, I participated now time to go back home and isolate myself

Two years straight, what's the point?

Posted by at 10:30 AM | Permalink

The final game of what has been an absolutely abysmal long road trip for the Yankees

Inside, impressions of NYY at STL (62/162)
---

Sheffield gets the day off today, and today is a breast cancer awareness day as the players wear the pink sweatbands

TOP 1: Morris going for Cards -- Jeter lines the first pitch into left for a leadoff single -- Womack grounds to second, the runner advances to second, one down -- ARod gets jammed and grounds to first, the runner now to third, two down -- Matsui lines to second to retire the side

BOT 1: Pavano going for Yankees -- Eckstein grounds to second, one down -- Grudz+ grounds the first pitch to short, two away -- Pujols grounds to third to end the inning

TOP 2: Bernie pops to left, one down -- Giambi lines a single to right center -- Posada lines a single to left, runners now second and third, as Sanders bobbled the ball in left

Cano is jammed and pops foul to third, two away -- Pavano swings and misses a breaking ball to retire the side ... a golden opportunity by the boards

BOT 2: Edmonds grounds to second, one gone -- Walker rips the ball the opposite way, it rolls to the left field wall, he is in with a double -- Sanders flies to center after a quality AB, the runner at second tags and gets to third, two away -- Mabry flies to left center to end the inning

TOP 3: Jeter grounds to short, one gone -- Womack grounds to first, two down -- ARod grounds to deep short, the play from Eckstein is ... in time, to retire the side

BOT 3: Molina hits a flare down the right field line, it kicks off the stands, a leadoff double -- Morris sacbunts to the pitcher, the runner moves to third, one down

Eckstein lines a single to left, one run scores, Cards 1-0

Grudz+ pops out to third, two away -- Pujols hits a high fly to left to end the rally

TOP 4: Matsui flies to left center, great catch at the wall by Sanders, one away -- Bernie draws a walk -- Giambi also draws a walk, runners now first and second -- Posada flies to left, two down -- Cano down looking to retire the side

BOT 4: Edmonds slaps a leadoff double up the left field line past third -- Walker grounds to short, the play is made at third to kill the lead runner, one down -- Sanders goes down swinging after another quality AB, two away -- Mabry pops foul to the catcher to end the inning

TOP 5: Pavano down swinging for the first out -- Jeter ticks one in front of the plate, he stumbles, the catcher puts him out at first, two away -- Womack lines a two out single to right -- ARod slaps one just past the third baseman's glove and down the line into the left field corner, Womack will come in the score from first, and ARod in at second with a 2-out double, the game is tied at 1-1

Matsui flies to left to end the rally

BOT 5: Molina hits a leadoff single up the middle -- Morris strikes out with a foul bunt, one down -- Eckstein hits a comebacker to Pavano, he turns and starts an inning ending 143 double play

TOP 6: Bernie goes down swinging, one away -- Giambi draws a walk

AND JOY OF JOYS, a FIVE MINUTE video outage (What I didn't see

- Posada down swinging, two down
- Cano doubling to deep right, lead runner to third on the play

-- runners now second and third, Pavano grounds to first, great play by Pujols to save the single, to retire the side

BOT 6: Grudz+ hits a leadoff single up the middle -- Grudz+ goes on the 2-2 to Pujols, he steals second -- Pujols has a long, quality AB, but eventually grounds back to Pavano, he holds the runner at second, one away -- full count to Edmonds, the payoff ... is inside, ball four, runners now first and second

Walker is plunked on an inside pitch, the bases now loaded -- Stottlemyre in to confer, Quantrill and Stanton warm for the Yankees

Sanders grounds to short, into an inning ending 643 double play ... and Pavano is out of the jam

TOP 7: Reyes in to pitch for StL -- Jeter lines a leadoff double into the leftfield corner -- Womack pops the sacbunt attempt foul to the catcher, one down --

Oh, and by the way, only now does the Cards broadcast admit to vid problems ... sheesh

ARod is down looking ... the last two pitches were dubious in location, and ARod discussed it with the ump , two away -- Reyes out, King in to pitch for Cards

Runner at second, two down for Matsui, he rips a single to right, Jeter is waved ... the throw bounces at the plate and gets away, one run scores, and Matsui to second on the throw, Yankees lead 2-1

Bernie hits an atom ball at third to end the rally

Seventh Inning Stretch, Yankees lead, 2-1

BOT 7: Sturtze in to pitch, Tino in at 1B on the double switch -- Mabry grounds back to the pitcher and is put out, one down -- Molina grounds a single up the middle -- Seabol in to PH for the pitcher, he crushes the first pitch over the left field wall, a two run shot, Cards seesaw ahead 3-2

Eckstein grounds a single up the middle, the third straight hit off Sturtze -- Grudz+ flies to center, two away -- Stottlemyre in to confer, Stanton warms for Yankees

Runner on first, two down for Pujols -- Eckstein steals second on the 0-1 to Pujols, no throw -- Sturtze gets ahead 0-2 on Pujols, then throw four straight balls and loses him to a walk -- Runners now first and second, and that will be all for Sturtze -- Stanton in to pitch Edmonds L-L

Stanton gets ahead 0-2 on Edmonds, then throws three straight balls to work the count full, the payoff ... is smashed down the line in right, Matsui slips awkwardly trying to field, one run scores ... they wave Pujols, the throw is there, the tag is applied ... and he is called SAFE?, two runs in, runner to third on the play, the Cards now lead 5-2

Matsui is taken out of the game, Russ Johnson in RF -- runner at third, two down for Walker, he tries to bunt his way on ... no chance, the pitcher fields and he is put out the rally is ended

TOP 8: Tavares in to pitch for StL, Nunez in at 3B -- Tino grounds the first pitch to second, one pitch, one gone -- Posada hits a solo smash to right center, the StL lead is cut to 5-3

Cano pops to the catcher in front of home plate, two away -- Sierra in to PH for Stanton, he has to take a timeout at 1-0 ... looks like something got in his eye, trainer is out, he will stay in -- he goes down swinging to end the rally

BOT 8: Gordon in to pitch for NY -- Sanders grounds the first pitch to third, one gone, great diving stab by ARod and a strong throw -- Nunez hits a comebacker to the pitcher and he is put out, two away -- Molina hits a broken bat grounder also back at Gordon, he fields and puts him out to end the inning

TOP 9: Isringhausen in to close, Taguchi in LF on the double switch -- Jeter grounds the first pitch to second, one down -- Womack goes down swinging, uno dos adios, the ball is dropped, but Womack isn't running, he is tagged, two away -- ARod grounds the first pitch to short to end the game

Tough way to lose today, the bullpen throwing away a great start by Pavano

FINAL: Cardinals win 5-3

Yankees get a day off Monday before starting a three game home interleague series against the Bucs

30UP 32DOWN

Posted by at 12:00 PM | Permalink

I had wanted to see Sideways for a while now, and I wonder if it was some kind of precognition that prevented me from ultimately buying it. SD and I rented it on Saturday night and we watched it after dinner

Unfortunately, it is one of those movies where the marketing trailer suggests a movie QUITE DIFFERENT from the actual movie. In other words, I was expecting a comedy, what I got instead was that new term cinema afficionados like to put forth: dramedy

In other words, it was at best spotty in being amusing, but was more a movie that focused on the ordinary and mundane aspects of two friends' vacation to the wine county. This is a movie where it is very hard to like the two main characters, in fact, I found it hard to like any of the four characters that got most of the time.

I suppose the effectiveness of dramas is based on the ability to make characters or situations compelling ... and in that rare convergence, to have both. Neither of the male leads are likable characters, one is depressed moody and self-involved; the other is selfish, shallow and callous. The women are underplayed, the only one that has a character worth exploring is not given much to work with. The characters are shallow, and yes, I do not believe them to be somehow subtle or remarkably understated

I think it was because the film when you watch it can be deep or shallow.
On its face the film is very shallow and linear, however, I suppose if you were into something, like say wines and the mundanity of human experience, you may consider it to be deep, complex, textured, ... oh who am I kidding, the movie is self-indulgent and PLODS ... or in commonspeak, drags on and on

I looked at the clock and noticed we were close to an hour in ... at an hour in in this movie, that means an hour more to go. Usually I feel sucked into movies because they have qualities that entertain me by going beyond the ordinary. This movie was just ordinary, and I did not perceive some of the things that the vast majority of critics were raving about

If this is what critics like, well ... I can't say that I appreciate such a film. I will call the genre depressing for no apparent reason, purpose, concept, whatever

Posted by at 12:00 AM | Permalink

I cannot think of a more controversial band to like/dislike in the past three or so years than Coldplay. They certainly have a dedicated and loyal base of fanatics, and they have an equally loud group of contrarians that declare them the most overblown piece of crap since well, crap was overblown

I have listened to the album over and over ... is it a wonder that I am sane anymore? kidding. Well smack dab in the promo week for this album weekend, here are my impressions of the new one from CP

Coldplay - X & Y REVIEW: B

I suppose this is the band that has the most for everyone to love and hate. There are those that hate them, if I may summarize because they exemplify way too obvious, whiny, self absorbed low powered jacking off -- there are some that love them because their music is pleasant to listen to and really personal/emotional ... like if you were breaking up with someone, hey this could be your S/T for the months until you decide to get back to living

I suppose that I have been one of those who is in the middle about CP ... I have liked some of their songs well enough, but I don't really get them ... in the ooh, I get it sense. I just have found that I like single tracks from them well enough

In the final analysis, I find that once again, I like a few tracks well enough, but certainly not enough to call myself a fan, fanatic, or be one who declares them the new saviors of music

This album I think really exemplifies what I have read in promo interview clips from the band about the new album -- it really, freely takes from other more notable bands ... to list them would be pointless, but suffice it to say, they have fairly freely cribbed from others ... Think "October", and you will be warm LOL

The notable songs on this one ... "Fix You" and "What If" has all the stuff I really love from them, and their stuff like "Yellow" ... "Speed of Sound" is a bit too much like "Clocks", and is that overblown stuff that even I have problems with

I found "Square One" and "White Shadows" to be intriguing in that it was straight forward, hook-laden alt-rock (yes, with guitar), and not so much low powered indulgence ... I think that if they are to keep it interesting, they should go in this direction

Let it not be said that this album is not solid and listenable, because it certainly is that ... there are songs where I wished they would get to the point and stop meandering ... there are songs where I wished they would push more in that direction. In more ways than not, it's good enough but not great ... and I suppose that will frustrate some long time hardcore CP fans

I give it a recommendation of YMMV ... our grade: B

Posted by at 1:42 PM | Permalink

The Yankees played a real stinker yesterday ... hopefully they can salvage some of the few games remaining on the trip

Inside, the impressions of NYY at STL (61/162)
---

TOP 1: Mulder pitching for StL -- Jeter grounds to first, one down -- Matsui draws a walk -- Sheffield grounds a single into left, runners now first and second -- The 2-1 to ARod gets away from Molina, the runners move up to second and third -- ARod grounds to short, one run scores, the Yankees lead 1-0

Runners at second for Bernie, he flies to right to end the rally

BOT 1: Unit going for Yankees -- Eckstein flies to right, one gone -- Taguchi down swinging, two away (RJ 1) -- Pujols grounds to short to end the inning

TOP 2: Tino goes down swinging, one down -- Flaherty pops to center, two away -- Cano is plunked with the first pitch -- Randy Johnson grounds back to the pitcher to end the inning

BOT 2: Sanders is down looking, one down (RJ 2) -- Grudz+ goes down swinging, two away (RJ 3) -- Mabry lines the first pitch into center for a 2-out single -- Nunez grounds to the pitcher to retire the side

TOP 3: Jeter hits the first pitch past the third baseman and into left for a leadoff single -- Matsui goes down with an ugly swing, one down -- Sheffield grounds to the left of the mound, Mulder gloves and puts him out at first, runner to second on the play, two away -- ARod draws a walk, runners now first and second

Bernie grounds to third, off the glove of the third baseman, it kicks to short, Jeter rounds third ... he is in no man's land, Eckstein throws to the plate, Jeter retreats but is gunned down by Molina to third to retire the side

BOT 3: Molina flies to center, one down -- Mabry is down swinging, uno dos adios, two away (RJ 4) -- Eckstein goes down swinging to end the inning (RJ 5)

TOP 4: Tino hits a comebacker to the pitcher and is put out, one down -- Flaherty grounds single into left -- full count to Cano, the payoff is low, he draws a walk, runners now first and second

Randy Johnson grounds to third, the runners move up to scoring position, two away -- Runners second and third for Jeter, he grounds a two out single to left, two runs score ... and advances to second on the play, Yankees lead 3-0

Matsui blasts a double off the bullpen wall in right, another run scores, the NY lead is now 4-0

Sheffield grounds to third to end the rally

BOT 4: Taguchi grounds to short, one down -- Pujols lines out to third, two away -- Sanders lines a two out single to left -- Grudz+ also lines a single to left, Sanders is waved, the throw from Matsui is there and Sanders is tagged out to end the inning

TOP 5: ARod lines a leadoff single up the middle -- Bernie flies out to right, one down -- Tino down swinging, two away -- Flaherty grounds to second, the force is made at second to end the inning

BOT 5: Mabry goes down swinging, one gone (RJ 6) -- Nunez pops to short, two away -- Molina flies to right to end the inning

Former Card Torre gets standing ovation on his ride out to take down the 50 sign on the Busch Stadium countdown -- the StL fans are class

TOP 6: Cano down swinging, one down -- Randy Johnson grounds to short, two away -- full count to Jeter, the payoff ... grounded to third to retire the side

BOT 6: Seabol in to PH for Mulder, he pops out to short, one down -- Eckstein hits a comebacker to the Unit and is put out at first, two away -- full count to Taguchi, he flies the payoff to left to end the inning

TOP 7: Thompson now pitching for StL -- Matsui chops one to third, one down -- Sheffield pops foul to third, two away -- ARod goes down swinging to retire the side

Seventh Inning Stretch: Yankees lead, 4-0

BOT 7: Pujols grounds to first, one gone -- Sanders pops to second, two away -- Grudz+ hits the first pitch and singles up the middle into center -- Mabry goes down swinging (RJ 7) to end the inning

TOP 8: Gordon warms for the Yankees, Reyes now pitching for the Cards -- full count to Bernie, the payoff ... is lined to left for a leadoff single -- Tino hits the first pitch and flies to center, one down -- Flaherty grounds to third, under the glove of Nunez, E5, runners now first and second

King warms for StL -- Cano goes down looking, two away -- Sierra in to PH for Randy Johnson, he goes down swinging to retire the side

BOT 8: Gordon pitching for NY -- Nunez lines the first pitch up the middle for a leadoff single -- Molina goes down swinging, one down -- Edmonds in as a PH for the pitcher, he draws a walk, runners at first and second -- Stottlemyre out, Mo warms for Yankees

Full count to Eckstein, he hits a comebacker off Gordon, it kicks to Cano, he makes the play at first, two away -- the trainers are out, Gordon will be taken out of the game -- Rivera will pitch for NY

Walker in as PH for Taguchi, full count, the payoff ... he goes down looking to end the inning

TOP 9: Tavarez in to pitch for StL -- Edmonds in CF -- Jeter draws a leadoff walk -- Matsui grounds a single up the middle and into center, runner to third on the hit -- runners now at the corners for Sheffield, he grounds to short into a 643 double play, two down

Runner at third, two down for ARod, he grounds to third, Nunez gloves and guns ... not in time, an infield single, one run scores, the Yankees now lead 5-0

That will be all for Tavarez, King in to pitch for the Cards -- ARod steals second on the 1-2 to Bernie -- runner at second, two down, full count to Bernie, the payoff ... he goes down looking to end the rally

BOT 9: Mo continues -- full count to Pujols, the payoff ... is popped foul to first, one down -- Sanders goes down swinging, two gone -- Grudz+ also goes down swinging to end the game

FINAL: Yankees win, 5-0

Unit was dominant today, the Yankees hit when it mattered

30UP 31DOWN

Posted by at 1:00 PM | Permalink

So what does it mean when something is limited or special? Does it just mean that your band doesn't have enough cred to get backing for a full album, or what does it mean ...

Every Move a Picture - Signs of Life REVIEW: A+

Well, this EP is available only on iTunes, but it is a really solid and good effort from EMaP. It features a style that is remiscent of 80s post-punk/new wave and a vocalist that reminds me of Dave W. from General Public/English Beat

Their music is getting exposure on the smaller network TV shows, and for good reason. It's a nice catchy blend that mainly features good synth pop that has a great groove to it that is very 80s sounding

Some have mentioned this band as one to watch, and I do not disagree. I think this EP is a great start, and it was just enough for me to be curious as to what they will turn out when they do a full length effort

Highly recommended ... it's very likable, very listenable music, and smack dab in the nu-retro genre -- I have a positive spin on all this nu-retro music, now old snarks like me can buy new stuff that sounds like the old stuff I love

Our grade: A+

Our test drive single recs: Signs of Life, You're So Predictable, and Chemical Burns (... oh heck, if you like the clips, you're gonna like the whole EP, you certainly could do worse with less than $5)

Posted by at 11:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Baseball on a holiday afternoon, really perfect

Inside, impressions of NYY at STL (60/162)
---

2:05PM HST

TOP 1: Marquis going for Cards -- Jeter grounds to second, one down -- Womack grounds to second, two away -- Sheffield flies to left center to retire the side

BOT 1: Wang going for NY -- Eckstein hits a broken bat grounder to first, one down -- Grudz+ draws a four pitch walk -- on the check back throw to first, Wang throws to Giambi, he can't handle it and Grudz+ is off to the races ... in at third on the play -- Pujols grounds to deep short, Jeter gloves and does his trademark jump throw, the ball is there on a hop, hits Giambi in the glove and bounces up in the air, one run scores ... another error, Cards 1-0

Edmonds launches one off the wall in right, runner to third on the hit, runners now at the corner -- Stottlemyre in to confer

Walker hits the first pitch past the diving Cano, one run scores, runners now at first and second, StL now leads 2-0

Sanders goes down swinging, two away -- Nunez grounds the first pitch to third to end the rally

TOP 2: ARod grounds to short, Eckstein gloves, drops, recovers and guns him out, one down -- Matsui flies the first pitch to left, two away -- full count to Posada, the payoff ... low, ball four, a two out walk -- Giambi flies to left to retire the side

BOT 2: Full count to Molina, the payoff ... is driven to left, but caught, one down -- Marquis goes down swinging, uno dos adios, two away -- Eckstein grounds one hop to Wang, he retires him to end the inning

TOP 3: Cano grounds a leadoff single to right -- Wang lays out a bunt in front of the plate, Molina picks up, guns to second and gets the force, Eckstein turns it over ... not in time, great play by Molina to cut down the lead runner, one down -- Jeter battles it full, the payoff ... is grounded sharply to third, the force is made at second, two away -- runner at first, two gone for Womack, he chops back to the pitcher to retire the side

BOT 3: Grudz+ grounds to second, one pitch, one out -- Pujols blasts the first pitch into the rightfield corner for a double -- Edmonds lines a single to left, they wave Pujols, he will score ... throw cut off by ARod, he throws to first as Edmonds is in no man's land, the throw gets by Giambi, he just misses it ... runner to third on the overthrow, Cards now 3-0

Walker gets a four pitch walk, the last one an intentional ball, runners now at the corners -- Sanders lines a single to right, runner going first to third ... they might get him, Sheffield's throw ... is horribly wide, Cards hustle the runners into scoring position, one run scores, StL now 4-0 .... great baseball by StL

Runners now second and third, the Yankees will intentionally walk Nunez, bases now loaded up

One down, bases loaded for Molina -- the first pitch to Molina kicks out of Posada's glove, a passed ball, another run will score, Cards lead 5-0

Molina hits it hard but lines to right, two down -- runners now second and third for Marquis, full count, he grounds to second ... OFF THE GLOVE of Cano and into right, two more runs across, StL now ahead 7-0

Eckstein draws a four pitch walk ... and the Yankees look utterly flat and demoralized -- Quantrill warms for NY -- the Cards bat around, Grudz+ flies to right to end the carnage

TOP 4: Full count to Sheffield, the payoff ... high, a leadoff walk -- ARod flies to center, one down -- Matsui grounds a seeing eye single up the middle, Edmonds a little difficulty, but no time for NY to take advantage, runners now first and second

Posada down looking on a checkswing, two away-- Groom warms for Yankees -- Giambi pops to short to retire the side

BOT 4: Pujols chops a slow roller to short, one down -- Edmonds grounds to second, two away -- Walker draws a two out walk -- Sanders grounds up the middle, Jeter ranges, gloves, and the flip to second is a bit off ... great stop by Jeter, runners now first and second -- Nunez grounds the first pitch to first, Giambi boots, recovers and puts him out to end the inning

TOP 5: Cano rips the first pitch into the rightfield corner for a leadoff double -- Tino in to PH for the pitcher, Wang's night is over -- Tino grounds to short, runner to third on the play, one down -- Jeter fists a ball down the first baseline, it bloops in for a double, one run scores -- Cards now 7-1

Womack flies to center, runner tags and goes to third, two away -- Sheffield grounds to short to end the rally

BOT 5: Quantrill pitching for NY -- Matsui in at LF, Bernie in at CF -- Molina flies to center, one gone -- Marquis grounds to short, two away -- Eckstein grounds to second to end the inning

TOP 6: ARod grounds up the middle to second, one down -- Matsui grounds to third, two away -- Posada lines a two out single to right -- Giambi grounds to second to retire the side

BOT 6: Q continues for Yankees -- Grudz+ grounds to short, one away -- Pujols hammers one to straightaway center, a solo shot ... wow -- Cards now lead, 8-1

Edmonds grounds back to Q, he puts him out, two down -- Walker grounds to second to end the rally

TOP 7: Cano grounds to first, one down -- Bernie flies to center, two away -- Jeter grounds to short to retire the side

Seventh Inning Stench, Cards leading, 8-1

BOT 7: Sanders flies to right, one down -- Nunez hits one to the gap, past Sheffield ... that looked lazy, he guns it in, Molina goes for third ... Cano makes the throw to third ... he's gone, two down -- Molina lines the first pitch to second to end the inning

TOP 8: Russ Johnson in to PH for the pitcher, he goes down looking, one down --
Sheffield grounds to third, two away -- ARod lines a two out single to right -- On the first pitch to Matsui, ARod to second on defensive indifference -- Flores warms for StL -- Matsui goes down looking to retire the side

BOT 8: Groom now pitching for NY -- Seabol in to PH for Marquis, he goes down looking, one down -- Eckstein flies to right, two away -- Flores continues to warm for Cards -- Grudz+ hits one into the gap in right center, a two out double -- Pujols receives the intentional pass, runners now at the corners -- Taguchi in to PH for Edmonds, he goes down in a spin and a miss, the ball is dropped and he is put out at first to end the inning

TOP 9: Taguchi in at CF -- Flores pitching for StL -- Posada flies to the warning track in left, one down -- Isringhausen warms for StL -- Giambi draws a walk -- Cano totally chases one and goes down swinging, two away -- Bernie grounds to third, the force is made at second to end the game

FINAL: Cardinals win, 8-1

Seriously UGLY and lackluster.

29UP 31DOWN

Posted by at 2:01 PM | Permalink

I suppose we all reach a point where we need to minimize the b.s. and totally rock out. For me personally, the end of my current fascination with off the radar music feels real near.

Especially after listening to the new one from SOAD

System of a Down - Mezmerize REVIEW: B/B+

Maybe I grow tired of underpowered acoustic music ... and music that blends into a huge indistinguishable, new wave/colege rock ball of crud -- supposedly this album is one of a two parter, the other half to come out later this fall

What a fucking revelation it was to listen to the track, B.Y.O.B. -- in many ways it was a kick in the ass to me to remind me that at heart I am a rockhead/metalhead extraordinaire -- the rock vibe to it that reminds of big sized Godzilla crunch guitar riffs and 80s thrash/punk-hardcore

And I suppose if I were to closely look at the lyrics on this album, they would be as politically abrasive, left, and incisive as they always have been with SOAD. I happen to be very agreeable to the political views of the album, some may not but I suppose one should know about it going in, that is, if they didn't already know

I suppose it would not be terribly forward to say to someone unfamiliar to SOAD that this album fully rocks ... it most certainly does, but in a way that is unique to the band -- there are goofy funky breakdowns, breakdowns that have an eastern flavor ... like east Asian, lines that resemble flamenco... well suffice it to say, there are a ton of interesting musical things going on that have a profound groove besides just rocking out

There are a few missteps here and there ... hard to describe but it's like that fine line where cute becomes annoying. It seems like they hit on an area that dabbles on the edge of getting annoying, then they shift it into something cool or rocking. I suppose perhaps the more hardcore SOAD fans would say, that's the point ... I guess I'm a fan but not THAT much

What is admirable about their style on this album is that they just charge straight ahead, there's no half stepping, no stopping to jack around. It is a loud statement type album that hits you in the face, ears, mind, whatever. In some ways, I wonder what would happen if they dropped the eccentric aspects of their sound and just put down a metal album ... I think it would be something

Highly recommended, perhaps not as obviously a hit as "Toxicity", but a very solid effort from SOAD ... also a good fresh bit of air for me ... B/B+

My test drive single recommendations for those that hedge their bets are: B.Y.O.B., Question!, Radio/Video, and Cigaro ... and for a revisit to the topic of "Welcome to the Jungle", Lost in Hollywood

Posted by at 10:18 AM | Permalink

Ugly, that's the only way to describe the last ten games

Inside, impressions of NYY at MIL (59/162)
---

The big story tonight is no Hideki Matsui, due to all the lineup shakedown ... if he doesn't play it will break his streak of 1633 consecutive games played in both Japanese and American professional baseball

2:05PM HST

TOP 1: Capuano pitching for MIL -- Jeter grounds the first pitch to short, one down -- Bernie goes down swinging, two away -- Sheffield hits a liner at third, Helms drops it ... it goes into left, and he hustles to second, a 2-base error

Two down, runner at first for ARod, he blasts one into the left center field seats, whoa!!! ... Yankees draw first blood, 2-0

Sierra lines a single back up the middle and into center -- Tino grounds to second to end the rally

BOT 1: Mussina pitching for NY -- Clark goes down swinging, one away -- Spivey lines the first pitch into left for a single -- Jenkins hits a soft grounder to second, two away, runner now on second

Lee bombs a 2-out double off the centerfield wall, one run scores, the lead is cut to 2-1 ... damage after two outs continues

Overbay hits another bomb to center ... Bernie tracks but it is just out of the reach of his glove and off the wall, another double, another run scores, the score is tied 2-2 ... two outs v. Yankees EQUALS hittin time

The 0-2 to Hall gets by Flaherty, a WP that advances the runner to third -- Hall goes down swinging to end the rally

2:35PM HST

TOP 2: Flaherty hits a laser to center but it is caught by the centerfielder, one down -- on the 3-1, Sanchez swings, misses, and loses his bat to the stands ... Sanchez takes out a new bat, the payoff ... ball four in the dirt

Mussina strikes out trying to sacbunt as the ball rolls foul on 0-2, two down -- runner at first, two down for Jeter, he works the count full .... and then Sanchez gets picked off first to retire the side

....!!

BOT 2: Helms hits it hard but flies to left, one down -- Moeller loops a single to left -- Capuano down offering to bunt, two away -- Clark grounds to third to end the inning

2:54PM HST

TOP 3: Jeter hits the first pitch and flies to right center, one gone -- Bernie hits a liner over the head of the pitcher, but caught by the shifted second baseman, two away -- Sheffield pops out to first in short right to retire the side

BOT 3: Spivey goes down swinging after the full count payoff, one down -- Jenkins hits a bomb to left, Sierra leaps ... and MAKES THE CATCH, nice play, two away -- Lee hits a sinking liner to right center, it ducks under Sheffield's glove and to the wall, another two out double

Overbay draws a walk after very careful pitching by Muss, runners now first and second -- Hall flies out to right to end the inning

3:13PM HST

TOP 4: ARod hits a grounder to third, the third baseman gloves and drops ... no play at first, it is called an infield single -- Sierra lasers one past Lee in left to the wall, he hustles in for a double, runners now second and third

Full count to Tino, the payoff pitch ... Tino rips it to right past Jenkins and it bounces into the seats in right, two runs score on the ground rule double, Yankees back in front 4-2 -- Maddux in to confer

Runner at second for Flaherty, he goes down swinging at the high queso, one down -- Sanchez hits a liner up the middle and into center, they wave Tino around third ... and he is called out at the plate, Sanchez to second on the play (replay shows his foot was in before the tag was applied to his chect ... not getting the calls right now, either)

Muss grounds to third to end the rally

BOT 4: Helms loops the first pitch to short, one pitch, one out -- Moeller goes down swinging, two away -- Capuano goes down swinging to end the inning

3:33PM HST

TOP 5: Full count to Jeter, the payoff .... ball four, he draws a leadoff walk -- Bernie bashes a high fly to right ... it bounces off the wall in right, a double, and runners now second and third -- Santana warms for MIL

Sheffield draws a walk after Capuano is careful with him, the bases are now loaded -- Maddux out to confer

Bases loaded for ARod, he slaps a single past short and into left, one run scores, the bases remain stacked, and the Yankees lead is increased to 5-2

Capuano's night is over, Julio Santana in to pitch for MIL --Sierra lines a single to right, another run scores, the bases still loaded -- the score is now 6-2

Tino battling, he works it full, a quality AB, the payoff ... he grounds to second into a 463 double play, another run in, two away -- NY now 7-2

Runner at third, two down for Flaherty, he hits a sinking liner to left, Lee is there to end the rally

BOT 5: Clark pirouettes a checkswing on 2-2 ... the appeal to first, and the ump calls it NO ... and Tino argues it, and he is kicked out of the game -- Torre out to discuss with the ump ... and he is getting his money worth, and HE IS GONE ... this is really comical, but that was a bad call

Russ Johnson in to play 1B, Girardi assumes the manager seat -- Clark goes down looking ... and that was so totally a MAKEUP as to be ridiculous, one down -- Spivey grounds to third, two away -- Jenkins flies to center to end the inning

4:06PM HST

TOP 6: Sanchez down looking, one away -- Muss down swinging, uno dos adios, two gone -- Jeter just planted one in the Yankee bullpen in right, a two out solo shot that extends the NY lead to 8-2

Bernie draws a walk -- Obermueller warming for MIL -- Santana falls behind Sheffield 3-0, then works it back to full, the payoff ... is down low, another walk, runners now first and second -- Maddux out for a mound visit

ARod draws a four pitch walk, the bases now loaded by three straight walks -- that will be all for Santana, Obermueller will come in to pitch for the Brewers

Bases loaded for Sierra, he grounds to second to end the rally

BOT 6: Lee just crushes one to left, you could tell by the crack of the bat, a solo shot, the Yankee lead is cut to 8-3

Overbay hits a comebacker to Muss, he puts him out at first, one down -- Hall

- B. Hall struck out looking
- W. Helms grounded out to third

TOP 7

- R. Johnson doubled to deep left
- J. Flaherty grounded out to shortstop
- R. Sanchez grounded out to shortstop, R. Johnson to third
- R. Cano hit for M. Mussina
- R. Cano homered to deep right, R. Johnson scored
- D. Jeter grounded out to shortstop

Seventh Inning Stretch, Yankees lead, 10-3

Bottom 7th: Milwaukee
- T. Sturtze relieved M. Mussina
- C. Moeller grounded out to shortstop
- D. Krynzel hit for W. Obermueller
- D. Krynzel flied out to deep left
- B. Clark grounded out to third

0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors
NY Yankees 10, Milwaukee 3

Top 8th: NY Yankees
- J. de la Rosa relieved W. Obermueller
- B. Williams lined out to deep right
- G. Sheffield flied out to deep center
- A. Rodriguez homered to deep right
- R. Sierra grounded out to third

1 runs, 1 hits, 0 errors
NY Yankees 11, Milwaukee 3

Bottom 8th: Milwaukee
- B. Groom relieved T. Sturtze
- J. Spivey lined out to shortstop
- C. Magruder hit for G. Jenkins
- C. Magruder hit by pitch

Lee flies to right, two down -- Overbay grounds to second, the force play is made to end the inning

TOP 9
- C. Magruder in right field
- R. Johnson singled to left
- J. Flaherty struck out looking

Sanchez loops a single to center, runners now first and second -- Matsui in to PH for the pitcher, he grounds to first, the pitcher and Matsui in a footrace to the bag ... Matsui legs out an infield single, great hustle! ... so he contributes in addition to keeping his consecutive game streak intact

Bases loaded, one down for Jeter, full count, he draws a walk, one run scores -- the Yankees now lead, 12-3

BOT 9

Tomorrow is an off day, and then it doesn't get any easier ... the Cards this weekend, sheesh ... brutal

2 UP 3 DOWN

Posted by at 2:07 PM | Permalink

Well, the much anticipated new album by Jason Mraz will be out on July 26th. A little while ago I got a promo email with a pre-order offer, the track listing, the contents of the special boxset, etc.

The Mr. A-Z Tracklisting is as follows:

1. Life is Wonderful
2. Wordplay
3. Geek In The Pink
4. Did You Get My Message?
5. Mr. Curiosity
6. Clockwatching
7. Bella Luna
8. Plane
9. O Lover
10. Please Don't Tell Her
11. Forecast
12. Song For A Friend

With pre-ordering the CD, you get a digital FREE EP "Extra Credit" includes:

1. Wordplay (Steve Lillywhite Version)
2. I'm Yours (demo)
3. Halfway Home (Live from the Eagle's Ballroom)

The boxset has a CD and DVD and a journal with photos and entries.

The DVD has:
- "A Long Term Relationship" - a 20-minute Jason Mraz film
- Photo Gallery
- Enhanced Audio
- Full Lyrics

Tempting ... but I have spent some cashish lately on music, I may wait

Here's the link for more info and ordering

Posted by at 12:00 PM | Permalink

Lately watching the Yankees has been like listening to a broken record

Inside, impressions of NYY at MIL (58/162)
---

2:05PM

TOP 1: Sheets going for Brewers today -- Jeter goes down swinging, the ball is dropped, and he is put out at first, one down -- Womack goes down looking, two away -- Sheffield also down looking, and Sheets has struck out the side

BOT 1: Pavano going for Yankees today -- Clark leads off with a bloop single to center -- Cirillo chops one up the middle, Cano charges and guns, one away, and the runner to second on the play

Runner on second, one down for Jenkins, he chops to second, two down, the runner to third -- Lee hits a slow roller to the left of the mound, Pavano fields and puts Lee out at first to end the inning

2:22PM HST

TOP 2: Matsui hits the first pitch and flies out to right, one down -- ARod grounds to second, two away -- Giambi draws a two out walk -- Posada flies out to right center to retire the side

BOT 2: Overbay draws a leadoff walk -- Hall smashes the first offering into the seats in right, a two run shot, Brewers 2-0

Spivey goes down looking, one away -- Moeller grounds to short, two down -- Sheets goes down swinging to end the rally

2:37PM HST

TOP 3: Cano hits the first pitch and flies out to left, one down -- Pavano rips the first pitch down the first baseline ... but Overbay ROBS him, two away -- Jeter lines a two out single to right -- Womack hits the first pitch the opposite way for a single to left, runners now first and second

Runners first and second, two down for Sheffield, he draws a walk on four pitches, the bases are now loaded -- Maddux in to confer with Sheets

Bases loaded, two down for Matsui, he grounds out to second to retire the side

BOT 3: Clark grounds to short, one away -- Cirillo grounds a single up the middle -- Jenkins grounds to short into an inning ending 643 double play

2:53PM HST

TOP 4: ARod grounds to short, one down -- Giambi flies out to left center, two away -- Posada goes down swinging to retire the side

BOT 4: Lee grounds to deep short, one down ... good play by Jeter -- Overbay hits a broken bat grounder to short, two away -- Halls hits a laser into the left field corner and off the wall, two out double -- Spivey grounds to short, busy inning for Jeter, to end the inning

3:09PM HST

TOP 5: Cano hits the first pitch, and flies to deep center, one away -- Pavano grounds to short, two down -- full count to Jeter, the payoff ... ball 4, he is aboard with a 2-out walk -- Womack chops to short, the shortstop steps on second to retire the side

BOT 5: Moeller hits one over the leaping Jeter and into left center for a leadoff single -- Sheets lays down a sacbunt to first, one down, the lead runner to second

Clark grounds to short, the runner is checked back, two away -- Cirillo draws a walk, runners now first and second

Jenkins hits a soft comebacker to Pavano to end the inning

TOP 6: Full count to Sheffield, the payoff ... outside, he draws a leadoff walk -- Matsui hits the first pitch and flies to left, one down -- ARod grounds to third, the force play is made at second, Sheffield puts a hard slide on Spivey ... the throw is offline, two away

Runner at first, two down for Giambi -- on the 0-1 to Giambi, the pitch gets away from Moeller's glove, runner to second on the pitch

Runner now at second, Giambi draws a walk, runners now first and second -- Maddux out to confer -- full count to Posada, the payoff ... Posada pops up to short to retire the side

BOT 6: Lee grounds to third, one down -- Overbay grounds to third, ARod reaches, gloves, and guns, two away -- Hall down looking, the ball is dropped, but he is tagged out at the plate to end the inning

TOP 7: Cano grounds to short, one away -- Tino PH for pitcher, he pops up to second, two down -- Quantrill warming for Yankees, Bottalico warms for Brewers -- Jeter down looking to retire the side

Seventh Inning Snore, Brewers lead 2-0

BOT 7: Q going for Yankees -- Spivey hits a laser to left, but right at Womack, one down -- Moeller drives the first pitch to the gap in left center for a double

MacGruder to PH for Sheets, he draws a walk, runners now first and second -- Stanton warms for Yankees -- Clark pops the first pitch to first, two away

Runners first and second, two down for Cirillo, he grounds to short, the force play is made at second to end the inning

TOP 8: Bottalico now pitching for Brewers -- full count to Womack, he flies out to left center, one away -- Sheffield flies out to center, two down -- full count to Matsui, he draws a 2-out walk -- ARod grounds up the middle, but the second basemen is shifted perfectly to retire the side by making the force at second

BOT 8: Stanton in for Yankees -- full count to Jenkins, the payoff is in the dirt and away ... he draws a walk -- Torre out to do the double switch

Gordon in to pitch for Yankees, Bernie in to play CF -- runner at first for Lee, he hits a line out to first, one down -- Overbay grounds the first pitch to second, the force play is made, two away -- Turnbow warms for the Brewers -- Hall goes down swinging to retire the side

TOP 9: Turnbow in for Brewers -- Giambi drives one to the warning track in right, one down -- Posada hits a flare over short and into left for a single

Cano hits a laser to right, Jenkins dives, gloves ... and the ground has knocked it out, the runner to third on the play ... and Cano hustles into second for a double

Runners now second and third, one out for Bernie, he grounds the first pitch to second, one run scores -- the Brewers lead is cut to 2-1

Runner at third, two down for Jeter, he hits the first pitch softly back at Turnbow, he puts Jeter out at first to end the game

....

FINAL: Brewers win, 2-1

Boring, tiresome and frustrating

28UP 30DOWN ... 3 straight losses, and 8 of the last 9

Posted by at 1:58 PM | Permalink

You know it's a long slooowww day when people start disappearing for hours on end, and coming back with KMart bags, Longs bags ... or taking lunch until 2-something in the afternoon

It really kind of gives new proof to the cat is away maxim -- why do people who are otherwise jobloss fearing, diligent employees decide to take liberties when the boss is out of the office, and the vacationing secty is not watching the door

Posted by at 3:23 PM | Permalink

Back to interleague play, Yankees in a big time swoon, having lost three straight serie, and 7 of 8 ... today they start a three game series against the Brewers

Inside, impressions of NYY at MIL (57/162)
---

Yankees first game in Milwaukee since 1997 ... and first game ever in Miller Park

2:05PM HST

TOP 1: Lefty Doug Davis going for the Brewers -- Jeter slaps a leadoff single past the shortstop Hall and into left -- Matsui flies to left, one away -- Sheffield lines out to center, two down -- ARod grounds the first pitch to third, the force play is made at second to retire the side

BOT 1: Big Unit going for the Yankees today -- Clark lines the payoff to center for a leadoff single -- Cirillo slaps a double past ARod into the leftfield corner, one run scores, Brewers 1-0

Runner at second for Jenkins, he flies to left, the runner tags and gets to third, one away -- runner at third for Lee, he grounds a single past the drawn in infield and through to right, another run scores, the score is now 2-0

Runner at first for Hall , he lines a ball right at Johnson, he throws to first to double off the runner and end the rally

2:28PM HST

TOP 2: Posada goes down swinging, one away -- Giambi also goes down swinging, ithe catcher drops the ball, recovers and puts him out at first, two down -- Bernie pops to right to retire the side

BOT 2: Helms lines a leadoff single to right -- Spivey flies to center, one away -- Moeller lines the single to left ... the Unit barking at home plate ump Marsh about the previous pitch -- Stottlemyre out to calm the Unit

Runners first and second, one down for Davis, he fouls off a bunt for a strikeout, two down -- Clark grounds to first to end the inning

2:46PM HST

TOP 3: Cano is frozen, down looking, one away -- Unit grounds to short up the middle, two down ... the defensive shift prevented a single -- Jeter grounds a two out single through to left

Two outs, runner at first for Matsui, he goes down swinging to retire the side

BOT 3: Cirillo launches one to left, a solo shot, Brewers 3-0 -- Jenkins is plunked in the back -- runner at first, one down for Lee, he battles and draws a walk

Runners at first and second for Hall, he grounds to short, Jeter bobbles but throws out the lead runner at third, one down -- Helms goes down swinging, two away -- Spivey goes down swinging, the foultip to the catcher ends the inning

3:12PM HST

TOP 4: Sheffield goes down on a checkswing, one away -- Davis falls behind ARod 3-0 with some awesomely wild stuff, but then works it back to full, the payoff ... just off the black, close pitch for ball four

Posada lines a single to center, runners now first and second -- Giambi flairs a single to center, one run scores, and now runners at the corners, Brewers lead cut to 3-1

Full count to Bernie, the payoff ... HIGH, this walk will load the bases -- Maddux out to the mound to confer with Davis

One down, bases loaded for Cano, he grounds a hot shot to first, the throw home ... pulls the catcher off the plater, another run will score, and the bases still stacked, the score is now 3-2

The 0-1 pitch to the Unit gets away from Moeller ... that big dumptruck Giambi hustles home ... and scores, the score is now tied 3-3

Unit goes down swinging, two down -- Runners second and third for Jeter, the open base at first, they will pitch him ... he goes down swinging on a foul tip to end the rally

BOT 4: Unit gets ahead of Moeller 0-2, he patiently works it back full, the payoff ... he is down looking, one down -- Davis has a NL-pitcherly AB, down looking at the gas, two away -- Johnson quickpitches the lollygagging Clark and nearly blasts him in the knee ... ump says no pitch, hilarious -- Clark draws a walk after falling behind early in the count

Clark steals second on the 0-1 to Cirillo, off a good jump, the throw is away from the bag -- runner at second, two down for Cirillo, he hits a soft comebacker to the Unit, he throws to first to retire the side

3:47PM HST

TOP 5: Matsui draws a leadoff walk -- Sheffield also draws a walk, runners now first and second -- full count to ARod, he battles, spoiling pitches ... and finally draws a walk after a 8+ minute AB ... and that loads the bases

Bases loaded for Posada, he goes down swinging ... totally overanxious and pressing, one down -- full count to Giambi, the payoff pitch ... is grounded to second to start a 463 double play that retires the side

BOT 5: Jenkins hits a foul looper to third, one down -- Lee draws a walk -- Hall hits a laser right at Sheffield in right, two away -- Helms goes down swinging to end the inning

Johnson already 100+ ... yikes

4:14PM HST

TOP 6: Bernie grounds to short, one down -- Cano flies out to left, two away -- Johnson grounds to second to retire the side

BOT 6: Spivey blasts one to left, a solo HR, Brewers back in front, 4-3 -- Moeller down swinging, one away -- MacGruder in to PH for the pitcher, he goes down looking, two away

Stanton and Sturtze warm for the Yankees -- Clark pops to second to end the rally

TOP 7: Wise in relief for Brewers -- Jeter flies to deep center, one down -- Matsui loops to left, two away -- Sheffield goes down swinging to retire the side

Seventh Inning Stench, Brewers lead 4-3

BOT 7: Sturtze on for Yankees -- Cirillo hits a hard comebacker at Sturtze, he knocks it down and throws to first, one down -- Jenkins flies to left, two away -- Lee hits a flair down the first baseline and hustles out a two out double

Runner at second, two down for Hall, he hits a soft grounder to the right of the mound, Sturtze dives, gloves, flips to Giambi to end the inning

TOP 8: ARod goes down swinging, one down -- Posada also down swinging, two away -- Giambi flies to center to retire the side

BOT 8: Helms lines a leadoff single to center -- Krenzel in to PR for Helms -- Spivey pops a bunt foul to the catcher, one away -- Moeller flies to left, two down -- Overbay in to PH for the pitcher, Torre brings in Stanton

Turnbow warms for Brewers --runner at first, two down for Overbay, he goes down swinging to end the inning

TOP 9: Turnbow in to close the door -- Bernie draws a walk -- On the 1-2 to Cano, the pitch gets away from Moeller ... runner to second on the play

Gordon warms for Yankees -- Runner at second for Cano, he goes down swinging after running the count full, one down --Sierra in to PH for pitcher, Womack in to PR for Bernie

Sierra grounds weakly to third, two away -- Jeter hits a laser tailing away from Jenkins in right, he reaches out and makes the catch ... what a play, and the game is over

FINAL: Brewers win, 4-3

SSDD.

Pavano and Sheets to go tomorrow for the Yankees and Brewers

28UP 29DOWN

Posted by at 2:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I really haven't had much to write about over the past few days. It did strike me when I was at the gym over the course of the week, literally how many young people were there

I guess school is out? ... the other thing that struck me was that I don't remember being THAT into lifting weights, killing myself with cardio when I was 17-21, etc. Now it seems every gym I go to is swarming with "youngsters" -- I don't know what it means other than again this is a change from how it was 15-20 years ago

Posted by at 11:00 PM | Permalink

"So why don't you close your curtains at night?", she asked.

This has been an ongoing loose debate that SD and I have been having over the proper use of curtains

From my standpoint, the curtains in my bedroom are largely to shade the room from the afternoon, lest all my everything get blanched white from direct sunshine -- it also serves to shade the room from getting super hot

SD is of the opinion that curtains should be closed at night. The curtains at her house in the living room are closed at night. I think the reason why is that their living room faces the street, and at night everyone would be able to look in

That is not the case at my house, my room windows are elevated probably a good 15-20 ft. off the ground

There could be other rationales for me to shut my curtains at night, like so-called best sleep environment practices ... but then I should also close all my windows because my neighbors have no concept about LOUD and LATE

At the end of the day, I think I have seen that there are so many different ideas about closing your curtains ... it's just relative

Posted by at 3:30 PM | Permalink

Not much to say, Yankees really struggling as of late

Inside, impressions of NYY at MIN (55/162)
---

1:10PM HST

Jeter out today with a chest cold

TOP 1: Mays going for the Twins -- Womack again in the leadoff spot, he grounds to second, one gone -- Sanchez grounds the first pitch to second, two down -- Sheffield is frozen, down looking to retire the side

BOT 1: Wang going for Yankees, the ironic thing is that the rookie is probably pitching the best of all the rotation right now

Stewart flies to right, one down -- full count to Abernathy, he pops out to the catcher, two away -- Ford draws a two out walk -- Hunter flies to center to end the inning

1:29PM HST

TOP 2: Matsui flies out to left, one down -- ARod grounds the first pitch to deep short, two away -- Giambi pops up to first to retire the side

BOT 2: Jones grounds to first, one down -- Tiffee grounds to second, two gone -- Cuddyer flies out to right to end the inning

1:41PM HST

TOP 3: Tino grounds to second, one gone -- Flaherty hits a bomb to left ... JUST FOUL ... then flies out to right, two away -- Cano flies out to the warning track in left to retire the side

BOT 3: Redmond grounds a leadoff single up the middle -- Castro hits a hot shot to third, ARod dives, stops and throws to second, not in time

Runners first and second for Stewart, he fouls the 1-1 off his foot ... the trainers out to confer, he will stay in -- he grounds to short into a 643 double play

Runner at third, two down for Abernathy, he grounds to second to end the inning

1:55PM HST

TOP 4: Womack grounds to short, the throw is on time ... but past Tiffee, E3 -- the hit and run is on, Sanchez grounds the first pitch to short, only play at first, one away

Runner on second for Sheffield, he pops out to short, two down -- Matsui goes down swinging to retire the side

BOT 4: Lew hits a grounder up the middle, Cano ranges, gloves, but the throw is offline, infield single -- Hunter is plunked with the 0-2, runners now first and second

Jones hits the first pitch into the upper deck in right, a three run shot, Twins lead 3-0

Full count to Tiffee, he flies to left, one gone -- Cuddyer grounds the first pitch to third, two down -- Redmond hits an easy comebacker to Wang, he puts him out to end the rally

2:15PM HST

TOP 5: ARod hits a grounder to deep short, and beats out the throw for an infield single -- Giambi goes down swinging, one gone -- Tino lines one right at Jones ... and he drops the ball ... ARod must advance and is gunned down at second, two down ... when it rainsssss

Flaherty draws a four pitch walk, runners now first and second -- Cano grounds a double up the middle, into the gap, and to the wall, two runs score -- the Twins now lead 3-2

Runner at second, two down for Womack -- the pitching coach is out on the 1-1 -- Womack pops out foul to third to end the rally

BOT 5: Castro hits a leadoff double to the left center gap -- runner at second, Stewart grounds to third, the runner is checked back, one down -- Abernathy grounds to third, two away -- Ford also grounds to third, busy inning for ARod, he gloves and retires Ford to end the inning

TOP 6: Sanchez lines out to left, one gone -- Sheffield grounds to short, two away -- Matsui lines one the opposite way for a two out single -- ARod chops one to short to retire the side

BOT 6: Hunter down swinging, uno dos adios, one gone -- Jones grounds the first pitch to short, two down -- Tiffee grounds to second to end the inning

TOP 7: Giambi grounds to first, one down -- Tino pops out to second, two gone -- Flaherty grounds to short to retire the side

Seventh Inning Stench, Twins lead 3-2

BOT 7: Cuddyer grounds to second, one down -- Redmond chops the first pitch to short, two away -- Castro flies to left center to end the inning

TOP 8: Cano grounds a leadoff single up the middle -- Womack grounds to short, Castro's flip to second is slightly offline, everyone safe -- Rincon warms for the Twins

Sanchez successfully lays down the sac bunt to third, runners advance to second and third, one down -- they will intentionally walk Sheffield to load the bases -- Twins quickly start to warm the lefty Romero

Bases loaded, one down for Matsui -- Gardenhire out, Mays had a really quality start for Twins -- Romero will come out to face Godzilla L-L

Matsui grounds sharply to first for one, Tiffee bobbles, ... the throw home ... the run scores, the score is tied 3-3

Runners at the corners for ARod, he receives an intentional pass, the bases again loaded -- Sierra in to PH for Giambi, Gardenhire will bring in Rincon

Two down, bases loaded for Sierra, he will bat from the left side against the righthanded Rincon -- Sierra goes down swinging in a really weak AB to end the rally

BOT 8: Gordon in for Yankees, another good outing by Wang -- Stewart flies out to center, one down -- Mauer in to PH for Abernathy, he flies out to center, two away -- Nathan warms for Twins -- Ford down swinging at a pitch in the dirt, he is tagged out to end the inning

TOP 9: Tino chops one right back at Rincon, he is put out at first, one down -- Posada in to PH for Flaherty, he hits a TOWERING chopper to short, no play to first, an infield single -- Cano loops one the opposite way to left, runners now first and second

Womack down swinging, two down -- runners first and second for Bernie, in to PH for Sanchez -- Bernie chops the first pitch to third to retire the side

BOT 9: Russ Johnson in at 3B, ARod over to SS, Posada in at C -- Gordon continues into his second inning

Hunter lines a leadoff single into center -- Jones goes down on a checkswing, one down -- Tiffee pops to short, two away -- Cuddyer grounds back to Gordon to end the inning

EXTRA INNINGS

TOP 10: Nathan in to pitch for the Twins, Mo warms for Yankees -- Sheffield goes down swinging, one down -- Matsui works the count full, he draws a walk -- ARod lines a single to center ... Matsui is trying to hustle to third, the throw is in ... but Matsui is safe at third, GREAT HUSTLE!!!

Runners at the corners, one down for Sierra, his second AB as DH, he hits an absolute BOMB to deep center, Hunter gloves it on the track, on the sacfly, runner tags and scores, the Yankees take their first lead 4-3

Runner at first, two down for Tino, he draws a four pitch walk, runners first and second -- Gardenhire out, he will bring in the lefty Mulholland to face Posada

The reset, runners first and second, two down for Posada, he lines to center to end the rally

BOT 10: Mo in for the Yankees -- full count to Redmond, he is battling, but goes down swinging, one away -- Castro down swinging ... and loses his bat as well, two down -- Stewart grounds the first pitch to short to end the game

4:12PM HST

FINAL: Yankees win, 4-3

Cashman and Torre allegedly say on the widely reported conference call with The Boss: "We have what we need."

For one day, they are right ... as the Yankees grind out one out

28 UP 27 DOWN

Posted by at 1:07 PM | Permalink

Yankees start a three game weekend series today against the Twins ... the team trying to get off a five game slide

Inside, impressions of NYY at MIN (54/162)
---

Today we get the Twins broadcast from FoxSports North ... after 5, it seems that this team is a homerish broadcast team

2:10PM HST

TOP 1: Lohse going for the Twins -- Lohse gets out in front 0-2 to Womack, but on the 1-2, Womack hits a sharp grounder up the middle, stopped by the second basemen, the throw ... no chance, infield single

Jeter hits the first pitch to third, one down, the runner to second on the play -- Sheffield hits a laser to left center and into the stands, a two run jack, Yankees lead 2-0

Matsui grounds a single up the middle -- ARod grounds a single through the left side and into leftfield, runners now first and second

Bernies hits a grounder to second that starts a 463 double play that ends the rally

BOT 1: Mussina going for Yankees -- Stewart hits a broken bat roller to first, one down -- Abernathy draws a walk -- Ford goes down swinging

Runner at first, two out for Hunter, he hits a deep flyout to right to end the inning

2:33PM HST

TOP 2: Posada draws a leadoff walk -- Tino grounds a single to right, runners now first and second -- Cano grounds to second, into a 463 double play

Runner at third, Womack goes down looking to retire the side

BOT 2: Jones grounds to short, one away -- Tiffee goes the opposite way and grounds a single to left -- Cuddyer grounds to short into a 643 inning ending double play

2:50PM

TOP 3: Jeter grounds to second, one down -- Sheffield also grounds to second, two gone -- Matsui hits a laser to right, it is off Jones' glove ... Matsui in with a two out double

Lohse gives the intentional pass to ARod, runners now first and second, two down -- Bernie lines a two out single up the middle into center, one run scores, Yankees now lead 3-0

Runners now at the corners for Posada, full count, he goes down swinging at the payoff to end the rally

BOT 3: Redmond grounds the first pitch to first, one gone -- Castro also grounds to first, two down -- Stewarts loops out to short to end the inning

3:06PM HST

TOP 4: Tino pops out to left, one gone -- Cano grounds to second, two away -- Womack grounds the payoff to first to retire the side

BOT 4: Abernathy squashes a leadoff HR to left ... and Muss knew it after he let it go, solo shot, Yankees lead cut to 3-1

Ford gashes the first pitch to the gap in right center, it is by Sheffield ... Ford will go for three, he is in with a triple

Runner at third, Hunter hits the first pitch up the middle and into center, one run scores, the score in now 3-2

Hunter steals on the first pitch, runner at second -- Jones singles to left, runners now at the corners, still none out ... and Stottlemyre out to the mound

Tiffee pops out to shallow left for the first out -- Runners at the corners, Cuddyer grounds to third and into an inning ending 543 double play

3:25PM HST

TOP 5: Jeter grounds to short, one down -- Sheffield grounds to third, two away -- full count to Matsui, the payoff ... is lined to center at a running Hunter, he loses it in the lights ... and it bounces to the wall, a two out double for Matsui

ARod drives a ball to deep left ... Stewart at the wall, jumps ... and ROBS ARod to retire the side (and this may be the game changing play)

BOT 5: Redmond grounds to short, one down -- Castro pops the first pitch to second, two gone -- Stewart ropes a two out double down the left field line

Abernathy draws a walk, runners now first and second, two out for Ford, he blasts one to left, a three run shot -- and the Twins take their first lead, 5-3
... and I wonder why I even bother to complain about 2-out rallies

Hunter grounds to first, close play at first, but the Twins are retired

TOP 6: Bernie grounds to second, one gone -- Posada flies out foul to left, two down -- Tino grounds the first pitch into right, a two out single

Cano shatters his bat and grounds to second to retire the side

BOT 6: Jones grounds to first, one down -- Tiffie also grounds to first, two away -- Cuddyer hits a sharp grounder up the middle, off Muss's glove, slows down a bit, Cano charges ... looks like he won't throw ... he does ... HE'S OUT, whoa what an arm! ... and the Twins are retired

TOP 7: Crain in pitch for Twins -- Womack tries to bunt his way on, Crain fields ... low throw to first, picked and is IN TIME, one down -- Jeter is down on a checkswing, tagged out by the catcher, two away -- Sheffield flies out to left to retire the side

Seventh Inning Sameness, Twins lead 5-3

Redmond blasts one by Matsui in center for a leadoff double -- Stottlemyre in to confer, and give Sturtze some tosses

Castro bunts back to Muss, he gloves ... turns to throw at ARod, and surprise surprise ... HE'S OUT OF POSITION! ... Muss throws to first and pulls Tino off the bag, everyone safe

Runners at the corners, none down for Stewart -- Sturtze in to face Stewart

He hits a deep drive to center, a sacfly that scores one run, the Twins now lead 6-3

Runner at first, one down for Abernathy, he grounds one up the middle and into center, runners now first and second

Ford grounds to second and into an inning ending 443 double play

4:16PM HST

TOP 8: Rincon in to pitch for the Twins -- Matsui down swinging, one gone -- full count to ARod, the payoff ... is lifted to right, a flyout, two down -- Bernie grounds the first pitch to short to retire the side

BOT 8: Rivera in due to inaction over the losing streak -- Hunter grounds a leadoff single up the middle, just past Jeter -- runner goes, Jones grounds a single to right, runners now at the corners

Jones goes on the first pitch to Tiffee, he steals second with no problem -- Tiffee chops one back to short, Jeter in on the play, holds the runner at third and puts him away, one down -- Romero and Nathan warming for the Twins

Runners second and third for Cuddyer, he grounds to third, the runner holds, two away -- Redmond goes down swinging to end the inning

TOP 9: Morneau in to play 1B, Nathan in to close the door -- Posada grounds to short, one away -- Tino grounds to first, two down -- Cano goes down swinging to end the game

Same problems.

FINAL: Twins win, 6-3

And at the one-third point of the season, the Yankees a ho-hum .500 -- Much like late last season, the pitching is the problem and it is really up and down the starters ... to top that off, the bats of the "on paper" lineup have been incredibly inconsistent

What more can be said ...

27UP 27DOWN ... 6 straight losses

Posted by at 2:14 PM | Permalink

So will the real last place team please stand up? Yankees try to salvage one win before leaving Kansas City

Inside, impressions of NYY at KC (53/162)
---

2:10PM HST

TOP 1: Jensen the starter for KC -- Jeter flies out to center, one away -- Jensen gets ahead of Womack 0-2, Womack battles back to full ...the payoff is ball 4, he draws a walk -- Sheffield hits the 2-2 down the third baseline for a double, the lead runner to third on the play

Runners second and third for Matsui, he hits the first pitch, a sacfly to right, both runners tag, one run scores, two away -- the Yankees lead 1-0

Runner at third for ARod, he goes down looking, uno dos adios, to end the rally

BOT 1: Pavano starts for NY, one start after his Bosox debacle -- Berroa goes down swinging, one gone -- DeJesus pops foul to short on the first pitch, two gone -- Sweeney flies out to right to end the inning

2:25PM HST

TOP 2: Tino pops the first pitch foul to third, one down -- Posada goes down on a checkswing, two away -- Bernie grounds the first pitch to first to retire the side

BOT 2: Stairs grounds to second, one away -- Long also grounds to second, two down -- Teahen grounds to second to end the inning ... a busy inning for Cano, an economical one for Pavano

2:35PM HST

TOP 3: Cano flies out to center, one gone -- Jeter lines a single to left -- full count to Womack, he pops foul to third, two down -- Sheffield pops up to short to retire the side

BOT 3: Costa grounds to first, one down -- Buck grounds to first, two away -- Gotay grounds one through the right side for a two out single ... what other kind of hit is there, I ask?

Berroa smacks a double to left over Womack's head, one run scores, the game is tied at 1-1 ... like I was saying what other kind of hit do the Yankees give up

DeJesus grounds to second to end the two-out rally

2:53PM HST

TOP 4: Matsui flies to center, one away -- ARod goes down swinging, two down -- Tino down swinging, the ball is dropped and the out is made at first to retire the side

BOT 4: Sweeney lines a leadoff single to center -- Stairs down swinging, one away -- Long lines a double to left center, Womack bobbles, the lead runner to third, and Long in with a double

Runners second and third, one down for Teahen, he grounds one up the middle, Cano makes the stop, the throw to first is too late, one run scores, the Royals now lead 2-1

Runners at the corners, Costa grounds to second, Cano with a great play, gets the force at second, return by Jeter is late, another run scores, the score is now 3-1

Runner at first, two down for Buck, he pops to short to end the rally

3:14PM HST

TOP 5: Posada goes the opposite way and hits a leadoff single to left -- Bernie hits a slow chopper to first, the feed to the covering pitcher is ... dropped, all hands safe

Runners now first and second, Cano flies out to center, the runners tag, the lead runner in at third, Bernie is cut down at second, two down .... and the brainlessly aggressive PRESSING play continues

Runner at third, two down for Jeter, he lines a two out single to the gap, one run scores, the Royals lead cut to 3-2

Womack grounds to first to end the two out rally

BOT 5: Gotay pops foul to third, one down -- Berroa flies out to right, two down -- DeJesus absolutely crushes one to deep right, ... it lands at the base of the wall??? sheesh, this park is BIG, a two out double -- Stottlemyre in to confer with Pavano

Runner at second, two down for Sweeney, he pops out to first to end the inning

3:33PM HST

TOP 6: Wood in for Royals to pitch to Sheffield -- full count to Sheffield, he grounds to third, one down -- Matsui grounds to second, two gone -- ARod hits the first pitch out to right field, a flyout that retires the side

BOT 6: Stairs jacks one the opposite way, a solo shot to left, the Royals lead 4-2

Long hits it REAL HARD to right, back to back jacks, the score is now 5-2 -- Stottlemyre out to stall, Sturtze and Stanton warm for the Yankees

Teahen flies out to left, one down -- Costa lines a single to right -- Torre out with the hook for Pavano

Sturtze in to pitch for NY -- he gets Buck to ground to short into an inning ending 643 double play

3:54PM HST

TOP 7: Tino goes down swinging, one down -- Posada lines a single to right -- Sisco and Nunez warming for Royals, during the mound visit

Bernie grounds to first into a 363 double play to retire the side

Seventh Inning Stench, Royals lead 5-2

BOT 7: Gotay pops the first pitch to short, one down -- Berroa also grounds to short, two away -- busy inning for Jeter, DeJesus also grounds to short to end the inning

4:04PM HST

TOP 8: The very hard throwing Sisco in for Royals -- Russ Johnson PH for Cano, he goes down swinging, very overmatched, one down -- Jeter flies to right, two away -- Womack lines a two out single to right

Runner at first, two down for Sheffield -- Hansen out to pull Sisco, Nunez will face Sheffield R-R

Sheffield grounds a ball up the middle, the second baseman fields and puts him out at first to retire the side

BOT 8: Gordon in to pitch for Yankees -- Sweeney grounds to short, one away -- Stairs goes down swinging on a foul tip to Posada, two gone -- Burgos warms for KC -- Long goes down swinging to end the inning

TOP 9: Burgos in to pitch for the Royals -- Matsui bloops a leadoff single to left -- ARod goes down swinging, one away -- Tino goes down on a checkswing, two down -- Posada is plunked on the left shin, runners now first and second with two down

Burgos works it full to Bernie, the payoff ... outside, ball four, the bases are now loaded for Sierra -- Hansen out to the mound

Stemle warming during the mound visit -- two down, bases loaded for Sierra, he grounds a ball up the middle, taken by Berroa, he throws to first to end the game

The Royals finally sweep a series ... and the frustration/pressing times of the early season are back again

FINAL: Royals win, 5-2

Yankees off to Minnesota for a three game series tomorrow

27UP 26DOWN ... 5 straight in the L column

Posted by at 2:19 PM | Permalink

SD and I have finally decided on where to go for our summer travel plans. I feel so mentally drained trying to set this and that up -- it's really funny but in towns with a lot of entertainment, tickets to prime events can be really hard to come by from the original issuing source, abut if you work and research hard enough, you will find other sources that can get you tickets AT FACE or discounted

Now, let's get to work on securing Wallflowers tickets LOL ... my head, my aching head

Posted by at 1:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I recall the first time I ever heard of the Gorillaz. I was watching BlueTorch on FoxSportsNet, and on came this really wild anime influenced video with some trippy visuals. That song was "Clint Eastwood", and I went on to get into a few more tracks from their 2001 debut

Well, this time, this was no underground debut of the sophomore effort Demon Days, I guess getting a spot on the ubiquitous iPod Shuffle ads will do that, and being heavily promoted by the Apple Music Store will do that for you as well

Gorillaz - Demon Days REVIEW: B-

Well, as you all may know by now, this is a side project of Blur's Damon Albarn. He has created an alternative universe cartoonish four piece band of oddities known as the Gorillaz, each with their own side story and quirks

But that's neither here or there, everyone including me was curious as to how the next effort from the Gorillaz would turn out, especially since Dan "The Automator" Nakamura is not producing this one ... and DJ Danger Mouse is. (I suppose at some point, I will do a review of his mash-up classic The Grey Album, feat. Jay-Z's Black Album and The Beatles White Album)

Back to the task at hand, there was a lot of goodness in Feel Good Inc., enough that it made me go out and grab the album from Circuit City last week. I think that my impression of the album is that it is ultimately a solid effort, superior in some ways to the Gorillaz debut, and in some ways puzzling

The initial question that remains with me after several listens through is why the kind of dead first section of the album. I mean it is somber, slow and dead feeling. There is certainly nothing musically wrong with them (Kids With Guns and O Green World are very solid tracks), it is just such a dead seat of tracks that it is hard not to skip through them.

The album really hits its paces with the big trio from the CD, Dirty Harry, Feel Good Inc., and El Manana. These are hands down the standout tracks from the album. Each really good in its own way, the almost gospelly cuts from Dirty Harry, the hip pop of FGI, and the cool atmospherics of EM

The album flattens out again until DARE, I mean if Ike Turner on piano in Every Planet We Reach Is Dead cannot save you, what can? DARE is excellent, high quality synth pop. And now a few words about Dennis Hopper's spoken word over great beats for Fire Coming Out of the Monkey's Head ... do you remember Karloff's reading of The Grinch That Stole Xmas? a real homerun, no? This one, too ... just awesome -- The album winds down with two tracks that spin off of the Hopper track, but they again kind of flatten out the album

I recognize that this is a concept album or producer album and that it's more about the concept than the individual singles, but this is an album where if you don't really like the Gz sound overall ... I would say pick off the ones you like on iT and leave the rest behind

Being a mixed effort, I cannot say that it is really necessary to buy the whole album unless you are a fan. I am a fan of the sound, but I cannot say that I will be spinning this one a lot all the way through ... just tracks here and there

Posted by at 12:00 AM | Permalink

Well, it's t-shirt night at KC today -- and to think, I almost missed today's game start because I was zoning out here

Inside, impressions of NYY at KC (52/162)
---

Torre back in the manager's seat for the Yankees after missing the game yesterday

2:10PM HST

TOP 1: Carrasco going for KC today -- Jeter flies to right, one down -- full count to Matsui, the payoff ... he grounds a single through to right -- Sheffield draws a walk on four pitches, runners now first and second

One down for ARod, he pops out to right, the runners hold, two away -- Posada grounds to first to retire the side

BOT 1: Unit going for Yankees -- Berroa bloops a pop fly double to right as Sheffield and Cano converge, but do not make the play ... psshhh

DeJesus down on strikes on a foultip into Posada's glove (RJ 1), one down -- Sweeney flies to center, two down -- Runner on second, two out for E. Brown, he absolutely smashes one to left center ... and that one will GET WET into the fountain, a 2-run shot, Royals 2-0 ... same old 2-out crap

Full count to Graffanino, he flies out to left to end the rally

2:34PM HST

TOP 2: Giambi draws a leadoff walk -- Sierra down looking ... and he didn't like that call, one down -- Bernie flies out to left, two away -- full count to Cano, the payoff is grounded to first to retire the side

BOT 2: Diaz flies out to right, one away -- Buck down looking, uno dos adios (RJ 2), two gone -- Long down swinging to end the inning (RJ 3)

2:48PM HST

TOP 3: Jeter is plunked YET AGAIN with the first pitch -- Matsui grounds to short into a 643 double play, two down -- Sheffield hits a laser to left, Long running, reaches out for it, he can't get it, it rolls to the leftfield wall, a two out double

ARod lines to center to retire the side

BOT 3: McEwing lines out to short, one down -- Berroa drops a bloop double the opposite way for the second time today ... psshhh

DeJesus grounds a single up the middle, one run scores, the Royals lead 3-0

Sweeney grounds to second, Cano swipes at DeJesus, misses the tag, throws to first and gets Sweeney, two away -- Runner at second for E. Brown, he grounds to short to end the rally

3:04PM HST

TOP 4: Posada grounds to short, one gone -- Giambi smacks one to the base of the wall in right ... trying to stretch it to two, ugly slide by Giambi, but effective ... safe at second with a leadoff double

Sierra hits a first pitch comebacker to the pitcher, Giambi off the bag, Carrasco runs out to tag him, two down ... SHIRRRRRRRTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

Runner at first, two down for Bernie, he singles up the middle, runners now first and second ... and Giambi's running goof costs the Yankees a run

Cano flies the first pitch to center to retire the side

BOT 4: Graffanino flies to center, one down -- Diaz hits a sinking liner to right center, Sheffield dives, misses, and kicks the ball over to Bernie ... Diaz hustles in with a double

Buck grounds the first pitch to short, two down -- Long down swinging to end the inning (RJ 4)

3:20PM HST

TOP 5: Jeter grounds to short, one down -- Matsui goes down swinging, two away -- Sheffield pops foul to third to end the inning

BOT 5: McEwing hits a seeing eye single up the middle -- Berroa sacbunts, picked up by Posada and he throws him out at first, one down, runner to second on the play

DeJesus draws a walk, runners now first and second -- Stottlemyre out to confer -- Sweeney flies out to center, two down, the runners tag and advance

Two down, runners at second and third for E. Brown, he goes down swinging (RJ 5), the ball is dropped, he is put out at first to end the inning

3:36PM HST

TOP 6: ARod grounds to third, one down -- Posada hits a flare out to left center, two gone -- Giambi grounds to first to retire the side

BOT 6: Graffanino hits a leadoff single up the middle -- Stemle warming for Royals, it looks as if Carrasco will come out -- Graffanino steals second on the 0-1 pitch, as Posada's throw is high -- Diaz down swinging (RJ 6), one down

Runner at second for Buck, he grounds to short, the runner on second goes ... Jeter tosses to third to start a rundown, he is tagged out, two down

Long grounds to second to end the inning

TOP 7: Stemle in for Royals -- Sierra grounds a leadoff single past diving infielders and into right -- Runner goes, Bernie hits the ball hard but out in right, Sierra retreats to first, one down

Cano chops the first pitch to third, the force play is made at second to cut down the lead runner, two away -- Jeter chops the first pitch up the middle, Berroa fields and puts him out at first to retire the side

Seventh Inning Snore, Royals 3-0

BOT 7: McEwing flies out to right, one down -- Berroa grounds out to second, two away -- DeJesus takes a 2-out plunk -- runner at first for Sweeney, he lines out to left to end the inning

TOP 8: Matsui flies the first pitch to deep left, one down -- Sheffield hits an equally impressive shot to deep left ... that dies in Long's glove, two gone

ARod draws a walk -- Posada grounds one off the glove of Sweeney at first, the bounce kicks to the waiting second baseman, he throws back to first to retire the side

BOT 8: Unit still going for Yankees -- E. Brown grounds a leadoff single up the middle -- Gordon starts warming for Yankees -- Graffanino grounds to deep short, the force is made at second, one down

Yankees pitch out on 0-1, great throw by Posada, Graffanino is tagged out easily by Cano, two down -- Diaz grounds a two out single up the middle

Runner at first, two down for Buck, he goes down swinging (RJ 7) to end the inning

4:22PM HST

TOP 9: Giambi grounds to second, one pitch, one out -- Sierra goes down swinging, two down -- Bernie hits the 2-2 over the wall in right, the shutout is gone ... the Royals lead 3-1

Cano rips the first pitch over the centerfielder's head and off the wall for a double -- Runner on second, two down for Jeter -- Bell out to confer

Full count to Jeter, the payoff ... he goes down swinging to end the game

4:35 PM HST

FINAL: Royals win 3-1

SSDD. The end.

27UP 25DOWN ... 4 straight losses

Posted by at 2:31 PM | Permalink

It seems as if people have gone totally crazy with our snack table at our office. It seems to have the normal omiyage stuff, as well as stuff that quite clearly no one would eat at their house ... sooo we would eat it here instead?

Well, not that much interesting in the line of tidbits, but this week has been the week that it was revealed there will be another Live Aid show, not a telethon for pledging money but one to raise awareness about the problems of spiraling debt in less fortunate countries, "free" trade, and globalisation (yeah why not, it is a UK thing ....)

Perhaps the more ironic thing is that this was filtered to my spam on Gmail yesterday, as I had signed up for info from the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY website

When I was looking at the confirmed artists for the London show I was like, yeah that's a pretty awesome lineup, but ... YTF is Mariah Carey closing the night, I mean, is she BIGGER than Coldplay ... IN F'N LONDON?!?!?!?! good Jeebus ... or for that matter, Elton John, Paul McCartney, U2 or Madonna (all on the bill, btw) ... WOW, seriously stunned with this one, I hope it's not a list in order, but if it is ... milking this one LOL

A-Ha will close the show in Berlin ... yes I hear the collective HUH rising globally ... "Take on Me", thank you goodnight LOL

Duran Duran closing it in Rome ... boy this is seriously beginning to look Live Aid 85 with the act choices ... And Bon Jovi closing out Philly, ahead of Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z and DMB ... go figure

ANDDDD ... you can watch it on AOL .... BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Posted by at 12:30 PM | Permalink

SL's Alternative Album of the Year

As I conclude my look back at my arbitrary musical year, I figured that I might as well throw one more look back review.

Brought forth from the collaboration of notable producers Prince Paul and Dan "The Automator" Nakamura, White People is the LU's selection for alternative album of the year. This is the second album for the HBMS, and really an amazing effort that just shows supreme ability to put together tracks that transcend simple genres

Handsome Boy Modeling School - White People REVIEW: A+

Some would be inclined to lump this CD with the indy hip hop genre or the producer genre. I dissent from this categorization, as this production cabal has put together the most amazing, diverse sounding set of tracks that touch on so many different genres ... the listener is just left with a shirtload of good music

That's the point about this album. Yes, there are traditional hip hop tracks, but there's such a great diversity of tracks here with all manner of sounds and grooves from different genres.

The great tracks on this one include a great 70's-80s sounding soulful ballad, "Greatest Mistake". The finest track may be the great Jamaican dub style/hip hop/alty mix called "The World's Gone Mad". This is an album with tremendous depth and the quality of all the tracks is really out of this world. There is a really funky one featuring Mike Patton called "Are You Down With It?", and a nice Sade styled smoky groove in "I've Been Thinking".

There are some tracks that are tailored for particular artists' styles, like "Breakdown" in the Jack Johnson style and "Rock And Roll (Could Never Hip Hop Like This) in the Linkin Park style. And going back to the roots, as you would expect, the hip hop tracks are exceptional as well

And the cameos on this one, wow, why not unroll a list of who is hip and who needs to be looked at again ... the Mars Volta, Pharrell, Jack Johnson, Del the Funky Homosapien, Mike Patton (ex-Faith No More), Alex Kapranos (from Franz Ferdinand), Mike and Chester of Linkin Park, jazz crooner Jamie Cullum, John Oates (yes, he of 80s pop supergroup), Julee Cruise, Rahzel (the human beat box from The Roots), among others

It is quite funny because I had read recently that with iT that the hip hop short skit on albums was dying. Well, White People's skits run with the Handsome Boy Modeling School theme, and come up with the most fresh and hilarious skits that I have heard in a long time -- particularly funny are the Guido Sarducci opener and the hygiene one with Tim Meadows.

This one is really the new standard for so-called producer side project albums. Dan and Del may have left the Gorillaz to do HBMS stuff, as the Gz went with Danger Mouse for Demon Days ... but don't cry for The Automator and Prince Paul, this one is a love letter for those who like well produced music

Very highly recommended ... and our alternative music selection of the year because it is an alternative to one genre music CDs

Posted by at 11:12 AM | Permalink