"You better beat us tonight!" Kevin Millar to Derek Jeter, Oct. 17, 2004, before ALCS Game 4
Going into the bottom of the 7th, behind 7-0, the Red Sox were dead in the water, deader than Julius Caesar, deader than any doornail you ever saw. The Rays had scored early and added on. And added on. And still, at the end of the game, the scoreboard at Fenway read: Red Sox 8, Rays 7.
They cowboyed up like 2003. They played those last two-and-a-half innings like idiots from 2004. Tito went crazy and brought Pap into the game in the top of the 7th! Papi homered! Drew came through. Twice! Petey singled to knock one in and Youk busted his tail, taking nothing for granted, as always! Masterson got Pena (who doesn't hit into double plays) to hit into a fabulous 4-6-3 double play with the lead run on second and only one out!
Four in the seventh. Three in the eighth. One more beautiful run in the ninth. Game!
Joe Castiglione's signature call was never more appropriate: "Can you believe it?"
Deja vu all over again? We'll have to wait two more games to see. But there will be a Game 6 Saturday night in Florida. And Josh Beckett can't be that bad three times in a row, can he?
You shoulda beat us tonight!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
OK, Now I've Watched the Debate
John McCain is a tool. He is not in the pocket of Corporate America. He's straight up their collective [anatomy]! He has the audacity to sit before the American public, the wage-stagnated, foreclosed-on American public, and ask Barack Obama why he wants to raise taxes on any American. McCain said, "The whole premise of Sen. Obama's plan [is] 'conduct class warfare'..." I wish to God it was!
I'll say this slowly, so that you can understand, Sen. McCain: you, and those who have bought and sold jerks like you for the last almost 30 years, have been conducting class warfare. You are the people who shut down any increases in the minimum wage. You legislated deregulation of business to the point that jobs could be shipped out, unions could be shut out, and wages have pancaked as a result. You sat by and presided over the loss of pension funds through deregulation of the Enrons, where millions of working Americans--people who are struggling to hold on to just the one house they have, Senator--lost their futures, their opportunities to educate their children, and their dreams of not being "burdens" to their children. You have presided over the greatest redistribution of wealth in American history. The disparity between CEO/CFO salaries versus the average salary in any given company is today greater than it was in the Roaring Twenties, because YOU MADE IT HAPPEN! You declared war on the middle class, and reduced it dramatically. You declared war on the poor in limiting welfare and unemployment benefits. And you shifted trillions in responsibility for our national debt to the middle class and working poor through your Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest 2% of Americans during your illegal war! Back when you were a man of integrity, you knew that that policy was atrocious. Since you've needed the Neocons to get you to the White House, you've kissed every policy [anatomy] they've stuck in your face! You have bankrupted the nation through your unquestioning support for George W. Bush's personal vendetta against Saddam Hussein and his people. And now you want to tax the insurance benefit of working Americans? Because your contributors don't like having to lay out that money for their employees? You say that Sen. Obama wants to spread the wealth around? What about your work to move the wealth into the fewest hands possible? How you have the [different anatomy] to accuse anyone else of calling for class warfare is beyond me.
You have moved into a special place: I have long held King George II to be the most reprehensible public figure of my lifetime. You, sir, have displaced him. The reason is simple: the moron believes his own [fertilizer]. You knew better, Senator. You knew better until you decided that the only way to get the brass ring was to bring in Bill Kristol and Karl Rove and all of the other [illigitimi] that have destroyed this country over the last eight years. You asked tonight how the Democrats could talk about spending more when the deficit is $10 trillion. You ran up that deficit every day of your immoral war in Iraq. You did this, you and your cronies. You are a liar. Just as George W. Bush has done to our country, you have squandered every bit of integrity you ever held. Now, you are even inciting violence toward Sen. Obama through your incendiary rhetoric to the enlightened voters who make up the 22% of the American public who still approve of the Occupier of the White House.
You should be ashamed of yourself. You once knew better.
I'll say this slowly, so that you can understand, Sen. McCain: you, and those who have bought and sold jerks like you for the last almost 30 years, have been conducting class warfare. You are the people who shut down any increases in the minimum wage. You legislated deregulation of business to the point that jobs could be shipped out, unions could be shut out, and wages have pancaked as a result. You sat by and presided over the loss of pension funds through deregulation of the Enrons, where millions of working Americans--people who are struggling to hold on to just the one house they have, Senator--lost their futures, their opportunities to educate their children, and their dreams of not being "burdens" to their children. You have presided over the greatest redistribution of wealth in American history. The disparity between CEO/CFO salaries versus the average salary in any given company is today greater than it was in the Roaring Twenties, because YOU MADE IT HAPPEN! You declared war on the middle class, and reduced it dramatically. You declared war on the poor in limiting welfare and unemployment benefits. And you shifted trillions in responsibility for our national debt to the middle class and working poor through your Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest 2% of Americans during your illegal war! Back when you were a man of integrity, you knew that that policy was atrocious. Since you've needed the Neocons to get you to the White House, you've kissed every policy [anatomy] they've stuck in your face! You have bankrupted the nation through your unquestioning support for George W. Bush's personal vendetta against Saddam Hussein and his people. And now you want to tax the insurance benefit of working Americans? Because your contributors don't like having to lay out that money for their employees? You say that Sen. Obama wants to spread the wealth around? What about your work to move the wealth into the fewest hands possible? How you have the [different anatomy] to accuse anyone else of calling for class warfare is beyond me.
You have moved into a special place: I have long held King George II to be the most reprehensible public figure of my lifetime. You, sir, have displaced him. The reason is simple: the moron believes his own [fertilizer]. You knew better, Senator. You knew better until you decided that the only way to get the brass ring was to bring in Bill Kristol and Karl Rove and all of the other [illigitimi] that have destroyed this country over the last eight years. You asked tonight how the Democrats could talk about spending more when the deficit is $10 trillion. You ran up that deficit every day of your immoral war in Iraq. You did this, you and your cronies. You are a liar. Just as George W. Bush has done to our country, you have squandered every bit of integrity you ever held. Now, you are even inciting violence toward Sen. Obama through your incendiary rhetoric to the enlightened voters who make up the 22% of the American public who still approve of the Occupier of the White House.
You should be ashamed of yourself. You once knew better.
That's Entertainment!
I know that the Phillies beat the Dodgers for the NL pennant tonight, but I haven't watched it yet. Missed the presidential debate, too. Had another engagement.
Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt played the Orpheum tonight.
Theirs was as fun as any concert I've attended in, like, forever. Two guys, obviously friends of long-standing, obviously caught up in a mutual admiration society professionally speaking, seated together in chairs with guitars. They played and cut up for two and a half hours. It went by like minutes.
Hiatt is one of my very favorite musicians. He's like Willie Nelson in that he came to prominence with other people recording his songs. His performances of them are always superior. His lyrics are worlds apart from most of the crap being peddled today, but that's the saddest part of the record companies' desire to market everything to the average 12 year old girl. I loved my daughters dearly when they were at that stage, but I didn't listen to their "music." John writes and performs grownup songs for grownups. Oddly, there were no preteens in the building tonight. Heaven!
Lyle Lovett is one of the most wonderful human beings on the planet. He may be the smartest person writing songs today. His work is just a little off-kilter, a rhyme a letter off, a beat missing-or added-every now and then. He's also just plain funny.
The format let the performers' personalities out tonight. They talked, like the old friends they are, between each song. They took turns, helped each other on a couple of tunes, and provided a thoroughly delightful evening for all in attendance.
Just one objection: what is it that tells middle-aged people (of which I am one) that it is still alright to get loaded and act like jerks in public? I do remember my first beer, and how stupid it made me; it's just that for me, that came at age 16. Attention, my fellow suburbanites (not by choice in my case!): drunk and obnoxious at 50 ain't cute any more. Grow the hell up! And while you're at it, try to remember that we all paid good money to hear the artists. No one, especially your humiliated wife, came to watch/listen to you make a complete and total jackass out of yourself! Why not save that for the next fit you pitch at Southwind after hitting into the lake on number six? At least that way, I won't have to experience your moronic behavior.
Back to the enjoyable: we had dinner at Cafe 61 before the show. It was our first visit. Holy cow, will we be back again! Kingston scallops appetizer (sauteed in jerk sauce) followed by Scallops Henri (me) and Pecan-crusted Catfish with Sauteed Shrimp (the boss lady). Too good to be legal! Give the place a try. It's worth it.
So, the National League crowned a champion, the Presidential race moved...forward(?), the economy remains in the crapper, but it was a stellar night for the roommate and me. I'll take that anytime!
Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt played the Orpheum tonight.
Theirs was as fun as any concert I've attended in, like, forever. Two guys, obviously friends of long-standing, obviously caught up in a mutual admiration society professionally speaking, seated together in chairs with guitars. They played and cut up for two and a half hours. It went by like minutes.
Hiatt is one of my very favorite musicians. He's like Willie Nelson in that he came to prominence with other people recording his songs. His performances of them are always superior. His lyrics are worlds apart from most of the crap being peddled today, but that's the saddest part of the record companies' desire to market everything to the average 12 year old girl. I loved my daughters dearly when they were at that stage, but I didn't listen to their "music." John writes and performs grownup songs for grownups. Oddly, there were no preteens in the building tonight. Heaven!
Lyle Lovett is one of the most wonderful human beings on the planet. He may be the smartest person writing songs today. His work is just a little off-kilter, a rhyme a letter off, a beat missing-or added-every now and then. He's also just plain funny.
The format let the performers' personalities out tonight. They talked, like the old friends they are, between each song. They took turns, helped each other on a couple of tunes, and provided a thoroughly delightful evening for all in attendance.
Just one objection: what is it that tells middle-aged people (of which I am one) that it is still alright to get loaded and act like jerks in public? I do remember my first beer, and how stupid it made me; it's just that for me, that came at age 16. Attention, my fellow suburbanites (not by choice in my case!): drunk and obnoxious at 50 ain't cute any more. Grow the hell up! And while you're at it, try to remember that we all paid good money to hear the artists. No one, especially your humiliated wife, came to watch/listen to you make a complete and total jackass out of yourself! Why not save that for the next fit you pitch at Southwind after hitting into the lake on number six? At least that way, I won't have to experience your moronic behavior.
Back to the enjoyable: we had dinner at Cafe 61 before the show. It was our first visit. Holy cow, will we be back again! Kingston scallops appetizer (sauteed in jerk sauce) followed by Scallops Henri (me) and Pecan-crusted Catfish with Sauteed Shrimp (the boss lady). Too good to be legal! Give the place a try. It's worth it.
So, the National League crowned a champion, the Presidential race moved...forward(?), the economy remains in the crapper, but it was a stellar night for the roommate and me. I'll take that anytime!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
A Fascinating Moment in the Campaign
Tuesday mornings bring one of my favorite hours of the week: a Bible Study with a lovely group of ladies who have, in some cases, just reached retirement age, and in other cases, have long since passed that point. The youngest member of the group is about 63. The eldest, 84. I am fairly certain that they are all voting for Sen. McCain.
But this morning, I left the meeting stunned. As we were concluding our look at Esther, with my comment on how the Jews in that story went from trying to hide their identity when Haman (look it up if you need to) was running the show, to seeing others trying to claim Jewish identity when Mordecai (again, look it up if you need to) got the reins.
At that moment, the lady who sort of leads the group said, "Why don't they ever call Obama white?" Another immediately jumped in, "Yes, his mother was white. He is as white as he is black." Others contributed that they had wondered why this child of a biracial marriage is considered black.
I have read the polls for weeks. I have pored over realclearpolitics.com, electoral-vote.com and fivethirtyeight.com constantly. I have watched Barack's numbers rise. But I don't know that I ever really believed he could win this election until this morning. If a group of rural, southern, older, white women who have probably voted Republican since 1968 can sit together wondering why the junior Senator from Illinois isn't generally considered a member of their own racial group, then this remarkable man has this election in the bag!
Because their comments mean that they have digested all of the charges about his religion, his education, his pastor, his tangential relationship to William Ayers, and all the rest of the garbage that has been thrown at him, and seen through it all. It means that they have recognized the son of a single mother, the young man who worked his way through college, the husband and father, the Harvard-trained lawyer who went to work for the poor and unemployed of Chicago, the brilliant young man who has risen through the Illinois legislature to the United States Senate, and inspired tens of millions of people across the country in his amazing campaign for the presidency, and they have decided that, even if they are still voting for his opponent, Barack Obama is ok with them.
And if Barack is ok with that group of ladies, the United States of America has made progress that we can all be proud of!
But this morning, I left the meeting stunned. As we were concluding our look at Esther, with my comment on how the Jews in that story went from trying to hide their identity when Haman (look it up if you need to) was running the show, to seeing others trying to claim Jewish identity when Mordecai (again, look it up if you need to) got the reins.
At that moment, the lady who sort of leads the group said, "Why don't they ever call Obama white?" Another immediately jumped in, "Yes, his mother was white. He is as white as he is black." Others contributed that they had wondered why this child of a biracial marriage is considered black.
I have read the polls for weeks. I have pored over realclearpolitics.com, electoral-vote.com and fivethirtyeight.com constantly. I have watched Barack's numbers rise. But I don't know that I ever really believed he could win this election until this morning. If a group of rural, southern, older, white women who have probably voted Republican since 1968 can sit together wondering why the junior Senator from Illinois isn't generally considered a member of their own racial group, then this remarkable man has this election in the bag!
Because their comments mean that they have digested all of the charges about his religion, his education, his pastor, his tangential relationship to William Ayers, and all the rest of the garbage that has been thrown at him, and seen through it all. It means that they have recognized the son of a single mother, the young man who worked his way through college, the husband and father, the Harvard-trained lawyer who went to work for the poor and unemployed of Chicago, the brilliant young man who has risen through the Illinois legislature to the United States Senate, and inspired tens of millions of people across the country in his amazing campaign for the presidency, and they have decided that, even if they are still voting for his opponent, Barack Obama is ok with them.
And if Barack is ok with that group of ladies, the United States of America has made progress that we can all be proud of!
Ugly, Uglier, Ugliest (I Hope)
Games 2, 3 and 4 of the American League Championship Series are in the books. And those are some lousy books for Red Sox fans.
Facing a 3-1 deficit, Sox fans are busy reminding ourselves that ours is the team that has made an art form of coming back in the ALCS. Last year, Cleveland was ahead 3-1. In 2004, Glorious 2004, the Yankees were up 3-0. 1986 saw the Angels up 3-1. In fact, the Red Sox have been the victors in half of the League Championship Series when a team has gone down 3-1 and come back to win. That's comfort, I guess.
There are only two problems.
First, the Rays are good. Make that, very good. They may well be better than the 2004 Yankees. I am confident that they are better than the '07 Indians or '86 Angels. Joe Maddon leads an excellent squad, with no real holes evident to date in this Championship Series.
Then, there are the absences. The only two Red Sox ever named World Series MVP aren't playing in this series.
One is Mike Lowell. Is anyone ever going to acknowledge Mikey's importance to this team? He is as vital a presence as Varitek; he just doesn't have the "C" on his shirt. As great as Beckett has been, nobody simply calls it "the Beckett deal" any more. Mark Kotsay has done a remarkable job handling first base this postseason. But it simply cannot be argued that the Sox are stronger with Kotsay at first and Youk at third than they are with Mike Lowell at third and Youk at first. Mike is having surgery on his hip next Monday. God bless, and get ready for Spring Training. We need you back!
Finally, He Whose Name Shall Not be Spoken is out West. He likes the big stage; the Dodgers wouldn't even be in the playoffs without his performance with all the cameras rolling. He had become too big a pain in the ass to overlook any more. The deal had to be made. Jason Bay has been excellent in his place. But the predecessor will be remembered in baseball history as one of the top five right-handed hitters in the game. Ever. (My top five: HWNSNBS, Jimmy Foxx, Rogers Hornsby, Hank Aaron and Honus Wagner. Albert Pujols may very well knock someone out of this group someday. Albert had his elbow surgery yesterday. God bless, and get well soon!) David Ortiz has not been the same since the trade. There is a lot of speculation that Papi's wrist is still bad; or perhaps it's the knee. But it may be between the ears, lacking his partner, where the big man is hurting the most.
They can certainly pull this off. They have, indeed, done it before.
But the Rays are good. And we're not as formidable as when those two World Series MVPs were in the cleanup and five spots.
Facing a 3-1 deficit, Sox fans are busy reminding ourselves that ours is the team that has made an art form of coming back in the ALCS. Last year, Cleveland was ahead 3-1. In 2004, Glorious 2004, the Yankees were up 3-0. 1986 saw the Angels up 3-1. In fact, the Red Sox have been the victors in half of the League Championship Series when a team has gone down 3-1 and come back to win. That's comfort, I guess.
There are only two problems.
First, the Rays are good. Make that, very good. They may well be better than the 2004 Yankees. I am confident that they are better than the '07 Indians or '86 Angels. Joe Maddon leads an excellent squad, with no real holes evident to date in this Championship Series.
Then, there are the absences. The only two Red Sox ever named World Series MVP aren't playing in this series.
One is Mike Lowell. Is anyone ever going to acknowledge Mikey's importance to this team? He is as vital a presence as Varitek; he just doesn't have the "C" on his shirt. As great as Beckett has been, nobody simply calls it "the Beckett deal" any more. Mark Kotsay has done a remarkable job handling first base this postseason. But it simply cannot be argued that the Sox are stronger with Kotsay at first and Youk at third than they are with Mike Lowell at third and Youk at first. Mike is having surgery on his hip next Monday. God bless, and get ready for Spring Training. We need you back!
Finally, He Whose Name Shall Not be Spoken is out West. He likes the big stage; the Dodgers wouldn't even be in the playoffs without his performance with all the cameras rolling. He had become too big a pain in the ass to overlook any more. The deal had to be made. Jason Bay has been excellent in his place. But the predecessor will be remembered in baseball history as one of the top five right-handed hitters in the game. Ever. (My top five: HWNSNBS, Jimmy Foxx, Rogers Hornsby, Hank Aaron and Honus Wagner. Albert Pujols may very well knock someone out of this group someday. Albert had his elbow surgery yesterday. God bless, and get well soon!) David Ortiz has not been the same since the trade. There is a lot of speculation that Papi's wrist is still bad; or perhaps it's the knee. But it may be between the ears, lacking his partner, where the big man is hurting the most.
They can certainly pull this off. They have, indeed, done it before.
But the Rays are good. And we're not as formidable as when those two World Series MVPs were in the cleanup and five spots.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Baseball Will Drive You Crazy
They win the first game behind a very questionable pitcher.
The best postseason pitcher of his generation gets shelled in the second game, and the manager leaves him in to take the beating, inning after inning after inning.
In the third game, this season's best pitcher gets beat all to pieces and the team is routed.
Game four is tomorrow.
Points 1-3 are among the reasons the game makes you feel sick.
Point 4 is always why you come back for more.
Go get 'em, Wake!
The best postseason pitcher of his generation gets shelled in the second game, and the manager leaves him in to take the beating, inning after inning after inning.
In the third game, this season's best pitcher gets beat all to pieces and the team is routed.
Game four is tomorrow.
Points 1-3 are among the reasons the game makes you feel sick.
Point 4 is always why you come back for more.
Go get 'em, Wake!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
A 1-1 Tie in the ALCS
Five hours and 28 minutes after it began, the Rays scored on a sacrifice fly to take a 9-8 decision.
It wasn't pretty. Seven home runs and 14 walks? Five walks in the final inning? And at the end, Joe Maddon had to use a kid that threw his first pitch as a professional player in late May, while Terry Francona was left with a 42 year old reliever who hadn't pitched since September 28, and wasn't even on the roster for the Divisional Series. At the end, David Price had his first Major League win, and Mike Timlin had taken a very hard loss. We needn't go into how hard Sam Holbrook was squeezing Sarge; John Farrell's ejection--the so even-keeled John Farrell?--says all that needs to be said there.
Some will say that J.D. Drew's failure to get some momentum toward the plate on Upton's fly is a sympton of his back problem. I say it's a sympton of his indifference toward the game, but that's just me.
If someone had offered Francona a split before the series started, he'd have taken it. After tonight, there's still some disappointment. But Jon Lester will pitch Monday afternoon, and Dan Wheeler pitched a full week for a closer tonight (48 pitches). And home field has shifted to the Sox. Mission accomplished. The series isn't over, but mission accomplished.
And not like Bush claimed it on the ship.
It wasn't pretty. Seven home runs and 14 walks? Five walks in the final inning? And at the end, Joe Maddon had to use a kid that threw his first pitch as a professional player in late May, while Terry Francona was left with a 42 year old reliever who hadn't pitched since September 28, and wasn't even on the roster for the Divisional Series. At the end, David Price had his first Major League win, and Mike Timlin had taken a very hard loss. We needn't go into how hard Sam Holbrook was squeezing Sarge; John Farrell's ejection--the so even-keeled John Farrell?--says all that needs to be said there.
Some will say that J.D. Drew's failure to get some momentum toward the plate on Upton's fly is a sympton of his back problem. I say it's a sympton of his indifference toward the game, but that's just me.
If someone had offered Francona a split before the series started, he'd have taken it. After tonight, there's still some disappointment. But Jon Lester will pitch Monday afternoon, and Dan Wheeler pitched a full week for a closer tonight (48 pitches). And home field has shifted to the Sox. Mission accomplished. The series isn't over, but mission accomplished.
And not like Bush claimed it on the ship.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Holy Mackerel!
The pregame question has certainly been answered: Josh Beckett is most certainly not right. But then again, neither was Scott Kazmir.
The Sox and Rays have tied a Major League postseason record with seven home runs hit between them, and they are only through the top of the fifth! Fortunately, the Sox had three of them in this inning, to take a 6-5 lead. Beckett could still get a win, if he can get through another half inning!
Concern will be high for both teams, as each has watched their ace fall far, far short of an ace's performance.
The Sox and Rays have tied a Major League postseason record with seven home runs hit between them, and they are only through the top of the fifth! Fortunately, the Sox had three of them in this inning, to take a 6-5 lead. Beckett could still get a win, if he can get through another half inning!
Concern will be high for both teams, as each has watched their ace fall far, far short of an ace's performance.
ALCS Game 2 Advisory
Red Sox Nation will get a clue early in this game whether or not Josh Beckett is going to be able to be Josh Beckett. If he is himself, someone in the Rays' lineup-and I would guess Evan Longoria-will get a visit, and will get it early.
There was a strong sense in the Sox' clubhouse last night that Grant Balfour came in toward J.D. Drew's head with purpose. Of course, J.D. fortunately shrugged quickly enough to take the ball off of the top of his shoulder. Josh Beckett has never, ever, needed to be told to answer a challenge. If Josh is well--read that as if he is confident--he will respond for Drew. If he doesn't, I will have questions about his health.
There was a strong sense in the Sox' clubhouse last night that Grant Balfour came in toward J.D. Drew's head with purpose. Of course, J.D. fortunately shrugged quickly enough to take the ball off of the top of his shoulder. Josh Beckett has never, ever, needed to be told to answer a challenge. If Josh is well--read that as if he is confident--he will respond for Drew. If he doesn't, I will have questions about his health.
Words-Even Politicians' Words-Matter
When you are the leaders of your party, the candidates for the two highest offices in the land, what you say matters. No one who has risen in American life to those kinds of positions should have to be told that.
And yet, Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin don't get it.
They are trying to get a handle on why their crowds have spent the last week screaming out that Sen. Barack Obama is a "terrorist" or "Arab" or "Moslem" or "socialist" or "off with his head" or even "kill him." McCain, in particular, seems to almost be frightened at the insane tone some of his supporters have taken in regard to Sen. Obama.
Where did all this come from?
Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin.
When you tell people that someone spends his time "palling around with terrorists" or that he is a "danger to our way of life" or that "he has put ambition over country" or that Obama and Biden would "wave a white flag of surrender in Iraq," you cannot deny responsibility for people taking those statements to heart. Unbelievably to me, somewhere around 43% of the people in this country trust you.
You have both behaved despicably. Your rhetoric has gone far beyond anything that is acceptable. Obama and Biden have criticized your policies. They have not questioned your love for our country. They have not lied about your faith. They have not attacked your friends in the clergy, and, Sen. McCain, you have hung out with John Hagee for goodness sake!
Let's take the logical step.
You both should understand that if any of your supporters decide that they need to put action to their words, you, ultimately, will be responsible for that, too.
Sober up. Look for some sort of decency. Debate all of the issues you wish. That's what elections are for. But stop lying to that segment of your cretins who don't understand about your political bullshit on who Barack Obama is.
You shouldn't want to bear the responsibility for what some of those people might do.
And yet, Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin don't get it.
They are trying to get a handle on why their crowds have spent the last week screaming out that Sen. Barack Obama is a "terrorist" or "Arab" or "Moslem" or "socialist" or "off with his head" or even "kill him." McCain, in particular, seems to almost be frightened at the insane tone some of his supporters have taken in regard to Sen. Obama.
Where did all this come from?
Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin.
When you tell people that someone spends his time "palling around with terrorists" or that he is a "danger to our way of life" or that "he has put ambition over country" or that Obama and Biden would "wave a white flag of surrender in Iraq," you cannot deny responsibility for people taking those statements to heart. Unbelievably to me, somewhere around 43% of the people in this country trust you.
You have both behaved despicably. Your rhetoric has gone far beyond anything that is acceptable. Obama and Biden have criticized your policies. They have not questioned your love for our country. They have not lied about your faith. They have not attacked your friends in the clergy, and, Sen. McCain, you have hung out with John Hagee for goodness sake!
Let's take the logical step.
You both should understand that if any of your supporters decide that they need to put action to their words, you, ultimately, will be responsible for that, too.
Sober up. Look for some sort of decency. Debate all of the issues you wish. That's what elections are for. But stop lying to that segment of your cretins who don't understand about your political bullshit on who Barack Obama is.
You shouldn't want to bear the responsibility for what some of those people might do.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Seminar: Why Terry Francona is So Good!
The Sox entered the bottom of the eighth inning tonight with a 2-0 lead. Daisuke Matsuzaka had pitched a better game than anyone (including me) had a right to expect. Dice was sitting at 108 pitches. He had given up only two hits, along with the requisite pile of walks (4). Iwamura led off Tampa's eighth with a single to left-center. Upton followed with a hometown-scored single off Youkilis' glove. First and second, none out. Dice was obviously gassed, at 116 pitches.
Tito came to get Dice, and put Okijima in for Carlos Pena, the Rays' primary (that means only) consistent deep threat. Sure, that looks like the standard lefty-lefty matchup. But Oki hasn't been nearly as good this year as last at stranding inherited runners. Last year, nobody scored on him. This year, not so good. But Tito has to have a confident Oki to win the World Series. So the manager showed confidence in his man. Oki proceeded to dig a 3-0 hole, but Pena couldn't bring himself to take a strike. It took a running J.D. Drew catch, but Pena lined out. One down. Five outs to go. And Oki got his job done!
Papelbon? We have another game tomorrow night. Five outs tonight means no Pap tomorrow. Tito went for Justin Masterson. Justin's a rookie, but he's been the designated "Get us a double play" guy since he came up. At 2-2, sure AL Rookie of the Year Evan Longoria accommodated Red Sox Nation with a beautifully turned 6-4-3 DP. Two pitchers who need to be good, were. And the bullpen is stronger mentally (Oki and Masterson) and physically (Pap pitching only the 9th).
So, lead intact at 2-0, Pap comes on for the bottom of the ninth. At 1-2, Carl Crawford waves weakly at a 95 mph burner; one out. Cliff Floyd looks old and tired watching pitches at 96, 96, 94 and 95, popping the last one halfway up the third base line where Youk took it in foul territory. Two down. That left Navarro. 95-strike, 91-ball, 95-fouled weakly, 91-in the dirt, swinging strike three. Three down, game over, and that's that.
Everyone's up. Everyone was put into a position where they could do their job. Everyone's available tomorrow night.
And the Sox lead 1-0.
Because their manager is as good as anybody in the business.
Nice job, again, Tito!
Tito came to get Dice, and put Okijima in for Carlos Pena, the Rays' primary (that means only) consistent deep threat. Sure, that looks like the standard lefty-lefty matchup. But Oki hasn't been nearly as good this year as last at stranding inherited runners. Last year, nobody scored on him. This year, not so good. But Tito has to have a confident Oki to win the World Series. So the manager showed confidence in his man. Oki proceeded to dig a 3-0 hole, but Pena couldn't bring himself to take a strike. It took a running J.D. Drew catch, but Pena lined out. One down. Five outs to go. And Oki got his job done!
Papelbon? We have another game tomorrow night. Five outs tonight means no Pap tomorrow. Tito went for Justin Masterson. Justin's a rookie, but he's been the designated "Get us a double play" guy since he came up. At 2-2, sure AL Rookie of the Year Evan Longoria accommodated Red Sox Nation with a beautifully turned 6-4-3 DP. Two pitchers who need to be good, were. And the bullpen is stronger mentally (Oki and Masterson) and physically (Pap pitching only the 9th).
So, lead intact at 2-0, Pap comes on for the bottom of the ninth. At 1-2, Carl Crawford waves weakly at a 95 mph burner; one out. Cliff Floyd looks old and tired watching pitches at 96, 96, 94 and 95, popping the last one halfway up the third base line where Youk took it in foul territory. Two down. That left Navarro. 95-strike, 91-ball, 95-fouled weakly, 91-in the dirt, swinging strike three. Three down, game over, and that's that.
Everyone's up. Everyone was put into a position where they could do their job. Everyone's available tomorrow night.
And the Sox lead 1-0.
Because their manager is as good as anybody in the business.
Nice job, again, Tito!
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Happy Birthday John
I took this picture a little over three years ago. The mosaic lies in the Strawberry Fields section of Central Park. It is across the street from The Dakota, where John Lennon lived with Yoko and Sean. Walking up Central Park West, I saw it grow in front of me until the size of the immense building became obvious. Twenty-five years, then, after John was murdered, it gave me chills to be there. Nobody had to tell me which building it was. I couldn't have forgotten the images from the night he was shot if I had tried.One of the happiest October 9ths I have experienced happened six years ago tonight. Paul McCartney was playing the venue then known as the Savvis Center in St. Louis. Shannon and I were fortunate to be in the audience. Paul's shows are always fun, but on that night, he acknowledged that it was John's birthday, and seemed to choke up for a moment. Then, in response to a call from the front of the crowd, he led us in an impromptu "Happy Birthday" to his late partner. Later in the show, Paul played "Something" on a ukelele that George had given him, as a tribute to another departed friend. It was a world away from the anger and hurt of the band's breakup. It truly felt like a little glimpse into the love that the lads from Liverpool had felt for one another.
John should be 68 today. He should be enjoying grandchildren with Yoko. He should still be making his beautiful, startling, searing music. "Double Fantasy" had just served notice that John was still up to the task when his life was cut short.
One of the generational divides: my parents and their contemporaries remember where they were when JFK, MLK and RFK were shot and killed. People my age talk about where they were when Howard Cosell interrupted the broadcast of another dopey Monday Night Football game with the announcement:
"This, we have to say it, remember this is just a football game, no matter who wins or loses. An unspeakable tragedy, confirmed to us by ABC News in New York City: John Lennon, outside of his apartment building on the West Side of New York City, the most famous, perhaps, of all The Beatles, shot twice in the back, rushed to the Roosevelt Hospital, dead on arrival."
The murderer involved actually shot John four times, in front of his wife.
And that night, December 8, 1980, is precisely when the Sixties ended.
Thus Saith The Beer Baroness!
Cindy McCain joined the Lying Express All Stars yesterday. Her Foaminess declared that Barack Obama should try wearing her stilettos (That's her term, not my sarcasm!) for a day. That's because she has a son in Iraq, and Barack voted to cut funds for the troops!
Now...the rest of the story, ie: the truth. Barack Obama voted against a defense appropriation bill for the Iraq war because it did not contain a timetable for bringing home the troops. Here's what Her Royal Kegger left out: her husband, Sen. John McCain, voted against another defense appropriation bill for the Iraq war because it did contain a timetable for bringing home the troops!
Surely Mrs. Drunken Driving Enabler will be back on the hustings today, decrying the lack of patriotism, not to mention fatherly responsibility, that her husband exhibited in denying their own son the bucks to be safe! I would suspect that she will be filing for divorce by the end of the week! How could she, or any mother, stay married to such an irresponsible politician as John McCain?
The reality, of course, is that votes like those described above are usually procedural matters that allow members of the Senate, just like those in the House, to make their stands for the policies that they advocate. The troops were never, are not now, and never will be in fear that they will be stranded in combat zones with no ammunition, inadequate or faulty equipment, or...oh, wait...that's just how those great troop supporters Bush and Cheney sent them into war in the first place!
How many of our kids would be alive, or whole, today if they had had body armor, properly fitted Humvees and everything else they should have had before anyone even thought about sending them into action. Now, there is something to righteously bitch about, Lady Lager!
Now...the rest of the story, ie: the truth. Barack Obama voted against a defense appropriation bill for the Iraq war because it did not contain a timetable for bringing home the troops. Here's what Her Royal Kegger left out: her husband, Sen. John McCain, voted against another defense appropriation bill for the Iraq war because it did contain a timetable for bringing home the troops!
Surely Mrs. Drunken Driving Enabler will be back on the hustings today, decrying the lack of patriotism, not to mention fatherly responsibility, that her husband exhibited in denying their own son the bucks to be safe! I would suspect that she will be filing for divorce by the end of the week! How could she, or any mother, stay married to such an irresponsible politician as John McCain?
The reality, of course, is that votes like those described above are usually procedural matters that allow members of the Senate, just like those in the House, to make their stands for the policies that they advocate. The troops were never, are not now, and never will be in fear that they will be stranded in combat zones with no ammunition, inadequate or faulty equipment, or...oh, wait...that's just how those great troop supporters Bush and Cheney sent them into war in the first place!
How many of our kids would be alive, or whole, today if they had had body armor, properly fitted Humvees and everything else they should have had before anyone even thought about sending them into action. Now, there is something to righteously bitch about, Lady Lager!
Voter Caging
Caging is a really patriotic, Constitution-loving and respecting little political strategy. Here's how it works: you take a list, any list, and send postcards, marked "Do Not Forward" to everyone on that list. If any of those postcards are returned to you, you challenge that voter at the poll as registered under a false address. This stunt has been pulled for years, exclusively by Republicans, almost always in poor communities where there is a higher rate of residential turnover.
Now, here's the truly evil, 2008 version: Republicans in Michigan announced (no kidding) that they were going to take lists of those whose homes have been foreclosed and pull the old caging stunt on those foreclosed upon. Get it? Yes, the Republicans, who love democracy so much that they will destroy your country and kill all your people to make sure you have it, fostered the foreclosure crisis through their orgy of deregulation and making those subprime loans with no money down at 125% of the value of the house, and now intend to benefit from it by challenging the victims--disproportionately lower income, disproportionately darker skinned people. That would be, the very people overwhelming likely to vote for Barack Obama! This scheme makes Jeb Bush and Katherine Harris look like amateurs. Hanging chads, indeed!
Is it a coincidence that after Obama's legal team filed challenges in Michigan to the Republican party's stated intention, the McCain campaign pulled out of that state? Sort of a confession that, playing by the rules and showing common decency, they couldn't compete, don't you think?
This is merely the first volley of the Republican battle to steal another election. They believe that they can do it, because they already got away with it in 2000 and 2004. Watch these assholes; they'll do it again if they get half a chance!
Now, here's the truly evil, 2008 version: Republicans in Michigan announced (no kidding) that they were going to take lists of those whose homes have been foreclosed and pull the old caging stunt on those foreclosed upon. Get it? Yes, the Republicans, who love democracy so much that they will destroy your country and kill all your people to make sure you have it, fostered the foreclosure crisis through their orgy of deregulation and making those subprime loans with no money down at 125% of the value of the house, and now intend to benefit from it by challenging the victims--disproportionately lower income, disproportionately darker skinned people. That would be, the very people overwhelming likely to vote for Barack Obama! This scheme makes Jeb Bush and Katherine Harris look like amateurs. Hanging chads, indeed!
Is it a coincidence that after Obama's legal team filed challenges in Michigan to the Republican party's stated intention, the McCain campaign pulled out of that state? Sort of a confession that, playing by the rules and showing common decency, they couldn't compete, don't you think?
This is merely the first volley of the Republican battle to steal another election. They believe that they can do it, because they already got away with it in 2000 and 2004. Watch these assholes; they'll do it again if they get half a chance!
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
The Rotation is Set
Tito Francona will go to battle with the Rays with his starters in this order:
Game 1, in Tampa or St. Pete or where ever that awful park is: Daisuke Matsuzaka
Game 2, down there, again: Josh Beckett
Game 3, in America's Most Beloved Ballpark: Jon Lester
Game 4, Fenway again: Tim Wakefield
Genius! The man is brilliant.
Daisuke will give you basically the same game, regardless of where he pitches it (9-3, 3.34 at home; 9-0, 2.37 road). He will leave two men on base, minimum, each inning. He will surpass 100 pitches late in the fifth or early in the sixth. I warned The World's Most Generous Friend about what we were in for in Baltimore last August with Dice on the mound. He thought I was joking pregame. About halfway through he turned to me and said, "You weren't kidding at all, were you?" That's Daisuke! He will leave the game with the Sox up a run or two, tied, or down a run. Highly unlikely it will be any more than that in either direction. Perhaps when you are from Japan, everything feels like a road game. Good choice to begin the series.
Josh comes back for the second. He will not be bothered by pitching on the road. In fact, his road ERA was barely half of his home ERA this year (away: 2.85; home: 5.65). He will have a start (Division Series Game 3) under his belt. If he is well, as he says he is, then the rust should be knocked off a bit, and giving him an extra day won't hurt under any circumstances.
Lester in Game 3 is insurance, plain and simple. He has been utterly brilliant at Fenway this year (11-1, 2.49 at Fenway; 5-5, 4.09 away) and any missteps in Games 1 or 2 will be corrected with the best starting pitcher on the staff going in the first home game of the series.
Wake gets the Game 4 start. He earned it this year (7-4, 3.10 at the Fens; 3-7, 5.14 away) and for the last 13 years (Guess who holds third place all time in Red Sox wins? Yep, Wake. With 164 he trails only a couple of guys named Cy Young and Roger Clemens, tied with 192). I like Wake's knuckleball after Beckett and Lester throw hard for a couple of games. Tim went 10-11 this year, but when you look at his ERA (4.13), as the game has changed, he deserved better. He has been effective throughout his career against Tampa, and will be again.
Projecting out through the whole series, if it goes long, Lester will be positioned to pitch a Game 7, which would be outstanding-probably more exciting than I need!
Tito doesn't miss much, and he surely did not miss a foreseeable trick lining up his staff for another ALCS.
Game 1, in Tampa or St. Pete or where ever that awful park is: Daisuke Matsuzaka
Game 2, down there, again: Josh Beckett
Game 3, in America's Most Beloved Ballpark: Jon Lester
Game 4, Fenway again: Tim Wakefield
Genius! The man is brilliant.
Daisuke will give you basically the same game, regardless of where he pitches it (9-3, 3.34 at home; 9-0, 2.37 road). He will leave two men on base, minimum, each inning. He will surpass 100 pitches late in the fifth or early in the sixth. I warned The World's Most Generous Friend about what we were in for in Baltimore last August with Dice on the mound. He thought I was joking pregame. About halfway through he turned to me and said, "You weren't kidding at all, were you?" That's Daisuke! He will leave the game with the Sox up a run or two, tied, or down a run. Highly unlikely it will be any more than that in either direction. Perhaps when you are from Japan, everything feels like a road game. Good choice to begin the series.
Josh comes back for the second. He will not be bothered by pitching on the road. In fact, his road ERA was barely half of his home ERA this year (away: 2.85; home: 5.65). He will have a start (Division Series Game 3) under his belt. If he is well, as he says he is, then the rust should be knocked off a bit, and giving him an extra day won't hurt under any circumstances.
Lester in Game 3 is insurance, plain and simple. He has been utterly brilliant at Fenway this year (11-1, 2.49 at Fenway; 5-5, 4.09 away) and any missteps in Games 1 or 2 will be corrected with the best starting pitcher on the staff going in the first home game of the series.
Wake gets the Game 4 start. He earned it this year (7-4, 3.10 at the Fens; 3-7, 5.14 away) and for the last 13 years (Guess who holds third place all time in Red Sox wins? Yep, Wake. With 164 he trails only a couple of guys named Cy Young and Roger Clemens, tied with 192). I like Wake's knuckleball after Beckett and Lester throw hard for a couple of games. Tim went 10-11 this year, but when you look at his ERA (4.13), as the game has changed, he deserved better. He has been effective throughout his career against Tampa, and will be again.
Projecting out through the whole series, if it goes long, Lester will be positioned to pitch a Game 7, which would be outstanding-probably more exciting than I need!
Tito doesn't miss much, and he surely did not miss a foreseeable trick lining up his staff for another ALCS.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
John McCain: Lying Bastard
In the 2000 Republican primary in South Carolina, John McCain was the target of one of the ugliest, most vile examples of dirty politics in American history. This atrocious attack was perpetrated by Karl Rove on behalf of the governor of Texas, soon to subvert the Constitution of the United States of America by stealing an election won by Al Gore. The lie went like this: Rove, following the example of his guru, the thoroughly evil Lee Atwater, set up a phone bank that posed as a polling agency. The Bush operatives then called Republican voters throughout South Carolina asking those who answered the phone this question: "Would it affect your opinion of Senator McCain to learn that he fathered a mixed-race child out of wedlock?" The reality is that John McCain and his wife had adopted a Viet Namese child, a genuinely noble act. But that little darker-skinned girl looked to many South Carolinians like a black child, and since she was with the Senator and his wife as they campaigned, the Bush campaign scored an upset victory (after having lost in the early primaries to Sen. McCain), and were set on the road to the Republican nomination and, ultimately, their occupation of the White House.
At the time, McCain decried that kind of politics.
As recently as April 24, 2008, McCain told Fox alleged News that he would not engage in negative campaigning, as it had no place in American life.
The Senator has had an epiphany.
He is losing the election to Sen. Barack Obama.
So, now, with Karl Rove on board the "Straight Talk Express" (more of a joke every day), McCain and his Pitbull in Lipstick have labeled Obama a terrorist (his alleged "connection" to Bill Ayers-see the earlier post), have taken up Hillary Clinton's trick of identifying Sen. Obama by his middle name (which I'm guessing he did not choose, as most of us don't), and even, at one of Gov. Palin's rallies today, failed to challenge a shout from the audience for someone to kill Sen. Obama.
These people, these pathetic people, have realized that they are losing the election to Sens. Obama and Biden. And they have decided that the means, any means, will be justified by their ends. But this is what Republicans do.
Look up Katherine Harris from 2000. Look up Kenneth Blackwell from 2004. Look up the Swiftboaters. Look up Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas. When elections don't go the way that Republicans want, they lie, cheat, and, ultimately, steal those elections.
And "maverick" Senators act just like every other piece of garbage that Karl Rove has worked for. Not much rebellion in that. No change, whatsoever, in evidence there. Just the same old garbage we have suffered through for the last eight years!
At the time, McCain decried that kind of politics.
As recently as April 24, 2008, McCain told Fox alleged News that he would not engage in negative campaigning, as it had no place in American life.
The Senator has had an epiphany.
He is losing the election to Sen. Barack Obama.
So, now, with Karl Rove on board the "Straight Talk Express" (more of a joke every day), McCain and his Pitbull in Lipstick have labeled Obama a terrorist (his alleged "connection" to Bill Ayers-see the earlier post), have taken up Hillary Clinton's trick of identifying Sen. Obama by his middle name (which I'm guessing he did not choose, as most of us don't), and even, at one of Gov. Palin's rallies today, failed to challenge a shout from the audience for someone to kill Sen. Obama.
These people, these pathetic people, have realized that they are losing the election to Sens. Obama and Biden. And they have decided that the means, any means, will be justified by their ends. But this is what Republicans do.
Look up Katherine Harris from 2000. Look up Kenneth Blackwell from 2004. Look up the Swiftboaters. Look up Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas. When elections don't go the way that Republicans want, they lie, cheat, and, ultimately, steal those elections.
And "maverick" Senators act just like every other piece of garbage that Karl Rove has worked for. Not much rebellion in that. No change, whatsoever, in evidence there. Just the same old garbage we have suffered through for the last eight years!
Monday, October 06, 2008
Whew!
Jon Lester deserved a win! The defacto ace of the Boston Red Sox was himself tonight, after Josh Beckett wasn't much like himself last night.
Lester's line: 7 innings pitched, 4 hits, O runs, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts.
The bullpen gave up the lead in the eighth, but Lester was awesome!
The cliche says that baseball is a game of inches. The truism was proved again when Jason Varitek chased down Reggie Willits on a failed squeeze bunt attempt by Erick Aybar. The slow-footed, veteran catcher chased down one of the fastest men in the game by running him back to the base, ball in hand ready to throw--in other words, textbook execution of the rundown. That's why Tek is The Captain. The inches reference? Tek tumbled over third base after tagging Willits. As he flipped and hit his mitt on the ground, the ball came loose. Third base umpire Tim Welke ruled a good tag.
At the end, it was Jed Lowrie knocking in Jason Bay. Jed Lowrie and Jason Bay? Lowrie started the season at Pawtucket, expected to jump to the big club next spring. Julio Lugo was the shortstop for the Sox. But Lugo played poorly all year, and wound up injured. Jed got his chance. He made the most of it. He just hit the walkoff single that won the Division Series!
Jason Bay played for Pittsburgh. The Pirates. Going nowhere, no hope, no fans, no nothing. Then Manny was Manny one time too many, or 100 times too many, and Jason wound up in front of the Green Monster. And has provided all of the grit, hustle, determination and daily availability that the Sox have been missing in left field for the last few years.
Lowrie and Bay represent, as the tip of the iceberg, the ability of the front office to do the right thing to build this team and constantly make it better.
Bring on the Devil Rays!
Sunday, October 05, 2008
This Is the Best They Can Come Up With?
This is William Ayers in 1968. He was a member of the Weather Underground. They opposed the Viet Nam war and anything else the US government was up to. They did bad things. Some of those bad things were bombings. In one of their bombings, a San Francisco police officer was killed. In another, the bomb went off unexpectedly, and killed three members of their own group.
Barack Obama was 8 years old when the Weather Underground bombings took place.
This is William Ayers today. In the 1980s, Ayers earned two Masters Degrees and a Doctorate in early childhood education, curriculum development and instruction. He became a respected authority in his field, publishing many articles and books. He was used by Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley as a consultant in remaking the city school system. He served on the board of the Woods Fund, a Chicago charity fighting poverty.
He was an author on an Annenberg Foundation grant that brought $49.2 million to the Chicago city schools.
A young community organizer named Barack Obama was named to the board that oversaw the spending of the Annenberg grant.
When Obama first ran for office, Bill Ayers hosted a fundraiser for him.
Pitbull with Lipstick is now spewing her talking points, attempting to make Barack Obama a terrorist via his "ties" to William Ayers.
I'm glad she's not after me. Because if Obama is a terrorist through William Ayers, I must be a dictator. After all, I've read a book about Adolph Hitler. And another about Josef Stalin. But then again, in a world where the view from some portion of your state constitutes foreign policy experience, I guess it makes sense(?).
Recap: As an 8 year old child, Barack Obama was responsible for the behavior of the Weather Underground.
That brings us to this fine fellow.This is the mug shot of Charles Keating.
The last time that the crooked Republicans (redundant, I know) decided to take all the regulations off of financial institutions, it was the Savings and Loans in the 1980's. Thieves like Keating, operator of Lincoln Savings and Loan, saw their opportunity, but, at the same time, wanted to cover their asses. So, Keating bought protection, in the form of several US Senators, via his campaign contributions. One of those protectors was John McCain.
Keating went to jail for 5 years for his shenanigans. McCain, examined by those rough investigators-his fellow senators-escaped with a reprimand for his "poor judgement."
Today, we're encouraged to elect John McCain our President based on the solidity of his judgement.
What must those ever-vigilant Republican watchdogs think of this fellow, found at age 58 to have protected a crook who stole from grandmas and grandpas all over America? After all, if an 8 year old is responsible, what must be the responsibility of someone almost 60?
This is the best they can do to come up with "dirt" on Barack Obama?
On the Other Hand...
Smiling Dodgers' manager Joe Torre is thinking...a) I'm glad I don't have to drink anymore of that State Farm wheatgrass drink!
b) It sure is good to advance in the playoffs!
c) I really do love L.A.!
d) Manny can be Manny as long as he wants!
e) I wonder what the Yankees are doing these days?
f) Kiss my warm, L.A. loving, still in the playoffs ass, Hank Steinbrenner!
(The correct answer is f!)
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Winter Dilemma in the Fall
As I write, it is Dodgers 3, Cubs 0 in the top of the 8th inning in Game 3 of the NLDS. If that score holds up, the Cubs will be eliminated from the postseason. They will be swept for the second consecutive season.
No major league team wants to be there. But that result will pose a quandry for the Cubs ownership (whoever that may become--Please, God, make it Mark Cuban!), General Manager Jim Hendry and Manager Lou Piniella. It will be much the same dilemma that the Mets and Tigers (both defeated by a poor Cardinals team that caught fire at the right time to win the World Series) had to wrestle with after the 2006 postseason: are we what we looked like in the regular season, or are we what we looked like in the postseason?
The Cubs were the National League's best team most of the summer, but there has been precious little of that ability on display this October.
Dodgers 3, Cubs 1, moving to the bottom of the 8th.
Ryan Dempster became the staff ace as he moved from the closer's role in 2007 to a starting spot this season. Was he worn out in his Game 1 start from all the additional innings he pitched this year? Is Carlos Zambrano Nuke LaLouche, or a fiery latino with tremendous ability? Or is he injured? Is Derek Lee in decline? Or just having a couple of poor seasons, by his standard? Is Kosuke Fukudome a major league player or not? Is Ryan Theriot a starting major league shortstop? Does Jim Edmonds have anything left? Is Reed Johnson an everyday player? Can you afford to have Alfonso Soriano stay in the leadoff role when he is as streaky as he's always been?
Or did they just have the misfortune of having to deal with this year's team of destiny, who got hot at the right time, from the biggest trade deadline acquisition of the year: Manny Ramirez. We'll know more about the Dodgers as they move on to the League Championship Series, and, perhaps, the World Series.
We'll have to wait a bit to know what the Cubs' brass will make of their situation.
There are a lot of questions that another early exit will force upon the Cubs' leadership. I, for one, hope they take their time, get a little distance from this moment, take a deep breath, and think hard about where they are. It may not be as dark as it looks right now.
I just hope Ron Santo lives to see them win it all.
(Note: it ended at 12:10 am, Sunday morning, on a check swing by Soriano. Let the questioning begin.)
No major league team wants to be there. But that result will pose a quandry for the Cubs ownership (whoever that may become--Please, God, make it Mark Cuban!), General Manager Jim Hendry and Manager Lou Piniella. It will be much the same dilemma that the Mets and Tigers (both defeated by a poor Cardinals team that caught fire at the right time to win the World Series) had to wrestle with after the 2006 postseason: are we what we looked like in the regular season, or are we what we looked like in the postseason?
The Cubs were the National League's best team most of the summer, but there has been precious little of that ability on display this October.
Dodgers 3, Cubs 1, moving to the bottom of the 8th.
Ryan Dempster became the staff ace as he moved from the closer's role in 2007 to a starting spot this season. Was he worn out in his Game 1 start from all the additional innings he pitched this year? Is Carlos Zambrano Nuke LaLouche, or a fiery latino with tremendous ability? Or is he injured? Is Derek Lee in decline? Or just having a couple of poor seasons, by his standard? Is Kosuke Fukudome a major league player or not? Is Ryan Theriot a starting major league shortstop? Does Jim Edmonds have anything left? Is Reed Johnson an everyday player? Can you afford to have Alfonso Soriano stay in the leadoff role when he is as streaky as he's always been?
Or did they just have the misfortune of having to deal with this year's team of destiny, who got hot at the right time, from the biggest trade deadline acquisition of the year: Manny Ramirez. We'll know more about the Dodgers as they move on to the League Championship Series, and, perhaps, the World Series.
We'll have to wait a bit to know what the Cubs' brass will make of their situation.
There are a lot of questions that another early exit will force upon the Cubs' leadership. I, for one, hope they take their time, get a little distance from this moment, take a deep breath, and think hard about where they are. It may not be as dark as it looks right now.
I just hope Ron Santo lives to see them win it all.
(Note: it ended at 12:10 am, Sunday morning, on a check swing by Soriano. Let the questioning begin.)
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