Living in NW Indiana can be a lot like living in a DMZ. You're not really part of any particular country, or in our case, state. There were a couple of stories in the news this week that illustrate this point.
On Wednesday, Mitch Davis, the Governor of Indiana, which is technically the state we live in, held a statewide town hall meeting which was "broadcast to every corner of the state." Care to guess which corner was left out? That's right! No TV or radio station in NWI was even given the opportunity to broadcast the meeting. The closest stations to us that had it were in South Bend. We didn't even know about it up here until after the fact. WISH-TV in Indianapolis, which was in charge of the broadcast, said that they offered it to the Chicago stations because we are considered part of that TV market, but obviously, they weren't interested. We do have a local PBS station in Merrillville, but it was not offered the broadcast.
On Thursday, the Chicago Bears announced that playoff tickets would only be available to residents of Illinois. Here in NWI, we're really suburban Chicago. I live closer to the city now than I did when I lived in Deerfield. However, if you want Bears playoff tickets, you're better off living in East St. Louis (293 miles from Soldier Field) than in East Chicago (23 miles from Soldier Field).
Lake and Porter counties could secede from Indiana and nobody would notice. We'd probably be better off except that our governments, especially in Lake County, are comically corrupt and we need the help of the state to keep these guys in line.
I hope everybody has a Happy New Year!
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Merry Christmas!
I apologize for yet another long layoff between posts. Once football's regular season ended, I had a LOT of work to do around my house to get ready not only for the holidays, but also a baby coming in March. Hopefully, I'll have more time to write once Christmas is past.
I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Queen + Paul Rodgers comes to the US
Queen + Paul Rodgers announced a US/Canadian tour for 2006. They'll be in Chicago on March 23, which is a Thursday, which means regional semifinals for the NCAA tournament will be going on. Guess where I'll be?
Friday, November 25, 2005
Long time, no write
Gosh, it's been so long since I've written, I've forgotten just about anything I might have wanted to say. With both football and basketball seasons going on, it's hard to find time to write. Here's a few things rambling around in my head.
* The Sox made a pretty risky deal yesterday, sending CF Aaron Rowand to the Phillies for 1B Jim Thome. I love Thome, but he's on the downside of his career and coming off an injury-marred season. I hate to see the Sox give up their best defensive player and team leader - and a relatively young guy - for Thome at this point in his career. It makes me wonder if the Sox think they can't sign Konerko.
* Kyle Orton is doing a nice job at starting QB for the Bears, who are now 7-3. Like most rookies, he's had some ups and downs, but they are not relying on him to win the games. The Bears have a great defense and a good running game, which takes some pressure off of Orton.
Orton's QB rating of 62.5 won't get him a lot of all-star votes. He's 30th in the NFL in that category. If you throw out that one 5 INT game against the Bengals, his rating is 73.2, which isn't too far off of average. Hard to believe one game could make that much difference.
The one thing that has puzzled me about Orton so far as a Bear is that he seems to be missing guys deep. When he was at Purdue, he was the most accurate deep-ball thrower I had seen in college. It seemed like he was more accurate the farther he threw the ball, but in the pros so far, he's had trouble hooking up on the long ball. Maybe it's just a matter of still learning his receivers. When he starts clicking on the deep ball again, he's really going to take off.
Rex Grossman, whose injury gave Orton the chance to start, is going to be back in uniform this week as the third QB when the Bears play Tampa. Some fans are thinking he should go back in whenever he's ready, but they forget that Grossman has six games experience - total. Orton already has seven WINS. Grossman's career QB rating is 71.1, so it's not like he's the second coming of John Elway.
* Further evidence that there are too many channels: the Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship was on ESPNU yesterday.
* We went to see the Harry Potter movie last night. It was pretty good, although they obviously had to cut a LOT out to make a two-and-a-half hour movie. No house-elves, no Dursleys, and don't-blink-or-you'll-miss-it coverage of the Quidditch World Cup. Even Snape is an afterthought. Still, it's a good movie and the special effects are great.
* My two older boys have just joined Cub Scouts. They're both pretty excited about it and they'll probably do OK, but I remember my efforts at scouting and I wasn't particularly good at it. Hopefully, I can stay out of their way. :)
* The Sox made a pretty risky deal yesterday, sending CF Aaron Rowand to the Phillies for 1B Jim Thome. I love Thome, but he's on the downside of his career and coming off an injury-marred season. I hate to see the Sox give up their best defensive player and team leader - and a relatively young guy - for Thome at this point in his career. It makes me wonder if the Sox think they can't sign Konerko.
* Kyle Orton is doing a nice job at starting QB for the Bears, who are now 7-3. Like most rookies, he's had some ups and downs, but they are not relying on him to win the games. The Bears have a great defense and a good running game, which takes some pressure off of Orton.
Orton's QB rating of 62.5 won't get him a lot of all-star votes. He's 30th in the NFL in that category. If you throw out that one 5 INT game against the Bengals, his rating is 73.2, which isn't too far off of average. Hard to believe one game could make that much difference.
The one thing that has puzzled me about Orton so far as a Bear is that he seems to be missing guys deep. When he was at Purdue, he was the most accurate deep-ball thrower I had seen in college. It seemed like he was more accurate the farther he threw the ball, but in the pros so far, he's had trouble hooking up on the long ball. Maybe it's just a matter of still learning his receivers. When he starts clicking on the deep ball again, he's really going to take off.
Rex Grossman, whose injury gave Orton the chance to start, is going to be back in uniform this week as the third QB when the Bears play Tampa. Some fans are thinking he should go back in whenever he's ready, but they forget that Grossman has six games experience - total. Orton already has seven WINS. Grossman's career QB rating is 71.1, so it's not like he's the second coming of John Elway.
* Further evidence that there are too many channels: the Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship was on ESPNU yesterday.
* We went to see the Harry Potter movie last night. It was pretty good, although they obviously had to cut a LOT out to make a two-and-a-half hour movie. No house-elves, no Dursleys, and don't-blink-or-you'll-miss-it coverage of the Quidditch World Cup. Even Snape is an afterthought. Still, it's a good movie and the special effects are great.
* My two older boys have just joined Cub Scouts. They're both pretty excited about it and they'll probably do OK, but I remember my efforts at scouting and I wasn't particularly good at it. Hopefully, I can stay out of their way. :)
Friday, November 04, 2005
I'm in USA Today
Sorry it's been so long since I've written. This is the time of year when hoops and football collide, leaving me little time to blog. I still have the White Sox on my mind, and I'll get to that eventually. Meantime, I was featured in USA Today today.
Friday, October 21, 2005
World Series pick
This should be a series where runs are tough to come by. Both teams have great starting pitching, although I would give the Sox a slight edge because they have four reliable starters, while the Astros have three. I think the Astros have the edge in the bullpen though with Brad Lidge and some competent setup guys. The Sox bullpen is a concern just because nobody's thrown a pitch in anger in two weeks.
On offense, I think the Sox have an edge, but once again, it's slight. Both teams rely more on small ball than they do the three-run homer, but I think the Sox are better able to generate the long ball at any spot in the lineup.
The National League team always has an edge in its park because AL pitchers aren't used to hitting. On the other hand, NL teams always have someone who can be a decent DH. The Astros have Jeff Bagwell on their bench and he figures to see some time at DH in Chicago.
Both teams are solid in the field, capable of making the spectacular play without sacrificing the routine.
My sincere hope is that we have our first postseason series in 2005 where we don't spend two days micro-analyzing some lousy call by an ump.
Sox in 7.
On offense, I think the Sox have an edge, but once again, it's slight. Both teams rely more on small ball than they do the three-run homer, but I think the Sox are better able to generate the long ball at any spot in the lineup.
The National League team always has an edge in its park because AL pitchers aren't used to hitting. On the other hand, NL teams always have someone who can be a decent DH. The Astros have Jeff Bagwell on their bench and he figures to see some time at DH in Chicago.
Both teams are solid in the field, capable of making the spectacular play without sacrificing the routine.
My sincere hope is that we have our first postseason series in 2005 where we don't spend two days micro-analyzing some lousy call by an ump.
Sox in 7.
Dumbest thing ever written
In Thursday's Sun-Times, Jay Mariotti wrote what is quite possibly the dumbest thing ever printed in a newspaper. Just having it be the dumbest thing he has ever written is quite an accomplishment, but this was at the magic level of stupidity.
He said that if the White Sox don't win the World Series, they will quickly be forgotten in this town.
This is a town that remembers fondly not only its champions (there is a big celebration going on all fall long to commemorate the 1985 Super Bowl champion Bears), but even its losers. The 1969 Cubs are practically revered, and they finished 8 games back of the Mets. The 84 and 2003 Cubs are also legendary teams that came up just short. The White Sox don't get the same play as the Cubs, but the 1959 team didn't win the World Series, and they are still fondly remembered around here.
I'm looking forward to the day when Mariotti leaves town so we can try to quickly forget him.
He said that if the White Sox don't win the World Series, they will quickly be forgotten in this town.
This is a town that remembers fondly not only its champions (there is a big celebration going on all fall long to commemorate the 1985 Super Bowl champion Bears), but even its losers. The 1969 Cubs are practically revered, and they finished 8 games back of the Mets. The 84 and 2003 Cubs are also legendary teams that came up just short. The White Sox don't get the same play as the Cubs, but the 1959 team didn't win the World Series, and they are still fondly remembered around here.
I'm looking forward to the day when Mariotti leaves town so we can try to quickly forget him.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Queen in the US
Well, not exactly Queen. Queen + Paul Rodgers played in New York on Sunday and will play again in LA on Saturday. Unfortunately for me, that's way too far away to go.
If you went, how was it? Paul Rodgers doesn't seem like a logical replacement for Freddie Mercury. I'm not sure anyone is, but I would have never figured it would be him.
If you went, how was it? Paul Rodgers doesn't seem like a logical replacement for Freddie Mercury. I'm not sure anyone is, but I would have never figured it would be him.
Snow in Hell?
The White Sox are going to the World Series. I'm nearly 42 years old and I've never seen a World Series game played in Chicago. It hasn't happened since 1959. I'm not sure if Hell is actually freezing over, but I bet the overcoats are being broken out (it's been a long time for the Sox, but even longer for the Cubs).
Once again, the Sox have to sit and wait a week for an opponent. It looked like Houston had it won last night, but a 2-out, 3-run homer by Albert Pujols in the 9th keeps the NLCS going. I don't think the ball has landed yet. That's why he's the best player in baseball. But, I digress.
In the ALCS, the week of waiting hurt the Sox because they were off their rhythm for game 1. Obviously, things got a lot better after that.
The White Sox pitching in the ALCS was beyond remarkable. Throwing four straight complete games is unheard of in these days of relief specialization. The Sox hadn't done that in the regular season since 1974 and it hadn't been done in the playoffs since the mid-50s. I wonder how the bullpen will do early in the WS considering it will be 2 weeks since most of those guys have pitched in a game. But that's a problem for another day.
A couple more notes:
The two newspapers I get (Chicago Tribune and NW Indiana Times) both had the same headline on the front page: "Party Like It's 1959". That's a reference to the last time the Sox were in the WS.
When the Sox won the AL in 1959, the city set off air raid sirens to celebrate. Some people were frightened by those since they didn't warn anyone they might do that. Last week, an alderman suggested they set them off again if the Sox win, but in this post-9/11 era, that idea got shot down pretty quickly.
Once again, the Sox have to sit and wait a week for an opponent. It looked like Houston had it won last night, but a 2-out, 3-run homer by Albert Pujols in the 9th keeps the NLCS going. I don't think the ball has landed yet. That's why he's the best player in baseball. But, I digress.
In the ALCS, the week of waiting hurt the Sox because they were off their rhythm for game 1. Obviously, things got a lot better after that.
The White Sox pitching in the ALCS was beyond remarkable. Throwing four straight complete games is unheard of in these days of relief specialization. The Sox hadn't done that in the regular season since 1974 and it hadn't been done in the playoffs since the mid-50s. I wonder how the bullpen will do early in the WS considering it will be 2 weeks since most of those guys have pitched in a game. But that's a problem for another day.
A couple more notes:
The two newspapers I get (Chicago Tribune and NW Indiana Times) both had the same headline on the front page: "Party Like It's 1959". That's a reference to the last time the Sox were in the WS.
When the Sox won the AL in 1959, the city set off air raid sirens to celebrate. Some people were frightened by those since they didn't warn anyone they might do that. Last week, an alderman suggested they set them off again if the Sox win, but in this post-9/11 era, that idea got shot down pretty quickly.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Sox get a gift
The White Sox got a gift from the Angels and the umpires last night it its 2-1 win. The first give came in the form of an unearned run in the first, when Jared Washburn's throwing error put Scott Posednik on second. Two outs later, he scored.
The second came from home plate umpire Doug Eddings ruled that the third strike against AJ Pierzynski hit the dirt. Angels C Josh Paul (a former Sox player, BTW) thought he caught it clean and rolled the ball back to the mound as he and his teammates walked off. After swinging and missing, AJ took a step toward the dugout, looking back at Paul. He saw that Paul's glove was coming up from the dirt, so he reacted and ran to first. Home plate ump Doug Eddings ruled him safe, after which a long argument ensued. Eddings asked 3B ump Ed Rapuano for help and Rapuano didn't overrule him, so the call stood. Pablo Ozuna ran for AJ, stole second and scored on Joe Crede's 0-2 shot into the left field corner to win.
Replay showed clearly that Paul caught the ball clean, but the tip of his glove was on the ground when he did. That's why AJ ran. He saw the glove in the dirt and ran just to be sure. The home plate ump, as close as he is, has the worst angle on that play because the catcher blocks his view. AJ is a lefty, so the third base ump is the appeal ump on that play, although the second base ump has a view as well.
The Angels complained that Eddings signaled that he was out. AJ said he never heard him say he was out. He wouldn't hear him say out because on an obvious swing-and-miss strike, no verbal signal is given. You just extend the arm as a visual signal. Some umps have a different signal for strike three, but it's still non-verbal and not very demonstrative in an obvious swing-and-miss situation. That's what Eddings did.
There is no question that the umps blew the call - Paul caught the ball clean and they didn't see it - but the Angels have nobody to blame for the loss but themselves. Catchers are taught to tag the batter if there's any doubt. Paul didn't do that. By the time AJ ran, nobody had the ball anymore, so it was too late to throw him out. Even still, that just opened the door for the Sox. They still had a chance to get Crede out and the Angels didn't do that either.
I'm probably one of the few guys who feels bad for the ump who blew the call, but I used to be an ump too (not at that level, of course). He probably didn't sleep well last night after seeing the replays and probably isn't real excited about spending the next several days in Anaheim.
The second came from home plate umpire Doug Eddings ruled that the third strike against AJ Pierzynski hit the dirt. Angels C Josh Paul (a former Sox player, BTW) thought he caught it clean and rolled the ball back to the mound as he and his teammates walked off. After swinging and missing, AJ took a step toward the dugout, looking back at Paul. He saw that Paul's glove was coming up from the dirt, so he reacted and ran to first. Home plate ump Doug Eddings ruled him safe, after which a long argument ensued. Eddings asked 3B ump Ed Rapuano for help and Rapuano didn't overrule him, so the call stood. Pablo Ozuna ran for AJ, stole second and scored on Joe Crede's 0-2 shot into the left field corner to win.
Replay showed clearly that Paul caught the ball clean, but the tip of his glove was on the ground when he did. That's why AJ ran. He saw the glove in the dirt and ran just to be sure. The home plate ump, as close as he is, has the worst angle on that play because the catcher blocks his view. AJ is a lefty, so the third base ump is the appeal ump on that play, although the second base ump has a view as well.
The Angels complained that Eddings signaled that he was out. AJ said he never heard him say he was out. He wouldn't hear him say out because on an obvious swing-and-miss strike, no verbal signal is given. You just extend the arm as a visual signal. Some umps have a different signal for strike three, but it's still non-verbal and not very demonstrative in an obvious swing-and-miss situation. That's what Eddings did.
There is no question that the umps blew the call - Paul caught the ball clean and they didn't see it - but the Angels have nobody to blame for the loss but themselves. Catchers are taught to tag the batter if there's any doubt. Paul didn't do that. By the time AJ ran, nobody had the ball anymore, so it was too late to throw him out. Even still, that just opened the door for the Sox. They still had a chance to get Crede out and the Angels didn't do that either.
I'm probably one of the few guys who feels bad for the ump who blew the call, but I used to be an ump too (not at that level, of course). He probably didn't sleep well last night after seeing the replays and probably isn't real excited about spending the next several days in Anaheim.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Quick MLCS pix
Sox and Cards in 7 each. Houston has the pitching to hang with the Cards and Anaheim has played the Sox well this year. Even though the Angels have had back-to-back cross country flights, I wouldn't be shocked if they won game 1.
And let me add how pleasant it is that not only don't we have to stomach another Yankees-Red Sox series, but we don't have to put up with either one. Nobody was more surprised than the folks at ESPN that in spite of this tragedy, baseball will continue with its postseason as scheduled.
And let me add how pleasant it is that not only don't we have to stomach another Yankees-Red Sox series, but we don't have to put up with either one. Nobody was more surprised than the folks at ESPN that in spite of this tragedy, baseball will continue with its postseason as scheduled.
Monday, October 10, 2005
Saturday, October 08, 2005
White Sox move on
What a mismatch that turned out to be. The White Sox played nearly perfect baseball in their sweep of the Red Sox. You like small ball? How about that suicide squeeze last night for an insurance run? You like the long ball? Five HRs in Game 1, seven overall. That, along with the Sox usual pitching and defense. Total domination. It will be very difficult to beat the Sox if they keep playing at that level.
The bad news for the Sox is that they have a long time to wait before the next series starts. You hate to sit around when you have that much momentum going.
The bad news for the Sox is that they have a long time to wait before the next series starts. You hate to sit around when you have that much momentum going.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
MLDS Picks
AL - Sox vs Sox - Chicago's pitching hasn't been as dependable since the All-Star break and Scott Posednik, the man who makes the offense go, has slumped since an injury. Not good news when facing the defending champs. Boston in 4.
Angels vs Yankees - The Yankees starting pitching hasn't been special, but they can really hit. But pitching wins in the postseason - supposedly - so I'll take the Angels in 5.
I just hope we don't have to suffer through another Yankees-Red Sox series.
NL - Braves vs Astros. Wasn't this supposed to be the year the Braves finally faltered? Houston came back from the dead to win the wild card. For the Braves to win, its starters will have to carry the load. Altanta in 4.
Padres vs Cards - The Pads barely made it to .500 and the Cards are the best team in baseball. St. Louis in 3, unless they can find a way to win in 2.
Angels vs Yankees - The Yankees starting pitching hasn't been special, but they can really hit. But pitching wins in the postseason - supposedly - so I'll take the Angels in 5.
I just hope we don't have to suffer through another Yankees-Red Sox series.
NL - Braves vs Astros. Wasn't this supposed to be the year the Braves finally faltered? Houston came back from the dead to win the wild card. For the Braves to win, its starters will have to carry the load. Altanta in 4.
Padres vs Cards - The Pads barely made it to .500 and the Cards are the best team in baseball. St. Louis in 3, unless they can find a way to win in 2.
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Sox Win!
They tried to blow it for a while, but a big weekend against the Twins and a poorly-timed collapse by Cleveland leave the Sox as the AL Central champs. Now they can rest up and wait to see who they'll take on in the playoffs.
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Now that's proactive
From WGN Radio host Steve Cochran (paraphrased to the best of my memory):
I'm glad to see that President Bush is being so proactive as Hurricane Rita approaches landfall. He's so prepared that he's already taking the blame for the federal government's slow and ineffective response.
I'm glad to see that President Bush is being so proactive as Hurricane Rita approaches landfall. He's so prepared that he's already taking the blame for the federal government's slow and ineffective response.
Rita impact on sports schedule
Loiusiana has been hit by another hurricane and it has had an impact on the sports schedule. Mostly college football has been impacted since Rita missed the major metropolitan area of Houston.
College football games impacted (that I know of):
Texas St @ Texas A&M (played on Thursday, two days early)
Southern Miss @ Houston (rescheduled to weekend of Nov 12)
SMU @ Houston (originally Nov 12, now Nov 19)
Navy @ Rice (rescheduled to Oct 22)
Tennessee @ LSU (rescheduled to Monday)
Missouri St @ Sam Houston (cancelled)
NW Oklahoma St @ McNeese St (cancelled)
Western Carolina @ Nicholls St (cancelled)
Albany St @ Southern (cancelled)
Texas Southern @ Northwestern St (cancelled)
This is the second cancellation each for Nicholls St, McNeese St and Southern. For McNeese, it's the second time their home opener has been cancelled. McNeese is in Lake Charles, LA, which is very near the area where Rita made landfall.
The Tennessee-LSU game in Baton Rouge has to be considered in doubt even for Monday. Baton Rouge has already received over 7" of rain from Rita with more expected over the weekend as the hurricane moves very slowly up the Texas-Louisiana border area.
There is one more leftover piece of sports info from Katrina. The New Orleans Hornets of the NBA will play most of its season in Oklahoma City at the Ford Center. They did schedule six regular season games for Baton Rouge.
College football games impacted (that I know of):
Texas St @ Texas A&M (played on Thursday, two days early)
Southern Miss @ Houston (rescheduled to weekend of Nov 12)
SMU @ Houston (originally Nov 12, now Nov 19)
Navy @ Rice (rescheduled to Oct 22)
Tennessee @ LSU (rescheduled to Monday)
Missouri St @ Sam Houston (cancelled)
NW Oklahoma St @ McNeese St (cancelled)
Western Carolina @ Nicholls St (cancelled)
Albany St @ Southern (cancelled)
Texas Southern @ Northwestern St (cancelled)
This is the second cancellation each for Nicholls St, McNeese St and Southern. For McNeese, it's the second time their home opener has been cancelled. McNeese is in Lake Charles, LA, which is very near the area where Rita made landfall.
The Tennessee-LSU game in Baton Rouge has to be considered in doubt even for Monday. Baton Rouge has already received over 7" of rain from Rita with more expected over the weekend as the hurricane moves very slowly up the Texas-Louisiana border area.
There is one more leftover piece of sports info from Katrina. The New Orleans Hornets of the NBA will play most of its season in Oklahoma City at the Ford Center. They did schedule six regular season games for Baton Rouge.
Friday, September 23, 2005
Sox broadcast jinxed, bullpen Jenksed
The big series finale with Cleveland Wednesday night was not broadcast in much of Chicago due to satellite problems with Comcast. If you had HDTV, you saw the whole game, because that's on a different transmission system, but cable subscribers didn't join the game until the sixth inning and DirecTV subscribers (like me) missed the entire game.
We didn't miss much. The Sox got pounded 8-0 in front of one of its biggest crowds of the year. Travis Hafner homered twice, and four times total in the series.
Last night, Minnesota came in with Sox-killer Johan Santana, but rookie Brandon McCarthy matched him pitch-for-pitch. The game was 1-1 when both teams turned it over to their bullpens. Both teams blew good scoring chances in the 9th and the Sox blew another in the tenth. New closer Bobby Jenks entered the game in the 11th inning and gave up three runs and the Sox lost 4-1. Jenks has yet to pitch a scoreless inning since being anointed as the closer.
The lead over Cleveland is now a game and a half. The Sox's tragic number is 12, which means they only need to win two of the next seven games to ensure that the season-ending series in Cleveland is relevant. And that's if Cleveland wins out until then.
We didn't miss much. The Sox got pounded 8-0 in front of one of its biggest crowds of the year. Travis Hafner homered twice, and four times total in the series.
Last night, Minnesota came in with Sox-killer Johan Santana, but rookie Brandon McCarthy matched him pitch-for-pitch. The game was 1-1 when both teams turned it over to their bullpens. Both teams blew good scoring chances in the 9th and the Sox blew another in the tenth. New closer Bobby Jenks entered the game in the 11th inning and gave up three runs and the Sox lost 4-1. Jenks has yet to pitch a scoreless inning since being anointed as the closer.
The lead over Cleveland is now a game and a half. The Sox's tragic number is 12, which means they only need to win two of the next seven games to ensure that the season-ending series in Cleveland is relevant. And that's if Cleveland wins out until then.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
A new F-word in Chicago
Federated Department Stores, the owner of Macy's and Bloomingdale's, among many other regional chains, announced yesterday that it would change the name of the Marshall Field's chain based in Chicago to Macy's. The name change doesn't take place until Fall 2006, so they've given themselves time to come to their senses.
Field's is a 153-year-old Chicago institution, whose State St. store is one of the signature buildings in the city. It survived the Chicago Flood and the Great Chicago Fire, but it didn't survive the F-word. You can't grow up in Chicago without being familiar with the Walnut Room and the Christmas decorations in the windows. The building is featured on postcards in Chicago. When it comes to local retail, Field's isn't just the biggest name, but there is no real #2.
Now, F-word comes in and slaps a mediocre New York department store name on it. That's like renaming Wrigley Field "Yankee Stadium," or calling the Hancock Center the "Empire State Building."
Well, I have news for you, F-word. We're very provincial in Chicago. Very. And we hate New York. Killing Field's is bad enough. Naming it Macy's will go over here like New Coke.
F-word will say they're trying to create a national brand. We don't care. We like our local brand. They'll say they can save money using national advertising. We don't care.
Field's has suffered in recent years after Target bought it and tried to turn it into a Wal-Mart, but things had turned around in the last year or so. Now, they've alienated many of the customers they have left, and they're unlikely to win any new ones. Nobody is going to grow up here with memories of Macy's. Not good ones, anyway.
Field's is a 153-year-old Chicago institution, whose State St. store is one of the signature buildings in the city. It survived the Chicago Flood and the Great Chicago Fire, but it didn't survive the F-word. You can't grow up in Chicago without being familiar with the Walnut Room and the Christmas decorations in the windows. The building is featured on postcards in Chicago. When it comes to local retail, Field's isn't just the biggest name, but there is no real #2.
Now, F-word comes in and slaps a mediocre New York department store name on it. That's like renaming Wrigley Field "Yankee Stadium," or calling the Hancock Center the "Empire State Building."
Well, I have news for you, F-word. We're very provincial in Chicago. Very. And we hate New York. Killing Field's is bad enough. Naming it Macy's will go over here like New Coke.
F-word will say they're trying to create a national brand. We don't care. We like our local brand. They'll say they can save money using national advertising. We don't care.
Field's has suffered in recent years after Target bought it and tried to turn it into a Wal-Mart, but things had turned around in the last year or so. Now, they've alienated many of the customers they have left, and they're unlikely to win any new ones. Nobody is going to grow up here with memories of Macy's. Not good ones, anyway.
Sox radio
I haven't listened to the White Sox on radio for at least five years. I no longer remember why I didn't like their radio broadcast, but I do remember that I particularly didn't like Ed Farmer. His partner, John Rooney, will be leaving the Sox radio booth after this season.
Last night, I decided to give them another chance, so I caught the 4th inning on the radio. I now remember why I didn't like them. Not only do they have no chemistry together, but they broadcast the game like they're doing golf.
No, that's not fair to golf announcers. Golf announcers show emotion, even if they do it at a whisper. These guys sound like they're reading the tax code. Cleveland led off the top off of the inning with a home run and they mentioned it in passing, as if their conversation about the deductibility of the cost of Sox playoff tickets was more important. It's like listening to Spock call a game.
When the Sox scored in the bottom of the inning on a two out hit, you almost couldn't hear the announcer over the cheers of the relatively sparse crowd. I was beginning to wonder if they had technical difficulties, but if they did, I'd be grateful.
One of the names kicked around to replace Rooney in the booth is Mike North. For those of you not from around here, North is one of those sports radio guys with more mouth than brains. A lot more. That would definitely change the volume, but with an equal and opposite effect on IQ. I wouldn't listen to that either.
I don't like the Sox TV guys much either, but they're a far cry better than the radio guys.
Last night, I decided to give them another chance, so I caught the 4th inning on the radio. I now remember why I didn't like them. Not only do they have no chemistry together, but they broadcast the game like they're doing golf.
No, that's not fair to golf announcers. Golf announcers show emotion, even if they do it at a whisper. These guys sound like they're reading the tax code. Cleveland led off the top off of the inning with a home run and they mentioned it in passing, as if their conversation about the deductibility of the cost of Sox playoff tickets was more important. It's like listening to Spock call a game.
When the Sox scored in the bottom of the inning on a two out hit, you almost couldn't hear the announcer over the cheers of the relatively sparse crowd. I was beginning to wonder if they had technical difficulties, but if they did, I'd be grateful.
One of the names kicked around to replace Rooney in the booth is Mike North. For those of you not from around here, North is one of those sports radio guys with more mouth than brains. A lot more. That would definitely change the volume, but with an equal and opposite effect on IQ. I wouldn't listen to that either.
I don't like the Sox TV guys much either, but they're a far cry better than the radio guys.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Sox still crashing
The White Sox lead is down to 2.5 games over Cleveland, which is currently in town to face the Sox. The Indians won 7-5 last night after newly anointed closer Bobby Jenks blew his first save. The Sox and Indians face each other five more times. Tonight, tomorrow and three in Cleveland to end the season Sept 30-Oct 2. In between, the Sox host Minnesota and play at Detroit, while Cleveland goes to KC and hosts Tampa.
Come to think of it, that season ending series will probably be irrelevant. The Indians will have clinched by then.
Come to think of it, that season ending series will probably be irrelevant. The Indians will have clinched by then.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Railcats win!
Congratulations to the Gary Railcats, which won the Northern League championship. The Railcats came back from two games down in the series to win the final three. In the deciding game on Sunday, they defeated Fargo’s Brandon Culp, who was 15-0 on the season entering the game.
Friday, September 16, 2005
All time choke in progress?
The White Sox could join the likes of the 1969 Cubs and the 1964 Phillies on the list of the all-time chokers in baseball history.
On August 1st, the Sox had a 15-game lead in the AL Central. Entering today, the lead over second-place Cleveland is 4.5 games, with six remaining between the teams. The 69 Cubs had an 8.5 game lead on August 1st over the Mets before blowing it. The 64 Phils had a six-game lead with ten to play. That's the all-time choke record, sprint division. The Sox are looking to beat the Cubs (and perhaps others, but none come to mind) in the marathon division.
On August 1st, the Sox had a 15-game lead in the AL Central. Entering today, the lead over second-place Cleveland is 4.5 games, with six remaining between the teams. The 69 Cubs had an 8.5 game lead on August 1st over the Mets before blowing it. The 64 Phils had a six-game lead with ten to play. That's the all-time choke record, sprint division. The Sox are looking to beat the Cubs (and perhaps others, but none come to mind) in the marathon division.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Saints find homes
The NFL announced yesterday that the Saints would play home games in San Antonio and Baton Rouge. The games against Buffalo, Atlanta and Detroit will be played in the Alamodome in San Antonio, while the games against Miami, Tampa, Carolina and the Bears will be played at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge.
Brown quits
Mike Brown finally quit on Monday as head of FEMA, but he even messed that up. He did it while President Bush was touring Mississippi and Louisiana (again), and as a result, the president was the last to know that he quit. Reporters started questioning Bush about the resignation after his visit and he didn't seem to know about it.
Brown was replaced by R. David Paulison, who had been the head of the US Fire Administration department within FEMA and was head of Emergency Preparedness from 2003-2004.
Brown was replaced by R. David Paulison, who had been the head of the US Fire Administration department within FEMA and was head of Emergency Preparedness from 2003-2004.
Monday, September 12, 2005
Chief Justice Burns
Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed that Chief Justice nominee John Roberts looks like Frank Burns from M*A*S*H?
(and they're both from Indiana!)
(and they're both from Indiana!)
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Mark or Scott, does it really matter?
I'm watching the Bears game and Dick Stockton keeps calling Washington QB Mark Brunell "Scott Brunell." Even after his partner corrected him, he keeps calling him "Scott." Mark Brunell has been in the league for years. You'd think they'd get his name right.
Saturday, September 10, 2005
It's not just the democrats
The poor federal response to the Katrina disaster has been jumped on by the democrats, as you might expect. But not all of the criticism is coming from them, as the administration (and Fox News) would have you believe.
Ultra-conservative columnist Robert Novak, had this take.
As an aside, Bush lost me about a year or so ago when I read in an interview where was quoted as saying that he did not make mistakes. He was serious. Novak alludes to the dangers of this level of arrogance in his column as well.
Ultra-conservative columnist Robert Novak, had this take.
As an aside, Bush lost me about a year or so ago when I read in an interview where was quoted as saying that he did not make mistakes. He was serious. Novak alludes to the dangers of this level of arrogance in his column as well.
Friday, September 09, 2005
You're doing a heck of a job, Brownie. Now get out.
One week ago, President Bush insulted everyone's intelligence by telling FEMA director Mike Brown during a news conference that he was "doing a heck of a job," complete with sycophantic applause in the background. Now Brown's appears to be out of his job.
He was relieved of his duties as director of FEMA's Katrina relief operations and was replaced by Coast Guard Vice Admiral Thad Allen. He was sent back to Washington to pack up his desk.
Just kidding! So far as I know. Director of Homeland Insecurity Michael Chertoff said he was going back to Washington to resume day-to-day administration of FEMA and get ready in case we have another emergency. God help us.
Earlier today, Time magazine reported that Brown exaggerated his experience on his resume, saying he was in charge of emergency management in Edmond, OK as an assistant city manager. In fact, the magazine reported, he was an assistant to the city manager. He was, in effect, a glorified intern with no emergency management responsibilities. The only emergencies he responded to were office coffee shortages.
Most of the political analysts on the three major cable news channels (CNN, Fox News, MSNBC) all equate Brown's removal with the first step of his resignation or firing, which is expected this weekend, when most newsies are watching football and not paying attention. The Fox analyst was particularly harsh, saying "Mike Brown was fired today. We'll never see him again."
For New Orleans, this move came two weeks too late.
He was relieved of his duties as director of FEMA's Katrina relief operations and was replaced by Coast Guard Vice Admiral Thad Allen. He was sent back to Washington to pack up his desk.
Just kidding! So far as I know. Director of Homeland Insecurity Michael Chertoff said he was going back to Washington to resume day-to-day administration of FEMA and get ready in case we have another emergency. God help us.
Earlier today, Time magazine reported that Brown exaggerated his experience on his resume, saying he was in charge of emergency management in Edmond, OK as an assistant city manager. In fact, the magazine reported, he was an assistant to the city manager. He was, in effect, a glorified intern with no emergency management responsibilities. The only emergencies he responded to were office coffee shortages.
Most of the political analysts on the three major cable news channels (CNN, Fox News, MSNBC) all equate Brown's removal with the first step of his resignation or firing, which is expected this weekend, when most newsies are watching football and not paying attention. The Fox analyst was particularly harsh, saying "Mike Brown was fired today. We'll never see him again."
For New Orleans, this move came two weeks too late.
Katrina news coverage
I've been watching a lot more of the cable news channels than I usually do, which is not at all, since Katrina hit the Gulf Coast.
CNN has a reputation of being the Democrats channel, and they did not disappoint. Miles O'Brien (is he related to Soledad O'Brien?) was one of the first to really hammer the federal response to the disaster. He also overplayed it, talking about almost nothing else for two days. They have also focused the most on the victims, although all three networks have covered that thoroughly.
I like Wolf Blitzer's Situation Room. I think it plays to his strengths as a reporter an interviewer. However, they have this older guy who sits in a cubbyhole soliciting e-mails on various topics from viewers on the subjects of the day. Then he comes back and reads them. Most of the opinions offered by viewers aren't unique and have no depth. It's a segment the show could do without.
Fox News is considered the Republican channel, and they also lived up to that. They've been among the leaders in discouraging people from playing "The Blame Game" (starring Chuck Woolery on GSN). Have you noticed that those who least like to play "The Blame Game" are usually those with the most to lose? But I digress.
One of the funniest things I've seen was on Fox's Hannity and Colmes the other night. They had on the congressman who represents New Orleans, purportedly to talk about how the levee system had been underfunded for over a generation and the impact that had on this disaster. The little, accountant-looking guy (Colmes, I think) started out on that line of questioning, but before long, the big, linebacker-looking guy (Hannity?) ambushed the congressman, berating him about why the city couldn't have been evacuated sooner since they had five days warning that a category 5 hurricane was coming and why didn't they have a local plan for this and so on.
The congressman didn't really have much to say. He's not the guy in charge of local disaster planning, so the questions weren't really appropriate for him. Also, nobody gets five days warning that a category 5 hurricane is coming. Weather forecasters rarely project five days out where a hurricane is going to go, and when they project even as few as three days out, the range of potential landfall locations is about 500 miles wide. Katrina wasn't a category 5 until the morning before it made landfall, and then was a strong 4 when it did hit.
MSNBC seems to play it straighter. I particularly like Keith Olbermann's Countdown show, where he takes five topics of the day and gives about 10 minutes to each. I always liked his style at ESPN, but he's different here. Less sarcastic, more newsy, but it's still effective. Olbermann doesn't usually editorialize, but he did offer one scathing editorial of the federal response, which I liked in style, even if I didn't entirely agree with it.
Even though the news coverage seems straighter, I find the other hosts harder to watch. Chris Matthews could use a change-up to go with his hardball. Rita Cosby has a hard time keeping her head still, which makes me a little dizzy, and Tucker Carlson looks like my old HS math teach with his goofy bowties.
All in all, the coverage has been pretty good, and it's been interesting to see the different perspectives. If you're going to watch though, I recommend flipping around.
CNN has a reputation of being the Democrats channel, and they did not disappoint. Miles O'Brien (is he related to Soledad O'Brien?) was one of the first to really hammer the federal response to the disaster. He also overplayed it, talking about almost nothing else for two days. They have also focused the most on the victims, although all three networks have covered that thoroughly.
I like Wolf Blitzer's Situation Room. I think it plays to his strengths as a reporter an interviewer. However, they have this older guy who sits in a cubbyhole soliciting e-mails on various topics from viewers on the subjects of the day. Then he comes back and reads them. Most of the opinions offered by viewers aren't unique and have no depth. It's a segment the show could do without.
Fox News is considered the Republican channel, and they also lived up to that. They've been among the leaders in discouraging people from playing "The Blame Game" (starring Chuck Woolery on GSN). Have you noticed that those who least like to play "The Blame Game" are usually those with the most to lose? But I digress.
One of the funniest things I've seen was on Fox's Hannity and Colmes the other night. They had on the congressman who represents New Orleans, purportedly to talk about how the levee system had been underfunded for over a generation and the impact that had on this disaster. The little, accountant-looking guy (Colmes, I think) started out on that line of questioning, but before long, the big, linebacker-looking guy (Hannity?) ambushed the congressman, berating him about why the city couldn't have been evacuated sooner since they had five days warning that a category 5 hurricane was coming and why didn't they have a local plan for this and so on.
The congressman didn't really have much to say. He's not the guy in charge of local disaster planning, so the questions weren't really appropriate for him. Also, nobody gets five days warning that a category 5 hurricane is coming. Weather forecasters rarely project five days out where a hurricane is going to go, and when they project even as few as three days out, the range of potential landfall locations is about 500 miles wide. Katrina wasn't a category 5 until the morning before it made landfall, and then was a strong 4 when it did hit.
MSNBC seems to play it straighter. I particularly like Keith Olbermann's Countdown show, where he takes five topics of the day and gives about 10 minutes to each. I always liked his style at ESPN, but he's different here. Less sarcastic, more newsy, but it's still effective. Olbermann doesn't usually editorialize, but he did offer one scathing editorial of the federal response, which I liked in style, even if I didn't entirely agree with it.
Even though the news coverage seems straighter, I find the other hosts harder to watch. Chris Matthews could use a change-up to go with his hardball. Rita Cosby has a hard time keeping her head still, which makes me a little dizzy, and Tucker Carlson looks like my old HS math teach with his goofy bowties.
All in all, the coverage has been pretty good, and it's been interesting to see the different perspectives. If you're going to watch though, I recommend flipping around.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Hall of Fame - foot in mouth category
As if the president doesn't have enough problems...
Barbara Bush on NPR, after a tour of the Astrodome: "Everyone is so overwhelmed by the hospitality. And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this is working very well for them."
Barbara Bush on NPR, after a tour of the Astrodome: "Everyone is so overwhelmed by the hospitality. And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this is working very well for them."
Latest Katrina sports update
No word yet on the rest of the home schedule, but the Saints have expressed a preference to play in Baton Rouge. However, there's no certainty that Tiger Stadium will be able to host LSU this season, let alone another team.
The football team will enroll and play home games at Louisiana Tech in Ruston.
The men's basketball, women's swimming and diving, volleyball and soccer teams will enroll and play at Texas A&M.
Baseball and women's basketball will enroll and play at Texas Tech.
Rice will take in the men's and women's tennis teams.
SMU will host the men's and women's golf teams.
The Tulane cross country teams will not run this season.
Friday, September 02, 2005
Update on sports impacted by Katrina
The Saints have moved their home opener against the Giants to Giants stadium. The game is schedule for Sunday, Sept 18, but will not be played that day because the Jets have the stadium that day. The Saints and Giants will play either the day before or the day after.
Oklahoma City has offered the Ford Center to the New Orleans Hornets for the upcoming NBA season. No word yet on whether that offer will be accepted. The Hornets will begin training camp in October in Colorado Springs at the Air Force Academy.
Tulane announced today that it will not have a fall semester for its students. However, its athletic teams will compete. Where its home games will be played at this point is unknown, and may be announced as they come up.
The Green Wave is currently being hosted by SMU in Dallas and preparing for a September 17th "home" game with Mississippi St.
Tulane updates can be found at the athletic department website and at the school emergency website.
LSU is back at practice for a home game next weekend with Arizona St, but that game may not be played at home. The LSU campus is housing many hurricane evacuees, as is the rest of the city of Baton Rouge, and the idea of bringing in another 90,000 people to the city, even if just for a few hours, may not fly. Expect an announcement on that early next week.
Nicholls St, which cancelled its game this week at Utah St, has cancelled all athletic events until further notice. The school website only mentions the events scheduled for this weekend as being cancelled for sure, so we can assume that cancellations will be announced as the events arise. The Colonels' football team is scheduled to play at Indiana next week.
The Sun Belt Conference was affected as well. They are headquartered in New Orleans, but had to evacuate. They are currently set up temporarily at UL-Lafayette.
Oklahoma City has offered the Ford Center to the New Orleans Hornets for the upcoming NBA season. No word yet on whether that offer will be accepted. The Hornets will begin training camp in October in Colorado Springs at the Air Force Academy.
Tulane announced today that it will not have a fall semester for its students. However, its athletic teams will compete. Where its home games will be played at this point is unknown, and may be announced as they come up.
The Green Wave is currently being hosted by SMU in Dallas and preparing for a September 17th "home" game with Mississippi St.
Tulane updates can be found at the athletic department website and at the school emergency website.
LSU is back at practice for a home game next weekend with Arizona St, but that game may not be played at home. The LSU campus is housing many hurricane evacuees, as is the rest of the city of Baton Rouge, and the idea of bringing in another 90,000 people to the city, even if just for a few hours, may not fly. Expect an announcement on that early next week.
Nicholls St, which cancelled its game this week at Utah St, has cancelled all athletic events until further notice. The school website only mentions the events scheduled for this weekend as being cancelled for sure, so we can assume that cancellations will be announced as the events arise. The Colonels' football team is scheduled to play at Indiana next week.
The Sun Belt Conference was affected as well. They are headquartered in New Orleans, but had to evacuate. They are currently set up temporarily at UL-Lafayette.
It's a gas, gas, gas!
We decided to make the trip to Central Indiana after all this weekend. On the way, we saw gas prices as low as $2.98 and as high as $3.38. The one that was $3.38 was less than a block away from another station selling at $3.01.
I hope the gas situation clears itself up soon, or I'll run out of clever headlines for blog entries. No doubt some of you think I already did.
I hope the gas situation clears itself up soon, or I'll run out of clever headlines for blog entries. No doubt some of you think I already did.
Utes and Chippewas OK
Both Utah and Central Michigan won their appeals with the NCAA, so they are allowed to continue to use their hostile and abusive nicknames, which are hostile and abusive only to the NCAA.
North Dakota (the Fighting Sioux) have also appealed.
Still no answer to my other questions.
North Dakota (the Fighting Sioux) have also appealed.
Still no answer to my other questions.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Glad you're ok, now get out!
Hundreds of people fleeing Hurricane Katrina ended up in hotels in Tallahasse, FL. Now, those evacuees have to evacuate again. That's because the hotels are all booked up this weekend with fans coming in for the Miami-Florida St game on Monday night and the hotels have to honor their reservations.
You can help
There are numerous ways that you can help the people suffering the effects of Hurricane Katrina.
Here is a link to one of those. The American Red Cross is accepting donations through its website, or by phone at 1800-HELP-NOW.
Follow these links to find other blogs with information on flood aid for Hurricane Katrina.
Here is a link to one of those. The American Red Cross is accepting donations through its website, or by phone at 1800-HELP-NOW.
Follow these links to find other blogs with information on flood aid for Hurricane Katrina.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Gas pains
I went out and bought gas yesterday for my two cars and my lawn mower and paid $2.73, which is a ridiculously high number to begin with. Today, when I went out to run an errand, I saw gas prices in the $3.16-$3.19 range, although one station was still at $2.85.
We're now reconsidering whether to drive down to my mother-in-law's house for Labor Day weekend, which is basically a one-tank trip.
Off the subject, I heard from my subscriber who is from the Biloxi area. He's OK. He had evacuated to Meridian, MS before the storm arrived. Katrina was still a hurricane when it went through there and they don't have power yet, but they do have water. Power is expected in a day or so there.
We're now reconsidering whether to drive down to my mother-in-law's house for Labor Day weekend, which is basically a one-tank trip.
Off the subject, I heard from my subscriber who is from the Biloxi area. He's OK. He had evacuated to Meridian, MS before the storm arrived. Katrina was still a hurricane when it went through there and they don't have power yet, but they do have water. Power is expected in a day or so there.
Katrina
Like many of you, I know a couple of people in the area affected by Hurricane Katrina.
I have a friend who is a sportswriter in New Orleans and lives in Slidell, which the eye wall went through. Lake Ponchartrain, the Gulf and the hurricane flooded the city. My friend had evacuated to Tennessee before the storm hit and doesn't really know much about the condition of his home, but he thinks it was affected more by structural damage (roof, debris) than flooding. He doesn't know when he'll be able to go back to survey the damage.
On top of that, he's a reporter for the N.O. paper, which is relocating to Baton Rouge. He doesn't know yet if he'll go there to try to pitch in. Since he covers sports, he doesn't know if he'll be needed.
There are definite sports angles to this story. Tulane's football team got out before the storm, but cannot return. This week's game at Southern Miss has been postponed and they've gone on to Dallas, where they will be hosted by SMU and will continue to practice there. The school itself isn't open and isn't likely to be anytime soon unless it can relocate somewhere.
The New Orleans Saints also got out and went to California to prepare for an exhibition game with Oakland. They open the regular season at Carolina, but they have their home opener September 18th. It's highly unlikely the city, let alone the Superdome, will be ready for them by then. My friend thinks they may play their entire home season in San Antonio, but nothing has been announced yet in terms of a contingency plan for the Saints.
The Superdome is also the home field of Tulane, as well as the host of the Sugar Bowl. There is no word yet on whether the Sugar Bowl folks think their game, scheduled for January 2nd, will have to be moved. Since that is four months off, it may be too early to consider that.
On the other hand, the Governor of Louisiana is suggesting it could be 3-4 months before the city is inhabitable. If that's the case, Sugar Bowl officials have that to think about too (besides their own personal situations).
The New Orleans Bowl is played there as well. It's scheduled for Dec 20 in the Superdome.
Officials are working to evacuate the rest of New Orleans. Keith Olbermann on MSNBC said last night that it would be the first total evacuation of a major American city since the Civil War (Atlanta and Richmond). Those hunkered down in the Superdome will be bussed to Houston and housed in the Astrodome in the next 48 hours.
My friend wonders if the city will ever be inhabitable.
I also have a subscriber to my sites who lives in the Biloxi area. I have tried to contact him through e-mail, but haven't gotten a response. Obviously, if he's still in the area, he has no power, so I'm assuming he didn't evacuate, or didn't evacuate far enough away to avoid power loss.
I have a friend who is a sportswriter in New Orleans and lives in Slidell, which the eye wall went through. Lake Ponchartrain, the Gulf and the hurricane flooded the city. My friend had evacuated to Tennessee before the storm hit and doesn't really know much about the condition of his home, but he thinks it was affected more by structural damage (roof, debris) than flooding. He doesn't know when he'll be able to go back to survey the damage.
On top of that, he's a reporter for the N.O. paper, which is relocating to Baton Rouge. He doesn't know yet if he'll go there to try to pitch in. Since he covers sports, he doesn't know if he'll be needed.
There are definite sports angles to this story. Tulane's football team got out before the storm, but cannot return. This week's game at Southern Miss has been postponed and they've gone on to Dallas, where they will be hosted by SMU and will continue to practice there. The school itself isn't open and isn't likely to be anytime soon unless it can relocate somewhere.
The New Orleans Saints also got out and went to California to prepare for an exhibition game with Oakland. They open the regular season at Carolina, but they have their home opener September 18th. It's highly unlikely the city, let alone the Superdome, will be ready for them by then. My friend thinks they may play their entire home season in San Antonio, but nothing has been announced yet in terms of a contingency plan for the Saints.
The Superdome is also the home field of Tulane, as well as the host of the Sugar Bowl. There is no word yet on whether the Sugar Bowl folks think their game, scheduled for January 2nd, will have to be moved. Since that is four months off, it may be too early to consider that.
On the other hand, the Governor of Louisiana is suggesting it could be 3-4 months before the city is inhabitable. If that's the case, Sugar Bowl officials have that to think about too (besides their own personal situations).
The New Orleans Bowl is played there as well. It's scheduled for Dec 20 in the Superdome.
Officials are working to evacuate the rest of New Orleans. Keith Olbermann on MSNBC said last night that it would be the first total evacuation of a major American city since the Civil War (Atlanta and Richmond). Those hunkered down in the Superdome will be bussed to Houston and housed in the Astrodome in the next 48 hours.
My friend wonders if the city will ever be inhabitable.
I also have a subscriber to my sites who lives in the Biloxi area. I have tried to contact him through e-mail, but haven't gotten a response. Obviously, if he's still in the area, he has no power, so I'm assuming he didn't evacuate, or didn't evacuate far enough away to avoid power loss.
Monday, August 29, 2005
College fantasy team
As promised, I am posting the list of college players I drafted so you can know who to avoid in the event you are in a college football fantasy league. This was in a 12-team league.
My pro team won't be drafted for another week, but I'll post that one too.
QB: Reggie McNeal, TAMU; Sam Keller, Arizona St
RB: PJ Pope, Bowling Green; Garrett Wolfe, NIU; Jerry Seymour, CMU; Maurice Drew, UCLA
WR: Kyle Ingraham, Purdue; Santonio Holmes, Ohio St; Sean Coffey, Mizzou; Lance Leggett, Miami-FL
TE: Dominique Byrd, USC; Derek Schouman, Boise St
Def: Both Miamis (Florida and Ohio)
K: Brandon Pace, Va Tech
My pro team won't be drafted for another week, but I'll post that one too.
QB: Reggie McNeal, TAMU; Sam Keller, Arizona St
RB: PJ Pope, Bowling Green; Garrett Wolfe, NIU; Jerry Seymour, CMU; Maurice Drew, UCLA
WR: Kyle Ingraham, Purdue; Santonio Holmes, Ohio St; Sean Coffey, Mizzou; Lance Leggett, Miami-FL
TE: Dominique Byrd, USC; Derek Schouman, Boise St
Def: Both Miamis (Florida and Ohio)
K: Brandon Pace, Va Tech
Orton moves up and Benson signs up
The obvious was finally announced yesterday when the Bears named Kyle Orton the starter at quarterback for the season opener at Washington. Orton will be the tenth player to start a game at QB for the Bears in the 21st century, provided he doesn't get hurt between now and then. A few hours after the Orton announcement, Cedric Benson finally deigned to join the team and signed his deal.
Orton may be the most talented QB to ever take a snap from a Bears center. This says a lot more about the history of the position with the Bears than it does Orton. For example, the Bears have only 45 300-yard passing games in the entire team history. Warren Moon had 49 in his career by himself. Hopefully, Orton will end up being the most successful as well, but I'd settle for getting through the year in one piece and never seeing Jeff Blake on the field. That alone, regardless of the stats, would be the best performance by a Bear QB in five years.
As for Cedric Benson, here's hoping he reminds us more of Neal Anderson than Curtis Enis, but I'm not at all optimistic about that.
Orton may be the most talented QB to ever take a snap from a Bears center. This says a lot more about the history of the position with the Bears than it does Orton. For example, the Bears have only 45 300-yard passing games in the entire team history. Warren Moon had 49 in his career by himself. Hopefully, Orton will end up being the most successful as well, but I'd settle for getting through the year in one piece and never seeing Jeff Blake on the field. That alone, regardless of the stats, would be the best performance by a Bear QB in five years.
As for Cedric Benson, here's hoping he reminds us more of Neal Anderson than Curtis Enis, but I'm not at all optimistic about that.
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Orton the clear choice
After four preseason games, the Bears' quarterbacking situation has become crystal clear to even the most casual observers. Rookie Kyle Orton has to be the starter.
We'll see if the coaches come to the same conclusion. Chad Hutchinson failed as a fill-in starter last year and, though we thought it impossible, looks even worse after going through a training camp.
I'm not a big fan of throwing rookie QBs to the wolves, even - and maybe especially - a guy I like in Orton. But the other option is Jeff Blake, who has had one good year out of 14 in the NFL, and that was a long time ago.
It comes down to this. If they throw Orton out there and he struggles at times, you can chalk that up to a rookie getting experience. If you throw Blake or Hutchinson out there, and they stink, then they just stink. There's no upside.
If Orton always struggles and doesn't seem to learn from his mistakes, that's a different thing, but we haven't seen any sign of that in camp.
Hutchinson should not be demoted though. He should be cut. On Tuesday. He's had his chance. There should never be a situation where he could find his way onto the field in a Bear uniform again.
We'll see if the coaches come to the same conclusion. Chad Hutchinson failed as a fill-in starter last year and, though we thought it impossible, looks even worse after going through a training camp.
I'm not a big fan of throwing rookie QBs to the wolves, even - and maybe especially - a guy I like in Orton. But the other option is Jeff Blake, who has had one good year out of 14 in the NFL, and that was a long time ago.
It comes down to this. If they throw Orton out there and he struggles at times, you can chalk that up to a rookie getting experience. If you throw Blake or Hutchinson out there, and they stink, then they just stink. There's no upside.
If Orton always struggles and doesn't seem to learn from his mistakes, that's a different thing, but we haven't seen any sign of that in camp.
Hutchinson should not be demoted though. He should be cut. On Tuesday. He's had his chance. There should never be a situation where he could find his way onto the field in a Bear uniform again.
Friday, August 26, 2005
Get your hostile and abusive souvenirs here!
The Baltimore Sun reported that the NCAA's online souvenir shop, shopNCAAsports.com, is selling hostile and abusive souvenirs. Among the items you can find there, but not bring or wear to a championship event are:
Chief Illini (sic) Pendant
North Dakota Hockey Jersey
Utah Utes Hat
Central Michigan Chippewas Clock
Arkansas St Indians Beanbag Chair
However, if you're looking for SE Oklahoma St Savages gear, you're out of luck.
The NCAA says it will stop selling such items on its site by the same February 1, 2006 date that the "hostile and abusive" mascot policy goes into effect.
However, if you're looking for SE Oklahoma St Savages gear, you're out of luck.
The NCAA says it will stop selling such items on its site by the same February 1, 2006 date that the "hostile and abusive" mascot policy goes into effect.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Fantasy Football
Fantasy Football (and other sports) is a pretty geeky thing to do. It's strictly numbers-based, and in most sports, the team with the best numbers doesn't always win. Still, I'm a geek, so I play. I've played fantasy baseball before too, but I find my job gets in the way of that, so I don't anymore.
As good as I am in fantasy baseball (six seasons, six championships), I stink in fantasy football. I'm the man with the Midas touch in baseball, and the man with the minus touch in football. I get good players and they either get hurt or have off years. At least until last year, when I won a regular season title (only to get annihilated in the first round of the playoffs).
So, as a public service, when my team gets drafted, I'll post here who is on my team so you know who to stay away from.
Also this year, I'm going to play in a fantasy college football league. It's an "experts" league, where I will presumably compete with other "experts." I think my inclusion is stretching that definition a bit.
As good as I am in fantasy baseball (six seasons, six championships), I stink in fantasy football. I'm the man with the Midas touch in baseball, and the man with the minus touch in football. I get good players and they either get hurt or have off years. At least until last year, when I won a regular season title (only to get annihilated in the first round of the playoffs).
So, as a public service, when my team gets drafted, I'll post here who is on my team so you know who to stay away from.
Also this year, I'm going to play in a fantasy college football league. It's an "experts" league, where I will presumably compete with other "experts." I think my inclusion is stretching that definition a bit.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Florida St wins appeal
The NCAA announced today that Florida St has been removed from the list of schools in violation of the NCAA ban on Indian mascots. The press release cited the relationship the school has with the Seminole tribe of Florida.
Still no answer on my questions.
Still no answer on my questions.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” was released on July 16, and I was shocked to find it at the Anderson Public Library that day. I thought I was going to have to wait until I got home to read it. It took me about seven hours (actual reading time) to finish it. By now, I’ve read it twice through and the last few chapters several times. I’m a big fan of the series, and this is the best one yet.
I am pre-dating a blog entry with all the spoiler info, so if you haven’t read the book and don’t want to know what happens, don’t go there. Otherwise, here’s a link to my full commentary on the book.
I am pre-dating a blog entry with all the spoiler info, so if you haven’t read the book and don’t want to know what happens, don’t go there. Otherwise, here’s a link to my full commentary on the book.
Sunday, August 21, 2005
No good deed goes unpunsihed
Dan Wetzel of Yahoo! Sports tells the story of the NCAA getting in the way of an effort by Georgia fans to do something nice for a serviceman in Iraq, who is also the father of a Boise St football player.
Which of this things doesn't belong here?
For a fun little game of "Which of these things doesn't belong here," turn to page 19 of the K-Mart circular in the Sunday paper this week.
NCAA sets appeal process
The NCAA has created a process through which schools targeted under the new policy on "hostile and abusive racial/ethnic/national origin nicknames, mascots and imagery" can get off the NCAA's list of schools targeted by that policy. They didn't say when appeals would start.
One key factor mentioned would be how "namesake" tribes view the use of the mascots and imagery at the targeted schools.
One key factor mentioned would be how "namesake" tribes view the use of the mascots and imagery at the targeted schools.
Thursday, August 18, 2005
KC hits skid row
Kansas City is on the verge of breaking the modern-day Major League record for most consecutive losses. The Royals have dropped 18 in a row. The American League record is 21, set by Baltimore at the start of the 1988 season. The 1961 Phillies lost 23 in a row to set the Major League mark.
This is the kind of ineptitude normally associated with the government, but the government has tools that most Major League organizations don't employ, like committees and task forces.
Next up for KC: Three at wild-card leader Oakland, followed by three at home against East leader Boston.
This is the kind of ineptitude normally associated with the government, but the government has tools that most Major League organizations don't employ, like committees and task forces.
Next up for KC: Three at wild-card leader Oakland, followed by three at home against East leader Boston.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
My questions to the NCAA
I didn't get my phone call returned by the NCAA last week. When I checked in today, they basically told me they felt they were done talking about it, but if I wanted to submit questions via e-mail for further disapproval, I could. So I did. Here's the text of the e-mail I sent. So far as I know, I'm the only person talking about the issues I raise in questions 2 and 3. I've seen other commentaries mention the issues in questions 1 and 4, but I haven't seen any NCAA comment on them.
---
Here are the questions I would like to ask someone to comment on regarding the new policy against “hostile and abusive racial/ethnic/national origin mascots, nicknames and imagery.”
1. Why did the executive committee limit the ban to mascots, nicknames and imagery and not include the names of schools? For example, is it the assertion of the committee that it is more hostile and abusive for Central Michigan to wear uniforms with the word “Chippewas” on them than it is for fellow Mid-American Conference member Miami University to wear uniforms with the word “Miami” on them?
2. Since this is only in effect for NCAA championship events, can we assume that the NCAA will no longer enter into sponsorship agreements for those events with companies that use hostile and abusive racial/ethnic/national origin names and/or logos? The specific example that comes to mind is Pontiac, which is a major sponsor of the Final Four. Pontiac is the name of an Indian chief who led raids on Ohio Valley settlers and the company logo is an arrowhead. If it were a member institution and not a company, it would certainly be in violation of this policy.
3. Why is Central Michigan, which has no Indian mascot or imagery – only the nickname Chippewas, forced to cover up its nickname as hostile and abusive, but the University of Mississippi Rebels, which disposed of its Confederate imagery in the 80s (if I recall correctly), gets to continue to display its nickname? I would hazard a guess that “Rebels” is considered at least as hostile and abusive to some African Americans as “Chippewas” is to Indians.
4. This is a broadly written policy, but for now anyway, narrowly enforced. Can we assume that other racial/ethnic/national origin mascots will be included eventually as well, such as Highlanders, Spartans, Trojans, Vikings, and Fighting Irish (to name a few)?
---
Here are the questions I would like to ask someone to comment on regarding the new policy against “hostile and abusive racial/ethnic/national origin mascots, nicknames and imagery.”
1. Why did the executive committee limit the ban to mascots, nicknames and imagery and not include the names of schools? For example, is it the assertion of the committee that it is more hostile and abusive for Central Michigan to wear uniforms with the word “Chippewas” on them than it is for fellow Mid-American Conference member Miami University to wear uniforms with the word “Miami” on them?
2. Since this is only in effect for NCAA championship events, can we assume that the NCAA will no longer enter into sponsorship agreements for those events with companies that use hostile and abusive racial/ethnic/national origin names and/or logos? The specific example that comes to mind is Pontiac, which is a major sponsor of the Final Four. Pontiac is the name of an Indian chief who led raids on Ohio Valley settlers and the company logo is an arrowhead. If it were a member institution and not a company, it would certainly be in violation of this policy.
3. Why is Central Michigan, which has no Indian mascot or imagery – only the nickname Chippewas, forced to cover up its nickname as hostile and abusive, but the University of Mississippi Rebels, which disposed of its Confederate imagery in the 80s (if I recall correctly), gets to continue to display its nickname? I would hazard a guess that “Rebels” is considered at least as hostile and abusive to some African Americans as “Chippewas” is to Indians.
4. This is a broadly written policy, but for now anyway, narrowly enforced. Can we assume that other racial/ethnic/national origin mascots will be included eventually as well, such as Highlanders, Spartans, Trojans, Vikings, and Fighting Irish (to name a few)?
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Team Casey
Part of my job involves going on sports radio shows around the country to try to explain what's going on in the world of college football and basketball. Radio spots are a lot of fun. It's a lot like sitting around with a friend, in this case, the host, and talking sports for a few minutes. On rare occasion, the host takes callers, which can be pretty interesting too. And I get to promote my sites.
One of the hosts that has me on a few times a year is Lance McAllister of 1360 Homer in Cincinnati. Lance has a 5-year-old son named Casey. A few years ago, Casey was diagnosed with Leukemia and had a bone marrow transplant. He gets regular checkups to make sure the Leukemia hasn't returned, and he's almost made it to three years, which would mean he's clear.
Just before his operation, the Make-a-Wish foundation sent his family to Disney World. The Make-a-Wish foundation grants wishes to kids with life-threatening illnesses so that they can have a profoundly positive experience at a time in their young lives when they are dealing with a lot of negativity.
It was such a great thing for Casey, that one thing led to another, and Lance has started "Team Casey" to raise money for Make-a-Wish. If you want to help Lance and Make-a-Wish, you can go to the Team Casey website. You can read a little about Casey's story and buy shirts to help support the cause. They've just started, so I expect this will grow as time goes on.
One of the hosts that has me on a few times a year is Lance McAllister of 1360 Homer in Cincinnati. Lance has a 5-year-old son named Casey. A few years ago, Casey was diagnosed with Leukemia and had a bone marrow transplant. He gets regular checkups to make sure the Leukemia hasn't returned, and he's almost made it to three years, which would mean he's clear.
Just before his operation, the Make-a-Wish foundation sent his family to Disney World. The Make-a-Wish foundation grants wishes to kids with life-threatening illnesses so that they can have a profoundly positive experience at a time in their young lives when they are dealing with a lot of negativity.
It was such a great thing for Casey, that one thing led to another, and Lance has started "Team Casey" to raise money for Make-a-Wish. If you want to help Lance and Make-a-Wish, you can go to the Team Casey website. You can read a little about Casey's story and buy shirts to help support the cause. They've just started, so I expect this will grow as time goes on.
Sunday, August 14, 2005
ESPN out of ideas
It's official - ESPN has finally run out of ideas.
First, they gave us the x-games, which is at least somewhat athletic, but skateboarding tricks are best left to the kids. Then we got the spelling bee and poker, neither of which remotely resemble sports. Someone should let the Chicago Tribune know that poker isn't a sport also, but I digress.
Now, they give us a nightly show devoted to athlete gossip called ESPN Hollywood. If an entire network can jump the shark, then this one has.
Considering I'm no longer part of ESPN's desired demographic, I'll probably be completely wrong and this show will be bigger than SportsCenter, but I'm hoping for a quick and merciless death. And, of course, I haven't even seen it yet.
First, they gave us the x-games, which is at least somewhat athletic, but skateboarding tricks are best left to the kids. Then we got the spelling bee and poker, neither of which remotely resemble sports. Someone should let the Chicago Tribune know that poker isn't a sport also, but I digress.
Now, they give us a nightly show devoted to athlete gossip called ESPN Hollywood. If an entire network can jump the shark, then this one has.
Considering I'm no longer part of ESPN's desired demographic, I'll probably be completely wrong and this show will be bigger than SportsCenter, but I'm hoping for a quick and merciless death. And, of course, I haven't even seen it yet.
Corey Patterson first
Corey Patterson homered off of Matt Morris with a man on in the second inning tonight. It was his 12th homer of the year, but just the first with a man on base. That must be one of the things he learned on his recent trip to Iowa.
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Stop me if you've heard this one before
Bears QB Rex Grossman is going to miss 3-4 months with a broken ankle. The Bears might put him on injured reserve, which would mean missing the entire season.
Good thing they drafted Kyle Orton, but the most experienced QB on the roster is Chad Hutchinson (15 games), who won't make anybody forget Steve Fuller.
I'll be surprised if Orton doesn't start at least one game this year. Barring an injury to him, of course.
Good thing they drafted Kyle Orton, but the most experienced QB on the roster is Chad Hutchinson (15 games), who won't make anybody forget Steve Fuller.
I'll be surprised if Orton doesn't start at least one game this year. Barring an injury to him, of course.
North Dakota fighting mad
The president of the University of North Dakota is fighting mad over the new NCAA policy essentially banning Indian mascots.
Here's his open letter to the NCAA.
Here's his open letter to the NCAA.
Friday, August 12, 2005
PETA chimes in
It took longer than I thought it would, but PETA has finally asked the NCAA to include "Gamecocks" among the banned nicknames. Their feeling is that cockfighting is illegal and that schools should not be able to use that nickname any more than they would "drunk drivers" or "road ragers."
They did say they had no problems with "Lions," Tigers" or "Bears" (oh, my) or any other animal nicknames currently in use.
They did say they had no problems with "Lions," Tigers" or "Bears" (oh, my) or any other animal nicknames currently in use.
NCAA to reconsider Florida St
Florida St is appealing the NCAA's ruling against its nickname and mascot. Apparently, the NCAA based its decision to include FSU on its list of schools violating its new policy on one person in the Oklahoma Seminole tribe. The NCAA thought that person was speaking for the entire tribe, but it turns out he was not.
Utah may have a case as well.
Here's a link to a news story on this.
Meanwhile, the NCAA hasn't returned my call yet.
Utah may have a case as well.
Here's a link to a news story on this.
Meanwhile, the NCAA hasn't returned my call yet.
Sunday, August 07, 2005
More Indian questions
Besides Notre Dame, I have other questions that - so far as I know - haven't been asked yet regarding the new "hostile and abusive racial/ethnic/national origin" policy the NCAA is using to try to force schools to change Indian-related nicknames and mascots.
Will Wichita St and the Universities of Miami (Florida and Ohio) have to change or cover up their names?
How about any school with the name of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Missouri or Utah in it?
Will the NCAA move from Indianapolis, Indiana to a more politically correctly named place?
(Thanks to Kevin on my BCS user group for those last two. Kevin also tells me that the Nittany Lion could be in trouble. See the Penn St website for the origin of that)
Will the Missouri Valley conference have to change or cover up its name?
Will the NCAA drop Pontiac as a corporate champion partner of the Final Four?
Note: Pontiac uses more Indian imagery than Central Michigan University does.
If CMU is no longer allowed to be the Chippewas even after dropping all its Indian imagery, why is Ole Miss still allowed to be the Rebels?
Besides the Fighting Irish, what of Highlanders, Spartans, Trojans and Vikings?
When PETA starts pitching a fuss, will animal nicknames/mascots/images be banned too?
OK, that last question is a little facetious, but only a little. I'm completely serious about the others. And I haven't even delved into lower division names (like Shawnee St, which jumps to mind).
Will Wichita St and the Universities of Miami (Florida and Ohio) have to change or cover up their names?
How about any school with the name of Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Missouri or Utah in it?
Will the NCAA move from Indianapolis, Indiana to a more politically correctly named place?
(Thanks to Kevin on my BCS user group for those last two. Kevin also tells me that the Nittany Lion could be in trouble. See the Penn St website for the origin of that)
Will the Missouri Valley conference have to change or cover up its name?
Will the NCAA drop Pontiac as a corporate champion partner of the Final Four?
Note: Pontiac uses more Indian imagery than Central Michigan University does.
If CMU is no longer allowed to be the Chippewas even after dropping all its Indian imagery, why is Ole Miss still allowed to be the Rebels?
Besides the Fighting Irish, what of Highlanders, Spartans, Trojans and Vikings?
When PETA starts pitching a fuss, will animal nicknames/mascots/images be banned too?
OK, that last question is a little facetious, but only a little. I'm completely serious about the others. And I haven't even delved into lower division names (like Shawnee St, which jumps to mind).
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Two schools respond
Two schools have responded to the NCAA's new Indian policy. Florida St was particularly harsh in its response. Click below to read each school's response.
Arkansas St.
Florida St.
Arkansas St.
Florida St.
Friday, August 05, 2005
NCAA comes down on Indian mascots
The NCAA announced on Friday that schools may no longer display “hostile and abusive racial/ethnic/national origin mascots, nicknames and imagery” at NCAA championships beginning February 1, 2006. Furthermore, such schools will not be allowed to NCAA championship events in the future. Previously awarded championships will not be affected, though hosts will be asked to covered up any imagery that violates the policy.
This is similar to the policy where the NCAA will not award championships to institutions in states that display the Confederate flag in its own flag.
This is directed specifically at schools that use Indian, er, sorry, Native American mascots, and eighteen such schools were listed in the press release as affected by the new policy. In Division I, those schools are Alcorn St, Arkansas St, Bradley, Central Michigan, Florida St, Illinois, UL-Monroe and Utah. William and Mary has been given an unspecified extension for further study.
Florida State’s use of Seminole name and imagery was endorsed by Seminole tribe of Florida a couple of months ago. NCAA says other Seminole tribes in other areas don’t agree. Missing from the list of schools violating this policy is Notre Dame, though I can’t explain why.
The NCAA is not requiring these schools to change their nicknames because that is outside of their scope, but they are putting as much pressure to bear on them as they can.
Obviously, schools don’t have much time to change their mascots if that’s what they choose to do. After all, look how long it took for Marquette to not change its name.
This is similar to the policy where the NCAA will not award championships to institutions in states that display the Confederate flag in its own flag.
This is directed specifically at schools that use Indian, er, sorry, Native American mascots, and eighteen such schools were listed in the press release as affected by the new policy. In Division I, those schools are Alcorn St, Arkansas St, Bradley, Central Michigan, Florida St, Illinois, UL-Monroe and Utah. William and Mary has been given an unspecified extension for further study.
Florida State’s use of Seminole name and imagery was endorsed by Seminole tribe of Florida a couple of months ago. NCAA says other Seminole tribes in other areas don’t agree. Missing from the list of schools violating this policy is Notre Dame, though I can’t explain why.
The NCAA is not requiring these schools to change their nicknames because that is outside of their scope, but they are putting as much pressure to bear on them as they can.
Obviously, schools don’t have much time to change their mascots if that’s what they choose to do. After all, look how long it took for Marquette to not change its name.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Joe Morgan mad again
Hall-of-Fame second baseman Joe Morgan doesn't think Rafael Palmeiro or any of his contemporaries should be in the Hall of Fame because their numbers are of dubious origin. He probably would have liked Ryne Sandberg's speech at his induction ceremony last weekend, in which Sandberg emphasized playing the game with respect. However, Morgan doesn't respect Sandberg either, so he blew off the ceremony by conveniently scheduling something else that day. A hair appointment, I think.
Palmeiro ceremony cancelled
A ceremony honoring baseball's most prominent cheater, Rafael Palmeiro, has been cancelled at Palmeiro's request. The ceremony to honor his 3,000th hit was scheduled for August 14th, or just a couple of days after he returns to action after his suspension for steroids.
Also, Congress is looking into whether he perjured himself in front of them last March when he testified that he never used steroids.
And finally, the Orioles fired their manager today, so it's been a good week all around in Baltimore.
Also, Congress is looking into whether he perjured himself in front of them last March when he testified that he never used steroids.
And finally, the Orioles fired their manager today, so it's been a good week all around in Baltimore.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Busy, busy.
It's been a busy week, which is partly why it's been a little quiet here. We've been taking the kids out and doing a few fun things, like the Porter County Fair. Then, I spent the last two days at the Big Ten football media days, which I'll write about some on the site.
I've also been writing about the Harry Potter book, which I hope to post later this week.
I've also been writing about the Harry Potter book, which I hope to post later this week.
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Maddux gets 3000th K
Greg Maddux recorded his 3000th strikeout last night in a loss to the Giants. All the news stories say that he is the 13th to do that, and the 9th to combine that stat with 300 wins, but none mention the most incredible part of his accomplishment. He's only the second pitcher to get to 3000 strikeouts with fewer than 1000 walks. He doesn't even have 900 career walks, so he's not likely to get to 1000 either. In fact, the other 11 guys on the list (including Roger Clemens and Randy Johnson, who are still active) have at least 1300 walks.
Pop quiz: Who is the other 3000 strikeout pitcher with fewer than 1000 walks?
Pop quiz: Who is the other 3000 strikeout pitcher with fewer than 1000 walks?
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Valpo football coach resigns
Valparaiso University's football coach, Tom Horne, resigned yesterday after 16 years at the school. He said "the time was right" and that he wanted to spend more time with his family. I think there has to be something more to it than that. It's nearly time for practice to begin for the season, so the time to quit could hardly be more wrong. He's leaving his former employer and more importantly, his kids, in quite a bind.
Perhaps the plan behind the timing was to make sure one of his assistants got promoted.
Here's the Times story on this.
Perhaps the plan behind the timing was to make sure one of his assistants got promoted.
Here's the Times story on this.
The Road From Bristol
The folks at bravesbeat have set up a mock NCAA basketball-style tournament where you can vote for the ESPN personality you despise the most. It's already in the second round, so join in! Some of the comments are pretty funny.
Unfortunately for me, I haven't heard of some of these people because I watch so little of ESPN anymore (except for actual games). Apparently, I fell out of the desired ESPN demographic years ago.
Unfortunately for me, I haven't heard of some of these people because I watch so little of ESPN anymore (except for actual games). Apparently, I fell out of the desired ESPN demographic years ago.
Ramblings
Corey Patterson is at Iowa and at last report, barely hitting his own weight. I think the Cubs are trying to trade him, but he might be too damaged to unload right now.
It isn't promoting him for any specific award, but things like the Heisman are out for him. About the best award he could receive would be conference player of the year. This seems like overkill by the school, but on the other hand, I just wrote about it, didn't I?
Thursday, July 21, 2005
It's a niece!
Finally, a girl is born to the family. Between my and my wife's parents, it's been all sons (4) and grandsons (6), except, of course, for my wife. But Tuesday, my brother and his wife had a baby girl. Mom and baby are fine, and my mother is very excited because she can finally buy girl stuff.
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Trail gets closer to Daley
There was another set of indictments in Chicago the other day as the Feds continue to attack the city's hiring practices. This time, they got the guy who is in charge of the Mayor's Patronage Hiring Department (which has some other name that escapes me).
Apparently, people are coming out of the woodwork to cooperate with authorities in the hopes of leniency. Among the incidents cited in the indictment was a case of a dead guy getting a job that he interviewed for after he was technically deceased. Nobody complained that he was "late" for his interview (editor: insert rim shot here).
Another job went to a soldier who was deployed in Iraq at the time of his supposed interview.
A third went to a guy who showed up drunk for the interview. When the personnel manager appealed to the head of the PHD about the applicant, he said to just do the best he could with him.
The Chicago Tribune, in an editorial yesterday, called these revelations "jaw-dropping." You would think an entity that had been around as long as the Tribune would know better. The only thing that would be jaw-dropping about Chicago's hiring practices is if they were clean.
Mayor Daley better watch his seat. The Feds may be getting ready to set fire to it.
Apparently, people are coming out of the woodwork to cooperate with authorities in the hopes of leniency. Among the incidents cited in the indictment was a case of a dead guy getting a job that he interviewed for after he was technically deceased. Nobody complained that he was "late" for his interview (editor: insert rim shot here).
Another job went to a soldier who was deployed in Iraq at the time of his supposed interview.
A third went to a guy who showed up drunk for the interview. When the personnel manager appealed to the head of the PHD about the applicant, he said to just do the best he could with him.
The Chicago Tribune, in an editorial yesterday, called these revelations "jaw-dropping." You would think an entity that had been around as long as the Tribune would know better. The only thing that would be jaw-dropping about Chicago's hiring practices is if they were clean.
Mayor Daley better watch his seat. The Feds may be getting ready to set fire to it.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
College FB resource
I'm not sure who runs it, but someone has set up a nice college football resource blog. In fact, that's what they call it. There's a link on the right side of the page.
What was second prize?
Did you hear about the guy who won twelve pairs of round trip coach tickets on American Airlines to anywhere they fly? AA valued the prize at the maximum possible amount, meaning that the taxes the winner would have to pay would have been about $19,000, or about $790 per ticket. The guy ended up declining the prize, figuring he could buy the tickets a lot cheaper.
Back home
We came back from my mother-in-law's yesterday and I'm finally able to do a bit of writing. It seems like forever since the last time I wrote.
-> Last week, my kids attended Camp Invention in Anderson. Camp Invention is put on by the National Inventors Hall of Fame at schools around the country and is designed to help kids problem solve and think creatively. For part of the camp, they actually go through the invention process. They figure out what problem they want to solve, come up with a way to solve it, and build a model of their invention. My oldest was in the camp last year and had a great time. This time, #2 son joined him. It's open to kids entering first grade through sixth grade. It's probably too late for this year, but if you have kids who might like this kind of thing, keep it in mind for next year.
-> The All-Star game was Tuesday night and I missed it completely. Didn't see one pitch. I kind of forgot about it. Part of the problem was that I was at my mother-in-law's, and I'm a bit out of my environment there, but also, that was during the camp, so evenings were spent doing other things. Still, I don't feel like I missed anything. Not that long ago, the all-star game was blocked out on my calendar and I scheduled around it, but since the tie, I just haven't cared that much. I'm sure I would have watched if it had occurred to me, but it didn't, and to me, that says something.
The hometown guys did OK. Mark Bueherle got the win and Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez had hits. I didn't see if Jon Garland pitched.
-> The NHL finally ended its lockout. It remains to be seen if anyone is left to care.
-> The Tour de Lance rolls into its final week. Barring a crash or some other misfortune, it looks like Lance Armstrong will win for the seventh straight time, which is an incredible accomplishment. After that, he retires, and America can go back to not caring about cycling.
-> Tiger Woods won another major, making it ten before he turned 30. It's funny to see how the other golfers can't seem to catch him. Guys chasing him tend to play worse rather than better. Colin Montgomerie in particular seems to have trouble with Woods. They've been in the same tournament now 66 times, and the only time Montgomerie finished ahead of Woods was in a tournament shortened to 36 holes by rain.
-> I got and read the Harry Potter book. More on that later. Also, there has been some college football news, which I address on CollegeBCS.com.
-> Last week, my kids attended Camp Invention in Anderson. Camp Invention is put on by the National Inventors Hall of Fame at schools around the country and is designed to help kids problem solve and think creatively. For part of the camp, they actually go through the invention process. They figure out what problem they want to solve, come up with a way to solve it, and build a model of their invention. My oldest was in the camp last year and had a great time. This time, #2 son joined him. It's open to kids entering first grade through sixth grade. It's probably too late for this year, but if you have kids who might like this kind of thing, keep it in mind for next year.
-> The All-Star game was Tuesday night and I missed it completely. Didn't see one pitch. I kind of forgot about it. Part of the problem was that I was at my mother-in-law's, and I'm a bit out of my environment there, but also, that was during the camp, so evenings were spent doing other things. Still, I don't feel like I missed anything. Not that long ago, the all-star game was blocked out on my calendar and I scheduled around it, but since the tie, I just haven't cared that much. I'm sure I would have watched if it had occurred to me, but it didn't, and to me, that says something.
The hometown guys did OK. Mark Bueherle got the win and Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez had hits. I didn't see if Jon Garland pitched.
-> The NHL finally ended its lockout. It remains to be seen if anyone is left to care.
-> The Tour de Lance rolls into its final week. Barring a crash or some other misfortune, it looks like Lance Armstrong will win for the seventh straight time, which is an incredible accomplishment. After that, he retires, and America can go back to not caring about cycling.
-> Tiger Woods won another major, making it ten before he turned 30. It's funny to see how the other golfers can't seem to catch him. Guys chasing him tend to play worse rather than better. Colin Montgomerie in particular seems to have trouble with Woods. They've been in the same tournament now 66 times, and the only time Montgomerie finished ahead of Woods was in a tournament shortened to 36 holes by rain.
-> I got and read the Harry Potter book. More on that later. Also, there has been some college football news, which I address on CollegeBCS.com.
Saturday, July 16, 2005
Getting to the horcrux of the problem
“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” seems to me to be more about Severus Snape, Albus Dumbledore, Draco Malfoy and Tom Riddle/Voldemort than it is about Harry. That was fine with me, because it was fascinating stuff.
There is a lot of information in this book, some of which is back story. There are also as many questions as there are answers. I won’t go into what was answered so much because if you got to this point, you have probably already read the book. Instead, I want to ponder the questions and invite you to do the same.
1. Whose side is Snape on?
He’s on Voldemort’s side, whether that was his intention or not. I don’t think he makes that Unbreakable Vow unless he’s fine with killing Dumbledore himself. Snape’s slimy enough to have gotten out of doing that if he didn’t want to.
There will be a contingency of people who think Dumbledore ordered Snape to kill him and that he’s still working with the Order. If so, he’s got them all fooled. I don’t think anyone in the Order would trust Snape now, even if Dumbledore told them to.
It’s probably not relevant to Harry whose side Snape is on. At this point, I think if Harry encounters Snape, he’ll shoot first and ask questions later.
2. Who is R.A.B?
The prevailing theory is Regulus Black, Sirius’ brother. He’s the only character mentioned so far with the initials R.B. (although Mr. Borgin’s first name is unknown). He’s the one Sirius said got in over his head with Voldemort and tried to back out. Voldemort had him killed. Another item in support of this theory is that there was a locket nobody could open in Black’s house. That could be the real Slytherin locket.
3. What is the fourth horcrux?
I suspect it hasn’t come up yet. If Dumbledore’s right about the others, which is likely the case, then the three we know about are the locket, Helga Hufflepuff’s cup and Nagini, the snake. Dumbledore and Harry are guessing that the fourth is something that belonged to either Gryffindor or Ravenclaw. Both the Sorting hat and a sword were items of Gryffindor’s, however, it’s not likely Voldemort has access to these in order to make a horcrux. My guess is that it is something of Ravenclaw’s that we have either not seen or have seen, but weren’t told it was hers.
I’ve seen theories that the fourth horcrux is Harry himself, but Voldemort was going to try to create a horcrux when he killed Harry. Dumbledore said that he thinks he later created one in Nagini to replace that failed attempt. That means the other horcruxes were created before he tried to kill Harry, so he’s not one of them.
4. Where are the horcruxes?
My guess is that Mundungus Fletcher has the locket, which he nicked from 12 Grimmauld Place, and Harry will have to track him down for it. I’m also guessing that he took Sirius’ mirror and that Harry will use the mirror Sirius gave him to contact and track down Fletcher.
Nagini is with Voldemort, so he can keep an eye on him.
I’m guessing (it’s just a hunch) that one of the others is in Godric’s Hollow. No idea yet on the fourth one.
5. Will Hogwarts open?
I think so, but enrollment will be way down.
6. Will Harry go there?
He said he won’t, and I don’t think he’ll change his mind. He’s got too much work to do to be a student as well. He will probably visit, though.
7. How about Ron and Hermione?
It’s more likely that they go to Hogwarts, but only if Harry can talk them out of shadowing him around.
8. Malfoy?
Undoubtedly expelled and running for his life. Maybe Snape is protecting him – if he can.
9. Have we heard the last of Dumbledore?
That portrait in the headmaster’s office can communicate, and he might have others. We’ll hear from him again. We’ll also hear a lot from and/or about his brother Aberforth, who is the bartender at the Hog’s Head.
10. What will become of the Order of the Phoenix?
I think McGonnigal is the new leader and they go about their business as best they can. Harry will work outside of the group though. He’s not going to be working with the Ministry either. He’s done taking orders from others.
If you have other theories, or just think I'm nuts, go ahead and share them!
There is a lot of information in this book, some of which is back story. There are also as many questions as there are answers. I won’t go into what was answered so much because if you got to this point, you have probably already read the book. Instead, I want to ponder the questions and invite you to do the same.
1. Whose side is Snape on?
He’s on Voldemort’s side, whether that was his intention or not. I don’t think he makes that Unbreakable Vow unless he’s fine with killing Dumbledore himself. Snape’s slimy enough to have gotten out of doing that if he didn’t want to.
There will be a contingency of people who think Dumbledore ordered Snape to kill him and that he’s still working with the Order. If so, he’s got them all fooled. I don’t think anyone in the Order would trust Snape now, even if Dumbledore told them to.
It’s probably not relevant to Harry whose side Snape is on. At this point, I think if Harry encounters Snape, he’ll shoot first and ask questions later.
2. Who is R.A.B?
The prevailing theory is Regulus Black, Sirius’ brother. He’s the only character mentioned so far with the initials R.B. (although Mr. Borgin’s first name is unknown). He’s the one Sirius said got in over his head with Voldemort and tried to back out. Voldemort had him killed. Another item in support of this theory is that there was a locket nobody could open in Black’s house. That could be the real Slytherin locket.
3. What is the fourth horcrux?
I suspect it hasn’t come up yet. If Dumbledore’s right about the others, which is likely the case, then the three we know about are the locket, Helga Hufflepuff’s cup and Nagini, the snake. Dumbledore and Harry are guessing that the fourth is something that belonged to either Gryffindor or Ravenclaw. Both the Sorting hat and a sword were items of Gryffindor’s, however, it’s not likely Voldemort has access to these in order to make a horcrux. My guess is that it is something of Ravenclaw’s that we have either not seen or have seen, but weren’t told it was hers.
I’ve seen theories that the fourth horcrux is Harry himself, but Voldemort was going to try to create a horcrux when he killed Harry. Dumbledore said that he thinks he later created one in Nagini to replace that failed attempt. That means the other horcruxes were created before he tried to kill Harry, so he’s not one of them.
4. Where are the horcruxes?
My guess is that Mundungus Fletcher has the locket, which he nicked from 12 Grimmauld Place, and Harry will have to track him down for it. I’m also guessing that he took Sirius’ mirror and that Harry will use the mirror Sirius gave him to contact and track down Fletcher.
Nagini is with Voldemort, so he can keep an eye on him.
I’m guessing (it’s just a hunch) that one of the others is in Godric’s Hollow. No idea yet on the fourth one.
5. Will Hogwarts open?
I think so, but enrollment will be way down.
6. Will Harry go there?
He said he won’t, and I don’t think he’ll change his mind. He’s got too much work to do to be a student as well. He will probably visit, though.
7. How about Ron and Hermione?
It’s more likely that they go to Hogwarts, but only if Harry can talk them out of shadowing him around.
8. Malfoy?
Undoubtedly expelled and running for his life. Maybe Snape is protecting him – if he can.
9. Have we heard the last of Dumbledore?
That portrait in the headmaster’s office can communicate, and he might have others. We’ll hear from him again. We’ll also hear a lot from and/or about his brother Aberforth, who is the bartender at the Hog’s Head.
10. What will become of the Order of the Phoenix?
I think McGonnigal is the new leader and they go about their business as best they can. Harry will work outside of the group though. He’s not going to be working with the Ministry either. He’s done taking orders from others.
If you have other theories, or just think I'm nuts, go ahead and share them!
Friday, July 08, 2005
Cubs, Queen and London
Let’s start this update with a quiz. What do the Cubs and a hurricane have in common?
Yes, they both blow, but that’s not the answer I had in mind. The answer is they are both hitting Miami at the same time.
Dennis isn’t likely to make a direct hit on Miami, but south Florida should still be impacted, and the possibility exists that, for the second year in a row, the entire Cubs-Marlins series could be rained out.
That might actually be good for the Cubs, which have imploded in an eight-game losing streak. They were outscored by the Braves 24-5 in a four game sweep. Yesterday, the bullpen blew the lead late, but that’s an improvement because that was the first lead the Cubs had in the entire streak.
Things have gotten so bad for Corey Patterson in particular that he was sent to Iowa yesterday, along with OF Jason Dubois, who has lost out on playing time to Todd Hollandsworth. Patterson’s fall from grace is dramatic for a former #1 pick and a player with the talent, but obviously not the mental ability, to be an all-star.
Here’s another quiz. Which act has had albums spend the most weeks on the British Billboard charts all-time? The Beatles? The Rolling Stones? Elvis?
All good guesses, but all wrong. Queen is #1 all-time, according to the Guinness folks. I’m a big Queen fan, but I would have never guessed that.
Queen is touring Europe again, sort of. Guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor have teamed up with former Free singer Paul Rogers to tour as “Queen with Paul Rogers.” Rogers isn’t Freddie, but who is? At least he isn’t trying to be.
I haven’t seen any reviews. There are some who would think Queen died when Freddie did and won’t like this no matter what. Certainly the prospect of anything new died with Freddie, but I have no problems with the remaining guys going out and keeping the songs out there and maybe even putting their own stamp on them. The tour is supposed to come to America next year. You’ll find me at the closest show to Chicago.
I spent most of yesterday with an eye on CNN following the London terrorism story. The one thing that stands out to me about that attack is that if it can happen there, nobody is really safe. London is probably the most experienced and prepared city for such a thing, and yet, three trains and a bus get blown up during rush hour. It’s one more example that if someone is determined and resourceful enough to cause mayhem, it’s pretty hard to stop them.
Queen and REM were among the acts that have postponed concerts schedule for London this week, though sporting events will go on.
Sorry to end on such a downer and sorry for the paucity of updates lately. The next week or so may be like that. I’m at my mother-in-law’s and it’s a difficult environment for me to work in. Next week, my kids will be attending Camp Invention and I’ll be volunteering, so I don’t know how much writing I’ll get done.
Yes, they both blow, but that’s not the answer I had in mind. The answer is they are both hitting Miami at the same time.
Dennis isn’t likely to make a direct hit on Miami, but south Florida should still be impacted, and the possibility exists that, for the second year in a row, the entire Cubs-Marlins series could be rained out.
That might actually be good for the Cubs, which have imploded in an eight-game losing streak. They were outscored by the Braves 24-5 in a four game sweep. Yesterday, the bullpen blew the lead late, but that’s an improvement because that was the first lead the Cubs had in the entire streak.
Things have gotten so bad for Corey Patterson in particular that he was sent to Iowa yesterday, along with OF Jason Dubois, who has lost out on playing time to Todd Hollandsworth. Patterson’s fall from grace is dramatic for a former #1 pick and a player with the talent, but obviously not the mental ability, to be an all-star.
Here’s another quiz. Which act has had albums spend the most weeks on the British Billboard charts all-time? The Beatles? The Rolling Stones? Elvis?
All good guesses, but all wrong. Queen is #1 all-time, according to the Guinness folks. I’m a big Queen fan, but I would have never guessed that.
Queen is touring Europe again, sort of. Guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor have teamed up with former Free singer Paul Rogers to tour as “Queen with Paul Rogers.” Rogers isn’t Freddie, but who is? At least he isn’t trying to be.
I haven’t seen any reviews. There are some who would think Queen died when Freddie did and won’t like this no matter what. Certainly the prospect of anything new died with Freddie, but I have no problems with the remaining guys going out and keeping the songs out there and maybe even putting their own stamp on them. The tour is supposed to come to America next year. You’ll find me at the closest show to Chicago.
I spent most of yesterday with an eye on CNN following the London terrorism story. The one thing that stands out to me about that attack is that if it can happen there, nobody is really safe. London is probably the most experienced and prepared city for such a thing, and yet, three trains and a bus get blown up during rush hour. It’s one more example that if someone is determined and resourceful enough to cause mayhem, it’s pretty hard to stop them.
Queen and REM were among the acts that have postponed concerts schedule for London this week, though sporting events will go on.
Sorry to end on such a downer and sorry for the paucity of updates lately. The next week or so may be like that. I’m at my mother-in-law’s and it’s a difficult environment for me to work in. Next week, my kids will be attending Camp Invention and I’ll be volunteering, so I don’t know how much writing I’ll get done.
Monday, July 04, 2005
All-Star selections
The All-Star rosters were announced yesterday, as well as the five candidates for the final spot, which the fans can vote on this week.
AL Fans did a good job picking their lineup. In fact, they voted on eight of the nine guys I suggested a week ago. For Boston Red Sox players made it, which is fine because all are having pretty good years. My ballot would have had Gary Sheffield ahead of Manny Ramirez, but we're splitting hairs. Sheffield made the team as a reserve.
The AL roster (starter listed first, except for pitcher, which is announced later).
+ - team's only representative.
C - Jason Varitek, BOS; Ivan Rodriguez, DET
1B - Mark Teixeira, TEX; Shea Hillenbrand TOR (also plays 3B); Paul Konerko, CWS; +Mike Sweeney, KC;
2B - Brian Roberts, BAL; Alfonso Soriano, TEX
SS - Miguel Tejada, BAL; Michael Young, TEX
3B - Alex Rodriguez, NYY; Melvin Mora, BAL
OF - Manny Ramirez, Johnny Damon, BOS; Vladimir Guerrero, Garrett Anderson, ANG; Gary Sheffield, NYY; +Ichiro Suzuki, SEA;
DH - David Ortiz, BOS;
SP - Mark Buehrle, Jon Garland, CWS; Bartolo Colon, ANG; Roy Halladay, TOR; Kenny Rogers, TEX; Johan Santana, MIN
RP - +Danys Baez, TAM; +Justin Duchscherer, OAK; Joe Nathan, MIN; Mariano Rivera, NYY; BJ Ryan, BAL; +Bob Wickman, CLE
As for the reserves, it's pretty tough to make a case for Konerko. I'm a Chicago guy and I like Paulie, but guys who can't hit .270 don't belong on the all star team. Konerko's hitting .246, which is brutal.
Which brings me to the NL. Idiot Met fans (I apologize for the redundancy) voted on Mike Piazza and Carlos Beltran, who are hitting .264 and .262 respectively with nine home runs each. I admit that the pickings are slim at catcher in the NL, but certainly Paul LoDuca is a more deserving starter and Ramon Hernandez of SD should also be on the team ahead of Piazza. Beltran's selection is even worse. He should be no better than 20th on the list of NL outfield candidates, but he's taking up a roster spot that someone like Jose Guillen or Brady Clark should have. Or better still, fellow Met Cliff Floyd. None of those guys can even get in on the fans' final choice ballot, which is all pitchers for the NL.
Scott Rolen has no business being here either after an injury plagued first half that has him hitting .250 with five homers.
Here's the NL roster:
C - Mike Piazza, NYM; Paul LoDuca, FLA
1B - Derrek Lee, CHC; Albert Pujols, STL
2B - Jeff Kent, LA; Luis Castillo, FLA
SS - David Eckstein, STL; Cesar Izturis, LA; +Felipe Lopez, CIN
3B - Scott Rolen, STL; Aramis Ramirez, CHC
OF - Carlos Beltran, NYM; Jim Edmonds, STL; +Bobby Abreu, PHL; +Moises Alou, SF; +Jason Bay, PIT; Miguel Cabrera, FLA; +Luis Gonzalez, AZ; Andruw Jones, ATL; +Carlos Lee, MIL
SP - Chris Carpenter, STL; Livan Hernandez, WAS; Roger Clemens, HOU; Pedro Martinez, NYM; +Jake Peavy, SD; John Smoltz, ATL; Dontrelle Willis, FLA
RP - Chad Cordero, WAS; +Brian Fuentes, COL; Jason Isringhausen, STL; Brad Lidge, HOU
Half the National League's sixteen teams are represented by only one player. Tony LaRussa couldn't even find room for one of his own guys, Matt Morris, who is 9-1. The idiots who voted in three undeserving players, plus the high number of worthy starting pitchers really made LaRussa's job tough.
The AL has been beating up the NL in recent years, and the NL looks like it's behind the 8-ball already again this year.
AL Fans did a good job picking their lineup. In fact, they voted on eight of the nine guys I suggested a week ago. For Boston Red Sox players made it, which is fine because all are having pretty good years. My ballot would have had Gary Sheffield ahead of Manny Ramirez, but we're splitting hairs. Sheffield made the team as a reserve.
The AL roster (starter listed first, except for pitcher, which is announced later).
+ - team's only representative.
C - Jason Varitek, BOS; Ivan Rodriguez, DET
1B - Mark Teixeira, TEX; Shea Hillenbrand TOR (also plays 3B); Paul Konerko, CWS; +Mike Sweeney, KC;
2B - Brian Roberts, BAL; Alfonso Soriano, TEX
SS - Miguel Tejada, BAL; Michael Young, TEX
3B - Alex Rodriguez, NYY; Melvin Mora, BAL
OF - Manny Ramirez, Johnny Damon, BOS; Vladimir Guerrero, Garrett Anderson, ANG; Gary Sheffield, NYY; +Ichiro Suzuki, SEA;
DH - David Ortiz, BOS;
SP - Mark Buehrle, Jon Garland, CWS; Bartolo Colon, ANG; Roy Halladay, TOR; Kenny Rogers, TEX; Johan Santana, MIN
RP - +Danys Baez, TAM; +Justin Duchscherer, OAK; Joe Nathan, MIN; Mariano Rivera, NYY; BJ Ryan, BAL; +Bob Wickman, CLE
As for the reserves, it's pretty tough to make a case for Konerko. I'm a Chicago guy and I like Paulie, but guys who can't hit .270 don't belong on the all star team. Konerko's hitting .246, which is brutal.
Which brings me to the NL. Idiot Met fans (I apologize for the redundancy) voted on Mike Piazza and Carlos Beltran, who are hitting .264 and .262 respectively with nine home runs each. I admit that the pickings are slim at catcher in the NL, but certainly Paul LoDuca is a more deserving starter and Ramon Hernandez of SD should also be on the team ahead of Piazza. Beltran's selection is even worse. He should be no better than 20th on the list of NL outfield candidates, but he's taking up a roster spot that someone like Jose Guillen or Brady Clark should have. Or better still, fellow Met Cliff Floyd. None of those guys can even get in on the fans' final choice ballot, which is all pitchers for the NL.
Scott Rolen has no business being here either after an injury plagued first half that has him hitting .250 with five homers.
Here's the NL roster:
C - Mike Piazza, NYM; Paul LoDuca, FLA
1B - Derrek Lee, CHC; Albert Pujols, STL
2B - Jeff Kent, LA; Luis Castillo, FLA
SS - David Eckstein, STL; Cesar Izturis, LA; +Felipe Lopez, CIN
3B - Scott Rolen, STL; Aramis Ramirez, CHC
OF - Carlos Beltran, NYM; Jim Edmonds, STL; +Bobby Abreu, PHL; +Moises Alou, SF; +Jason Bay, PIT; Miguel Cabrera, FLA; +Luis Gonzalez, AZ; Andruw Jones, ATL; +Carlos Lee, MIL
SP - Chris Carpenter, STL; Livan Hernandez, WAS; Roger Clemens, HOU; Pedro Martinez, NYM; +Jake Peavy, SD; John Smoltz, ATL; Dontrelle Willis, FLA
RP - Chad Cordero, WAS; +Brian Fuentes, COL; Jason Isringhausen, STL; Brad Lidge, HOU
Half the National League's sixteen teams are represented by only one player. Tony LaRussa couldn't even find room for one of his own guys, Matt Morris, who is 9-1. The idiots who voted in three undeserving players, plus the high number of worthy starting pitchers really made LaRussa's job tough.
The AL has been beating up the NL in recent years, and the NL looks like it's behind the 8-ball already again this year.
Saturday, July 02, 2005
Our strange school
I've been meaning to write about the strange goings on at the school we sent our kids to this year, but I just don't often get about 12 uninterrupted hours to put anything together.
Fortunately, another parent has blogged her experiences at the school, which will give you an idea about what we were up against. Her story is similar to ours in some ways and different in others, as you might expect, but dealing with the person she calls "Nutjob" and her son's teacher were among the similar ones.
She talks about people she is supposedly responsible for leaving the school, which is what Nutjob is telling other people, but that's a lie, of course. We are among those that she says were driven off by this other parent, but we are leaving for our own reasons.
We're now homeschooling. The public schools around here are fine for kids within two standard deviations of "normal," but my kids aren't in that group. We've been to three different private schools (a Christian school, a Montessori school and this last one, which was secular), and none have been able to work with our kids at their academic levels. So, we've decided we're going to having to do it ourselves.
I'm sure it'll be fun. The kids are looking forward to it. We're not really organized as far as acquiring a curriculum or anything like that, but we've already started anyway. For now, life is school. They're doing some reading, some math books, and they've created and are caring for a garden. We'll do something more formal in a couple of months.
Fortunately, another parent has blogged her experiences at the school, which will give you an idea about what we were up against. Her story is similar to ours in some ways and different in others, as you might expect, but dealing with the person she calls "Nutjob" and her son's teacher were among the similar ones.
She talks about people she is supposedly responsible for leaving the school, which is what Nutjob is telling other people, but that's a lie, of course. We are among those that she says were driven off by this other parent, but we are leaving for our own reasons.
We're now homeschooling. The public schools around here are fine for kids within two standard deviations of "normal," but my kids aren't in that group. We've been to three different private schools (a Christian school, a Montessori school and this last one, which was secular), and none have been able to work with our kids at their academic levels. So, we've decided we're going to having to do it ourselves.
I'm sure it'll be fun. The kids are looking forward to it. We're not really organized as far as acquiring a curriculum or anything like that, but we've already started anyway. For now, life is school. They're doing some reading, some math books, and they've created and are caring for a garden. We'll do something more formal in a couple of months.
Friday, July 01, 2005
Dyer is da bomb!
Any day now, I expect to see the most spectacular fireworks show of all time, which will be what happens when the town of Dyer explodes. I get this feeling every year, but it hasn't happened yet.
Dyer is a little town just on the Indiana side of the state line with Illinois, and because of taxes and the most idiotic law in all of America, 95% of the Dyer economy is based on the sale of gasoline, cigarettes and fireworks. The first mile and a half of US 30 from the state line into Indiana, which is the Dyer business area, you see a school, a couple of churches, five gas stations (three of which are Speedways), about a dozen places to buy cigarettes and another dozen to buy fireworks. Fortunately, there is also a hospital.
Lower taxes fuel the cigarette and gas sales from our neighbors in Illinois. The fireworks sales are seasonal (spring, summer and fall) and are due to a law which says you can buy any fireworks you want in Indiana as long as you promise to not blow them up here.
You'll be shocked to learn that law is not strictly enforced. If you had a cop on every corner, they still wouldn't be able to keep up. The only thing more surprising than that is that the fireworks industry contributes megatons of money to Indiana politicians so this stupidity can continue.
As a result of the spinelessness of our legislature, you can get anything from little firecrackers to thermonuclear devices in Dyer.
As you can probably tell, I'm not a big fan of the fireworks. The vast majority of the major explosives end up in the hands of kids who have no idea how to handle them. But, I'm just as offended by the wink-wink-nudge-nudge nature of the law. If we're going to let people buy the fireworks, we should let them shoot them off. If we're not going to let people shoot them off, then we shouldn't sell them.
I think they should be banned, even at the significant risk of turning Dyer into a ghost town, but either way, the Indiana legislature should make up its damn mind.
Dyer is a little town just on the Indiana side of the state line with Illinois, and because of taxes and the most idiotic law in all of America, 95% of the Dyer economy is based on the sale of gasoline, cigarettes and fireworks. The first mile and a half of US 30 from the state line into Indiana, which is the Dyer business area, you see a school, a couple of churches, five gas stations (three of which are Speedways), about a dozen places to buy cigarettes and another dozen to buy fireworks. Fortunately, there is also a hospital.
Lower taxes fuel the cigarette and gas sales from our neighbors in Illinois. The fireworks sales are seasonal (spring, summer and fall) and are due to a law which says you can buy any fireworks you want in Indiana as long as you promise to not blow them up here.
You'll be shocked to learn that law is not strictly enforced. If you had a cop on every corner, they still wouldn't be able to keep up. The only thing more surprising than that is that the fireworks industry contributes megatons of money to Indiana politicians so this stupidity can continue.
As a result of the spinelessness of our legislature, you can get anything from little firecrackers to thermonuclear devices in Dyer.
As you can probably tell, I'm not a big fan of the fireworks. The vast majority of the major explosives end up in the hands of kids who have no idea how to handle them. But, I'm just as offended by the wink-wink-nudge-nudge nature of the law. If we're going to let people buy the fireworks, we should let them shoot them off. If we're not going to let people shoot them off, then we shouldn't sell them.
I think they should be banned, even at the significant risk of turning Dyer into a ghost town, but either way, the Indiana legislature should make up its damn mind.
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Um, never mind!
A couple of months ago, the Marquette University board of trustees changed the name of the school's teams from Golden Eagles to simply the Gold. After the Marquette community unanimously panned this decision, the board put it up to a vote of the community, and the winner is:
Golden Eagles.
Back to where they started.
Golden Eagles.
Back to where they started.
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
FIA backs down
FIA found the seven Michelin teams guilty of not having suitable tires (or tyres, if you like the European spelling) for the USGP and wrongfully failing to start the race. They cleared the teams of refusing to race subject to a speed restriction, combining to make a demonstration and failing to inform the stewards of their intention not to start.
FIA decided that Michelin was more at fault than the teams themselves. However, given that, I can't imagine how the teams were not guilty of combining to make a demonstration, since that is clearly what they did, and that's the one thing the teams did that can't be blamed on Michelin. FIA said it had no power to punish Michelin, but will look to pressure the tire maker (rim shot) through its teams.
Any penalties will be decided on September 14th and will likely be financial only.
FIA decided that Michelin was more at fault than the teams themselves. However, given that, I can't imagine how the teams were not guilty of combining to make a demonstration, since that is clearly what they did, and that's the one thing the teams did that can't be blamed on Michelin. FIA said it had no power to punish Michelin, but will look to pressure the tire maker (rim shot) through its teams.
Any penalties will be decided on September 14th and will likely be financial only.
Michelin offers refunds
Michelin has offered to pay for ticket refunds for the US Grand Prix and buy 20,000 tickets for next year's race, assuming there is one. In the press release, the company continued the public pissing match between itself and FIA by chastising FIA for accusing them of "boycotting" the USGP and for not changing the track to accommodate their faulty equipment. Of course, they didn't put it quite that way.
Meanwhile, FIA is upset because a letter from Michelin to FIA dated June 27 was leaked to the press (although I haven't been able to find it online anywhere). The FIA website has posted a couple of angry faxes to Michelin about this.
Also, the hearing for the seven teams that pulled out of the USGP is today. There are rumblings that the teams could boycott the French GP if they don't feel like they are treated fairly today. Statistically speaking, I'd say there's about a 115% chance they will feel like they are not being treated fairly.
Stay tuned.
Meanwhile, FIA is upset because a letter from Michelin to FIA dated June 27 was leaked to the press (although I haven't been able to find it online anywhere). The FIA website has posted a couple of angry faxes to Michelin about this.
Also, the hearing for the seven teams that pulled out of the USGP is today. There are rumblings that the teams could boycott the French GP if they don't feel like they are treated fairly today. Statistically speaking, I'd say there's about a 115% chance they will feel like they are not being treated fairly.
Stay tuned.
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Time to sell my 69 Camaro
I inherited a 1969 Camaro from my grandmother when she died a few years ago. She didn't drive it much (only 60,000 miles), but she didn't care for it very well either. It's got a fair amount of rust on it and a dented fender, but I liked tooling around in it anyway. Now, it's not running.
I had always kind of hoped to fix it up and drive it around short distances, but I lack the time (mostly) and money (for now) to do that, and just keeping it around rotting in my garage is a headache I no longer want. So, it's time to get rid of it.
If it wasn't for the emotional attachment to it, I would have gotten rid of it long ago. I've had plenty of chances. Every week, someone comes to the door asking if it's for sale. Now it is.
Does anyone know how to find out how to price a car like this? Things like the Kelley Blue Book are useless because they only go back 20 years.
This probably won't be as exciting as trying to sell a car once owned by a pope, but I'll let you know how it turns out anyway.
NBA Draft
The NBA Draft is tonight, where we get another lesson on just how different the professional game is than the college game.
The college player of the year, Andrew Bogut of Utah, is a likely first round pick. He’s a 7-footer with a polished game and those guys are pretty rare coming into the draft.
The second pick is likely to be Marvin Williams of North Carolina. Williams is a 6-9 forward with three point range, the ability to handle the ball well enough to create his own shot, and a nose for it around the rim, but never started a game in his one year at UNC. I can’t think of anyone who was strictly a reserve in college getting drafted, let alone drafted this high. However, he’s got great potential and is considered a can’t-miss prospect. He often gets compared to Tracy McGrady.
After that, it’s HS kids, college point guards, and foreigners.
The point guards are Deron Williams of Illinois, Chris Paul of Wake Forest and Raymond Felton of North Carolina. Felton and Paul are better athletes, but Williams is the best at taking care of the ball and running an offense. Paul is probably the best shooter but also the sloppiest with the ball.
Another college big man that will probably go early is Arizona’s Channing Frye. The 6-11 Frye has pretty good skills around the basket, but will need to get stronger to be successful in the NBA.
Whenever a player jumps levels, he often finds himself changing positions as well. Often, guys who are centers in high school are forwards in college, for example. The same kind of jump happens often happens from college to the NBA also. Guys like Sean May, who was a center in college at 6-8, will probably be a power forward in the NBA. Sometimes guys like May see their draft position suffer a little because of the position switch.
As with any draft, there are steals and busts. For me, the guy who is most likely to be a bust is Connecticut’s Charlie Villanueva. Villanueva is a 6-10 power forward who is capable of dominating college games, but too often doesn’t show up. His disappearing act was a primary cause of UConn’s early ouster in the NCAA tournament this year. The old adage is that you can’t teach size, but among the things you can teach, the toughest is work ethic, and Villanueva is sorely lacking there.
I think one of the biggest steals will be Luther Head of Illinois. He’s going to drop in the draft some because he’s a little small for a shooting guard, and he’s not really a pure point guard either. He has some point guard skills, but he didn’t play the position at Illinois. If he finds a home at one position or the other in the NBA, he has a chance to have a pretty good career in the league.
One thing kind of unique to the NBA draft is that a lot of guys come out of college early, and some go into the draft right out of high school. Invariably, some of those players made a mistake. Among the college players likely to get his feelings hurt tonight is Brandon Bass of LSU. Bass has Sean May’s body, but isn’t as developed. Also, there are a lot of guys like him in this draft. Another year or two of college ball would have really suited him well. Bass is likely to end up at the end of someone’s bench or overseas.
This will also be the last draft where HS players can be picked. The new collective bargaining agreement beginning next year will set an age limit of 19 and players also have to be at least one year beyond their HS graduation. That means the Greg Odens of the world were born one year too late.
Oden will go to Ohio St, a place he doesn’t want to be, because the NBA says he can’t play there. He’ll stay for one year and move on. Ohio St hopes that one year is enough to bring them some glory. There are many who complain that the college game has suffered for not having all the high school stars that never played, but if all we’re going to get is one year of from these guys, I fail to see how that makes the college game better.
If the college game suffers from players leaving early, it’s from those leaving early (or never coming at all) that are clearly not ready for the NBA. Still, the player suffers more than the game does.
The college player of the year, Andrew Bogut of Utah, is a likely first round pick. He’s a 7-footer with a polished game and those guys are pretty rare coming into the draft.
The second pick is likely to be Marvin Williams of North Carolina. Williams is a 6-9 forward with three point range, the ability to handle the ball well enough to create his own shot, and a nose for it around the rim, but never started a game in his one year at UNC. I can’t think of anyone who was strictly a reserve in college getting drafted, let alone drafted this high. However, he’s got great potential and is considered a can’t-miss prospect. He often gets compared to Tracy McGrady.
After that, it’s HS kids, college point guards, and foreigners.
The point guards are Deron Williams of Illinois, Chris Paul of Wake Forest and Raymond Felton of North Carolina. Felton and Paul are better athletes, but Williams is the best at taking care of the ball and running an offense. Paul is probably the best shooter but also the sloppiest with the ball.
Another college big man that will probably go early is Arizona’s Channing Frye. The 6-11 Frye has pretty good skills around the basket, but will need to get stronger to be successful in the NBA.
Whenever a player jumps levels, he often finds himself changing positions as well. Often, guys who are centers in high school are forwards in college, for example. The same kind of jump happens often happens from college to the NBA also. Guys like Sean May, who was a center in college at 6-8, will probably be a power forward in the NBA. Sometimes guys like May see their draft position suffer a little because of the position switch.
As with any draft, there are steals and busts. For me, the guy who is most likely to be a bust is Connecticut’s Charlie Villanueva. Villanueva is a 6-10 power forward who is capable of dominating college games, but too often doesn’t show up. His disappearing act was a primary cause of UConn’s early ouster in the NCAA tournament this year. The old adage is that you can’t teach size, but among the things you can teach, the toughest is work ethic, and Villanueva is sorely lacking there.
I think one of the biggest steals will be Luther Head of Illinois. He’s going to drop in the draft some because he’s a little small for a shooting guard, and he’s not really a pure point guard either. He has some point guard skills, but he didn’t play the position at Illinois. If he finds a home at one position or the other in the NBA, he has a chance to have a pretty good career in the league.
One thing kind of unique to the NBA draft is that a lot of guys come out of college early, and some go into the draft right out of high school. Invariably, some of those players made a mistake. Among the college players likely to get his feelings hurt tonight is Brandon Bass of LSU. Bass has Sean May’s body, but isn’t as developed. Also, there are a lot of guys like him in this draft. Another year or two of college ball would have really suited him well. Bass is likely to end up at the end of someone’s bench or overseas.
This will also be the last draft where HS players can be picked. The new collective bargaining agreement beginning next year will set an age limit of 19 and players also have to be at least one year beyond their HS graduation. That means the Greg Odens of the world were born one year too late.
Oden will go to Ohio St, a place he doesn’t want to be, because the NBA says he can’t play there. He’ll stay for one year and move on. Ohio St hopes that one year is enough to bring them some glory. There are many who complain that the college game has suffered for not having all the high school stars that never played, but if all we’re going to get is one year of from these guys, I fail to see how that makes the college game better.
If the college game suffers from players leaving early, it’s from those leaving early (or never coming at all) that are clearly not ready for the NBA. Still, the player suffers more than the game does.
Sunday, June 26, 2005
All Star vote
It's about time to pick the rosters for the MLB All-Star game. Voting ends on June 30 and the rosters will be picked shortly thereafter. Since the game is in Detroit this year, the teams will use a DH.
If I were the manager, here's the teams I would choose. Note, each team must be represented on the roster. If that wasn't in the rules, Colorado, Oakland, Kansas City and Tampa Bay wouldn't have players on the team. However, Colorado's best player this year has been Clint Barmes, who has all-star numbers, but is out with an injury.
NL Starters
1. Felix Lopez, SS, CIN
2. Bobby Abreu, CF, PHL
3. Derrek Lee, 1B, CHC
4. Albert Pujols, DH, STL
5. Miguel Cabrera, LF, FLA
6. Aramis Ramirez, 3B, CHC
7. Jose Guillen, RF, WAS
8. Chase Utley, 2B, PHL
9. Ramon Hernandez, C, SD
SP. Dontrelle Willis, FLA
NL Reserves
C - Paul LoDuca, FLA
IF - Luis Castillo, FLA; Jeff Kent, LA; Rob Mackowiak, PIT; Nick Johnson, WAS
OF - Andruw Jones, ATL; Preston Wilson, COL; Carlos Lee, MIL; Jason Bay, PIT; Moises Alou, SF
P - John Smoltz, ATL; Brandon Webb, AZ; Roger Clemens, Roy Oswalt, HOU; Pedro Martinez, NYM; Billy Wagner, PHL; Jake Peavy, SD; Chris Carpenter, Jason Isringhausen, Matt Morris, STL; Chad Cordero, Livan Hernandez, WAS
AL Starters
1. Brian Roberts, 2B, BAL
2. Johnny Damon, CF, BOS
3. Miguel Tejada, SS, BAL
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B, NYY
5. Vladimir Guerrero, RF, ANG
6. David Ortiz, DH, BOS
7. Gary Sheffield, LF, NYY
8. Mark Teixeira, 1B, TEX
9. Jason Varitek, C, BOS
SP. Mark Buehrle, CHW
AL Reserves
C - Ivan Rodriguez, DET; Jorge Posada, NYY
IF - Brandon Inge, DET; Mike Sweeney, KC; Derek Jeter, NYY; Jorge Cantu, TB; Michael Young, TEX
OF - Manny Ramirez, BOS; Scott Posednik, CHW; Ichiro Suzuki, SEA
P - Bartolo Colon, ANG; BJ Ryan, BAL; Matt Clement, BOS; Jon Garland, Dustin Hermanson, CHW; Cliff Lee, Bob Wickman, CLE; Johan Santana, MIN; Mariano Rivera, NYY; Danny Haren, OAK; Kenny Rogers, TEX; Roy Halladay, TOR
If I were the manager, here's the teams I would choose. Note, each team must be represented on the roster. If that wasn't in the rules, Colorado, Oakland, Kansas City and Tampa Bay wouldn't have players on the team. However, Colorado's best player this year has been Clint Barmes, who has all-star numbers, but is out with an injury.
NL Starters
1. Felix Lopez, SS, CIN
2. Bobby Abreu, CF, PHL
3. Derrek Lee, 1B, CHC
4. Albert Pujols, DH, STL
5. Miguel Cabrera, LF, FLA
6. Aramis Ramirez, 3B, CHC
7. Jose Guillen, RF, WAS
8. Chase Utley, 2B, PHL
9. Ramon Hernandez, C, SD
SP. Dontrelle Willis, FLA
NL Reserves
C - Paul LoDuca, FLA
IF - Luis Castillo, FLA; Jeff Kent, LA; Rob Mackowiak, PIT; Nick Johnson, WAS
OF - Andruw Jones, ATL; Preston Wilson, COL; Carlos Lee, MIL; Jason Bay, PIT; Moises Alou, SF
P - John Smoltz, ATL; Brandon Webb, AZ; Roger Clemens, Roy Oswalt, HOU; Pedro Martinez, NYM; Billy Wagner, PHL; Jake Peavy, SD; Chris Carpenter, Jason Isringhausen, Matt Morris, STL; Chad Cordero, Livan Hernandez, WAS
AL Starters
1. Brian Roberts, 2B, BAL
2. Johnny Damon, CF, BOS
3. Miguel Tejada, SS, BAL
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B, NYY
5. Vladimir Guerrero, RF, ANG
6. David Ortiz, DH, BOS
7. Gary Sheffield, LF, NYY
8. Mark Teixeira, 1B, TEX
9. Jason Varitek, C, BOS
SP. Mark Buehrle, CHW
AL Reserves
C - Ivan Rodriguez, DET; Jorge Posada, NYY
IF - Brandon Inge, DET; Mike Sweeney, KC; Derek Jeter, NYY; Jorge Cantu, TB; Michael Young, TEX
OF - Manny Ramirez, BOS; Scott Posednik, CHW; Ichiro Suzuki, SEA
P - Bartolo Colon, ANG; BJ Ryan, BAL; Matt Clement, BOS; Jon Garland, Dustin Hermanson, CHW; Cliff Lee, Bob Wickman, CLE; Johan Santana, MIN; Mariano Rivera, NYY; Danny Haren, OAK; Kenny Rogers, TEX; Roy Halladay, TOR
Another Corey solo
A great pitching duel between two Cubs 1st round draft choices (Mark Prior and the White Sox Jon Garland) went five shutout innings before Corey Patterson hit his 11th HR of the year in the top of the sixth. All 11 of Patterson's homers this year have been solo shots. That's got to be a record.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Kenny Harris comes home
A miracle has occurred, and Valparaiso F Kenny Harris returned home last week after nearly dying during a workout at the school in April. The Times of NW Indiana reports the details.
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
F1 Disaster
For years, Formula One racing has been trying to win the hearts of American fans. A while back, there was a race in the US, but it was short-lived. The closest race most years has been the Canadian Grand Prix.
A few years ago, they started one at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. F1 races are all road courses, as opposed to the oval tracks that dominate both NASCAR and Indy Car racing, so IMS had to be modified to accommodate the series. The F1 track twists and turns through the infield, enters the oval just before turn 2, goes through turn 1 (the F1 race runs clockwise, the opposite direction of the Indy 500), and re-enters the infield at the end of the main straightaway, just short of turn 4. The stretch on the oval is the fastest in the entire F1 series because of the banked turn and because no other track has an open stretch anything near that long.
On Friday, Ralf Schumacher crashed in practice when one of his tires failed. Schumacher's teammate, Ricardo Zonta, also crashed because of a tire failure. Michelin tried to determine why the tire failed, and when it couldn't, warned teams not to race on them. Michelin asked F1 to install an obstacle in turn 1 to slow the cars down, but F1 said no. F1 also does not allow cars to change tires after qualifying, so, to make a long story short, all the teams using Michelin tires decided not to race.
However, they didn't just not show up on race morning. They made a big spectacle of deciding to withdraw. All 20 cars ran the warm up laps, and then the 14 cars on Michelin tires pulled off just before the start. The drivers got out of their cars while the remaining six started (and finished) the race.
Fans were in shock. Michael Schumacher, the greatest driver in the world, won the race, but was somewhat embarrassed to have won that way. In fact, everyone on both sides who were quoted a day later were embarrassed. Fans threw things on the track. Many demanded refunds. The podium ceremony was cancelled. And the real damage is that any chance F1 has of ever being popular in America has been killed.
F1 and IMS have not made any decisions regarding refunds. Also, IMS is considering its options as to whether or not to ask for a refund of its sanctioning fee from F1 and whether or not F1 will race again at Indianapolis.
FIA and Michelin are now in a pissing match that Michelin cannot win. FIA is correctly blaming the company for bringing inferior equipment to Indy. Michelin tried to get the rules and/or the track changed so that its teams could compete. That would be ridiculous, of course. You don't change rules the day before the race, and you certainly don't change the track. Michelin said its teams could not run safely on its tires. FIA pointed out that the three teams running Bridgestone tires were fine and that it is not responsible for making sure each team has suitable equipment. It's not like the track changed this week. It's the same one they've used at Indy for all five years of this race.
The exchange of letters between F1 and Michelin the weekend of the race is posted on the FIA website. There are links to further correspondence as well. FIA is the F1 governing body.
There will be a hearing in Paris on June 29th to determine what penalties, if any, the Michelin teams face for their actions at Indianapolis.
A few years ago, they started one at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. F1 races are all road courses, as opposed to the oval tracks that dominate both NASCAR and Indy Car racing, so IMS had to be modified to accommodate the series. The F1 track twists and turns through the infield, enters the oval just before turn 2, goes through turn 1 (the F1 race runs clockwise, the opposite direction of the Indy 500), and re-enters the infield at the end of the main straightaway, just short of turn 4. The stretch on the oval is the fastest in the entire F1 series because of the banked turn and because no other track has an open stretch anything near that long.
On Friday, Ralf Schumacher crashed in practice when one of his tires failed. Schumacher's teammate, Ricardo Zonta, also crashed because of a tire failure. Michelin tried to determine why the tire failed, and when it couldn't, warned teams not to race on them. Michelin asked F1 to install an obstacle in turn 1 to slow the cars down, but F1 said no. F1 also does not allow cars to change tires after qualifying, so, to make a long story short, all the teams using Michelin tires decided not to race.
However, they didn't just not show up on race morning. They made a big spectacle of deciding to withdraw. All 20 cars ran the warm up laps, and then the 14 cars on Michelin tires pulled off just before the start. The drivers got out of their cars while the remaining six started (and finished) the race.
Fans were in shock. Michael Schumacher, the greatest driver in the world, won the race, but was somewhat embarrassed to have won that way. In fact, everyone on both sides who were quoted a day later were embarrassed. Fans threw things on the track. Many demanded refunds. The podium ceremony was cancelled. And the real damage is that any chance F1 has of ever being popular in America has been killed.
F1 and IMS have not made any decisions regarding refunds. Also, IMS is considering its options as to whether or not to ask for a refund of its sanctioning fee from F1 and whether or not F1 will race again at Indianapolis.
FIA and Michelin are now in a pissing match that Michelin cannot win. FIA is correctly blaming the company for bringing inferior equipment to Indy. Michelin tried to get the rules and/or the track changed so that its teams could compete. That would be ridiculous, of course. You don't change rules the day before the race, and you certainly don't change the track. Michelin said its teams could not run safely on its tires. FIA pointed out that the three teams running Bridgestone tires were fine and that it is not responsible for making sure each team has suitable equipment. It's not like the track changed this week. It's the same one they've used at Indy for all five years of this race.
The exchange of letters between F1 and Michelin the weekend of the race is posted on the FIA website. There are links to further correspondence as well. FIA is the F1 governing body.
There will be a hearing in Paris on June 29th to determine what penalties, if any, the Michelin teams face for their actions at Indianapolis.
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Happy Father's Day!
We have been working hard the last couple of weeks trying to get our older boys (ages 8 and 6) to become swimmers. Actually, it's my wife who has been doing most of the work. She's a bit of a fish, but I'm pretty much a land-lubber.
The eight-year-old does pretty well in his swim lessons, but has trouble behaving in the class. The six-year-old is capable of doing just as well (he has done so in the past), but has suddenly become afraid to try. During swim lessons, he was just clinging to the teacher and wouldn't do anything without her holding him securely.
After about a week of that, my wife had enough. She told them we would take them to see Star Wars III if #1 son would behave and if #2 son would face his fears. We also got a season pass for the Munster pool and my wife took the boys swimming every day so she could work with #2 on getting over his fears.
That worked very well, although swimming consumed our schedule this week. Monday-Thursday was pretty much the same: wake up, eat breakfast, swim, come home, eat linner, swim lessons, eat snack, bed. That's why I haven't written all week.
Friday, we went to see Revenge of the Sith. It was a great movie, but I'm a big Star Wars fan, so my standard may not be as high as others might be. In particular, it was great to see very little and hear none of Jar Jar Binks.
My only complaint is that I wish Hayden Christensen could act. Anakin Skywalker is a tortured soul and Christensen doesn't show us that. Anakin turns evil and Christensen doesn't really show us that either. The only facial expression he gets right in the whole movie is the one we see on the posters, when he looks back over his shoulder and his eyes are yellow with rage.
Jack Nicholson would have been a great in the role of Anakin, but he's 40-50 years too old. I'm not sure who is out there now that would be as good a fit, but certainly Christensen is not.
Still, he doesn't ruin it for me. He's just a distraction. It's still a great story and the other actors carry him.
At the theater this weekend, they were giving fathers who go to see this movie a little poster with Darth Vader on it and the caption "Who's Your Daddy?" I'll find a suitable spot to hang that.
Now, I have to find time to see Batman Begins.
Hope all you fathers have a great day!
The eight-year-old does pretty well in his swim lessons, but has trouble behaving in the class. The six-year-old is capable of doing just as well (he has done so in the past), but has suddenly become afraid to try. During swim lessons, he was just clinging to the teacher and wouldn't do anything without her holding him securely.
After about a week of that, my wife had enough. She told them we would take them to see Star Wars III if #1 son would behave and if #2 son would face his fears. We also got a season pass for the Munster pool and my wife took the boys swimming every day so she could work with #2 on getting over his fears.
That worked very well, although swimming consumed our schedule this week. Monday-Thursday was pretty much the same: wake up, eat breakfast, swim, come home, eat linner, swim lessons, eat snack, bed. That's why I haven't written all week.
Friday, we went to see Revenge of the Sith. It was a great movie, but I'm a big Star Wars fan, so my standard may not be as high as others might be. In particular, it was great to see very little and hear none of Jar Jar Binks.
My only complaint is that I wish Hayden Christensen could act. Anakin Skywalker is a tortured soul and Christensen doesn't show us that. Anakin turns evil and Christensen doesn't really show us that either. The only facial expression he gets right in the whole movie is the one we see on the posters, when he looks back over his shoulder and his eyes are yellow with rage.
Jack Nicholson would have been a great in the role of Anakin, but he's 40-50 years too old. I'm not sure who is out there now that would be as good a fit, but certainly Christensen is not.
Still, he doesn't ruin it for me. He's just a distraction. It's still a great story and the other actors carry him.
At the theater this weekend, they were giving fathers who go to see this movie a little poster with Darth Vader on it and the caption "Who's Your Daddy?" I'll find a suitable spot to hang that.
Now, I have to find time to see Batman Begins.
Hope all you fathers have a great day!
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Too much to say...
but not enough time. With the end/beginning of school, swimming, baseball and technical problems, I haven't had much of a chance to write. I hope to write more and catch up a bit shortly. At least most of the technical problems are solved.
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Sunday, June 12, 2005
In case you care
Mike Tyson fought another tomato can, lost his cool, lost the fight, and announced his retirement.
We can only hope he means it.
We can only hope he means it.
Friday, June 10, 2005
Cubs vs Red Sox
People are moistening their drawers with excitement around here at the first meeting of the Cubs and Red Sox since the 1918 World Series, which was the last time the Red Sox won the Series before last season. All everyone writes about is how cursed these teams are, but that angle is lost on me. I guess I just don't believe in curses. I think it's exciting to have the defending champs in town, but the whole idea that these are the two most cursed franchises in sports is hooey.
I'll be curious to see how the Red Sox like playing at Wrigley, which is the only baseball cathedral left besides Fenway. Todd Walker of the Cubs, formerly of the Red Sox, gives a slight edge to Wrigley. I would expect Red Sox pitcher Matt Clement, formerly of the Cubs, to go with Fenway. Unfortunately, the rotation won't allow Clement to face his old mates.
The real reason this is a big series has more to do with the present than with the history of these teams. Boston is 3 games behind Baltimore in the East and 3.5 games behind Minnesota in the wild card chase. The Cubs are so far back in the division that the only thing to talk about with them is the wild card, which they trail the Phillies by half a game. It's too early to count either of these teams out of anything (even though I wrote the Cubs' obituary earlier this year).
I'll be curious to see how the Red Sox like playing at Wrigley, which is the only baseball cathedral left besides Fenway. Todd Walker of the Cubs, formerly of the Red Sox, gives a slight edge to Wrigley. I would expect Red Sox pitcher Matt Clement, formerly of the Cubs, to go with Fenway. Unfortunately, the rotation won't allow Clement to face his old mates.
The real reason this is a big series has more to do with the present than with the history of these teams. Boston is 3 games behind Baltimore in the East and 3.5 games behind Minnesota in the wild card chase. The Cubs are so far back in the division that the only thing to talk about with them is the wild card, which they trail the Phillies by half a game. It's too early to count either of these teams out of anything (even though I wrote the Cubs' obituary earlier this year).
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