Balancing Act

Thursday was an off day, but there was plenty of action off the field. As you've head by now, Mr. Zero is now a Charlotte Knight. That's not a terrible thing. I'm glad he's still around. Maybe a few weeks in AAA will help him find his stuff. And he might be needed if Vizcaino continues to suck, or Jenks implodes... Also, Big Frank gone for the year. That's not a huge blow to the Sox, but I feel bad that more missed time, and a year older, will slow down his accrual of key stats that require entrance to Cooperstown.

Sox Update: The Sox defeat Baltimore convincingly, 7-2. Konerko and Everett homer. For me, the key play of the game was El Duce battling Sosa with 2 outs in the 5th. The O's had just scored and looked like they were rallying. But El Duce gave no ground and closed out the inning with a huge huge strikeout. The other thing I noticed in the game was a clutch hit by Iguchi. With two outs, he was also battling. Man on second, he hit a pitch that looked like it had already gone by him. His bat speed on that pitch was just incredible. Single up the middle, insurance run scores. I have a good feeling about the next few days.

The Twins not only lost, they lost Torii Hunter to an injury. He's out 4-6 weeks.

Down On The Farm:

Charlotte (AAA): Over the past two days, the Knights have lost twice, amassing a total of just 4 hits.

Birmingham (AA):Friday the Baron neat Chattanooga 9-1. Stewart homers in a 3 for 4 effort, driving in 3. Blakely had 2 hits and drove in 2. Haigwood has a good outing - 7 Ks and 0 runs in 7 IP. On thursday, it looked like the extra inning contest was over when Montgomery scored 3 runs in top of the 10th. But the Baron scored 4 in the bottom of the 10th and win 9-8. Blakely's dramatic 3-run homer is the difference.

Winston-Salem (A): Friday, the Hog beat Potomac 5-2. Collaro homers. Thursday they lost 8-6. Valido gets 2 hits and drives in 4.

Kannapolis (A): rained out the last two nights.

Bristol (R): on friday, the Sox beat JC 10-1. Acosta collects 3 hits. Sanchez had 2 SB. Some guy named Roth for JC made 3 errors. On thursday lost to JC 9-6. Swain was 2 for 4 with 3 RBIs.

Great Falls (R): firday was a 14-8 loss to Billings. Hernandez was 4 for 5 with a homer. They split a doubleheader with Billings on thursday. In game 2, Acosta homered. Lemon struck out 7 of 9 batters he faced.

Baseball phrase of the day: taking the day off.

Today's music selection: Ornette Coleman puts me to sleep on the train ride home.

Beer count - thursday 2. Friday 3.

Croquet and cocktails party tonight in the SW burbs.

Move it along, nuthin to see here, folks...

Sox Update: I haven't been giving this blog much attention the past few days. After the debacle in KC, probably a good thing. The last two games were just horrible. I don't want to talk about it. Onto Baltimore.

Down On the Farm:

Charlotte (AAA): A good outing for McCarthy today - 8K in 8 IP, no runs and just 3 hits. The Knight won on tuesday as well, Toca was 3 for 5 with 2 RBIs. Diaz struck out 9 in 8 IP. Monday? Another Knight win - and Borchard was 3 for 5 with 3 RBIs. Munoz strikes out 6 in 5 2/3rds.

Birmingham (AA): Barons lost tonight, though Blakely was 3 for 3. Malone struck out 4 in 2 IP. They won on tuesday - Fields homered and Sweeney was 3 for 4. Tracey struck out 10 in 6 IP. Monday was an off day.

Winston-Salem (A): The Hog win tonight and Collaro goes 2 for 3. Tuesday was a big 18-8 win. The box score is a mess. Hall was 3 for 5 with 4 RBIs, including 2 homers. Collaro and Schurenstein each had 3 hits as well. Collaro also had a homer. Monday was an uneventful loss.

Kannapolis (A): lost bad at Hickory tonight, but won huge on tuesday. Gonzales was 3 for 5. Monday was a loss, but McCarthy homered and drove in 3.

Bristol (R): off day today. Lost 10-5 to Kingsport on tuesday, though Morgan was 4 for 4. 4 runs in the bottom of the 9th on monday creates for an exciting win. Carter was 3 for 4 with 3 RBIs.

Great Falls (R): tonight was in progess at press time. Tuesday they won 8-3. Movil struck out 6 in 5 IP. Marshall struck out 4 in 3 IP. Monday was an uneventful 4-2 loss.

Baseball phrase of the day: Baseball Sadie n. a woman whose weakness is ballplayers.

Today's music selection: Bill Evans' fine Live At the Village Vanguard.

Beer count: 3

Cooling off

Its cold in my basement, so I decided to write a little.

The heat got turned up last night on the southside. I got lucky with the MILF, who teased me a bit, but took little coaxing once I filled her tummy with some ice cream. It was one of those 'hot summer nights' style sessions, she wore only her tank top, and while I gripped her hips and thrusted away, using her totally, completely, only for selfish pleasure...

Sox Update:
Saturday night - two base running errors in the first inning and the Sox never got their mojo working. When Schilling appeared in the 9th, hauling out the same tired ass stuff that allowed the Charlotte Knights to light him up last week, it looked like the Sox had a chance. The first two men up got on base. It was very obvious Schilling had nothing. With a little paitence, just waiting for the right pitch, and you could pick your spot - the game was won for the Sox. But Rowand swang at the first pitch, grounded into a double play, and in moments, the "2 on, none out" rally, became "2 out, one on". Game over.
Sunday: nuthin but Iguchi - 3 for 4 with a homer and 3 RBIs. sPod was also 3 for 4 but was caught stealing. Gload picked up a hit, but left 3 men stranded. Again, Contreras pitches only as well as he has to, giving up 3 ER in 5 2/3rd, striking out 6. Oh, and the White defeat the Red 6-4.

Dye sat out again recovering from the spiderbite. I'm starting to wonder...

So when all is said and done, not a bad weekend for the Sox. They split the series, though it was clear they could've won all four. And 4 straight sell outs... not bad at all.

Oh, and the Twins lost again sunday.

Sure the Sox have only won 2 of their last 6, but they are 7-4 since the All Star break. And here comes the best AAA team in the league, KC!

Down On the Farm:

Charlotte (AAA): Saturday was the same old story. But Sunday the Knight won 6-5 over Syracuse. thanks to Toca, who hit a grand slam and drove in 6. Daigle was 3 for 4 .

Birmingham (AA): saturday the Baron lose 5-3 to Huntsville in 11. Gray goes 3 for 4 with a homer. Rogo goes 2 for 5 with two doubles. Pollok strikes out 3 in 1 2/3rds. Sunday the Baron beat Hunstville 11-5. Nichloson goes 3 for 3 with 3 RBIs, Rogo goes 2 for 4 with 2 doulbes and 3 RBIs, Owens was 3 for 4 with 2 RBIs.

Winston-Salem (A): saturday the Hog lost to Myrtle Beach 4-2. Collaro goes 0 for 4. Sunday the Hog also lost to Myrtle Beach 9-4. Collaro was 2 for 4.

Kannapolis (A): saturday - beat Charleston 2-0. Smith was 3 for 4. Sunday - lost 11-6 to Charleston. Hansen goes 3 for 4 with 2 RBIs.

Bristol (R): saturday - are shut out by Greenville 3-0. Acosta goes 3 for 4. Sunday - hold off a late rally from Kingsport to win 7-6. Viola strikes out 6 in 6 IP.

Great Falls (R): saturday - lose 6-4 to Idaho Falls. Rodriguez strikes out 8 in 5 IP. Sunday - score 2 in the bottom of the 9th and beat Idaho Falls 6-5. Roberts homers and drives in 3.

Baseball phrase of the day: in the soup adj. in trouble, at a disadvantage.

I just saw a tres sexy film called Swimming Pool. It makes for a good rental. Tons of hot nudity. Its no Friend of the Family, but what is?

Beer count: saturday - 3 (but one was with lunch) Sunday - also 3, one with lunch, and 2 Labatt's Blue Lights at a party that afternoon.

Too hot to write today.

Wake Up, Boston!

mornin

Sox Update: Tim Wakefield and his stupid fucking knuckleball? Are you fucking kidding me? Its time for this one trick pony to retire to a nice golf course residence in Florida. But good for the Sox, they hit, hit and hit some more and beat Boston 8-2. AJ's 3-run homer was the key, though Rowand and Uribe also homered. Garland pitched another gem.

And the Twins lost...

Timo has really been hitting the cover the ball laterly, and from what I've seen, playing some good D as well. I say this because with the trading deadline rapidly approaching, and various ailing Sox going on and off the DL, I'd like to see Timo hang around. After last season (and most of this year) I am as surprised as anyone that I'd say that. But the guy is on a hot streak...

And speaking the of DL - Frank Thomas is back there... for 15 days. Here comes Ross Gload.

Trade rumors are swirling. I won't begin to speculate. But the only expendable guys I see on this team are Mr. Zero, Vizcaino, and Everett (and McCarthy). Beyond that, I'm not sure trading anyone is a good idea. It might fuck with the Sox chemistry too much.

Down On The Farm:

Charlotte (AAA): Borchard goes 3 for 4 with 2 homers, but a good effort by McCarthy (6 IP, 1 ER, 8 K) is wasted thanks to poor defense. Bajenaru gets the loss in relief.

Birmingham (AA): A balanced 6-4 win over Huntsville. Fields goes 2 for 4 with a homer and 3 RBIs.

Winston-Salem (A): Beat those bastards from Myrte Beach 4-3 in 10. Collaro goes 2 for 4 with 4 RBIs. Molina and hinton homered. Broadway strikes out 6 in 5 IP, giving up 3 ER.

Kannapolis (A): lose 7-4 to Charleston, though De Los Santos goes 3 for 4. Charleston has a pitcher whose last name is Coke. Oh, the marketing possibilities... the locker room jokes...

Bristol (R): Lose to Greenville 9-4. Cortez strikes out 4 in 2 IP, but also yields 2 ER.

Great Falls (R): Great Falls unveil their new Sox logo and go on to a 13-10 win over Idaho Falls. Johnson goes 3 for 5 and drives in 2, Rodriguez goes 2 for 5 and drives in 3.

Baseball phrase of the day: low-head n. A fastball, one with 'good gas'; a heater.

Today's music selection: lots of feel-good, mid-summer MPB. Later, Miles Davis' Bitches Brew - The Complete Sessions.

I finished up Roger Angell's classic The Summer Game. The last chapter, 'The Interior Stadium' is the best. Its a very personal exanimation of one's love for the game. Here's a sampling:

Within the ballpark, time moves differently, marked by no clock except the events of the game. This is the unique, unchangeable feature of baseball, and perhaps explains why this sport, for all the enormous changes it has undergone.. remains somehow rustic, unviolent, and introspective. Baseball's time is seamless and invisible, a bubble within which players move at exactly the same pace and rhythms as all their predecessors. This is the way the game was played in our youth and in our father's youth, and even back then - back in the country days - there must have been the same feeling that time could be stopped. Since baseball time is measured only in outs, all you have to do is succeed utterly; keeping hitting, keep the rally alive, and you have defeated time. You remain forever young. Sitting in the stands, we sense this, if only dimly. The players below us - Mays, DiMaggio, Ruth, Snodgrass - swim and blur in memory, the ball floats over to Terry Turner, and the end of this game may never come.

OK, back to Studs Lonigan.

Beer count: 3. I found some money. Also, unless otherwise noted, the beer is always Special Export.

Hero to Goat

Image used without permission from the vast and wealthy estate of Charles Schultz.

Sox Update: The Sox beat themselves in a terrible loss to Boston. Crede looked like the hero in the 8th, when he drove in Rowand with a 2-out double for the tying run. But in the top of the 9th, he dropped what should've been an easy pop out, giving Manny Ramirez another chance to win it.. and he did, with an incredible homer. That's why he makes $20 million dollars a year and why the Red Sox are the World Champs. As embarrssing as that is, I think what's worse is losing to Schilling, a guy who got shelled by Charlotte (yes, THAT Charlotte - the worst team at any level of professional baseball) just a week ago.

Wasted efforts from Rowand (3 for 4) and Buehrle, who pitched well enough to win. Everett and Konerko homered. sPod has a stolen base, and Timo made a great throw to nail a runner at 3rd...

And from the more shitty news department, while the Sox drop their 3rd straight, the Twins won their 3rd in a row. The 13 game lead the Sox enjoyed as late as tuesday afternoon is now 10 games.

And I haven't had sex in 2 weeks.

And I'm broke.

And have no beer.

But at least I've still got my health... and sanity.. for now.

Down On The Farm:

Charlotte (AAA): a 10-7 loss to Rochester makes them long for the days of facing Curt Schilling...

Birmingham (AA): Lose 6-5 to Jax. Sweeney goes 3 for 4. Phillips strikes out 6 in 5 IP, but also yields 6 earned runs.

Winston-Salem (A): Lose 5-4 in a rain shortened game to Lynchburg. Collaro was 2 for 3, as was Hinton, who drove in 3.

Kannapolis (A): kill Charleston 10-1. Lucy homers and drives in 3.

Bristol (R): Beat Greenville 4-2 in 10. Banks strikes out 4 in 3 IP.

Great Falls (R): Beat Casper 5-1 thanks to a four run 8th inning. Hernandez homer was the difference. That and Moviel, who struck out 8 in 7 IP.

Baseball phrase of the day: mug a ball v. to make a fielding misplay.

Today's music selection; I feel asleep on the train to Herbie Hancock's summertime gem; Maiden Voyage. ...dreaming of bluebirds, beaches and babes...

Behind

I'm running about a day behind with my postings. I'll catch up this weekend. In the meantime, enjoy the behind above.

A sorta homecoming

Is anyone paying attention? Certainly not the national media. The Sox have now won 5 straight coming off the All Star break. The best team is baseball is now 33 games ABOVE .500, and 13 games ahead of the 2nd place Twins. So what's ESPN's top baseball coverage tonight? The Red Sox and Yankees. Again. Oh, and some great footage of Lou Pinella pissed off. Let's go to the numbers.

Sox Update: Are you kidding me? A 5-run 7th and the Sox beat the Tiger 7-5. Konerko, Crede, Uribe and Thomas all homer. What's that again about the lack of power in the Sox line up? And thank god for that... as the pitching was nothing special.

Down On The Farm:

Charlotte (AAA): hello? Anybody out there?

Birmingham (AA): Lose uneventfully 2-1 to Jax.

Winston-Salem (A): LOse 12-7 at Lynchburg. Collaro Watch: 2 for 4. Valido was 4 for 5 with a homer and 3 RBIs, Schurenstein 3 for 5 with a homer and 3 RBIs. The pitching failed the Hog... again...

Kannapolis (A): GEt a run in the 9th and beat Columbus 6-5. Hansen was 3 for 5. Gonzales drew 4 walks.

Bristol (R): rained out.

Great Falls (R): Lose 3-1 to Casper. Someone named Everly strikes out 10 in 6 IP, giving up just one ER.

Baseball phrase of the day: barker n. first base coach.

I've been bad when it comes to my summer reading. I stopped the Studs Lonigan Triology about 2 weeks back when I came across the chance to quick re-read Roger Angell's A Summer Game.

But here's a quote from our man Farrell that really applies to my situation today:

"I know her kind. She's just like a cat, all soft and furry, and with claws that would scratch your eyes out."

Special People's Club Part 3

Tony's questions, my answers:

Here we go. I'll try and keep this simple. After all, your team just swept my team in MY backyard ...

Well EZ, so far this year the Sox are making it look easy (no pun intended). I remember a few other recent seasons where the Sox looked like they were going to run away from everyone and collapsed in th second half. Is this season going to be different? Why?

Yes, this season is different. I'm not too sure I can put my finger on 'why' - its that elusive intangible... The Sox really seem to be a balanced team... I think the competition is weak and luck (and the law of averages) are on the Sox side for once. I really truly believe that the Twins just can't do it again, and I think the Red Sox and Yankees are uninspired - spolied by their success. This is the year for a surprise to come out of the AL (like the Marlins do out of the NL every few years). Like it or not, the Sox are it.

During one summer in the mid-late 80's I had the opportunity to take in a game at old Comisky against the Yankees, and there were handpainted signs all over the stadium that read "Yuppie Scum Go Back to Wrigley!" It got me to wondering if the whole Northside/Southside rivalry in Chicago extends beyond baseball. Which came first - baseball rivalry or class war?

Chicago is ground zero for socialism in America. The Haymarket Riot, Pullman, Eugene Debs... its always been the 'haves' vs the 'have-nots.' But the Sox and cubs have both been so bad for so long, that I think the rivalry is less mean-spirited than the one between say, Mets and Yankees fans. Wrigley Field has only been 'the place to be' for 20 years or so... The rivalry is evident in literature, too - the high-brow prose of northsider Saul Bellow (Cub fan) versus the straight ahead southside realism of James T. Farrell. But the down and dirty went both ways, too. I think Nelson Algren was a Sox fan, but the great Mike Royko was a huge Cub fan. I dunno. Its really a unique set up here.

Chicagoans are truly among the culinarily blessed among Americans. If you had to choose one food to eat every day for the rest of your life, would it be hot dogs or deep dish?

Being a vegetarian, not much of a choice - its deep dish. Plently of good spots, but the three best are Lou Malnatis, Edwardos, and Giordanos. Uno is OK. Avoid Ginos. I do miss Chicago style Vienna beef hot dogs. Truly a unique food.. If you get one here, don't ask for ketchup. You will get your ass kicked.

During a blowout earlier this year I saw Chris Widger throwing off the mound in the bullpen. Is there any chance we'll see him in a game? He just seems like the special kind of baseball player that I'd vote for most likely to fill your batting helmet with water.

Ha! I didn't see that! I don't know much about Widger.

Ever been to a taping of Oprah or Jerry Springer? Besides the Springer show, where else do the girls "go wild" in Chicago?

It is impossible to get Oprah tickets. Springer? No thanks. Chicago is a big enough place where girls are going wild all over the place. Depends on what you are looking for, but there are pick up joints everywhere. I've always had luck around the unis - DePaul and Loyola...

Cleveland might be the rock & roll capital of the world, but the great shows are always in the Windy City. What's it like living in a top tier city? For Christ's sake, guess how many times Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds have been to Cleveland in the last 10 years? None. Been to any great rock shows lately?

Like you, I'm embarrassed to say that I haven't been to a rock show in years. The last one was the Strokes, about 3 years ago at the Aragon. It was then and there, caught in a mad mob near the stage, that I realized I was too old for this shit. I did see Fountains of Wayne/Ted Leo last year- one of the greatest double bills in recent memory (and it was FREE!). I catch Cary Hudson whenever he comes to town. But when it comes to the old favs - like Billy Corgan and Wilco - I avoid them like the plague. they're boring. I am pissed that due to Lollapalozer my team's softball playoffs have been postponed for two weeks!

How about the EL? I hear great things about public transportation in Chicago, but I hear nightmare stories about rush hour traffic.

The el is great 19th centruy technology at work. It's a big system for a big city. Its hot, crowded, late, and overpriced. That said, its generally safe and pretty much gets you where you want to go. Its no PAris Metro or London Undergorund, but its on par with any other big north American city. I've had worse luck with buses. The commuter rail (which I use) is the best. More than a dozen lines, cheap clean and on time. Plus, you can drink on the train. Hell, one line even has a 'bar car." Rock on! The traffic on the highways is nightmare, especially in the summer. And there is no way to predict it. You be stopped dead going inbound or outbound at 2 am on a wednesday... for no apparent reason. That's life in the big city.

Ever try to retrace the route of the final chase scene in The Blues Brothers?

I've been to Daley Plaza. And drove like a mutherfugger on Lower Wacker.

That's all I got. Thanks for suggesting this and> playing along. After the last four games, I wonder how much more of this I can take ... /Tony

"A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." - Mark Twain

Special People's Club Part 2

Part 2 of my discussion with Cleveland blogger Tony from The Blast Furnace. My questions, his answers:

Hi EZ - sorry it took a little longer than expected. I'll mail you some questions later.The Indians look like they're hitting is OK.

Is pitching the weak spot? Heheheh. Good one. Of course our pitching has let us down on a few occasions recently, but the problem(s) that have consistently led us us losing games are a) ineptitude at the plate b) mental mistakes in the field and c) an overall lack of execution of the fundamentals of baseball.

What's up with CC Sabithia? I think CC's got an issue with priorities. See, yesterday we talked about how much fun we had acting like jackasses in college -- well -- CC's still only 24 and I think he's just been distracted. One of his older teamates (if he can find one) ought to remind him that there's plenty of time to smoke pot and eat twinkies during the offseason, if that's what the problem is.

Who is the best young prospect in the Indians orginization? We've got this guy named Kevin Kouzmanoff in Kinston (A) who hits the ball a mile, and we still have a crapload of pitching prospects.

What's your favorite restaurant in the Cleveland area? That's just so unfair. I guess it depends on what kind of food I want. Cleats still has the best wings. Mama Santa has the best pizza. P.F. Chang the best Chinese. Tommy's the best middle-eastern vegetarian fare ...

Have you been to Cedar Point this year? AFL-CIO is boycotting Cedar Point AND Geauga Lake, so no, I haven't been. Sucks.

How it possible Millwood is only 3-8? No run support? Millwood has pitched some of the best games of the year. He's also laid some of the biggest eggs. But the real reason he's 3-8 is the run support. If it's any consolation, we don't support any of our pitchers that well.

Tell me a bit about Grady Sizemore? The chicks dig him. This is no shit -- someone lands at theblastfurnace.net every few days after searching Google for "Grady Sizemore's girlfriend". Maybe it's actually his girlfriend in some sort of self-obsessed internet frenzy. I swear I ain't making that up.

A lot of folks thought this would be the break out season for Coco Crisp. Would you classify it as a dissapointment so far? You know, we here in Cleveland didn't really expect Coco to be the productive offensive player he's been. Seriously, he, Sizemore and Pronk (until Buehrle plonked him in the face yesterday) account for practically all the offense the Tribe has ... But he was supposed to be a light-hitting, fleet-footed outfielder ... kinda like a Marquis Grissom without the 'pop'. Whaddya know? He's been as consistent an offensive player as we've had the last two years.

What your all time favorite Michael Stanley Band album? Heartland is the only MSB record any one needs. In fact, it might be the only rock & roll record anyone needs. OK, that's an exaggeration.

Cleveland is the home of rock, and has produced many innovative talents, though not much since the Dead Boys. Anyone new on the horizon? As much as I'm embarassed to admit this, I'm not the person to ask anymore. Since the Flats suck nowadays I'm not even sure if Peabody's is open any more, and I used to go see a lot of shows there and at the Odeon. There was always a local act on the bill. Now, I know we get a lot of smaller bands from all over the country ...

How is Eric Wedge's theory of run manufacturing going? Does he buy into Billy Beane's 'Moneyball' style at all.I was hard on Wedge for a while because the team hasn't been successful at getting runs home. Then they fired Eddie Murray and started a little "Moneyball" style ... and over the last ten days it looks like they've regressed. I'm not sure Wedge and his staff actually have a set "plan" going into a game at all. I think he just looks at matchups and fills out a card.

Do you see the Indians making any move before the trade deadline? Nah. Not unless a really friggin' huge right-handed bat becomes available.

What's the best place to meet babes in Cleveland? If I was a single guy in Cleveland looking to hook up, I'd be in the Warehouse District every night. Or at the library. Take your pick.

How are the Browns going to do this season? I still think 8-8 is a stretch. The O-line is going to be a sore spot again.

What is the key to the Indians' success going forward? I think we can still win the Central Division if Bush declares war on Chicago and Minnesota. For the Wild Card, we need to make a move for a righthanded bat, and it's got to be a big one.

Rock n roll, Cleveland!

The wheels appear to be coming off the Indians bus. I have no sympathy - at least Indians fans have seen their team in a world series in their lifetime. Hell, two teams in Chicago, 45 years (that's 90 chances) without a fall classic. Damn.

Sox Update: Try as he might to give it away, Mr. Zero cannot ruin a 7-5 win over the Indians. Buehrle is now 11-3 after going 7 innings, striking out 6 and giving up 2 ER on 3 hits. The run support was there and the 'balanced' offense showed itself. Rowand was 3 for 5.

Down On The Farm:

Charlotte (AAA):..scored a run in the bottom of the 9th and sent 7200 fans home happy. Good thing Timo is taking up a roster spot in the show - Gload was only 4 for 5 with 2 homers and 4 RBIs. Anderson was 3 for 5. Bajenaru gets the win in relief.

Birmingham (AA): Beat the Lookouts 7-5. Lopez goes 3 for 5. Sweeney, Blakely and Stewart each had 2 hits. Stewart also had a homer and 3 RBIs. Garcia struck out in all 3 at bats. Meaux got hammered for 2 runs in just one inning.

Winston-Salem (A): Lose to Myrtle Beach 4-3. Collaro Watch: 1 for 4... he's really in a mid-season slump. Lance Broadway gets the loss, but turns in a decent performance; he pitched 5 innings, giving up 3 ER and striking out 6.

Kannapolis (A): Apparently lost 8-7 in a shortened game to Rome, the first end of a double header. Damn if I can't find the box for the second game. Oh well. In game 1, Hansen was 2 for 4 with 2 doubles and 2 RBIs. Harrell gives up 5 ER in 5 IP.

Bristol (R): had a doubleheader rained out.

Great Falls (R): game was in progress at press time.

Some news from the southside... well, the southwest suburbs, actually. Former mediorce Bear QB Bob Avellini - Good ol #12 - got a DUI in Downers last week. Not a huge deal, but its his 3rd since Jan 1.

Baseball phrase of the day: back of a squeedunk adj. said of a team the is low in the standings; that is out of contention.

Today's music selection: something called the Verve remixed, which is pretty good.

Beer count: 4. It was 2, until I got into a sex battle with the MILF. Thank God for free internet porn!

I'm off to watch the best show in TV history - MTV's "Pimp My Ride". How good is it? I'm not a gear head at all and I love it!

Take A Ride With Me

east on I-80...

Here's the brief back-n-froth discussion between myself and Tony from The Blast Furnace (link at right):

Tony Says:
Hi there, EZ -
Last night's game was rough. Not so much because Victor Martinez single-handedly gave the game away ...
See, I don't get upset anymore when a guy plays like a completely boneheaded jackass. The truth is, we all have horrible nights from time to time.
For the last few days, an old frind of mine from my college/post-college haze days was in town. Earlier this week, we did our catching up, so last night turned into a nostalgia-fest (with wings & beer, which makes nostalgia tolerable). Most of the stories revolved around the idiotic things we witnessed/instigated/participated in between 1992 and 1998.
To be honest, there's a friggin' lot of stuff I did that I'm not proud of. There's plenty of stuff I wish I could apologize for, but what's the point???
Since then, I've been doing some really cool stuff with my life. No, really, I swear ... And so has he. Even back in the old days, when we were younger and my blood itself was probably toxic, we had redeeming moments.
And so does everyone else. We all go through this, I'm sure. Over the course of a baseball season, an individual player is going to have his ups & downs. And sure, Victor Martinez is having a rough year, but that doesn't mean he isn't one of the best young players in MLB.
This young Tribe team from the start of Spring Training was burdened with high expectations. Young players, in general, are inconsistent. Over the next few months and years, I know we're going to have a chance to see these guys develop into a great team.
I still have a little hope that we'll hang in the Wild Card hunt, if for no other reason, to have something to write about in my crappy little weblog this summer. At least they better, because this whole "I'm-mature-and-circumspect-about-shit-because-I'm-trying-to-redeem-myself-for-things-that-happened-13-years-ago"crap isn't going to wash if my baseball team keeps playing as crappy as they did last night.

EZ Says:

I can understand that you hope the Indians stay in the wild card race late into the year. If not, come September, you might be stuck writing about the Browns. Or maybe Massillion football.
Anyways, people in Chicago are not used to this kind of winning. Not in baseball at least (the 85 Bears, and the Jordan-era Bulls were entirely different stories). In fact, the last time a baseball team inChicago was running this far in front of the pack was in 1983, when the White Sox won the division by a record 22 games.
The pitching has got the sox where they are today. Freddy Garcia, though 9-3, still has not been the ace everyone anticipated. What did you think of Cotts? He's been a nice surprise, and looked good. Along with Politte and Hermanson, the pen went thru some really surprising changes this year.
Pablo Ozuna seems to have dropped right out of the sky. I can't beleive 29 other teams overlooked him. And I think at this time last year, Chris Widger was playing for Ironton in the Southern Ohia Independent League. He's been an outstanding back up to AJ.
During last ngiht's broadcast, Hawk and DJ were commenting that this years Sox team remind them of those great Indian teams of 1995-7 - in the sense that they could beat you many different ways (speed, power,defense). After my bad expereince working at WKNR, and the baseball strike, and moving to Europe, I gave up following baseball altogether. So, I don't know too much about those teams. I do recall that game 7 loss to the Marlins, and after watching games 6 and 7 of the 2003 NLCS, can almost sorta undertand the humilation that goes with losing to Florida.
Its a new day on the shores of Lake Erie. Here's hoping the Sox aren't too tired from a night in Flats. Is the Crazy Horse still there?
I went to college at Ohio U, so you know I did all kinds of crazy shit. I don't regret any of it. I'm just sad that I can't be 21 forever and do that crazy shit every day. Fuck, I miss Athens!

End transmission.

Stay tuned for part 2 - which will be less narrative, more Q&A.

Here comes the weekend

morning

Work kicked my ass all week. I fell alseep in front the tv with the game on. Man, I need some playtime with a sexy thang.

Sox Update:Garcia is solid on the hill again, and gets the win, a 7-1 Sox victory over the Tribe. Ozuna goes 4 for 5 in lead off spot, and collected 2 stolen bases. Widger was 3 for 4. Igucho struck out 3 times - probably the first time that's happened since April. Timo Perez looked awful duing his one trip to the plate.

I'm having a back-n-forth with Cleveland Blogger Tony over at The Blast Furnace (link at right). Might publish some of that here. In the meantime, check out his views on baseball and music (not a lot about sex, so I dunno...).

Minor League wrap from last night is forthcoming. Stay tuned.

Baseball phrase of the day: also forthcoming.

Today's music selection: summer means samba, and when I'm stressed, its lots of Brazilian to make it all better.

Olde Tyme Movie Review: Sirens (1994): I fast forwarded thru this to get to the nudie parts. Not as good as I remember the first time I saw it, but Elle MacPhearson is one serious babe...

Beer count: a new feature. I'm going to start keeping track of the number of drinks I have in a day. Friday - one.

Back to the grind

fine form

Three days without baseball is like three days without....

I actually got laid twice this week - on back-to-back nights. The first ended in a draw. But the 2nd was a clear victory for yours truly - I baked some nice gravy in her oven... maybe its still in there... still baking....

Sox Update: A nice start to the 2nd half of the season- a fine 1-0 victory at Cleveland. Conteras looks great.. this was one that was won on defense.

Down On The Farm:

Charlotte (AAA): The 2nd half means a new season! But for the Knights, its the same ol story....

Birmingham (AA): on all-star break.

Winston-Salem (A): killed those bastards from Myrtle Beach 12-3. Collaro was 0 for 4, but Hinton was 4 for 5 with 3 RBIs. Lee drives in 4. Gio Gonzales gives up 2 ER in 5 IP, striking out 4.

Kannapolis (A): lose 4-1 in a rain shortened game.

Bristol (R): take a page from Charlotte's playbook...

Great Falls (R): off day.

Baseball phrase of the day: lug the bunting v. to win the pennant.

Went out after work to blow off some steam. Drank more than I should have. So many hot gurls.. they've got it and they're puttin it out there...aahhh summer... which led to...

Today's music selection: the Replacements catalog. If I live to be 100, I don't think I'll ever hear a better songwriter than Paul Westerberg. "Ya nap 'em 'n slap 'em a, a high chair..."

Happy Bastille Day! I'm celebrating by watching the Tour du Franczzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....

Got my Ohio U-Northwestern football tickets today. The debut of the Solich era is something I can't miss. Nebraska's loss is our gain! All of a sudden. Ohio U football is not just the opening and closing act of the marching band concert.. optimisim is not something that the Cats are used to ... ever... The Big 10 is our bitch. Well, maybe the Cats will at least finish above .500 for only the 2nd time in the past 20 years... and get to be on TV... TWICE!!!

The Keys To Success; A Mid-Season Report

On march 25 I provided in this here blog what I believed would be the keys to a successful season for the Sox:

" (1) Scott Podsednik, who's BA and OBP may be the keys to the Sox entire season, (2) catcher AJ Pierzynski, who will have to put a bad year in SF behind him, and emerge as a leader on the Sox, and control the pitchers..."

So how are these keys to Sox success looking at the All Star break? Come a little closer and let's look:

--In the leadoff spot, sPod is hitting .294 (low, but still 1st among Sox starters) with an OBP of .369 (also low, but first among Sox regulars). In 282 at-bats, he has 83 hits (tied for 1st on the team with Rowand) , 34 walks (2nd, 10 behind Konerko, who has 10 more at bats), 50 runs scored (also 2nd behind Konerko, who has 52) and a major league leading 44 stolen bases (in 53 attempts).

Conclusion: sPod has been a great addition, and performed well. His ability to get on base, and un-nerve pitchers once on base, has help to spark the Sox 'balanced' offensive approach. I still think he needs to push the BA above .300 and the OBP to about .400 to ensure continued success.

--on a statistical level, AJ's been about the same as 2004, with the only major differences being that he's on track to hit twice as many homers (no surprise) and strike out nearly twice as much (so what). Most importantly, last year he grounded into a major league leading 27 double plays. So far this season, he's only hit into 5. Defensively he's also been about the same, with one major exception - he's already thrown out more runners trying to steal in 2005 (16) than he did all of least year (15). But he's also been a vocal leader on the team, and seems very selfless and well-liked by his teammates.

Conclusion: AJ has provided much needed power at the plate, while being less of a liability to kill the big inning. He's also fared well defensively. But most importantly, he's put whatever bad rap he got in SF behind him, emerged as a team leader, and controlled the Sox amazing pitchers.. maybe go so far as to say 'he's helped to bring out their best'... and we all know that the strong pitching is what has brought the Sox this far. AJ deserves much of the credit for that.

House of cards

oops

I've meant to write more during the break, but work has just been sucking all the life out of me.

Plenty of other bloggers out there have in-depth, analytical coverage of individual Sox player performances for the first half of the season. I'm going to take a different angle; a lot of fans are waiting for the Sox to collaspe, for the house of cards to fall down, for the dog days of August to lead to a September swoon... Well, I've got some bad news for those naysayers...

Before the All-Star break, the Sox have played 86 games. Which means they have 76 to go. If they play .500 ball the rest of the way, they'll finish 95-67, which is probably good enough to win the AL Central. Maybe. The question is, how tough are the remaining 76 games (vs the first 86)?

Pre-All Star Break, I show the Sox played 39 tough games (wins-losses):
Minnesota - 5 (4-1)
Oakland - 9 (2-7)
Baltimore - 4 (2-2)
Texas - 5 (2-3)
Cub - 6 (3-3)
LA Angels - 7 (4-3)
San Diego (yes, San Diego - 3 (2-1)
Total - 39 (19-20)

Take out the 9 unexplainable Oakland games, and they're 17-13.

After the All Star break, I show 40 such games:
Minnesota - 13 (6 home/7 road)
Baltimore - 4 (R)
Texas - 4 (R)
LA Angels - 3 (H)
Toronto - 3 (H)
Yankees - 6 (3/3)
Boston - 7 (4/3)
(19 home-21 road)

I think the most important point of this illustration, is the SOX MUST WIN MOST OF THE REMAINING GAMES AGAINST THE TWINS.

Of the 36 games not shown above, 9 are against the KC Royals, 6 vs Seattle, 11 against Detroit, and 10 against Cleveland.

So if the Sox go, say, 18-22 in the tough games, they need only to go 20-16 in the less difficult ones. I think this an achievable goal... Guess we'll find out. It should be a wild wild ride...

Even the pretty ones poop

ew

I'm so disgusted by the Sox last three games that I don't feel like giving an update.

However, stay tuned for some All Star Break nuggets.

$20

mmmm

So far, I've only earned about $20 thru the Google ads at right. And they won't send me a check until I have earned at least $100. So help me defray the cost of a World Series ticket and..

As a reminder: I'd really appreciate, that when you leave my site after each visit, you exit by clicking on the ad link below at the right (I'm paid by clicks on the ad from this site). The more revenue I generate, the more high quality FREE content you'll continue to enjoy here on an (almost) daily basis.

111

111. That's how many pitches the A's made Jon Garland throw thru just 5 innings. Fuckin Beane.

My job in the financial inustry is a "love-hate" relationship. On one hand, I love the pay, the great benefits, the lack of pressure, and the "bankers' hours." I'm the only guy I know with more than a month of vacation per year. On the down side, sometimes at quarter end, I have to work 12 hour days... and weekends. Such was the case today. And as a result, I was not able to attend the game.

Sox Update: a 4-2 loss to Oakland. Like my Sox fan cousin from the Bay area says, "I don't get it. The A's just are not that good." No highlights, no low lights. It just is what it is.

Down On The Farm:

Charlotte (AAA): You know the drill. But Daigle was 3 for 4.

Birmingham (AA): Beat Mobile 6-4. Owens 3 for 3. Lopez 2 for 3 with a homer. Rogo was 2 for 5 with 3 RBIs.

Winston-Salem (A): Lose to Potomac 6-3. Collaro 1 for 4. Broadway strikes out 5 in 6 IP, giving up 2 ER and walking none.

Kannapolis (A): Beat Greenvilee 6-4. Mayi strikes out 2 in the lone inning he worked. King was 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs.

Bristol (R): Beat Burlington 2-0,. Sanchez goes 2 for 3 with 2 doubles. Williamson strikes out 3 in 3 and 1/3rd IP.

Great Falls (R): Beat Missoula 5-4. Everly strikes out 7 in 6 IP.

Baseball phrase of the day: None. Too damn busy and tired.

Today's music selection: None. Too damn busy and tired.

A fine evening

aw yeah

I know that sweeping the Devil Rays is nothing to get excited about. More on that in a minute.

Today I got a call from an old college pal that I haven't heard from in ages. Turns out our small gang is having a reunion of sorts this fall at some huge mansion on a lake. I'd like to go, but... it might be kinda awkward. Turns out one of the attendees I haven't seen in years. And back in the day, I fucked his wife. She wasn't his wife then, our encounter happened a few months before they met. Nevertheless, I'm thinkin its probably a bad idea. I know if I was her, I'd want to fuck me again. What's worse, one of the other attendees is a girl from Beverly Hills that I always wanted to exchange fluids with... Could be dangerous.

It must be a full moon. I still wanna have crazy sex with every hot girl I see. I feel like I'm 18 again and my hormones are just completely out of control. I'm afraid if I don't start having more regular releases of my jam n gravy, I might do something very baaaad.

Sox Update: Dye at firstbase? Are you kidding me? But, he played well, and the Sox win. Contreras kept them it. I was impressed again by Cotts - he throws so damn hard. Jenks makes his first big league appearance of the year, pitching one scoreless inning. Another homer for Big Frank.

Off day thursday.

Thanks to US Jugular, I'll be at the game for free on friday night. Gurls from the neighborhood take note, insert your diaphrams now. And take plenty of vitamins.

The Sox season is more than halfway done. But I'll hold off any mid-season wraps until the symbolic mid-point- next week's All Star game.

The big trade rumor has the Sox sending McCarthy and Sweeney to SF for Jason Schmidt. No news here...

That said, in case you haven't heard, the Sox send 4 guys to Detroit, sPods, Garland, Buehrle and Konerko. Obviously, Politte should be there too. What a scam.

Down On the Farm:

Charlotte (AAA): an off day.

Birmingham (AA): lose to Huntsville 6-5. Gonzales goes 3 for 5. Young and Rogo homer. Sweeney strikes out three times. Haigwood pitched well - 6 and 1/3rd, 1 ER and 7 Ks. But the bullpen blows it (Reynoso and Pollok).

Winston-Salem (A): Thanks to a 3-run 8th, the Hog beat Potomac 6-5. Collaro was 1 for 3. Hall was 3 for 3. The starter, Rodriguiez, struck out 7 in 6 IP, but gave up 4 runs, including 3 homers.

Kannapolis (A): Uneventfully, beat Savannah 4-3.

Bristol (R): killed Pulaski 16-8. Acosta and Combs each drive in 4. Brooks strikes out 7 in 5 IP.

Great Falls (R): Despite 4 hits from Tartagalia, Rodriguez and Castillo, they still lose 10-8.

Baseball phrase of the day: runway n. the base paths.

Today's music selection: after the Live 8 debacle, I need some Miles Davis to make it right again. Ah that's right. Just chill...

Good night

ace

I didn't watch any of the Sox game, I had softball. For the past few weeks, our team has been struggling to find players. After winning 2 of our first 3 games, we've dropped 4 straight. With our manager out, he left me in charge. I had rounded up enough drones at work to field a team, when our pitcher had a personal emergency and couldn't play. Our pitcher has pitched every inning for us the last two years.

So the first 3 innings, we have one of our girls pitch, she does a good job, and we're winning 12-10. But she tires out and no one else wants to pitch. So even though I've never pitched a softball in my life, I go in... and proceed to pitch 4 innings of scoreless ball. But my performance was more due to the great defense behind me than my skills.But being lefty, I may have thrown some of the hitters off just a bit.

Playoffs next week. And our team should be at full strength.

Sox Update: Thomas homer in the 8th, rat-a-tat-tat, and it was all over. sPods, Ozuna, Politte and Hermanson played notably well.

No time for a minor league update today. Must go to work.

Big Bang

U-S-A! U-S-A!

Sox Update: The Sox come home to a sell out and respond with a 5-run first inning, and go on to beat Tampa, 10-8. Dye goes 2 for 3, including a first inning grand slam, and 6 RBIs. Uribe also homers. sPods nabbed a steal. McCarthy only made it thru 3 innings, yielding 5 ER and striking out just 2. I'm starting to get worried about this kid. It appears he might not be ready to step it up as the aging Cubans fall down. The Sox have responded by sending him back to Charlotte and reaching all the way down to Birmingham to call up Bobby Jenks (1-2, 48 K, 41 IP. Given up just one homer, and walked 20).

Down On The Farm:

Charlotte (AAA): Thanks to Gload, the Knights have put together a mini-win streak. He was 3 for 5 with 2 homers and 4 RBIs in a 9-2 win at Pawtucket. Martinez was 4 for 4. Borchard struck out 3 times.

Birmingham (AA): win uneventfully 1-0 over Huntsville.

Winston-Salem (A): Beat Kinston 9-5. Collaro sat out after his performance yesterday. Myers goes 2 for 4, with 2 doubles and 2 RBIs. Lee homers, and drives in 3. Gio Gonzales struck out 6 in 5 IP, giving up 4 runs.

Kannapolis (A):beat Savannah 6-2 in a rain shortened game. Liotta struck out 5 in 5 IP. Smith drove in 4...

Bristol (R): Beat Pulaski 5-4. Morgan and Acosta each go 3 for 4. Jean picks up 6 Ks in 5 IP, yielding 2 ER.

Great Falls (R): Beat Helena 5-2. Allen goes 3 for 3, with 2 homers and 4 RBIs. Logan strikes out 3 in 3 IP.

Baseball phrase of the day: down the river adv./adj. said of a trade or sale that sends a player to the minors or a team that is lower in the standings.

Back to the grind today. And July is going to be one busy month at the salt mines.

Back

back

I'm back with my first full post in over a week. It was a nice vacation, even if I didn't get laid as much as I hoped for...

Sox Update: The Sox look like the Cub in letting this one slip thru their fingers... another loss in Oakland 4-20 in their last 24 games there. Ugh)... On the positive side, Ozuna was 2 for 4 with a stolen base. Thomas and Dye each homered.

Down On The Farm:

Charlotte (AAA): The Kinghts somehow find a way to beat Pawtucket 5-4 in 13. Gload was 5 for 7. Villcais gets 3 Ks in 2 IP while picking up the win.

Birmingham (AA): Beat Montgomery 9-1. Fields gets 2 hits, a homer and a double, and drives in 4. Young collects 3 hits. Tracey goes the distance in earning his 9th win of the season against just 3 losses.

Winston-Salem (A): Beat Kinston 3-2. Collaro Watch: 0 for 4 with 3 strikouts. Ouch. Lopez gets the win in 3 innings of relief work, striking out 4.

Kannapolis (A): rained out at Augusta.

Great Falls (R): Lose to Helena 6-5. Roberts was 2 for 4 with a triple.

Bristol (R): Lose to Pulaski 7-4. Williamson strikes out 9 in 4 and 1/3rd, but also yields 6 ER.

Baseball phrase of the day: braille-man n.arch. coach skilled at sending signs and hand signals to base runners.

I spent a good portion of saturday afternoon watching the Live 8 Concert. I vividly recall Live Aid in 1985, which took place while I was on a family vacation in Southern California. I have memories of listening to the Who while we drove thru Beverly Hills looking for homes of the stars, and watching the George Thorogood/Albert Collins set in the lobby of a Hollywood hotel. That 1985 show is often described as really great. And while it was good, I'd disagree to the greatness of the music and the performances. The biggest names in music at the time - Michael Jackson, Prince, Springsteen and the Stones - all skipped it. Alternative music - like the Replacements - were also unrepresented. So who was missing from Live 8, besides the same names that skipped it in 85? The Strokes, GNR (though Velvet relvover did play).

So, here are some of my impressions of what I saw:

--Pink Floyd looks oooooooooooooold. But they still look better than the Stones. Despite the hype, those tired songs have not gotten any better with age.
--I didn't see any coverage of the Toronto show. Musta been heavy on the Bryan Adams and Tragically Hip.
--the Black Eyed Peas hauled out Rita and Stephen Marley for "Get Up Stand Up", which was great. But its hard to take your eyes off that chick in BEP. She is just smokin hot.
--I'm not of fan of either Linkin Park or Jay Z, but together they are just awsome. By far the best act I saw. Truly a great (and rare) pop collobroation that works. They are "powerful enough to turn goat piss into gasoline."
--You know the concert blows when one of the highlights is Mariah Carey.
--the song Good Charlotte played in Toyko was a rip of Cheap Trick's "I Want You To Want Me."
--Kayne West came in from the Southside to represent in Philly. He was awsome. He had about a dozen hot chicks behind him, dressed like that Robert Palmer video, playing violins and cellos... blindfolded.
--For all its good intentions, I don't think forgiving debt will solve Africa's problems. Maybe its a start. Maybe. You've still got massive corruption, tribal warfare, unimaginable cultural differences... all in God's own petri dish of disease. No one knows the answer for Africa. Maybe there is no answer.

Southside Traffic Tip #1

Avoid I-80/94 (294) between Alsip and the Indiana state line. I can confirm, first hand, that "end of the world" style road construction has traffic standing still at all hours of the day and night.

So take the Skyway... high above the busy little one way..