Just

hip

blah.

My posts are turning into weekly affairs. Sorry bout that. I'll try to be more regular.

Sox Update: The Sox go into the Suncoast Dome and lose 2 of 3 to a tough Devil Rays team. On tuesday, niether McCarthy nor Logan had it together. I'm wondering if it isn't time for ol' Boone to begin looking for an apartment in Birmingham. sPod had 3 SB, bringing him to 14 on the year. Win on wednesday behind Dye who was 3 for 3 with a homer. Despite being hit on the hand, Garland pitched just well enough to get the win. On thursday, Vazquez was missing his marks in the losing effort. Iguchi and Dye homer.

In case no one noticed, AJ is close to breaking Rick Cerone's ML record for errorless games by a catcher.

DOWN ON THE FARM:

Charlotte (AAA):
--5/13 Owens 3 for 5; Fields HR
--5/14 Fields 5 for 5 with 2 HRs and 3 RBIs
--5/15 Haeger gets back at it - no runs and 6 K, just 4 hits in 6 IP. He did walk 6...
--5/16 Phillips pitches 8 scoreless innings
--5/17 Young 4 for 5; Rogo HR, 3 RBIs; Randolph 6 IP 7 Ks just 3 ER.

Birmingham (AA):
--5/14 Schnurstetin 2-4, HR 3 RBIs
--5/15 Nanita HR, 3 RBIs; Schnurstein struck out 4 times
--5/17 Broadway has his poorest outing of the season - 7 ER and no Ks in 4 IP

Winston-Salem (High A):
--nothing to report. Seriously, its been a boring 5 days for the Hog.

Kannapolis (Low A):
--5/15 no errors in a 3-2 loss
--5/16 no errors in a 4-2 win. Hollis 2-4, 2 RBIs; Roberts HR
--5/17 old habits die hard - 3 errors in a 8-0 loss. But don't blame the D in this one. Sabo yields 4 ER on 5 hits and 2 walks in just 1/3rd of an inning pitched.

Baseball phrase of the day: bases drunk n.adj. bases loaded

Music: my new kitchen radio is constantly tuned to the jazz on WDCB. I hope those NPR fucks at WBEZ fall off the pier.

Old Tyme Movie Review: Hostel (2005). Really scary. Gruesome. And lots of sexy Euro-nudity.

Noble Rot: Vhino (or is it vino?) Verde. A light sparking wine from Northern Portugal that is best served chilled, and at its finest when drunk young, outside on a sunny summer day. And since its low in alcohol, you can have more than a few glasses. Pairs well with lighter dishes, noshes, seafood and most pasta.

Beer count: monday, tuesday and wednesday, one each day. Two on thursday.

Softball this week on the muddy fields of Grant Park. It was fun and we won. I went 2 for 3 with a run scored, but who's counting? I made some great, albeit it, lucky plays at third. I must be the world's only left-handed thirdbaseman. Another game tonight. One that I will probably have to miss due to a family comittment. One game next week, then two the week after that. Can't wait to get the cool unis for both squads.

With the Chicago Derby, known more famously as the Crosstown Classic, coming up this weekend, I thought it might be a good time to revisit my beer nuts recipe:

12 oz. beer (I use Special Export or Old Style)
1/3rd of cup of coarse (Kosher) salt
12 oz SHELLED, raw (unsalted, unroasted) peanuts

--Combine the beer, salt and 1 cup of water in medium sized pot.
--Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
--Remove pan from heat and add peanuts.
--Set aside to soak for 30 minutes.
--Drain.
--Heat oven to 325 degrees.
--Spread nuts in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet.
--Bake for 20 minutes, stirring once
--Turn oven off, leave nuts in the oven for 3 hours.
--Store overnight.