Okay, a lot of cogent commentary has come out of the horse racing issue from; you can't just do things about "the worst things" to "what happens to the horses if there is no racing." I just wish I could come up with a subject that would bring this kind of discussion to the table more frequently. I truly respect all opinions, and I know I've been wrong on many issues (three marriages for a five star example), so we will continue fresh now. Unless anyone else...nah. Read the comments from that post, they're all well thought out.
How in the hell could major league baseball have screwed up more with this World Series? Choosing to play in the weather they have chosen, and the umpiring, oy! You HAVE NOT heard this here first, but this year's World Series will always be remembered for those last two factors...does anyone really know a TRUE Phillies or Devil Rays fan. I have a wide range of friends and acquaintances, and at the moment I can't think of one. Well there is one guy in Florida, but I'm sure he was an Indians fan first. The strike zones have been widely varied, and that call at third, well the whole world could see that one BEFORE the replay. Being an umpire, I'm questioning my self! Now there's a possibility that the World Series will end up with a three inning mini-game, but those are the rules. I'm all for the current system, but does anybody think the Series should be played in a warm weather or domed site? That would be too much to take...it's not the Super Bowl, which is slowly turning into a national holiday. Unfortunately, too close to Martin Luther King Day.
If your are seriously into the psychology of the psychotic (there's a pleasant topic) read The Thrill of it All by Simon Braatz. It's about the famous Leopold and Loeb case of the 1920's, a little slow at times, but as I stated before a great glimpse into the period also. I have no extra fascination with murder, but how the mind works...I've spent a lot of the past five years trying to figure out how this one works. I go to bed a lot of nights wondering where space ends. I'm hitting the road soon with a friend, and must pack some very light reading.
I truly fear for Obama. It's hard even to type those words. I listened to a secret service agent on NPR, and it was chilling. The white supremacists, skinheads...whatever, are real. You've all heard about the recent plan by the two idiots who were going to attempt to assassinate Obama and kill 88 kids. I'm not trying to be redundant here, but the 88 thing...HH...the eighth letter in the alphabet...sixty some years later that misogynist Hitler still has influence at this level! Time does not heal all wounds quickly enough.
On a lighter note, how about Ted Stevens, Alaska, Republican congressman getting what he deserved for taking bribes...including a Viking grill! Did it come with a spatula and all the trimmings? I heard Gov Palin's take on the deal, but it didn't make any sense. He was also the prime mover on the "bridge to nowhere". Who am I'm kidding, thinking a new regime in Washington is going to change anything. It all goes back to the old saw, why would someone spend millions to get a job that pays thousands.
They just officially cancelled tonight's continuation of the World Series. Good deal for both teams. The Devil Rays only have to win a three inning game, and the Phillies can bring back Hamels if there is a seventh game. The Devil Rays have to throw their best pitcher tomorrow night...Garza will need more rest, so roll out the rookie Price.
Ask not what your country can do for you...ask who's running it...later, biff
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Loser at BCUP, Horse Racing Horrific? How about the rest of the world...
Please go the the comments page of my 10/24 post for the most eloquent descriptions, good and bad, about the sport of horse racing. For the record I lost $19.80 (the first race exacta I had yesterday paid twice as much, they showed the one dollar price on the results screen) on fourteen combination bets ($56.00). But I hope you all took Missouri and laid the 23 and 1/2 points. I feel sorry for those Buff grads out there...just like when we play cribbage.
Someone actually said horse racing was the most horrific sport taking place in the world today! Even allowing for a modicum of hyperbole...you've gotta be shittin' me! Let's see, in bullfighting I think the all-time record is Bulls 7-Bull Fighters-10, 876,012. There's a sport where the object of the game is to taunt a bull to death by a guy dressed up like Madonna in her third wardrobe change at a concert in the seventies. Let's see, then there's deer hunting, when was the last time a deer won one of those matches? Fishing? Except for Jaws and The Deadliest Catch (Palin's husband) I think the fish have been losing since since the Geico guy started angling during caveman times. I guess a rodeo or two beats a non-stop flight to the slaughterhouse. Another great one is trapping...but they make that one out to be a commercial venture; but I know guys who do it for fun in Maine. You know, the head on the wall, and a nice stole for the old lady. They do a lot of wrong things for fun up there. I could go on-and-on about worse sports, but you get the picture.
Not to belabor this, the best explanation is on the 10/24 comments page, but what would happen to the thoroughbred breed if there was no horse racing? I actually know one couple who actually keep horses for pets. They don't ride them, and in fact there was a time my buddy would take his pony for a ride in his convertible. Long ago, big car, small pony. As with greyhounds, I put my rescued treasure Flame (crappy racer, gate shy, all-world pet) down last October; what would happen to these breeds? Within two hundred years they would be added to the endangered species list. You see we don't need horses for anything anymore, though we may if we can't figure out the fossil fuel issues in the world. And please, please don't tell me about show horses! They are treated worse than any race horse...and they're so valuable, that when they just begin to fade some unscrupulous owners hook them up to a twelve volt car battery and collect the insurance! Well documented. And just think about how they train jumpers. If horse racing ended tomorrow what would they do with the horses? The thought is harrowing. Oh yeah, if you feel you'd like to adopt one, be prepared to add a couple of car payments a month to your budget for feed and upkeep.
I worked with horses in the early seventies. I saw both sides of the fence (pun intended) on the issue. I loved the four horses I took care of as a groom. Before dawn they would come alive and anticipate the day ahead. On non-racing days they'd be taken to the track for a workout, excuse the cliche, but chomping at the bit. While they were gone I'd clean their stalls, not a turd in sight when they returned, and their bedding was fluffed like a king-sized at the Ritz-Carleton. The exercise rider would bring them back from the track for a nice bath, brushing and a rubdown with a comforting, stimulating liniment. Then a hot walker would walk them for forty-five minutes or so and they returned to their stall for a great meal that included alfalfa and molasses. Some days they would get a pedicure from the farrier. Some would even be turned out to graze. And man, could they sleep! The schedule was different on race day, but they were still treated like the kings and queens they were. I always had treats in my pocket that ranged from carrots to sugar cubes.
I am not quite naive enough to believe all horses and dogs are treated this way. I know there are nasty training methods and disastrous accidents that occur. (At this year's Breeder's Cup the new poly surface resulted in not one major on-track injury. It was also without steroids for the first time, but the average defensive lineman uses more steroids than a horse, and that's a fact!) But both breeds have been bred to do what they love the most...run like the wind. I know a horse knows when he wins. His demeanor coming back to the barn is the greatest indicator, a winner prances head held high, a loser tears up his tickets all the way to the waiting hot walker. I also realize that both sports need more regulation (and they both bring much needed money into state's coffers), but what in society as we have built it doesn't need more regulation? Apologies to the Libertarians...if only the world could really work that way...responsibility, respect and the golden rule. Ain't happen'.
I love horses and dogs. I'm driving a one hundred and forty pound mastiff to Florida on Thursday. He'll be in the back of capped a pick-up that the owner has turned into and overly plush, padded pimp-palace on wheels. (While we're at it shouldn't we spend more time on correcting societies ills on white-slavery, etc?)
Travel through Kentucky and Florida and view the pastures with weanlings and their Moms galloping around free as the wind. Would you rather have more golf courses? There's enough already, and the chemicals they use to manage those seep into our nostrils and groundwater every day. Come to think of it, golf can be a pretty cruel sport. Lots of critters lose their habitat, and players lose their minds. Ski areas tear up beautiful mountains and expend one of our most seriously fading commodities, water, making fake snow. Takes an inordinate amount of electricity to do it too. And no, it all doesn't just get recycled. Everything has a price.
Here's another thing I find odd. I am one-hundred pro-choice in that arena and many of the people that find horse racing horrific are of the same ilk. With their love for all things living, it seems like a strange dichotomy.
I appreciate all the views I've heard on racing (by the way the Bryant Gumbel piece on HBO should have had a sub-title; One Way Street...there wasn't anything presented from the decent side of the sport), but must ask the question, would the world be better off without the thoroughbred and the greyhound? Also, before we put a serious amount of energy into ending these breeds shouldn't we take a walk down a street in Dar fur, or even Detroit? PETA has its place, but so do people, and there a lot of thoroughbreds and greyhounds treated far better than people in this world.
The ball game ended at 1:47 AM last night on a bizzaro play, and I think the series is shaping up to continue in that fashion....I'm bushed...later, biff
Someone actually said horse racing was the most horrific sport taking place in the world today! Even allowing for a modicum of hyperbole...you've gotta be shittin' me! Let's see, in bullfighting I think the all-time record is Bulls 7-Bull Fighters-10, 876,012. There's a sport where the object of the game is to taunt a bull to death by a guy dressed up like Madonna in her third wardrobe change at a concert in the seventies. Let's see, then there's deer hunting, when was the last time a deer won one of those matches? Fishing? Except for Jaws and The Deadliest Catch (Palin's husband) I think the fish have been losing since since the Geico guy started angling during caveman times. I guess a rodeo or two beats a non-stop flight to the slaughterhouse. Another great one is trapping...but they make that one out to be a commercial venture; but I know guys who do it for fun in Maine. You know, the head on the wall, and a nice stole for the old lady. They do a lot of wrong things for fun up there. I could go on-and-on about worse sports, but you get the picture.
Not to belabor this, the best explanation is on the 10/24 comments page, but what would happen to the thoroughbred breed if there was no horse racing? I actually know one couple who actually keep horses for pets. They don't ride them, and in fact there was a time my buddy would take his pony for a ride in his convertible. Long ago, big car, small pony. As with greyhounds, I put my rescued treasure Flame (crappy racer, gate shy, all-world pet) down last October; what would happen to these breeds? Within two hundred years they would be added to the endangered species list. You see we don't need horses for anything anymore, though we may if we can't figure out the fossil fuel issues in the world. And please, please don't tell me about show horses! They are treated worse than any race horse...and they're so valuable, that when they just begin to fade some unscrupulous owners hook them up to a twelve volt car battery and collect the insurance! Well documented. And just think about how they train jumpers. If horse racing ended tomorrow what would they do with the horses? The thought is harrowing. Oh yeah, if you feel you'd like to adopt one, be prepared to add a couple of car payments a month to your budget for feed and upkeep.
I worked with horses in the early seventies. I saw both sides of the fence (pun intended) on the issue. I loved the four horses I took care of as a groom. Before dawn they would come alive and anticipate the day ahead. On non-racing days they'd be taken to the track for a workout, excuse the cliche, but chomping at the bit. While they were gone I'd clean their stalls, not a turd in sight when they returned, and their bedding was fluffed like a king-sized at the Ritz-Carleton. The exercise rider would bring them back from the track for a nice bath, brushing and a rubdown with a comforting, stimulating liniment. Then a hot walker would walk them for forty-five minutes or so and they returned to their stall for a great meal that included alfalfa and molasses. Some days they would get a pedicure from the farrier. Some would even be turned out to graze. And man, could they sleep! The schedule was different on race day, but they were still treated like the kings and queens they were. I always had treats in my pocket that ranged from carrots to sugar cubes.
I am not quite naive enough to believe all horses and dogs are treated this way. I know there are nasty training methods and disastrous accidents that occur. (At this year's Breeder's Cup the new poly surface resulted in not one major on-track injury. It was also without steroids for the first time, but the average defensive lineman uses more steroids than a horse, and that's a fact!) But both breeds have been bred to do what they love the most...run like the wind. I know a horse knows when he wins. His demeanor coming back to the barn is the greatest indicator, a winner prances head held high, a loser tears up his tickets all the way to the waiting hot walker. I also realize that both sports need more regulation (and they both bring much needed money into state's coffers), but what in society as we have built it doesn't need more regulation? Apologies to the Libertarians...if only the world could really work that way...responsibility, respect and the golden rule. Ain't happen'.
I love horses and dogs. I'm driving a one hundred and forty pound mastiff to Florida on Thursday. He'll be in the back of capped a pick-up that the owner has turned into and overly plush, padded pimp-palace on wheels. (While we're at it shouldn't we spend more time on correcting societies ills on white-slavery, etc?)
Travel through Kentucky and Florida and view the pastures with weanlings and their Moms galloping around free as the wind. Would you rather have more golf courses? There's enough already, and the chemicals they use to manage those seep into our nostrils and groundwater every day. Come to think of it, golf can be a pretty cruel sport. Lots of critters lose their habitat, and players lose their minds. Ski areas tear up beautiful mountains and expend one of our most seriously fading commodities, water, making fake snow. Takes an inordinate amount of electricity to do it too. And no, it all doesn't just get recycled. Everything has a price.
Here's another thing I find odd. I am one-hundred pro-choice in that arena and many of the people that find horse racing horrific are of the same ilk. With their love for all things living, it seems like a strange dichotomy.
I appreciate all the views I've heard on racing (by the way the Bryant Gumbel piece on HBO should have had a sub-title; One Way Street...there wasn't anything presented from the decent side of the sport), but must ask the question, would the world be better off without the thoroughbred and the greyhound? Also, before we put a serious amount of energy into ending these breeds shouldn't we take a walk down a street in Dar fur, or even Detroit? PETA has its place, but so do people, and there a lot of thoroughbreds and greyhounds treated far better than people in this world.
The ball game ended at 1:47 AM last night on a bizzaro play, and I think the series is shaping up to continue in that fashion....I'm bushed...later, biff
Friday, October 24, 2008
Breeder's Cup...money Departed, Palin puck problems...
So I had the first exacta...with a morning line 6-1 on top paid 12.80! Not a a good sign. There was a heartfelt story in the second race. The twenty-nine year old trainer of Maram, Chad Brown, missed his grandfather's funeral to supervise the saddling of the winner. It was nice to see an American horse win a turf race. With these synthetic tracks (less abusive) I have no clue. Some horses don't really like the stuff, even though it's easier on them. So my strategy was to bet one exacta (both ways) in all fourteen of the Cup races. In the fifth, third BC race, I had half of the exacta and my other horse was in in until the final three hundred yards. So I'm one for three with eleven to go. I'll need at least two more scores to come out of the two days a winner. In the sixth, winner Forever Together has an interesting part of her training regimen...she gets a pint of Guiness every morning. They're still looking for my duo. The first day looks dim for the old man...sucks when you cash the first ticket. In the next, and last race on today's card, I had to go against the odds on favorite Zenyatta. Well, she, with the name from the Police's (which the original vinyl is on the shelf,right behind me) third album ran away like her tail was on fire. She did what the Patriots couldn't, she ran the table. If Curlin gets beat tomorrow she could be The Horse of the Year.
The best line in the Departed is when Matt Damon tells the shrink what Freud said about the Irish, "They're the only people who are impervious to psychoanalysis." I'm Irish...and Im buyin' it.
How about Sarah Palin causing an injury at an NHL game? In St. Louis, the mat laid out for her to drop the opening puck tripped up goalie Manny Legace, and he had to leave after the first period. Anyone else think this was taking the "hockey Mom" bit a little too far?
You know, when Obama throws out the first pitch in D.C. the Nationals might sign him when you think of their pitching staff. I've seen his jump shot...
The fact that Jimmy Rollins didn't go ape shit when the ball hit his shirt the other night is simple in my mind. I don't think he really knew he was hit. Bear with me, I umpire on the High School level and have awarded a kid first in that very situation...and the batter looks at me like I'm nuts. He doesn't realize he's been hit! Rollins, had he been positive (being 0-9 at the time, and at such a critical time of the game) he would have lit up the blue like an umpire bon fire.
All right it's Saturday morning and hope springs eternal for my afternoon at the races...which is known as the "dungeon" in my house. It's actually very nice, I'm surrounded by books, albums, sports memorabilia and the washer/dryer is in the next room. The latter sort of allows my existence down here.
So, after hitting the first exacta yesterday (a measly $12.80), at four dollars per bet ( for the sake of conversation), two dollars each way on the combinations...I'm down $27.20. In order to come out ahead I need to hit at least two out of the nine races today. I have a total of thirty six dollars invested today. For those playing along at home here are today's bets:
Race 1 1-4
Race 2 2-5
Race 3 1-6
Race 4 5-11
Race 5 6-11
Race 6 4-8
Race 7 1-2
Race 8 2-11
Race 9 1-2
Yes I went against the returning champ in the last race, Curlin, for two reasons...the price has no value, and he's never been across the synthetic track.
I'm still solid with the Devil Rays, but with a looming monsoon in this area, I doubt they'll play tonight. If they do, Digger Phelps son-in-law, Jamie Moyer could be in for a long night. Once again I say bunt on the forty-five year old guy. It's funny, but the Phillies and their big sticks and the Devil Rays with their jack-rabbit running game has sort of reversed the roles of the leagues in this World Series.
May the horse be with you, later, biff
The best line in the Departed is when Matt Damon tells the shrink what Freud said about the Irish, "They're the only people who are impervious to psychoanalysis." I'm Irish...and Im buyin' it.
How about Sarah Palin causing an injury at an NHL game? In St. Louis, the mat laid out for her to drop the opening puck tripped up goalie Manny Legace, and he had to leave after the first period. Anyone else think this was taking the "hockey Mom" bit a little too far?
You know, when Obama throws out the first pitch in D.C. the Nationals might sign him when you think of their pitching staff. I've seen his jump shot...
The fact that Jimmy Rollins didn't go ape shit when the ball hit his shirt the other night is simple in my mind. I don't think he really knew he was hit. Bear with me, I umpire on the High School level and have awarded a kid first in that very situation...and the batter looks at me like I'm nuts. He doesn't realize he's been hit! Rollins, had he been positive (being 0-9 at the time, and at such a critical time of the game) he would have lit up the blue like an umpire bon fire.
All right it's Saturday morning and hope springs eternal for my afternoon at the races...which is known as the "dungeon" in my house. It's actually very nice, I'm surrounded by books, albums, sports memorabilia and the washer/dryer is in the next room. The latter sort of allows my existence down here.
So, after hitting the first exacta yesterday (a measly $12.80), at four dollars per bet ( for the sake of conversation), two dollars each way on the combinations...I'm down $27.20. In order to come out ahead I need to hit at least two out of the nine races today. I have a total of thirty six dollars invested today. For those playing along at home here are today's bets:
Race 1 1-4
Race 2 2-5
Race 3 1-6
Race 4 5-11
Race 5 6-11
Race 6 4-8
Race 7 1-2
Race 8 2-11
Race 9 1-2
Yes I went against the returning champ in the last race, Curlin, for two reasons...the price has no value, and he's never been across the synthetic track.
I'm still solid with the Devil Rays, but with a looming monsoon in this area, I doubt they'll play tonight. If they do, Digger Phelps son-in-law, Jamie Moyer could be in for a long night. Once again I say bunt on the forty-five year old guy. It's funny, but the Phillies and their big sticks and the Devil Rays with their jack-rabbit running game has sort of reversed the roles of the leagues in this World Series.
May the horse be with you, later, biff
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Keith Richards, regular...
Yeah, there's my choice for president ...of the world. You see Keith and I go back a long way, 1964, Union College, upstate New York. It was a great time to see the Stones, still on a small college campus. I saw them later in large venues, like the University of New Mexico, who's gigantic basketball gymnasium is like a silo. I had gone deeper into hippiedom by then, and manged to get my dog into the concert...don't ask me why. Stevie Wonder opened that one, and rocked himself off the stage. Like I've said, the mid-seventies, they were the sixties on steroids. Back to Keith. In the year two thousand we decided to abandon Florida for a better education for my youngest. She'd been doing well in public school, after years on the Montessori buzz, so we, the family decided she need to go one of those high falutin' New England prep schools instead of the powerhouse football team in Naples, FL. Conveniently a friend of mine was opening "the" restaurant on Martha's Vineyard that summer. I could go and work there while the girls moved the household to Connecticut. This place was something, and staffed by a crew of serious professionals. You know, one of those place where your server pulled a crumber out of his pocket and swept the stray bread surreptitiously off the table. It was on the cutting edge in a lot of ways...like we sold you your water. International staff; Irish, English, Czech, Portuguese, Brazilian, Egypt and , oh yeah, the USA. It was a boon to me when the number two man at lunch quit the first day...I doubled my income by taking that job and schlepping tables at night. It was the hottest spot on the Island. Mike Wallace and some of his Sixty Minutes cohorts were there all the time. Booked full every night. One particularly bizarre night I soloed Happy Birthday to Beverly Sills. Even though it was very late at night she told me not to quit my day job. But hey, this is about Keith Richards. You see, we had this tiny little area in the kitchen that was called the chef's table. This usually went to some high-powered group that wanted to see how the whole show was run...from the back side. It also provided for the celebrity types that wanted to be kept away from the usual island, star-f&%#*@ riff-raff. You were really shielded from the rest of the clientele, right in the middle of a bustling, two hundred dinner-a-night, white table cloth eatery. Each night before service, after setting up, Chef Joe brought the special out to the servers and went over the night's menu. There were usually five servers, and I was often the only natural born citizen, very continental. Four professional waitstaff and one semi-pro clown. So, this one night, Joe says Biff you have the Chef's table. A few invectives went through my head until he said it's Keith Richards and his family. Needless to say the rest of the staff went ape-shit in all sorts of languages I couldn't understand. I was pumped. They arrived at sunset, came in through the back door, Keith with and armload of wine and cognac (Vineyardhaven is a dry town). Patti Hansen, still a four star knockout and their soon-to-be model daughters were very happy to sit in the kitchen. I walked to the table, probably a little too comfortably and introduced myself to the family and told them the specials. Not to drag it out they were surely the easiest celebrities I have ever waited on. Keith ordered the cheapest thing on the menu, a chicken dish, and the girls ate like models. He was the only one to drink, and it was in moderation...and every time I poured he offered me a taste...which couldn't resist, I was still an imbiber then. The best time of my restaurant career came after dinner. Keith said, "Anyplace we can have a smoke and a beer mate?" Since the town was dry the staff always had a cooler of beer on the back porch. It was somehow bottomless, we pitched in and a liquor store in another town kept it full. We were making tons of money, who knows, the beers might have been costing us five bucks a piece...we didn't care. "Sure Keith, follow me." We hit he back porch and he tapped me out a Marlboro Red (I'm not much of a smoker, but hey) and I pulled him an icy Budweiser from the bottom of the cooler. We shot the shit, I told him about Union College and he couldn't believe it! "You must be the last man standing from that show..." we had a couple of beers and smokes and then went back in to settle up. He tipped me about 100%, and invited me out to the Hot Tin Roof to see Burning Spear. Back stage! He was going to sit in with them. But my duties at the restaurant were going to keep me there too late. He signed the check to me wit a nice inscription about Union (I still have it), and headed out the back door. He left me a half bottle of high-end cognac to boot! Yes, I shared.
He was a stand up regular (not Joe, after recent political developments) guy and treated me better than most. The rest of the staff pummeled me with questions after we hit the porch after service. My Irish buddy had the best query, "Who was that ugly guy with Patti Hansen?"
I've already voted, and since Keith isn't a citizen...later, biff
He was a stand up regular (not Joe, after recent political developments) guy and treated me better than most. The rest of the staff pummeled me with questions after we hit the porch after service. My Irish buddy had the best query, "Who was that ugly guy with Patti Hansen?"
I've already voted, and since Keith isn't a citizen...later, biff
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Palin's remake, Favre's fake...
As the campaign trail nears what seems to be Donner Pass, we're hit with the really important news that the GOP spent $15000.00 to spiff up Sarah Palin for the run for veep. I guess you can put lipstick on a pig, her cosmetics tab alone was over four grand at Nieman Marcus in St. Louis (now there's a fashion hot spot if there ever was one), and the rest must have been spent on hair extensions and stiletto heels from Fredericks of Hollywood. I wonder how much they paid Frances McDormand to teach her that Minnesota accent? Now less than two weeks out, I'll declare it officially over, again. This incident sort of makes that $4000.00 haircut Edwards supposedly got look a little petty. Hey, does anybody out there think these guys are going into their closets for their wardrobes and coiffures? Hell no, sartorial expenses take a huge chunk from those political war chests. Funny, I can't tell if they over spent or under spent in Palin's case.
Brett Favre is embroiled in his biggest beef since the percocet days. New York is all a twitter because Brett spent time on the phone telling Matt Millen and his pals how to beat the Packers. First of all Brett was really pissed when he threw six TD passes in a game, and the New York tabloids had the Mets all over the back page as they were circling in their NL death spiral. Then he tells Peter King the phone call to Millen was , "BS", via text message. During his press conference today the NYC media drilled him for fifteen minutes about his discussion with Millen. He came back finally that he had spoken with him, but it was about hunting. In the end, Harry Potter couldn't help the Lions win on any given Sunday. Packer fans are pissed that he'd diss his old team, and Jets fans are wondering why he isn't learning the new playbook instead of helping somebody beat his old team. If that wouldn't give you a headache, hey, see the team doctor, he might have some...
Cole Hammels will be the pivotal player in the Series. If he can't handle the Devil Rays at least two times, maybe three, the Phillies are history. The youth of Tampa Bay can cause some suspicion, but Philadelphia is not a playoff tested team either. I will stick with the Devil Rays in six, and Longoria as the MVP. Tonight's first at bat for the Devil Rays third baseman will tell a lot.
Colorado at Missouri this weekend, family rivalry, seems like the Buff's aren't quite the cupcake you'd want for homecoming. Missouri is coming off an asss whuppin' by Texas, so if I were a betting man I'd lay the 21 and 1/2...you know Missouri is going to score forty plus, let's call it 48-17...with apologies to certain readers. I know one reader is pulling heavily for Rice to be bowl eligible, Tulane this weekend, a solid maybe...and they still have Army on the menu. Four wins in the bank, I think they'll make it. For the serious gambler, and I'm doing better than the stock market since I started this, Alabama should handle Tennessee giving six and 1/2. Breeder's Cup selections soon. Remember it's now two days, with the distaff side running on Friday.
Went to a High School soccer game this afternoon...friggin' cold...later, biff
Brett Favre is embroiled in his biggest beef since the percocet days. New York is all a twitter because Brett spent time on the phone telling Matt Millen and his pals how to beat the Packers. First of all Brett was really pissed when he threw six TD passes in a game, and the New York tabloids had the Mets all over the back page as they were circling in their NL death spiral. Then he tells Peter King the phone call to Millen was , "BS", via text message. During his press conference today the NYC media drilled him for fifteen minutes about his discussion with Millen. He came back finally that he had spoken with him, but it was about hunting. In the end, Harry Potter couldn't help the Lions win on any given Sunday. Packer fans are pissed that he'd diss his old team, and Jets fans are wondering why he isn't learning the new playbook instead of helping somebody beat his old team. If that wouldn't give you a headache, hey, see the team doctor, he might have some...
Cole Hammels will be the pivotal player in the Series. If he can't handle the Devil Rays at least two times, maybe three, the Phillies are history. The youth of Tampa Bay can cause some suspicion, but Philadelphia is not a playoff tested team either. I will stick with the Devil Rays in six, and Longoria as the MVP. Tonight's first at bat for the Devil Rays third baseman will tell a lot.
Colorado at Missouri this weekend, family rivalry, seems like the Buff's aren't quite the cupcake you'd want for homecoming. Missouri is coming off an asss whuppin' by Texas, so if I were a betting man I'd lay the 21 and 1/2...you know Missouri is going to score forty plus, let's call it 48-17...with apologies to certain readers. I know one reader is pulling heavily for Rice to be bowl eligible, Tulane this weekend, a solid maybe...and they still have Army on the menu. Four wins in the bank, I think they'll make it. For the serious gambler, and I'm doing better than the stock market since I started this, Alabama should handle Tennessee giving six and 1/2. Breeder's Cup selections soon. Remember it's now two days, with the distaff side running on Friday.
Went to a High School soccer game this afternoon...friggin' cold...later, biff
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Jeter, winter, road trip
Sorry, been a couple of very busy days. Should be back tomorrow with a full head of steam.
Did anyone else out there notice that Derek Jeter hung up his cleats with three games to go...and his batting average sitting right on .300? Just a thought.
I'm thoroughly convinced the Devil Rays will prevail...jumped in quickly to get that on the record. Prediction, World Series MVP...Evan Longoria.
The Breeder's Cup is coming up this weekend from Santa Anita, I will fill your heads with great investments. I'm sure every one's other investments are going so well you won't need these...but hey...
Two hard frosts in a row...looking for invites to southern climes; don't drink, do dishes, will babysit and take out the garbage. Other duties negotiable. I will be road-tripping to Florida with old buddy Bobby...soon enough to take some of the edge of autumn off the pumpkin.
Knee has come around gamely, all the best from central Connecticut, later biff
Did anyone else out there notice that Derek Jeter hung up his cleats with three games to go...and his batting average sitting right on .300? Just a thought.
I'm thoroughly convinced the Devil Rays will prevail...jumped in quickly to get that on the record. Prediction, World Series MVP...Evan Longoria.
The Breeder's Cup is coming up this weekend from Santa Anita, I will fill your heads with great investments. I'm sure every one's other investments are going so well you won't need these...but hey...
Two hard frosts in a row...looking for invites to southern climes; don't drink, do dishes, will babysit and take out the garbage. Other duties negotiable. I will be road-tripping to Florida with old buddy Bobby...soon enough to take some of the edge of autumn off the pumpkin.
Knee has come around gamely, all the best from central Connecticut, later biff
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Boston justice & hypocrisy...Joba juiced...
You have to love Boston justice. With the Sox being pounded 7-0 the other night, a rather rotund Boston fan in the first row down the first base line decided to remove his shirt and lead some sort of rally cheer in the almost quiet Fenway Park. This is not an uncommon sight in sports all over the country. Okay, some back-bay-bitch called security and the goon squad descended upon him quickly and made him put his shirt back on. They gave him the ejection threat and were back to watching for other improprieties. Shortly after that the Sox famous (ugh!) comeback started. The fan, Nick Melanson, said frig' it, and stripped the shirt off, went into a horrendous dance routine, and warily eyed the security guys. Their response, "Forget it dude, it's working." After the game the phone-whiner has her photograph taken with the XL cheerleader. Bean town hypocrisy at its finest.
While on Boston sports (way too much of that lately), we had another case of "which body part is hurt." We all remember the story about Manny not knowing which knee he needed to have an MRI on during his revolt to leave town. Now the Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo sprains his ankle in a pre-season game, and the obvious question is asked, "Is it the same one you sprained against the Lakers during the playoffs last year?" No chicanery here...he honestly didn't know.
It's one of the biggest nights in Tampa Bay sports history tonight. Not only is the seventh game of the ALCS going on, but one of the worst Sunday night Football games in history will be taking place also; Buccaneers hosting Seattle. No problem, the two venues are twenty-five miles apart...and separated by, what else, Tampa Bay.
Kelly Pavlik was schooled by old man Bernard Hopkins last night. I love it when the old dudes (except Roger Clemens) manhandle much younger opponents.
Joba Cahmberlain was arrested for speeding, DUI and open container last night. Let's see how the rabid NY press treats this incident. I have an inkling that they'll be preaching the "slap on the wrist" philosophy for the young, hard throwing almost matinee-idol Yankee. I'm sure if it had been Jose Reyes or ARod the reportage would be much different. The tabloids missed a shot of one of the all-time back page headlines, JOBA JUICED.
Tonight's dinner includes the tail end of the constant gardener's (Karen) tomatoes and arugula. But that's nothing compared to the fact the lime juice was provided buy one of our own indoor/outdoor trees. Connecticut is not known for citrus tree production. Besides the lime tree, we have an orange, lemon and banana to go with it. In the winter we walk them like a dog on sunny days. This year she's going to try and winter over a banana tree outside. After the first heavy frost she's going to chop it to ground level, and then cover it heavily with mulch. I suggested a layer of plastic or newspaper... a stern no was shot my way. Hey, couldn't we use recycled plastic bags?
Bret Farve, rather clumsily, just led the Jets to an overtime defeat by the lowly Oakland Raiders. It's funny, his drug past (he confused percocet with M & M's for a few years) never seems to come up when they're (endlessly) taking about his consecutive game streak. Some guys have all the luck...
The Devil Rays should win. If they don't the Red Sox will be well ensconced as the grittiest team of the century already. Horrid thought.
Christmas crap is out in the stores! Did I miss Halloween and Thanksgiving?
Coiln Powell, my man...later, biff
While on Boston sports (way too much of that lately), we had another case of "which body part is hurt." We all remember the story about Manny not knowing which knee he needed to have an MRI on during his revolt to leave town. Now the Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo sprains his ankle in a pre-season game, and the obvious question is asked, "Is it the same one you sprained against the Lakers during the playoffs last year?" No chicanery here...he honestly didn't know.
It's one of the biggest nights in Tampa Bay sports history tonight. Not only is the seventh game of the ALCS going on, but one of the worst Sunday night Football games in history will be taking place also; Buccaneers hosting Seattle. No problem, the two venues are twenty-five miles apart...and separated by, what else, Tampa Bay.
Kelly Pavlik was schooled by old man Bernard Hopkins last night. I love it when the old dudes (except Roger Clemens) manhandle much younger opponents.
Joba Cahmberlain was arrested for speeding, DUI and open container last night. Let's see how the rabid NY press treats this incident. I have an inkling that they'll be preaching the "slap on the wrist" philosophy for the young, hard throwing almost matinee-idol Yankee. I'm sure if it had been Jose Reyes or ARod the reportage would be much different. The tabloids missed a shot of one of the all-time back page headlines, JOBA JUICED.
Tonight's dinner includes the tail end of the constant gardener's (Karen) tomatoes and arugula. But that's nothing compared to the fact the lime juice was provided buy one of our own indoor/outdoor trees. Connecticut is not known for citrus tree production. Besides the lime tree, we have an orange, lemon and banana to go with it. In the winter we walk them like a dog on sunny days. This year she's going to try and winter over a banana tree outside. After the first heavy frost she's going to chop it to ground level, and then cover it heavily with mulch. I suggested a layer of plastic or newspaper... a stern no was shot my way. Hey, couldn't we use recycled plastic bags?
Bret Farve, rather clumsily, just led the Jets to an overtime defeat by the lowly Oakland Raiders. It's funny, his drug past (he confused percocet with M & M's for a few years) never seems to come up when they're (endlessly) taking about his consecutive game streak. Some guys have all the luck...
The Devil Rays should win. If they don't the Red Sox will be well ensconced as the grittiest team of the century already. Horrid thought.
Christmas crap is out in the stores! Did I miss Halloween and Thanksgiving?
Coiln Powell, my man...later, biff
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