Monday, April 12, 2010

SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE

***OUR OLD FRIEND BOB MATTHEWS***
Here are two consecutive statements from Bob in todays' column:
"Minnesota's trade sending pitching ace Johan Santana to the New York Mets, suddenly isn't looking too bad. The Twins received pitchers Phillip Humber, Kevin Mulvey, Deolis Guerra and outfielder Carlos Gomez." Followed by this statement:
"Humber and Mulvey did nothing for the Twins and weren't anything special with the Rochester Red Wings. Gomez stuck with Minnesota but was in over his head. Guerra is at Double-A in New Britain." Exactly what wasn't 'too bad', Bob? That they survived the plane trip to Minneapolis?

***NO ONE IS GOING TO BELIEVE THIS ONE***
And I mean NO ONE! Picasner defending Joe West? Sorry, sports fans, but I call 'em like I see 'em. One of the criticisms of Country Joe, in retaliation for his 'pathetic and embarrassing' statements, is that he has a "...strike zone the size of a postage stamp." Ah, my friends, this is not always a bad thing. Because of where umpires set up to call balls & strikes (right on the inside corner of the plate), they are all clueless about the outside pitches. Balls that are shown to be clearly 4, 5 or 6 inches OFF the plate are called strikes. Country Joe won't call them strikes unless they are a lot closer. If these pitches were properly called balls, games would probably be even longer. Joe still can't run and is argumentative and confrontational, but he's, how shall I put it, less inept in this case.
For more on this, I suggest you read Bill Madden's column in the Sunday Daily News:
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2010/04/10/2010-04-10_mlb_ropes_in_cowboy_joe.html

***MLB IS RIGHT ON TOP OF THE JOE WEST CONTROVERSY***
As previously discussed, MLB had to do something about West's comments, fine or suspension, or both. Well, the word is that Joe "...has been admonished for his remarks. Firmly." Wow, I hope his wrist is okay.

***I'M LOSING MY PATIENCE WITH THIS GUY***
Sports premier 'Conversational Bully,' Mike Lupica, instead of being insightful, has become just contrary. His take on Joe West goes like this:
"Joe West...got jumped pretty good for saying the Yanks & Red Sox play ridiculously long games. But you know what? The Sox & the Yanks play ridiculously, stupidly long games, occasionally nine-inning games that don't just push four hours, but go past five."
Oh, really. Do you really know how long 5 hours is, Mike. It appears to be the same amount of time you spent in Journalism school. Even that 13-inning thriller the Yanks & Sox played a few years ago, barely made it to five hours. You're going to have to prove this one, Mike.

***WHO, ME?***
Remember the grief A-Rod got for supposedly calling "I got it," as he rounded third when the 3rd baseman was waiting to catch a pop-up against Toronto? Let's see if this situation gets any play in the news. Minnesota third base coach, Jim Ullger (that IS spelled correctly), stepped onto the field in an apparent attempt to delude a relay man into thinking a runner was on third so he wouldn't throw home. It's illegal and didn't work anyway. Check out these pictures and explanation by Blogger Jim Margalus:
http://soxmachine.com/soxmachine/2010/04/12/scott-ullger-third-base-coach-baserunner/

CP-

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