The ball is now in Johnny Damon's court.
As the world now knows, the Red Sox claimed Damon on waivers today from the Detroit Tigers, and the two clubs have agreed on a deal. Damon has until Wednesday afternoon to decide if he wants to return to the scene of his greatest glory: Fenway Park. He has a no-trade clause in his contract, and the red Sox are one of the teams he can veto a trade to.
It sounds like the team wants him back, and I've heard that both Jason Varitek and David Ortiz are on board with it. A poll at Boston.com currently has about 69% of the fans for it.
I was checking out the Tigers game tonight, and Damon currently growing a beard. A portent of things to come?
Damon has said it's tough decision, that he likes the Tigers and playing in Detroit, but they are now out of the pennant race. Damon says it bothered him when the fans got on him after he left for the Yankees, and it sounds like he still holds a grudge against Red Sox management for the way he felt he was treated after he became a free agent in 2005.
Well, now, can be a time when both sides can mend fences, and Damon can repair the legacy he damaged when he left for New York. If he ultimately decides to spurn the Sox, he better have a good reason. The Red Sox fans will be watching closely, and he will really be in for it the next time he sets foot in Fenway Park in an enemy uniform. Stay tuned.
The Sox beat the Seattle Mariners tonight, 6-3, behind eight innings of the mostly solid starting pitching of John Lackey. He had only one really bad inning, and that was the sixth, when the Sox were up 3-1, and Lackey gave up four hits and the Mariners tied it.
But Marco Scutaro was the hitting star tonight, getting two clutch singles that drove in two runs each time. Jonathan Papelbon shut down Seattle in the ninth for his 31st save.
New York lost in Toronto, so the Red Sox are now 5 1/2 games back in the East.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Another Step to the Cy Young
Despite 2 3/4 hours worth of rain delays at Fenway on Sunday, the Red Sox gained a much-needed 5-0 win and took the weekend series from the Toronto Blue Jays.
A very rare sight was seen by those Fenway denizens: a David Ortiz triple, and it broke up Shaun Marcum's perfect game bid in the 5th inning. It was Papi's first three-bagger in over a year, and Adrian Beltre hit the next pitch for a double to give the Sox the lead.
Bill Hall later in the inning hit a majestic blast across Lansdowne Street to make it 3-0, and it was his 17th home run of the season. It was all Clay Buchholz needed, as he went six shutout innings. He did have trouble in three different innings, but got out of all of them unscathed.
Daniel Bard and Felix Doubront finished up, with Doubront picking up his second save of the season. Buchholz picked up his 15th win, and lowered his league-leading ERA to 2.26. Buchholz is definitely at or near the top of the Cy Young Award race, and has a 20-inning scoreless streak going right now.
New York and Tampa Bay both won, so the Red Sox continue to be 6 1/2 back in the East and 5 1/2 back in the Wild Card chase. John Lackey takes on Doug Fister tonight as the Red Sox open a three-game series at Fenway with the Seattle Mariners.
Name That Tune on Tuesday
The Special Category for Trivia Night on Tuesday night will be "August 24th Trivia." It will be seven questions about all things connected to that date in history.We will also be trying out a new category for the Q Train lightning round. It is called "In Q's iPod" and it will be similar in nature to the old "Name That Tune" game show. We will play 10 songs that are actually in my iPod (which is a Red 16 GB Nano, like the one pictured), and you have identify the title of the song and the artist who sang it. I will play about 15-20 seconds of each tune, and if you get both right, you get two points. (One point if you get one of the two correct.)
The songs will also be well-known ones, and nothing obscure. If this goes well, it will become a monthly regular category.
The Sneak Peek question for this week is:
In 1836, The Siege of The Alamo took place in what Texas city?
We will get going just after 9 PM. The Red Sox take on the Mariners at Fenway that night, and that will be going on as we play Trivia. I hope to see many of you on Tuesday night.
#23: Dave Drops Stuff Off a Five-Story Tower
I was a huge David Letterman fan when he had his NBC "Late Night" show. (I check out the "Late Show" on CBS every once in a while, but it's not required viewing for me anymore.) I watched Dave just about every night, and he was always coming up with goofy and off-the-wall stuff.
One of my favorites was when he'd drop stuff off a five-story tower in New Rochelle, NY (among other places). Bowling balls through TVs, a bunch of watermelons all at once, that sort of thing.
Here's a great clip from the mid-1980s of Dave doing just such a thing. Never ceases to crack me up. This is number 23 on the countdown. Enjoy.
One of my favorites was when he'd drop stuff off a five-story tower in New Rochelle, NY (among other places). Bowling balls through TVs, a bunch of watermelons all at once, that sort of thing.
Here's a great clip from the mid-1980s of Dave doing just such a thing. Never ceases to crack me up. This is number 23 on the countdown. Enjoy.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
#22: I'm Not Sure What a Jackwagon Is
One of my favorite commercials currently on the air is the Geico one (they make some terrific ones) that features former Marine Corps Drill Sergeant R. Lee Ermey, as a psychiatrist who becomes a drill sergeant again and let's his patient have it. Classic stuff.
This is the first commercial on the countdown, at number 22. Enjoy.
This is the first commercial on the countdown, at number 22. Enjoy.
Uncle Jed to the Rescue
No, not this Uncle Jed (pictured left).Jed Lowrie dropped a popup in foul territory in the 11th inning with two outs playing first base, and how many times have you seen something like that lead to disaster?
Fortunately, Jonathan Papelbon struck the Toronto hitter out, and the game proceeded still tied, 4-4, to the bottom of the 11th. Who led off?
Lowrie. I just had a feeling...
And Jed blasted a pitch from Casey Janssen into the Red Sox bullpen to give the home side a much-needed 5-4 win. And all the more important since New York and Tampa Bay both won yesterday.
It was Lowrie's 7th career home run, and four have come against Toronto. Go figure.
Papelbon got the win, as Daisuke Matsuzaka went eight innings, but had only one bad inning, the sixth, when he gave up a 4-1 lead and the Blue Jays tied it, on yet another home run from Lyle Overbay.
The Red Sox try to win the series today, weather permitting, with Clay Buchholz taking the mound.
And now, even players who WANT to play for the Red Sox are getting hurt and ending up on the disabled list.
The Pawtucket Red Sox placed Carlos Delgado on the DL after he experienced soreness in his hip and lower back, the hip he's had two surgeries on. He's been out a week, and his chances of making it back to the majors appears to be fading. Here's more from Extra Bases.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
#21: Art Work
"Taxi" is another of my favorite sitcoms of all-time, and is generally overlooked in the discussion of the best in TV history. It had a memorable cast of characters and the show was still going strong when it left the air in 1983.
I had a number of favorite episodes, but one of the funniest was one called "Art Work," when the cab drivers get together and pool their money to try to buy a painting of an artist who is about to die. It includes a number of hysterical Louie DePalma moments, one of my favorite sitcoms characters.
This clip is from the middle of the show, when the art auction takes place. It's number 21 on the countdown. Enjoy.
I had a number of favorite episodes, but one of the funniest was one called "Art Work," when the cab drivers get together and pool their money to try to buy a painting of an artist who is about to die. It includes a number of hysterical Louie DePalma moments, one of my favorite sitcoms characters.
This clip is from the middle of the show, when the art auction takes place. It's number 21 on the countdown. Enjoy.
A 16-2 Loss Wasn't The Worst News of the Night
Jon Lester simply got the crap kicked out of him on Friday night, allowing 9 runs in 2+ innings, by far the worst start of his career, as the Toronto Blue Jays coasted to an easy win at Fenway.Toronto scored five in the first and you knew this was going to be awful. It just got worse as the night wore on.
Toss this one into the garbage and forget about it.
But, before the game, the Red Sox had to place Dustin Pedroia on the DL for the second time, as he re-injured the foot that originally put him on the DL in June.
When will he be back? Lord only knows. He is the fourth Red Sox player that has made multiple trips to the DL this season.
Get well soon, Pedey.
The only good news of the night is that New York and Tampa Bay both lost. But time is running out.
I've got a sinking feeling the curtain is slowly coming down on this season.
Friday, August 20, 2010
9 Out Of 10 Ain't Bad
The Red Sox didn't get a season sweep from the Anaheim Angels of Los Angeles, as Josh Beckett pitched five solid innings before the roof caved in and the Angels won, 7-2.
David Ortiz hit a solo home run in the fourth of Ervin Santana and it stayed that way until the 6th. Then, Beckett got hammered: two doubles, a single and a three run homer by Hideki Matsui. All of the hits were rockets, and it was 4-1.
The first five innings really looked like Beckett had turned the corner. He was never in trouble, and had allowed just two hits. But was gone after one out in the 7th, and Terry Francona had the brilliant idea of bringing in Manny Delcarmen. Three walks later it was 6-1, and an infield hit after that it was 7-1, and in the immortal words of Warner Wolf, you could turn your sets off there. I did.
It was the third straight start Beckett has given up six earned runs or more. And this was on a day when New York won, so the Red Sox are now 6 1/2 games back in the East. Tampa Bay lost in Oakland later on, so the Wild Card deficit remains at 5 1/2 games.
The Red Sox also put their 19th player on the DL for 2010 before the game, as Jarrod Saltalamacchia went on with an infection in his right leg. Dusty Brown was called up just before the game. Dustin Pedroia was a late stratch before last night's contest, as he felt some soreness in his recently-healed foot. Sounds like nothing to worry about, and he should be in tonight's lineup, when the Red Sox take on the Blue Jays for three at Fenway, with Jon Lester taking on Brett Cecil.
David Ortiz hit a solo home run in the fourth of Ervin Santana and it stayed that way until the 6th. Then, Beckett got hammered: two doubles, a single and a three run homer by Hideki Matsui. All of the hits were rockets, and it was 4-1.
The first five innings really looked like Beckett had turned the corner. He was never in trouble, and had allowed just two hits. But was gone after one out in the 7th, and Terry Francona had the brilliant idea of bringing in Manny Delcarmen. Three walks later it was 6-1, and an infield hit after that it was 7-1, and in the immortal words of Warner Wolf, you could turn your sets off there. I did.
It was the third straight start Beckett has given up six earned runs or more. And this was on a day when New York won, so the Red Sox are now 6 1/2 games back in the East. Tampa Bay lost in Oakland later on, so the Wild Card deficit remains at 5 1/2 games.
The Red Sox also put their 19th player on the DL for 2010 before the game, as Jarrod Saltalamacchia went on with an infection in his right leg. Dusty Brown was called up just before the game. Dustin Pedroia was a late stratch before last night's contest, as he felt some soreness in his recently-healed foot. Sounds like nothing to worry about, and he should be in tonight's lineup, when the Red Sox take on the Blue Jays for three at Fenway, with Jon Lester taking on Brett Cecil.
#20: October 21, 1975
Here's clip number 20, from "Good Will Hunting." Could there be any other choice but this?
I'd remember the date, October 21, 1975, even if I didn't have to see about a girl.
Enjoy.
I'd remember the date, October 21, 1975, even if I didn't have to see about a girl.
Enjoy.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Feds About to Indict The Texas Con Man
Here it comes. Roger Clemens is about to be indicted for perjury for lying under oath in 2008 about his use of performance-enhancing drugs. (And he's REALLY going to take it in the butt now.)
Tee-hee. Roger Clemens Incarceration Day is a step closer to happening.
Here's more from The New York Times.
And here's the takeoff of the infamous denials Clemens put up on YouTube right after the allegations surfaced. Please enjoy this again:
#19: Can You Fly This Plane and Land It?
"Airplane!" is still another of my favorite comedies of all-time. Totally and completely off the wall, with serious actors like Peter Graves, Leslie Nielsen and Lloyd Bridges playing terrific comedy roles. It's the real genius of the film.
And it's got some excellent one-liners that will be quoted forever.
Here is the one probably quoted most often, when Robert Hays enters the cockpit for the first time. This is number 19 in our countdown. Enjoy.
And it's got some excellent one-liners that will be quoted forever.
Here is the one probably quoted most often, when Robert Hays enters the cockpit for the first time. This is number 19 in our countdown. Enjoy.
Sox Nine, Halos Zilch
On a night when I picked to see "Inception" with a friend of mine in Brooklyn (a good film, but I think I'd have to watch it again to really appreciate it), the Red Sox came from behind to beat the Anaheim Angels of Los Angeles for the ninth straight time, 7-5.The Angels still haven't beaten the Red Sox since the infamous Papelbon meltdown of Game 3 of the 2009 ALCS.
I checked my cell just in time to see the Red Sox rallying in the seventh, with Daniel Nava getting hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to bring in tie-breaking run. He also made a great catch in the 8th to keep the two-run lead (pictured).
Adrian Beltre and Bill Hall both belted home runs, Victor Martinez had three hits and scored twice, and David Ortiz and Darnell McDonald had two hits apiece to pace the attack.
John Lackey gave up all five runs in seven innings, two home runs, struck out five but walked none. He left with the lead and got the win. Jonathan Papelbon looked like the 2006 closer who lit up the league, striking out the side on 14 pitches in getting his 30th save, and he became the first closer ever to get 30 saves in his first five full seasons in MLB.
New York and Tampa Bay both won, so the Sox keep pace in the East, 5 1/2 games behind both clubs.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
A Cool Red Sox eBay Auction
My friend Fred Cantor contacted me today and told me about a really cool auction going on in conjunction with the single "Monbo Time."
A video of the song by The Remains has been put together, and you can actually become part of it. There is an eBay auction currently going on, and the winner of it can include a picture of their family as part of the video.
"Monbo Time" is a cool little ditty about the Red Sox and was recorded in support of one time Red Sox pitcher Bill Monbouquette and his fight against leukemia. 100% of the proceeds from the auction will benefit the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and The Jimmy Fund, and the WEEI/NESN RadioTelethon, which will run on Thursday and Friday.
The winning family's bid will be incorporated into the song with the lyrics:
Today we are three generations, Our kids have been to Fenway too."
Really cool stuff. The winners will also receive a genuine 1968 Red Sox scorecard, and a 2004 program from the stage musical about The Remains, "All Good Things."
If you'd like to make a bid at eBay, please click this link. You have until next Wednesday, August 25th, to make a bid.
Here is the first two minutes of the video for "Monbo Time." Enjoy.
A video of the song by The Remains has been put together, and you can actually become part of it. There is an eBay auction currently going on, and the winner of it can include a picture of their family as part of the video.
"Monbo Time" is a cool little ditty about the Red Sox and was recorded in support of one time Red Sox pitcher Bill Monbouquette and his fight against leukemia. 100% of the proceeds from the auction will benefit the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and The Jimmy Fund, and the WEEI/NESN RadioTelethon, which will run on Thursday and Friday.
The winning family's bid will be incorporated into the song with the lyrics:
Today we are three generations, Our kids have been to Fenway too."
Really cool stuff. The winners will also receive a genuine 1968 Red Sox scorecard, and a 2004 program from the stage musical about The Remains, "All Good Things."
If you'd like to make a bid at eBay, please click this link. You have until next Wednesday, August 25th, to make a bid.
Here is the first two minutes of the video for "Monbo Time." Enjoy.
Kalish Makes a Statement
The Red Sox and their fans were happy to see Dustin Pedroia return to the lineup last night. He didn't have the best of nights: o-for-4, got caught looking in his first at-bat and made an error in the field. But having the heart and soul of the ballclub back on the field is what counts. The 4-for-4s will come soon enough.Ryan Kalish blasted a grand slam off Jered Weaver in the fourth, after the Sox grabbed a 1-0 lead in the third against the Angels on a blast across Lansdowne Street by Darnell McDonald. The ball actually went through the back window of a car parked in the lot across the street. Send the bill to the Red Sox.
It was Kalish's second home run of the season, and he continues to impress in the field and at the plate. He was in center last night, in place of the recently DL'ed Jacoby Ellsbury. The Red Sox will issue a statement today about his recently fractured rib from last Friday night in Texas, and the feeling is is that this may shut Ellsbury down for the season. And now, you have to wonder if we've seen his last game in a Red Sox uniform.
Clay Buchholz was again terrific last night. He won his 14th game of the year and lowered his ERA to 2.36, and that leads the AL. He went seven innings, allowed no runs on seven hits while striking out three. Felix Doubront loaded the bases in the 8th but escaped with a strikeout, and Michael Bowden pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to cap the 6-0 shutout.
New York and Tampa Bay both won easily as well, so the Sox trail both teams by 5 1/2 games.
#18: Put Me In, Coach
One of my favorite music videos is "Centerfield" by John Fogerty, his terrific salute to baseball. And the video is nothing but old time clips of the stars from mostly the '30s, '40s and '50s. And all in glorious black and white as well.
I also dedicate this clip to the late Bobby Thomson, who passed away on Monday night at the age of 86. He is in this video of course, and despite hitting what many feel is the greatest home run in baseball history, he was always a gentleman to all who knew him. "The Staten Island Scot" will be missed.
Here's number 18. Enjoy.
Here's number 18. Enjoy.
Trivia Q&A: August 17
We had 17 teams in for Trivia Night on Tuesday, and with the Red Sox stomping all over the Anaheim Angels of Los Angeles, it made for a very good night.
The scores were very good for Elvis Presley Trivia, as they were also for Odd Numbered Trivia. General Knowledge was slightly below what I thought it would be, but the scores going into IQ Trivia were still very close, with six teams withing two points of the lead.
But the team of Your Mother's a Whore, Glenn Beck pulled out a one point win, for their third win in four weeks, getting three of five right in the final round. (No team got as many as four correct.) Congratulations, guys.
Current Events
1. This major Midwestern city finished second behind El Centro, CA in a recent poll by the web site WalletPop for the title of "Worst Place to Live" in the US.
2. This country, which is currently building the largest clock in the world, hopes that "Mecca Time" will replace Greenwich Mean Time as the world's standard for time.
3. A museum in Texas is attempting to raise $30,000 in order to exhibit four dresses that actress Vivian Leigh wore in this classic 1939 film.
4. Former Congressman Dan Rostenkowski, who represented this state for 18 terms and was convicted on fraud charges in 1994, died last week at the age of 82.
5. Ronnie Ortiz-Magro was arrested on Sunday for outstanding parking tickets and is the second person in two weeks to be arrested from this reality TV show.
6. Philip Markoff, a former medical student, was found dead in his Boston jail cell on Sunday. Markoff was accused of murdering a masseuse he met through what online web site?
7. The 2010 Summer Youth Olympics opened last Saturday in what Asian country?
Elvis Presley Trivia: True or False
1. The FBI has over 600 pages of files on Elvis Presley.
2. "Love Me Tender" was Elvis' best selling single of all-time.
3. "Heartbreak Hotel" was Elvis' first gold record.
4. Elvis famously met President Nixon in 1970 and asked to be made a "Federal Agent-at-Large" in the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.
5. RCA Records was Elvis' first record-producing company.
6. "Suspicious Minds" was Elvis' last Billboard Hot 100 number one single.
7. Elvis Presley died at the age of 44.
Odd Numbered Trivia ("The Q Train")
1. The silver wedding anniversary is marked after this number of years of marriage.
2. In the US, this is the minimum age one can rent of buy R-rated films.
3. Alfred Hitchcock had a film named "This Numbered Steps."
4. A soccer match has this numbered minutes in each half.
5. This is the number of days February has in leap years.
6. According to many sources, Jesus Christ is said to be this age at the time of his crucifixion.
7. Alaska is this numbered US state to enter the Union.
8. The left fielder in baseball is represented by this number.
9. This is the number of flavors of Baskin-Robbins ice cream.
10. This is the total number of amendments to the US Constitution.
General Knowledge
1. Kenny Bania, David Puddy and Frank Costanza were recurring characters in what TV series? ( 1 pt)
2. The Buckeye State is what state's nickname? ( 1 pt)
3. "Ebony and Ivory" was a hit song for Paul McCartney and what other singer? ( 1 pt)
4. Golda Meir was the first female prime minister of what country? ( 2 pt)
5. Pat Garrett shot and killed what famous outlaw in 1881? ( 2 pt)
6. Who is the Roman god of fire? ( 2 pt)
7. What is the largest state east of the Mississippi River in terms of land area? ( 3 pt)
IQ Trivia
1. The Hawke's Bay earthquake of 1931 was the worst natural disaster of what country? ( 4 points)
2. Lee Richmond was the first of 20 players in MLB history to accomplish what feat, in 1880? ( 5 points)
3. The 1966 film "The Fortune Cookie" was the first of ten cinematic pairings of what two Oscar-winning actors? ( 3 points)
4. Which 19th century man was the only US president born in the state of Pennsylvania? ( 4 points)
5. Bret Easton Ellis' first novel and its recent sequel are both named for works by what singer-songwriter? ( 4 points)
Answers
Current Events
1. Cleveland; 2. Saudi Arabia; 3. "Gone With the Wind;" 4. Illinois; 5. "Jersey Shore;" 6. Craigslist; 7. Singapore.
Elvis Presley: True or False
1. true; 2. false, "Hound Dog;" 3. true; 4. true; 5. false, Sun Records; 6. true; 7. false, 42.
Odd Numbered Trivia ("The Q Train")
1. 25; 2. 17; 3. 39; 4. 45; 5. 29; 6. 33; 7. 49; 8. 7; 9. 31; 10. 27.
General Knowledge
1. "Seinfeld;" 2. Ohio; 3. Stevie Wonder; 4. Israel; 5. Billy the Kid; 6. Vulcan; 7. Georgia.
IQ Trivia
1. New Zealand; 2. Pitch a perfect game; 3. Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau; 4. James Buchanan; 5. Elvis Costello.
The scores were very good for Elvis Presley Trivia, as they were also for Odd Numbered Trivia. General Knowledge was slightly below what I thought it would be, but the scores going into IQ Trivia were still very close, with six teams withing two points of the lead.
But the team of Your Mother's a Whore, Glenn Beck pulled out a one point win, for their third win in four weeks, getting three of five right in the final round. (No team got as many as four correct.) Congratulations, guys.
Current Events
1. This major Midwestern city finished second behind El Centro, CA in a recent poll by the web site WalletPop for the title of "Worst Place to Live" in the US.
2. This country, which is currently building the largest clock in the world, hopes that "Mecca Time" will replace Greenwich Mean Time as the world's standard for time.
3. A museum in Texas is attempting to raise $30,000 in order to exhibit four dresses that actress Vivian Leigh wore in this classic 1939 film.
4. Former Congressman Dan Rostenkowski, who represented this state for 18 terms and was convicted on fraud charges in 1994, died last week at the age of 82.
5. Ronnie Ortiz-Magro was arrested on Sunday for outstanding parking tickets and is the second person in two weeks to be arrested from this reality TV show.
6. Philip Markoff, a former medical student, was found dead in his Boston jail cell on Sunday. Markoff was accused of murdering a masseuse he met through what online web site?
7. The 2010 Summer Youth Olympics opened last Saturday in what Asian country?
Elvis Presley Trivia: True or False
1. The FBI has over 600 pages of files on Elvis Presley.
2. "Love Me Tender" was Elvis' best selling single of all-time.
3. "Heartbreak Hotel" was Elvis' first gold record.
4. Elvis famously met President Nixon in 1970 and asked to be made a "Federal Agent-at-Large" in the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.
5. RCA Records was Elvis' first record-producing company.
6. "Suspicious Minds" was Elvis' last Billboard Hot 100 number one single.
7. Elvis Presley died at the age of 44.
Odd Numbered Trivia ("The Q Train")
1. The silver wedding anniversary is marked after this number of years of marriage.
2. In the US, this is the minimum age one can rent of buy R-rated films.
3. Alfred Hitchcock had a film named "This Numbered Steps."
4. A soccer match has this numbered minutes in each half.
5. This is the number of days February has in leap years.
6. According to many sources, Jesus Christ is said to be this age at the time of his crucifixion.
7. Alaska is this numbered US state to enter the Union.
8. The left fielder in baseball is represented by this number.
9. This is the number of flavors of Baskin-Robbins ice cream.
10. This is the total number of amendments to the US Constitution.
General Knowledge
1. Kenny Bania, David Puddy and Frank Costanza were recurring characters in what TV series? ( 1 pt)
2. The Buckeye State is what state's nickname? ( 1 pt)
3. "Ebony and Ivory" was a hit song for Paul McCartney and what other singer? ( 1 pt)
4. Golda Meir was the first female prime minister of what country? ( 2 pt)
5. Pat Garrett shot and killed what famous outlaw in 1881? ( 2 pt)
6. Who is the Roman god of fire? ( 2 pt)
7. What is the largest state east of the Mississippi River in terms of land area? ( 3 pt)
IQ Trivia
1. The Hawke's Bay earthquake of 1931 was the worst natural disaster of what country? ( 4 points)
2. Lee Richmond was the first of 20 players in MLB history to accomplish what feat, in 1880? ( 5 points)
3. The 1966 film "The Fortune Cookie" was the first of ten cinematic pairings of what two Oscar-winning actors? ( 3 points)
4. Which 19th century man was the only US president born in the state of Pennsylvania? ( 4 points)
5. Bret Easton Ellis' first novel and its recent sequel are both named for works by what singer-songwriter? ( 4 points)
Answers
Current Events
1. Cleveland; 2. Saudi Arabia; 3. "Gone With the Wind;" 4. Illinois; 5. "Jersey Shore;" 6. Craigslist; 7. Singapore.
Elvis Presley: True or False
1. true; 2. false, "Hound Dog;" 3. true; 4. true; 5. false, Sun Records; 6. true; 7. false, 42.
Odd Numbered Trivia ("The Q Train")
1. 25; 2. 17; 3. 39; 4. 45; 5. 29; 6. 33; 7. 49; 8. 7; 9. 31; 10. 27.
General Knowledge
1. "Seinfeld;" 2. Ohio; 3. Stevie Wonder; 4. Israel; 5. Billy the Kid; 6. Vulcan; 7. Georgia.
IQ Trivia
1. New Zealand; 2. Pitch a perfect game; 3. Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau; 4. James Buchanan; 5. Elvis Costello.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
I'm On The Run Again
And of course, for a very worthy cause.
Last year, I ran in the inaugural World Trade Center 5K Run To Remember, at Governor's Island. It was fun but rather grueling, as Yours Truly isn't a great distance runner by any stretch of the imagination. But I was really well-supported, and I was one of the top fund raisers in the entire run. I was really touched by all of your generosity last year.
So, I am doing it once again, and this time on September 5th, and again on Governor's Island. (I strained a hamstring last week playing softball, but I am in the process of preparing for the run.) Again, I am running for the Voices of September 11th, a wonderful group I am proud to be associated with. I will be running with my friend Joyce's name on my running bib, as I was so proud to do so last year.
If you'd like to support me, you can click this link and make a donation (you have until September 12th to do so). I am deeply appreciative to all of you who helped me out last year, and I look forward to another great run around Governor Island in September!
The Laser Show Is Back In Business
The 2008 MVP is back where he belongs:
And my old friend Bill Lee is back in business, too. The Spaceman signed a contract to pitch for the independent Brockton Rox, at the age of 63.
Go get 'em, Bill!
And my old friend Bill Lee is back in business, too. The Spaceman signed a contract to pitch for the independent Brockton Rox, at the age of 63.
Go get 'em, Bill!
#17: Walk of Life
I've always been a huge fan of Dire Straits. I saw them in concert at Madison Square Garden in 1992 and it was a terrific show. Mark Knopfler is one of my favorite guitarists of all-time.
They had a video from 1985 for the song "Walk of Life" that had sports bloopers in the background as they performed the song in concert. It was always a good song and I always liked the video.
So, for number 17 on the list of favorite YouTube videos, here it is. Enjoy.
They had a video from 1985 for the song "Walk of Life" that had sports bloopers in the background as they performed the song in concert. It was always a good song and I always liked the video.
So, for number 17 on the list of favorite YouTube videos, here it is. Enjoy.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Abbey Road: 24/7
Last night I discovered one of the cooler live webcams on the Internet. It is of the crossing at Abbey Road in London that the Beatles made famous on their magnificent 1969 album.
The cameras are poised from behind the crosswalk (the studios are just off to the right of the shot). So now you can watch all the tourists there are they see one of England's most famous attractions. (I went there for the first time in 1995. It was quite an experience for this Beatles fanatic.)
With thanks to my friend Russ who brought this webcam to my attention.
The Crossing - Abbey Road Studios
The cameras are poised from behind the crosswalk (the studios are just off to the right of the shot). So now you can watch all the tourists there are they see one of England's most famous attractions. (I went there for the first time in 1995. It was quite an experience for this Beatles fanatic.)
With thanks to my friend Russ who brought this webcam to my attention.
The Crossing - Abbey Road Studios
#16: The Best of Blazing Saddles
One of the great comedies of all-time is "Blazing Saddles," Mel Brooks' 1974 masterpiece. I wanted to feature my favorite scene in the film, the "farting scene." (But for some reason, all the clips on YouTube were "embedding disabled by request." Go figure.)
But I did find this great six-minute montage of the film's best scenes. It has the farting scene, all the way up to the fight that's at the movie's conclusion.
So this is number 16 in our countdown of my favorite YouTube clips. Enjoy.
But I did find this great six-minute montage of the film's best scenes. It has the farting scene, all the way up to the fight that's at the movie's conclusion.
So this is number 16 in our countdown of my favorite YouTube clips. Enjoy.
Elvis In The Building On Tuesday
Well, not Mr. Presley exactly. But we will be having a round of "Elvis Presley: True or False Trivia," to mark the 33rd anniversary of his passing (which is actually today). I will give you seven statements about The King, and you will tell me if they are true or false.The Q Train lightning round will be "Odd Numbered Trivia" (since we did Even Numbered Trivia last week).
The Sneak Peek question for this week is:
The Buckeye State is what state's nickname?
We will get going at 9 PM. We have the Red Sox-Angels game on the big screen that night, and I hope to see many of you on Tuesday night.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
A .500 Road Trip That Should Have Been Better
The Red Sox completed their ten-game road trip with a gem by Jon Lester last night, and an awful bullpen on display in the Texas heat on Sunday.
The Sox finished the ten game swing through New York, Toronto and Texas break even, but it easily could have been 7-3. Those two travesties earlier this week put a damper on what could have been a terrific trip.
Daisuke Matsuzaka gace the Sox a gutsy performance on Sunday in the 99 degree heat in Arlington, going 6 2/3 innings, allowing just two runs when he departed. But the crappy bullpen made one final appearance on the trip, and Manny Delcarmen (another one who I hope will find work elsewhere in 2011) threw a meatball over the plate on his first pitch to Michael Young and it was 5-0.
C.J. Wilson pitched a tremendous game for Texas, allowing just four hits in the 7 2/3 innings he went. The Sox showed some life in the eighth, as Marco Scutaro doubled in a run and Darnell McDonald hit a two-run shot. But any comebacks were short-lived, as Dustin Richardson and Michael Bowden allowed Texas two more runs, and it was over at 7-3, as the Sox went down in order in the ninth.
I would have settled for a 5-5 trip when it started in New York nine days ago. But the last two losses were brutal, and now the Red Sox head back to Boston five behind Tampa Bay (who won today), and 6 behind New York (who lost).
And get ready, The Laser Show is set to resume again on Tuesday night.
The Sox finished the ten game swing through New York, Toronto and Texas break even, but it easily could have been 7-3. Those two travesties earlier this week put a damper on what could have been a terrific trip.
Daisuke Matsuzaka gace the Sox a gutsy performance on Sunday in the 99 degree heat in Arlington, going 6 2/3 innings, allowing just two runs when he departed. But the crappy bullpen made one final appearance on the trip, and Manny Delcarmen (another one who I hope will find work elsewhere in 2011) threw a meatball over the plate on his first pitch to Michael Young and it was 5-0.
C.J. Wilson pitched a tremendous game for Texas, allowing just four hits in the 7 2/3 innings he went. The Sox showed some life in the eighth, as Marco Scutaro doubled in a run and Darnell McDonald hit a two-run shot. But any comebacks were short-lived, as Dustin Richardson and Michael Bowden allowed Texas two more runs, and it was over at 7-3, as the Sox went down in order in the ninth.
I would have settled for a 5-5 trip when it started in New York nine days ago. But the last two losses were brutal, and now the Red Sox head back to Boston five behind Tampa Bay (who won today), and 6 behind New York (who lost).
And get ready, The Laser Show is set to resume again on Tuesday night.
#15: The Best Series Finale of All-Time
There have been some great endings to some classic TV shows, like "M*A*S*H" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." And there have been some that never had a finale, like "Married With Children."
But for my money, the best ever was the surprise finish to "Newhart," with its clever ending that brought back the original series and that the whole second series was a dream by Bob Hartley.
Here is number 15 in our series of YouTube clips. Enjoy.
But for my money, the best ever was the surprise finish to "Newhart," with its clever ending that brought back the original series and that the whole second series was a dream by Bob Hartley.
Here is number 15 in our series of YouTube clips. Enjoy.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
#14: NESN Comes Into Thom's On Kayreoke Night
Here's a YouTube clip that features Yours Truly. This is from back in September 2006 when NESN cameras came into Professor Thom's to film us doing "Kayreoke", which was when fans took turns doing the announcing of the Red Sox game in the bar with the sound of the announcers turned down.
(That was fun. Why don't we do that anymore?)
Anyhow, I turned up near the beginning of it, and I'm also shown doing the play-by-play for an inning with my buddy Eric, and Chris and Jim from Professor Thom's were both interviewed here as well.
This clip lasts just under three minutes and it's number 14 in the countdown. Enjoy.
(That was fun. Why don't we do that anymore?)
Anyhow, I turned up near the beginning of it, and I'm also shown doing the play-by-play for an inning with my buddy Eric, and Chris and Jim from Professor Thom's were both interviewed here as well.
This clip lasts just under three minutes and it's number 14 in the countdown. Enjoy.
From One Lt. Governor to Another
It has been my pleasure to come to know Jim Prime, who has authored a number of fine books on the Red Sox over the years, which include "Blood Feud" (about the Sox-NYY rivalry, and it's terrific) and "The Red Sox World Series Encyclopedia."Jim was recently bestowed a great honor by the Red Sox recently. He was named Acting Lt. Governor of Red Sox Nation for Nova Scotia. Jim is a part of a large group of Sox fans in that Canadian province, and is also part of the Bluenose Bosox Brotherhood, the Sox fan group of Nova Scotia.
Jim, who originally hails from Freeport, Long Island (that's the one in Nova Scotia, not New York, believe it or not), was the subject of an article by the Chronicle Herald about his love of the Sox and his new position.
Congratulations, Jim. Welcome to the group of Red Sox Nation Lieutenant Governors!
And on the Red Sox front this morning, good news and bad news:
Dustin Pedroia begins his rehab at Pawtucket tonight, and will also play there tomorrow. If there are no setbacks, he will be in the lineup Tuesday night against the Angels. And, Jacoby Ellsbury left last night's game after he felt pain in his side in the fourth inning. He collided with Texas pitcher Tommy Hunter on the first play of the game, and felt pain in the place he injured his ribs. He's heading back to Boston for an MRI. Another DL stint is a definite possibility.
As We Watch This Season Fade Into The Sunset
As Nelson Cruz' extra-inning blast was heading into the seats in Arlington, was anyone else thinking like me, of a certain night in October of 2003?
Tim Wakefield on the mound, first batter of the 11th hits the first pitch of a tie game...
OK, sorry. Enough of the bad memories.
You can't blow six-run leads at this time of year and expect to make the playoffs.
Right after the Sox scored seven in the fourth, my first thoughts were: DON'T LET TEXAS SCORE EVEN ONE RUN IN THIS INNING. IT WILL PUT THEM BACK IN THIS GAME.
So what does Josh Beckett do? He's gives up TWO in the fourth, and two more in the fifth.
It's a brand new game.
I knew the Red Sox would blow this. On a night when they hit five home runs, and have a six-run lead, they lose. This season is not going to end well.
45 games are left and they simply can't afford any more shitshows like this. Every win is precious. New York and Tampa Bay both lost, so there's goes another golden opportunity to gain ground. They are flushing the 2010 season down the toilet but fast.
I dare you to prove me wrong, guys.
I'm pissed and I've had enough of this crap. Time for bed.
Tim Wakefield on the mound, first batter of the 11th hits the first pitch of a tie game...
OK, sorry. Enough of the bad memories.
You can't blow six-run leads at this time of year and expect to make the playoffs.
Right after the Sox scored seven in the fourth, my first thoughts were: DON'T LET TEXAS SCORE EVEN ONE RUN IN THIS INNING. IT WILL PUT THEM BACK IN THIS GAME.
So what does Josh Beckett do? He's gives up TWO in the fourth, and two more in the fifth.
It's a brand new game.
I knew the Red Sox would blow this. On a night when they hit five home runs, and have a six-run lead, they lose. This season is not going to end well.
45 games are left and they simply can't afford any more shitshows like this. Every win is precious. New York and Tampa Bay both lost, so there's goes another golden opportunity to gain ground. They are flushing the 2010 season down the toilet but fast.
I dare you to prove me wrong, guys.
I'm pissed and I've had enough of this crap. Time for bed.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Summer's Not Over Yet
My friends at the Fresh Air Fund are still in need of host families to help kids have a great summer. If you would like to help, you can go to through this link to become a host or just to make a donation.
They've been helping inner-city kids since 1877, and could always use your assistance.
They've been helping inner-city kids since 1877, and could always use your assistance.
#13: Coffee Is For Closers
Here's a cool mashup of two favorite films of mine: "Glengarry Glen Ross" meets "Major League."
This clip features Alec Baldwin's famous rant combined with a locker room scene that makes for an entertaining two minutes. I can't help but think that Jonathan Papelbon should be made to watch this mashup, over and over.
This is number 13 in our countdown. (Today is Friday the 13th, but I never cared for those series of films, so this will do.)
BTW, when they show some of the Indians players in some scenes(especially around 1:18), they appear to be wearing their uniforms backwards. I think whoever put this together took a piece of film that was actually backwards.
Enjoy.
This clip features Alec Baldwin's famous rant combined with a locker room scene that makes for an entertaining two minutes. I can't help but think that Jonathan Papelbon should be made to watch this mashup, over and over.
This is number 13 in our countdown. (Today is Friday the 13th, but I never cared for those series of films, so this will do.)
BTW, when they show some of the Indians players in some scenes(especially around 1:18), they appear to be wearing their uniforms backwards. I think whoever put this together took a piece of film that was actually backwards.
Enjoy.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
#12: Hit Me Again!
I've always been a huge fan of gangster films like "The Godfather" and "Goodfellas." I guess there's something about them that always appealed to me, despite it portrays a life that I would never get mixed up in.
Another terrific gangster flick of recent vintage is "Casino," another Robert DeNiro/Joe Pesci flick that has been popping up a lot lately on my cable TV. It's one of those films that I always get roped into if it's on.
One of my favorite parts is when the Pesci character, Nicky Santoro, shows up in the casino late one night demanding a $50,000 marker, but the DeNiro character, Sam "Ace" Rothstein, will only give him $10,000. And he takes it out on poor Don Rickles, ripping the phone off the wall and giving him a beatdown. (I noticed recently that the guy who plays the blackjack dealer in this clip was also in "Rain Man" playing...a blackjack dealer in Las Vegas. I guess he must be one in real life. Or he's been seriously typecast.)
Some colorful language in this clip ("Casino" held the record for the most "F-words" in a single film, with 422, until 1997), and it is number 12 in our countdown. Enjoy.
Another terrific gangster flick of recent vintage is "Casino," another Robert DeNiro/Joe Pesci flick that has been popping up a lot lately on my cable TV. It's one of those films that I always get roped into if it's on.
One of my favorite parts is when the Pesci character, Nicky Santoro, shows up in the casino late one night demanding a $50,000 marker, but the DeNiro character, Sam "Ace" Rothstein, will only give him $10,000. And he takes it out on poor Don Rickles, ripping the phone off the wall and giving him a beatdown. (I noticed recently that the guy who plays the blackjack dealer in this clip was also in "Rain Man" playing...a blackjack dealer in Las Vegas. I guess he must be one in real life. Or he's been seriously typecast.)
Some colorful language in this clip ("Casino" held the record for the most "F-words" in a single film, with 422, until 1997), and it is number 12 in our countdown. Enjoy.
Another Inexcusable Papelbon Crapfest
Once again, the Red Sox' Achilles Heel struck on Thursday.
The Sox were poised for a sweep in Toronto, after a 10-1 thrashing of the Jays on Wednesday. John Lackey pitched eight solid innings, allowing two runs. He had some solid support, with Jed Lowrie and David Ortiz going deep. The five runs should have been enough. (They did leave runners in scoring position early, but a 5-2 lead in the ninth should be plenty.)
Lackey allowed a home run to Jose Bautista to open the ninth, and that was it for him. But in comes Jonathan Papelbon, who had absolutely nothing. Line drive double and sharp single on his first two pitches made it 5-4. I knew the bell was tolling.
Another line drive single and it was first and third, no outs. After a strikeout, Papelbon officially blew the save when he gave up a line drive double down the left field line to Edwin Encarnacion, and it was 5-5. Sixth blown save of 2010 for Papelbon, matching his career high (and the third Lackey victory he's blown, too). Everything hit off Papelbon were liners (as you may have noticed by my description). No cheap hits at all. It was also the first time he was pulled in the middle of an inning that was still tied.
Daniel Bard, the Red Sox' 2011 closer (I'll bet money on it right now) came in with the bases loaded and gave up a sacrifice fly by Fred Lewis to center, giving Toronto an inexcusable 6-5 win. They had the Jays by the throat, but Papelbon, who continues to be a shadow of the closer he once was, let them off the mat.
You may have also noticed I didn't say anything about Bard becoming the closer now. That's because Terry Francona won't do that in the middle of a pennant race. Nor should he.
The Red Sox took 2 of 3 in Toronto, but it feels like a series loss.
Today you saw the reason why the Red Sox won't make it to the postseason. The shitty bullpen struck again. You just can't give up games like this and expect to be playing into deep October.
Papelbon will be on another team next season. Just wait and see.
The Sox were poised for a sweep in Toronto, after a 10-1 thrashing of the Jays on Wednesday. John Lackey pitched eight solid innings, allowing two runs. He had some solid support, with Jed Lowrie and David Ortiz going deep. The five runs should have been enough. (They did leave runners in scoring position early, but a 5-2 lead in the ninth should be plenty.)
Lackey allowed a home run to Jose Bautista to open the ninth, and that was it for him. But in comes Jonathan Papelbon, who had absolutely nothing. Line drive double and sharp single on his first two pitches made it 5-4. I knew the bell was tolling.
Another line drive single and it was first and third, no outs. After a strikeout, Papelbon officially blew the save when he gave up a line drive double down the left field line to Edwin Encarnacion, and it was 5-5. Sixth blown save of 2010 for Papelbon, matching his career high (and the third Lackey victory he's blown, too). Everything hit off Papelbon were liners (as you may have noticed by my description). No cheap hits at all. It was also the first time he was pulled in the middle of an inning that was still tied.
Daniel Bard, the Red Sox' 2011 closer (I'll bet money on it right now) came in with the bases loaded and gave up a sacrifice fly by Fred Lewis to center, giving Toronto an inexcusable 6-5 win. They had the Jays by the throat, but Papelbon, who continues to be a shadow of the closer he once was, let them off the mat.
You may have also noticed I didn't say anything about Bard becoming the closer now. That's because Terry Francona won't do that in the middle of a pennant race. Nor should he.
The Red Sox took 2 of 3 in Toronto, but it feels like a series loss.
Today you saw the reason why the Red Sox won't make it to the postseason. The shitty bullpen struck again. You just can't give up games like this and expect to be playing into deep October.
Papelbon will be on another team next season. Just wait and see.
Not Getting Better Anytime Soon, Mets Fans
Last night I watched the Red Sox pull out the whoopin' sticks on the Toronto Blue Jays, as they hit four home runs and Clay Buchholz pitch eight strong innings in a 10-1 win.
But that's not my focus right now. Today I write about the embarrassment that is the New York Mets. (It seems like the only time I talk about them is when stupid nonsense happens.)
You've all heard by now the dustup that Francisco Rodriguez had with his father-in-law in the Citi Field locker room after the game last night. His victim was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, but Rodriguez was arrested and will be charged with third-degree assault.
Once again, the Mets have embarrassed their fans with crap like this. They are a joke of an organization, with the worst GM and worst manager currently employed in baseball. (Why the hell wasn't Rodriguez in the game with the bases loaded and two outs and the Mets with a one run lead? Jerry Manuel is an awful in-game skipper.)
The Mets are an also-ran, the Other Team In Town in New York. They are run by a collection of nitwits. The Wilpons won't fire either Omar Minaya or Manuel because they don't want to spend the money to bring in someone with a decent pedigree, and they are still on the hook with Minaya for another year at $3 million. Exactly what the hell were they thinking in giving this clod a three-year deal in 2009? He's been the architect of two major collapses (one historic), and has given odious contracts to stiffs like Oliver Perez and Luis Castillo.
It still makes my head spin that BOTH Manuel and Minaya still have jobs today.
And both Fred and Jeff Wilpon will hide their heads in the sand today after what happened last night and pray this all blows over. There are more and more empty seats at Citi Field and their loyal fans are very pissed off at all this. The best thing they can do is stay away and keep their money in their pockets until some real change is made.
The Mets are currently where the Red Sox were in 2001. Lots of bad contracts, an awful manager and GM, and a front office that needed to be overhauled.
And the Red Sox fans got their wish when the team was sold to John Henry and company. Their first order of business was to clean house and fire the manager and GM, both of whom were in the middle of their contracts. (Does that seem like about 50 years ago or what?)
The Mets have to do the same thing. They need new ownership, someone with a vision. They currently have absolutely no vision, no plan, no nothing.
The Mets are an embarrassment to the city of New York and their fans, and last night was just the latest in a long line of embarrassments. It's sad because New York is a National League town and it was really exciting when they were on top, and the Yankees were an afterthought. Those days seem like 100 years ago.
But it doesn't appear that team will be sold any time soon. And that is bad news for Mets fans everywhere. Terribly, terribly sad.
But that's not my focus right now. Today I write about the embarrassment that is the New York Mets. (It seems like the only time I talk about them is when stupid nonsense happens.)
You've all heard by now the dustup that Francisco Rodriguez had with his father-in-law in the Citi Field locker room after the game last night. His victim was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, but Rodriguez was arrested and will be charged with third-degree assault.
Once again, the Mets have embarrassed their fans with crap like this. They are a joke of an organization, with the worst GM and worst manager currently employed in baseball. (Why the hell wasn't Rodriguez in the game with the bases loaded and two outs and the Mets with a one run lead? Jerry Manuel is an awful in-game skipper.)
The Mets are an also-ran, the Other Team In Town in New York. They are run by a collection of nitwits. The Wilpons won't fire either Omar Minaya or Manuel because they don't want to spend the money to bring in someone with a decent pedigree, and they are still on the hook with Minaya for another year at $3 million. Exactly what the hell were they thinking in giving this clod a three-year deal in 2009? He's been the architect of two major collapses (one historic), and has given odious contracts to stiffs like Oliver Perez and Luis Castillo.
It still makes my head spin that BOTH Manuel and Minaya still have jobs today.
And both Fred and Jeff Wilpon will hide their heads in the sand today after what happened last night and pray this all blows over. There are more and more empty seats at Citi Field and their loyal fans are very pissed off at all this. The best thing they can do is stay away and keep their money in their pockets until some real change is made.
The Mets are currently where the Red Sox were in 2001. Lots of bad contracts, an awful manager and GM, and a front office that needed to be overhauled.
And the Red Sox fans got their wish when the team was sold to John Henry and company. Their first order of business was to clean house and fire the manager and GM, both of whom were in the middle of their contracts. (Does that seem like about 50 years ago or what?)
The Mets have to do the same thing. They need new ownership, someone with a vision. They currently have absolutely no vision, no plan, no nothing.
The Mets are an embarrassment to the city of New York and their fans, and last night was just the latest in a long line of embarrassments. It's sad because New York is a National League town and it was really exciting when they were on top, and the Yankees were an afterthought. Those days seem like 100 years ago.
But it doesn't appear that team will be sold any time soon. And that is bad news for Mets fans everywhere. Terribly, terribly sad.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
#11: Car Jumping With Joey
This is another of my favorite YouTube clips, which I featured on this blog a couple of years ago. It is of Joey Gathright, one-time Red Sox outfielder (who has also been with the Rays, Orioles and Royals, among others) who made this video when he was back in the minors in 2002.
It is an amazing jump clean over the top of a car, and he does it twice. You have to see this to believe it.
This is clip number 11. Enjoy.
It is an amazing jump clean over the top of a car, and he does it twice. You have to see this to believe it.
This is clip number 11. Enjoy.
21
I was thinking yesterday about the Red Sox signing Carlos Delgado last week. And this hit me. When they do bring him up, which should be after a short stint in Pawtucket, what number will he wear?That should be an easy one. Give him number 21.
We all know who the last Red Sox player to wear that number was. No one has worn it since 1996. Right after the Texas Con Man blew out of Boston, the number wasn't given out, for many reasons. I never understood why management back then, who had a stormy relationship with Clemens, didn't just give it out to some rookie. (They did that with Wade Boggs' number 26 after he left in 1993.)
I have read that the Sox have offered the number to Jonathan Papelbon, but he declined to take it, and I also believe that Josh Beckett decided not to wear 21 either when he came to Boston in 2006. (He did wear that number in Florida.) I think the reasons have more to do with a respect for Clemens from players as opposed to anything else. When the Red Sox were trying to lure Clemens back a few years ago (and thankfully failed), they kept the number open, but now it's time to give it to someone who will gladly take it.
And I'm sure Delgado would if offered. He wore 25 when he came up to the Jays in 1993 (not sure if 21 was available then), but Clemens grabbed it when he arrived in Toronto in 1997. When Delgado arrived at Shea with the Mets (pictured), he took 21 in honor of his idol, a fellow Puerto Rican and legend Roberto Clemente.
So, now the Sox can finally have someone wearing number 21. Delgado can honor his idol while giving Clemens the screws.
Sounds like the perfect storm to me. I hope he does it.
More Offense Than The Last 3 NY Games Combined
The Red Sox started off the three-game series in Toronto on a good note, winning 7-5. The Sox scored seven, which was one run more than they scored at Yankee Stadium in the previous three games combined. They did despite a rotten outing by Daisuke Matsuzaka.
They gave him a 4-1 lead by the third, but he gave it right back, walking two batters ahead of Travis Snider's three-run shot. He also allowed a solo home run to Adam Lind. Just when you want to start liking the guy...
He left with a 5-4 lead in the sixth, and Felix Doubront came in with the bases loaded and got out unscathed. But he allowed a home run to Jose Bautista in the 7th that tied the game.
Mike Lowell belted a home run that untied it in the 8th, and Jed Lowrie continued his fine hitting with an RBI double after Ryan Kalish's pinch single. Manny Delcarmen pitched a 1-2-3 eighth and Jonathan Paplebon got his 29th save to preserve an important win.
New York lost in Texas in 10 innings, as David Murphy singled in the winning run off loser Mariano Rivera. Tampa Bay also won, so the Red Sox remained 4 1/2 behind the Rays and 5 behind New York.
The Red Sox brought up Jarrod Saltalamacchia today and placed Kevin Cash on the DL with a hamstring strain.
The news also continues to be good on Dustin Pedroia, as he will play two rehab games at Pawtucket on Saturday and Sunday, and if that goes well, he will be in a Red Sox uniform on Tuesday night against the Angels.
They gave him a 4-1 lead by the third, but he gave it right back, walking two batters ahead of Travis Snider's three-run shot. He also allowed a solo home run to Adam Lind. Just when you want to start liking the guy...
He left with a 5-4 lead in the sixth, and Felix Doubront came in with the bases loaded and got out unscathed. But he allowed a home run to Jose Bautista in the 7th that tied the game.
Mike Lowell belted a home run that untied it in the 8th, and Jed Lowrie continued his fine hitting with an RBI double after Ryan Kalish's pinch single. Manny Delcarmen pitched a 1-2-3 eighth and Jonathan Paplebon got his 29th save to preserve an important win.
New York lost in Texas in 10 innings, as David Murphy singled in the winning run off loser Mariano Rivera. Tampa Bay also won, so the Red Sox remained 4 1/2 behind the Rays and 5 behind New York.
The Red Sox brought up Jarrod Saltalamacchia today and placed Kevin Cash on the DL with a hamstring strain.
The news also continues to be good on Dustin Pedroia, as he will play two rehab games at Pawtucket on Saturday and Sunday, and if that goes well, he will be in a Red Sox uniform on Tuesday night against the Angels.
Trivia Q&A: August 10
We had 20 teams in for Trivia Night, which was a good crowd, and a few teams actually arrived after we began. Better late than never I always say.
We had some strong scores for the Q-Tip Trivia, with two teams getting 15 points out of the round. They were also very good for The Q Train and General Knowledge, and three teams that were going neck and neck for the lead.
But when the dust settled, the team of I Don't Feel Tardy wound up winning by three points (the name reflected that they showed just as we got rolling). They got four of five right in the final round. I did take some flack for the James Cagney question in IQ Trivia, as almost no one ever heard of "The Seven Little Foys," and I explained to a few folks that it was a musical Bob Hope did. I guess the years haven't been kind to it.
Current Events
1. Forbes Magazine picked this MLB team's fans as "America's Best Sports Fans" in the categories of sales, home attendance and popularity among the Big Four of America's sports.
2. Victor Willis, who was the lead singer of this 1970s musical group, claimed recently on his web site that he's a "dark horse candidate" to be a judge on American Idol next season.
3. The worst flooding in this Asian country's history has killed over 1100 people and displaced thousands more, while riots in the country's capital killed 85.
4. The head coach of this country's World Cup soccer team was put on trial, convicted and sentenced to hard labor after the team's poor showing in South Africa last June.
5. Forest fires have been raging around the world capital city over the last week, soaring pollution there as over 50 people have died and more than 2000 homes have been destroyed.
6. The city of Las Vegas is considering banning this activity on the Fremont St. Experience pedestrian mall, which the city feels causes public disruptions and obstructs traffic.
7. This actress and comedienne announced last week she was returning to daytime TV with a talk show on Oprah Winfrey's new TV network.
Q-Tip Trivia
1. Which of the following countries have hosted the Summer Olympics? a. Canada; b. Russia; c. Netherlands; d. Belgium.
2. Which of these US presidents had more than one vice-president? a. FDR; b. Richard Nixon; c. Theodore Roosevelt; d. Abraham Lincoln.
3. Which of these NYC neighborhoods are located in Brooklyn? a. Woodhaven; b. Tottenville; c. Kingsbridge; d. Murray Hill.
4. Which of the following films were set in New York City? a. Dirty Harry; b. Field of Dreams; c. Working Girl; d. The Producers.
5. Which of the following musicians are drummers? a. Don Henley; b. Peter Criss; c. Karen Carpenter; d. Sheila E.
6. Which of the following recent films did not win the Oscar for Best Picture? a. Saving Private Ryan; b. Gladiator; c. Chicago; d. The Aviator.
7. In which of the following years was a Democrat elected to the White House? a. 1968; b. 1996; c. 1984; d. 1988.
Even Numbered Trivia ("The Q Train")
1. Bill Clinton was this numbered president.
2. A 1947 Christmas film called "Miracle on This Numbered Street."
3. This is the number of miles in a standard marathon, rounded to the nearest mile.
4. MLB Hall of Famers Hank Aaron, Willie McCovey and Reggie Jackson have all had this number retired for them.
5. This is the number of days in a fortnight.
6. This is the number parallel north that is the dividing line between North and South Korea.
7. The 26th amendment to the Constitution made this the standard minimum voting age.
8. This is the number of days in the shortest month of the Gregorian calendar.
9. Rain fell for this many days and nights during Noah's flood.
10. In Astrology, Cancer is this number sign of the Zodiac.
General Knowledge
1. What is the largest city by population in the state of Texas? ( 1 pt)
2. What actress won an Emmy Award for her satirical portrayal of Sarah Palin on SNL? ( 1 pt)
3. Florence Ballard was a singer in what female '60s Motown group? ( 1 pt)
4. In 1997, Andrew Cunanan murdered what fashion designer in Florida? ( 2 pt)
5. What modern country, by treaty, is the successor state to the defunct Ottoman Empire? ( 2 pt)
6. What man directed such films as "The Shining" and "Dr. Strangelove?" ( 2 pt)
7. What nation will be the site of the Winter Olympics in 2014 for the first time? ( 3 pt)
IQ Trivia
1. In 1866, which was the first of the Confederate states to re-enter the Union? ( 4 points)
2. James Cagney won an Oscar for the film "Yankee Doodle Dandy," portraying George M. Cohan. In what 1955 musical did Cagney portray Cohan a second time? ( 5 points)
3. In what state are most of the bats used in MLB games manufactured? ( 3 points)
4. Ras Hafun, the easternmost point of Africa, is found in which country? ( 4 points)
5. The web site for what 2010 film contained nothing but the image of an endlessly spinning top for the first 4 months of its on-line life? ( 4 points)
Answers
Current Events
1. Boston Red Sox; 2. Village People; 3. Pakistan; 4. North Korea; 5. Moscow; 6. hula hoops; 7. Rosie O'Donnell.
Q-Tip Trivia
1. all; 2. a,b,d; 3. none; 4. c,d; 5. all; 6. a,d; 7. b.
Even Numbered Trivia
1. 42; 2. 34; 3. 26; 4. 44; 5. 14; 6. 38; 7. 18; 8. 28; 9. 40; 10. 4.
General Knowledge
1. Houston; 2. Tina Fey; 3. The Supremes; 4. Gianni Versace; 5. Turkey; 6. Stanley Kubrick; 7. Russia.
IQ Trivia
1. Tennessee; 2. "The Seven Little Foys;" 3. Kentucky; 4. Somalia; 5. "Inception."
We had some strong scores for the Q-Tip Trivia, with two teams getting 15 points out of the round. They were also very good for The Q Train and General Knowledge, and three teams that were going neck and neck for the lead.
But when the dust settled, the team of I Don't Feel Tardy wound up winning by three points (the name reflected that they showed just as we got rolling). They got four of five right in the final round. I did take some flack for the James Cagney question in IQ Trivia, as almost no one ever heard of "The Seven Little Foys," and I explained to a few folks that it was a musical Bob Hope did. I guess the years haven't been kind to it.
Current Events
1. Forbes Magazine picked this MLB team's fans as "America's Best Sports Fans" in the categories of sales, home attendance and popularity among the Big Four of America's sports.
2. Victor Willis, who was the lead singer of this 1970s musical group, claimed recently on his web site that he's a "dark horse candidate" to be a judge on American Idol next season.
3. The worst flooding in this Asian country's history has killed over 1100 people and displaced thousands more, while riots in the country's capital killed 85.
4. The head coach of this country's World Cup soccer team was put on trial, convicted and sentenced to hard labor after the team's poor showing in South Africa last June.
5. Forest fires have been raging around the world capital city over the last week, soaring pollution there as over 50 people have died and more than 2000 homes have been destroyed.
6. The city of Las Vegas is considering banning this activity on the Fremont St. Experience pedestrian mall, which the city feels causes public disruptions and obstructs traffic.
7. This actress and comedienne announced last week she was returning to daytime TV with a talk show on Oprah Winfrey's new TV network.
Q-Tip Trivia
1. Which of the following countries have hosted the Summer Olympics? a. Canada; b. Russia; c. Netherlands; d. Belgium.
2. Which of these US presidents had more than one vice-president? a. FDR; b. Richard Nixon; c. Theodore Roosevelt; d. Abraham Lincoln.
3. Which of these NYC neighborhoods are located in Brooklyn? a. Woodhaven; b. Tottenville; c. Kingsbridge; d. Murray Hill.
4. Which of the following films were set in New York City? a. Dirty Harry; b. Field of Dreams; c. Working Girl; d. The Producers.
5. Which of the following musicians are drummers? a. Don Henley; b. Peter Criss; c. Karen Carpenter; d. Sheila E.
6. Which of the following recent films did not win the Oscar for Best Picture? a. Saving Private Ryan; b. Gladiator; c. Chicago; d. The Aviator.
7. In which of the following years was a Democrat elected to the White House? a. 1968; b. 1996; c. 1984; d. 1988.
Even Numbered Trivia ("The Q Train")
1. Bill Clinton was this numbered president.
2. A 1947 Christmas film called "Miracle on This Numbered Street."
3. This is the number of miles in a standard marathon, rounded to the nearest mile.
4. MLB Hall of Famers Hank Aaron, Willie McCovey and Reggie Jackson have all had this number retired for them.
5. This is the number of days in a fortnight.
6. This is the number parallel north that is the dividing line between North and South Korea.
7. The 26th amendment to the Constitution made this the standard minimum voting age.
8. This is the number of days in the shortest month of the Gregorian calendar.
9. Rain fell for this many days and nights during Noah's flood.
10. In Astrology, Cancer is this number sign of the Zodiac.
General Knowledge
1. What is the largest city by population in the state of Texas? ( 1 pt)
2. What actress won an Emmy Award for her satirical portrayal of Sarah Palin on SNL? ( 1 pt)
3. Florence Ballard was a singer in what female '60s Motown group? ( 1 pt)
4. In 1997, Andrew Cunanan murdered what fashion designer in Florida? ( 2 pt)
5. What modern country, by treaty, is the successor state to the defunct Ottoman Empire? ( 2 pt)
6. What man directed such films as "The Shining" and "Dr. Strangelove?" ( 2 pt)
7. What nation will be the site of the Winter Olympics in 2014 for the first time? ( 3 pt)
IQ Trivia
1. In 1866, which was the first of the Confederate states to re-enter the Union? ( 4 points)
2. James Cagney won an Oscar for the film "Yankee Doodle Dandy," portraying George M. Cohan. In what 1955 musical did Cagney portray Cohan a second time? ( 5 points)
3. In what state are most of the bats used in MLB games manufactured? ( 3 points)
4. Ras Hafun, the easternmost point of Africa, is found in which country? ( 4 points)
5. The web site for what 2010 film contained nothing but the image of an endlessly spinning top for the first 4 months of its on-line life? ( 4 points)
Answers
Current Events
1. Boston Red Sox; 2. Village People; 3. Pakistan; 4. North Korea; 5. Moscow; 6. hula hoops; 7. Rosie O'Donnell.
Q-Tip Trivia
1. all; 2. a,b,d; 3. none; 4. c,d; 5. all; 6. a,d; 7. b.
Even Numbered Trivia
1. 42; 2. 34; 3. 26; 4. 44; 5. 14; 6. 38; 7. 18; 8. 28; 9. 40; 10. 4.
General Knowledge
1. Houston; 2. Tina Fey; 3. The Supremes; 4. Gianni Versace; 5. Turkey; 6. Stanley Kubrick; 7. Russia.
IQ Trivia
1. Tennessee; 2. "The Seven Little Foys;" 3. Kentucky; 4. Somalia; 5. "Inception."
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
#10: It Takes All Night To Drive 106 Miles?
Here's the number 10 clip in my YouTube clips for August. Another of my favorite all-time comedies is "The Blues Brothers." Lots of great music and lines, especially when Jake and Elwood leave their gig with the money to save the orphanage and Elwood says those immortal lines "It's 106 miles to Chicago..."
Over the years in watching the film, something dawned on me. Let's say it's midnight when they leave this gig. It's 106 miles to Chicago and they are driving at top speed. They arrive in Chicago (with absolutely no traffic on the streets) as business is just going that morning. So let's say it's 8 AM. It took them eight hours to drive just over 100 miles while being chased by the cops?
I know, I'm reading too much into it. It's a great film and it doesn't take anything away from the movie. But still...
Here's Jake and Elwood as they depart and the chase is on. Enjoy.
Over the years in watching the film, something dawned on me. Let's say it's midnight when they leave this gig. It's 106 miles to Chicago and they are driving at top speed. They arrive in Chicago (with absolutely no traffic on the streets) as business is just going that morning. So let's say it's 8 AM. It took them eight hours to drive just over 100 miles while being chased by the cops?
I know, I'm reading too much into it. It's a great film and it doesn't take anything away from the movie. But still...
Here's Jake and Elwood as they depart and the chase is on. Enjoy.
Monday, August 09, 2010
Lester, Bard, Papelbon. Win. Split.
The Red Sox got a split of the four-game series with New York this weekend (plus Monday), and remain 6 games back, exactly where they were going into last Friday's game.I'll take it.
Sunday night was just a bad game all around, as Josh Beckett got whacked by New York, lasting just into the fifth inning, while the offense simply didn't show up against some scrub pitcher named Dustin Moseley. (Wasn't he the guy chasing Robert DeNiro in "Midnight Run?") They got just two runs in a rather disheartening 7-2 loss.
They needed a win on Monday to get the split, and they did it the hard way. The Sox got two runs off Phil Hughes in the second inning, and that was it. They managed five hits in the first two frames, and just one the rest of the game. Jacoby Ellsbury had a big game on the basepaths, as he went 1-for-2 but stole four bases, tying Jerry Remy's 1980 record for steals in one game.
But Jon Lester was terrific, bouncing back from two straight lousy starts and an 0-4 record since the All-Star break. He didn't allow his first hit until the fifth, and left the game in the 7th inning with the bases loaded and one out. NY had them loaded with none out (Marcus Thames missed a two-run homer by a few inches), but Daniel Bard struck out Derek Jeter and Nick Swisher to keep them off the board (on six pitches, too).
Bard gave up a home run to Mark Teixeira to start the 8th, and he put two more on with two out, but Jonathan Papelbon got the final out with one pitch. Paplebon allowed a walk to Capt. Intangibles in the 9th with one out, but he struck out the other three hitters he faced, including Teixeira to end it and get his 28th save.
It was a nailbiter to the finish, but an extremely huge win for the Red Sox. Tampa Bay won in Detroit, so they still trail the Rays in the Wild Card by 4 1/2 games.
The road for the Sox actually gets a little tougher, as they take on a hot Blue Jays team in Toronto tomorrow night for three, and then to Texas for three to wrap up the trip, and that place is never a picnic for them.
It's One, Two, Three, All Four or None Correct
This week's Special Category is the August installment of "Q Tip Trivia." That's when I ask you seven multiple choice questions, each with four choices. The answers can be one, two, three, all four or none correct. You will get a point for each correct answer, but if you give a wrong answer, you will receive no points for that question. So you have to be careful how you answer.The Q Train lightning round will be "Even Numbered Trivia." I will ask you ten questions, and each answer will be a number between 1 and 50, but each answer will be an even numbered one.
The Sneak Peek question for this week is:
Florence Ballard was a singer in what female '60s Motown group?
We'll get rolling shortly after 9 PM. The Red Sox have a game in Toronto, but that will be on the big screen for you to enjoy while we proceed with our Trivia Night. Hope to see many of you on Tuesday!
#9: Aristophanes Is Ridiculous!
One of the best sitcoms of all-time is "The Odd Couple." It was one of my favorite shows growing up, and it still holds up so well because of how great it was written and what great comic actors Tony Randall and Jack Klugman are.
It was hard to pick a favorite clip, as there are so many for me. But it is generally acknowledged that the episode when Felix and Oscar go on the game show "Password" is one of the absolute best.
So, the number nine clip is that. Enjoy:
It was hard to pick a favorite clip, as there are so many for me. But it is generally acknowledged that the episode when Felix and Oscar go on the game show "Password" is one of the absolute best.
So, the number nine clip is that. Enjoy:
Sunday, August 08, 2010
Split Still In Order
Any fantasies about sweeps were erased at Yankee Stadium yesterday, as John Lackey turned in another rotten performance, as New York won 5-2.
On a day when Slappy got hurt in batting practice chatting with Joe Buck and didn't play, the Sox jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second on Victor Martinez' home run and doubles by Adrian Beltre and Mike Lowell. But New York answered back with two off Lackey in the bottom of the inning, and added three in the fifth to conclude the day's scoring.
C.C. Sabathia was just better, going eight innings and allowing the Red Sox nothing after their two runs in the second. Lackey continues to be a disappointment, as it was the 11th time in 23 starts he's allowed four runs or more. His ERA is now a rising 4.60. Not good.
Tampa Bay got walloped in Toronto, so the Sox lost no ground on the Rays, and remain 4 1/2 games back in the Wild Card race.
I looked at this series and thought a split of the four was exactly what the Red Sox needed. It's still in play, and now the Red Sox have the pitching advantage in both games, with Josh Beckett going against A.J. Burnett in the ESPN-hijacked game tonight, and Jon Lester pitching in tomorrow's finale against Dustin Moseley.
Former Red Sox manager and pitching guru Joe Kerrigan is once again unemployed, having gotten the axe as pitching coach in Pittsburgh. Does it seem like it was 50 years ago he was the Red Sox' skipper?
On a day when Slappy got hurt in batting practice chatting with Joe Buck and didn't play, the Sox jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second on Victor Martinez' home run and doubles by Adrian Beltre and Mike Lowell. But New York answered back with two off Lackey in the bottom of the inning, and added three in the fifth to conclude the day's scoring.
C.C. Sabathia was just better, going eight innings and allowing the Red Sox nothing after their two runs in the second. Lackey continues to be a disappointment, as it was the 11th time in 23 starts he's allowed four runs or more. His ERA is now a rising 4.60. Not good.
Tampa Bay got walloped in Toronto, so the Sox lost no ground on the Rays, and remain 4 1/2 games back in the Wild Card race.
I looked at this series and thought a split of the four was exactly what the Red Sox needed. It's still in play, and now the Red Sox have the pitching advantage in both games, with Josh Beckett going against A.J. Burnett in the ESPN-hijacked game tonight, and Jon Lester pitching in tomorrow's finale against Dustin Moseley.
Former Red Sox manager and pitching guru Joe Kerrigan is once again unemployed, having gotten the axe as pitching coach in Pittsburgh. Does it seem like it was 50 years ago he was the Red Sox' skipper?
#8: He's In Pre-Med
Another of my favorite movies is "Animal House." So many great lines and scenes to choose from in this 1978 classic. I've had a couple of clips from the movie on this blog.
Here's one I haven't had. One that never ceases to make me bust out laughing is when Bluto gives Flounder some sage advice:
"My advice to you is to start drinking heavily."
This is clip number 8. Enjoy:
Here's one I haven't had. One that never ceases to make me bust out laughing is when Bluto gives Flounder some sage advice:
"My advice to you is to start drinking heavily."
This is clip number 8. Enjoy:
Saturday, August 07, 2010
Hangin' With Billy Buck
After the Red Sox' heartbreaking loss in the 1986 World Series, I was asked many times over the years by many people what I thought about Bill Buckner and that infamous error.
I would always tell people that if I ever met Buckner, I would shake his hand and thank him for all the memories and tell him how much I appreciated everything he did in bringing a pennant to Boston in 1986.
I never blamed Buckner. He should never have been on the field in that 10th inning. In every Sox postseason win that October, Dave Stapleton was at first for every single ninth (or extra) inning.
As the years have gone on, I firmly believe that John McNamara cost the Sox the World Series title. He made some very poor moves in both Games 6 and 7 that ended up a Mets championship win.
Buckner played hurt in 1986, as his bad ankles were just worse and worse the more he played. (Remember those high topped spikes he wore?) He was a vital part of the 1986 team, driving in 102 runs that season. I'll always remember him for his 2700 hits, his batting title in 1979 with the Cubs, and his hustle and grit on the field. I also choose to remember the great ovations he received at Fenway when he returned as a player in 1990, and on Opening Day in 2008 when the Red Sox invited him back after their World Series win (pictured).
So, last Monday, my job as a background actor led me to Harlem, where I was part of the filming of an episode of "Curb Your Enthusiasm." I was in a crowd scene in an episode at a fire in a six story apartment building. Larry David, the star of the show, was there and in the show, a friend is in the building with her daughter and they are trapped in the fire. But he's not there alone. He brought a friend with him.
The friend was a softball player who was on another team, and during a recent game, hit a grounder to Larry in the bottom of the seventh as he was playing first base. Larry was distracted and the ball went through his legs, letting the winning run score.
The friend was none other than Bill Buckner.
The woman in the building is urged by the firemen there to drop her baby out the window, and when she does, it bounces off the net they are holding, and Bill sees the baby and makes a diving catch before the child hits the pavement. The crowd goes wild, and after the firemen reunite the baby and mom, they pickup Billy Buck on their shoulders as the hero as crowd chants, "Buck-ner!" "Buck-ner!"
I can't wait to see this episode.
It was an all-day filming, and at about noon, there was a break in the shoot, so I went over to Bill and introduced myself to him as "The Lt. Governor of Red Sox Nation New York." He smiled and I chatted with him briefly. He was very amiable, and I thanked him for all he had done in his career with the Sox. He thanked me and I was really thrilled to meet him. He's the first member of the 1986 AL Champion Red Sox I have ever met.
Throughout the day, he was chatting with everyone around him, including the background actors. He certainly came across as very friendly and personable, and with this episode, where at first he is mocked but ends up a hero, is now comfortable with his legacy.
The new season of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" begins later this year, and this episode is one of the later ones. It was so cool to meet Bill Buckner, and get the chance to talk with him and shake his hand. I never would have guessed it would have been on a street corner in Northern Harlem.
One of the great fringe benefits of being in show business.
#7: People Will Come
One of my favorite parts of "Field of Dreams," still one of my all-time baseball movies, was the speech James Earl Jones gives to Kevin Costner about he shouldn't sell his farm off.
And thankfully, he doesn't.
Unfortunately, I couldn't find the clip from the movie (it's been removed from YouTube by NBC Universal, claiming copyright laws), but I did find this YouTube clip of the speech, along with some photos.
This is number seven in our countdown. Enjoy.
And thankfully, he doesn't.
Unfortunately, I couldn't find the clip from the movie (it's been removed from YouTube by NBC Universal, claiming copyright laws), but I did find this YouTube clip of the speech, along with some photos.
This is number seven in our countdown. Enjoy.
Friday, August 06, 2010
Ryan Kalish Isn't Jewish. I Guess.
I write that title as my blog post because tonight I had a whole slew of hits on my blog from many people Googling "Ryan Kalish" and "Jewish."I was curious too, and I looked him up, and it turns out the Red Sox outfielder went to Red Bank Catholic High School in New Jersey. So for those of you who were curious, I guess that's your answer. (I read in an article in the Hartford Courant that Kalish is of Polish descent. His grandparents were sent to Germany during WWII to work for the Nazis, but there was no mention of their being Jewish. Many other articles I checked on the Internet about Kalish, like his Wikipedia page, made no mention of his being Jewish either. But if I am wrong, please do let me know and I'll be happy to post it.)
The Sox have also had a number of prominent Jewish players in recent years, like Kevin Youkilis, Gabe Kapler, Adam Stern and Craig Breslow, so I would think if Kalish was also of that faith it would have been written about or mentioned some place in that context.
UPDATE (8/20): I received a note here from a man named Michael who says he knew Ryan Kalish in Brookline, MA, and says that Ryan's dad is Jewish. Thank you, Michael.
Anyway, the aforementioned Mr. Kalish hit his first MLB home run tonight, and he picked some spot and some game to do it in: at Yankee Stadium, and it was the insurance the Red Sox needed as they won a very important opening game to a wrap around series with New York, 6-3. (And I guess that was the reason so many folks were curious as to Ryan's heritage.)
David Ortiz opened the festivities with a first inning home run, but Mark Teixeira hit a two-run shot off Clay Buchholz to make it 2-1. But the Sox answered that with three in the second to make it, 4-2, as NY catcher Francisco Cervelli dropped Mike Lowell's pop-up, and all the following runs that followed it were unearned.
Buchholz went 7 1/3 innings, allowed three runs on nine hits, while striking out four and walking none to get his 12th win. Daniel Bard and Jonathan Papelbon pitched hitless relief with Pap getting save number 27.
It was a huge, big time win for the Sox. They've now won 8 of 11. One win from the remaining three will give them a split they need from this weekend. They trail New York by 5, and Tampa Bay by 4 1/2 games, who lost in Toronto tonight, 2-1. Before the game, the Red Sox disabled Hideki Okajima, and brought up Felix Doubront, who will take his place in the pen.
#6: Wanna Make $14 The Hard Way?
I've always been a huge fan of the late Rodney Dangerfield. He was a great standup comic, and his roles in films like "Easy Money" and "Back to School" are classics.
But his turn as Al Czervik in "Caddyshack" is his funniest of them all. And today's YouTube clip is my favorite scene in the film, when Al annoys Judge Smails and his wife at the country club dinner. (And Ted Knight was terrific as the judge as well.) There are so many great and memorable one-liners in just this one clip.
Here is number six. Enjoy.
But his turn as Al Czervik in "Caddyshack" is his funniest of them all. And today's YouTube clip is my favorite scene in the film, when Al annoys Judge Smails and his wife at the country club dinner. (And Ted Knight was terrific as the judge as well.) There are so many great and memorable one-liners in just this one clip.
Here is number six. Enjoy.
No Youk as Sox Hit The Road For 10
The Red Sox season took perhaps the worst hit of all yesterday, when Kevin Youkilis saw a hand specialist in Cleveland and was told he needs surgery on his thumb and that will finish his 2010 season.
Now it is up to Theo Epstein to add another bat to the Red Sox lineup, possibly another first baseman who would share time with Mike Lowell, or perhaps another outfielder if Lowell shares first with Victor Martinez (when he's not catching).
This has been quite a gritty Red Sox team, with all the devastating injuries they've had to face. It has been one of Terry Francona's best managing jobs, keeping the Red Sox in the race for as long as he has. The bullpen has been a big problem all year, but as we go into tonight's game, the Red Sox are 6 1/2 behind Tampa Bay for the Wild Card and 7 back of New York for first in the East.
The Red Sox won last night, 6-2, behind a very good start from Daisuke Matsuzaka and a grand slam from Adrian Beltre. They managed to get a split with the Indians, which was rather dissatisfying considering the Sox were home and playing one of the AL's also-rans.
Now, a really important 10-game road swing begins tonight in the Bronx. A split here would be fine. The Red Sox really need a 5-5 trip at the least, with stops in Toronto and Texas to follow.
It's Clay Buchholz vs. Javier Vazquez tonight.
Now it is up to Theo Epstein to add another bat to the Red Sox lineup, possibly another first baseman who would share time with Mike Lowell, or perhaps another outfielder if Lowell shares first with Victor Martinez (when he's not catching).
This has been quite a gritty Red Sox team, with all the devastating injuries they've had to face. It has been one of Terry Francona's best managing jobs, keeping the Red Sox in the race for as long as he has. The bullpen has been a big problem all year, but as we go into tonight's game, the Red Sox are 6 1/2 behind Tampa Bay for the Wild Card and 7 back of New York for first in the East.
The Red Sox won last night, 6-2, behind a very good start from Daisuke Matsuzaka and a grand slam from Adrian Beltre. They managed to get a split with the Indians, which was rather dissatisfying considering the Sox were home and playing one of the AL's also-rans.
Now, a really important 10-game road swing begins tonight in the Bronx. A split here would be fine. The Red Sox really need a 5-5 trip at the least, with stops in Toronto and Texas to follow.
It's Clay Buchholz vs. Javier Vazquez tonight.
Thursday, August 05, 2010
#5: The World's Best Soccer Celebration
I'm not big on celebrations after things like goals and touchdowns, but my friend Matty recently sent me a YouTube clip of one from a penalty kick goal from Iceland.
Here is the clip's description:
When Halldor Orri scores a great goal he decides to go fishing and catch on his mate Johann Laxdal or Johann the salmon. The game was Stjarnan against Fylkir in the top league in Iceland and the goal was the winning goal in extra time.
This is very funny and really clever. It is very short, just 22 seconds, and it is the number 5 clip in our countdown. Enjoy.
Here is the clip's description:
When Halldor Orri scores a great goal he decides to go fishing and catch on his mate Johann Laxdal or Johann the salmon. The game was Stjarnan against Fylkir in the top league in Iceland and the goal was the winning goal in extra time.
This is very funny and really clever. It is very short, just 22 seconds, and it is the number 5 clip in our countdown. Enjoy.
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
Simply Disgraceful
The Cleveland Indians are one of the weaker offenses in the American League. Second from the bottom in batting average, third from the bottom in runs scored and home runs. They are also near the bottom in most pitching stats, too.
You get the idea. They are a bad team.
How bad? Shelley Duncan is their cleanup hitter.
Justin Masterson was 3-10 going into Wednesday night's game with an ERA over 5.50.
They are last in the AL Central, 15 1/2 games out.
And the Red Sox give a complete and total crap effort at Fenway against them and get blown out of their socks, 9-1. These rotten teams have given the Red Sox fits all year, and it's one of the main reasons why they will be playing golf after October 3rd.
You can't beat the Indians at home? You've got BIG problems.
Jon Lester didn't have it, the offense did zilch with runners on base, and three errors in the field all led to Cleveland runs. Only David Ortiz' home run kept it from being a shutout.
An absolutely disgraceful effort from the home team tonight, in every phase of the game. Last night's game made me proud to be a fan of the team. Tonight's effort (or lack thereof) embarrassed not just me but all of us who follow this club.
Jacoby Ellsbury returned, but the word on Kevin Youkilis is he may be done for 2010, whether he needs surgery or not.
Last night's near-fisticuffs sure didn't inspire this team. Every Red Sox fan who actually paid money to see this travesty live deserves a refund from the team.
36 days until the Vikings open the NFL season in New Orleans. I may be looking forward to it more and more.
You get the idea. They are a bad team.
How bad? Shelley Duncan is their cleanup hitter.
Justin Masterson was 3-10 going into Wednesday night's game with an ERA over 5.50.
They are last in the AL Central, 15 1/2 games out.
And the Red Sox give a complete and total crap effort at Fenway against them and get blown out of their socks, 9-1. These rotten teams have given the Red Sox fits all year, and it's one of the main reasons why they will be playing golf after October 3rd.
You can't beat the Indians at home? You've got BIG problems.
Jon Lester didn't have it, the offense did zilch with runners on base, and three errors in the field all led to Cleveland runs. Only David Ortiz' home run kept it from being a shutout.
An absolutely disgraceful effort from the home team tonight, in every phase of the game. Last night's game made me proud to be a fan of the team. Tonight's effort (or lack thereof) embarrassed not just me but all of us who follow this club.
Jacoby Ellsbury returned, but the word on Kevin Youkilis is he may be done for 2010, whether he needs surgery or not.
Last night's near-fisticuffs sure didn't inspire this team. Every Red Sox fan who actually paid money to see this travesty live deserves a refund from the team.
36 days until the Vikings open the NFL season in New Orleans. I may be looking forward to it more and more.
#4: The $99,000 Answer
I am a recent convert to the classic TV show "The Honeymooners." It has been on forever here in New York on WPIX-TV Channel 11, and they have a marathon of the show to start the year every New Year's at midnight.
It's only in the last few years I have come to appreciate the comic genius that was the show. I am now a faithful watcher of the show late night on Sunday nights, the only time Channel 11 shows it now. But it's well worth it. My favorite episodes are "Ralph Learns to Play Golf" ("Hello Ball"), and "Chef of the Future" ("Core a Apple").
I have featured both before here, but another of my faves is when Ralph appears on the quiz show "The $99,000 Answer" as a music trivia expert, and flubs "Swanee River", which was Ed Norton's warmup song when they practiced together.
This is the final five minutes of the show, and our number 4 clip. Forever a classic. Enjoy.
It's only in the last few years I have come to appreciate the comic genius that was the show. I am now a faithful watcher of the show late night on Sunday nights, the only time Channel 11 shows it now. But it's well worth it. My favorite episodes are "Ralph Learns to Play Golf" ("Hello Ball"), and "Chef of the Future" ("Core a Apple").
I have featured both before here, but another of my faves is when Ralph appears on the quiz show "The $99,000 Answer" as a music trivia expert, and flubs "Swanee River", which was Ed Norton's warmup song when they practiced together.
This is the final five minutes of the show, and our number 4 clip. Forever a classic. Enjoy.
Made Me Proud To Be a Red Sox Fan
It looked like something out of a Hollywood movie.
Mike Lowell got a standing ovation in his first at-bat at Fenway last night, and he rewarded the fans with a two-run blast on the first pitch to left that wound up putting the Red Sox ahead to stay over the Indians in a 3-1 victory. (With thanks to Surviving Grady for the use of the above photo.)
Seeing the fans give Mike such a warm welcome in his return from the DL really made me proud to be a Sox fan. They never cease to be the classiest fans in the game.
Josh Beckett pitched eight terrific innings, allowing just a solo home run to Lou Marson. He retired the last 14 hitters he faced. The game got chippy in the 8th, when Adrian Beltre had a pitch thrown behind him by Jensen Lewis to begin the inning, this after David Ortiz had a pitch thrown behind him the previous inning. Two Indians batters were hit earlier by Beckett, but it seemed over when Papi was missed by Justin Germano in the 7th.
Both benches emptied and it looked like both teams were going to go. Beckett wanted to get at future gym teacher and lunatic Shelley Duncan, but they were kept separated. Beckett sure had the look of wanting Duncan's head on a stick, and I sure wouldn't want to have him for an enemy. Terry Francona and John Farrell both had strong words for Indians coach Steve Smith and they both looked like they wanted a piece of him, too.
When everything calmed down, Lewis and Beckett were both tossed. Jonathan Papelbon was coming in for the ninth anyway, and got the Tribe 1-2-3 for the win. Tampa Bay took over first with a win over Minnesota, and New York dropped their third straight and are now in second. (Don't you just love all these stories about Slappy being stuck on 599 home runs??)
With the status of Kevin Youkilis unknown at this time (will he have surgery that will end his season?), Mike Lowell filled in for him at first and gave the fans a thrill. Jacoby Ellsbury will be activated on Wednesday.
BTW, we all know the Red Sox are America's best sports fans. But now, it has been confirmed by Forbes Magazine. Something else that makes me proud to be a Red Sox fan.
Trivia Q&A: August 3
We had 16 teams in for Trivia on Tuesday night, in what seemed like a more mellow night than we've had in some time.
It was good to see a few old friends I hadn't seen in some time, like Gareth and Tara. I really thought this was going to be a night where the scores were really high, as I thought many of the questions were rather easy. But they were not as high in Current Events and Pop Albums Trivia as I thought they would be.
It was close all night, but the team of Your Mother's a Whore, President Karzai would up getting four of the five IQ Trivia questions correct for a one-point slim win. They had fallen out of the Top 5 going into the round, but pulled out a nice comeback to seal the victory.
Congratulations, guys!
In this week's questions and answers, I am trying something different. I will now listed all the questions first, and all the answers will now appear at the conclusion of this post. With thanks to Peter for the suggestion.
Current Events
1. A federal judge ruled that this activity was not a sport and that Quinnipiac University could not replace its volleyball team with it.
2. This controversial director apologized last week for some comments he made about the Holocaust and "Jewish domination of the media" that angered many Jewish groups.
3. Former Vice-President Al Gore was cleared of sexual misconduct charges by a district attorney in this state last Friday.
4. The Parliament of Catalonia, an autonomous region of Spain, became the first region in the country to ban this activity last week.
5. Musician Wyclef Jean announced recently he has taken formal steps in an effort to run for president of this country in their 2010 general election.
6. This actor was sentenced to 30 days in rehab after pleading guilty to domestic violence charges in Colorado yesterday.
7. Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad criticized this summertime newsmaker in a recent speech in Tehran, saying he "spread western propaganda and superstition."
Pop Album Trivia
1. Jagged Little Pill (1995)
2. Californication (1999)
3. Beggars Banquet (1968)
4. Paul's Boutique (1989)
5. What's Going On (1971)
6. London Calling (1979)
7. Because of the Times (2007)
True or False Trivia ("The Q Train")
1. There are more Subway sandwich shops than there are subway stations in Manhattan.
2. More than 1,000 languages are spoken on the continent of Africa.
3. About 20% of the US population is left-handed.
4. Humphrey Bogart and Princess Diana were distantly related.
5. The United States is larger in surface area than that of the Moon.
6. Horse racing is called "The game of kings."
7. Saccharine is derived from coal.
8. Adam's ale is a type of beer.
9. The Bible is the world's most shoplifted book.
10. There are four leaves on a shamrock.
General Knowledge
1. Who lived at 221B, Baker Street, London? ( 1 pt)
2. When a player scores three goals in a hockey game, it is called what? ( 1 pt)
3. What country is Hanoi the capital of? ( 1 pt)
4. What US president once pardoned his half-brother for his drug offenses? ( 2 pt)
5. Which sign of the zodiac is represented as a man pouring water from a jug? ( 2 pt)
6. What follows the meridian of 180 degrees longitude, roughly down the middle of the Pacific Ocean? ( 2 pt)
7. What pop singer wrote the State Farm jingle ("Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there")? ( 3 pt)
IQ Trivia
1. In 1946, convenience store Totem changed its name to what to reflect its new, extended store hours? ( 3 points)
2. Millennium Stadium is located in what European city? ( 4 points)
3. What classic war movie ends with soldiers singing "The Mickey Mouse March?" ( 4 points)
4. What late comic actor was originally supposed to be the voice of Shrek? ( 4 points)
5. Where on the human body would you find the purlicue? ( 5 points)
Answers
Current Events: 1. cheerleading; 2. Oliver Stone; 3. Oregon; 4. bullfighting; 5. Haiti; 6. Charlie Sheen; 7. Paul the Psychic Octopus.
Pop Album Trivia: 1. Alanis Morissette; 2. Red Hot Chili Peppers; 3. The Rolling Stones; 4. Beastie Boys; 5. Marvin Gaye; 6. The Clash; 7. Kings of Leon.
True or False Trivia: 1. true; 2. true; 3. false, 7%; 4. true (7th cousins); 5. false; 6. false, chess; 7. true; 8. false, water; 9. true; 10. false, three.
General Knowledge: 1. Sherlock Holmes; 2. hat trick; 3. Vietnam; 4. Bill Clinton; 5. Aquarius; 6. International Date Line; 7. Barry Manilow.
IQ Trivia: 1. 7-Eleven; 2. Cardiff, Wales; 3. "Full Metal Jacket;" 4. Chris Farley; 5. hand (between the thumb and index finger).
It was good to see a few old friends I hadn't seen in some time, like Gareth and Tara. I really thought this was going to be a night where the scores were really high, as I thought many of the questions were rather easy. But they were not as high in Current Events and Pop Albums Trivia as I thought they would be.
It was close all night, but the team of Your Mother's a Whore, President Karzai would up getting four of the five IQ Trivia questions correct for a one-point slim win. They had fallen out of the Top 5 going into the round, but pulled out a nice comeback to seal the victory.
Congratulations, guys!
In this week's questions and answers, I am trying something different. I will now listed all the questions first, and all the answers will now appear at the conclusion of this post. With thanks to Peter for the suggestion.
Current Events
1. A federal judge ruled that this activity was not a sport and that Quinnipiac University could not replace its volleyball team with it.
2. This controversial director apologized last week for some comments he made about the Holocaust and "Jewish domination of the media" that angered many Jewish groups.
3. Former Vice-President Al Gore was cleared of sexual misconduct charges by a district attorney in this state last Friday.
4. The Parliament of Catalonia, an autonomous region of Spain, became the first region in the country to ban this activity last week.
5. Musician Wyclef Jean announced recently he has taken formal steps in an effort to run for president of this country in their 2010 general election.
6. This actor was sentenced to 30 days in rehab after pleading guilty to domestic violence charges in Colorado yesterday.
7. Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad criticized this summertime newsmaker in a recent speech in Tehran, saying he "spread western propaganda and superstition."
Pop Album Trivia
1. Jagged Little Pill (1995)
2. Californication (1999)
3. Beggars Banquet (1968)
4. Paul's Boutique (1989)
5. What's Going On (1971)
6. London Calling (1979)
7. Because of the Times (2007)
True or False Trivia ("The Q Train")
1. There are more Subway sandwich shops than there are subway stations in Manhattan.
2. More than 1,000 languages are spoken on the continent of Africa.
3. About 20% of the US population is left-handed.
4. Humphrey Bogart and Princess Diana were distantly related.
5. The United States is larger in surface area than that of the Moon.
6. Horse racing is called "The game of kings."
7. Saccharine is derived from coal.
8. Adam's ale is a type of beer.
9. The Bible is the world's most shoplifted book.
10. There are four leaves on a shamrock.
General Knowledge
1. Who lived at 221B, Baker Street, London? ( 1 pt)
2. When a player scores three goals in a hockey game, it is called what? ( 1 pt)
3. What country is Hanoi the capital of? ( 1 pt)
4. What US president once pardoned his half-brother for his drug offenses? ( 2 pt)
5. Which sign of the zodiac is represented as a man pouring water from a jug? ( 2 pt)
6. What follows the meridian of 180 degrees longitude, roughly down the middle of the Pacific Ocean? ( 2 pt)
7. What pop singer wrote the State Farm jingle ("Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there")? ( 3 pt)
IQ Trivia
1. In 1946, convenience store Totem changed its name to what to reflect its new, extended store hours? ( 3 points)
2. Millennium Stadium is located in what European city? ( 4 points)
3. What classic war movie ends with soldiers singing "The Mickey Mouse March?" ( 4 points)
4. What late comic actor was originally supposed to be the voice of Shrek? ( 4 points)
5. Where on the human body would you find the purlicue? ( 5 points)
Answers
Current Events: 1. cheerleading; 2. Oliver Stone; 3. Oregon; 4. bullfighting; 5. Haiti; 6. Charlie Sheen; 7. Paul the Psychic Octopus.
Pop Album Trivia: 1. Alanis Morissette; 2. Red Hot Chili Peppers; 3. The Rolling Stones; 4. Beastie Boys; 5. Marvin Gaye; 6. The Clash; 7. Kings of Leon.
True or False Trivia: 1. true; 2. true; 3. false, 7%; 4. true (7th cousins); 5. false; 6. false, chess; 7. true; 8. false, water; 9. true; 10. false, three.
General Knowledge: 1. Sherlock Holmes; 2. hat trick; 3. Vietnam; 4. Bill Clinton; 5. Aquarius; 6. International Date Line; 7. Barry Manilow.
IQ Trivia: 1. 7-Eleven; 2. Cardiff, Wales; 3. "Full Metal Jacket;" 4. Chris Farley; 5. hand (between the thumb and index finger).
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Another Fenway Crapfest
I'm just glad it was another Red Sox game I missed most of.
I was busy doing another one of my background acting gigs that went on for over 12 hours on Monday (and one with a Red Sox connection, more about that later this week in a future post) and when I got home the Red Sox were in a 6-2 hole against the Indians.
It would end up 6-5, Cleveland. Another brutal loss to a team that won't be playing baseball beyond the first weekend in October.
The Red Sox are 14-14 against AL lightweights: Indians, Royals, Mariners and Orioles. So, why are the Yankees and Rays both 6 1/2 games ahead of the Sox? Because they have feasted on these boys. New York has beaten them 23 times and Tampa Bay 21. If the Red Sox don't make it, this will be one of the main reasons why.
Just when you want to love John Lackey, he turns in a miserable performance like last night. And the Sox left runners everywhere AGAIN, and had two runners thrown out at home, too. (The Red Sox will have a new third base coach next season.)
Mike Cameron was put on the DL again with the remnants of the sports hernia injury he suffered earlier this year, and it may end his season. I feel for Cameron, as the man is a warrior who would play through anything, but just can't make it any more. Kevin Youkilis jammed his thumb and left last night's game. He's day-to-day right now, and it doesn't look like anything serious.
Adrian Beltre continued his hot hitting with two home runs. But the clutch hitting was nowhere in sight against a club the Red Sox should be beating up on. Josh Beckett takes the ball tonight.
I was busy doing another one of my background acting gigs that went on for over 12 hours on Monday (and one with a Red Sox connection, more about that later this week in a future post) and when I got home the Red Sox were in a 6-2 hole against the Indians.
It would end up 6-5, Cleveland. Another brutal loss to a team that won't be playing baseball beyond the first weekend in October.
The Red Sox are 14-14 against AL lightweights: Indians, Royals, Mariners and Orioles. So, why are the Yankees and Rays both 6 1/2 games ahead of the Sox? Because they have feasted on these boys. New York has beaten them 23 times and Tampa Bay 21. If the Red Sox don't make it, this will be one of the main reasons why.
Just when you want to love John Lackey, he turns in a miserable performance like last night. And the Sox left runners everywhere AGAIN, and had two runners thrown out at home, too. (The Red Sox will have a new third base coach next season.)
Mike Cameron was put on the DL again with the remnants of the sports hernia injury he suffered earlier this year, and it may end his season. I feel for Cameron, as the man is a warrior who would play through anything, but just can't make it any more. Kevin Youkilis jammed his thumb and left last night's game. He's day-to-day right now, and it doesn't look like anything serious.
Adrian Beltre continued his hot hitting with two home runs. But the clutch hitting was nowhere in sight against a club the Red Sox should be beating up on. Josh Beckett takes the ball tonight.
#3: George Carlin On What Makes Us Similar
I've always been a longtime fan of the legendary stand-up comedian George Carlin, especially most of his terrific HBO specials. So here is number 3 in my 31 Clips In 31 Days.
His stuff (not a coincidence I used that term) never gets tired or old, and he used his sharp wit on all kinds of subjects. I loved his Football vs. Baseball comparison, and the one where he goes after those who want to save the planet. We differed on a few things, but I always enjoyed those routines he would do about wordplay, and one of my all-time favorites is one where George talks about things we all have in common.
It's a comic masterpiece. God bless George wherever he is. Enjoy.
His stuff (not a coincidence I used that term) never gets tired or old, and he used his sharp wit on all kinds of subjects. I loved his Football vs. Baseball comparison, and the one where he goes after those who want to save the planet. We differed on a few things, but I always enjoyed those routines he would do about wordplay, and one of my all-time favorites is one where George talks about things we all have in common.
It's a comic masterpiece. God bless George wherever he is. Enjoy.
Monday, August 02, 2010
Pop Album Trivia Returns
This Tuesday night we'll have another round of "Pop Album Trivia," which we haven't done in quite a while. I will give you the name of a famous pop album and you'll have to tell me the artist who made it. I will also give you the year it was recorded as well, so there won't be any confusion.And no, "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" will not be one of the choices.
The Q Train lightning round will be "True or False Trivia."
The Sneak Peek for this week is:
When a player scores three goals in a hockey game, it is called what?
We will get going at the regular time of 9 PM. Great to see so many folks the last few weeks, and we should have another fine turnout on Tuesday night. See you then.
#2: The Hanson Brothers Debut
One of my favorite sports movies of all-time is the hockey classic, "Slap Shot," from 1977. It's one of those films with a ton of great memorable lines, as well as funny, memorable characters.
Paul Newman once called "Slap Shot" his favorite film to make. And you can see why, especially when the Hanson Brothers make their Charlestown Chiefs debut, and make their presence felt.
One of the best scenes in the movie. And it's our number 2 YouTube clip for this month. Enjoy.
Paul Newman once called "Slap Shot" his favorite film to make. And you can see why, especially when the Hanson Brothers make their Charlestown Chiefs debut, and make their presence felt.
One of the best scenes in the movie. And it's our number 2 YouTube clip for this month. Enjoy.
Sunday, August 01, 2010
I Feel Badly For Clay
Clay Buchholz pitched one of the best games of his young career at Fenway Park on Sunday afternoon, allowing just three hits in eight innings, and left with a 3-0 lead, while striking out five.
And he got a no-decision.
He allowed an infield single and a walk to start the ninth, and was lifted by Terry Francona for Jonathan Papelbon. I absolutely agreed that Buchholz deserved to start the inning and go for the shutout.
Papelbon immediately gave up a two-RBI double to Miguel Cabrera, who missed a home run by about 15 feet to left-center. A strikeout later Jhonny Peralta singled him in and it was a brand new game, 3-3.
The Sox saved Papelbon's ass when Jed Lowrie led off the ninth with a single and Eric Patterson walked. Marco Scutaro but down a perfect bunt to the third base side, and pitcher Robbie Weinhardt threw it into right field, bringing in pinch-runner Darnell McDonald with the winning run and series win over the Tigers, 4-3, winning in the ninth for the second straight day.
A devastating loss was narrowly averted. Barely.
I really felt badly for Buchholz, especially when he was shown grabbing his gear and heading for the clubhouse after Peralta's single. It was a win he richly deserved. Despite the ninth inning heroics, it almost feels like a Red Sox loss.
Count me in the group that believes the Sox should explore the idea of offering Jonathan Papelbon around this winter and make Daniel Bard the closer in 2011.
And I'll let it go at that. Tampa Bay beat New York, so the Red Sox are now 6 1/2 back of NY, and 5 1/2 back of the Rays in the Wild Card.
Next up, the Indians for four at Fenway.
And he got a no-decision.
He allowed an infield single and a walk to start the ninth, and was lifted by Terry Francona for Jonathan Papelbon. I absolutely agreed that Buchholz deserved to start the inning and go for the shutout.
Papelbon immediately gave up a two-RBI double to Miguel Cabrera, who missed a home run by about 15 feet to left-center. A strikeout later Jhonny Peralta singled him in and it was a brand new game, 3-3.
The Sox saved Papelbon's ass when Jed Lowrie led off the ninth with a single and Eric Patterson walked. Marco Scutaro but down a perfect bunt to the third base side, and pitcher Robbie Weinhardt threw it into right field, bringing in pinch-runner Darnell McDonald with the winning run and series win over the Tigers, 4-3, winning in the ninth for the second straight day.
A devastating loss was narrowly averted. Barely.
I really felt badly for Buchholz, especially when he was shown grabbing his gear and heading for the clubhouse after Peralta's single. It was a win he richly deserved. Despite the ninth inning heroics, it almost feels like a Red Sox loss.
Count me in the group that believes the Sox should explore the idea of offering Jonathan Papelbon around this winter and make Daniel Bard the closer in 2011.
And I'll let it go at that. Tampa Bay beat New York, so the Red Sox are now 6 1/2 back of NY, and 5 1/2 back of the Rays in the Wild Card.
Next up, the Indians for four at Fenway.
Third Time's The Charm For Papi
Saturday had all the makings of another disappointing day at Fenway Park.Daisuke Matsuzaka was not sharp early, giving up four runs in the first four innings. The Red Sox were hitting into double plays and leaving men everywhere, yet again.
David Ortiz struck out with two on in the sixth, and the with the bases loaded in the seventh. His strike outs have been noticeably piling over the last week.
So, with the score 4-2 in the ninth and one out and two on, Detroit manager Jim Leyland decided he'd rather face David Ortiz with the bases loaded than Kevin Youkilis with runners at second and third.
Youk was intentionally walked, and Papi came up with runners in scoring position for the third straight at-bat. This time he didn't disappoint.
He lined a Phil Coke pitch into the gap in left and it rolled to the wall, and it allowed all three runs to score and it gave the Red Sox a thrilling 5-4 comeback win, one desperately needed, with New York later beating Tampa Bay. The win keeps the Sox 7 1/2 back in the East, and 5 1/2 behind the Rays for the Wild Card.
The bullpen did a nice job after Dice-K left after six innings, keeping the Tigers scoreless. Dustin Richardson, Scott Atchison and Hideki Okajima looked good, with Oki getting his 4th win of the year. Much-heralded rookie Ryan Kalish had two hits and an RBI, including a single in his first at-bat.
Clay Buchholz pitches in the finale today against the Tigers' Justin Verlander.
31 Clips In 31 Days. #1: The Spanish Inquisition
As we begin a new month, I thought I would celebrate this month of August by posting a YouTube clip every day. I'm a huge YouTube fan and watcher. They will be my favorite ones, from various places like sports, humor, movies, across the spectrum of things I like.
They will be in no particular order. Some of them have been on my blog before, some have not.
So, on August 1st, we kick off with my first clip, from Monty Python, and my all-time favorite sketch, "The Spanish Inquisition." The Python boys just didn't get any funnier than this. Enjoy.
They will be in no particular order. Some of them have been on my blog before, some have not.
So, on August 1st, we kick off with my first clip, from Monty Python, and my all-time favorite sketch, "The Spanish Inquisition." The Python boys just didn't get any funnier than this. Enjoy.
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