Well, the Yanks added some pop by getting OF Bobby Abreu from the Phillies. No SP changed teams was better than Corey Lidle, so the Bombers didn't lose any ground in that department. My question, who among Sheffield, Matsui, and Abreu goes into the rotation when they're all healthy enough to play? We know Damon can't reach the plate from the pitcher's mound, so it won't be him!
The Braves are done in the NL East. I was tempted to write them off at the end of June, but their bats were on fire into and out of the All-Star break. But Chipper Jones is on the DL and star SP Tim Hudson is getting hit as hard as a slow-pitch softball pitcher. The 1-5 homestand against the Marlins and Mets closed the deal on the Braves' amazing run of 14 straight divison titles. ESPN.com hailed Leo Mazzone as the best assistant coach of all-time, it should be noted that this year's Atlanta staff is among the league worst in ERA, WHIP, and blown saves. It's too early to pass judgment on new pitching coach Roger McDowell (Hudson didn't come to Atlanta needing Mazzone and #3 and #4 starters Mike Hampton and Horacio Ramirez have spent more time on the DL than J. D. Drew) but Mazzone always seemed to get enough production out of his staff.
Playoff Predictions:
AL: Yankees, Tigers, A's. WC: Red Sox.
NL: Mets, Cardinals, Padres. WC: Braves.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Friday, July 28, 2006
Last Man on the Plane!
I just completed my 2-week annual training aboard the USS O'KANE out of Pearl Harbor. Spending some extended time underway on the surface allowed me to realize that the submarine force was the right service selection for me.
I was all set to return this afternoon when the gate agents announced that the plane needed a mechanical part that was located on the mainland. They were trying to rearrange the flight schedules to limit our delay but speculated on a 5-hour delay. I attempted to change to the American flight leaving about 30 min later, but wasn't able to do so over the phone. So I hustled to the gate where the agent said that they were full, but to wait by the gate in case something opened up. Luckily it did when former NFL LB Bill Romanowski upgraded to 1st class and freed up a seat for me. He looked a bit thinner, and older in the face than I'd expect. I didn't get an opportunity to thank him since he was busy w/ his laptop and cell phone at the gate right up until it was closed. This was the 2nd straight year that I got the last seat on an airplane flying east over the Pacific!
Turns out that I may not have been too far eff recommending Laura Ingraham for the CBS News Anchor Chair. Katie Couric told Access Hollywood that she wouldn't go to the Middle East to cover the news becuase "it's dangerous there". Shouldn't Katie have moved over to Access Hollywood if she only wanted to report news from "safe" places? Does "If it bleeds, it leads" ring any bells to her? Was she listening to any of the news headlines that Ann Curry was reading on the Today set? Can CBS get a discount on the $15 million that they're going to pay Katie since now they have to send someone else to go to those "dangerous" places? Leadership by example is strong; as Managing Editor, I deduce leadership is expected/warranted/part of that title, I'm observing some great leadership, Katie.
I was all set to return this afternoon when the gate agents announced that the plane needed a mechanical part that was located on the mainland. They were trying to rearrange the flight schedules to limit our delay but speculated on a 5-hour delay. I attempted to change to the American flight leaving about 30 min later, but wasn't able to do so over the phone. So I hustled to the gate where the agent said that they were full, but to wait by the gate in case something opened up. Luckily it did when former NFL LB Bill Romanowski upgraded to 1st class and freed up a seat for me. He looked a bit thinner, and older in the face than I'd expect. I didn't get an opportunity to thank him since he was busy w/ his laptop and cell phone at the gate right up until it was closed. This was the 2nd straight year that I got the last seat on an airplane flying east over the Pacific!
Turns out that I may not have been too far eff recommending Laura Ingraham for the CBS News Anchor Chair. Katie Couric told Access Hollywood that she wouldn't go to the Middle East to cover the news becuase "it's dangerous there". Shouldn't Katie have moved over to Access Hollywood if she only wanted to report news from "safe" places? Does "If it bleeds, it leads" ring any bells to her? Was she listening to any of the news headlines that Ann Curry was reading on the Today set? Can CBS get a discount on the $15 million that they're going to pay Katie since now they have to send someone else to go to those "dangerous" places? Leadership by example is strong; as Managing Editor, I deduce leadership is expected/warranted/part of that title, I'm observing some great leadership, Katie.
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