Brad

West Brom got a heck of a welcome back from Chelsea. The relegation watch looks to be on already.

At the age of 26? That sounds crazy. Either he really wants to return home or he's looking for a better payday.

We got back a couple of weeks ago and you should be ok but it was freakin' hot: 98 every day and humid in Shanghai. Beijing was the same but no humidity, still hot though. One thing you may need to get used to is the smoking. People smoke incessantly. When I'd walk into the Hotel lobby, I'd be overpowered. It's pretty bad. However, the Government is prohibiting smoking in doors next year. We'll have to see if that's enforced. If you go down to the Bund in Shanghai, watch out for the pickpockets: they're everywhere. There were long lines at the Expo but in the fall it may be less crowded. Interesting place. If you're going to Beijing, I'd recommend a tour guide for the Forbidden City. Makes things a little easier. I can probably recommend a few restaurants but food was good all over. Subways are great, much better than here. In Beijing they announced the stops in both Mandarin and English, same in Shanghai. Street signs are also in both languages. Have a great time. It's a heck of an experience.

Buen hecho y bienvenidos!

Not a great performance by the Champions today.

Or maybe Crouch is a dickhead who has gotten to big for his boots. Let the bitching begin... Martin O'Neill 'allowed wages to spiral out of control at Aston Villa' Seriously, I think this is very bad for both O'Neill and very bad for Villa, O'Neill will find it difficult to get a big club to take him on after this and Villa will find it hard to get a really good manager as obviously his first job will be to trim the squad and then keep them in the top 10 at least. Not good. I heard that Bob Bradley, the U.S. coach, might be a candidate for the Villa job. Heard about that this morning. They could be suspended.

Not amazing enough apparently

So how do bassists get to gigs then if they can't fly. I would think driving would be prohibitive in terms of time and cost.

From what I just read, Villa weren't going to have the money to move to the next level. However, if even so, resigning the week before the season starts (unless there's some other reason such as family problems) isn't the way to go; not too nice leaving the club in the lurch. There must be a good reason for him to do it. Just doesn't make too much sense.

Just heard from MG via email - he is suffering from a repetitive strain injury in his right arm and is limiting his computer use. Sorry to hear that, but I'm glad it's nothing more serious. Sorry to hear about that MG and hope you recover and are back soon. You could always become ambidextrous!

Great song, Sunny, not sure what he else did; the first thing I think when I hear his name is that song. He made a mark so what more can you ask. RIP.

I guess I need to re-listen to the SteepleChases as they didn't grab me the way it did for others. Nature Boy is ok, not great, but a pleasurable listen.

Sorry I'm late to the party Lon. Hope it was a good one!

I obviously missed that one way back when. I will try to listen tonight. Thanks Ghost.

How is the sound on the Cookbook. I'm tempted. Didn't Fantasy or Concord reissue the whole series in separate discs not long ago. Of the others I'm tempted to pick up the Hawkins and the Haig. Maybe the Byrd but have to see what's on it, to avoid duplication

Didn't realize Bar-oid played tennis, soccer or competed on bicycles.

He doesn't. He's the announcer for the Giants, previously the Orioles. He does a pretty good job.

Yes, I forgot Mel although I was never a big fan of his. Kott was good. Never a big Kubek fan. McCarver may not be that great anymore but when he first came on the scene,he was like a breath of fresh air. He taught you to look at the game in a different way. When he was doing the Mets' games, he Kiner and Steve Zabriskie were great. There was a magic among them. Ultimately, the Mets brass weren't sorry to see him go because he was very critical of them.

I also love the Hodges disc.

What a year for Spanish sports: Wimbledon, World Cup and Tour de France!

This is part of what Marca is saying about the departure of Raul (my translation): "Next Monday or on Tuesday , Raul Gonzalez Blanco will announce the most painful decision of his career, saying goodbye to Real Madrid, the team with whom he has spent 16 brillian years. Although expected, the departure of the Great Captain to Schalke 04 is still a bucket of cold water for Real Madrid , which lost its last great symbol. Because Raul is much more than a football player: he is a living part of the history of the best club in the twentieth century and, therefore, of Spanish football. Three Champion League championships, six La Liga titles, two Intercontinentals and the third top scorer in the history of La Liga ... Numbers that enlarge the legend of a player, an exquisite professional who not only is great in the grass but also outside the pitch." A fitting tribute.

Someone needs to do John Sterling quotes. I'm sure they'd be worth a laugh. NY baseball has had some great broadcasters. There was Russ Hodges, Vince Scully, Red Barber, Tim McCarver and Lindsey Nelson. Also very good was Bob Murphy, Frank Moesser and Bill White. Ralph Kiner is also excellent. Hexane McCarver were a great team. Who can forget Rizzuto, not great, but definitely unusual. Can't think of any city with this amount of quality and please don't tell me Chicago or St. Louis; bunch of homers.

I seem to remember a case like this in law school.

I wonder how much he has left. It will be odd to see him in a uniform other than RM's.

Clint Hartung has passed away. For you youngsters, he's symbolic of unfulfilled talent. Highly thought of when he came up with the Giants in the late 40s but he never amounted to much in half a dozen seasons. Here's the NY Times oituary, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/22/sports/baseball/22hartung.html?ref=todayspaper