Brad

With South Africa out, the news just keeps getting worse for FIFA (Spain debacle).

Looks like SA is getting ready to be shown the door. They have to hope that France Mexico tie and then they beat France next week.

What a major disappointment. This is 1998 all over again. Their going through would not appear likely. Chile should gather three point from the Swiss and the Swiss probably three from Honduras. Spain should beat Honduras but Chile who knows. If they do, it will come down to goal differential. A very tough road. What a disaster. I can only imagine what the reaction is back in Spain.

The Yankees split is what you would generally expect. The Rays' split is very unusual, to say the least.

I only got to see abut of the first half and they weren't very impressive. The North Koreans could be a challenge for the other two sides.

Looks like the Mets are continuing to feed off the AL bottom feeders: four straight from Os and Tribe. They've made their road record go from putrid to just bad

We should probably add in Hans' comment above. I can only think that teams are being cautious so as not to behind the eight ball for the second group match; better a tie than a loss may be the thought.

Unfortunately work intervenes (darn!) and I didn't see the match. Just more of the same I assume that we've seen from everybody except Germany and maybe Argentina.

I listened to Chamber Music of the New Jazz and if you're on the fence, get this one. You'll be hitting the order button.

The announcers say they have to, for fans just tuning in, etc. I still prefer they don't but I understand that they need to.

There is some talk about banning them from the cup. It's apprently a tradition at South African matches. However, some traditions are not always good ones

Cahill went for the leg, not the ball. It was an ugly foul, punishable by a red card according to the instructions the referees got from FIFA ahead of the tournament. I didn't see Cacau's foul - if there was one. He was called for diving.

I don't agree on the red; yellow yes, red no. The refereeing had another questionable moment: the yellow on Cacao in the 92nd. Please.

So far, the Germany Australia match appears worthy of being called a WC match (at least from the German point of view).

I've said it before but I can't figure out what's going on with the Phillies. The only thing I can say is that they're a much better second half team. J.H. would know that for sure. I'm sure that when it's all said and done, they'll have won the division and have home field advantage.

The worst game so far Let's hope it gets better because no match so far has been memorable. Well the US-England was entertaining and it provided a memorable moment, to say the least. Well, I was going to say England US but thought better of it. What if that Green moment had happened in the Slovenia match? Would anybody be really talking about it. A little but not that much. Regarding Argentina, I saw some nice passing in the box but the Nigerian goaltender was up to the challenge.

That makes two of us. Hope it was cool.

The worst game so far Let's hope it gets better because no match so far has been memorable.

Sounds like something Allen would say

Talk about a gift.

The second yellow card (= red) was fully justified, it should have been a straight red. These horrid fouls (going straight for someone's leg instead of the ball) are happening way too often and the punishment should be much tougher than it has been in the various leagues so far. I found the French team very disappointing, sterile and void of ideas, while Uruguay played the way I expected them to play: they don't have many players who are creative, so they count on their defence and prowl, and strike when they see a chance. I can't disagree with any of that not to mention that it should have been Ireland on the pitch. For that reason alone I hope the French make a quick exit.

I suppose the red was justified although I have seen that happen in league matches and not been called reds. However, too many people watching so red it is and you can't say it wasn't justified. Yes, Uruguay got what it wanted. I suppose their theory is to beat SA, contain Mexico and hope for the best

I used to live in Uruguay when I was a kid and so am rooting for them but their play is more anti-futbol than not, more defensive. I guess they just want to get the one point.

South Africa has just opened its account!

Can't say that I am--good stuff? This is interesting, at least: You Never Give Me Your Money Definitely but still prefer the master although some interesting improvising going on. Can't say that I am--good stuff? Some, yeah. Some real remixes, using all sorts of tools and sources, and some mashups. Not all of it works, but when it is good, it is good. Here's a mashup - not perfect, but almost: http://www.youtube.c...feature=related Whoa--the missing Em-A7 in the first line is a real harmonic mindf**k. I mean it resolves, but--for a second--it's kind of floating there. Weird stuff.