Quincy

Apologies for dragging fantasy into this this, but I cut Granderson yesterday as a full year & change of .239 was too much. The nice guy s.o.b. hits 2 solo HRs as soon as he's off of my team. Again, double apologies for this intrusion, but anyone who's ever played the game (fantasy, not really played) understands. After Matthew's synopsis of the M's recent play I think I'm excused for fantasy excursions.

It's also that 250 HRs nowadays isn't 250 HRs like it was for Fisk, Bench & Carter. Posnanski's column is about Alex reaching 600, but to a certain extent is applies here as far as HR totals: "Steroids are not the only thing that caused the home run explosion of the 1990s — I’ve long suspected that they weren’t even the biggest thing. Smaller strike zones, harder bats, body armor, smaller ballparks, weight training (not even including performance enhancers), money incentives, expansion… all these things and more pointed toward bigger power numbers. The game did not tilt… it was tilted. A lot of people wanted more home runs. And the men running baseball had to give people what they wanted." Also the doubles inclusion above is just silly to add to the mix. This is done to exclude Berra & Piazza (who misses by 6 doubles) and other catchers who were better than Posada, but it creates a smaller subset, thus making Posada look more exclusive. What happens if we throw out 350 doubles and replace it with 50 triples? I don't know, but that would be silly too.

I'm about > < close to seeing them in St. Louis in August. I'm planning a visit to the folks and if the time frame works this would be a present to myself on my way back. Unfortunately PT is the undercard to Coheed & Cambria, though as I have yet to sample a note perhaps I shouldn't frame that so negatively. I've read that C&C has a 5 album sci-fi concept album arc going on - maybe they're trying for their own Ring? If I read that right my reaction varies between a sort of respect for that level of commitment, to a fear of seeing something so nutty the writers of Spinal Tap couldn't conceive of it. I should check out some samples... I haven't posted in the Porcupine Tree thread but whatever their styles & labels you want to throw at them I've greatly appreciated the suggestions, though probably the most valuable advice was get the 2 CD deluxe versions and DVD-As where appropriate since I seem to buying (and enjoying) everything.

I think Oswalt would not stand in the way as he & Peavy own some forestland on the Illinois side about 100 miles north of St. Louis. They bought the land for hunting, mostly for white-tailed deer as they're genetically larger in that area. Anyways, between the franchise mostly having it to together to continually contend along with it being a good "cultural fit," it looks like it could happen. Though I do wonder how they can afford the current contract and pay Pujols for next year. I wonder if Oswalt is willing to give some money up?

Not to be pushy or selfish, but I hope Joe does record in the future. What can I say, I love his guitar playing. Thanks for the great music guys!

Guh. Maybe MLB needs to adopt NASCAR's "The Chase" model, just to put some of these teams out of their misery.

Yes, I was thinking of that one. I guess that is universally considered his least popular album. It's funny, I've always remembered that one because his middle name is on the cover, but the title has never sunk in. I know someone whose music collection is probably 95% indie pop. One of the 3 jazz CDs in his collections is this one. Another friend from the same clique who also mostly listens to indie owns a T.S. Monk instead of a Thelonious. For all the scorn we toss at "Best Jazz Albums Ever" lists, maybe they aren't such bad ideas after all (unless they're recommending the above.)

At The Blackhawk was the 30th Monk title I picked up, yet it defied the law of diminishing marginal utility. Defied it! It also had a 2 for 1 bonus as I'm a bit of a Harold Land whore. I have yet to pick up France or Italy mostly because I want to save the experience for later on as there aren't many official titles left to hear, and partly because I figure I really should try other things. But it is Thelonious Monk, so I favor going overboard to missing out on a performance.

I recall you liking their chances back in the spring. I think it's worth mentioning Sánchez as well (who pitches today after a rough outing before the All-Star game) since as much as old fogies (anyone > 40) would like to see 3 man staffs in the playoffs, it isn't always possible with these modern day pitchers. So having a 4th (and a lefty!) who can hold his own is all the better. If Sánchez can keep up the good work from the 1st half of the season and the bats get going, they'll have the delightful "problem" of having to figure out the best rotation order for the playoffs.

Staying in the hunt quite nicely, and darn good starters 1 thru 4. But out of respect for the powerful reverse jinx, your next Giant post should be more negative.

He's Medium Papi now. Ha!, we tricked them!

My milage varies because: I think the Dead were too young to be singing some of the songs in 1970 compared to '80. Bob was barely past puberty and so his voice gets better later, and the wear & tear on Garcia's voice adds to "Oh Babe It Ain't No Lie," "Been All Around This World," "To Lay Me Down" and a few others where a certain weariness is needed. (Not that he was doing all those in '70.) Bob's "Cassidy" hadn't been written yet in 1970 and is one of the strongest songs in the set in '80. An acoustic "Bird Song" from '80 I'll put up against the electric ones from '72 (and I love those!) and again, another song that didn't exist in '70. And I'll admit it, I like the humor of "Monkey And The Engineer." And finally, just about every acoustic show in 1980 ends with "Ripple." I do like the songs unique to '70 that you mention though, and the tracks from "Bear's Choice" make that album. But to clarify, saying '70 is my least favorite year from '68-'77 is like…well pretend those year abbreviations are temperatures on sunny days off. I'll happily enjoy 70, it's just a matter of a degree. And as noted earlier, I'm more a fan of Fillmore in Feb. and the fall shows, along with 6/24 than the May entries. We Deadheads can be picky (and should be!) And I know this makes me a bad Deadhead, but I always thought New Riders Of The Purple Sage was a much better band name than band, hence having them thrown into the mix has never been a bonus for me.

I'm the same way. If I want to hear acoustic Dead I prefer Reckoning and the other fall '80 recordings. A big part is that "Bird Song" is so damn great, but I also think their voices are better for a lot of the material. 1970 is probably my least favorite pre-retirement year. I prefer Pigpen's songs in '71 & '72 to what he was singing in '70. I like their attack more in '69 compared to '70. Generally I prefer the one drummer era too, so that's another strike against it. I do like February & September more than May, and I wish 6/24 with the Dark Star>Attics>DS>Sugar Mag>DS>St. Stephan circulated in better quality. I didn't even get around to revisiting 5/15 - as I said earlier I've had a long relationship of not getting this show. So you're not alone.

Try this one for official releases. Clicking the "info" button to the left will give details, though they might not have dates for everything. edit - didn't know my left from my right.

What about Gene Autry? His money lured Rod Carew away from Minnesota, Joe Rudi from the Mustache Gang, Bobby Grich from the O's. There were plenty more too. The difference is he wasn't as smart with his money. But if you're going to blame owners for offering more money to players than the player's home team was willing to spend, blame the Singing Cowboy too.

For her silence. Yes, silence even in the event that Tiger dies before she does.

Do you think T. Boone Pickens has his own food taster and has been avoiding family this year? Though not much of a game which is a problem with trying to play baseball between 5:30 - 7 PM on the West Coast given the shadows and sunlight, I'm happy that the NL finally won the All-Star Game, as I find fun in seeing how the AL team deals with its DH.

"Sparky Lyle likes to sit on birthday cakes." Something along those lines is on the back of his baseball card sometime between '72 thru '74. Although I would have hated someone sitting on my birthday cake in those years (now I'd welcome it!), it separated him from the informational cartoons that said "Jim likes to go hunting in the offseason."

Now there's an intriguing alternate universe: Catfish Hunter & Reggie & Goose sign with Cleveland, and the Indians win a World Championship or two. Then of course since there's no revenue to support the spending, Steinbrenner bails out of the business ... and maybe the Yankees are working on a 45 year championship drought. I can dream can't I? Anyway, that's giving Steinbrenner far too much credit. In 1972 the Indians still had Chambliss, Nettles & Tidrow. Perhaps the trades don't happen. And the Indians had Gaylord Perry. You never know, maybe the alternate universe Indians coulda been a contender.

I was introduced to him through his appearances on the David Letterman Show. Whew-ee, what an introduction! I couldn't figure out how much of the friction was staged or real (I guess it was real.) I don't think we can blame his death on LeBron leaving Cleveland. He left behind a great body of work.

Some prices that are very close for some other jazz artists. (Look below the Amazon price, and yes there is some postage.) These include some of the Thelonious Monk studio Columbia releases (bonus tracks included), Weather Report, John McLaughlin and a few others in the $8 range.

I picked this one recently and good stuff as you say. I thought it was running a little long the first time I played it. Not the kindest thing to say, but there are a lot of rags. I popped it into the computer and there's some tricky German engineering going on as it runs 86:49. How'd they do that? (I know, I can Google for an answer.) I still haven't read all the way through the book length booklet. Bear Family just can't release a naked disc, can they. I appreciate the reviews of the single disc comps especially, as lately I've been trying to dip into more artists, rather than plunging into big boxes.

I liked this quote: “His brand is [bleep] now,” one high-level NBA official said late Thursday. “He’s destroyed everything.” Kobe's stock seems to be rising, as some articles are referring to him bailing out the Olympic team when Wade, LeBron & Bosh seemed lost. Durant comes out way ahead for being loyal and humble (and immensely talented too of course).

I think they already have. I thought LeBron's show was crass, but Cleveland's owner sure makes LeBron's move easier after his open letter. Sometimes it's better to sleep on it rather than hit send.

And you know, the end result might be about the same. Remember all the titles Dr. J & George McGinnis won together?