Dan Gould

No, your scenario would be the equivalent of a fourth round loss (the round before the quarters). This is the equivalent of an NCAA #1 being bounced by the 64th team. Except that this is a 128-man draw, so its even more shocking than that.

Holy *&^&*^*%@ shit! Federer down 2 sets to 0 against some total unknown? I can't believe a defending champion has ever lost his first round match the next year, and if he does go down, the drum beats about Federer being done will be merciless. First the streak of reaching Slam semi-finals ends at the French, then out of his best tournament in the first round? Would it be in poor taste to hope this guy's cramps make him quit? C'MON ROGER!!!!!

And of all a sudden the final 3 games at Fenway seem a little more likely to be crucial to one team or the other or both.

Well it took two near-miracles, but we've got status quo ante. I can't believe I stayed up so late to end up with the Rays hanging on by the skin of their teeth. Talk about a gift win. Hopefully Jason Johnson shuts them down and they leave Miami with a series loss and a serious headache from those vuvuzelas.

That just can't happen, the God I worship is one of mercy, not vengeance! Yeah but what if He decides to go back to being an Old Testament-Wrath-of-God deity? * and Tony LaRussa in the broadcast booth.

God help us if Tony LaRussa ever decides to go into broadcasting.

The Fox & ESPN announcers are just terrible -- guys, sometimes less talk is better.... Well you can't really expect McCarver to know that there have been so many injuries to the outfield that batting them 7-8-9 might have happened before. I mean its not like its his job or anything. As for tonight, I guess when you're hot you're hot. Now we'll see if Tampa can keep pace.

Yeah, when I saw it was 3-1 I had high hopes but in a little league field, what are the chances of keeping it in the yard very long? This puts a little pressure on the Rays but they are probably feeling it already, considering they get Josh Johnson on Sunday. And do Yankee fans worry a bit about Hughes coming back to earth? They flashed a stat that wasn't too encouraging with an ERA near 5 in his last six starts or something like that. He had as many wins as when his ERA was under 2 but obviously he's getting some run support and he isn't quite blowing people anyway for a while now.

He pitches every fifth team game and since they don't have a day off before Wednesday, yes that is his next start.

Off on a Friday night? You didn't notice any of the "Manny returns to Fenway" stories? In reality the Red Sox won 10-6 over the Dodgers (you're welcome, Goodie) and sit just 1 game back, even in the win column. Papi hit #15, the 22 year old rookie was good enough, Manny did not get the Damon treatment (sounded about 50-50 cheers and boos) but he did thrill the home crowd when his knees buckled on a called third strike slider from Bard which ended the game. Now the Yankees get Pelfrey and his 2.39 ERA then Santana on Sunday.

"Yeah, its stylish, but I hate when the tape unravels. Makes it even more impossible to find anything!"

Shut yo mouth!

Conrad, are you aware that since the date I gave the reverse-jinx to the Red Sox they are 18-7, .720 and since you tried to capture the same mojo with the Braves, Atlanta is 16-6, .727? The Sox have gone 6-0-2 in series since then, and Atlanta is 5-0-2! I expect the two Davids to try to catch some of the same magic soon but the reverse-jinx don't work for no stinkin' empire.

14 homers is the second most Big Papi has hit in his first 55 games in his career, which makes you wonder whether the guy could end up with 40+ if he stays healthy and puts up his typical July-August-September numbers. This time last year I think he had about 5 and ended up with 28. If he hits 35+ how does Theo send him away? Of course, if he hits 35+ he might get a two year deal with an option or something ridiculous that Theo won't match. ou gotta come back on the Sox' terms or its sayonara. But for this year there is no doubt the lineup is different with Ortiz hitting (not to mention what Beltre has done). Pedroia-Ortiz-Youk-VMart-Drew-Beltre is a pretty tough 2-7. I'd still like to see what the offense could do with Ellsbury leading off and Scutaro's .360 OBP at the bottom of the lineup. Not to mention Cameron doing some damage like he used to do (not sure when that will happen with his lingering abdominal problem). On the bad side Lackey continues to disappoint even if the bats saved him and he got a win today (that's three starters with 8 or more wins). But Beckett and Dice are on track and Manny returns to Fenway tomorrow with a 22 year old stud making his debut. Yanks face the Mets with Pelfrey and Santana going Saturday and Sunday so that's a tough series for them.

I thought its major influence was in bringing "modal improvisation" into modern jazz. Even if others had used it before, it was popular enough to be recognized and influential in that way. Kinda like Brubeck and "Take Five". And I think Jim is right, there is no such "accepted wisdom" about cataclysmic impacts, except on the back cover of LPs and among anyone who chooses to write a book about it.

I found a recording I've been searching about ten years for but the store in Osaka does not ship outside Japan. So I am looking to at least investigate the cost of having someone purchase the LP on my behalf and ship to me in the States. Can anyone help?

No doubt the bullpen needs help with Ramirez and Okajima suddenly stinking up the place all year long. Okajima I can sort of understand just because he's gotten by on deception and pinpoint control since its not like his stuff is so great. But Ramirez has been such a consistent reliever I thought that the "most relievers have big variation in results form year to year" rule didn't apply. Turns out that it did. Not sure how long can they continue with MDC getting critical outs but they don't have much choice right now. I'm hoping this Dustin Richardson can do the job, at least as a power lefty. Big strikeout rate but he's also had some control issues. And it will be Doubront on Friday against the Dodgers. But most of the country will get Strassburg's next start. This is really getting to be ridiculous. Are the Nationals going to get national coverage everytime this guy throws? He's good but let's not get ahead of ourselves.

And with tonight's win, Boston is now 7-0-3 in its last ten series. So its basically been over a month since they lost a series which isn't too shabby. Pedroia is pulling out of his horrific slump now that his knee is better; Dice-K will throw a bullpen soon and should come off the DL as soon as he's eligible and Beckett is finally reporting no concerns with his back. If they ever reach that state it would be interesting to see how they perform with Ellsbury on the field every day and Beckett pitching every five days (so long as he pitches like he's supposed to). Thank God for Lester and Buchholz and Ortiz and Beltre. And Manny and Mr. Torre return to Fenway on Friday. I have a feeling Manny is going to get booed and Joe will get a nice warm round of applause.

I suddenly, unexpectedly and very excitingly have beads on the last two Gene Harris recordings I lack. Both were recorded in Japan with Ray Brown. One I am confident I'll enjoy as the trio is backing a pretty swinging vibes player named Takashi Ohi (it showed up early this year as a CD On-Demand offering but apparently Japan only -fortunately the website has audio links and it certainly doesn't sound like an amateur playing with Gene and Ray, so I am definitely ordering this). The other one though I am not certain about because its with a vocalist - Junko Mine. Any familiar with her? I can only find one youtube video where she sings "Amazing Grace" and its not really that appealing but its also given a rather reverent (natch) performance so maybe this isn't the best she can do. So any advice on her vocal talents is appreciated. Thanks in advance ...

Track listing for all volumes here.

Forget politics, this is college football, and the article referred to Texas. Therefore this is religion.

Gotta defend Bird, come what may. For me, the most sublime artist in any art form whom I've encountered in my long lifetime. Just to be clear, I was kidding. I should have added an emoticon, but I usually pick the wrong one. Just as I was kidding when I posted this but no one felt a need to come to Gene's defense or question the sincerity of my assertion.

If the answer is Chris Resop, the question must be mighty stupid. Just kidding - but I see nothing in his major league career to indicate that he'd be anything but perhaps a league average pitcher especially in the A.L. The Sox might as well just call up Bowden or Doubront from Pawtucket. And one thing with pitchers, you can DL them retroactive to the day after they last pitched. That makes his stint on the DL 11 days instead of 15, and with today's off-day, I am betting they can keep everyone lined up and skip at least one of his missed starts. So its probably only a matter of bringing someone up for one start, and that might as well be the young kid to give him a taste of his future.

How about everyone else in the state who has to deal with declining & underfunded services? The U is engaged in business beyond "the mission" and should be taxed accordingly. At the risk of this turning into a political thread, I'm in favor of any method of keeping money out of the hands of the federal government.

I'm with our resident Nats fan. Announcers should announce the pertinent facts about the game and to my mind, the "tradition" is that you don't mention it on the bench - or in the stands. That doesn't extend to the broadcast booth.