Dan Gould

Brutal rape scenes, sadistic guards ... "hopelessly idealized picture of prison life"??

Arroyo is going to be much more than a number five starter next season. He just needs to get consistent with his fastball to set up that devastating curveball. Like Varitek says, when its on, its unhittable, and there's no doubt that's true. I could see Sheffield twisting his bum shoulder into next month hacking at that curveball. Amazing that today's heroes were Arroyo (released by Pittsburg) and Ortiz (released by the Twins). Those two are studs-and we got 'em.

Thanks, Nick. And keep posting!

Unbelievable. To let the Angels off the floor like that-if they'd have come all the way back, everyone would say, "same old Red Sox." But these aren't the same old Red Sox. I defy anyone to claim that this isn't the best team in the league. In about ten days, we'll have proved it.

Thanks for the tip, Brownie!

Jimmy Gourley: The Left Bank of New York Rein de Graaff: Now is the Time Darrell Grant: The New Bop Bennie Green: the Time Records reissue Swings the Blues Blow Your Horn (with Paul Quinichette) Soul Stirrin' Hornful of Soul Walking Down Glidin' Along Walkin' and Talkin' Back on the Scene The Swingin'est 45 Sessions Benny Green: These are Soulful Days Naturally Blue Notes That's Right! Testifyin' Greens Bunky Green: Sextet Playin' For Keeps Testifyin' Time Freddie Green: Mr. Rhythm Grant Green: I Gigante Del Jazz (that Italian grey market LP series of live recordings) Grantstand Talkin' Bout Am I Blue Goin' West Grant's First Stand First Session Green Street Standards Idle Moment Solid The Latin Bit Sunday Mornin' I Want to Hold Your Hand Street of Dreams Blues for Lou A Tribute to Grant Green Dodo Greene: My Hour of Need Jimmy Greene: Introducing

Thanks for the reminder, I already have that one. Another Les might be A Little 3/4 for God and Country, and now that I think about it, there's some Curtis Amy I could use, the title track from Meetin' Here.

Listening to Horace Silver's new one on the way to work, I was really digging on the gospel tune, and I'm not even Christian! So, it got me to thinking about doing a compilation CD of gospel-jazz tunes, both vocal and instrumental. So far I've got: Sunday Mornin' Prayer Meetin', the Horace tune I mentioned above He Don't Have The Blues Anymore, by Maria Muldauer (not really jazz, it was a tribute to Charles Brown on Maria's Meet Me Where They Play The Blues album, but I dig it a lot, and this is a good place for it) Just a Closer Walk with Thee, Concord Festival All-Stars (Gene Harris, Red Holloway, Sweets, wail on this one) Battle Hymn of the Republic, Gene Harris, off the Trio + 1 album Moanin' The Preacher Sister Sadie Testifyin' (Ralph Moore and Benny Green) I know I have lots more but I'm hoping people will throw out some suggestions I might overlook. So let's talk about gospel-jazz. Dig it? Hate it? Can only stand it in small doses? (Who knows, maybe this compilation will demonstrate that ... but I don't think it will

I think its definitely true that cold air helps Wakefield's knuckler. Plus he's the type of pro that when crunch time comes he's ready to bear down, even though he didn't have a great September. Speaking of New York media, there's actually a nice piece in the New York Times about the chemistry of the team, how there are no cliques and everyone is pulling for everyone else, how Millar and Manny keep everyone loose. Damon had a funny line about the team being a bunch of idiots. He said the only person that doesn't apply to is McCarty, because of his Stanford education, "but that's all he's got going for him." I know the feeling of being cursed, being a Florida State graduate. It seemed like we'd never break through, always come up short in the end, in the most heartbreaking fashion imaginable. But they came through eventually, and I do think this is the year for the Sox as well. Here's the Times' piece: The Red Sox Are Passing Baseball's Chemistry Test By LEE JENKINS BOSTON, Oct. 7 - On the rare occasion that someone in the Boston Red Sox clubhouse is feeling a little quiet and shy, declining to participate in the latest player pile-up or mosh pit or piggyback ride, Manny Ramirez sidles over and pulls up a folding chair. With his crooked smile and broken English, Ramirez brings out his usual icebreaker, a question as preposterous as it is routine: "So, what do you think of my swing today?" For Ramirez, this is sort of like asking about the weather, and for the Red Sox, it constitutes the ultimate hilarity. The words are barely out of Ramirez's mouth and even the most subdued player is back in the circle, giggling for no apparent reason. As Boston aims for a first-round playoff sweep over the Anaheim Angels on Friday at Fenway Park, the Red Sox are positively giddy. Center fielder Johnny Damon is proudly labeling them the Idiots and the Frat Boys, and while those self-deprecating nicknames speak to the team's carefree and party-hearty nature, they don't do justice to the complexity of their clubhouse dynamic. That every member of the club is also a member of the fraternity is less the work of idiots and more the byproduct of some interpersonal genius. The Red Sox are a ragamuffin group composed mostly of self-proclaimed cowboys who sport cutoff tank tops and garish tattoos, either grow their hair down to their shoulders or cut it close to their scalps, and shave their beards in a fashion that could scare children. But in the midst of this biker gang is a handful of the most important players on the team, all Hispanic, all more comfortable speaking Spanish than English. At first glance, the different demographics look like a potentially combustible combination, but somehow the Red Sox have created a delicate chemistry that is the envy of major league clubhouses. Forty-five years after Boston became the last big-league baseball team to integrate its roster, the Red Sox are a portrait of inclusion. In past years, they were like so many other teams, rife with cliques, separated by ethnicity, never bothering to acknowledge the divisions that so obviously existed. At some point, the Red Sox finally realized that part of their problems on the field might have stemmed from some of their issues in the clubhouse. "We definitely faced that once," said David Ortiz, Boston's cleanup hitter. "We called a meeting to talk about it and we really never had any problems again. When we see something wrong now, we'll call a meeting to get it out in the open. Everyone here has the same attitude. All that stuff about differences - we don't play that here." The most apparent clubhouse catalysts are Ortiz and Kevin Millar, whose gregarious personalities shape the team's overall identity. It is not uncommon to see Millar jumping on Ramirez's back, shouting playfully at Pedro Martínez, chasing Orlando Cabrera around the room. There is really no language barrier because so much of the conversation is limited to grunts and guffaws. "We will not allow cliques on this team," Millar said. "Some clubs have black guys over here, whites over there, Latinos over there. I won't allow it. We play together, we shower together, and we eat together. We're a family. There is just no reason to be segregated." Consequence or not, the Boston players picked one another up after they lost Game 7 of the American League Championship Series to the Yankees last year, helped one another persevere through a long stretch of .500 ball this season, and vigorously defended one another in the brawl with the Yankees at Fenway Park in July. Their happy-go-lucky attitude spawned their second-half surge and made them look laid-back heading into the playoffs. Before each of the games in Anaheim, both victories, the Red Sox acted as if they were preparing for a spring training workout, not a postseason pressure cooker. "I really think the biggest thing here is that we all get along so well, no matter what differences we have on the outside," Ramirez said. "Everybody gets along with everybody. No one here eats dinner alone." Ramirez, who used to be considered isolated and aloof, has morphed into the most unlikely team spokesman. Ramirez and Ortiz have become more than the most dangerous hitting duo in the major leagues. They are also close friends who bridge the Spanish-speaking players and the English-speaking ones, creating an environment in which the 25th man on the roster can make fun of Ramirez's hair. During Game 1 of the best-of-five division series against the Angels, Ramirez hit a three-run homer, then fell into an emotional embrace with outfielder Gabe Kapler at home plate, a sight that was not even considered unusual. The Red Sox, who must lead the league in public displays of affection, offer more hugs than a self-help guru. When reliever Mike Myers notched a critical strikeout in Game 2, he quickly found himself in Ortiz's substantial clutches. "I really don't think the importance of our clubhouse should be underestimated," Kapler said. "We have a lot of superstars on this team, and it's important that those guys are selfless and human. Manny makes sure to involve everybody in everybody else's business. Millar will rip anyone in here when they need to be ripped and then give a boost of confidence when they need that. Between those guys, the cliques have come together into one clique." In this most diverse of fraternities, there is no room for introverts, no respect for personal space and no understanding of alone time. The only way to get noticed is with an outlandish display of physical humor. The only way to be heard is to scream like a Little Leaguer. Volume, it seems, is more important here than language. *************************

Yeah, I've been following his column. Hey BfB, we should be watching each other's back here a little better! Lots of Yankee fans round here, with a smattering of guys who'll root for the Sox but aren't the way you and me are. I think we'll be ready to close them out tomorrow. Arroyo's a pretty cool cucumber, and not only are we at home, but we're going in figuring we can score in any inning against any pitcher. So even if Arroyo doesn't pitch as well as Schill or Pedro did, I still expect to get it done tomorrow. So, I've been thinking about the LCS, and here's my take on the rotation: If the Yanks manage to pull their nuts from the fire, and we get it done tomorrow, the rotation should be: Schilling WAKEFIELD Pedro See how that works? Get Wakefield, who the Yanks absolutely hate to see, in there early, especially if he's skipped over in this series. That also has the advantage of A) Keeping Pedro from pitching in front of a crowd chanting "Daddy" B) Give Pedro some extra time so he's just as strong pitching the first game at home. I think its a no brainer, and it starts with Arroyo coming through tomorrow and Francona being smart enough to do the smart thing. On the other hand, if the Twins do win it, then Pedro should go in game 2 again. He doesn't get loose quickly in cold weather, so pitching him in the Dome makes sense to me.

Here in KC there are several excellent steak joints. Ruth's Chris is part of a chain, and a very good one. Very pricey too, as most of these steak places are. There are places I prefer here in KC, though. My feeling is that I can prepare a steak at home on my grill for A LOT LESS $$ that's just about as good (I have a great butcher shop near my house). It's all about the quality of the meat, baby! The real attraction of the fancy places tends to be the good side dishes, IMHO. And yes, it is fun to occasionally drop some $$ and get a first class meal. Another attraction I think for Ruth Chris is the topnotch service. Basically a 1 or even 2 to 1 ratio of wait staff to tables, so the attention level is way up there. And another thing, FFA: Do the steaks come to your table sitting on top of 200 degree plates? Does your steak stay hot through the whole meal?

Tina Brooks' big brother, David "Bubba" Brooks. Emotionally direct, honest playing with tremendous feeling.

Haven't done Mickey D's or Burger King since college; never cared for Wendy's and cannot for the life of me even consider Taco Bell. Like Jim, I do go for the Market Fresh Sammitc at Arby's occasionally. I also think their fries (the curly style) are far and away the best. Boston Market is another semi-regular lunch time stop, though that declined markedly when they dropped ham from the menu. I've tried Quiznos a couple of times, not bad, not great either. I did like that Roast Beef Dip sandwich they're promoting lately.

FYI, hotmail doesn't delete junk mail for a period of time. You're supposed to check your junk mail folder to see if the filter kicked something out it shouldn't have. And if it does, then you can set your options so that stuff from the organissimo domain goes to your in box.

Makes no never mind to me who we face next. It will only be sweeter to celebrate in front of the Empire, as nice as it would be to see the Yanks and their 190 million dollar payroll not get out of the first round. And don't forget, its still Brown and the great Pitcher To Be Named at the Dome, where there is no stronger home field advantage.

Why oh why do the Yankees get freaking gifts everytime they stare defeat in the face? And how in the hell did Grady Little occupy Gardenhire's body last night in the last inning? Who the hell throws a closer out there for a third inning, and has no one warming up until the game is over for all intents and purposes? The guy was on fumes-did you notice how he was huffing and puffing on a cold night? Once he lost the strike zone to Cairo he should have been pulled. Now we get treated to more bullshit about Yankee mystique and A-Rod earning his pinstripes. A-Rod's freaking grandmother could have hit that pitch. It was a freaking BP fastball. On the other hand I have to say I was much happier when I awoke to the late score than when I went to bed at midnight after the Angels got on top. Pedro obviously sucked it up, and if he keeps it up, I don't see anyone beating the Sox. Idle thought: It would be nice if the Twins can win, because Pedro should pitch Game 2 and 7. Both would be in the dome, and its been clear that Pedro loosens up quicker in warmer weather, so avoiding a cold weather start would be nice. Too bad he can only avoid it for so long, though (unless the Dodgers pull their nuts from the fire

Jim R. mentioning the need to revisit music led me to this question: How do you choose what you listen to in an average listening session? Is it purely by mood, or do you try to cut into that backlog? And do you have a system to ensure that new CDs get an adequate listening before they get filed away? Here's my system: New CDs get stacked on the home entertainment center. On the main rig, they get two listenings, though sometimes its more if something really appealed. The stack of CDs that have had their two times then end up in the CD Wallet for the car, where they get their third listening before being filed away. And of course, with the A-to-Z office project, the archives are steadily getting new hearings, too. OK, maybe I'm a bit anal here, and maybe this system has something to do with the size of the backlog. But it works pretty well for me, so long as I keep with the regular listening on the main rig. Then I have a steady supply of music for the car, where I spend less time and it takes longer to get through. But I do get two listenings done and the a third, less attentive listening in the car. How's about you?

Which goes back not only to my point about Leiber starting instead of Pettite, Wells or Clemens, but also the fact that Game 3 and 4 look to be the enigmatic Vasquez and the combustible Brown. And the Yanks will not only need big performances but a solid 6+ innings from each. Otherwise, the weak underbelly of the bullpen comes into view. Honestly, do you want Quantrill to come in to a tough situation in the sixth or seventh inning, the way he's pitched for half a season? They can't ask Flash to pitch two innings a night for the rest of the series.

Obviously Dan still can't read..,. If I don't get it, why is that the last two sentences of your second post effectively restate my points? Not quite, Moose. You called the filming "silly". I said the broadcasting serves as a deterent. The same sting against murderers or rapists doesn't need to do a broadcast. Those people are tougher to find, so the important thing is to get them to come to you. Minor criminals are more likely to see this sort of broadcast or hear about it, and a deterrent effect is more likely to exist.

So the remaining three left as millionaires? Maybe the remaining three were living in the former homes of the accused and got the invite by mistake? Or were their relatives and assumed that the "prize" was transferable? Obviously folks like Moose don't get the point: These were petty criminals who probably assumed the cops had bigger fish to fry. By filming it and broadcasting it, the message is, don't think you can get out of minor fines or other low grade infractions. The cops will still come for ya. The only thing I'd prefer is to use it on those accused of worse crimes. Its been done in the US and it usually works, filming or no filming.

I'll just direct you to what I said earlier: Aren't we basically agreeing here?

Can we talk about the American League now? Harold, normally the Yanks wouldn't worry about dropping the first game, but in the past they've turned to Pettite or Clemens or Wells to get them going, not John Leiber. So, tonite's a must win for the Yanks with a guy who's pitched well down the stretch but has rarely shut people down. Leiber can definitely be hit, its a question of bunching hits together. He's also an excellent pitcher when he's ahead-I think his "get it and pitch it" tempo gets the opposite team swinging for pitches off the plate. So, its critical that Radke shut them down early and keep his team in it until they string some hits together. I heard that talk radio in New York has the Yanks as done if they lose game 1, now we'll see if that's true. But do me a favor, Harold: try to extend them to five games and then lose to Santana, OK? With Santana unable to pitch so many times in the LCS, I likes our chances very much. Which brings us to Anaheim. A must win, IMO, when you've got your ace going in the first road game of a short series. You expect to win with your ace, but you gotta go out and do it, because if you fail you're really behind the 8-ball, particularly with the mysterious Pedro pitching game 2. Now, we can survive even if Pedro brings his B-game, with two at home plus Schilling for game 5. But we need Pedro to show he's still Pedro, and we can wrap this thing up and still have Schilling for 1, 4 and 7 of the LCS.

....of course this year would be three out of four! Only if we both get there, and you can beat what is clearly a superior starting staff. On name recognition alone, the Cards do have a superior lineup. I mean, the Sox only have two MVP candidates, and the Cards have three! But the thing is, superior lineups don't always win. Certainly the Yanks had the superior lineup in last year's World Series. I'm not at all sure that the Cards will get past the Astros even. Not only does superior lineups not guarantee victory, neither does big winning percentages in the regular season. Aside from the Yanks 125 win season, recent history shows that big winners in the regular season come up short in the playoffs.

I say, bravo! It should be done everywhere, everyday.

Pretty bad right now, with the confluence of my birthday last month; my reel-to-reel transfer project, and a couple of trades. I'd say I'm definitely in the 200+ range. Good thing I don't plan to buy anything before Christmas.