PHILLYQ

He's back together with Weezie. RIP to a great performer.

If the Mets had an average bullpen, not even a good one, they'd have 6-7 more wins, possibly more.

They've now gone 42 games in a row of scoring at least three runs in each game. They're 28-10 in their last 38 games.

Even bigger idiots are the local sports talk radio clowns...heard a nice bit yesterday about how was it mitigating that Bryant hit his momma with a baseball hat instead of his fist? Then on and on about how if he was really innocent, he'd not need time to get a "statement" together for the press, he'd just step up and say "Didn't do it, I swear!" and htat would settle that. Idiots. And vultures. I don't even like Bryant or the Cowboys. But these guys...between all the ads for divorce lawyers, testosterone supplements, and bankruptcy counselors and this innuendo-driven pseudo-journalisitc drivel, I felt like a Genuine Superior Human Being (not uncommon) and didn't feel the immediate - or even delayed - need to check myself lest I wreck myself (VERY uncommon). Do we really need 24/7 sports talk radio? Especially the bug-eyed overactive thyroid type? And by "we", I mean "me", and the answer is "hell no". I listen to sports talk radio sometimes in the car, like when WBGO plays stuff I've heard a million times and have no desire to hear again and WKCR is playing European classical. It's a nonstop BS fest, armchair psychoanalysis of the worst kind. The incessant drivel during the NBA finals about LBJ was just pathetic, like LBJ was diminished as a human being without a ring, etc. Goodell's not gonna like this, a guy hitting his mom. Mom is 37, Dez Bryant is 23!

I read an estimate that Lin has already made over $100 million for Dolan. When Linsanity hit, MSG network(owned by Dolan) was off Time-Warner's cable offerings due to a dispute over fees paid to MSG. T-W's customers, largely in Manhattan, were quite miffed at not being able to see Linsanity, and the pressure forced T-W's hand and resulted in a major increase in fees paid to MSG.

Hersch didn't seem at all mean, just honest about what he values.

Miles & Kristin Davis Sam & Joan Rivers Big Joe & Kathleen Turner

The contract would put the Knicks into luxury tax hell, so the true cost is much much higher when you consider that. The Knicks seem to be loading up on old players, with Kidd(39 + DUI), Camby(38), and now Thomas(40), with a possibility of adding Grant Hill(39). For one year that might be OK, but year two & three will get ugly. It's interesting that the guys on 5 on 5, poo-poo the salary concerns saying: A. The outside revenue that Lin would generate would pay for the luxury tax. B. The Knicks can trade Lin after the first two years of the contract and escape the tax. Whichever way it goes, I have all the confidence that Dolan will make the worst decision possible.... According to the NY Post, the cap hit would amount to about $38Mil for year three. It's quite possible he could generate enough revenue to offset the luxury tax. A trade maybe, as it would be an expiring contract and those have value to teams looking for cap room. Ball hog extraordinaire.

The contract would put the Knicks into luxury tax hell, so the true cost is much much higher when you consider that. The Knicks seem to be loading up on old players, with Kidd(39 + DUI), Camby(38), and now Thomas(40), with a possibility of adding Grant Hill(39). For one year that might be OK, but year two & three will get ugly.

I agree: Bud Selig is full of shit regarding the W-L in the All-Star Game vs home field advantage in the WS. However, if you are interested in winning baseball games, emotional favorites are not who you go with. Here's the line on Dickey: 1H, 1K, 1.00 WHIP in one inning pitched. Cain's the better pitcher today....and with good reason. LaRussa made the right call, IMHO. They both gave up no runs and had an ERA of 0.00. THIS is the only stat that matters for pitchers. An increased WHIP means nothing at the end of the day if it doesn't translate to an increase in runs scored. Appearance in an All-Star game is supposed to be based on performance during that year, not during one's career. Like it or not, flash in the pan or not, Dickey is having a better year than Cain, period. LaRussa's always been an idiot! If status in an All-Star game WERE based on career stats, Seaver would've started damn near every one during his NL career. Cain also pitched two scoreless innings vs Dickey's one inning. I used the WHIP as a tie-breaker. Dickey is a very good pitcher, no doubt. But I would take any of the four picthers who went to the mound before him in a heartbeat. W-L records and one good year don't tell the whole story, my friend. Proven reliability and longevity, however, do. For the record, I'm not by any means a LaRussa fan. His Cardinals have done plenty of damage to the playoff hopes of my Giants. No love lost here. Cain has still not done it for years and years and years. Read what I said about Seaver! That's not a fair comparison, JetMan. See me in 10-15 years when Cain retires and then you can make that claim. Cain has be in the NL for 8 years and has had three [so far] pretty successful seasons, W-L wise. Dickey, at 38, has had one breakout year. Though I am very happy for the man, Cain was more deserving of the All-Star start, IMHO. Besides, Seaver wasn't available But the decision shouldn't be based on a career, but rather the year. Dickey was the dominant pitcher in the NL this year. Maybe LaRussa was parked at a red light again...

I saw the band that Beck had with Wilkenfeld/Colaiuta/Rebello and they were outstanding. IMHO, everything Beck does is in service to the song, and his style is unique. That said, the SNL performance was just OK. Jagger's lyrics were pedestrian(you need something very witty to make this go over)and Beck did what he could with what he had. Wilkenfeld is a very talented bassist. For another view, check out the Crossroads festival from 2007, it has two tunes with Beck that are fantastic, as well as some incendiary Los Lobos. If that little slice of Beck whets your appetite, get the deluxe version of 'Emotion & Commotion', which has more tunes from the same set.

Cheap shot, Pete. I mean seriously, I don't do this to you, so why is it you feel justified in blindsiding me like that? Personally, a flame like that has no place on this BBS and I believe the Moderators have sated as much. I think an apology is in order here. I really do, Pete On Point: Ultimately, this proves Paterno knew about the 1998 case [which I had already acknowledged], but clearly the "did nothing about it" is the opine of the author. And I quote: "Local prosecutors ultimately decided not to charge Sandusky, and Paterno did nothing." Here is where it all falls apart for me. If the legal authorities decided not to prosecute what else is Paterno supoosed to do? That is not at all suggesting that there may have been further involvement by Paterno in the cover up, but this reporter's statement is not prove, it is his interpretation. Does the Abuse Inquiry state this in its report? Because every article I have read points to Shultz and Curley as the perpetrators and power brokers behind the cover up. So do the realeased e-mails of about a week ago. Personally, I think the press is attempting to back pedal and justify their rush to judgement. If it is proven Paterno was participant in the cover up, I will be the very first to acknowledge that. Until then, I think we can remain gentleman about this and respect differing views without the insults. OK? Start acknowledging, Paterno enabled Sandusky to molest for 14 additional years.

Caught Buddy Guy last night at the World Financial Center Plaza. Opening was John Mayall, who was pretty decent, but he did have a good guitarist. Next up was Quinn Sullivan, a 13 year old guitar prodigy. The kid has clearly studied his Buddy Guy and Clapton stuff, and he was refreshing and earnest the way kids his age can be. He is very fluid and definitely shows a lot of promise for the future. He did tear off a few good solos and sang a tune about meeting Buddy Guy which was very nice. Then Buddy Guy came on. I'd heard that he sometimes isn't into it, and seeing him live is hit or miss, but for a free concert that's a risk worth taking. Well, he was ON FIRE!!! As my friend said, Buddy Guy's not gonna get smoked by a 13 year old, so he entered with guns blazing. BG went into the crowd at one point, wailing away on guitar as he went around the venue. He later invited Quinn Sullivan onstage with him, and they did a few tunes together, with BG even playing some acoustic. There was a very large crowd that thoroughly enjoyed it, as did I. Because the venue is right by the World Trade Center, we had the security guards for the property, who were a bit heavy-handed with the photo taking, etc. We had a lot of NYPD,I even saw the rare sight of Park Police in NYC. With all these cops and nothing to do(older crowd, not rowdy, no Osama Bin Ladens in the audience), they of course wound up standing around gabbing with one another. Tons of cops watching out for...

He says it's a nod to Cain's better career. Also Ruiz will warm up Dickey in the pen so he'll at least see a few butterflies beforehand. Not saying to this defend him, just fleshing out the details. The latter I think is sound enough, as the last time a knuckleballer pitched in the All-Star game it was an adventure. The All-Star game seems to offend more people than it honors. But LaRussa could still start Dickey and give him some good warmup time in the bullpen with Posey before the game. For a sport trying to expand its base, Dickey would be a great story, and then there's the pitching- Dickey has been the best pitcher in the NL so far this year. LaRussa is once again trying to show how smart he is.

They should have gone to NYC, they could have gone over the George Washington Bridge and through the Lincoln Tunnel.

I watched it also, it just looked so improbable and strange. Leadoff double, then HBP, then a walk(Tejada WORKED that walk!!!), then a groundball off the pitcher's leg followed by a bloop that falls in no-man's land! I'm a Yank fan, and it was very entertaining and loads of fun to watch. The comeback highlights a great quality about this year's Mets- they never give up.

Thanks for posting that, Dan, some 'Jackass' kind of stuff in there. The dog with the Roman Candle was hysterical.

In a business full of sharks and con men he was a straight arrow. Much respect and RIP.

It's sad for me as a baseball fan to see what Lincecum is going through, I loved to watch him pitch with that funky delivery(maybe a cause of his problems?) and wicked changeup. Yesterday, another guy who showed great promise, had early success and then faded out retired at 30 years old- Dontrelle Willis.

I think his family is from Jamaica, and he also lived in Flatbush(Brooklyn) for awhile. He played very well when I saw Spectrum Road on 6/29.

If they make you laugh. Agreed on Young Frankenstein. Puttin' on the Ritz is priceless. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZ-aRwEbp5I The Producers. The original, with Zero Mostel- hilarious! Anybody like 'There's Something About Mary'? Grossout comedy at its finest!

Thanks very much everyone :party:

Bertrand, If they play anywhere near where they played last night you're in for a treat. I saw them at B.B. King's in NYC last night and they were on fire from the start. They played just about all of their disc, and everybody was SMOKIN'. Cindy Blackman beat the daylights out of her drumset, which is what this music needs to be what it should be. She drove the band HARD, pushing tempos and pushing the soloists to hit their limits. Vernon Reid played some stellar guitar, and I think sometimes he slips on an 11th finger for solos. Medeski was even doing forearms to the organ(he played only organ and mellotron) and whipped up wicked stuff. Bruce's voice sounded great, and his bass playing was spot on all night. They closed the set with 'Politician' and for their encore they did a trippy, jammy version of 'Sunshine of Your Love' that blew the doors off! Excellent set of music, it left me feeling energetic and positive. ALL HAIL CINDY BLACKMAN!!! I saw Bruce Galanter of Downtown Music Gallery at the gig, and he was diggin' it big time.

Adam Dunn is an all or nothing guy, like Dave Kingman in days of yore. K or homer and very little else.

Thanks so much everyone, and for all the folks that I meant to wish a Happy Birthday on their thread but didn't, a very Happy Birthday!!! :party: