Matthew

Interesting article on the 2013 Yankees: As a Yankees’ fan, I realized I might be headed for a frustrating season when I became dismayed at my favorite team’s failures to sign Jeff Keppinger and Nate Schierholtz. That admission is not intended as an insult to Keppinger or Schierholtz; they are both solid players and deserve the millions they earned from the White Sox and Cubs, respectively. But the very possibility that they would have been pegged to start for the Yankees in 2013 is a frightening prospect. Rest of the article

What the heck kind of team is Boston going to have next year? An amazing turnover.

Thanks Allen, I'll definitely have to pick that up.

Thanks for the recs. I was thinking of getting Alan's comp, I've always been impressed with his musical knowledge. I'll probably pick up the JPS Bix & Tram next time I'm at Amoeba's. How about sax players outside of Tram? Anyone that stands out?

One of the areas of music I want to explore for 2013 is jazz from the 1920's, which is an era I've become fascinated with in general -- the fashion, the literature, art, and music, etc. I know nothing outside of the Armstrong / Oliver / Morton cds, and I would like to know which cds I need to get. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated.

Looney Tunes Golden Collection 1-6. Volume 1. Hilarious stuff!

Happy Birthday!!!!

According to Art Pepper in Straight Life, Chet Baker snitched out everyone to avoid going to jail. Not saying that's true, but that's Pepper's story.

The Complete Verve Johnny Hodges Small Group Sessions: 1956-61. By far, my favorite Mosaic

Congratulations

From the Mets to Mariners. It's not going to be a happy season for either "M" team but it's so depressing on this end that the one "big pickup" is a 34 year old outfielder that the Mets didn't want anymore. Ugh. I thought the Kendrys Morales trade for the Mariners was a good one, not earth shaking, but Morales seems to still have gas left in the tank.

Christmas With The Brady Bunch. Okay, I was a fan of the Bunch when they first hit tv, so we have a history.

Yeah, Dan & Blue Train, that's what it is, trying to get low for when the new CBA takes effect, I just couldn't remember the details.

Aren't the Yankees keeping the payroll down this year because if they get under the luxury tax level, they get some kind of huge refund?

Do people really buy supreme gas?

The Andy Griffith Show: The Complete First Season.

I always loved In God We Trust off the Harper Brothers cd Artistry. I was very sad when they stopped recording together, I thought they had a lot of promise.

Best wishes on a full recovery!

L. A. Noir: The Struggle For The Soul Of America's Most Seductive City by John Buntin. Story of Mickey Cohen, who was the king mobster in LA, and William Parker, the famous LA Chief of Police. Very good so far, but the whole "struggle for the soul of LA" is, of course, complete bs, but a writer does need a hook to sell a book. It would be nice if LA was not always examined through the glasses of Raymond Chandler.

Henry Mancini: Merry Mancini Christmas. I really enjoy the "Easy Listening" style of Christmas albums the most, they always sound romantic, and nostalgic, and wintery, and classy.

R. A. Dickey to the Blue Jays -- I guess with no hockey, they have to do something up there, but two-years, 25 million seems a lot for Dickey.

Don't worry, you're covered, I chose Baltimore.

Oh yeah, now the Lakers' salvation is to be found in a 49 year-old point guard. Good times at Showtime! Um...he's 38. The same yapping idiots that wanted Hamilton gone in the first place (i.e. the local sports media) have been going on and on about this powerful Angels lineup that now features Hamilton and Pujols. Seems I recall Pujols had a disastrous year last year, pretty much singlehandedly kept the Angels outta the playoffs, if memory serves. These same chuckleheads claimed that Hamilton will thrive because he's going to be "surrounded by stars." Uh huh. Because that's ALWAYS a good idea. Clearly, brains are not required to work in sports media.... I wish nothing but the best for Hamilton, because he was a HUGE part of the Rangers getting to their first and second World Series, playoff wins, etc etc etc. I realize sports is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately game, but if anyone around here has the gall to boo Hamilton when he returns, then I hope they choke on their Superdog. Not saying I wish he'd re-signed with the Rangers, but he sure as hell deserved a more graceful exit. Furthermore, coming home empty-handed is a helluva lot smarter than blowing money just because the sports hounds say you need to make a big splash at the winter meetings. So many times the "big splash" has come back to bite the Rangers in the ass, a lot more times than I wish to remember! Seriously, the way the Angels are spending money to lose, you'd think Tom Hicks & John Hart had taken over the franchise. I genuinely feel bad for Angels fans. I dunno. It could work yo the Angels' advantage, too. Theoretically, the team has two big bats in the line-up. If both Hamilton and Puljols have great years, the Angels will be a tough out for the always competitive AL West. I just don't think two prima donnas (Pujols & Hamilton) in the same clubhouse has ever worked outside of the Yankees, and I don't think Mike Scioscia is up to the challenge of managing this particular set of players. Scioscia is best when you have a bunch of overachieving players, who fight hard for each win, but when it comes to top-notch talent, he's not so good. I predict he will lose the clubhouse, and will be gone by the All-Star break. The Great Carnac Has Spoken! PS: 39, 49, 79, it doesn't matter, Nash is old and washed up, he'll be terrible with the Lakers! Mark it! Good Heavens, I'm on a roll tonight!

Oh yeah, now the Lakers' salvation is to be found in a 49 year-old point guard. Good times at Showtime!