Good morning! I'm going to
keep this short because I'm going to put myself on the injured list.
My back hurts so bad that I can't sit at the computer for very long.
So, I am just going to again post some random thoughts on a number
of topics. Again, we've got baseball, basketball, TV, and more on
Moore! I hope you enjoy it.
But first, I need to
congratulate the Star-Tribune's
Jim
Souhan who was promoted to a columnist position alongside
the likes of Patrick Reusse and Sid Hartman. Souhan
did an excellent job as the paper's Baseball At-Large writer. You
may remember back in April, I was able to hold a
Q&A with Mr. Souhan and he did a very
nice job of answering my questions very well.
If I can answer any questions, or if you would like to further comment on any of this,
please e-mail me.
BASEBALL TOPICS
YANKEES/RED SOX SERIES
-
There will be another Red
Sox-Yankees Game 7! It is pretty good baseball, but I'd love to
hear from you outside the Northeast. Are you watching these
games? Are you into each pitch? Because I have to admit, as good
as it has been, I really am not.
-
Curt Schilling
pulled a Willis Reed moment last night. Like the former
Knicks star forward, Schilling came to play despite a serious
injury. Now, Reed actually didn't play a lot in that particular
game, but Schilling as spectacular last night. Pitching in
basically a boot, Schilling allowed just one run in 7 innings
against the vaunted Yankees lineup. He struck out just four, but
walked none. In the early innings, I thought he was struggling
some with his control, but he worked out of that. Schilling got
some good testimonial in following the game in an interview with
Kenny Albert (who is a really bad interviewer, by the
way... not Craig Sager bad, but still not good!).
Schilling acknowledged that he became a Christian seven years
ago. He said that in Game 1, he went it alone. He said in this
game, it was fully a credit to God.
-
Bronson Arroyo
pitched a controversial 8th inning, allowing just one run. That
was the innings where he got Alex Rodriguez to ground
weakly toward first. Arroyo picked up the ball and went to tag
A-Rod and the ball came loose, actually allowing Derek Jeter
to score from first as the ball went down the right field
line. However, the right call was made. Rodriguez clearly
slapped intentionally, and viciously, at Arroyo's glove arm.
That is totally illegal. However the first base ump was blocked
from the site, so he had to be overruled. The raucous Yankee
Stadium crowd didn't agree, but the right call was made. It was
interesting to me that Jeter had to return all the way to 1B,
and wasn't given second.
-
Keith Foulke
pitched the ninth inning and uncharacteristically walked two
hitters. He fell
behind Tony Clark 2-0, and threw a perfect hitter's fastball
right down the middle. I never understand why hitters take that
pitch. Once they get that call, the pitcher suddenly has his
full repertoire.
-
Mark Bellhorn, who
had been previously struggling in the series, gave the Red Sox a
4-0 lead with a three run homer in the fourth inning.
-
Bernie Williams
knocked his 22nd career post-season home run. That is really
impressive, even if this current Yankees team has played in far
more playoff series (ALDS or even ALCS) than their earlier
versions in the '60s or '20s. But it is still an impressive
number nonetheless.
-
Kevin Brown will
have to earn his big money tomorrow night as he gets the Game 7
call for the Yankees. Terry Francona wouldn't commit, but
did say that it is likely that Derek Lowe will go for the
Red Sox in what will certainly be an intense, exciting game!
CARDINALS/ASTROS SERIES
-
Now this is a good series.
But you wouldn't know it as all anyone wants to talk about is
the Yankees/Red Sox series. It's not right!
-
The Astros made the
decision to stick to their plan of starting Peter Munro
in Game 6 this afternoon. There was some talk about bringing
back Roger Clemens in Game 6 and Roy Oswalt for
Game 7. I really believe that this is the right decision. Some
may think that the Astros are throwing away Game 6 and take
their chances in Game 7. However, with the way that the Astros
are hitting, they probably feel that they can beat anyone, no
matter who is pitching for them. Also, by doing this, they will
have Roger Clemens ready on full rest for Game 7.
Remember the history of pitchers going on short rest. Also
remember that both Clemens and Oswalt pitched short in their
previous outings and, at least Oswalt, was not his dominant
self.
-
You have to be happy for
Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio. They have been
lifetime Astros. They have both taken way too much heat for the
team's previous one-and-down playoff moments. Both have been
great players and it is good to see them having some team
success... Having the likes of Carlos Beltran, Jeff
Kent and MVP-Candidate (most years) Lance Berkman,
really helps too though.
-
And don't count the
Cardinals out. If they get any pitching and can hold the Astros
down, their offense is incredible and can win a slug fest too.
WOLVES
THOUGHTS
Wolves 92, Pacers 93
-
I don't even know why I
put the score there because we all know, it just doesn't matter.
It's really only about getting players in game shape and getting
them ready for the regular season.
-
Kevin Garnett
scored 16 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and dished out 4 assists
with a couple of blocks. Sam Cassell was back in the
lineup and scored 16 points and had 5 assists. Fred Hoiberg
scored 20 points with five rebounds and five assists. He was
7-11 from the field, including 4-6 from behind the 3-point line.
-
You have to start being a
little worried about Troy Hudson. He still isn't playing
and isn't expected to play until the regular season. He's just
now starting full workouts with the team. That just seems like a
really long rehab session for an injured ankle! Latrell
Sprewell, Ervin Johnson and Anthony Carter
also did not play.
-
Eddie Griffin
played 21 minutes and had 7 points and 6 rebounds. John
Thomas played 15 minutes and had 5 points and 7 rebounds.
Rick Rickert did not play.
-
Stephen Jackson led
the Pacers with 29 points.
MOORE
THOUGHTS
Just a couple of other quick
thoughts:
Regarding my Fahrenheit 9/11
and my next day apology, I again got a lot of e-mails, this time in
support of my stance on Michael Moore. Some just said that I
needed to take a stand if it's what I believe in. Others simply
said, "Hey, it's your blog. You can write your opinions and people
can either like them or not." But in general, I got a lot of support
in my thinking on Michael Moore and his movie Fahrenheit
9/11. Some people sent me other websites and links that I would like
to pass on to you regarding this topic.
Moore Watch
- watching Michael Moore's every move. This site seems to
have a daily thought on Mr. Moore, questioning all of his work,
specifically Fahrenheit 9/11, as is done in
this entry.
where we see numerous examples of Moore taking quotes or information
out of context to make his point, including a "straight-out
lie" using footage of Minnesota Congressman Mark Kennedy.
Recently, there was
an
e-mail from a reader similar to some that I have received,
but I just love the response to it.
MichaelMooreHatesAmerica.com
- A Documentary That
Tells the Truth About a Great Nation
- Michael Wilson made a documentary countering many of Michael
Moore's claim. The movie is just recently out in limited release.
Excellent website with lots of links.
Michael Moore's own website
- The site provides response to questions as well as a listing of
the stops he will be speaking at in this week.
Little Green
Footballs -
Another blog that discusses politics and parties and lots more.
TV THOUGHTS
Just a couple of quick thoughts on a few TV shows and some issues in
them:
AD
NAUSEUM - It came
out yesterday that Lowe's and Tyson have decided not to continue to
buy advertising for the ABC hit
Desperate Housewives
(Official
ABC site) because of the message that is being sent by the
show. I have to admit that I have not yet viewed this show, although
I think I will have to start, so I can't judge it at all. However,
you have to assume that a company that would purchase such ads would
at least see some kind of promotional video, or even the show's
pilot. If that is the case, these companies knew what they were
getting into. They knew the type of show it was. I mean, look at the
title of the show, it's pretty clear that it isn't a family program.
So, I question the timing of their announcements to no longer buy
ads. Now that the show is a Top 5 show each week, and people from
all types of groups are talking about it, it is perfect timing for
them to pull away. Also, ABC executives have doubled the cost of
each commercial for the coming weeks. Lowe's and Tyson can claim
that it is about moral fibers and the like, but if that was really
the case, they wouldn't have bought ads in the first place.
Continuing to have purchased ads would have cost them a lot of
money. Pulling out now and putting themselves in the news with this
story is probably better marketing and advertising for their
companies anyway. So, it's not about morality, it's about getting
their company's names out there, and saving a lot of money!
THURSDAY AT 7 - I
never really understand some decisions that network executives make.
I mean, I always go back to Fox. Four years ago, they had a Sunday
night hit with
Jessica Alba's
Dark Angel. It had a core following and good ratings. Fox
decided to move it to Friday night, which is just not fair to any
show. It is the sign that a show is about done!
Boston Public
was a great show that I loved. It was on Monday nights for a few
years and got solid, but unspectacular ratings. They moved it to
Friday night at the beginning of last season, and it didn't even
last the full season before being cancelled.
Eliza Dushku's
show, Tru Calling,
was given the time slot of 7:00 (central) on Thursday nights a year
ago. How was that show supposed to make it when it was going against
the final season of
Friends and
Survivor?
It couldn't.
Why do I bring all of this up?
Fox's big new show last year was
The OC. I actually really
enjoyed the show. It had a good time slot and very strong ratings.
So, what does Fox decide to do with it this year? They moved it to
Thursday night at 7:00 (after the World Series is complete). It will
now go against
Joey (NBC Joey site)
and Survivor.
I understand that Thursday night is the big night for advertising,
but much of that money will be going to NBC or CBS.
My main problem? I've only got
two VCRs, so I guess I'll have to watch one of the shows and tape
the other two and watch them later!! Ah, dilemmas!
REALITY TV - I am
really doing a poor job of keeping up with TV in general this year,
but particularly with the reality television genre. Over the summer,
I didn't keep up with
Big Brother
or The
Amazing Race, two shows that I love. I haven't even watched
The
Bachelor this season!
Last night on NBC, they
premiered their new reality show,
The Biggest Loser.
I know it is a fairly controversial show because of its subject
matter. It puts a dozen overweight individuals into embarrassing
situations. They were weighted and measured before starting. They
were split into two teams and each team was given a trainer. Jillian
is pure evil. Bob is a nice, motivational, morale guy. Each week,
the people were weighed again and the team that loses the least
weight has to vote someone off. The only part of the show that I
could question is the elimination process. There could be a better
way of doing that. But I guess I don't feel bad at all for the
individuals. They signed consent forms. They knew what they're
getting into. So, don't feel bad for them! I think this will be an
entertaining show that I hope to continue watching.
But the reality show that I am
most looking forward to will be on Fox in a few weeks. Remember the
show My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance? It was my favorite reality
show ever! Just hilarious. Fox is now coming out with
My Big Fat Obnoxious Boss
where they will have some conceited big wigs all go through a number
of tasks all for a big paying job. They are made to look little and
dumb and that's what makes for great TV! I know I will be watching
it!!
BILL
MAHER - I was
watching his most recent episode late last night. He kind of touched
on this topic, a topic I have been asking myself for awhile now.
What will happen to shows like Bill Maher's if John Kerry
were to win the election? I mean, would he bash every single
decision he makes in the White House the way he does the Bush
Administration? What will he talk about? Also, to anyone else that
saw it, why is Alannis Morissette on there talking about how
"we," the United States feel about, or should feel about, certain
topics. She's not even from this country.
Do you have any thoughts on TV
at this point? Are my thoughts off base at all? Are there any new
shows that you think I should be watching?
Send me an e-mail.
And that is it for today! Have
yourself a wonderful second half of the week! If you have any questions,
comments or ideas for future topics, please
e-mail me.
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