Make a list of 10 of anything and people will naturally point out what you left out. Discussing what was left out is half the fun of the list.
Consensus is that Major League was far under ranked, Slapshot should have been included and that Moneyball should have received stronger consideration than it did.
I'm sure there are others i missed.
Saw Project X this weekend. Very funny, lots of gratuitous nudity, party music and uncomfortable moments. Didn't quite live up to the hype, but didn't disappoint either. It is only an hour and a half, so it really moved along quickly. Think it is more a movie to see with the guys than one to see with a wife/girlfriend. I cringed at the thought that my children will watch this film one day (sign of a good movie?)
Previews for The Dark Night Rises and for Sascha Baron Cohen's new movie didn't hurt the experience at all.
Went to Yamaguchi for some sushi afterwards. Yamaguchi is located on Main St in Port Washington. Yamaguchi has the best fish around IMO. They don't offer any funky rolls, don't react to any trends, nor do they worry about competition (3 sushi bars within 150 yds). It is EXACTLY the same as it was 20 years ago, including the waitstaff, sushi chefs and decor. If you are a 'roll' person, this place is not for you. However, if you like great sushi/sashimi and aren't looking to 'dine' or for 'scene', you cannot do better. They are always stocked with many different grades of tuna, only charge $4.50 a piece for fatty tuna ($8 per piece typically in NYC), and the sushi rice is a cut above. If you've never been, I highly recommend trying it. (It is an awful lot like Tomoe Sushi in Manhattan)
Had the pleasure of eating at Peter Lugers in Little Neck last night. (ducking from the insults being thrown at me for not going to Brooklyn)
They are really really good at what they do. No simpler way to put it.
They make a mean Manhattan (with Wild Turkey 101) their wine list is very good and the mark ups are very reasonable.
Tomato and Onion Appetizer (chopped), Strip of Thick Cut Bacon per person, 3 giant cocktail shrimps and a killer bread basket, all doused in their signature sauce is the best way i can think of to start a meal.
Follow that with a beefy, sliced up, delicious Porterhouse (order it rare, it'll keep cooking on the plate), burnt german style potatoes and hands down the best creamed spinach you can find anywhere.
Finish with pecan pie (or cheese cake or strudel or key lime pie) accompanied by the SCHLAG, which is basically the best whipped cream you'll get anywhere and you're in business. An Irish Coffee never hurts , and is another great way to use your leftover schlag.
Lugers is consistently voted the best steakhouse in NY, and i sincerely agree. I don't understand the critcisms it receives and implore any detractors to give it another shot. They serve a hamburger only at lunch time that i consider to be the best i have ever had that is worth a trip on it's own.
Filled out a knee jerk bracket when they announced selections.
Final Four - Kentucky, Syracuse, Missouri and UNC
Kentucky over Syracuse in the final.
Deep runs by FSU, Wichita St, West Virginia
Hope Michigan can win a game or two to cap a great season.
Go Blue!
Monday, March 12, 2012
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Top Ten Sports Movies, Weight Loss Competition, Black Keys, Project X, Recipe
Had a funny convo with a friend the other night about the top ten sports movies of all time. After perusing the list of 40 movies thrown out there, my personal top ten are as follows.
1. The Natural
2. Bill Durham
3. Hoosiers
4. Bad News Bears
5. Rudy
6. Friday Night Lights
7. Rocky
8. Any Given Sunday
9. Eight Men Out
10. Major League
One man's opinion. Curious how he would boil it down.
I skewed towards baseball and comedy.
Just missed: All The Right Moves, North Dallas Forty, White Men Can't Jump, Tin Cup, Raging Bull.
On the evening after Thanksgiving, three friends arrived at my house to begin a weight loss competition in the style of the biggest loser. Pre competition photos were taken and a weigh in occurred.
We knew we were doing this, so to say that gluttony and excess occurred in November would be a true understatement.
Since the weigh in, Subject A gave up wheat completely and has dropped 13% body weight, over 34 lbs. Subject B did weight watchers on line, and began exercising moderately and seems to be losing about a half pound per week. Subject C didn't really change much until a month ago, but did start lifting weights (muscle weights twice as much as fat). Nobody has seen subject C, so it is a mystery as to his results. Subject D limited portion sizes, reduced sugar and alcohol and exercised moderately, to the tune of 20 lbs of loss (10%). Tomorrow is the final weigh in. Biggest winner doesn't pay the tab at Lugers for dinner while the other three treat. If anyone gained weight (subject c?), then they have to pay the entire bill.
The competition factor really helped me succeed in this endeavor. (which was i?)
Have you listened to The Black Keys' new album "El Camino"? Great cover to cover listen. No weak tracks, not monotonous at all, they just seem to be getting better and better. Hopefully i'll stumble into a ticket for one of their MSG shows this week. Artic Monkeys are opening, and they are solid too.
Here is the video for the most recent BK's single http://youtu.be/6yCIDkFI7ew
Seeing the movie Project X tonight with the wifey. Rumor has it that is the funniest movie to come out in years, i have heard "better than superbad" and "funnier than wedding crashers". Am excited. Will report afterwards.
Hope you are having a great weekend. Back to work for me...
1. The Natural
2. Bill Durham
3. Hoosiers
4. Bad News Bears
5. Rudy
6. Friday Night Lights
7. Rocky
8. Any Given Sunday
9. Eight Men Out
10. Major League
One man's opinion. Curious how he would boil it down.
I skewed towards baseball and comedy.
Just missed: All The Right Moves, North Dallas Forty, White Men Can't Jump, Tin Cup, Raging Bull.
On the evening after Thanksgiving, three friends arrived at my house to begin a weight loss competition in the style of the biggest loser. Pre competition photos were taken and a weigh in occurred.
We knew we were doing this, so to say that gluttony and excess occurred in November would be a true understatement.
Since the weigh in, Subject A gave up wheat completely and has dropped 13% body weight, over 34 lbs. Subject B did weight watchers on line, and began exercising moderately and seems to be losing about a half pound per week. Subject C didn't really change much until a month ago, but did start lifting weights (muscle weights twice as much as fat). Nobody has seen subject C, so it is a mystery as to his results. Subject D limited portion sizes, reduced sugar and alcohol and exercised moderately, to the tune of 20 lbs of loss (10%). Tomorrow is the final weigh in. Biggest winner doesn't pay the tab at Lugers for dinner while the other three treat. If anyone gained weight (subject c?), then they have to pay the entire bill.
The competition factor really helped me succeed in this endeavor. (which was i?)
Have you listened to The Black Keys' new album "El Camino"? Great cover to cover listen. No weak tracks, not monotonous at all, they just seem to be getting better and better. Hopefully i'll stumble into a ticket for one of their MSG shows this week. Artic Monkeys are opening, and they are solid too.
Here is the video for the most recent BK's single http://youtu.be/6yCIDkFI7ew
Seeing the movie Project X tonight with the wifey. Rumor has it that is the funniest movie to come out in years, i have heard "better than superbad" and "funnier than wedding crashers". Am excited. Will report afterwards.
Hope you are having a great weekend. Back to work for me...
Monday, March 5, 2012
Mets/Clydes/Restaurants/Food/Wine/FantasyBBall
Wow, it has been eleven months since i blogged. Lots has hapenned since, and lot more to come. The blog is back. Here is what to come...
Mets Preview coming
Fantasy Baseball Preview Coming (post draft and auction recaps)
Clyde Frazier's Wine and Dine opening soon, pics and reviews coming from the inside, including celeb photos and food porn
Basketball City opening in the spring, an insiders point of view coming including before and after pics
Lots of recipes, wine reviews and restaurant tips.
Pics of my delicious kids, random factoids, etc...
Follow this blog if anything i just mentioned interests you.
@toddbirnbaum
Mets Preview coming
Fantasy Baseball Preview Coming (post draft and auction recaps)
Clyde Frazier's Wine and Dine opening soon, pics and reviews coming from the inside, including celeb photos and food porn
Basketball City opening in the spring, an insiders point of view coming including before and after pics
Lots of recipes, wine reviews and restaurant tips.
Pics of my delicious kids, random factoids, etc...
Follow this blog if anything i just mentioned interests you.
@toddbirnbaum
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Cashman, Mets, Duran Duran, Shameless
Brian Cashman speaks out publicly today, calling the Mets handling of Jesus Feliciano "abusive".
I simply ask, "Then why did you sign him?" Talk about a case of buyers remorse. His overuse is reason 1A that the Mets didn't resign him. Reason 1 is obviously money.
Cashman has nerve expressing his displeasure after buying the goods in a public fashion and with such harsh choice of words.
Mets day 2. The sky is not falling. My recent post with their end of year record is not a case of extreme negativity, but really a very hopeful prognosis that we may actually start a rebuild instead of a rework.
Did you like Duran Duran in the 80's? They recently released a new album that has that same sound on a lot of the tracks. It is definetly worth a listen. "All you need is now" is the name.
Did you miss the tv show "Shameless" on Showtime? If you did, get on this show. Great characters, lots of laughs, some gratuitous nudity and good story. They'll start rerunning the episodes soon.
Friday Night Lights soon!
Enjoy the weekend.
I simply ask, "Then why did you sign him?" Talk about a case of buyers remorse. His overuse is reason 1A that the Mets didn't resign him. Reason 1 is obviously money.
Cashman has nerve expressing his displeasure after buying the goods in a public fashion and with such harsh choice of words.
Mets day 2. The sky is not falling. My recent post with their end of year record is not a case of extreme negativity, but really a very hopeful prognosis that we may actually start a rebuild instead of a rework.
Did you like Duran Duran in the 80's? They recently released a new album that has that same sound on a lot of the tracks. It is definetly worth a listen. "All you need is now" is the name.
Did you miss the tv show "Shameless" on Showtime? If you did, get on this show. Great characters, lots of laughs, some gratuitous nudity and good story. They'll start rerunning the episodes soon.
Friday Night Lights soon!
Enjoy the weekend.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Mets 2011 Preview
A season of realistic expectations.
Out: Minaya, Manuel, Ollie, Castillo, Feliciano (Jesus), Gut Feelings as a coaching and scouting style.
In: Alderson, Collins, Capuano, Young, Emaus and lots of other littler but important names
The front office and management overhaul that the Mets exercised this off season will have dramatic effects. This is not a winning team as presently constituted, but it is a organization that is moving in the correct direction on the playing field. I will explain briefly what to expect at each playing position.
C - Josh Thole / Ronny Paulino
Thole is a young catcher entering his second year. Very hard worker, line drive and on base guy. Will be a very average offensive catcher which is just fine. He is earning raves from the pitchers on his work ethic and how he calls a game. Supposedly has worked very hard to become an above average defensive guy and he looks to be on the field five games per week.
Paulino comes to the Mets from the Marlins. He is currently serving a PED suspension that will make him miss the beginning of the season, and will be an adequate backup.
1B - Ike Davis
Davis was a huge bright spot for the Mets in 2010. One of the premier defensive 1B in the game already, and with enough of an emerging bat to get excited about. He will grow into a fixture on the field and in the clubhouse.
2B - Brad Emaus/ Daniel Murphy / (Reese Havens???)
Emaus is currently the front runner for the job, despite reports that Luis Hernandez is favored by Collins. Emaus was claimed via the Rule 5 draft which dictates that he must spend the entire season on the MLB roster or be returned to the Toronto Blue Jays. He is a short and stocky guy with adequate range and a big bat. Lots of comparisons have been made to Dan Uggla, but this is extremely hopeful. 15 homers would be a lot to expect in the cavernous ballpark that is Citifield
Murphy is more of a pinch hitter. His range is limited, his experience is limited, his heart is not. He is a great teammate and ballplayer, just has no natural position, certainly not 2B. Many have said that Davis's range at 1B can make up for lack thereof at 2B, but that is a falsehood. Current management values defense too much to have any liabilities in the field, especially with the makeup of the pitching staff.
Reese Havens played AA last year. He is an athlete with speed and a huge bat. He has been beleaguered by injuries, otherwise, he may already be on the big club. He is the future at the position, if he can remain healthy (had an inch taken off his rib this off season, ouch).
SS - Jose Reyes / Ruben Tejada
Reyes is healthy, looking for a contract and says he will take walks.
New regime values on base percentage as the measuring stick of a lead off hitter, and Reyes does not excel in that category. Reyes is exciting, has speed and power, but he also has relatively little patience and has not learned that a walk and a single have the same result on the game (albeit not on individual achievement)
Reyes can return to all star form, but will most likely be playing for a different ball club come June or July.
Tejada played some 2B and some SS last year. He has been sent to AAA to be the everyday SS, in order to get enough reps to take over for Reyes next year.
3B - David Wright
Wright is the leader of the Mets. Wants to be a lifelong Met, loves the spotlight of NY and has the game and attitude to lead the resurgence of the franchise. Wright rediscovered his power stroke last year (28 homers) and should continue his success. He is extremely streaky and when he is at his best, hits line drives to the opposite field. His slumps are caused by getting pull happy and by getting fooled on outside sliders. The more patient at working counts that he is, the more successful he will be this season.
RF - Carlos Beltran / Willie Harris / Scott Hairston / Lucas Duda
Beltran is our new everyday right fielder. He is the biggest wild card for the team. He is in the final year of a 7 year deal and is playing for his next contract. He is coming off multiple surgeries that will definitely affect his ability to steal bases and play above average defense. He is balky, and has developed a reputation for not playing through pain. If he can play 150 games, he will greatly influence the win total, but i think 80 games is a more appropriate goal.
Willie Harris and Scott Hairston figure to platoon in Beltran's absence. Both players can hit for power and run, but do not project as everyday players because of their inability to hit pitchers from the opposite side. Hairston (.228 vs righties, .278 vs lefties for his career) Harris (.246 vs righties, .202 vs lefties)
Lucas Duda is the wild card. Duda got called up last year and filled in some. He is hitting well this spring, and supposedly is turning on pitches in a way that has caused a huge power increase. He is the potential starting right fielder in 2012. If Beltran goes down with a sustained injury, expect Duda to be the everyday right fielder, as it pays for the organization to see what they have in him.
CF - Angel Pagan
Another bright spot from 2010. Pagan will bat 2nd and will be like having a second lead off hitter. Pagan will hit double digit home runs, steal 40+ bases and play above average defense in CF. If he can keep his average up, he will be a bright spot again for the Mets in full time duty.
LF - Jason Bay
Bay is looking for a bounce back year after a slow start and subsequent year ending concussion. Bay has never had a bad year, and should rebound to hit .280, hit 20 something homers and steal an occasional base. Do not expect his fielding to look graceful, but he will get the job done.
Rotation - Pelfrey, Dickey, Niese, Young, Capuano
Pelfrey took strides towards being a front end guy last year. Taking away a bad month and a half stretch, his numbers would have been remarkable. If he can harness the talent, he could be a perennial 15 game winner. Will he?
Dickey was a journeyman knuckleballer. Turns out, all he had to do was throw harder. A fiery guy, dedicated to learning and improving, he visited with the most famous knuckleballers that would talk to him, including Wilhelm and Niekro. When he finally starting throwing harder and being himself, he found his groove. Knuckleballers are known to find it and lose it and find it and lose it, but i sense that Dickey is different. Look for great home results and for him to struggle a bit on the road.
Niese is another up and down performer. He has the arsenal with a nasty cutter to complement his 93 mph fastball and curve, and he is a competitor. Can he put it all together? Seems to be a running theme on the staff.
Young and Capuano have both won 17 games in a season. Both have great potential and both are coming off major injuries and surgeries. A combined 30 starts between them would be a great result. Look for Dillon Gee to be called up to replace the first that goes down.
Johan Santana is said to be returning before August, but i believe him to be out for the year unless the Mets are in playoff contention. He is under contract for a few more years, and there is no good reason to rush him back with the amount of guaranteed money going to him. I hope i am wrong.
Bulllpen -
Krod pitches the ninth. After missing the end of the season because of a broken finger caused by a fight with his father in law, KROD has a lot to prove on and off the field. He is a great pitcher and a known competitor and is the only member of the pen without questions of ability.
Jason Isringausen and Bobby Parnell will compete for the eigth inning.
Other arms back there are DJ Carrasco, Tim Byrdak, Manny Acosta, Pedro Beato (another rule five guy), Taylor Tankersley, Taylor Bucholtz and Pat Misch (long man).
I believe that relievers can be great or terrible regardless of track record. This group needs to get on a roll and keep it going.
Opening Lineup
1. Reyes 2. Pagan 3. Wright 4. Beltran 5. Bay 6. Davis 7. Emaus 8. Thole 9. Pelfrey
End of Year Lineup
1. Pagan 2. Havens 3. Wright 4. Bay 5. Davis 6. Duda 7. Tejada 8. Thole 9. Pelfrey
Synopsis (70 wins, 92 losses)
This is a transitional year for the Mets. They have gotten Castillo and Perez out, Beltran and Reyes are next. Expect to see a lot of younger players trying out for 2012 by the end of the year. There is enough talent in the organization and money coming off the books to expect vast improvement in the next two years. Hopefully the new leadership and mentality will prove to be a difference maker, as there were no new acquisitions. The projected record is not a result of poor performance only, but also of contracts shed and conservative handling of the staff ace.
Management - Terry Collins is a fiery personality and a guy that stresses fundamentals and smarts. He will squeeze out a few wins on baseball accumen and he will run a meritocracy. The cutting of Perez and Castillo will go a long way towards improved morale. The upper management is very numbers oriented and will stress on base percentage, taking walks, working counts and other 'Moneyball' fundamentals. The earlier this team sees relief pitchers, the happier Sandy Alderson will be.
Out: Minaya, Manuel, Ollie, Castillo, Feliciano (Jesus), Gut Feelings as a coaching and scouting style.
In: Alderson, Collins, Capuano, Young, Emaus and lots of other littler but important names
The front office and management overhaul that the Mets exercised this off season will have dramatic effects. This is not a winning team as presently constituted, but it is a organization that is moving in the correct direction on the playing field. I will explain briefly what to expect at each playing position.
C - Josh Thole / Ronny Paulino
Thole is a young catcher entering his second year. Very hard worker, line drive and on base guy. Will be a very average offensive catcher which is just fine. He is earning raves from the pitchers on his work ethic and how he calls a game. Supposedly has worked very hard to become an above average defensive guy and he looks to be on the field five games per week.
Paulino comes to the Mets from the Marlins. He is currently serving a PED suspension that will make him miss the beginning of the season, and will be an adequate backup.
1B - Ike Davis
Davis was a huge bright spot for the Mets in 2010. One of the premier defensive 1B in the game already, and with enough of an emerging bat to get excited about. He will grow into a fixture on the field and in the clubhouse.
2B - Brad Emaus/ Daniel Murphy / (Reese Havens???)
Emaus is currently the front runner for the job, despite reports that Luis Hernandez is favored by Collins. Emaus was claimed via the Rule 5 draft which dictates that he must spend the entire season on the MLB roster or be returned to the Toronto Blue Jays. He is a short and stocky guy with adequate range and a big bat. Lots of comparisons have been made to Dan Uggla, but this is extremely hopeful. 15 homers would be a lot to expect in the cavernous ballpark that is Citifield
Murphy is more of a pinch hitter. His range is limited, his experience is limited, his heart is not. He is a great teammate and ballplayer, just has no natural position, certainly not 2B. Many have said that Davis's range at 1B can make up for lack thereof at 2B, but that is a falsehood. Current management values defense too much to have any liabilities in the field, especially with the makeup of the pitching staff.
Reese Havens played AA last year. He is an athlete with speed and a huge bat. He has been beleaguered by injuries, otherwise, he may already be on the big club. He is the future at the position, if he can remain healthy (had an inch taken off his rib this off season, ouch).
SS - Jose Reyes / Ruben Tejada
Reyes is healthy, looking for a contract and says he will take walks.
New regime values on base percentage as the measuring stick of a lead off hitter, and Reyes does not excel in that category. Reyes is exciting, has speed and power, but he also has relatively little patience and has not learned that a walk and a single have the same result on the game (albeit not on individual achievement)
Reyes can return to all star form, but will most likely be playing for a different ball club come June or July.
Tejada played some 2B and some SS last year. He has been sent to AAA to be the everyday SS, in order to get enough reps to take over for Reyes next year.
3B - David Wright
Wright is the leader of the Mets. Wants to be a lifelong Met, loves the spotlight of NY and has the game and attitude to lead the resurgence of the franchise. Wright rediscovered his power stroke last year (28 homers) and should continue his success. He is extremely streaky and when he is at his best, hits line drives to the opposite field. His slumps are caused by getting pull happy and by getting fooled on outside sliders. The more patient at working counts that he is, the more successful he will be this season.
RF - Carlos Beltran / Willie Harris / Scott Hairston / Lucas Duda
Beltran is our new everyday right fielder. He is the biggest wild card for the team. He is in the final year of a 7 year deal and is playing for his next contract. He is coming off multiple surgeries that will definitely affect his ability to steal bases and play above average defense. He is balky, and has developed a reputation for not playing through pain. If he can play 150 games, he will greatly influence the win total, but i think 80 games is a more appropriate goal.
Willie Harris and Scott Hairston figure to platoon in Beltran's absence. Both players can hit for power and run, but do not project as everyday players because of their inability to hit pitchers from the opposite side. Hairston (.228 vs righties, .278 vs lefties for his career) Harris (.246 vs righties, .202 vs lefties)
Lucas Duda is the wild card. Duda got called up last year and filled in some. He is hitting well this spring, and supposedly is turning on pitches in a way that has caused a huge power increase. He is the potential starting right fielder in 2012. If Beltran goes down with a sustained injury, expect Duda to be the everyday right fielder, as it pays for the organization to see what they have in him.
CF - Angel Pagan
Another bright spot from 2010. Pagan will bat 2nd and will be like having a second lead off hitter. Pagan will hit double digit home runs, steal 40+ bases and play above average defense in CF. If he can keep his average up, he will be a bright spot again for the Mets in full time duty.
LF - Jason Bay
Bay is looking for a bounce back year after a slow start and subsequent year ending concussion. Bay has never had a bad year, and should rebound to hit .280, hit 20 something homers and steal an occasional base. Do not expect his fielding to look graceful, but he will get the job done.
Rotation - Pelfrey, Dickey, Niese, Young, Capuano
Pelfrey took strides towards being a front end guy last year. Taking away a bad month and a half stretch, his numbers would have been remarkable. If he can harness the talent, he could be a perennial 15 game winner. Will he?
Dickey was a journeyman knuckleballer. Turns out, all he had to do was throw harder. A fiery guy, dedicated to learning and improving, he visited with the most famous knuckleballers that would talk to him, including Wilhelm and Niekro. When he finally starting throwing harder and being himself, he found his groove. Knuckleballers are known to find it and lose it and find it and lose it, but i sense that Dickey is different. Look for great home results and for him to struggle a bit on the road.
Niese is another up and down performer. He has the arsenal with a nasty cutter to complement his 93 mph fastball and curve, and he is a competitor. Can he put it all together? Seems to be a running theme on the staff.
Young and Capuano have both won 17 games in a season. Both have great potential and both are coming off major injuries and surgeries. A combined 30 starts between them would be a great result. Look for Dillon Gee to be called up to replace the first that goes down.
Johan Santana is said to be returning before August, but i believe him to be out for the year unless the Mets are in playoff contention. He is under contract for a few more years, and there is no good reason to rush him back with the amount of guaranteed money going to him. I hope i am wrong.
Bulllpen -
Krod pitches the ninth. After missing the end of the season because of a broken finger caused by a fight with his father in law, KROD has a lot to prove on and off the field. He is a great pitcher and a known competitor and is the only member of the pen without questions of ability.
Jason Isringausen and Bobby Parnell will compete for the eigth inning.
Other arms back there are DJ Carrasco, Tim Byrdak, Manny Acosta, Pedro Beato (another rule five guy), Taylor Tankersley, Taylor Bucholtz and Pat Misch (long man).
I believe that relievers can be great or terrible regardless of track record. This group needs to get on a roll and keep it going.
Opening Lineup
1. Reyes 2. Pagan 3. Wright 4. Beltran 5. Bay 6. Davis 7. Emaus 8. Thole 9. Pelfrey
End of Year Lineup
1. Pagan 2. Havens 3. Wright 4. Bay 5. Davis 6. Duda 7. Tejada 8. Thole 9. Pelfrey
Synopsis (70 wins, 92 losses)
This is a transitional year for the Mets. They have gotten Castillo and Perez out, Beltran and Reyes are next. Expect to see a lot of younger players trying out for 2012 by the end of the year. There is enough talent in the organization and money coming off the books to expect vast improvement in the next two years. Hopefully the new leadership and mentality will prove to be a difference maker, as there were no new acquisitions. The projected record is not a result of poor performance only, but also of contracts shed and conservative handling of the staff ace.
Management - Terry Collins is a fiery personality and a guy that stresses fundamentals and smarts. He will squeeze out a few wins on baseball accumen and he will run a meritocracy. The cutting of Perez and Castillo will go a long way towards improved morale. The upper management is very numbers oriented and will stress on base percentage, taking walks, working counts and other 'Moneyball' fundamentals. The earlier this team sees relief pitchers, the happier Sandy Alderson will be.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
MVP, Gaga, Turkey Day
Congrats to Joey Votto and Josh Hamilton on winning MVP awards this year in MLB.
I find it such an American tale these two.
Hamilton is a former drug addict and alcoholic. Hamilton missed years of his career fighting his demons and almost lost his career. Now he took the Rangers to the World Series for the first time and won his first MVP.
Votto missed time last year battling depression after the death of his father. Apparently he has had bouts with the malady before. At one point they did not know whether he would return to the game.
I find these 'comebacks' to be the new American Dream. America loves a good comeback and these guys both earned their awards, as well as our praise for overcoming personal adversity of this magnitude to succeed in their chosen endeavors.
Do you believe this was, what is Lady Gaga?
I find it such an American tale these two.
Hamilton is a former drug addict and alcoholic. Hamilton missed years of his career fighting his demons and almost lost his career. Now he took the Rangers to the World Series for the first time and won his first MVP.
Votto missed time last year battling depression after the death of his father. Apparently he has had bouts with the malady before. At one point they did not know whether he would return to the game.
I find these 'comebacks' to be the new American Dream. America loves a good comeback and these guys both earned their awards, as well as our praise for overcoming personal adversity of this magnitude to succeed in their chosen endeavors.
Do you believe this was, what is Lady Gaga?
Terrible transformation, eh?
Finally, a Happy Turkey Day to everyone. Travel safely, eat well, unbutton that top button.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
The Blog is Back! Broken Bells, Great Mets Decisions, Anti-Semetic Toy and Restaurant.com revisit
I haven't posted on this in a while. Since my last post
Broken Bells is the band i cannot stop listening to these days. Duet of Brian Burton aka Danger Mouse (Gorillaz, Gnarls Barkley, produced Beck and many others) and James Mercer, the lead vocalist and guitarist for the Shins. BB's music has universal appeal with poppy hooks and lyrics set to music that moves and isn't too artsy/serious for it's own well being (marketability). The track "High Road" is the most commercial, but i'd recommend downloading "October" or "The Mall and Misery" to get a better sense of their style.
Mets hired Sandy Alderson. Cliff notes on him. Marine, Harvard Law grad, pioneer of sabermetrics, architect of the Oakland A's from the Canseco/Mcgwire years. He is a brilliant and tough man and brings instant credibility to the team. The most important aspect to this hiring is that he has the respect of those within the organization. The owners are going to let him run the show and their will be unilateral decision making from his office. He also has three ex GM's working for him, Paul Depodesta, Wayne Krivsky and J.P. Ricciardi. Look for an enormous and immediate improvement in all levels of the entire organization. Nice to know that the team is back on track.
Check out this toy. Is it me or does it look like the "shoot the menorah game" or what? Their has to be some anti-jewish, anti-hannukah undertone in its design, huh?
If you like to eat out and haven't yet checked out restaurant.com do so. You get to buy certificates to use at restaurants at ridiculous prices. Spend $10 and you get a $25 credit. Once you buy one, you get emails offering these certificates discounted up to 80%. Sooo, spend $2 and get $25!!!! Just have a look at the site and see that 1/2 of the restaurants that you eat at ALREADY are on this crazy program. It is nutty.
Look out for more posts, i'll be trying to do this a couple of times a week.
Hope everyone is well out there.
- The Giants won the world series (congrats)
- My son, Myles Bennett Birnbaum, arrived (congrats)
- I've lost 10 lbs.
- I've gained back said 10 lbs.
- The Mets have dismissed their GM, and replaced him with four GM's (will explain)
- It now gets dark at 4:30 in the afternoon
- I have cooked many a good meal (gonna start sharing tips and recipes on this)
- I won a fantasy baseball league and came in second in another
- The republicans have taken back over
- George Bush has become timely and of the moment
- Lots of new and good tv has started
Broken Bells is the band i cannot stop listening to these days. Duet of Brian Burton aka Danger Mouse (Gorillaz, Gnarls Barkley, produced Beck and many others) and James Mercer, the lead vocalist and guitarist for the Shins. BB's music has universal appeal with poppy hooks and lyrics set to music that moves and isn't too artsy/serious for it's own well being (marketability). The track "High Road" is the most commercial, but i'd recommend downloading "October" or "The Mall and Misery" to get a better sense of their style.
Mets hired Sandy Alderson. Cliff notes on him. Marine, Harvard Law grad, pioneer of sabermetrics, architect of the Oakland A's from the Canseco/Mcgwire years. He is a brilliant and tough man and brings instant credibility to the team. The most important aspect to this hiring is that he has the respect of those within the organization. The owners are going to let him run the show and their will be unilateral decision making from his office. He also has three ex GM's working for him, Paul Depodesta, Wayne Krivsky and J.P. Ricciardi. Look for an enormous and immediate improvement in all levels of the entire organization. Nice to know that the team is back on track.
Check out this toy. Is it me or does it look like the "shoot the menorah game" or what? Their has to be some anti-jewish, anti-hannukah undertone in its design, huh?
If you like to eat out and haven't yet checked out restaurant.com do so. You get to buy certificates to use at restaurants at ridiculous prices. Spend $10 and you get a $25 credit. Once you buy one, you get emails offering these certificates discounted up to 80%. Sooo, spend $2 and get $25!!!! Just have a look at the site and see that 1/2 of the restaurants that you eat at ALREADY are on this crazy program. It is nutty.
Look out for more posts, i'll be trying to do this a couple of times a week.
Hope everyone is well out there.
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