Well, Roy Halladay is still pitching for the Toronto Blue Jays but there were some deals made today.
While the Jays didn't deal Halladay they did trade third baseman Scott Rolen to the Cincinnati Reds for third baseman Edwin Encarnacion, pitcher Josh Roenicke and minor league pitcher Zach Stewart. I've mixed feelings about this deal. The Jays traded one injury prone third baseman for another injury prone third baseman. Granted, Encarnacion is eight years younger than Rolen but he's also hitting more than .100 points below Rolen.
The saving grace of this deal is Roenicke who struck out 14 batters in 13 and one thirds innings pitched with the Reds this season. Roenicke could be the Jays future closer. As for Stewart, he pitched very well in Triple A with Louisville. He needs to work on his control but I wouldn't be surprised if the Jays give him a long look in September. I think Toronto comes out ahead in this deal.
The Boston Red Sox were busy as well making two trades. After acquiring Adam LaRoche from the Pittsburgh Pirates last week today they traded him to the Atlanta Braves for first baseman Casey Kotchman. The Bosox also acquired catcher-first baseman Victor Martinez in exchange for pitcher Justin Masterson and two minor league pitchers (Nick Hagadone and Bryan Price.)
LaRoche returns to the Braves where he played from 2004 through 2006. Kotchman returns to the AL after being traded a year ago from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in exchange for Mark Teixeira. Kotchman doesn't have as much power as LaRoche but is a better defensive first baseman. On the other hand, Kotchman won't play everyday. Kevin Youkilis will still play a lot at first as will Victor Martinez.
The presence of Martinez will largely affect Sox team captain Jason Varitek. Look for Martinez to assume the lion's share of catching duties. Will he develop the same rapport with the pitchers as Varitek? It's doubtful but that is a wisdom that Varitek can impart to Martinez. Most importantly he is a much bigger threat at the plate than Varitek and will help the likes of Jason Bay, Kevin Youkilis and, of course, Big Papi.
It will be interesting to see what the Indians do with Masterson. I assume he'll become Kerry Wood's set up man but I wouldn't be surprised if he takes Wood's job before the end of the season. Then again Masterson might be a candidate for the starting rotation.
Several interesting trades made by AL Central clubs. The Detroit Tigers acquired lefty pitcher Jarrod Washburn from the Seattle Mariners for pitchers Luke French and Mauricio Robles. In light of Seattle acquiring Jack Wilson and Ian Snell from the Pirates I thought the M's might hang onto Washburn. After struggling in his first three seasons in Seattle, Washburn has been respectable in 2009 and just respectable enough to fill out a starting rotation with Justin Verlander, Edwin Jackson and 20-year-old Rick Porcello.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Twins obtained the well-traveled shorstop Orlando Cabrera from the Oakland Athletics. Given the big error made by Brendan Harris in extra innings against the Angels tonight, Cabrera cannot arrive soon enough. The Twins need veteran leadership in the pennant run and if they make it into the post-season and Cabrera can provide it.
However, I do not get Chicago White Sox GM Kenny Williams giving four pitchers to the San Diego Padres for Jake Peavy. At present, Peavy is rehabing from an ankle injury. Cy Young winner or not, Peavy might not be the same pitcher he was in 2007.
I saw Clayton Richard pitch for Chicago on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball last weekend and defeated the Detroit Tigers in convincing fashion. It was the only game the Chisox won against Detroit last weekend. Not only do I think the Chisox will rue giving up Richard but the same can be said of the three minor league pitchers surrendered in this deal - Aaron Poreda, Adam Russell and Dexter Carter. Williams gave up the store for a guy who might not be healthy enough to pitch.
The Washington Nationals meanwhile traded the injury prone Nick Johnson to the Florida Marlins as well as dealing left-handed reliever Joe Beimel to the Colorado Rockies.
'
Friday, July 31, 2009
Perhaps Ahmadinejad Should Hire Pat Buchanan as a Presidential Advisor
I have read Pat Buchanan's latest column and had to do everything in my power to keep from bursting out with laughter.
In the article, Buchanan praises the Obama Administration's policy in Iran and argues that an Israeli strike in Iran would "destroy a policy that is visibly succeeding."
And what policy is that you might ask?
Buchanan replies, "America's policy of patience is working."
More like sitting on its hands. The Obama Administration seeks engagement with Iran not patience. Indeed, it was President Obama who said we must not "meddle" in Iran's affairs. But with Iran crumbling at the seams it would be foolish for the Obama Administration to pursue engagement at this time. Yet it doesn't want to take a harder line either. So they are staying quiet for now.
There are a lot of factors that have led to Iran's current state of affairs but the Obama Administration's policy towards it isn't one of them.
Now, this doesn't preclude a debate on whether Israel should strike Iran. There are legitimate arguments to be made against Israel carrying out such a strike. But we should not pretend that Iran's regime, however unstable, doesn't have bad intentions towards Israel. However, Buchanan seems to think otherwise:
There is no evidence Iran has built the cascade to raise LEU (low enriched uranium) to highly enriched weapons-grade uranium, or that the facilities even exist to do this. The Iranian regime has declared it has no intention of building nuclear weapons, indeed, that their possession would be a violation of Koranic law.
So Buchanan declares there's no Iranian nuclear weapons program because the mullahs say so. It is astonishing, yet not altogether surprising, that Buchanan would accept the word of Iran's leaders who declared Ahmadinejad the winner in last month's "election" at face value. If building a nuclear weapons program is against Koranic law then surely arresting protesters and beating them to death is also against Koranic law. But such an argument would never have occurred to Buchanan.
In arguing against an Israeli strike on Iran, Buchanan writes, "Iran is even more pleased with the Shia regime we brought to power in Baghdad than we are."
Um, this is the same Pat Buchanan would six years ago argued the War in Iraq was Israel's war.
So is Buchanan now saying the War in Iraq is Iran's war? If so then he cannot have it both ways.
Finally, here's what he writes about Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad:
Ahmadinejad is not so tough a customer as Stalin, Khrushchev or Mao, who talked of accepting 300 million dead in a nuclear exchange. Moreover, Ahmadinejad has no nukes, no authority to take Iran to war, and is looking like a very lame duck before his second term has begun.
Perhaps Ahmadinejad should hire Pat Buchanan as a presidential advisor.
In the article, Buchanan praises the Obama Administration's policy in Iran and argues that an Israeli strike in Iran would "destroy a policy that is visibly succeeding."
And what policy is that you might ask?
Buchanan replies, "America's policy of patience is working."
More like sitting on its hands. The Obama Administration seeks engagement with Iran not patience. Indeed, it was President Obama who said we must not "meddle" in Iran's affairs. But with Iran crumbling at the seams it would be foolish for the Obama Administration to pursue engagement at this time. Yet it doesn't want to take a harder line either. So they are staying quiet for now.
There are a lot of factors that have led to Iran's current state of affairs but the Obama Administration's policy towards it isn't one of them.
Now, this doesn't preclude a debate on whether Israel should strike Iran. There are legitimate arguments to be made against Israel carrying out such a strike. But we should not pretend that Iran's regime, however unstable, doesn't have bad intentions towards Israel. However, Buchanan seems to think otherwise:
There is no evidence Iran has built the cascade to raise LEU (low enriched uranium) to highly enriched weapons-grade uranium, or that the facilities even exist to do this. The Iranian regime has declared it has no intention of building nuclear weapons, indeed, that their possession would be a violation of Koranic law.
So Buchanan declares there's no Iranian nuclear weapons program because the mullahs say so. It is astonishing, yet not altogether surprising, that Buchanan would accept the word of Iran's leaders who declared Ahmadinejad the winner in last month's "election" at face value. If building a nuclear weapons program is against Koranic law then surely arresting protesters and beating them to death is also against Koranic law. But such an argument would never have occurred to Buchanan.
In arguing against an Israeli strike on Iran, Buchanan writes, "Iran is even more pleased with the Shia regime we brought to power in Baghdad than we are."
Um, this is the same Pat Buchanan would six years ago argued the War in Iraq was Israel's war.
So is Buchanan now saying the War in Iraq is Iran's war? If so then he cannot have it both ways.
Finally, here's what he writes about Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad:
Ahmadinejad is not so tough a customer as Stalin, Khrushchev or Mao, who talked of accepting 300 million dead in a nuclear exchange. Moreover, Ahmadinejad has no nukes, no authority to take Iran to war, and is looking like a very lame duck before his second term has begun.
Perhaps Ahmadinejad should hire Pat Buchanan as a presidential advisor.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Sgt. Crowley Has A Drink With The President, Vice-President & A Harvard Professor
So some beer was consumed on the White House grounds and Vice-President Biden even joined in the reverie.
I noticed Sgt. Crowley and Professor Gates kept a healthy distance from each other with Biden sitting next to Gates while President Obama sat beside Crowley.
O.K., so President Obama got his photo-op.
But look at it this way. This would never have come to pass had a) President Obama not interjected himself so imprudently into a routine 911 call and b) Sgt. Crowley not stood his ground and said Obama's comments were way off base.
How often does a police sergeant get invited to sit at the same table with the President of the United States, the Vice-President of the United States and a prominent academic from Harvard University as an equal? It's a moment few of us will ever experience and I'm sure this isn't lost on Crowley.
Sgt. Crowley stood tall with his dignity intact. He later told the press that he and Professor Gates agree to disagree. Thus he comes out as the big winner in this whole row.
If there is a "teachable moment" for President Obama perhaps he has learned not to sully the men and women who risk their lives every hour of every day to ensure our well being. Should a similar circumstance arise in the future perhaps he will refrain from passing judgment until he has all the facts before him. People didn't elect him so he could malign local police officers who are just doing their job.
Now unless Gates decides to sue or make his documentary on racial profiling perhaps this tale has now run its course and will recede into the recesses of the past. If so then I'll drink to that.
I noticed Sgt. Crowley and Professor Gates kept a healthy distance from each other with Biden sitting next to Gates while President Obama sat beside Crowley.
O.K., so President Obama got his photo-op.
But look at it this way. This would never have come to pass had a) President Obama not interjected himself so imprudently into a routine 911 call and b) Sgt. Crowley not stood his ground and said Obama's comments were way off base.
How often does a police sergeant get invited to sit at the same table with the President of the United States, the Vice-President of the United States and a prominent academic from Harvard University as an equal? It's a moment few of us will ever experience and I'm sure this isn't lost on Crowley.
Sgt. Crowley stood tall with his dignity intact. He later told the press that he and Professor Gates agree to disagree. Thus he comes out as the big winner in this whole row.
If there is a "teachable moment" for President Obama perhaps he has learned not to sully the men and women who risk their lives every hour of every day to ensure our well being. Should a similar circumstance arise in the future perhaps he will refrain from passing judgment until he has all the facts before him. People didn't elect him so he could malign local police officers who are just doing their job.
Now unless Gates decides to sue or make his documentary on racial profiling perhaps this tale has now run its course and will recede into the recesses of the past. If so then I'll drink to that.
Orioles Trade Sherrill to Dodgers
The Baltimore Orioles have traded pitcher George Sherrill to the Los Angeles Dodgers for two minor leaguers (third baseman Josh Bell and pitcher Steve Johnson.)
Sherrill was the Orioles closer and recorded 20 saves for them this season. However, don't expect Sherrill to be used as a closer in L.A. The Dodgers have Jonathan Broxton who has 23 saves in 2009. Sherrill will most likely be Broxton's set up man. It is a role Sherrill had when he pitched with the Seattle Mariners from 2004 through 2007. After the Mariners dealt Sherrill to Baltimore in the Erik Bedard deal, Sherrill had the opportunity to close. In 2008, Sherrill saved 31 games and was named to AL All-Star Team and pitched two and one thirds scoreless innings.
After getting off to a slow start in 2009, he quickly regained his form. The 32-year-old southpaw is affectionately known as The Brim Reaper because the bill of his cap is flat.
Sherrill was the Orioles closer and recorded 20 saves for them this season. However, don't expect Sherrill to be used as a closer in L.A. The Dodgers have Jonathan Broxton who has 23 saves in 2009. Sherrill will most likely be Broxton's set up man. It is a role Sherrill had when he pitched with the Seattle Mariners from 2004 through 2007. After the Mariners dealt Sherrill to Baltimore in the Erik Bedard deal, Sherrill had the opportunity to close. In 2008, Sherrill saved 31 games and was named to AL All-Star Team and pitched two and one thirds scoreless innings.
After getting off to a slow start in 2009, he quickly regained his form. The 32-year-old southpaw is affectionately known as The Brim Reaper because the bill of his cap is flat.
NY Times Reports Manny & Big Papi Tested Positive For Steroids in '03
According to The New York Times, both Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz tested positive for steroids in 2003 when Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association engaged in anonymous drug testing.
They are allegedly on the same list of 104 players that also included Alex Rodriguez and Sammy Sosa.
The presence of Manny on the list is not a bombshell given that he tested positive for HGH earlier this season was suspended for 50 games. But this is the first time David Ortiz has been linked to steroids. It is worth noting that Ortiz's career took off during the 2003 season.
So needless to say Yankees fans will chant "Steroids!!! Steroids!!!" the next time Big Papi bats at Yankee Stadium in the same way Red Sox fans chanted "Steroids!!! Steroids!!!" at A-Rod during the Yankees last visit to Fenway Park.
Speaking of Fenway, one wonders what the reaction Ortiz will receive when he steps up to the plate during this afternoon's game against the Oakland Athletics. For his part Ortiz has said, "I'm not talking about that anymore. I have no comment."
I think all of this is very unfair to Ortiz. Of course, Yankees fans are chiming in, "Yeah, you're a Red Sox fan." Well, I thought this was unfair to A-Rod as well and said so when the story broke last February.
MLB and the MLBPA did this testing which was to be kept anonymous. This list was supposed be destroyed but was seized by the federal government. The MLBPA has taken the feds to court over this matter. Little by little the names of players are being released. It violates both the letter and spirit of the agreement under which the testing was done. Either keep it confidential or make it public. Right now we have a situation where it is OK to violate the privacy of some elite players but are prepared to respect the privacy of others until they want to grab some more headlines. Privacy belongs to all of us and this is something about which Red Sox and Yankees fans ought to agree.
They are allegedly on the same list of 104 players that also included Alex Rodriguez and Sammy Sosa.
The presence of Manny on the list is not a bombshell given that he tested positive for HGH earlier this season was suspended for 50 games. But this is the first time David Ortiz has been linked to steroids. It is worth noting that Ortiz's career took off during the 2003 season.
So needless to say Yankees fans will chant "Steroids!!! Steroids!!!" the next time Big Papi bats at Yankee Stadium in the same way Red Sox fans chanted "Steroids!!! Steroids!!!" at A-Rod during the Yankees last visit to Fenway Park.
Speaking of Fenway, one wonders what the reaction Ortiz will receive when he steps up to the plate during this afternoon's game against the Oakland Athletics. For his part Ortiz has said, "I'm not talking about that anymore. I have no comment."
I think all of this is very unfair to Ortiz. Of course, Yankees fans are chiming in, "Yeah, you're a Red Sox fan." Well, I thought this was unfair to A-Rod as well and said so when the story broke last February.
MLB and the MLBPA did this testing which was to be kept anonymous. This list was supposed be destroyed but was seized by the federal government. The MLBPA has taken the feds to court over this matter. Little by little the names of players are being released. It violates both the letter and spirit of the agreement under which the testing was done. Either keep it confidential or make it public. Right now we have a situation where it is OK to violate the privacy of some elite players but are prepared to respect the privacy of others until they want to grab some more headlines. Privacy belongs to all of us and this is something about which Red Sox and Yankees fans ought to agree.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Giants Acquire Sanchez From Pirates
No sooner than the Pittsburgh Pirates had dealt longtime shortstop Jack Wilson to the Seattle Mariners they turned around and traded second baseman Freddy Sanchez to the San Francisco Giants for minor league pitcher Tim Alderson.
Conveniently, the Pirates happened to be playing in San Francisco where they finished a three game series this afternoon en route to being swept. Sanchez joins a team that has a ½ game lead in the NL Wild Card standings over the Colorado Rockies.
Sanchez began his big league career with the Boston Red Sox in 2002 but would be dealt to the Pirates in mid-season of 2003. He became an everyday player for the Bucs in 2005. His best season with the Pirates was in 2006 when he won the NL batting title with a .344 average. He has been named to the NL All-Star Team three of the past four seasons.
In the past 24 hours, the Giants have significantly improved the right side of their infield. Yesterday, the Giants acquired first baseman Ryan Garko from the Cleveland Indians. The Giants have great pitching but weak offense and the presence of Garko and Sanchez should improve it.
As for the Pirates, they have now traded five players who were in their starting lineup on Opening Day. Catcher Ryan Doumit, third baseman Andy LaRoche and right fielder Brandon Moss are the only position players in the lineup still wearing a Bucs uniform. Or will they too walk the plank?
Conveniently, the Pirates happened to be playing in San Francisco where they finished a three game series this afternoon en route to being swept. Sanchez joins a team that has a ½ game lead in the NL Wild Card standings over the Colorado Rockies.
Sanchez began his big league career with the Boston Red Sox in 2002 but would be dealt to the Pirates in mid-season of 2003. He became an everyday player for the Bucs in 2005. His best season with the Pirates was in 2006 when he won the NL batting title with a .344 average. He has been named to the NL All-Star Team three of the past four seasons.
In the past 24 hours, the Giants have significantly improved the right side of their infield. Yesterday, the Giants acquired first baseman Ryan Garko from the Cleveland Indians. The Giants have great pitching but weak offense and the presence of Garko and Sanchez should improve it.
As for the Pirates, they have now traded five players who were in their starting lineup on Opening Day. Catcher Ryan Doumit, third baseman Andy LaRoche and right fielder Brandon Moss are the only position players in the lineup still wearing a Bucs uniform. Or will they too walk the plank?
Phillies Acquire Cy Young Winner Cliff Lee
So I guess the Philadelphia Phillies are out of the Roy Halladay sweepstakes.
This is because the pitching starved Phillies have acquired 2008 AL Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee as well as outfielder Ben Francisco from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for minor league pitchers Carlos Carrasco and Jason Knapp, shortstop Jason Donald and catcher Lou Marson.
Last year, Lee went 22-3 with a 2.54 ERA to win the AL Cy Young for the Tribe. Lee got off to a slow start in 2009. He went 7-9 with the Indians in '09 but had a very respectable ERA of 3.14.
The highlight of Lee's season occurred last month when he took a no-hitter into the 8th inning against the St. Louis Cardinals (a game I saw on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball). Lee pitched a complete game three hit shutout.
Lee's presence in the starting rotation will be a welcome addition when you consider that the starter with the lowest ERA on the Phillies staff is Joe Blanton at 4.11. It is really amazing the Phillies are leading the NL East by seven games over the Florida Marlins. But they will need quality starting pitching down the stretch and Lee can fill that bill quite nicely.
I also like the addition of Francisco. He should compliment the great outfield of Raul Ibanez, Shane Victorino and Jayson Werth. He'll be valuable down the stretch off the bench as a fourth outfielder.
As for the Tribe, the only player with any big league experience amongst them is Marson. He'll see some playing time especially if the Indians should trade Victor Martinez. The Indians are looking to 2010 and beyond. The key player for the Tribe is Carrasco. He has struggled with the Lehigh Valley Ironpigs (I kid you not) in 2009 with a 6-9 record and a 5.18 ERA. But he has struck out 112 batters in 114 and two thirds innings pitched. That's basically a strikeout an inning. Although Carrasco is presently a starter I wouldn't be surprised if he is converted into a reliever. I don't think Kerry Wood is viable as the Indians closer in the long term.
So where does that leave Roy Halladay? In Toronto? If the Red Sox are interested in him the Yankees will be interested as well. But don't count out the Angels and Rangers either. The trade deadline is 4 p.m. on Friday.
This is because the pitching starved Phillies have acquired 2008 AL Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee as well as outfielder Ben Francisco from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for minor league pitchers Carlos Carrasco and Jason Knapp, shortstop Jason Donald and catcher Lou Marson.
Last year, Lee went 22-3 with a 2.54 ERA to win the AL Cy Young for the Tribe. Lee got off to a slow start in 2009. He went 7-9 with the Indians in '09 but had a very respectable ERA of 3.14.
The highlight of Lee's season occurred last month when he took a no-hitter into the 8th inning against the St. Louis Cardinals (a game I saw on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball). Lee pitched a complete game three hit shutout.
Lee's presence in the starting rotation will be a welcome addition when you consider that the starter with the lowest ERA on the Phillies staff is Joe Blanton at 4.11. It is really amazing the Phillies are leading the NL East by seven games over the Florida Marlins. But they will need quality starting pitching down the stretch and Lee can fill that bill quite nicely.
I also like the addition of Francisco. He should compliment the great outfield of Raul Ibanez, Shane Victorino and Jayson Werth. He'll be valuable down the stretch off the bench as a fourth outfielder.
As for the Tribe, the only player with any big league experience amongst them is Marson. He'll see some playing time especially if the Indians should trade Victor Martinez. The Indians are looking to 2010 and beyond. The key player for the Tribe is Carrasco. He has struggled with the Lehigh Valley Ironpigs (I kid you not) in 2009 with a 6-9 record and a 5.18 ERA. But he has struck out 112 batters in 114 and two thirds innings pitched. That's basically a strikeout an inning. Although Carrasco is presently a starter I wouldn't be surprised if he is converted into a reliever. I don't think Kerry Wood is viable as the Indians closer in the long term.
So where does that leave Roy Halladay? In Toronto? If the Red Sox are interested in him the Yankees will be interested as well. But don't count out the Angels and Rangers either. The trade deadline is 4 p.m. on Friday.
Pirates Send Wilson & Snell to Seattle
Here is what the opening day lineup for the 2009 Pittsburgh Pirates looked like when they faced the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on April 6th:
LF Nyjer Morgan
2B Freddy Sanchez
CF Nate McLouth
C Ryan Doumit
1B Adam LaRoche
3B Andy LaRoche
RF Brandon Moss
SS Jack Wilson
P Paul Maholm
Less than four months later, four of those nine players listed are no longer members of the Pirates. McLouth was sent packing to the Atlanta Braves in June. Earlier this month, Morgan was dealt with pitcher Sean Burnett to the Washington Nationals for Lastings Milledge and John Hanrahan. Last week, Adam LaRoche was traded to the Boston Red Sox.
Today, you can add Jack Wilson to the list. He and starting pitcher Ian Snell were traded to the Seattle Mariners for Ronny Cedeno and four minor leaguers (catcher-first baseman Jeff Clement and right-handed pitchers Aaron Pribanic, Brett Lorin and Nathan Adcock.)
Put another way, two-thirds of their outfield and half their infield are no longer with the team.
Wilson has been with the Bucs since 2001. He is good fielding shortstop with a decent bat. His best season came in 2004 when he batted .308, led the NL in triples with 12 and was named to the NL All-Star Team.
But Wilson was vocally unhappy when the Bucs traded Morgan stating he was "beyond tired of such moves." However, he later apologized for his remarks. Yet it was probably the best thing he could have done because it gave him a one way ticket out of the Siberia of Major League Baseball. Don't be surprised if former NL batting champion Sanchez is on the way out as well.
The Seattle Mariners are a longshot for the postseason. At 52-48, they are 7½ games back of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the AL West and 6½ games back of the Red Sox in the AL Wild Card standings. But there are two months plus of baseball to be played and it looks like the Mariners are going to give it a shot. In which case, they will likely hold onto starting pitcher Jarrod Washburn whose name has been bandied about in trade rumors. Good for them. If nothing else, the Mariners are a much better team under Don Wakamatsu and their 102 losses in 2008 will likely prove an anamoly. I think Wilson will be quite happy to play in the Pacific Northwest.
The change of scenery will probably do Snell some good as well. Debuting with the Bucs in 2004, he pitched well for them in 2006 and 2007. But he has struggled for the past season and a half. In 2009, Snell was 2-8 with a 5.36 ERA. Last month, Snell requested a demotion to the Pirates Triple-A affiliate in Indianapolis where he has pitched effectively.
As for the Pirates, they got a journeyman shortstop and four unknown quantities who will probably be traded if they bear any fruit. Cedeno was once a top prospect with the Chicago Cubs but he doesn't have much of a bat. He'll stand in at short in place of Wilson for 2009 and then make room for Argenis Diaz (who was acquired in the LaRoche trade) in 2010.
Clement could see some time at first now that LaRoche is out of the picture but pitching is always a crapshoot.
The bottom line is that unless the Pirates sign their young players to long term contracts they will not contend. Which is a shame because the Cardinals won the NL Central (and the World Series) in 2006 with an 83-79 record. In 2007, the Cubs won the division with an 85-77 record. I would be very surprised if the NL Central Division winner in 2009 win more than 90 games.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have a beautiful ballpark. But no one has a reason to go there.
LF Nyjer Morgan
2B Freddy Sanchez
CF Nate McLouth
C Ryan Doumit
1B Adam LaRoche
3B Andy LaRoche
RF Brandon Moss
SS Jack Wilson
P Paul Maholm
Less than four months later, four of those nine players listed are no longer members of the Pirates. McLouth was sent packing to the Atlanta Braves in June. Earlier this month, Morgan was dealt with pitcher Sean Burnett to the Washington Nationals for Lastings Milledge and John Hanrahan. Last week, Adam LaRoche was traded to the Boston Red Sox.
Today, you can add Jack Wilson to the list. He and starting pitcher Ian Snell were traded to the Seattle Mariners for Ronny Cedeno and four minor leaguers (catcher-first baseman Jeff Clement and right-handed pitchers Aaron Pribanic, Brett Lorin and Nathan Adcock.)
Put another way, two-thirds of their outfield and half their infield are no longer with the team.
Wilson has been with the Bucs since 2001. He is good fielding shortstop with a decent bat. His best season came in 2004 when he batted .308, led the NL in triples with 12 and was named to the NL All-Star Team.
But Wilson was vocally unhappy when the Bucs traded Morgan stating he was "beyond tired of such moves." However, he later apologized for his remarks. Yet it was probably the best thing he could have done because it gave him a one way ticket out of the Siberia of Major League Baseball. Don't be surprised if former NL batting champion Sanchez is on the way out as well.
The Seattle Mariners are a longshot for the postseason. At 52-48, they are 7½ games back of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the AL West and 6½ games back of the Red Sox in the AL Wild Card standings. But there are two months plus of baseball to be played and it looks like the Mariners are going to give it a shot. In which case, they will likely hold onto starting pitcher Jarrod Washburn whose name has been bandied about in trade rumors. Good for them. If nothing else, the Mariners are a much better team under Don Wakamatsu and their 102 losses in 2008 will likely prove an anamoly. I think Wilson will be quite happy to play in the Pacific Northwest.
The change of scenery will probably do Snell some good as well. Debuting with the Bucs in 2004, he pitched well for them in 2006 and 2007. But he has struggled for the past season and a half. In 2009, Snell was 2-8 with a 5.36 ERA. Last month, Snell requested a demotion to the Pirates Triple-A affiliate in Indianapolis where he has pitched effectively.
As for the Pirates, they got a journeyman shortstop and four unknown quantities who will probably be traded if they bear any fruit. Cedeno was once a top prospect with the Chicago Cubs but he doesn't have much of a bat. He'll stand in at short in place of Wilson for 2009 and then make room for Argenis Diaz (who was acquired in the LaRoche trade) in 2010.
Clement could see some time at first now that LaRoche is out of the picture but pitching is always a crapshoot.
The bottom line is that unless the Pirates sign their young players to long term contracts they will not contend. Which is a shame because the Cardinals won the NL Central (and the World Series) in 2006 with an 83-79 record. In 2007, the Cubs won the division with an 85-77 record. I would be very surprised if the NL Central Division winner in 2009 win more than 90 games.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have a beautiful ballpark. But no one has a reason to go there.
I Feel Sorry For Lucia Whalen
I just saw a good chunk of Lucia Whalen's press conference on WCVB-TV, the ABC affiliate here in Boston.
I feel sorry for Lucia Whalen.
Not only was she was ill at ease in front of the microphones and cameras she had a very difficult time answering the questions posed by reporters. It was the last place she wanted to be. As the conference wore on I wondered why this whole spectacle was even necessary other than to give her attorney Wendy Murphy an opportunity to grandstand.
The only thing I really learned from all this was that an elderly woman initially saw what was going on and not having a cell phone got the attention of a passerby. As it happened that passerby was Whalen. This was the last place she expected to be when she made the 911 call nearly two weeks ago.
As I have written previously given that she works at Harvard she has more than likely incurred the wrath of her colleagues not to mention her neighbors. The presence of the media doesn't help much either. I can't imagine she's accustomed to such scrutiny. You can see the burden written all over her face. I don't think this press conference did much to alleviate her burden. I hope she has some vacation time available to her because this is surely the time to use it.
As for Sgt. Crowley, if this was the liberal media's last ditch effort to discredit him it failed miserably.
I feel sorry for Lucia Whalen.
Not only was she was ill at ease in front of the microphones and cameras she had a very difficult time answering the questions posed by reporters. It was the last place she wanted to be. As the conference wore on I wondered why this whole spectacle was even necessary other than to give her attorney Wendy Murphy an opportunity to grandstand.
The only thing I really learned from all this was that an elderly woman initially saw what was going on and not having a cell phone got the attention of a passerby. As it happened that passerby was Whalen. This was the last place she expected to be when she made the 911 call nearly two weeks ago.
As I have written previously given that she works at Harvard she has more than likely incurred the wrath of her colleagues not to mention her neighbors. The presence of the media doesn't help much either. I can't imagine she's accustomed to such scrutiny. You can see the burden written all over her face. I don't think this press conference did much to alleviate her burden. I hope she has some vacation time available to her because this is surely the time to use it.
As for Sgt. Crowley, if this was the liberal media's last ditch effort to discredit him it failed miserably.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
New York Times Has Link To My Crowley Article
I Stand By Sgt. Crowley
A couple of days ago I wrote, "The liberal media knows both Gates and Obama were wrong. But the liberal media can't bring themselves to admit that white police officer was right."
Here's a response from a reader: "Care to rephrase that, now that the tapes are out showing Crowley lied on his arrest report?"
No, I do not care to rephrase anything.
The 911 call to Cambridge Police does nothing of the sort.
If one reads Sgt. Crowley's report the race of the alleged assailants is identified when he is in conversation with Ms. Whalen at the scene not on the 911 call.
It is worth noting Whalen is also denying that she spoke to Sgt. Crowley at the scene. But what occurred at the scene is separate from what occurred on the 911 call. I find it hard to believe Sgt. Crowley would make up an entire conversation out of whole cloth. It would be interesting to see what the other officers on the scene have to say about what Ms. Whalen said or did not say.
Let me be clear. I think Ms. Whalen has been under enormous pressure. The fact she made the call cannot sit well with her colleagues at Harvard or her neighbors and she is trying to draw the heat away from herself. Her attorney Wendy Murphy said she is calling a press conference tomorrow because she wants to get back to a normal life. Well, I wonder who it is that is making Ms. Whalen's life abnormal?
If Ms. Whalen succeeds in drawing scrutiny away from herself it will bring about more heat towards Sgt. Crowley. Well, should that come to pass, I will continue stand by Sgt. Crowley. The liberal media wants to crucify a white cop because he's a white cop.
Here's a response from a reader: "Care to rephrase that, now that the tapes are out showing Crowley lied on his arrest report?"
No, I do not care to rephrase anything.
The 911 call to Cambridge Police does nothing of the sort.
If one reads Sgt. Crowley's report the race of the alleged assailants is identified when he is in conversation with Ms. Whalen at the scene not on the 911 call.
It is worth noting Whalen is also denying that she spoke to Sgt. Crowley at the scene. But what occurred at the scene is separate from what occurred on the 911 call. I find it hard to believe Sgt. Crowley would make up an entire conversation out of whole cloth. It would be interesting to see what the other officers on the scene have to say about what Ms. Whalen said or did not say.
Let me be clear. I think Ms. Whalen has been under enormous pressure. The fact she made the call cannot sit well with her colleagues at Harvard or her neighbors and she is trying to draw the heat away from herself. Her attorney Wendy Murphy said she is calling a press conference tomorrow because she wants to get back to a normal life. Well, I wonder who it is that is making Ms. Whalen's life abnormal?
If Ms. Whalen succeeds in drawing scrutiny away from herself it will bring about more heat towards Sgt. Crowley. Well, should that come to pass, I will continue stand by Sgt. Crowley. The liberal media wants to crucify a white cop because he's a white cop.
Shatner on Palin
William Shatner read a passage from Sarah Palin's farewell speech on The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien last night as only he can.
This is the first Sarah Palin bit on a comedy show that hasn't denigrated her in I don't know how long. Conan himself said, "Ladies and gentlemen, I watched it a couple of more times and it suddenly dawned on me this morning it's a poem. It was always meant to be a poem."
Since Alaska is a frontier state it is perhaps fitting that someone who has traversed the final frontier like Captain Kirk should be the one person who can serve as a medium between Palin and the parts of America who do not yet understand her.
Whatever she decides to do Sarah Palin has the makings of a naturalist poet. Denali, the great one, soaring under the midnight sun. What a line. It's an homage to Mount McKinley.
This is the first Sarah Palin bit on a comedy show that hasn't denigrated her in I don't know how long. Conan himself said, "Ladies and gentlemen, I watched it a couple of more times and it suddenly dawned on me this morning it's a poem. It was always meant to be a poem."
Since Alaska is a frontier state it is perhaps fitting that someone who has traversed the final frontier like Captain Kirk should be the one person who can serve as a medium between Palin and the parts of America who do not yet understand her.
Whatever she decides to do Sarah Palin has the makings of a naturalist poet. Denali, the great one, soaring under the midnight sun. What a line. It's an homage to Mount McKinley.
Biden & Holder Dole Out $1 Billion For Police Officers
Vice-President Joe Biden and Attorney General Eric Holder today announced the federal government was doling out $1 billion to local law enforcement agencies to hire approximately 4,700 more police officers.
Almost $30 million of that amount is being allocated to Massachusetts. While Cambridge isn't getting any of the money I find the timing of this announcement very interesting in light of President Obama saying Sgt. James Crowley and the Cambridge Police Department had "acted stupidly" in arresting Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. earlier this month and the backlash that followed.
It is also interesting that Biden was tapped to make the announcement. Perhaps Obama is heeding advice that he is overexposed.
After all familiarity breeds contempt.
Almost $30 million of that amount is being allocated to Massachusetts. While Cambridge isn't getting any of the money I find the timing of this announcement very interesting in light of President Obama saying Sgt. James Crowley and the Cambridge Police Department had "acted stupidly" in arresting Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. earlier this month and the backlash that followed.
It is also interesting that Biden was tapped to make the announcement. Perhaps Obama is heeding advice that he is overexposed.
After all familiarity breeds contempt.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Village Voice Cites My Gates Article
The Village Voice has a section written by a fellow named Roy Edroso who monitors the conservative blogosphere.
This week Edroso focused his attention on the arrest of Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Edroso mentions my article, "Is Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Above The Law?" He writes, "Intellectual Conservative finally offered what we may take as the definitive rightblogger legal analysis: "Being a 'black man in America' does not grant you the right to be obnoxious."
Imagine what Edroso could write if he actually read my article.
Hey, at least he spelled the name of our website right.
This week Edroso focused his attention on the arrest of Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Edroso mentions my article, "Is Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Above The Law?" He writes, "Intellectual Conservative finally offered what we may take as the definitive rightblogger legal analysis: "Being a 'black man in America' does not grant you the right to be obnoxious."
Imagine what Edroso could write if he actually read my article.
Hey, at least he spelled the name of our website right.
Lawyer For Gates 911 Caller Claims She Never Used The Term "Black"
Lucia Whalen, the woman who made the 911 call, is claiming she never identified any of the parties allegedly breaking into Professor Gates residence as black.
Her attorney Wendy Murphy said:
Let me be clear: She never had a conversation with Sgt. Crowley at the scene. And she never said to any police officer or to anybody 'two black men.' She never used the word 'black.' Period." I'm not sure what the police explanation will be. Frankly, I don't care. Her only goal is to make it clear she never described them as black. She never saw their race. ... All she reported was behavior, not skin color.
She just wants to clear her name. She doesn't want to create more controversy. She falls outside the plain lines of race, and I think she wanted people to know that.
Clearly, the liberal media is still trying to discredit Sgt. Crowley.
There are two issues here.
There is a dispute as to whether Ms. Whalen had a conversation with Sgt. Crowley.
There is a dispute as to whether Ms. Whalen identified the alleged assailants as black.
Well, if Sgt. Crowley didn't talk with Ms. Whalen then who did? If Sgt. Crowley didn't get his information from Ms. Whalen then with whom did he speak at the scene?
I cannot help but think that Ms. Whalen might be getting a lot of heat from her neighbors and co-workers at Harvard for having made the 911 call and now trying to distance herself from it. Believe me I know what attitudes are like in the People's Republic of Cambridge. Of course, there could be something else in play altogether.
But here's what I don't get. Why does Ms. Whalen feel the need to clear her name? What was it that she did wrong? Let's suppose she did, in fact, tell Sgt. Crowley or one of the other officers on the scene that she saw two black people trying to enter Professor Gates home. I hardly think describing what one sees as being a crime much less racist.
But even if Ms. Whalen never described the alleged assailants as black, Sgt. Crowley still had to ascertain if there was a break in taking place at the residence. Sgt. Crowley determined Professor Gates was in fact in his home. That should have been the end of it. But then Professor Gates escalated the situation and we all know what happened next.
It will be interesting to see what, if any, effect this has on the meeting scheduled between Sgt. Crowley and Professor Gates at the White House with President Obama later this week. It will be interesting to see if President Obama does an about face and postpones the meeting indefinitely.
Her attorney Wendy Murphy said:
Let me be clear: She never had a conversation with Sgt. Crowley at the scene. And she never said to any police officer or to anybody 'two black men.' She never used the word 'black.' Period." I'm not sure what the police explanation will be. Frankly, I don't care. Her only goal is to make it clear she never described them as black. She never saw their race. ... All she reported was behavior, not skin color.
She just wants to clear her name. She doesn't want to create more controversy. She falls outside the plain lines of race, and I think she wanted people to know that.
Clearly, the liberal media is still trying to discredit Sgt. Crowley.
There are two issues here.
There is a dispute as to whether Ms. Whalen had a conversation with Sgt. Crowley.
There is a dispute as to whether Ms. Whalen identified the alleged assailants as black.
Well, if Sgt. Crowley didn't talk with Ms. Whalen then who did? If Sgt. Crowley didn't get his information from Ms. Whalen then with whom did he speak at the scene?
I cannot help but think that Ms. Whalen might be getting a lot of heat from her neighbors and co-workers at Harvard for having made the 911 call and now trying to distance herself from it. Believe me I know what attitudes are like in the People's Republic of Cambridge. Of course, there could be something else in play altogether.
But here's what I don't get. Why does Ms. Whalen feel the need to clear her name? What was it that she did wrong? Let's suppose she did, in fact, tell Sgt. Crowley or one of the other officers on the scene that she saw two black people trying to enter Professor Gates home. I hardly think describing what one sees as being a crime much less racist.
But even if Ms. Whalen never described the alleged assailants as black, Sgt. Crowley still had to ascertain if there was a break in taking place at the residence. Sgt. Crowley determined Professor Gates was in fact in his home. That should have been the end of it. But then Professor Gates escalated the situation and we all know what happened next.
It will be interesting to see what, if any, effect this has on the meeting scheduled between Sgt. Crowley and Professor Gates at the White House with President Obama later this week. It will be interesting to see if President Obama does an about face and postpones the meeting indefinitely.
Crowley Accepts White House Beer Invite
It appears that Sgt. James Crowley will be joining President Obama and Professor Gates for a beer at the White House.
I hate to see Sgt. Crowley be used as a political prop by President Obama.
The last thing we need is more grandstanding from Professor Gates.
But I can understand Crowley's reasons for accepting the President's invitation.
If he declines he appears ungracious and anti-social. He would open himself to accusations that he is unwilling to bury the hatchet. It would become yet another chapter in the saga.
Yes, the press will write glowing articles about Obama the peacemaker. But they'll write glowing articles about Obama whether he deserves it or not.
If Crowley does this then I think this will begin to recede. That is, unless, Gates decides to bring a lawsuit or pursue his racial profiling documentary.
Besides Sgt. Crowley has demonstrated he can handle both Professor Gates and President Obama.
I hate to see Sgt. Crowley be used as a political prop by President Obama.
The last thing we need is more grandstanding from Professor Gates.
But I can understand Crowley's reasons for accepting the President's invitation.
If he declines he appears ungracious and anti-social. He would open himself to accusations that he is unwilling to bury the hatchet. It would become yet another chapter in the saga.
Yes, the press will write glowing articles about Obama the peacemaker. But they'll write glowing articles about Obama whether he deserves it or not.
If Crowley does this then I think this will begin to recede. That is, unless, Gates decides to bring a lawsuit or pursue his racial profiling documentary.
Besides Sgt. Crowley has demonstrated he can handle both Professor Gates and President Obama.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Hillary Says She's Not Interested in the White House
So that's what she says. Kind of.
The day Hillary isn't interested in the White House is the day I am no longer interested in baseball.
If I were President Obama I would prepare for a frontal attack by wearing a cup made of Kevlar.
The day Hillary isn't interested in the White House is the day I am no longer interested in baseball.
If I were President Obama I would prepare for a frontal attack by wearing a cup made of Kevlar.
Rickey, Rice & Gordon Inducted Into Cooperstown
Rickey Henderson, Jim Rice and the late Joe Gordon were today inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
Rickey is in a class all by himself. His 1,406 stolen bases will never be matched. Neither will his 2,295 runs scored.
Throw in 3,000 plus hits as well as two World Series rings, an AL MVP trophy, 10 All-Star Team selections and you have a first ballot Hall of Famer.
Jim Rice did accomplish something that Rickey never could. Play with one team his entire career. The Red Sox legend finally got his day in the sun after being voted in by the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) in his final year of eligibility.
Rice was one of the most feared hitters in the AL in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He thrice led the AL in home runs and twice led the league in RBI. In all, Rice drove in more than 100 runs eight times in his stellar career. He was also selected to the AL All-Star Team eight times. He won the 1978 AL MVP.
His career declined abruptly after 1986. However, given how steroids have been perceived to taint power numbers in the 1990s and beyond, Rice's power numbers have been viewed with greater respect with the passage of time.
Rice will receive another honor on Tuesday when the Red Sox retire his number 14 prior to their game with the Oakland Athletics. Rice will join Ted Williams, Bobby Doerr, Joe Cronin, Carl Yazstremski, Carlton Fisk and Johnny Pesky as the only Red Sox players ever so honored.
Joe Gordon was also posthumously inducted today. He was voted into the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee. Gordon played 11 seasons in the big leagues with the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians. He earned nine AL All-Star appearances, five World Series rings (four with the Yankees and one with the Tribe) and was the AL MVP in 1942. Like many players of his era, he served in WWII. Gordon missed two seasons in what would have been the prime of his career because of his military service. Gordon also tended to be overshadowed by Joe DiMaggio.
One could make the case that Gordon is the greatest second baseman in Yankees history. Others though would say Tony Lazzeri who also won five World Series rings with the Yankees. He, too, got overshadowed by a couple of guys named Ruth and Gehrig. Lazzeri would not be inducted into Cooperstown until 1991. Like Gordon, Lazzeri was also posthumously inducted.
Rickey is in a class all by himself. His 1,406 stolen bases will never be matched. Neither will his 2,295 runs scored.
Throw in 3,000 plus hits as well as two World Series rings, an AL MVP trophy, 10 All-Star Team selections and you have a first ballot Hall of Famer.
Jim Rice did accomplish something that Rickey never could. Play with one team his entire career. The Red Sox legend finally got his day in the sun after being voted in by the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) in his final year of eligibility.
Rice was one of the most feared hitters in the AL in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He thrice led the AL in home runs and twice led the league in RBI. In all, Rice drove in more than 100 runs eight times in his stellar career. He was also selected to the AL All-Star Team eight times. He won the 1978 AL MVP.
His career declined abruptly after 1986. However, given how steroids have been perceived to taint power numbers in the 1990s and beyond, Rice's power numbers have been viewed with greater respect with the passage of time.
Rice will receive another honor on Tuesday when the Red Sox retire his number 14 prior to their game with the Oakland Athletics. Rice will join Ted Williams, Bobby Doerr, Joe Cronin, Carl Yazstremski, Carlton Fisk and Johnny Pesky as the only Red Sox players ever so honored.
Joe Gordon was also posthumously inducted today. He was voted into the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee. Gordon played 11 seasons in the big leagues with the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians. He earned nine AL All-Star appearances, five World Series rings (four with the Yankees and one with the Tribe) and was the AL MVP in 1942. Like many players of his era, he served in WWII. Gordon missed two seasons in what would have been the prime of his career because of his military service. Gordon also tended to be overshadowed by Joe DiMaggio.
One could make the case that Gordon is the greatest second baseman in Yankees history. Others though would say Tony Lazzeri who also won five World Series rings with the Yankees. He, too, got overshadowed by a couple of guys named Ruth and Gehrig. Lazzeri would not be inducted into Cooperstown until 1991. Like Gordon, Lazzeri was also posthumously inducted.
Bob Schieffer Gets Crowley-Gates-Obama Wrong
Bob Schieffer made the following commentary on the row amongst Sgt. Crowley, Professor Gates and President Obama on the CBS Program Face The Nation.
He got it wrong.
Not surprisingly he played the moral equivalency card saying all parties were at fault.
Schieffer said of Sgt. Crowley:
A cop trained not to let such things bother him, let some smart remarks get under his skin. Inexcusable, sure, but aren't cops human too, sometimes?
Let's see here.
Professor Gates accused Sgt. Crowley of being a racist police officer.
President Obama called Sgt. Crowley stupid.
Sgt. Crowley, meanwhile, didn't accuse either Professor Gates or President Obama of anything.
He just did his job.
The liberal media knows both Gates and Obama were wrong.
But the liberal media can't bring themselves to admit that a white police officer was right.
He got it wrong.
Not surprisingly he played the moral equivalency card saying all parties were at fault.
Schieffer said of Sgt. Crowley:
A cop trained not to let such things bother him, let some smart remarks get under his skin. Inexcusable, sure, but aren't cops human too, sometimes?
Let's see here.
Professor Gates accused Sgt. Crowley of being a racist police officer.
President Obama called Sgt. Crowley stupid.
Sgt. Crowley, meanwhile, didn't accuse either Professor Gates or President Obama of anything.
He just did his job.
The liberal media knows both Gates and Obama were wrong.
But the liberal media can't bring themselves to admit that a white police officer was right.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Beach Boy Mike Love Compares John Stamos to President Obama
Tonight, my roomie Christopher and I attended a free concert by The Beach Boys.
These days the only original member of the group is Mike Love.
But in recent years actor John Stamos, best known for his roles on TV shows like Full House and E.R., often tours with the Beach Boys during the summer months as their drummer and also sings lead on a couple of songs.
Love and Stamos have some witty banter between them.
At one point, Love compared Stamos to President Obama.
Love said, "John Stamos is making as much money (from re-runs of Full House) as Obama is printing."
What a hoot.
These days the only original member of the group is Mike Love.
But in recent years actor John Stamos, best known for his roles on TV shows like Full House and E.R., often tours with the Beach Boys during the summer months as their drummer and also sings lead on a couple of songs.
Love and Stamos have some witty banter between them.
At one point, Love compared Stamos to President Obama.
Love said, "John Stamos is making as much money (from re-runs of Full House) as Obama is printing."
What a hoot.
Great New Blog: Poems in support of Iran
A few days back I mentioned a woman who goes by the name Nanehlala who translated a poem I wrote in honor of Neda Agha Soltan into French.
Well, Nanehlala has launched a new blog called "Poems in support of Iran." The poems are written both in English and in French.
And by poems in support of Iran she doesn't mean poems in support of the Mullahs & Ahmadinejad.
Well, Nanehlala has launched a new blog called "Poems in support of Iran." The poems are written both in English and in French.
And by poems in support of Iran she doesn't mean poems in support of the Mullahs & Ahmadinejad.
Gates Accepts Obama's Invitation to the White House for Beer
Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. has accepted President Obama's invitation to the White House to share a beer with Cambridge Police Sgt. James Crowley.
Somehow I don't think it would be the first time Obama and Gates have shared a brewski.
However, this puts Sgt. Crowley in a difficult position.
I personally think he should decline the invitation. Why be used as a prop in a photo op?
But if he does decline the invitation then the Gates camp and other African-American leaders will say that Crowley is part of "the nation of cowards" who are uninterested in a "conversation on race."
Sgt. Crowley could say that his family, vocational and community obligations render him unable to accept President Obama's invitation.
Now that Gates has accepted Obama's peace offering methinks Crowley will do the same. He doesn't strike me as a disagreeable sort.
Of course, my fear is that Crowley will be used not only to advance Obama's agenda but Gates' as well.
Somehow I don't think it would be the first time Obama and Gates have shared a brewski.
However, this puts Sgt. Crowley in a difficult position.
I personally think he should decline the invitation. Why be used as a prop in a photo op?
But if he does decline the invitation then the Gates camp and other African-American leaders will say that Crowley is part of "the nation of cowards" who are uninterested in a "conversation on race."
Sgt. Crowley could say that his family, vocational and community obligations render him unable to accept President Obama's invitation.
Now that Gates has accepted Obama's peace offering methinks Crowley will do the same. He doesn't strike me as a disagreeable sort.
Of course, my fear is that Crowley will be used not only to advance Obama's agenda but Gates' as well.
Gates said, "I am pleased that [Obama] is eager to use my experience as a teaching moment. And if meeting Sgt. Crowley for a beer with the President will further that end, then I would be happy to oblige."
Gates just doesn't get it.
Then again if Crowley can hold his own against President Obama he can certainly do so with Professor Gates.
If Crowley takes up Obama's offer it will be interesting to see if Gates will still sue the City of Cambridge. It will also be interesting to see if Gates still plans to make that PBS documentary about racial profiling with Crowley cast in the role of the villain.
Friday, July 24, 2009
An Evening With Michael Lang
In a couple of weeks, I plan to write an article about the 40th anniversary of Woodstock.
Michael Lang (pictured below) was one of the four men who organized the Woodstock Music & Arts Festival. He made an appearance in the Boston area tonight to promote his new book The Road to Woodstock along with his co-author Holly George-Warren.
If one is going to write an article about Woodstock one might as well as go directly to the source.
As you can imagine he is quite enthusiastic about President Obama. In fact, he called Obama's inauguration "a Woodstock moment." Hey, he's entitled to his opinion. Even if you disagree with it.
But don't let the curly hair and his soft-spoken manner fool you. The man has a keen sense of entrepreneurship and has a way with people.
He also looks very good for someone about to turn 65 this December. It was interesting to contrast Lang with some of the people in the audience who were clearly showing both their age and the after effects of consuming one too many hallucinogens.
I had the opportunity to ask Lang a couple of questions.
The first question is the subject of my article so I will leave it for now. You'll have to wait for the article. I know the suspense is unbearable but.....
The second question (which I also directed to George-Warren) was which version of the song, "Woodstock" did he prefer? Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young or Matthews Southern Comfort? The same song but two radically different arrangements.
George-Warren was surprised at the question but told me in a whispered tone that she preferred MSC's version (as do I.) She asked me what Iain Matthews was up to and I replied that he was based in Holland had recently recorded a jazz album with the jazz combo known as The Searing Quartet.
As for Lang, he noted that he liked Joni Mitchell's version. After all she did write the song. However, he also told me that he Stephen Stills and Dallas Taylor (who was CSN&Y's drummer) played it for him before recording it on their 1970 album Déjà Vu. Not many people can make that claim. So I can understand how he would be partial to their version of the song.
Bill Hanley, the sound engineer at Woodstock and Boston area native, was also on hand.
The only comment I'll make about the article is that it will surprise everyone who reads it.
Michael Lang (pictured below) was one of the four men who organized the Woodstock Music & Arts Festival. He made an appearance in the Boston area tonight to promote his new book The Road to Woodstock along with his co-author Holly George-Warren.
If one is going to write an article about Woodstock one might as well as go directly to the source.
As you can imagine he is quite enthusiastic about President Obama. In fact, he called Obama's inauguration "a Woodstock moment." Hey, he's entitled to his opinion. Even if you disagree with it.
But don't let the curly hair and his soft-spoken manner fool you. The man has a keen sense of entrepreneurship and has a way with people.
He also looks very good for someone about to turn 65 this December. It was interesting to contrast Lang with some of the people in the audience who were clearly showing both their age and the after effects of consuming one too many hallucinogens.
I had the opportunity to ask Lang a couple of questions.
The first question is the subject of my article so I will leave it for now. You'll have to wait for the article. I know the suspense is unbearable but.....
The second question (which I also directed to George-Warren) was which version of the song, "Woodstock" did he prefer? Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young or Matthews Southern Comfort? The same song but two radically different arrangements.
George-Warren was surprised at the question but told me in a whispered tone that she preferred MSC's version (as do I.) She asked me what Iain Matthews was up to and I replied that he was based in Holland had recently recorded a jazz album with the jazz combo known as The Searing Quartet.
As for Lang, he noted that he liked Joni Mitchell's version. After all she did write the song. However, he also told me that he Stephen Stills and Dallas Taylor (who was CSN&Y's drummer) played it for him before recording it on their 1970 album Déjà Vu. Not many people can make that claim. So I can understand how he would be partial to their version of the song.
Bill Hanley, the sound engineer at Woodstock and Boston area native, was also on hand.
The only comment I'll make about the article is that it will surprise everyone who reads it.
Athletics Trade Holliday to St. Louis
Twenty-four hours ago I pondered if the Oakland Athletics would trade outfielder Matt Holliday to the San Francisco Giants.
Well, instead of sending Holliday across the Bay, the Athletics have sent him to the Gateway to the West. Holliday is now a member of the St. Louis Cardinals. In exchange for Holliday, the Cardinals gave up three minor leaguers including Brett Wallace, who was the Athletics top draft pick in 2008. Wallace could be Oakland's everyday third baseman as early as next season.
Holliday will provide protection for reigning NL MVP Albert Pujols. The Cardinals now have a power trio Pujols, Holliday and Ryan Ludwick. Holliday will supplant Rick Ankiel in left field who has struggled at the plate and hasn't been the same player since colliding head first into the outfield wall during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies in May.
The one disdvantage is that all three of these players bat right-handed. I'm surprised the Cardinals wouldn't have sought a left-handed power hitter instead. But perhaps there wasn't one readily available or who have fit into the Cardinals lineup. Adrian Gonzalez of the San Diego Padres comes to mind but he's a first baseman like Pujols and this isn't the AL so no DH (except for interleague play in AL ballparks but interleague is done for 2009.) Nonetheless, Holliday should be a good fit in the Cardinals lineup. It will be interesting to see if Holliday stays in St. Louis beyond 2009 as he is a free agent after this season.
The Cardinals currently lead the NL Central Division by not a large margin. The Chicago Cubs and the surging Houston Astros are only 1½ games back while the Milwaukee Brewers are 2½ games back. The Cardinals have the unenviable task of visiting the defending World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies this weekend. The Phillies have been playing their best baseball of the 2009 season having won 11 of their last 12 games.
Whatever impact Holliday has in St. Louis, I think the San Francisco Giants missed out on an opportunity to add a right-handed power hitter. Then again sometimes the best trades are the ones you don't make.
Well, instead of sending Holliday across the Bay, the Athletics have sent him to the Gateway to the West. Holliday is now a member of the St. Louis Cardinals. In exchange for Holliday, the Cardinals gave up three minor leaguers including Brett Wallace, who was the Athletics top draft pick in 2008. Wallace could be Oakland's everyday third baseman as early as next season.
Holliday will provide protection for reigning NL MVP Albert Pujols. The Cardinals now have a power trio Pujols, Holliday and Ryan Ludwick. Holliday will supplant Rick Ankiel in left field who has struggled at the plate and hasn't been the same player since colliding head first into the outfield wall during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies in May.
The one disdvantage is that all three of these players bat right-handed. I'm surprised the Cardinals wouldn't have sought a left-handed power hitter instead. But perhaps there wasn't one readily available or who have fit into the Cardinals lineup. Adrian Gonzalez of the San Diego Padres comes to mind but he's a first baseman like Pujols and this isn't the AL so no DH (except for interleague play in AL ballparks but interleague is done for 2009.) Nonetheless, Holliday should be a good fit in the Cardinals lineup. It will be interesting to see if Holliday stays in St. Louis beyond 2009 as he is a free agent after this season.
The Cardinals currently lead the NL Central Division by not a large margin. The Chicago Cubs and the surging Houston Astros are only 1½ games back while the Milwaukee Brewers are 2½ games back. The Cardinals have the unenviable task of visiting the defending World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies this weekend. The Phillies have been playing their best baseball of the 2009 season having won 11 of their last 12 games.
Whatever impact Holliday has in St. Louis, I think the San Francisco Giants missed out on an opportunity to add a right-handed power hitter. Then again sometimes the best trades are the ones you don't make.
Obama Won't Apologize to Sgt. Crowley; Would Like To Have a Beer With Him & Gates Instead
President Obama, having stepped into it by claiming that Sgt. Crowley and Cambridge Police Department had "acted stupidly", tried to weasle his way out of it by saying he should have chose his words differently.
Obama spoke during an unscheduled appearance at the daily White House briefing. He stated that he had spoken to Sgt. Crowley over the phone. "Because this has been ratcheting up and I helped contribute to ratcheting it up, I want to make clear that in my choice of words I unfortunately gave an impression that I was maligning the Cambridge Police Department or Sgt. Crowley specifically and I could have calibrated those words differently."
Well, when you refer to an individual or an organization as having behaved stupidly you are by definition maligning them.
President Obama could have simply said to Sgt. Crowley, "I did not have all the facts surrounding the incident before me. Therefore, I would like to apologize to Sgt. James Crowley and the Cambridge Police Department for my remarks on Wednesday night."
Instead, Obama wants to have a beer with Crowley and Henry Louis Gates, Jr. at the White House.
When trying to deescalate a volatile situation between two opposing parties it is never a good idea to introduce alcohol into the mix.
But it is clear what Obama wants. A photo op. I'm sure David Axelrod can see it now. A photo of the three of them smiling together with the headline, "Barack Obama: Healing The Racial Divide."
A racial divide whose chasm he cut deeper.
I suspect Sgt. Crowley will have the good sense to politely decline any such invitation and not be used as a propaganda tool.
Obama spoke during an unscheduled appearance at the daily White House briefing. He stated that he had spoken to Sgt. Crowley over the phone. "Because this has been ratcheting up and I helped contribute to ratcheting it up, I want to make clear that in my choice of words I unfortunately gave an impression that I was maligning the Cambridge Police Department or Sgt. Crowley specifically and I could have calibrated those words differently."
Well, when you refer to an individual or an organization as having behaved stupidly you are by definition maligning them.
President Obama could have simply said to Sgt. Crowley, "I did not have all the facts surrounding the incident before me. Therefore, I would like to apologize to Sgt. James Crowley and the Cambridge Police Department for my remarks on Wednesday night."
Instead, Obama wants to have a beer with Crowley and Henry Louis Gates, Jr. at the White House.
When trying to deescalate a volatile situation between two opposing parties it is never a good idea to introduce alcohol into the mix.
But it is clear what Obama wants. A photo op. I'm sure David Axelrod can see it now. A photo of the three of them smiling together with the headline, "Barack Obama: Healing The Racial Divide."
A racial divide whose chasm he cut deeper.
I suspect Sgt. Crowley will have the good sense to politely decline any such invitation and not be used as a propaganda tool.
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