S-Chip Article

I like the way Fred Barnes capsulizes the new S-chip legislation.

Link: S-chip of Fools. Fred Barnes, The Weekly Standard 10-08-07.

Torre Gone?

As I type this entry, The Yankees are down 6-1 to in Indians in game and facing elimination. While I would normally be giddy with their situation, I can't help but feel bad for Joe Torre. Even the most devout Yankee Hater must admit they have a soft spot for Joe. Lets face it, he's a likable guy (much like Jeter - a guy I hate merely for his choice in laundry).

One would think that Cashman's head will roll as well as Torre's.

Others likely to go:

Rivera
Posada
Pettitte
A-Fraud
Rocket

There is a fair chance that Yankees Stadium has hosted it's last post season game as its scheduled to be replaced after next season. (Thanks, again, to JW Henry for recognizing what a colossal mistake it would be to move out of Fenway Park!)

Beckett Brilliant in Game 1

108 pitches, 83 strikes 8 K's and ZERO runs in a complete game shutout against the American League West Champion, LA Angels.

It's been a joy to watch the evolution of Josh Beckett over the past two seasons. He arrived in Beantown a damn-the-torpedoes fastballer who treated his second and third pitch like runners-up at the Miss America pageant - only to be used if #1 should fall from grace.

Beckett was a stubborn student. In 2006, seemingly convinced that his fastball was like no other, he continued rely on that one pitch. Subsequently, he gave up 37 home runs as AL sluggers taught him a valuable lesson - you don't grade without a curve.

In 2007, Beckett arrived at camp with a curve...and slider. To accompany his new arsenal of pitches, he adopted an entirely overhauled mindset.

No longer a reckless kid, Beckett finally understands what it takes to be a big league pitcher. It's there. You can see it in his eyes. Pitch and catch...nothing else.

"I was just out there trying to execute pitches until somebody takes the
ball out of my hand and the game's over," Beckett said after his masterpiece. "I
never got ahead of myself. It was always one pitch at a time. It didn't matter
what was going on. They hit some balls at some guys and I was fortunate."

Link: Gem by Beckett has Boston Pumped. Dan Shaughnessy, Boston Globe 10-4-07.

I think I Called This One...

Link: Vladimir Putin Proposes Job Swap on Top to Tighten His Grip on Power. Tony Halpin, London Times 10-1-07.

The Apocalypse is Near

2007 NCAA Football Rankings - Week 5 (Sept. 30)
AP Top 25
1. LSU (33) 5-0 1,593
2. USC (32) 4-0 1,591
3. California 5-0 1,475
4. Ohio State 5-0 1,420
5. Wisconsin 5-0 1,271
6. South Florida 4-0 1,203
7. Boston College 5-0 1,172
8. Kentucky 5-0 1,143
9. Florida 4-1 1,031
10. Oklahoma 4-1 992
11. South Carolina 4-1 900
12. Georgia 4-1 885
13. West Virginia 4-1 861
14. Oregon 4-1 837

Congrats to Matt!

Matt Miller signed a two year contract with Siroki Primo Piva in Bosnia today. The Adriatic League will be a huge challenge for him. The league boasts some quality domestic talent peppered with a few ex-NBA players.

It's a big step up from England Basketball League Division One but he can play at that level.

I'll link the Eurobasket article as soon as it's available.

Clown* of the Week: Lee Bollinger

Bill Krystol's article sums it up nicely.

Seriously, freedom of speech?....ok, I get it. Today, liberals are flaunting the first ammendment like a trophy wife. Ok....while he certainly CAN be invited to speak at Columbia University doesn't mean that he SHOULD be invited to speak at Columbia. Let this case serve as additional proof to my hypothesis that most university presidents are, in reality, detached elitist clowns.

Link: Columbia University: Ahmadinejad Yes, ROTC No. Bill Kristol, The Weekly Standard 9-20-07.

*Lisa made me change the original title.