That one's going to hurt for a while. 59 and counting. You would think I would be used to it by now, having supported Cleveland teams for my entire 26 year existence. Every time is a little different though. It's odd that it was the one thing that no one suspected, namely the front of the starting rotation, that did us in. I heard so many people say that our closer was one of the worst around, the offense wasn't producing like it should, unconventional leadoff hitter (too many strikeouts), our manager wasn't as good, etc. but I didn't hear anyone cast any doubt on our top two pitchers. I'm going to stop talking about this before I launch myself into a full-scale depression / bender.
As for good news, Darcy and I got our pictures taken around town this past saturday and the results were pretty amazing (at least judging by what I've seen so far). We're pretty excited. Check out a few:
http://maryrosenbaumphoto.blogspot.com/
Mary's awesome. Hire her to take pictures of you. You won't regret it.
-adam
Monday, October 22, 2007
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
A change of pace
I've been advised that to continue talking about baseball all the time is to risk alienating my non-baseball following audience (thanks for keeping me grounded, Robin). It's going to be difficult with the Good Guys taking a 3-1 lead last night and CC on the mound again tomorrow, but since I've always been one to give the people what they want: here it goes...
I've promised Darcy that I would take her to see The Darjeeling Limited this weekend (she has a bit of a crush on Jason Schwartzman, I have a bit of a crush on Wes Anderson, let's just hope that neither one develops into anything more than that) which got me thinking: What is up with all the high quality motion pictures coming out right now? There are no less than 10 movies out right now that I really wouldn't mind seeing. It's true that it's been a few months since I've been to my local cinema (ah, Simpsons Movie, I've finally beheld your splendor and can die in peace), but that's more of a function of me not wanting to see any of the feces that passes for filmmaking these days than it is of me not being on my game and missing quality films. Andthenallofasudden the theaters are jam-packed full of quality fare. Michael Clayton ... 3:10 to Yuma ... Gone Baby Gone ... Eastern Promises (all right, that one's been out for a little while) ... The Assassination of Jesse James ... Lars and the Real Girl ... and here we are on the cusp of No Country for Old Men and American Gangster, not to mention quality documentaries and independent films. What gives?
I know all about the "Oscar Season" crap that Hollywood pulls out this time of year where the studios shove out their most thought-provoking, suck-up-to-anyone-with-an-IQ-greater-than-a-mushroom movies in hopes that they'll be fresh in the Academy's collective mind for award season. But really. Isn't there a better way to run an industry than catering to junior high boys for four straight months and then suddenly switching to people who care about quality as opposed to explosions, cleavage, and whatever else you can get away with in a PG13 movie nowadays? I'm not even going to make it to the theater to see half of these films because there's just not enough time even though I really want to. (By the way, I'm fully aware that the word "nowadays" makes me sound like an old man on a porch in a rocking chair complaining about whippersnappers and Democrats. There's no need to point this out in my comments.)
The point is, Hollywood sucks. Spread out the good films a little bit, Hollywood, you greedy little jerk. It's really in your best interest.
I've promised Darcy that I would take her to see The Darjeeling Limited this weekend (she has a bit of a crush on Jason Schwartzman, I have a bit of a crush on Wes Anderson, let's just hope that neither one develops into anything more than that) which got me thinking: What is up with all the high quality motion pictures coming out right now? There are no less than 10 movies out right now that I really wouldn't mind seeing. It's true that it's been a few months since I've been to my local cinema (ah, Simpsons Movie, I've finally beheld your splendor and can die in peace), but that's more of a function of me not wanting to see any of the feces that passes for filmmaking these days than it is of me not being on my game and missing quality films. Andthenallofasudden the theaters are jam-packed full of quality fare. Michael Clayton ... 3:10 to Yuma ... Gone Baby Gone ... Eastern Promises (all right, that one's been out for a little while) ... The Assassination of Jesse James ... Lars and the Real Girl ... and here we are on the cusp of No Country for Old Men and American Gangster, not to mention quality documentaries and independent films. What gives?
I know all about the "Oscar Season" crap that Hollywood pulls out this time of year where the studios shove out their most thought-provoking, suck-up-to-anyone-with-an-IQ-greater-than-a-mushroom movies in hopes that they'll be fresh in the Academy's collective mind for award season. But really. Isn't there a better way to run an industry than catering to junior high boys for four straight months and then suddenly switching to people who care about quality as opposed to explosions, cleavage, and whatever else you can get away with in a PG13 movie nowadays? I'm not even going to make it to the theater to see half of these films because there's just not enough time even though I really want to. (By the way, I'm fully aware that the word "nowadays" makes me sound like an old man on a porch in a rocking chair complaining about whippersnappers and Democrats. There's no need to point this out in my comments.)
The point is, Hollywood sucks. Spread out the good films a little bit, Hollywood, you greedy little jerk. It's really in your best interest.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Disrespect
So yesterday we had a movie to return to Blockbuster (Knocked Up, a pretty solid "B" or "B+") and we had to pick up some things from Trader Joe's (California-based grocery chain for hippies - naturally I love it; can't get enough). These two destinations are about a block apart so I parked the car at the TJ lot (My bike was stolen about a year ago so I can't transport myself in a manner consistent with the TJ experience, but we bring our own bags in an attempt to be more responsible. And to fit in.) and walked over to Blockbuster to return the movie while Darcy began shopping.
According to an eye-witness report (Darcy's), while I was walking to Blockbuster Darcy was sorting through TJ's outdoor pumpkin bins in search of that perfect, symmetrical, orange-hued gourd, when she over heard a conversation from near the parking lot. Two gentlemen - one older and one younger - were discussing the ALCS and each team's likelihood of advancing to the World Series. The older gentleman, leaning on his bike, said, loudly: "F--- the Indians. F--- the Indians. I'm so sick of them."
Wow. What on this sweet but gradually warming earth is this man's problem??? He's sick of a team that makes the playoffs once a decade? He's sick of a team from which your average fan could not name five players? I sat dumbstruck as I heard this story recounted to me in vivid detail. I had always known that there were probably Indians haters out there, somewhere, but it had always seemed so abstract and distant. Now that I had (almost) had a brush with one I had to find an explanation. I eventually concluded that he must either be a huge Yankees or Tigers fan, because those are the only two teams that we've screwed over lately (so far), and that's a fresh wound if I've ever heard one, albeit secondhand.
All I can say is it's a good thing I was returning that movie at the time, because if there's anything that could make this pacifist sucker punch an old man with a bike that would be it.
Blessings, even to you Yankees fans out there.
-a
According to an eye-witness report (Darcy's), while I was walking to Blockbuster Darcy was sorting through TJ's outdoor pumpkin bins in search of that perfect, symmetrical, orange-hued gourd, when she over heard a conversation from near the parking lot. Two gentlemen - one older and one younger - were discussing the ALCS and each team's likelihood of advancing to the World Series. The older gentleman, leaning on his bike, said, loudly: "F--- the Indians. F--- the Indians. I'm so sick of them."
Wow. What on this sweet but gradually warming earth is this man's problem??? He's sick of a team that makes the playoffs once a decade? He's sick of a team from which your average fan could not name five players? I sat dumbstruck as I heard this story recounted to me in vivid detail. I had always known that there were probably Indians haters out there, somewhere, but it had always seemed so abstract and distant. Now that I had (almost) had a brush with one I had to find an explanation. I eventually concluded that he must either be a huge Yankees or Tigers fan, because those are the only two teams that we've screwed over lately (so far), and that's a fresh wound if I've ever heard one, albeit secondhand.
All I can say is it's a good thing I was returning that movie at the time, because if there's anything that could make this pacifist sucker punch an old man with a bike that would be it.
Blessings, even to you Yankees fans out there.
-a
Monday, October 8, 2007
The Empire Strikes Back
It always happens: just when you think you've dealt the Empire a death blow they come right back at you. It's as though the tiny rebel force has been chased throughout the galaxy until they've been forced to take refuge on the ice planet Hoth. And Luke almost dies so he has to be kept underwater in a speedo for a while. That part always unnerved me as a child.
Good sign: Torre is pitching Wang on three days rest for the first time in his career. And we roughed him up pretty badly the first time around. Bad sign: Byrd is taking the mound for the good guys (1-4, 4.82 career ERA against NY). This might just be a shootout of intergalactic proportions. Or at least a baseball game where something like 15 runs are scored.
Now we just need some stunning revelation at the end of this next game. Something that changes everything. Something on the order of ... Joe Torre being Grady Sizemore's father. Just tossing it out there.
-a
Friday, October 5, 2007
That's one for the good guys
The Empire was dealt quite a blow last night. I feel as though we took out a star destroyer or two. Fausto Carmona (5-0, 1.78 ERA in his last 5 starts) takes the mound tonight against Andy Pettitte (0-2, 7.94 career ERA at Jacobs Field in the playoffs). May the force be with him.
At Bible study last night (currently reading Velvet Elvis by Fuller grad Rob Bell - quite good through the first chapter) I had to field some questions about my hatred for the Yankees. For the record: I hate the Yankees more than the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, and Cincinnati Bengals. I hate them more than the Chicago White Sox and the Detroit Tigers. I hate them more than the Denver Broncos and the Detroit Pistons. I hate them more than the University of Michigan's football and basketball programs combined. I hate them more than I hate the San Francisco Giants. I hate them more than I hate Barry Bonds (who I feel has become a scapegoat at the hand of the media for a variety of reasons - i.e. race, general surly demeanor with reporters - but mainly because he happens to be the one who broke the HR record. He is forced to pay the price for a whole era of tainted records simply because he broke the most prestigious one. But I still dislike him. Immensely. Doesn't mean he's not being treated unfairly, though.). I hate the Yankees more than I hate bee stings, bad customer service, and cold toilet seats. I could go on all day. Let me know if you have any more questions on the subject, I'll be more than happy to continue ;o)
-a
Thursday, October 4, 2007
My first blog
Well, here it is. I've been waiting for the right time to unveil my first blog post. Conditions had to be perfect. Something had to be going on that I was passionate about. I had to be well informed about this certain thing. I had to be sitting at a computer with little to do. Well, ladies and gentlemen, it's time. The Indians made the playoffs, I've been following baseball even more closely than usual this season, and my boss is on vacation.
In less than four hours CC Sabathia of the Cleveland Indians will take the mound against the New York Yankees. This is more than just the first game of an American League Division Series. This transcends baseball. This represents the forces of good colliding with the forces of evil.
Take a moment and look at the facts. Yankees: 26 World Series titles. Indians: 2 titles. Yankees: 39 AL pennants. Indians: 5 pennants. Yankees: played in each of the past 13 playoffs. Indians: haven't been in the postseason since 2001. Or you can set aside history and just look at the current rosters this year. Yankees 2007 payroll: $195,229,045 (most in MLB). Indians 2007 payroll: $61,673,267 (23rd out of 30 teams). So there's your basic David and Goliath story right there. You have the most successful franchise in the history of North American professional sports playing against a team that hasn't won the World Series since 1948. No one roots against David. Goliath sucks. Calling someone a Philistine is an insult. This is all common knowledge.
It's not just that the Yankees are a successful baseball team and I am jealous of their success and their fans' good fortune. It's that over the past decade they have been single handedly ruining my favorite sport. They are a huge (and evil) media juggernaut that makes billions of dollars in TV contracts and merchandising so they are able to afford the best free agents every season by signing them away from the small market teams drafted and developed their talent. Large market teams have such an advantage over small market teams in today's baseball economy that they're practically playing two different sports. The Royals, Pirates, Devil Rays and Twins just aren't on a level playing field when they're up against the Yankees, Cubs, Red Sox, and Dodgers.
There are so many ways to frame this fight: Native Americans bravely resisting white American colonialism and genocide. Wealthy East coast elites sipping cosmos and thinking of new ways to exploit the poor Midwestern farmer (Ohio is primarily an agrarian economy, after all). My personal favorite, however, is the Empire vs the Rebels. In this interpretation the empire is governed by a sinister force - the dark lord Steinbrenner. He has a ruthless and powerful second-in-command: Darth Torre. Other than Boba A-rod (the bad guy that doesn't fit in) the rest are all faceless, mindless clones, certain only of their own invincibility. The Rebels, on the other hand, are a spunky lot. Led by Luke (Eric Wedge), they are able to defy the odds and pluck victory from defeat - until this epic showdown, when nothing is guaranteed. Sabathia could be Hans Solo - he comes through when you need him the most. I'm thinking Hafner has to be Chewbacca. Because of the physical similarity. And Borowski's gotta be an ewok: entertaining for a while, but then just annoying. Like when he gives up runs.
I'll keep you posted.
-a
In less than four hours CC Sabathia of the Cleveland Indians will take the mound against the New York Yankees. This is more than just the first game of an American League Division Series. This transcends baseball. This represents the forces of good colliding with the forces of evil.
Take a moment and look at the facts. Yankees: 26 World Series titles. Indians: 2 titles. Yankees: 39 AL pennants. Indians: 5 pennants. Yankees: played in each of the past 13 playoffs. Indians: haven't been in the postseason since 2001. Or you can set aside history and just look at the current rosters this year. Yankees 2007 payroll: $195,229,045 (most in MLB). Indians 2007 payroll: $61,673,267 (23rd out of 30 teams). So there's your basic David and Goliath story right there. You have the most successful franchise in the history of North American professional sports playing against a team that hasn't won the World Series since 1948. No one roots against David. Goliath sucks. Calling someone a Philistine is an insult. This is all common knowledge.
It's not just that the Yankees are a successful baseball team and I am jealous of their success and their fans' good fortune. It's that over the past decade they have been single handedly ruining my favorite sport. They are a huge (and evil) media juggernaut that makes billions of dollars in TV contracts and merchandising so they are able to afford the best free agents every season by signing them away from the small market teams drafted and developed their talent. Large market teams have such an advantage over small market teams in today's baseball economy that they're practically playing two different sports. The Royals, Pirates, Devil Rays and Twins just aren't on a level playing field when they're up against the Yankees, Cubs, Red Sox, and Dodgers.
There are so many ways to frame this fight: Native Americans bravely resisting white American colonialism and genocide. Wealthy East coast elites sipping cosmos and thinking of new ways to exploit the poor Midwestern farmer (Ohio is primarily an agrarian economy, after all). My personal favorite, however, is the Empire vs the Rebels. In this interpretation the empire is governed by a sinister force - the dark lord Steinbrenner. He has a ruthless and powerful second-in-command: Darth Torre. Other than Boba A-rod (the bad guy that doesn't fit in) the rest are all faceless, mindless clones, certain only of their own invincibility. The Rebels, on the other hand, are a spunky lot. Led by Luke (Eric Wedge), they are able to defy the odds and pluck victory from defeat - until this epic showdown, when nothing is guaranteed. Sabathia could be Hans Solo - he comes through when you need him the most. I'm thinking Hafner has to be Chewbacca. Because of the physical similarity. And Borowski's gotta be an ewok: entertaining for a while, but then just annoying. Like when he gives up runs.
I'll keep you posted.
-a
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