Just In From the Desert

Matty Slam (aka Matt LaPorta) cleared the bases with a pinch-hit dinger in a walk-riddled 7 run 7th.  It was a sloppy game all around that the Rangers eventually won 11-9 on a walk-off dong from Chris Davis.

Josh Tomlin got stretched out a bit today, throwing 3 innnings.  Despite allowing 4 hits and his 1st run of the young spring, Tomlin (1.80 ERA) continued to throw strikes (29 of 39 pitches) and I'll cut him some slack given that he had to face Ian Kinsler (.566, 3 HR, 6 RBI), Mike Napoli (.500, HR, 3 RBI) & Davis (.455, HR, 5 RBI).

I'll grant the same reprieve to Mitch Talbot (2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 HR) since he too was consistently in the zone (33 pitches, 26 strikes) in his first outing.

Travis Buck continued his hot hitting while getting the start in center.  Buck singled home the Tribe's first run and lowered his average to .545.

I remain anti-"Jason Donald starting at 3B".  Even though he singled in the 2nd and is hitting .375, his bases-loaded double play ball in the 6th effectively killed any chance at a big inning.  The twin killing did result in the Tribe's 2nd run, but that was all that they got.  Even if he does have the reflexes to play the hot corner (& I'm still not convinced), he simply has too little pop in his bat to man a run producing position.

Pitchers for 03.04: Fausto Carmona (starter), Nick Hagadone, Frank Herrmann, Doug Mathis, Chris Perez, Zach Putnam and Alex White.  The game will supposedly be streamed live at Indians.com.

I am not assuming that Jordan Bastian's only responsibility is the Indians blog, but he's now missed 2 days in a row.  It is now 11p Cleveland time and I am not waiting any longer the "Major League Bastion."  Disgusting.  Is it possible that I am disseminating more relevant information from my den?  Maybe the Tribe should hire someone with a bit more passion for the job.  Or change the name of his blog to reflect his "Bush League" commitment.

And Let Fall the World

Each day I become more and more convinced that I might outlive the grand ol' US of A.  I understand the nature of capitalism, it's necessity.  Much of the problem is due to corruption.  Our culture is rife with profiteering executives simply looking to line their pockets before they get caught hand in cookie jar.  There is no moral compass, no idea of social responsibility.  None.  Recognizing that profits are not bad, they must, MUST, come last.  Provide your good, provide your service, provide it well.  If, IF, you perform well enough then you cover your overhead and get your profit.  If, instead, you provide a garbage product and continue to raise your rates to ensure your own reward, your organization will crumble unto dust.  Unfortunately, this is now the status quo.  From those who defraud the welfare system all the way to the doors of the Senate, every American is only looking out for #1.

Is there some way to fix all of this?  Is it possible?  Yes.  Is it feasible?  No.  Mired in a system where the only priority aside from personal gain is the evasion of responsibility, none of our elected officials can resolve even a single relevant concern.  Instead of bickering across party lines, perhaps the powers that be might solicit the advice of a variety of experts and apply the objective results in a fair manner.  Does this mean everyone has to agree?  No, but if the best minds in the field create a model, accept the freakin' results.  Don't skew the data to serve your own ends.  Vigorously represent your constituency.  When the vote comes, the plurality will prevail.  This is representative democracy.  This is just.

When no one is willing to make concession, when perception is paramount and reality a pale cousin, then we can rest assured that our voices will fall upon the deaf.  As our proxies seek only to consolidate power and shift responsibility onto the other side rather than affect any sort of positive change, the foundation becomes untenable.  And the house is sure to fall.

I believe that I'll play the guitar rather than the fiddle.

Not Funny, Just Upsetting

Archie Comics:Atlas Shrugged::this trailer:{our "modern" abomination}.  I'd explicate more thoroughly, but I  have to tune my fiddle.

Riverdale: Archie Movie Trailer - watch more funny videos

Suicide Squeeze - Tyler Henson ('92 Upper Deck)

Just In From the Desert

2010 First round pick Drew Pomeranz certainly showed up for his pro debut.  The 6'5" left-hander threw a hitless 4th inning, surrendering a walk and fanning a pair.

Starter Justin Masterson did not fare so well, allowing 2 ER, 2 H, & 3 BB over his 2 innings.  He also hit a guy.  Afterward, Masterson said that he was satisfied with his performance.  I am not.

OF Travis Buck, off to a great start in his push for utility outfielder spot, added another hit and another RBI.  After a 1-for-3 day, Buck is hitting a robust .625.

Confirmed pitchers for 03.03: Mitch Talbot & Josh Tomlin.  That's all they'll tell me.  They're also very quiet on Masterson's pitch-to-strike ratio.  By them I refer to Yahoo!, MLB, PD, IPI, the Indians and every other source you can name.  I was also waiting for supposed Indians blogger Jordan Bastion to post for the day.  Apparently that was too much to ask.  Kid's got a real tough job.

Bollocks.

I Betcha Charlie Hit That: Your Primer For All Things Sheen

Chuck's 2nd tweet ever -
Just got invited to do the Nancy Grace show... I'd rather go on a long road trip with Chuck Lorre in a '75 Pacer....

Follow him here (it can be hard to parse through all the posers). He's shot to 1.1mil followers in a day.

What the F is "Tiger Blood?" Esquire fills you in.

Need to catch up on the media blitz?  Here's the reel -

ABC: Good Morning America


NBC: Today Show


Alex Jones TV




CNN: Piers Morgan





ABC: 20/20




Howard Stern




Cheers

Pretty Girl 03.03.11 - Sofia Vergara

Dios Mio, Mami.