I've never wished to be shorter more than I do now...

Melvin on Gomez

First of all, thank goodness I wasn't playing the Doug Melvin "and that" drinking game tonight. I swear he hit 20 during that half inning.

Second, this is the third mention I've heard from Doug in the last week how Gomez was rushed to the majors and missed out on some needed development. Like I posted earlier, Carlos has taken what the braintrust is selling and, pun intended, run with it. His line drive rate has seemingly sky-rocketed lately.

Even the casuals that call for getting rid of him have to salivate at what 162 games of that speed can provide the Brewer's offense.

Wow... I don't think I can even blink in the time it takes Gomez to go 1st to 3rd.

If he can get on at a .350 clip, he's worth as much as Braun when you add in his defense.

Crew 3 - SF 0

If golf can help Wolf's pitching, I wonder what it could do for my bowling.

Al points out Wolf's ERA is 3.88, minus a mercy shellacking in Pittsburgh. Obviously there would be some regression moving from Dodger Stadium to Miller Park, but Wolf has been essentially what he needed to be this year.

If the Crew can somehow find a #2 or another solid #3 to slot in with Gallardo/Wolf, I think getting back to league-average pitching is possible. With the bullpen pretty much set for next year (and decidedly cheaper), there could be some room to spend. Of course, the Prince dilemma will be the talk of the off-season, but the pitching is absolutely critical.

Braunie's Last Two Months

Jim over at Bernie's Crew wonders if we should still worry about Braun going forward.

I go back to Hanson hitting him on the elbow earlier this year. Braun was tearing the cover off the ball all season up to that point. Young players rarely suffer an extended drought without an injury playing a part. I think it was at that point he decided to play through it, developed the attitude that some contact is better than no contact and changed accordingly.

I have no idea how calculated Ryan Braun can be, but is this the year he decided to consciously get the ball in play more, cut down on K's, up his walks & pitch selection, then tie his power game back into it in '11?

And in other news, the sky is blue...

Carlos Gomez

I must say, whatever the braintrust discussed with Gomez seems to have hit home. He's making attempts to utilize his most potent weapon, speed, and not leaving his shoes in the box on every swing like earlier in the season.

Sounds about right from the "global warming" meatheads...

Honestly, I'm not surprised by this... most of these so-called green politicians are so out of touch with the average American family, they couldn't remove their heads from their backsides with a crowbar.

African Genital Washing Study? I'm Not Kidding...

I challenge anyone to tell me how this is in any way job creation, pertinent, or even a semi-valuable use of resources... $800,000 to study post-coital genital washing among African males.

How is that a better spending of "stimulus" dollars, than simply letting hard-working Americans keep their money?

They just keep embarrasing themselves on the Hill and pretending we aren't noticing.

Speaking of lovely ladies, Meghan McCain gets a lot of flak for her weight, but, my goodness, what a gorgeous woman. This Times story makes me think if she wanted to, she could easily carry the flag of fiscally-responsible, progressive-thinking conservatives.

How can a channel have a video awards when they don't show videos?

The only saving grace was the 30 seconds of Ashley Greene.

The 'Skins uniforms are bad-ass in HD. Seems pretty tough to throw to the wrong player wearing pants as bright as the sun.

Newest Man Crush

Not exactly a crisp way to start the season, but the Pack pulled one out.

Thank goodness for Clay Matthews. He certainly has shown why Thompson moved back into the 1st round last year. Absolutely exciting player. Teaming with Woodson & Collins should bring a fair share of big plays.

Today's performance justifies naming my fantasy team "Clay Matthews' State College of Beauty Culture".

9/11

I was watching a replay of that day's events as they were broadcast and was astounded by the sheer chaos of information, from plane numbers to supposed car bombs. It really was the first day of it's kind in our nation's history.

This was my generation's JFK... I was listening to Bob & Tom at work when Christi Lee said something about a plane of some kind hitting a tower. My break started at 9am and I think I finally came back to my machine at 10. It was actually one of the first days I felt like I wasn't safe in forgotten Wisconsin.

9 years later, it's still quite surreal and brings back many of the feelings I had watching it all unfold.

I thank all the men & women braver than I who fight for our freedoms so I don't have to. You are truly American heroes and I thank you. Remember that day.

600

Congratulations to Hoffman

I'm on record not enjoying that signing last year, but it was nice to see the respect the man has earned in 17 years (although you'd never know it watching the 4-letter network, who all but ignored it while it was going on, and spent all of 20 seconds on SportsCenter).

I'm not sure if the double-switch / 9th inning was worked out as a scenario beforehand, but if it was, Macha & Randolph don't get enough credit.

Davidson was fired once by MLB and allegedly worked his way back up through minors. Really? He was the next best choice? Really?
Before night is done, Bob Davidson might eject himself from the game. At least he'd get that one right.- Tom H. on Twitter

I'm not a fan of his coverage by any means, but that was worth a chuckle.

2 coaches, a player, & a fan... who shit in Bob Davidson's oatmeal this morning?

If they spent as much time calling the game correctly as they do all the periphery things, they may actually get some things right.

Sheesh.

While by the letter of the rule, it was a good call, I think the last time that was called, Coolidge was in office.

If only they called everything by the rulebook...

TV Team

Does anyone else get sick of the cliches and general spewing of accolades for the opposing teams from Bill & Brian. I swear if I hear "the hands lead the barrel of the bat" one more time or gushing over a SS making a throw a SS should make...

Is it too much to ask that they at least give a nod to people with more than a middling idea about the game of baseball. What I would give to hear some of the bloggers I read on a broadcast.

First Signal - Harry Hess project

September 14th will see the reintroduction of Harry Hess (ex-Harem Scarem) to the microphone & North America. And let me say, Harry, we've missed you. From the team of top-notch AOR writers (Erik Martensson, Martin Brothers, Richard Marx)to the amazing production of Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69, Khymera), this release is truly a treat for the ears.
The opening track, "This City" , gets things going with an intro reminiscent of Journey's outstanding "Never Walk Away" from Revelation. The bridge reminds one of "One Love" from JSS's current W.E.T. project. If you can't roll the windows down & cruise 80mph to this track, just get off the road. You're taking up space.
Next up is "When You Believe", complete with Journey-style intro keys from Eric Ragno. Groove, groove, groove. Another large layered chorus and Harry is back in early 90's form.
"Part Of Me" takes the album in an updated direction. This is the first of two Richard Marx-penned tunes. This would not have been out of place on Harem's final album "Hope". Contemporary rocker and quite good after a few listens.
Ballad "Crazy" is decidedly a newer Harem-style change of pace. Some nice piano and the typical Hess-delivered vocal.
"Goodbye To The Good Times" starts with some country-flavored guitar, switches to a funky style a la Jeff Scott Soto, then blasts into the chorus chock full of melody. It almost reminds me of a latter-80's Bad Company tune.
Title song "First Signal" has hints of modern rock until the bridge, when a wonderfully delivered guitar riff plays behind the vocals. Again the chorus is LARGE.
"Feels Like Love This Time" starts with some steel guitar (?). This tune really shows Harry's AOR range. Reminiscent of the melody used in Bon Jovi's "Stick To Your Guns". Once again, huge vocals.
"Into The Night" starts out rather modern rock-ish and holds that energy throuhout. Decent tune, although slightly forgettable.
The second Marx song "When November Falls" is a contemporary tune. Well written and a softer melody than the rest of the disc. This could easily have been recorded by Def Leppard for their X album.
"Yesterday's Rain" brings the riffs back. The chorus is quite Eclipse-ish, which only makes sense with Erik Martensson involved. Great vocals by Harry.
Finishing off the album is "Naked Desire", an old Mark Free demo. Harry plows through this in typical fashion, bringing an end to an outstanding listening experience.
I could sum this up all day long, but I'll leave you with this: If you like driving grooves, huge choruses, and well-written AOR, get this. Now. Don't wait. Go now... What are you still doing sitting there?