Friday, August 27, 2010

Pete Rose on Roger Clemens

I once blogged (or at least I thought I did, but I can't find the link) that Roger Clemens, with his responses to Congress, Baseball, and anyone who will listen, is doing what comes naturally, throwing heat.

As a pitcher, he was great because he never backed down from anyone at any time. He was always in your face. This will not serve him as well as he is indicted for perjury by Congress, but you can't get Roger out of uniform and once he puts on his spikes...

What is amazing is who understands him better than anyone else, Pete Rose. This article on ESPN.com goes a long way to showing that whether Pete is sincere or not in his confessions and apologies, he at least now understands the gravity of his actions and more his denial. Written by Johnette Howard, it's great reading.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Fight! Fight!

I do wish I had pics or video on this, but Major League Baseball is tighter with images than a Submarine is with water.

On August 9, the Cincinnati Reds and the St. Louis Cardinals faced off in an important three game series for leadership in the National League's Central Division. Before the game, Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips shared some "unflattering remarks" about the Cardinals. Quickly, Phillips words incited the Cards to think bad thoughts.

So when Phillips came to the plate to take his first at-bat in the first inning, he tapped the Cardinal's catcher Yadier Molina on the shin guards. It was sort of his way of saying, "Hey, just busting your chops, no hard feelings." Molina said, "Au contraire."

This is when the best brawl in the MLB this year broke out.

I have enjoyed watching the Sport Caster's comments on this. The conventional wisdom is that Phillips should have stood in the batter's box in the first inning, taken the long expected 88 mph ball in the numbers, and taken his base. Then it would have been over. Instead, he gives off the "just kidding" vibe and all hell breaks loose.

The commentators also noted that it didn't appear that the Reds were in such a hurry to defend Brandon's honor. "Let him take a couple of punches from a guy who is wearing pads and a mask and then go out to break it up."

One of the things I love about baseball is that there is a zen to busting chops, taking breaking balls to the back, fights, and even when to let the umpire take one off the mask, but that's a story for another blog. Ah, the unwritten laws that are enforced unlike any written law can.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Naomi Campbell Testifies on 'Blood Diamonds' Link in Charles Taylor War Crimes Trial

Testifying at the War Crimes Trial of Charles Taylor, Naomi Campbell says "I didn't really want to be here... I just want to get this over with and get on with my life."

Gee, I wonder if a quarter million dead from the ten year civil war in Sierra Leone would feel the same way if given the opportunity.

Naomi Campbell Testifies on 'Blood Diamonds' Link in Charles Taylor War Crimes Trial