My Morning in Exile

Unfortunately, it will only be the morning, as I have to leave in about five minutes to go to a hearing in beautiful Jackson, Ohio. Johnny and June Carter weren’t singing about that Jackson. Neither was Lucinda Williams. In fact, I think the only notable thing about Jackson, Ohio was that they filmed a big chunk of the movie “Best of the Best III” there when I was in college. A bunch of us were going to go down in response to an extras call but we forgot to sober up and make the drive. A shame really, as I think our particular brand of artistry would have lent much to the characterizations. One of those things I’ll always regret.

Anyway, in addition to the Manny Acta news, I dropped some B.S. thusly:

  • It was discussed in the ATH comments already, but Lou Piniella out-La Russad La Russa.
  • Yet another reason to hate Chris Berman and, by extension, the Home Run Derby.
  • Oh, and speaking of hate, the fans aren’t too big on the current construction of the All-Star game either.
  • Two man-crushes in one: Obama to pitch, Pujols to catch.
  • Finally, let the Buchholz era begin. Again. Maybe he’ll get it right this time.
  • There’s a chance I’ll be back by late afternoon, but I’m kind of dubious: Jackson it’s said never gives up her dead when the hearings of July come early.


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    Bill @ the daily something
    14 years ago

    Here are some random thoughts on how to make the HR Derby interesting:
    the-daily-something.blogspot.com/2009/07/how-to-make-derby-watchable.html

    On the Piniella thing, I love that move and think managers should do that more often (especially if it eliminates the ridiculous 13th pitcher, and preferably even the 12th). But the interesting thing to me was the rule discussion about whether he could send him to the outfield, then bring him back in, then swap in a different pitcher if LaRussa pinch hits without having him face a better. The umpires last night decided he couldn’t, but is that spelled out so clearly in the rules? It seems to me that his having already faced a batter in the game should carry through, even though he was moved out and back into the pitcher role. That once you’ve faced a batter, you’ve faced a batter, and you should be able to be moved in and out of the pitcher position just like it’s any other position.

    YankeesfanLen
    14 years ago

    You better take a six for the road if you’re going into Gordon Lightfoot so early in the day.
    Man, do I hate that song!Worse than a double play with the bases loaded, no on out.

    George
    14 years ago

    Does it make me a bad guy that I had to look up to see if Pujols was an American citizen? 

    He became a US citizen in 07.

    Wooden U. Lykteneau
    14 years ago

    I can think of <a href=“www.youtube.com/watch?v=A81fwLNklSM”>.

    Wooden U. Lykteneau
    14 years ago
    lar
    14 years ago

    I explained this in a comment elsewhere, but I thought it’d be worth including here.

    According to Rule 3.05(b): “If the pitcher is replaced, the substitute pitcher shall pitch to the batter then at bat, or any substitute batter, until such batter is put out or reaches first base, or until the offensive team is put out, unless the substitute pitcher sustains injury or illness which, in the umpire-in-chief’s judgment, incapacitates him for further play as a pitcher.”

    I’m not 100% certain what happened in the inning last night but, if it happened like I think, then, when Piniella brought in Reed Johnson to play left and moved Sean Marshall back to the mound, then he officially made Marshall into the new substitute pitcher. Which would then mean that 3.05(b) is brought into effect and that Tony LaRussa made the smart move in waiting for it to happen before bringing in a pinch-hitter.

    Pete Toms
    14 years ago

    Isn’t anybody excited about ESPN’s “Ball Track” technology?  (Ugh)  My 8 & 6 year olds will probably think it’s cool.

    Mike Fast
    14 years ago

    Pete, excited about the technology? Yes:
    http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/blog_article/trackman-baseball/

    Excited about ESPN’s choice of application? Meh.

    YankeesfanLen
    14 years ago

    @ Wooden-
      The Starland vocal Band was one of the few, if any, groups to hail from the Washington D.C. area.  Jimmy Carter camapigned and won on a platform to pass legislation banning them inside the beltway.  After malaise set in, he pardoned them (that was big back then)
        They retired from govt. service recently, not having been able to find a single project “shovel-ready”
        This is what Craig gets for leaving us unattended for an afternoon.

    Dr Paisley
    14 years ago

    Two man-crushes in one: Obama to pitch, Pujols to catch.

    Larry Craig must be thinking, “where did I go wrong?”

    puck
    14 years ago

    Re. the Buchholz era—is there any indication this is for more than one start?