I haven't written in a while- this self serving, literary vessel of catharsis, doesn't rank real high on the list of priorities; but, after hearing about some people checking it to see the "Chip tha Ripper" video, I am driven to add something delectable. I'm going to call it a 'bromage,' but really it's an account of the college-real world transition that departs from the typical, pessimistic, nostalgia that you typically hear. I prefer to celebrate the new opportunity, not to mourn the loss of the last.
The inspiration for this piece come from twitter. While I do use it as an instantanious news feed, I will also admit that I have embraced it as a social networking tool to keep in touch with friends and collegues across the states. I can daily expect the typical post college tweet, usually from Drew, about training, or the move, or an expense, or any other indicator of "being old;" but, for the most part, it seems the group of people I keep in touch with have moved on. The eye openning part of this, is that I suddenly realized I am involved with a wildly talented bunch of people.
I think it would be rare that someone admits that their friends and aquaintances are talentless or uninteresting, but the fact is, that has to be the case. I mean I am sure everyone is unique and interesting in their own way, but if they were all truly talented, there is no way my rag tag bunch of friends could be doing so well. This hit me as I tried to write an introduction for a friend's 'about' section on his new portfolio website. The thing is, I didn't have to lie. I have been impressed with his work for the last couple of years, but it has recently become (at times) astounding. And, though I felt this way, I was floored to see that others feel the same way. The wealth of admiration and compliments he was recieving made me realize that I didn't like his work because he is a friend, but because he is an amazing photographer. This got me thinking about other friends: there's Paul, a scholarship goalie at a hockey powerhouse in New York and former MVP on a Championship Canadian team; Jason, who's video work garned the attention and commission of Ben Folds; Drew, who's frat-tasticness landed him in NYC with a great signing bonus (along with a wealth of other friends- Adam, Scott, Sean, etc.); Nate, who is moving to San Diego to throw shot all year around because the word "Olympics" isn't crazy to mention with his name; Lauren, an All-American soccer player; Dave, who is serious enough about cooking to suffer through shitty jobs because he will have his own kitchen one day; the wealth of Medical and Law School friends; a pal taking advantage of the crappy housing market to build up a portfolio of real estate; A Teacher for America who started his own non-profit social networking site and will certainly someday be a name in D.C; a party planner friend, turned #2 in the company, who is powerfull enough to get ME in VIP; some burgeoning journalists; Poets; an Author; PHD bound class mates; the team at StudioSTL; even a Jesuit in training.
That list is far from exhausting and I'm sure certifiably annoying, but that was its intended place. Leaving the safety of college and your parents' care is an alarming time, particularly during an economic recession. I hear friends worry about the future, if they will make money, or rise through the ranks, or meeting someone- in short, being happy in its many shapes. Or, I hear about people jobless, with no prospects, doing nothing but wasting time. But, when I think about the people I know, ther is no danger of this- they are all succeeding, in fact flourishing, in whatever they choose. I don't know if it's an anomoly or what- many times during college Travis and I discussed the fact that we no longer could consider ourselves top of the class, or gifted. We thought about grade school and how we were in special programs, or always got Os, and everything was easy and we felt that we were extrordinarily witty- and how it seemed that was all in the past and that our friends were much of the same, completely "normal Joes" who drank a lot and were in no way inspiringly special. I see how wrong we were. Whether or not the people we knew were the top 5% intellectually (who were all probably in teh Ivy League), top 5% most driven (who all made smart choices and went to State schools with research programs), top 5% creatively (who were in liberal arts colleges on the East Coast) or top 5% happy (certainly on the west coast), the people we knew were more balanced than we thought. People who successfuly loved 4 years of college and did them in all the success they needed, but also got business taken care of. Weather it was Athletically or artistically. In fact, it boggles my mind that I was unable to notice what they were accomplishing over the last four years.
I don't know what this blog was supposed to accomplish, but it has been something clanking around in my head for weeks; something I had to get out. I hope those who recognize themselves are re-encouraged and feel good about what they're doing, I hope others realize how talented some of the people they have grown comfortable with are, and I hope everyone realizes that all and all, things are pretty good right now. I mean things are good enough that my backyard doesn't look like the world in "The Road," that we can exhaustingly focus on celebrity deaths and reality T.V stars' lives, and that our future movers and shakers, those who just graduated or that are about to, are inspiringly capable and special.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Happiest Day of My Life?
Chip The Rippa is getting huge, take not, 'Catch the Beat,' and jump on his train. Many in Cleveland do not need to be told this, as he has been gaining popularity for quite a while now (from his lowly start at the Grog Shop on Coventry), even appearing in the Cleveland episode of "My Super Sweet 16;" but I have yet to hear anything about him outside of the wonderful NE Ohio, which seems surprising given the light speed quickness that music tips travel in the college world. It seems a band or rapper with any talent can't manage to stay undiscovered on the collegiate circuit for less than a month. Even here, as South as St. Louis I have been able to begin the spread. So how have big Miami U feeder cities, like Cinci and Chicago not become infected? I mean Oxford is notorious for blaring some surprisingly legit rap(mixed in with the solid 90s classics) during their wittily named house parties. Anyway, you want proof? Well download some songs and catch a concert. But, in the meantime, here is a movie that completely captures a) how hot Chip is, and will become and, b) proof that I'm not exaggerating (see the packed house in Bowling Green Ohio, the huge number of white kids hilariously unable to find the beat with their waving hands, the hot women, and best of all, Nate Pajek getting his dance on in front of gyrating booty and later, next to Chip).
http://www.slabup.com/2009/04/video-chip-tha-ripper-sky-bar-bgsu.html
I recomend starting at about 1:10 in, the highlight of the vid is at about 1:27, and the live music starts at about 1:37. Enjoy.
http://www.slabup.com/2009/04/video-chip-tha-ripper-sky-bar-bgsu.html
I recomend starting at about 1:10 in, the highlight of the vid is at about 1:27, and the live music starts at about 1:37. Enjoy.
Start of the Season: Best Part of Waking Up
-Apr 19, 2009 01:10 AM
Who needs Folgers when you have fantasy baseball waiting in the morning? Waking up to the late night, west coast box scores and your updated match-up score? To the brand new moves, be it Jordan Zimmerman's call up (finally) or Jose Guillen's first stint on the DL (finally) or Chipper Jones' first injury (ALREADY!?)?
Whether or not we should even be playing baseball in April, in a month that Cleveland is liable to get snow and is forced to hand out scarves as a door prize, a month in which C.C Sabathia needs 3 heating pads just to keep his obliques warm between innings, and a month played almost solely on the West Coast, is beside the point. We are playing baseball this early and as crazy as I know it is, I love it. So should you.
Already we have intriguing new heroes and and villains. The Yankees are no longer a dominant Darth Vader, Evan Langoria foils an early sophomore slump, Adam Laroche is actually hitting! Ichiro had his first DL stint... ever... and now has the highest hit total in Japanese history, Ken Griffey Jr. belts 500 on OPENING DAY (Oh if only he had hamstrings! Hank Aaron anyone?), Gary Sheffield is first ever to hit his 500th on a pinch hit, Ryan Ludwich is hitting, we have had 2 cycles, and Tim Lincecum threw 8 innings, no BBs, only 5 H, 13 Ks! No R and he still didn't win (in fact San Fran lost)... Oh must I go on?
Today, at the grill, I could taste summer and Joe Buck's voice over the radio fawning over Albert Pujols was a big part of that. As graduation approaches, I am constantly asked, "What now? What are you going to do this summer?" My first, gut reaction? Watch baseball. Even with a down economy, friends struggling to find jobs, even rationalizing extra years in 40K plus schools to be doing something "important," grad school, Law school, whatever, all I can think of is a summer worth of baseball. It may sound insensitive or stubborn, but it's true. Is it so crazy?
Consider how baseball became the national past time in the first place. The 1930s are remembered as perhaps the worst period of American History, aptly dubbed the "Great Depression;" a term that conjures images of shanty towns, eating shoes, railroad vagabonds... But if you were posed with the question "what happened in the 30s?" What might you say?
I'm beating around the bush. What I mean to say is, if someone asked you to talk about the history of baseball, what would you say? You would probably start with Babe Ruth, and naturally the Yankees would follow... then... I suppose from there it depends on the individual, but are my first claims wrong? What does that mean? It means that baseball, the "national past time," was a product of the depression. Sure you can name some of the biggies before the Babe, probably Ty Cobb or Shoeless Joe, and maybe you can even recall the Cleveland Spiders or Hoenus Wagner, but how much do you really know? The fact of the matter is, baseball seems to start with babe, and the depression. The called shot of 1931 in the 10th inning, Lou Gehrig, Joe Dimaggio, the BACK TO BACK TO BACK TO BACK Championships from 36-39. For most, the 1930s are not only the images of baseball, but its very beginning, dare I call them "The Glory Days"?
Maybe the recession has brought hope as the first decade of the 21st century closes, and I don't mean Barack Obama. Maybe, with the exposure and ridicule of steroids, the youth movement, led by the Lincecums, the Kershaws, Pedroias, Hamels, Howards, Hanleys, etc. is here to lead us into a baseball renaissance. Sure the 90s seemed great. The McGuire-Sosa line was great, Bonds, THE INDIANS! THE BRAVES! THE YANKEES! But they no longer taste that great. The Brady Anderson 50 HR flavor is sour in the mouth. Albert Bell as an icon, running down kids in a car, burns the throat. So embrace the bug! Did you somehow miss WBC fever? Baseball is doing great, so stop worrying so much. If you still have your mortgage and are remotely happy (not necessarily employed), set aside some money and go see a game. In fact, rationalize, say you are doing it for America. A 7 dollar bleacher seat, a 6 dollar beer, and a 3 dollar hot dog are all valuable contributions to the resurgence of the American Economy. I'm not saying the world is peachy or that no one is in trouble, but let's put things in perspective. Chances are, as bad as the recession is, you are better off than a Mumbai street kid or South American textile worker. And have you never heard the stories from your parents, or grandparents? Life isn't all about money, even during the depression you have to have some victories. So even if it means buying cans and recycling them once a month for a mere 7.47 cents (that's 35 lbs), then do it, because there is your ticket. And let's be honest can you even help but be happy and carefree at a ball game?
Who needs Folgers when you have fantasy baseball waiting in the morning? Waking up to the late night, west coast box scores and your updated match-up score? To the brand new moves, be it Jordan Zimmerman's call up (finally) or Jose Guillen's first stint on the DL (finally) or Chipper Jones' first injury (ALREADY!?)?
Whether or not we should even be playing baseball in April, in a month that Cleveland is liable to get snow and is forced to hand out scarves as a door prize, a month in which C.C Sabathia needs 3 heating pads just to keep his obliques warm between innings, and a month played almost solely on the West Coast, is beside the point. We are playing baseball this early and as crazy as I know it is, I love it. So should you.
Already we have intriguing new heroes and and villains. The Yankees are no longer a dominant Darth Vader, Evan Langoria foils an early sophomore slump, Adam Laroche is actually hitting! Ichiro had his first DL stint... ever... and now has the highest hit total in Japanese history, Ken Griffey Jr. belts 500 on OPENING DAY (Oh if only he had hamstrings! Hank Aaron anyone?), Gary Sheffield is first ever to hit his 500th on a pinch hit, Ryan Ludwich is hitting, we have had 2 cycles, and Tim Lincecum threw 8 innings, no BBs, only 5 H, 13 Ks! No R and he still didn't win (in fact San Fran lost)... Oh must I go on?
Today, at the grill, I could taste summer and Joe Buck's voice over the radio fawning over Albert Pujols was a big part of that. As graduation approaches, I am constantly asked, "What now? What are you going to do this summer?" My first, gut reaction? Watch baseball. Even with a down economy, friends struggling to find jobs, even rationalizing extra years in 40K plus schools to be doing something "important," grad school, Law school, whatever, all I can think of is a summer worth of baseball. It may sound insensitive or stubborn, but it's true. Is it so crazy?
Consider how baseball became the national past time in the first place. The 1930s are remembered as perhaps the worst period of American History, aptly dubbed the "Great Depression;" a term that conjures images of shanty towns, eating shoes, railroad vagabonds... But if you were posed with the question "what happened in the 30s?" What might you say?
I'm beating around the bush. What I mean to say is, if someone asked you to talk about the history of baseball, what would you say? You would probably start with Babe Ruth, and naturally the Yankees would follow... then... I suppose from there it depends on the individual, but are my first claims wrong? What does that mean? It means that baseball, the "national past time," was a product of the depression. Sure you can name some of the biggies before the Babe, probably Ty Cobb or Shoeless Joe, and maybe you can even recall the Cleveland Spiders or Hoenus Wagner, but how much do you really know? The fact of the matter is, baseball seems to start with babe, and the depression. The called shot of 1931 in the 10th inning, Lou Gehrig, Joe Dimaggio, the BACK TO BACK TO BACK TO BACK Championships from 36-39. For most, the 1930s are not only the images of baseball, but its very beginning, dare I call them "The Glory Days"?
Maybe the recession has brought hope as the first decade of the 21st century closes, and I don't mean Barack Obama. Maybe, with the exposure and ridicule of steroids, the youth movement, led by the Lincecums, the Kershaws, Pedroias, Hamels, Howards, Hanleys, etc. is here to lead us into a baseball renaissance. Sure the 90s seemed great. The McGuire-Sosa line was great, Bonds, THE INDIANS! THE BRAVES! THE YANKEES! But they no longer taste that great. The Brady Anderson 50 HR flavor is sour in the mouth. Albert Bell as an icon, running down kids in a car, burns the throat. So embrace the bug! Did you somehow miss WBC fever? Baseball is doing great, so stop worrying so much. If you still have your mortgage and are remotely happy (not necessarily employed), set aside some money and go see a game. In fact, rationalize, say you are doing it for America. A 7 dollar bleacher seat, a 6 dollar beer, and a 3 dollar hot dog are all valuable contributions to the resurgence of the American Economy. I'm not saying the world is peachy or that no one is in trouble, but let's put things in perspective. Chances are, as bad as the recession is, you are better off than a Mumbai street kid or South American textile worker. And have you never heard the stories from your parents, or grandparents? Life isn't all about money, even during the depression you have to have some victories. So even if it means buying cans and recycling them once a month for a mere 7.47 cents (that's 35 lbs), then do it, because there is your ticket. And let's be honest can you even help but be happy and carefree at a ball game?
Super Duper Bowl
-Feb 03, 2009 05:41 PM
There have been a lot of analysts dubbing this the greatest superbowl of all time. Needless to say, seems to be a bit of a stretch. One eloquent way of putting the phenomemon, "the most recent turd smells the worst." The excitement of the Arizona v. Pitt game has yet to fade. That huge Larry Fitzgerald touchdown with 2 minutes to go, the perfect game ending catch by Santonio Holmes (BUCKEYE) and the rumblin, stumblin, 100 yard trip by James Harrison are still making my body release enough adreneline to cry out loud or run a marathon. But isn't that the same feeling we all had after last year's super bowl, the then dubbed, best of all time? With David Tyree's amazing, unbelievable, game saving grab, Eli Manning's Rothlesburgeresque scampers out of the pocket to save plays, and the underdog, wildcard Gients beating the evil empire Patriots? Yes this game had the first safety in nearly 50 years and yes Kurt Warner wowed us all going 7-7 and a touchdown on a game saving drive (and first TD pass to Fitz, but let's focus on all the forgotten annoyances of the game. The bull (expletive) officiating that led to ridiculous personal foul calls on the likes of Adrian Wilson and Darnell Docket. May those have cost the game? (Even though Arizona kept them to 3... what about the momentum?). How about all the crappy, should have been gimme passes that Warner was throwing; the ones that made you think he was a super bowl bust, as opposed to hero. Hell, even the first touchdown to Fitz was VERY poorly thrown. If you felt hints of David Tyree in that catch, you should have, the ball was so short Larry trapped it against the defender's helmet. Previous to that play, Kurt threw one behind Larry that could have been a TD, or at least a gain of 4 to be on the 1 yard line. There were several dump offs in the flat that were no where close and how about that screen to Anquan Boldin that was not only high, but thrown like a slow pitch softball meatball. Can we recollect that until the Santonio game winning drive, Big Ben was sucking? Can we forget that somehow no one make Rodgers-Cromartie start jamming Holmes? I'm not saying every game should be perfect, and maybe these are some Monday morning QB issues. Hell, maybe some of these flaws are really what made the game great (because it was an amazing game). But, I still think there is some overhype going on. Let's cancel out non football issues. Bruce Springsteen was the greatest half time performance of all time, but the commercials sucked (WHERE WAS THE HIGH LIFE 1 SECOND SPOTS!?). So, when it comes down to just football, can we be too quick to forget...
1) That maybe last year was the greatest of all time? The no chance, Eli Manning (choke champion) lead Giants beat a team that seemed destined to go 19-0? Did anyone think Tom and Randy could be stopped? Let's not forget that was the first time EVER an NFC wildcard team won the super bowl. Check the Vegas odds, that game was a Pats gimme. The line fo this year? Only 6.5. And let's be honest we were all doubting with the way the Cards had been clicking all post season.
2) Super Bowl III... Nameth's gaurantee was like the Babe Ruth called shot of football. How big and crazy was it? Now whenever someone does it we call them crazy and laugh at the free "bullitin board material."
3) How about another Kurt Warner game? 34 Anyone? Don't you remember? The Titans came back from 16 down with only two minutes left. Then Sir Isaac Bruce and Captain Kurt seemed to solidify the victory, until the Titans made a crazy drive, ending with Kevin Dyson's outstreatched arm just short at the 1 yard line as time ran out. The only reason you are possibly aloud to have forgotten this is (outside of a Payotie problem) is that you had the music city miracle return, also of the Titans that post season, on repeat on all three of your T.V ever since. In which case we salute you.
4) How about two of the other 3 super bowls the Pats had been in this decade. Can anyone remember why we all think Vinitieri might be the best clutch kicker of all time? Remember 38? We all thought the game sucked in the first half and then the teams blew up, each almost scoring 30 in the second half. Or the origional underdog win and creation of Tom Brady, 20-17 (that's right, over you know who... Captain Kurt).
5) KNow why the 25 doesn't exist in Buffalo? WIDE RIGHT! It gets no closer than 20-19.
6) Maybe this is just personal. But watching Steve Young pass for 6 TDs to blow our Junior Seau and the Chargers was just pleasure as I heard my dad continually berate my poor uncle who, god knows why, put 50 bucks on the odds...
Look, I am not saying any of those is the best, or that this one isn't. Maybe it is. I am definately going to give it until at least draft day to decide though. This poop is still to fresh on my shoe, I can barely remember the horrible smells, textures, and colors of all the other poo I accidentally stepped in, so I would like to let my shock and anger abate before making any drastic claims. Maybe religious scouring off all the mock draft and Cleveland Browns message boards will be enough to push it for my time. I hope it is. I wouldn't mind writing about how crazy anyone was not to call this the greatest super bowl of all time... In time... after draft day... till then.
There have been a lot of analysts dubbing this the greatest superbowl of all time. Needless to say, seems to be a bit of a stretch. One eloquent way of putting the phenomemon, "the most recent turd smells the worst." The excitement of the Arizona v. Pitt game has yet to fade. That huge Larry Fitzgerald touchdown with 2 minutes to go, the perfect game ending catch by Santonio Holmes (BUCKEYE) and the rumblin, stumblin, 100 yard trip by James Harrison are still making my body release enough adreneline to cry out loud or run a marathon. But isn't that the same feeling we all had after last year's super bowl, the then dubbed, best of all time? With David Tyree's amazing, unbelievable, game saving grab, Eli Manning's Rothlesburgeresque scampers out of the pocket to save plays, and the underdog, wildcard Gients beating the evil empire Patriots? Yes this game had the first safety in nearly 50 years and yes Kurt Warner wowed us all going 7-7 and a touchdown on a game saving drive (and first TD pass to Fitz, but let's focus on all the forgotten annoyances of the game. The bull (expletive) officiating that led to ridiculous personal foul calls on the likes of Adrian Wilson and Darnell Docket. May those have cost the game? (Even though Arizona kept them to 3... what about the momentum?). How about all the crappy, should have been gimme passes that Warner was throwing; the ones that made you think he was a super bowl bust, as opposed to hero. Hell, even the first touchdown to Fitz was VERY poorly thrown. If you felt hints of David Tyree in that catch, you should have, the ball was so short Larry trapped it against the defender's helmet. Previous to that play, Kurt threw one behind Larry that could have been a TD, or at least a gain of 4 to be on the 1 yard line. There were several dump offs in the flat that were no where close and how about that screen to Anquan Boldin that was not only high, but thrown like a slow pitch softball meatball. Can we recollect that until the Santonio game winning drive, Big Ben was sucking? Can we forget that somehow no one make Rodgers-Cromartie start jamming Holmes? I'm not saying every game should be perfect, and maybe these are some Monday morning QB issues. Hell, maybe some of these flaws are really what made the game great (because it was an amazing game). But, I still think there is some overhype going on. Let's cancel out non football issues. Bruce Springsteen was the greatest half time performance of all time, but the commercials sucked (WHERE WAS THE HIGH LIFE 1 SECOND SPOTS!?). So, when it comes down to just football, can we be too quick to forget...
1) That maybe last year was the greatest of all time? The no chance, Eli Manning (choke champion) lead Giants beat a team that seemed destined to go 19-0? Did anyone think Tom and Randy could be stopped? Let's not forget that was the first time EVER an NFC wildcard team won the super bowl. Check the Vegas odds, that game was a Pats gimme. The line fo this year? Only 6.5. And let's be honest we were all doubting with the way the Cards had been clicking all post season.
2) Super Bowl III... Nameth's gaurantee was like the Babe Ruth called shot of football. How big and crazy was it? Now whenever someone does it we call them crazy and laugh at the free "bullitin board material."
3) How about another Kurt Warner game? 34 Anyone? Don't you remember? The Titans came back from 16 down with only two minutes left. Then Sir Isaac Bruce and Captain Kurt seemed to solidify the victory, until the Titans made a crazy drive, ending with Kevin Dyson's outstreatched arm just short at the 1 yard line as time ran out. The only reason you are possibly aloud to have forgotten this is (outside of a Payotie problem) is that you had the music city miracle return, also of the Titans that post season, on repeat on all three of your T.V ever since. In which case we salute you.
4) How about two of the other 3 super bowls the Pats had been in this decade. Can anyone remember why we all think Vinitieri might be the best clutch kicker of all time? Remember 38? We all thought the game sucked in the first half and then the teams blew up, each almost scoring 30 in the second half. Or the origional underdog win and creation of Tom Brady, 20-17 (that's right, over you know who... Captain Kurt).
5) KNow why the 25 doesn't exist in Buffalo? WIDE RIGHT! It gets no closer than 20-19.
6) Maybe this is just personal. But watching Steve Young pass for 6 TDs to blow our Junior Seau and the Chargers was just pleasure as I heard my dad continually berate my poor uncle who, god knows why, put 50 bucks on the odds...
Look, I am not saying any of those is the best, or that this one isn't. Maybe it is. I am definately going to give it until at least draft day to decide though. This poop is still to fresh on my shoe, I can barely remember the horrible smells, textures, and colors of all the other poo I accidentally stepped in, so I would like to let my shock and anger abate before making any drastic claims. Maybe religious scouring off all the mock draft and Cleveland Browns message boards will be enough to push it for my time. I hope it is. I wouldn't mind writing about how crazy anyone was not to call this the greatest super bowl of all time... In time... after draft day... till then.
Bloody Sox
-Jul 24, 2007 12:28 PM
Even as a die hard Indians fan it was extremely hard to root against John Lester last night as he made the Cleveland Indians lineup look like little more than a little league all-star team. However, now that my heart has been touched it is time to get back to my Boston blood thirst. I cannot wait to take the train down to Jacobs Field tonight to watch C.C Sabathia destroy Japan's finest as I eat a gross amount of one dollar hot dogs. Is there any better way to spend a night?
Though Sportscenter anchors continually remind us the July series are still just July series, I'm tempted to put more stock in this week. The number 2 and 3 records in baseball are facing off in what could be a series that drastically changes the rest of each team's season. This is just the type of series Cleveland needs. Fausto Carmono, the 12-4 phenom is finally going to get a serious threat against Josh Becket, and tonight against Dice-K, C.C will be forced to wake up and pitch like he did before the all star break. If Cleveland looks good and wins this series, Shapiro will be forced to go out there and make a move to sure up that bullpen or add an arm for the run. While C.C, Fausto, and Paulie Bird have been doing their parts, it has been excruciating watching the likes of Jake Westbrook and Cliff Lee go out there and throw B.P. With C.C looking to make Barry Zito's contract look like a joke, this needs to be the year that Shapiro and Wedge put it all together and lead these young players into the post season and on to the 'ship.'
The 3rd best staff in the bigs vs. the number one run scoring team. Hard not to be excited. Look out for Travis Hafner this week, it looks like he is finally shaking off the rust and he thrives in situations like these; this could be the resurrection. Also, Josh Barfield is hot, his game winning performance in Texas is what Cleveland should now be expecting. Aaron Fultz, its time to get healthy or get gone. Batencourt can't pitch every game, Shapiro is going to go get someone with you out, and it is going to get tough to find your way back into innings if that bullpen fills up. Fernando Cabrera? Goodbye friend, I thought you were gonna be the closer, now it looks like you wont even be around.
Everyone, get excited, the race is heating up, Detroit and Cleveland are neck and neck. New York is going to put some heat on Boston and the Seattle Mariners are going to force a wild card race. Do not grow complacent in the dog days of July, this is when things start to get exciting!
Even as a die hard Indians fan it was extremely hard to root against John Lester last night as he made the Cleveland Indians lineup look like little more than a little league all-star team. However, now that my heart has been touched it is time to get back to my Boston blood thirst. I cannot wait to take the train down to Jacobs Field tonight to watch C.C Sabathia destroy Japan's finest as I eat a gross amount of one dollar hot dogs. Is there any better way to spend a night?
Though Sportscenter anchors continually remind us the July series are still just July series, I'm tempted to put more stock in this week. The number 2 and 3 records in baseball are facing off in what could be a series that drastically changes the rest of each team's season. This is just the type of series Cleveland needs. Fausto Carmono, the 12-4 phenom is finally going to get a serious threat against Josh Becket, and tonight against Dice-K, C.C will be forced to wake up and pitch like he did before the all star break. If Cleveland looks good and wins this series, Shapiro will be forced to go out there and make a move to sure up that bullpen or add an arm for the run. While C.C, Fausto, and Paulie Bird have been doing their parts, it has been excruciating watching the likes of Jake Westbrook and Cliff Lee go out there and throw B.P. With C.C looking to make Barry Zito's contract look like a joke, this needs to be the year that Shapiro and Wedge put it all together and lead these young players into the post season and on to the 'ship.'
The 3rd best staff in the bigs vs. the number one run scoring team. Hard not to be excited. Look out for Travis Hafner this week, it looks like he is finally shaking off the rust and he thrives in situations like these; this could be the resurrection. Also, Josh Barfield is hot, his game winning performance in Texas is what Cleveland should now be expecting. Aaron Fultz, its time to get healthy or get gone. Batencourt can't pitch every game, Shapiro is going to go get someone with you out, and it is going to get tough to find your way back into innings if that bullpen fills up. Fernando Cabrera? Goodbye friend, I thought you were gonna be the closer, now it looks like you wont even be around.
Everyone, get excited, the race is heating up, Detroit and Cleveland are neck and neck. New York is going to put some heat on Boston and the Seattle Mariners are going to force a wild card race. Do not grow complacent in the dog days of July, this is when things start to get exciting!
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