R.I.P. To An Iconic Three

Do you remember,
how it all began.
It just seemed like heaven,
so why did it end?
-Michael Jackson, "Remember The Time"

On Thursday, I was on my daily Sportscenter binge while getting ready for Smoltz's debut as a Red Sox. In the middle of my Sportscenter stupor, my mom barged in with the shocking news. "Michael Jackson is dead". My immediate reaction was to look at her like she had eight heads. I mean, he's one of those celebrities that has every type of rumor spread about him. I'm sure the "Jackson's dead" angle has been played in the tabloids more than once. But when I flipped to one of the local news stations, it was all too true. All those fans surrounding the L.A. hospital. Seeing the tearful press conference of his brother Jermaine. Forget watching the game, this was way too warped. I mean, the composer of Thriller and the creator of the Moonwalk is actually dead? It was just all too much. Farrah Fawcett just died in the morning, and Ed McMahon passed away on Tuesday. It's strange how celebrities seem to leave us in trios, and it was even more bizarre that it was these three specific people, whose iconic presence breached multiple generations. These were three people whose work has influenced us more than we could understand. Even though I'm not as flabbergasted at celebrity as some people are, I still recognize the power it has over the lives of us commoners. It's those significant celebrities like Jackson, Fawcett, and McMahon that have this silent, but powerful influence over us that is most evident when they sadly leave us. As I play the song "Human Nature" in loop, here is my tribute to three unforgettable personalities that will live on longer in so many ways.

Ed McMahon (Mar. 6, 1923 - June 23, 2009)
(chasness.files.wordpress.com)

Before Leno, and before Conan (Yes young ones, before Conan.), there was the legendary Johnny Carson, who was at the helm of the late night scene. And it was good ole Ed McMahon who started off every show with his well-known call of "Heeeeeeeeeeere's Johnny". He played the part of the sidekick on The Late Night Show so well, that it actually advanced his profile in the mainstream with further career opportunities. He was the host of "Star Search", which paved the way for shows like "American Idol" and all of those other song/dance competitions that occupy many of the time slots today. He had pitched everything from Budweiser, to dog food, to those sweepstakes in which you could potentially win tons of money. In my mind, he could have hosted any game show and sold any product with his persona. He did it all with the amiability of a grandpa and the charm of a royal. And you can never underestimate his sense of humor, exhibited in his appearance on a "Cash For Gold" commercial after news of his financial problems later in his life. McMahon was just one of those faces you saw and knew you were going to crack a smile or laugh with something he said. In a way, he made the every day man an O.K. thing to be. I know he and Johnny are making people roll over in laughter up there right now like they were 25 years back.

Farrah Fawcett (Feb. 2, 1947 - June 25, 2009)
(eviljwinter.files.wordpress.com)

In my four years of college, I had a magnificent poster of Brooke Burke draped gloriously on my wall. As immaculate as that poster was, it has to pay thanks to Farrah Fawcett and her "Farrah Do". If this poster didn't directly influence the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, it sure paved the way. The 'Queen of All Pinups' rose to fame under the hit series "Charlie's Angels". It's hard to imagine that she was in only one out of the five seasons of the show. Yet her image is always the one thought of when thinking about the series. Made me wish I was Charles Townshend on the show, however I don't really like being called Charlie that much. Then again, "Chuck's Angels" doesn't have the same ring. Even though her beauty captivated many, it was also some of her grittier roles, such as the portrayal of an abuse victim in Burning Bed, that showed her stronger side. Her career didn't reach to the heights of what it was in the 70's, but she still had significant relevance. She made appearances in popular shows like Ally McBeal and Spin City, which showed after all these years that Farrah was a central figure in America's pop culture. This was most evident in the remake of Charlie's Angels as a pair of movies in 2000 and 2003. Cancer took her life in the end. But not without a tough battle, as shown in her documentary "Farrah's Story", furthering her reputation as an attractive yet tough and courageous individual. May heaven receive another "Angel".

Michael Jackson (Aug. 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009)
(static.open.salon.com)

What more can be said about Michael that already hasn't been said? 13 Grammys, 750 million records sold, and the millions of fans worldwide doesn't even begin to describe the influence that he had over myself and all of us. In the words of my mom, "I lost my Elvis". You could not put him in one, specific category. There was no one as popular as MJ in his prime, and there will be on one who will reach his level of fame, EVER. Not the way the music industry is nowadays. And definitely not in this TMZ era of the pseudo-celebrity, which figures are chewed up and spit out quicker than a Brussels sprout. JT, Beyonce, and Kanye combined will never hover remotely close to what Michael Jackson was as superstar and pop-pioneer. I remember watching MTV when I was a little tot, trying to emulate the way he twirled, doing it over and over again on a slick floor till it was perfect. I remember being scared to death when I watched the Thriller video for the 1st time, but was fascinated enough to view it many times over. As a kid when I was on the dance floor, I visualized myself as "The Gloved One" in "Billie Jean", slickly pacing on the floor as the floor lit from under me. I also recollect trying to do the Moonwalk in cleats before my little league games. Michael Jackson wasn't just a celebrity, he was someone that was part of the aura of your life no matter what your music interests were or what your opinion of him was. Even though there was much weirdness that surrounded his life since the Neverland days (and yes he was the butt of a few of my jokes), nothing could take away the power of his voice and the swiftness of his moves. It's figures like Michael Jackson I never ever could have imagined dying. But by seeing all his supporters on television, and by my avid listening of his tunes over the past 48 hours, I know he'll always be Moonwalking as future generations marvel at his unique, transcendent gift.

It's On! Some Gamecast Fun: Sox - Nationals

Good times for The Nation in the nation's capital. The Red Sox (43-27) have been on a roll this June, winning 14 out of 19 games in the month. Combined with the loss last night from their bitter rivals, the Sox now have a 5 game lead, which is their biggest lead in the division in this young season. All of this recent success is making it more difficult for me not to dream about the playoffs now (It's only June, it's only June......). Meanwhile, the Washington Nationals (20-48) let's just say, have been less than stellar. Deemed out of it by about the 3rd day of Spring Training, the "Natinals" have been exposed by their less than mediocre pitching (5.19 ERA), which includes the 2nd worst bullpen in the majors (5.59 ERA). The chance of them losing 100 games is as much of a certainty as Sammy Sosa not going into the Hall of Fame in five years. Between the recent crowds at National Park (probably 96.8% Red Sox fans) and the caliber of the opponent visiting, this is pretty much this team's World Series. It showed last night, as the Nats kept it close until their bullpen became the Red Sox's biggest run producer in the 8th inning. Tonight features Jon Lester (5-6), who came off of a tough-luck, rain-shortened loss against the Marlins in which he allowed 2 ER in 5+ innings. He faces off against Craig Stammen (1-2), a young sinkerballer who recently got the 1st victory of his young career in his last start by shutting out the Yankees in the Bronx with 6 1/3 solid innings. With the matchup presented, I probably don't have to tell you what I expect from my Sox. So I won't. You should have heard the word already. Get excited for Gamecast #3!

7:08 PM - The Nats get three quick outs from the arm of Stammen, while going 8 for 8 in throwing strikes. Should I be scared?

7:11 PM - Old pal Willie Harris gets up, and promptly flies out. I wonder what he feels about his time with us in '06. Probably not too great, considering he only played in 47 games. Then again, he only hit .156, which barely gets over my weight. 1 down.

7:15 PM - Lester counters with a clean inning of his own. Good times! Sharing the feelings of what the Southwest Airlines commercial is saying repeatedly right now, "It's on." I heard Manny took a Southwest flight in a middle seat on his way to his minor league stint in Albuquerque. I mean, how crazy would it be if you had a rich and famous dreadlocked slugger sitting next to you on a $80 flight after he has stowed away his female fertility drugs? Only in America, folks.

7:19 PM - As Craig Stammen is continuing to mow us down, the "Paul McCartney coming to Fenway" conversation begins. Gets me thinking of my favorite Beatles song. "Here Comes The Sun" is a classic and my personal favorite. I know, I'm a sap.

7:21 PM - Stammen is now working on a no-hitter after another 1,2,3 inning in the top half. Not that a no-no matters in the second inning, but wanted to jinx him just in case.

7:25 PM - Looking at the crowd in Nationals Ballpark, I wonder how much revenue Sox fans bring to other teams. $10 million? $20 million? I have to look this up. Between Washington and Baltimore, that's like an extra 12 game home games we should get the gate receipts for. Wouldn't be surprised if they were selling Fenway Franks in the stands now.

7:29 PM - After a walk, the enigmatic Elijah Dukes gets a single with an assist from his broken barrel, as it whooshed towards Nick Green like a magnet. Even his bat has a violent mind of its own. Craziness. 1st and 3rd for the Nats with one out. Not liking this, considering Stammen is throwing like '06 Chien Mien Wang right now.

7:31 PM - Anderson Hernandez singles, driving in Willingham. 1-0 Nats. MVP of the game so far, Elijah Dukes's barrel.

7:33 PM - Double play and we're out of it. Kinda frustrating that we were one broken maple bat away from getting out of this inning unscathed. Long way to go.

7:40 PM - Nick Green swings at an awful pitch. Apparently forgot his driver. 2 down.

7:40 PM - Lester goes down after three strong hacks. Stammen now has thrown 28 strikes out of 33 pitches. Not liking this at all (You're throwing a no-hitter Stammen. That's right, you hear me!).

7:42 PM - Not only is Stammen shutting us down like Halladay, he can hit like Ichiro too. Never good to allow a lead off base hit, especially against the pitcher. C'mon Lester!

7:47 PM - Stolen base from old friend Willie Harris, probably bringing Varitek's percentage of throwing out runners to like 4%. I honestly don't remember him throwing out a runner this year, and I've seen a lot of games.

7:49 PM - Walk by Guzman. Lester not sharp so far. Dice-K says that this start is making him tense. Getting to the meat with Zimmerman at the plate. 2 on, 1 out.

7:51 PM - Zimmerman strikes out. 2 down. I wonder if he is actually gonna go the long haul as being the Nats franchise player. I hope he has crazy incentives on his contract, like getting some under the table money whenever the Nats actually win a game (which probably won't be a lot). Or fully paid vacations to the Alps. Probably the only way I would stay with a team that averages only 22,000 a game while losing 100 of them. That attendance number seems real generous. Must have really spiked that number up the last couple of games.

7:52 PM - Nick Johnson grounds out to Nicky Green. I'm thinkin' that continuously getting into jams with this Nats team will screw us over eventually.

7:57 PM - MVPedroia breaks the no-no with his classic double down the line. Finally! Who says a fan can't control the outcome of a no-hitter?

7:59 PM - After a ridiculously low called strike to Youk, hitting coach Dave Magadan gets the boot. Very understandable. That pitch almost killed a gopher in the ground. Should give the ump Papi's eye drops. Even the Amica pitch zone said that was low.

8:01 PM - Youk walks to put runners in the corners with 1 out. J Bay Bay to the plate, who was called by "The Mayor" Sean Casey on the MLB Network as this week's "Mr. Clutch" on his segment appropriately titled "The Mayor's Office. Hope he proves it here.

8:03 PM - Strike 3. Gone on a "Bugs Bunny" curve. And you're welcome for the "Mr. Clutch" jinx. Errrrrrrr! C'mon Papi!

8:06 PM - Ortiz hits a moonshot! 3 run jack. Number 7 for the Big Man on a floating change-up. And I though I was gonna have to write a eulogy for his career two months ago. It's getting close to midnight as Stammen's outing is slowly turning into a pumpkin.

8:08 PM - And Varitek will pop out. Are you shocked? Still coming down from that homer high. 6 homers for Papi this month. Just found out that Papi got the 1,000th RBI in his great career. Could he be actually.........back? (Knockin' on some mahogany.)

8:10 PM - It's rare that you hear a song on a commercial repeatedly, and you actually like it more and more. Especially with an old song. Case and point, the Heineken commercial with Biz Markie's song "Just A Friend" being played while everyone sings in the cab. Love it when they bring the classics back.

8:13 PM - A 1,2,3 inning from Lester. The homerun ripple effect has soothed his mind a bit. Also makes me breathe easier. (YOOOU GOT WHAT I NEEEEEEEED!)

8:17 PM - Just reminded by Orsillo that Smoltz's debut is tomorrow. Never been so pumped to see a 42 year old have a debut with a team ever. Been waiting 5 months for this glorious moment.

8:19 PM - Green reaches on a nicely placed hit, as Guzman can't throw him out. Will the bunt be on with Lester? Why did I ask that question?

8:20 PM - Apparently, Lester practices his bunting. A sweet bunt moves Green to 2nd. 2 down with an opportunity to pounce.

8:21 PM - Base hit for MVPedroia. Drives in Nicky Green. 4-1 Sox. The world is coming back to normal.

8:23 PM - Opposite field, ground-rule double for J.D. Nats catch a break, but Stammen's inexperience is showing it's ugly head. Still 2 down.

8:25 PM - Stammen gets out of it, but the Sox add some padding to the lead. Sox Nation in D.C. rejoicing for the moment. 8, 9, and 1 hitters coming up in the bottom half of the 5th.

8:34 PM - Lester strikes out the side! Found his groove after a shaky 2nd inning. Ladies and gents, it's on!

8:36 PM - After Bay strikes out looking, Ortiz says, "shift this" and hits a dribbler to the opposite field. Should do that till his average gets to at least .260, then just hit bombs from there.

8:38 PM - Speakin' of bombs, 'Tek leaves the yard! That one left fast. Make that 6-1 Sox. Funny how 'Tek almost caught up to Ortiz rounding third. That homer marks the 11th for Tek, which is 2 shy of last year's total. Talk about coming back from the dead. Bye bye, Stammen.

8:43 PM - Old Yankee Villone finishes the inning, but the damage is done. Final line for Stammen; 5 1/3 IP, 6 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 5 K, and 2 bombs allowed. Not exactly a repeat of what he did in Yankee Stadium last week. Kotsay now in at first.

8:52 PM - Not a good start for Lester, as he allows a single to Guzman, and a double to Zimmerman. OBP machine Nick Johnson to the plate. Starting to sweat, which either means I'm nervous, or I need to turn on the AC.

8:55 PM - Johnson taps back to Lester, putting Guzman in a bit of a pickle. Run denied. However, he does his job as he gets runners on 2nd and 3rd with 1 out.

8:57 PM - Lead cut in half as Josh Willingham goes opposite field. 6-3 Sox as the pickle works to the Nats' advantage. Probably not a good thing for my heart to be drinking this Coke now.

8:59 PM - Dukes strikes out. C'mon Lester. Don't make me throw my remote! I want to replace my TV, but not now.

9:02 PM - Inning over. Feeling a little better. Probably more as a result of the NESN John Smoltz commercial that was just showing. Hope he comes in throwing strikes and not pull a Dice-K. Would like to think he will do the former. Lester's line; 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 6 K, no complaints (now, haha).

9:04 PM - As the righty Lugo comes in, Nats manger Manny Acta makes to move to our old, "even-keeled" friend Julian Tavarez. Can't wait for his "El Tiante" delivery. That, and him pointing to 1st on every groundout. I miss the personality we use to have on our team.

9:11 PM - Tavarez puts a 0 on the scoreboard for the Nats in the 7th. Randomly thinking that the "President's Race" thing is probably the most entertaining sideshow in an ordinary Nats game. Sad when a bunch of dudes in presidential mascot suits trying to out sprint each other has more appeal than the team they are putting on the field. Masterson coming in for the bottom half.

9:17 PM - With one out, our jilted friend Josh Bard doubles down the line on Masterson. You can't tell me that he didn't circle the Red Sox series on his schedule when he arrived in Washington. I almost feel sorry for the kid that we've tossed him out twice. It's like getting the chance to date some hot, quality chick, then get dumped not once, but twice just when you think the interest starts building while the chick says the classic, "It's not you, it's me" line. Be even weirder when the ex comes over in a police escort. Who says I have no compassion?

9:20 PM - Kotsay makes a beautiful diving play, and for the moment saves a run. Not bad for the one-time starting centerfielder for the Oakland A's. 2 down.

9:22 PM - The world is starting to turn upside-down again. Guzman triples to the right-center field gap. 6-4 Sox. Now starting to pace around my room.

9:24 PM - PHEW! Zimmerman falls two feet short of forcing me to halt this gamecast for a "slightly damaged" laptop. Ellsbury makes another quality catch off the wall. Game is becoming too close for comfort. Lefty Joe Beimel coming in for the Nats.

9:29 PM - Beimel throws a 1,2,3 inning. I really hope the bullpens didn't switch personalities. Ok, I'm happy again, because I just saw the Biz Markie commercial. Sweetness! (BUT YOU SAY HE'S JUST A FRIEND. BUT YOU SAY HE'S JUST A FRIEND!)

9:38 PM - One thing I hate is when a batter walks after an 0-2 count while looking overmatched. This is how teams rally. After a walk to Dukes, big, bad Adam Dunn gets introduced. It's time for the funky Okajima. Guy looks like a 6'6'' guitar player in a country band. He even has a country name. Well, he is from Texas. Look for him to go deep.

9:42 PM - Another 0-2 turned 3-2. ERRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! I feel the vein on my head.

9:42 PM - The country boy walks. Two guys on that should have been gone 4 pitches into the at bat. Reeeeeeeeaaally hoping that the bullpen personalities didn't switch. Ronnie Belliard to the plate.

9:48 PM - BELLIARD STRIKES OUT! Sweet curveball thrown by Okajima in an at bat that was too long for comfort. 9 pitches of hell. Would like some insurance, and now! It's the 9th inning in the capital. Mike MacDougal to the mound.

9:56 PM - Another 1,2,3 inning from the Nats bullpen, who have only allowed 1 BB and recorded 3 Ks in 3 2/3 innings. Papelbon's coming in (in prayer position, especially because he hasn't pitched in 3 days). Bard looking for some sweet revenge.

10:00 PM - Bard will have to wait tomorrow for some vengeance. Flies out to J Bay Bay in foul territory. 1 out.

10:03 PM - Somebody has to give Ellsbury a body pad to wear in centerfield. Great catch! Didn't know Willie Harris had warning track power. One more Papelbon!

10:04 PM - YES! First 1,2,3 save from Papelbon in recent memory. Got a little tense with the late game pressure in the end, but I have no complaints for the final result. Already we've done another thing that the Yankees couldn't pull off this season at home, beat the Nats twice. Lester is back at .500, Papi hit another bomb (his 1st road HR), and we win another on the road (8 out of our last 9 outside of Fenway). Apparently, this makes us one out of only two teams in the AL that have a winning record on the road (L.A. Angels being the other). Not bad from a team that couldn't find any groove outside of Fenway early in the season. My thoughts immediately go to tomorrow, as Smoltz takes the mound for the 1st time in a Red Sox uniform. Nobody was as excited for this transaction as I was, and I hope it pays immediate dividends. I know this isn't Johan Santana, but it will kind of be like '07 Schilling. It'll be a guy who doesn't have the stuff from his heyday, but a guy you have confidence in to make the right pitch when it counts. Even though it be great to have a dominant start from him tomorrow, I know that this will be looked at as a more valuable transaction towards the final days of the season. Hope those are in late October. Folks, it's on!

Swimming In The Rains Of Summer

Could this be called the Father's Day Miracle?
(blog.masslive.com)

Welcome to summer folks! Couldn't really tell with all this rain that's seemed to have crashed every pool party on the East Coast this weekend. What's worse than that is the forecast seems to call for only one dry day for the next ten days. Well, so much for the beach. Now I'm wondering if it's the second coming of Noah's Ark. Anyway, there was a few things worth pondering in the world of sports, combined with a lot of time to think about these little tidbits. First, how 'bout that Nicky Green? Many would call this guy a "quadruple A" player, or a career utility specialist. But we are also seeing a guy who is improving right in front of our eyes, blossoming in the opportunity given to him as a result of injuries to Lowrie and Lugo. The latest highlight you ask, a walk-off homerun against the team that drafted him 11 years back. Of course, it is a case of bizarro deja vu, as he hit a walk-off almost five years back as a Brave, against the Red Sox's Anastacio Martinez (remember him?). Most importantly, Green has improved on the part of his game that had every one wishing for Lugo to be back (surprisingly enough), his defense. After making 9 errors in his first couple months, he has worked himself into being a solid defender while hitting a solid .293 in 52 games. Green's performance makes the shortstop dilemma in Beantown a little more intriguing as Lowrie gets closer to a return date, while Lugo still seems less than one-hundred percent. Can't wait to see what will formulate in the middle of the infield in the next few months. I'm guessing it will involve the Red Sox pulling a "Dice-K" by putting Lugo back on the DL for "weakness" in his knee. But who knows. Maybe some team will take the remaining year of his 4 year, $36 million dollar contract. Or maybe I'll just put that sentence in the "wishful thinking" box. But believe it or not, the Sox weren't the only thing on my mind in the world of sports. Of course, you will see some more baseball related topics. However, you're also gonna see some entries about golf and believe it or not, soccer. Get excited ladies and gents!

A-Rod*: Not exactly the brightest bulb.

(americansportsblog.files.wordpress.com)

Let's start off with a quick look at the Yankees. Including the Boston sweep, they're 4-8 in their last 12 games, which includes the Mets (also only have won 4 of their last 12), the Nationals (enough said), and the Marlins. And just to think it could have been one game worse hadn't Luis Castillo forgotten a few fundamentals about catching a pop-up (two hands everybody!). On top of that, Alex Rodriguez* hasn't found his groove yet since his hip surgery, at least on the baseball field. After a hitless Washington series, Yankee skipper Girardi decided to bench the slugger for 2 games for fatigue. But the kicker came when I read some sensational news on all things, my Rotoworld widget. Apparently, the former Mr. Madonna was caught canoodling (I love that word.) with Kate Hudson on Friday night/Saturday morning. Hmmmm, might explain some of that lack of energy, as well as the reason why I can't stop laughing. For a man who hires all of these Hollywood types to protect his image, he seems to be one, very oblivious individual. Between the pictures of him making out with himself and his highly publicized chases of celebrity females, A-Rod* doesn't exactly make things that much easier on himself. Add that with his .213 average and the Yankees recent funk, I don't think New Yorkers are necessarily being supportive of Mr. A-Rod* lately. Along with all the fatigue, it seems like the left bicep of C.C. Sabathia has encountered a bit of exhaustion from the 355 IP since the beginning of '08. Even though the injury seems to be minor, it does put up a red flag due to the fact that the beefy hurler has thrown an average of about 214 1/3 innings in the last five seasons previous to '09. For $161 million dollars, I bet the Yanks and their fans hoped to avoid as many of these scares as possible. But then again, watch the Bronx Bombers turn it up another level like they always do. A-Rod* will hit two homers tomorrow, the bullpen will get on a roll, and Sabathia will throw a complete game in his next start. And you can thank me for the reverse jinx.

It was a wet one, and I don't mean the kiss on the trophy.
(espn.com)

Continuing on with New York, how 'bout that U.S. Open? I bet it was a good time for Lucas Glover, the 71st ranked player in the world, who captured his first title in a major after not making the cut in any of the previous majors he had participated in. And remember that David Duval guy? The once next-best thing in the sport and current holder of the 882nd best player in the world (they record rankings that low?) made a strong run for the title, which would have been his first since the 2001 British Open. A fellow named Ricky Barnes (a son of a former New England Patriots punter) tallied 132 strokes in the 1st two rounds, an open record. With all that said, this U.S Open was a soaked disaster. Mother Nature took the attention and gusto away from one of the biggest sporting events of the year, which had the potential to be a classic with all the story lines. You had Tiger prowling on another major championship, Sergio trying to win the elusive 1st, and most importantly Phil Mickelson coming out for 72 holes with the well-publicized cancer battle of his wife Amy on his mind. You could just see the emotion pouring out of your plasma screen. All of this, and it was going to be right in Bethpage in Farmingdale, NY, which contains some of the most raucous crowds in golf. An epic tourney was in the making. And then, it turned into a swim meet. Rain soaked the event from minute one, taking away any allure of the event. The story lines were still there and record setting performances were executed. However, the tsunami that hit the Northeast this weekend will be the only thing that this tournament will be remembered for. The golfers spent just as much time battling the elements as they were their competitors. It's a shame, considering that last year's U.S. Open was in the Pantheon of major championships. Nevermind the competitive last round, I think that this year's U.S Open will only be known for the buckets of rain poured, and all the accomplishments will sadly be forgotten in five years.

We're watching soccer? Must be close to the World Cup.
(espn.com)

Let's cap off this entry with (surprise!!) some soccer. While I admit it is not my favorite sport ever, I'm trying real hard to get into it. I'm serious. I've been amped up for every World Cup since 2002, even siding with the Portuguese national team as my main rooting interest. Considering about a third of my town is Portuguese and there is no Puerto Rican team, I may not have too much choice in the matter (Plus have you seen the Americans play on the international stage?). However, I find it real difficult to follow the sport when my country has a mediocre league that needed to pay a 32 year old (now 34) British midfielder (Hint: A movie title has his name in it.) to a whopping sum of $250 million, just so he can part-timer and go play for Milan so he can get in better shape for the 2010 World Cup. So much for marketing the sport. If that isn't any proof of where the talent of soccer is in the world, than I don't know what is. One day, I just have to order whatever soccer package is available on DIRECTV and follow all the teams in the European leagues. In trying to pick a favorite recently, I have been leaning towards F.C. Barcelona. The only criteria I've gone through so far is that I have visited the city twice, and that it is my mother country as a Puerto Rican. However, I'm afraid the choice will come with some bandwagon backlash, considering they just won the Champions League about a month ago (Hey, at least I didn't pick Real Madrid). So I will continue to do my research before I pick something definitive. As for the Americans and the Confederations Cup, it just seems so classic that we would advance it such a dubious way. After having our lack of heart completely exposed against powerhouses Italy and Brazil, we miraculously advance by beating Egypt by 3, while Brazil beat the the Italians by the necessary three goals for advancement. It seems like it always happens this way. The American squad gives ESPN some reason to believe that this is the team that will make soccer relevant, then they promptly exit the World Cup after three passionless matches on the pitch. While I still pull for American soccer, I believe the only way the casual American fan will begin to appreciate the quality and the passion of the sport is if they watch some matches with Manchester United instead of D.C. United. But I'm not gonna let the potential of failed expectations ruin my experience in following "the beautiful game". Anybody want to go to South Africa with me next June?

Mochaman's Fantasy Baseball Report
- Bubba Gump Shrimpz - 86-56-12 (1st, Steroid Freaks' Anonymous, 3.5 GB)
Back on top folks! Dominating week (12-1-1) despite posting my highest ERA and WHIP from my pitchers all season. Hoping the offense can stay as hot as they have been. Derrek Lee has just been a sensational pick up. Huge week for distance, considering the 2nd and 3rd place teams are battling this week.

- Mocha Sox - 36-69-5 (12th, Yahoo Public 38095, 27 GB)
Won another series this week, but barely. Traded Abreu and Loney for Justin Upton and Sandoval to fill up offensive holes, and possibly bulk up for pitching deals. Revamped the destroyed pitching staff that currently has Wandy Rodriguez as the active ace, with Randy Wells, J.P. Howell, Vin Mazzaro, and Ryan Madson, who blew two saves against the Orioles (eeks!). What's worse is that I'm playing the second place team this week. On the bright side, I'm five games away from 10th. Let the madness begin!

- Firehawks - 53-52-5 (7th, Yahoo Public 162279, 9 GB)
Close, tough loss for me last week. Just run into a team that was hotter than me offensively, but the pitching stayed solid. Now in perfect striking distance. Playing the 1st place team (redsox #1) this week, so kind of an important time for the 'Hawks. In a way, that's how it always should be.

$103 Million Dollar Pawsock?

When you see this sight in '09, it's probably the 5th inning.
(espn.com)

Before the season, I did my annual viewings of some of the Yahoo! fantasy baseball videos before arming my three teams with enough talent to make some deep runs. I clicked on the "Beware One-Year Wonder" video with Dice-K's picture on it, never good. In the video, Brad Evans just rips into Baseball's Houdini, crediting his 2008 season as more of a result of a baptism of luck rather than skillful wizardry. A drop-off is one thing, but the "rotten sushi" comment really emphasized where Evans was going with this. Immediately and very obviously, I got into defense mode, just passing off Dice-K's roller coaster method of pitching as his way of success. Yes he gave me a heart attack every time he went to the mound, and yes I wished he would get ahead of hitters, but you couldn't argue with the 18 wins, 2.90 ERA, and the .211 average against. On top of that, with the predicted beastly bullpen we were going to inherit, I predicted that we could be able to live with his 5-6 inning starts with the matchups we could produce out of the pen. But I had to be aware of a few veeeerrrrrry important statistics. For example, his 167 2/3 IP is the lowest obtained for a guy who had won as many games as the Dice Man. His 94 bases on balls weren't exactly world beating either, and his .267 average with balls in play put up a red flag. In short, he got away with everything but murder with his performance last year. But I wasn't going to question The National Treasure while I continued to question everyone else who doubted his success, until now. After being at last night's game at Fenway Park to watch him get booed, and after witnessing his whole disaster of a season post-WBC, there might be very few options with what to do with Dice-K, and they're not pretty. Whether it is to pull a Tigers/Dontrelle Willis and put him on the DL for some suspicious non-injury or to place him in Pawtucket, giving him a break from the rotation is the only way to solve this slippery downslide.

Somebody's gonna need some room up top.
(blog.syracuse.com)

Granted, I didn't expect for Dice-K to have another ERA in the high twos in '09, but I didn't expect this train wreck. As much as Bud Selig doesn't want to hear this, this most likely started in this year's World Baseball Classic. His performance in the tourney was brilliant (3-0, 2.45 ERA, 13 Ks, 5 BB in 14 2/3 innings) as he earned another MVP award for helping his native Japan win its 2nd title in as many Classics showcased. However, the Red Sox management, who are known to carefully build regimens for everyone in their staff, questioned the intense throwing program the Japanese squad was implementing early in the season. In the game against the United States, he threw a whopping total of 98 pitches, which definitely wouldn't be close to a total the Sox would have had him tally at any point in the Grapefruit League. We know that Japan takes the tourney more seriously than anybody in this country can imagine, but that probably didn't alleviate any of Sox's fears of the wear and tear. All those fears came true when Dice-K left his outing after a disastrous first inning in a game at Oakland, in if you also remember was the 1st gamecast on my blog, for arm fatigue. Even after his 1st win against Detroit, his approach or statistics haven't improved. Since that victory, he has posted a 9.88 ERA with a 2.20 WHIP in his last 3 starts while averaging 4.5 innings a start. That didn't improve in last night's debacle, which started poorly from the very first pitch with a shot off the bat of Nate McLouth. Also in the 1st inning, there was a period where he threw ten straight balls while walking in a run. And when he threw that magical strike, the fans roared like when Papi hit that first homerun a month back. It's almost sad when you're looking for a curtain call for a ball thrown over the plate. Is the problem still his arm? We saw Dice-K record no walks in a start against Texas, and he got battered. We saw him pitch in a run away game in Philly, and he made it close again. And recently, he just wasn't sharp from the get go against fellow countryman Kenshin Kawakami. This my friends, goes far beyond the physical. I believe the confidence tank is running low for Matsuzaka-san. It it was noticeable when he handed the ball off to Tito in the 5th inning, with his head hanging low in the midst of boos from the Fenway Faithful. He is very well aware that his time was running out to be a contributor in this year's starting rotation. With Smoltz and the anxious Buchholz waiting in the wings at Triple AAA, there was little room for error, and last night he may have used all of it up.

Will he meet his idol with a "P" or "B" cap?
(cache.daylife.com)

So unfortunately, it looks like Dice-K will receive a demotion to Pawtucket sooner than later, with Brad Penny possibly calling off a few U-Hauls. Junichi Tazawa will probably be uber-excited to pitch with his idol on the same team, but will probably be weirded out by the unexpected time and place. Honestly, I am sad about this. In his tenure with the Red Sox, he seems to carry himself with a quiet dignity and seems very engaging when he interacts with media. You never hear any of the diva stories from him that we hear about other superstars. The image is a far cry from a guy who achieved mega-stardom in his home country. But it seems as if the weight of two nations has squashed the confidence of the Japanese phenom. But to me, it doesn't bring to question so much the Dice-K situation, but as to how we develop Japanese pitchers. We hear the differences all the time with the American and Japanese professional leagues. The ball is apparently smaller in Japan, which allows for better management of pitches. Dice-K has also been quoted as saying that the MLB hitters have more natural power than those of Japan (explain why he nibbles), who typically produce line drive hitters like Ichiro. Even with all the money and hype invested in this guy and with everything we know about the two leagues, why didn't he start off with stint in the minors? Maybe the Sox didn't have another quality arm in the rotation ready when the 2007 season started, or maybe it was the demands from the devil...I mean Scott Boras that prevented an action such as this, but even a little time in the lower leagues may have prepared him better for the challenge to come. The time there would give pitchers like Daisuke and Tazawa, the time to get use to all the intricate details of the American game as well as to create a measuring stick of performance and confidence. Even with Nomo's early success, he found it difficult to maintain that success as hitters from both the American and National Leagues made adjustments to his unconventional delivery as time passed. Let's not forget the crash-and-burn jobs of Kei Igawa and Hideki Irabu. I know and believe that the best Japanese players can compete with anybody as shown by the multitude of international tourneys over the years. But as we learn in with any country in baseball, talent is only useful if it's developed properly. Something to bring to mind when Yu Darvish creates the next posting fee bonanza. So I truly hope the Red Sox organization can salvage this national treasure, before he becomes lost in the sea of mediocrity.

Bonus: Sox-Braves Montage

"The Boys of Summer" - The Ataris - So Long, Astoria, 2003

The 500 Club

You can call him, "Mr. #100".
(espn.com)

I can't remember what I did on May 15, 2003. Not a clue in the world. I know I was 17 and I had just finished up a league-championship track season. Knowing myself back then, I was probably procrastinating in studying for one of my 4 AP exams as I watched another Seinfeld rerun before the game. That day was also Josh Beckett's 23rd birthday, only months before his baptism into postseason glory later on in the season. But apparently the seeds of a monumental streak were planted that day. Only months before Grady "you know who" drove me to the brink of clinical depression with let's just say, a "questionable decision" (avoiding using some four-letter words right now). The game apparently wasn't that eventful as the Red Sox blew out the Texas Rangers 12-3 with Pedro on the mound, but it would be a start of something that would be unimaginable even to the most die-hard Sox fans. Who would have known that in 6 years, we would be the owners of the longest consecutive sell-outs streak in the history of the sport? Apparently the Fenway Faithful have proven their allegiance time and time again, 500 consecutive times in fact. Who would have known that we would have achieved the milestone on this day, the 49th anniversary of Ted Williams hitting his 500th homerun? It's another badge of pride for a fan base that is considered one of the most loyal and avid in the country. So much has happened since the 2nd semester of my junior year in high school. I have received 2 degrees, have touched down in eleven countries, and even ran a marathon. But the one thing that has remained a constant for me as well as many others, is the continued passion for this club. It is the reason why the number "500" means so much more to me than its actual value.

I hope we're not celebrating these sell-outs.
(static.thehollywoodgossip.com)

Let's go through what has happened in the world at large since that ordinary day way back when. For starters, we have gone through the nose dive of the Bush Administration, participated in a "beautifully" planned war out in the Middle East, and have witnessed history with the election of our new president, who hasn't even been in office for 5 months. We have seen the summits and the cavernous valleys of the economy as well as survived natural disasters in New Orleans and in Houston. Together, we have seen Pirates in the Caribbean as well as encountered pirates off the coast of Somalia. We've watched as Michael Jackson was acquitted again, while justice prevailed over O.J. in his second time around (Speaking of anniversaries, remember that Bronco chase?). We have witnessed the greatness of the Matrix, laughed at the mischievous Borat, and have been infuriated by Fever Pitch (That might be just me. I'll just say Gigli for the general public). In sports, we have witnessed a guy named Jimmie dominate the asphalt, have seen possibly the biggest upset in history when an unnamed, undefeated football team lost in the final minutes of the ultimate contest in the sport (don't want to talk about it), and watched as a 409 page document helped define a shameful and confusing era in the national pastime. But in that same pastime, we have seen the transformation of a franchise known for its cruel bad luck turn into one of the model franchises in professional athletics. And throughout it all, we the 26th man, have come full force all the way in spite of an '03 playoff disappointment and an even more disappointing economic climate. Our reward for our loyalties: 2 long-awaited championships, a bottomless pit of a farm system, and so many priceless memories that me and many other Sox loyalists will carry with them for five lifetimes. Every Francona Sox win, every 0-3 comeback against the Yankees, every Youkilis homerun, and every Papelbon dance has occurred during the length of this streak. And what a fitting time for all of it, in front of of a dedicated fan base that once expected the worst, but knew triumph waited for their team in the end of that tunnel if they stuck around. And I'm glad we endured.

Trail Blazers, here we come!
(CEB II)

In game 500, we saw Brad Penny win his long-awaited 100th game against his former club, the Florida Marlins. We saw another Red Sox left fielder approach the Green Monster before the beginning of another inning. But it was because of a Boston legend (some Orr guy, you may have heard of him) who surprised Bay, the Canadian slugger and big hockey fan, by emerging from the famed wall. Most importantly, the Sox tallied more than the other team and increased their lead in this tight division by one more game. Not everything was pristine perfect as we also saw an error-less streak from the flashy Ellsbury end, concluding a 232 game run of perfection in center field. But hey, at least he homered, right? This streak was recorded on a great time in team history, as we have arguably become the elite team in the majors, while in the midst of another promising season. It is a record like this that makes me proud of being a loyal Red Sox fan, and a loyal sports fan. More importantly, it's a record like this that makes you realize they're are many people like me who view their sports teams as a valuable institution in their lives, something that brings people together no matter what happens through these unpredictable times. Hopefully I will be at Fenway when the 815th consecutive sell-out is recorded, which if you don't know will be the one that breaks the all-time record set by the Portland Trail Blazers. Throughout the emergence of the "pink hats', the confusion brought on by steroid controversies (ehemm, Mr. Sosa), and the unpredictability of the global political climate, I feel secure that my shared die-hard devotion for a team still carries on. That is what "500" means to me.

Mochaman's Fantasy Baseball Report
- Bubba Gump Shrimpz - 74-55-11 (3rd, Steroid Freaks' Anonymous, 6.5 GB)
Broke my little skid I was on with my middle infielders Roberts and new acquisition (and beast) Ben Zobrist. Sandoval and my pitching also a plus. Also helped by the fact that my competitor lost on all pitching categories because he pitched under the innings minimum by 2/3rds of an inning, creating an even larger win than I would have had. Expecting big things this week against the last place team.

- Mocha Sox -31-65-4 (12th, Yahoo Public 38095, 26.5 GB)
Just when things are turning around, my ace Halladay goes on the DL, putting my pitching in complete shambles. My offense is slowly turning around, but is it too late? Afraid it just may be. Stay tuned.

- Firehawks - 49-47-4 (6th, Yahoo Public 162279, 12 GB)
Have won 3 out of my last 4 series while getting right into playoff contention from the grave. Everything is gelling at the right time and there may be no stopping this team anytime soon (knocking on wood reeeeeal loudly). Still may trade some of my pitching to get another consistent offensive mainstay. Otherwise, the team is living up to its name.

European Picture Show

Now that's one big schnitzel.
(CEB II)

HALLELUJAH! Finally, after 19 days of laptop captivity, I have finally received my legendary photos from my last Euro-adventure. You can only imagine how long I've been waiting to get them back so I could show the world the excitement I had experienced only a month back, although it only feels like yesterday when me and my friend Anton were roaming Karl Johans Gate in Oslo. I said there would be montages, and I kept my promise, because I'm a man of the people. And no, thank you! In this entry, I have created montages from the 5 countries I toured while in the European continent with the most random collection of music (some relevant, some just stuff that was stuck in my head). You will see some of the places, friends, and events that made this European experience a world-beater. Hope I can bring a little bit of the aura that has captivated and shaped me.


Sweden
What can I say about Sweden that hasn't been said? Obviously a lot, but I will refrain from writing an essay now. In Lund, I got to chill with good friends, while doing some tourist activities like suggested (It's tough, I know). We visited the Lund Cathedral, which apparently is a big deal while taking in the environment produced by the locals from the World Hockey Championships. In Malmo, I got to party like a rock star, and at the same time, enjoy my 3rd trip to a T.G.I. Fridays abroad (1st two trips were in Oslo. Some things just always stay the same, like my diet.). Come to think of it, I'm still looking for a job. I should go over there for a little look-see and check out if I could continue my admiration from a closer distance. Next stop, Stockholm.

"Beautiful Life" - Ace Of Base - The Bridge, 1995

"Save Tonight" - Eagle Eye Cherry - Desireless, 1998

England
Oxford brought me the opportunity to visit one of the most prestigious universities this side of Harvard. While I didn't take the time to visit each of the 38 colleges individually, we were able to visit a considerable amount of the historic buildings and artifacts as well as take a double-decker bus tour around the town. Who can pass up an hour long bus tour? Now that's my kinda tourism. I got to enjoy losing about 50£ on a trivia game machine, punting while indulging in mojitos (wish I had those pictures), and go to a club that played primarily "cheese", which I can agree is the appropriate word for random '70's-90's music that induces awkward memories of middle school dances. Most importantly, I got to be in the midst of a movie set as I got to visit Christ Church, the locale of the filming of the Harry Potter movie series. In the end, it's always nice to be at a school and not have to attend classes. Good times!

"Surfin' Bird" - The Trashmen - Surfin' Bird, 1963
"Just Dance" - Lady Gaga - The Fame, 2008

Spain
Even though my time there was brief, my 2nd expedition to Barcelona was a fruitful one. This was a change of pace from the previous locales in the trip, for this was the 1st true city we traveled to. From the the strolls through Las Ramblas, enjoying tapas under the sun, to discovering more of the architectural genius of Gaudi, Spain brought a unique feel to the trip. Almost like being on a Caribbean vacation in the middle of a big European city. The sight of street artists brought on a festive, yet edgy environment I expected in Barcelona. On top of all that, the city even has a casino for all you gambling types out there. Black Jack anyone? Overall, definitely a place that I would have loved to spend more than 2 nights in, that's for sure.

"Bamboleo" - Gipsy Kings - Gipsy Kings, 1988
"Poker Face" - Lady Gaga - The Fame, 2008

Norway
Whether it was perfect timing or just another weekend, my three days in Oslo were arguably the most eventful days of the whole trip. Who would have known that the dawn of their Constitution Day would coincide with the Norwegians winning the Eurovision contest? All I know is that the citizens of Norway did me proud in the way they celebrated their day of liberation, as well as their victory day so to speak. I also commend them for wearing their national dress on a warm day, which seem like fabric ovens, so kudos for that. I know I would rather lean towards shorts and a white T-shirt when July 4th comes around. So I say, "Skål!" to the Norwegians for giving me a "fairytale" of a weekend.

"Fairytale" - Alexander Rybak - Fairytales, 2009
"Take On Me" - a-ha - Hunting High And Low, 1985

Austria
Vienna for me, provided the most cultural and scenic moments of the trip, as well as the best weather. With all the cathedrals, palaces, and opera houses, I truly felt I was in a genuine European city. It's probably the country where I felt the most touristy, hence the obscene amount of pictures. This is probably the 1st place I ever went to that had a rock room and a hip-hop room right next to each other. And who would have thought I would have Mexican food here on my 1st night? Now that's diversity folks! But I couldn't think of leaving the country without having the legendary schnitzel. Since I didn't get to talk about Austria a lot on my blog while I was abroad, I made up for it by making a three-song montage instead of two, ladies and gents. And yes, you're welcome.

"Rock Me Amadeus" - Falco - Falco 3, 1985
"Right Round" - Flo Rida - R.O.O.T.S., 2009
"Rise Up" - Yves Larock, 2007

Summer Sweeping

Rain or sun, it's been all the same for the Sox-Yanks this season.
(espn.com)

Who would have thought we would have woke up this morning, and have the Sox pull off an 8-0 record against their arch rivals (9 consecutive dating back to last year)? Who would have thought that A.J. Burnett, a man who has dominated the Red Sox in the past, would have a 12.92 ERA against them while in pinstripes? Who would have thought that we would be 2 games away from winning the season series against the Yankees, IN JUNE? Who would have known that only 2 of the Yankee starters would reach the 6 inning mark in the eight matchups against the Crimson Hose? Not me, and I guarantee that you didn't either. This is the 1st time since the inaugural season at Fenway (1912) that the Sox have taken the 1st eight contests against the pinstripers. While I don't think that the Sox will take the 1st fourteen like the world champion 1912 team did, it's always good to start off with this kind of dominance against the Yanks, especially after the contrasting offseason plans the two franchises embarked on. What's truly amazing about this streak (or for New Yorkers, devastating) is that the Sox have beat New York in every way imaginable. We've beat them in the close ones, we've shut them out, we outlasted them in the slug fests, we've rallied against their bullpen twice late in games (including overcoming the mighty Rivera), and we've even literally stole momentum by swiping home. There isn't much else the Sox could do, and it's soooooooooo good (I'm all ready to start breaking out in "Sweet Caroline."). Never has moving a broom back and forth felt so satisfying. Even though there are 102 games left in this season, it is moments like this that make me feel comfortable about the team in the midst of a ferocious division race.

Hey Sabathia. You're lookin' like $161 million bucks.
(espn.com)

Coming into this week's series, it felt good just to be 5-0 to start the season against The Empire. I have to admit though, I was feeling a bit nervous. Ever since the last matchup between The Empire and The Nation in the New Yankee Bandbox, the Yankees had posted a 21-10 record, with Teixeira, Jeter, and the rest of the offense finding their stride after A-Rod* re-entered the fray. On the other end, the Sox mustered a mediocre 16-14 record with Papi needing to check his eyes, an apparent last ditch effort for a falling star. The first matchup (Beckett-Burnett) gave me images of the slugfest I attended almost two months back with the two fireballers. But if it's one thing that's been a constant in the past month for the Sox, it has been Beckett's monster performance. By starting off the series with a dominant 8 K, 6 IP appearance, Beckett continued a seven start unbeaten streak, which has included a run of allowing only 3 ER in his last 5 starts. On the other end, New York's $82.5 million dollar man could not get out of the 3rd inning, tossing 5 BBs and allowing 5 runs in the process of a 7-0 loss. I was more than honored to be going to Game 2 of the series, which featured the ageless knuckleballer Wakefield up against the Taiwanese sinkerballer Wang, who is approaching a historic season (Hint: Not in a good way). The matchup saw pretty much the same, Wakefield earned another quality start en route to his club leading 8th win, while Wang imploded before the completion of the 3rd inning. Even with villains Damon and Teixeira going back to back off the almost invincible Ramon Ramirez late in the game, the Yanks would inevitably fall short as they did in the previous 6 contests against The Nation. On the bright side for The Bronx Bombers, Wang's ERA was lowered from a grandiose 14.46 ERA to a minuscule 14.34. Also the fact that his next start is against the Nationals, which gives him a "minor league" start to turnaround his "historic" season. Remember, always look on the bright side! The third matchup literally featured a heavyweight battle as Penny got ready to audition for his next team against multi-million dollar C.C. (Cheeseburger, Cheeseburger!) Sabathia, who had been owned by the Red Sox recently (I should start putting an exclamation point next to C.C. just like I put an asterisk next to A-Rod* for effect. Please comment for approval). The contest ended up being like a heavyweight title bout, as Penny and C.C. stayed even through the 1st 6 innings. Then in the 7th, A-Rod finally got his clutch on by driving in 2 with a double off Delcarmen, who I tweeted was due for a blowup. But the situation would do a 180 in the 8th as the Sox loaded the bases on C.C., and then exploded on Alfredo Aceves to complete another Sox rally, deflating the Bombers once more. It was the third lead the Yankees' bullpen had pulled an Orlando Magic-type choke job on with their rivals, which probably didn't make Hank and Hal too happy. There was nothing more to anticipate, other than the back pages of the New York Post.

2 HR vs. Yankees + Papi Smile = Happy Chuck.
(espn.com)

So what does this mean you ask? It again proves like I wrote in the 1st Fenway series with the rivals, that the Sox have more depth than the Yanks, it's that simple. Just look at the pitching. While the Sox still carry the best bullpen in the majors, the Yankees continue to struggle creating their bridge to Rivera, and even Rivera hasn't been a guarantee lately. Against the Sox this year, the Yankee bullpen has a 5.10 ERA with 21 BBs and 6 HRs in 30 IP. On top of that, they haven't had a consistent groove with their starting pitching, emphasized by their problems to manage the Wang debacle. An 0-6 mark with a 7.04 ERA amongst their starters in the 8 games against the Sox doesn't alleviate anything, considering that they spent so much for opposite results. Having a 1.000 win percentage against your rival is not a bad edge to have. I haven't been able to stop smiling the whole day. However, like I mentioned earlier in the entry, there is a loooooong way to go in the season. The past 3 series help us enormously in terms of the divisional tie-breaker, but that's about it. The truth is that there's a lot of gametime between now and the next time the mega-rivals meet up on Aug 6th. The Sox, while carrying serious momentum from the sweep, hold only a 2 game lead in a division that still have the sleeping giant Rays, and the uber-resilient Blue Jays (arguably the biggest surprise in the MLB). With what has happened thus far and with the huge chunk of time in between this past series and the next, no one knows how the pendulum will swing. But if that pendulum swings like Jason Bay has swung the bat this season, I'm liking the Sox's chances. Can't wait for Big Papi to tear it up in Philly.

Bonus: Sox-Yankees Montage 6/10

"Sweet Caroline" - Neil Diamond - Sweet Caroline, 1969

Saving Private Ryan: More Than Just Cinema

Saving Private Ryan: The 4-star general of movies.
(abovethevile.files.wordpress.com)

Hey Cloud 10 fanatics! For all you history buffs out there, you know that this past Saturday, June 6, was the 65th anniversary of a significant day in world history. I would have loved to write about this on the day, but I was on a housesitting gig this weekend and didn't have a strong enough wireless signal. Making money on unemployment takes some creativity. Anyway, It was a day in which the fate of Europe and the world hung in the balance as many brave men invaded the beaches of Normandy to fight Hitler's mighty army. It was a moment in history in which success was the only viable option, for failure meant a possible catastrophic downturn in the state and morale of humanity. As I saw the news footage of Obama's appearance at the Normandy American Cemetery, reminding us not to forget the lessons that we learned that day sixty five years back, I was also reminded of a movie that presented the mainstream many images of the ultimate sacrifices made by many to literally save the world. This classic Spielberg film not only taught us the virtue of sacrifice, but also the brotherhood shared by the many fighting men of what Tom Brokaw coined, "the greatest generation". The movie's powerful message, combined with its high entertainment value makes Saving Private Ryan my favorite movie of all time.

Omaha Beach scene in Saving Private Ryan
(rickthegreat.files.wordpress.com)

The success of this film could be credited with the fact that it had elements that many could appreciate, and it starts right from the first scene of the movie. The film opens with a half-hour, action packed skirmish with the 2nd Rangers on Omaha Beach, which could only be described as hell on earth. As opening scenes go, it really gets the average viewer hooked into the environment of the film and at the same time, captures the fiendish interest of battle scene junkie. Most importantly, the scene portrays realistically the horror of the invasion, both in the faces of the soldiers, and in the unimaginable carnage on the beach. The Omaha Beach scene only further deepens my respect for those who served in World War II as well as those who are serving currently in our present day conflicts. I don't know how I would react if I realized that six machine guns were simultaneously firing at me. My immediate reaction wouldn't be to charge closer to them, that's for sure. A respectable cast didn't hurt either. A film directed by Steven Spielberg and with Tom Hanks (Captain Miller) at the main role is always worthy of a viewing, but the supporting cast shouldn't be ignored. Along with Hanks was good ole Tom Sizemore (pre-career meltdown/Heidi Fleiss days), Vin Diesel (pre-Fast and The Furious), Sam Malone....errr Ted Danson, and of course Matt Damon as paratrooper James Ryan to name a few. All of them put up brilliant performances, portraying soldiers in the constant heat of conflict, creating an even more believable aura. Hanks's character for example, tries to present himself to his men as mechanical personality, however the rigors of battle show up, evident with his hand tremors and him breaking down once after battle. The portrayal of the Captain Miller character I believe perfectly fits the image conflict of many soldiers as they try to survive the uncertainties of the battlefield. The plot line of eight men on a mission to save one was real far-fetched to me at first. Then I realized that the plot made me ponder the same question of whether one man is worth so much. Throughout my viewing of hundreds of war movies in my lifetime, the main principle you learn is that in the end, you fight for the man that's in the foxhole with you, and Saving Private Ryan made me look at this same principle in a creative and different way. This film was so carefully crafted, that apparently all the main characters, except for Damon's Ryan, went through the pre-movie boot camp, just so that anger could show through on camera. Not a bad ploy from the ET guy. By reading through the details of the crafting and witnessing the realistic environment the film provides, its not that hard to see why this movie is so revered by many.

Tiger Tank = Not a good day.
(api.ning.com)

So immediately after I got home on Sunday night, I reached into my DVD collection and watched the movie probably for the 22,541,396th time, feeling more appreciation for the film than ever. Saving Private Ryan won over viewers (including myself) by making a movie experience feel like a living experience. I don't know of any film that entertained and educated as much as this movie, while at the same time revitalizing not only the war movie genre, but also interest in World War II history. I mean how many more WWII movies, video games, documentaries, and books came out afterwards? The tally is just endless. Not a knock against The Dark Knight (which I actually saw for the 1st time about 10 days ago) or other recent blockbuster smashes, but they don't come close to the impact that Saving Private Ryan has had on a cultural level. The movie also didn't fall into the trap of having some of the cheesy traps of the genre, like melodramatic music during the intense scenes and having "Rambo-like" characters (Nicky Cage in Windtalkers comes to mind.) who can shoot the enemy from behind his back, while running into thousands of bullets without getting hit. In a pop culture world where sequels and movies of 70's TV shows continue to dominate the big screen, it is nice to have this 11 year old classic around to bring a constant breath of fresh air.

Before I Peace: PLEASE STOP IT BRETT!!!!

(everyjoe.com)

Once again, Brett Favre decides to take the media and a young quarterback hostage with his indecision to hang it up. A couple months after he decides for the 2nd time he will not play for good, he now gets arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder in anticipation of ANOTHER comeback. To top it off, it is most likely going to be with a divisional rival of the team his name is synonymous with. Really? Favre, I'm sick of your charade. Let the league move on. You're done, and I know I'm not the only one who is driven completely insane by this. And if anyone brings up your greatness one more time, I'm gonna mention how your Jets collapsed and how you have 310 career interceptions, and how almost a whole generation has passed since you last won the Super Bowl. On second thought, I hope you do comeback, just so that you can have another city's fan base turn on you as you choke away their season.

Mochaman's Fantasy Baseball Report
- Bubba Gump Shrimpz - 61-54-11 (4th, Steroid Freaks' Anonymous, 7 GB)
Coming of my first back-to-back series losses of the season. Offense not being helped by the Josh Hamilton/Asdrubal Cabrera injuries or the Arizona bullpen whenever Dan Haren starts. Need a big week to stay afloat in this 7 team race.

- Mocha Sox - 28-58-4 (12th, Yahoo Public 38095, 25 GB)
Finally won my first series of the year with this team. Halladay has just been a beast, and the offense is starting to find some consistency. Hope to spark the flame some more. Long way to go.

- Firehawks - 42-45-3 (7th, Yahoo Public 162279, 14.5 GB)
Trio of Lester, Beckett, and Hamels are finding their groove together. Combined with a solid, but not overwhelming offense, the team is now morphing into a possible contender. Sky's the limit if this keeps up.