The Rivalry Continues...

Red Sox - Yankees, on right now. Yanks up 5-1, but Joba is pitching, so it's a good bet he'll give up a few before he's done.

I was on my way home from my son's baseball practice when I heard the bloviating Mr. John Sterling actually say (in a very excited manner)Jeter was a "great human being" when he was at-bat. Huh? Is he saving lives in his spare time. He's a ballplayer. A good one. He's not Gandhi. Maybe in the House that Taxpayers Built.

Lottery Logic

On my way to a meeting this fine September evening, I stopped in at the local corner store for a cup 'o' joe. While quickly filling my cup, I happened to hear one of the local skels chatting up the guy behind the counter, and an associated skel. Maybe you know the type - barely employable, but seemingly with enough cash on a daily basis for smokes, a six-pack and lottery tickets. usually driving a hoopdy, unless of course they have had their license revoked for their 3rd DWI and they are cruisin' the streets on a beater bike.

And the conversation revolved around the wonderful world of scratch-off lottery tickets. "You gotta scratch a lot of them to win some dough!" he says. Now, I took a little philosophy and logic in college, but this guy may be a modern-day Descartes. He proceeded to scratch furiously at various colorful little cards that promised much, but gave little. "That card's a bitch; she's always taking my money!" Wow. Are we taking cards or significant others here, professor? I wanted to stick around to see if this guy hit the jackpot, but something tells me that wasn't happening.

SO I begin to reminisce about the days when I worked in a liquor store, and we sold lottery tickets. We had a lot of people we ID'd as "Lottery Comics" - you know the type - the ones who might loudly announce to all in line for the big one, "don't bother, I got the winning numbers here!" Funny. Especially the chuckle and snort they exhale after that bit of comedic genius. Lottery comics often wear plaid pants and windbreakers, just so you know.

Here's what I do know - The Lottery Sucks. It is designed to syphon off every last dollar you have in the glimmer of hope that you will win millions. But you keep on playing. Losers.

Wow, I really got angry at the end...

Feel My Pain

I am a masochist. I really am. No matter how this season has treated me with regards to the NY Mets, I still watch. Through an array of injuries, subs and guys who shouldn't be on an MLB roster, I am there. So profound is my virtual flagellation that I bought tix to today's Mets-Nats game at Citi Field. Had to go before the season ended. A win would be nice.

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The Fighting Irish came off the field yesterday with a win. I only saw the 1st half (as i had to attend a party/picnic in the 2nd). MSU ran an onsides kick that made ND look unprepared. I know C. Weis was most likely NOT happy about that. There has been a lot of scuttle about his bad coaching calls vs. the Wolverines; right or wrong, he would appear to be on the hotseat. And in all truth acknowledgement, he was one of my teachers in HS - and I didn't think he was that bright, just arrogant. But that's what a 15 YO punk would think, yes?

Halfway

to St. Patrick's Day. The hard part is over.

Hail Jeter

All you Yankee fans, your hero, your man became the hittin'est Yankee of them all last night with the 2,722 hit of his career. Only in Yankee-land is that akin to hitting a real milestone like 3K. And the phone-lines have been lit with Yankee callers wondering why the whole world isn't declaring a holiday over this hallowed moment.

Because it ain't.

Sure, it's a great achievement that should get recognition, particularly in the tri-state. But everywhere else? It's a non-event. With two hits last night, he's 277 hits away from the real magic number. That means two seasons folks. When he's 39. And to the people who think he'll someday pass Pete Rose on the all-time hits list - get a grip.

Hall of Famer - definitely. Yankee great - most definitely. But let's wait until he hits number 3-0-0-0 before we all genuflect. (By the way he's #53 on the all-time list)

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While I'm in the mood to type (which hasn't been the case lately) - check out my new favorite website - Deadspin. Something always make me laugh here. Tons of stuff - you gotta keep digging.

OUT.

Off for now

Check back when I start again...

"Welcome Back"

Words uttered by the customs officer as we passed through immigration at EWR yesterday afternoon. And it's nice to be back.

Cancun was great; great, hot weather, nice resort. Boys and wife had a great time. Got to go zip-lining through the jungle - that was an experience, especially for an acrophobe. Just kept looking forward, never down.

Labor day weekend - enjoy.