Independent MiLB

At TD Bank Ballpark for Somerset Patriots game. 1st time here - nice place for a game.

Top Gear UK

Watching this great show on BBCA... No idea who anybody is, but this may be my new favorite show. They have about 14 seasons so plenty to catch up on.

Chipper

Larry Wayne Jones was born in April 1972, and debuted in MLB for the Atlanta Braves (only team he has ever played for) in 1993. Throughout his career he has been a MET-KILLER of the first order...and I have despised him.

Now, Chipper retires in half a season. I no longer despise him since Atlanta is no longer are biggest nemesis like they were in the late 90's and early 2000's. I look at a guy who was immensely talented, played his whole career for a single team and gave it 100% always. Great player. Braves come to town in August (can't go that weekend) and September, which I will do my best to attend.

First ballot HOF. Get your seat ready.

Hey Tony!

Word from ASG central is that Tony LaRussa (who doesn't manage anymore) has picked Matt Cain to be the NL starter Tuesday night. Something about RA Dickey throwing a knuckleball is part of Mr. LaRussa's decision.

Here's a quick comp:

Cain: 9-3 record, 2.62 ERA, .96 WHIP, 118 Ks, 24 BBs in 120.1 IP

Dickey: 12-1 record, 2.40 ERA, .93 WHIP, 123 Ks, 26 BBs in 120.0 IP

Makes sense to me. I guess that extra 1/3 inning was the deciding factor.
Hey Tony! You effed that one up! Guess that's why you never figured out McGwire was on the juice.

The Break

Finally here (well almost) is the All-Star Break. NY Mets disappoint losing 7-0 vs. the Cubbies. Can't beat the Cubs apparently.

Both boys playing summer travel. YSSS has been ripping last couple of games after some minor adjustments at plate. Looks good. playing corner outfield position, not his first choice but you gotta play somewhere. I'll work with him for next season so he can play where he wants. OSSS has played terrific; had a tough game the other night, looked tired and a little slow. At the ripe age of 14 he's been burning the candle at both ends with social life and work (beach help at local lake). We hit the cages on Saturday to beat the heat a bit so he could work on swing.

An update to my cryptic messages last month...I no longer coach travel. I keep score for the 14U games and keep my mouth shut. Once in a while I will tell the coaches when they have boys out of position, etc. IMO, they coach like it's a LL team sometimes. They don't run cut-offs correctly, nobody knows who has 1st right on fly balls, etc. Kids won't know if they are not told. But team is 7-0 so what do I know, right?

On the 11U front, I sit beyond OF fence for the most part and keep my comments to myself. Lots of stuff to correct, and an early summer season winning-record beating up on bad teams has kind of lulled this team into a cocky direction. They play some good teams over the next week and a half, so they could find themselves mid-pack if they don't adjust. I wish the team and coaches luck. The parents who thought bashing me was OK? They can shove their heads up their asses. A few of the people on the shit-talk patrol have come up to me to apologize...same old thing "I had no idea it would turn into what it did". Tell your story walking.

Which leads me to the way all was handled. I spoke to the guy who runs program, who I considered a good friend. He never reached out to me, I had to do that. But I needed to get it off my mind. Basically told him he did a shit-job handling the situation and a piss-poor job as my friend. Don't think that can ever be repaired to be honest.

The 5th of July

If that wonderful summer holiday, aka Independence Day, falls on any day except a Wednesday, my POW (place of work) gives us 2 days off. But when it falls on the hump, like it did this year...then it's one day, slaves.

So you get that blessed day off and then right back to a (mostly empty) building, since many take this week off it seems. Oh, well.

In North J., we got heat. Oppressive heat. "Africa Hot" as a young Matthew Broderick saidin Biloxi Blues. Both boys have ball games tonight, so hopefully we see a little break later. I won't be coaching those games, as your regulars know. Almost ready to tell that story. Stay tuned.

Happy Birthday

To the OSSS (Oldest Son of SoulSlam), #46 Jack Logan. 14 Years Old today. Wow.

I am his biggest fan. And the proudest dad that could be. Seems like just yesterday...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACK!