Matthew

Bought the first season of The Odd Couple, and it's done perfectly. Nice clear picture, writing and pace pitch perfect. I admit, I'm starting to develop a thing for 1970s television.

I'm going to see Porcupine Tree tomorrow in Seattle @ the Showbox. It should be a great show, I think the max is 700 people, if even that. Very excited about it. The downer though is that you have to stand the whole time -- Yikes! I'm 48, and I can't do that too many more times.

Disk five this morning -- loud. I can't seem to listen to just one cd for this box set, I always wind up going through about ten in-a-row; it really does have fantastic music.

J.J. Johnson: Disk one. I love this set soooooo much.

Interesting article about Bond's off of ESPN: Racial issues hover over the chase Stark By Jayson Stark ESPN.com Archive We keep trying to envision the scene when the Greatest Record in Sports goes tumbling down. We keep trying to envision all the emotions Barry Bonds will unleash as he makes that historic tour of the bases. We knew this moment would be complicated. Awkward. Uncomfortable. But until we saw the results of this ESPN/ABC News poll, we hadn't fully digested just how complicated, how awkward, how uncomfortable. Love him or hate him, Barry Bonds will be the home run king before long. We knew most fans didn't like this man, wouldn't root for this man, wouldn't cheer for this man on what should be the most joyous occasion of his career. But would you have known, from the way this issue has been portrayed by all of us in the media biz, that the percentage of fans who wish this moment wasn't happening would be only 52 percent? Would you have guessed that three fans out of every eight actually want Barry Bonds to break this record? If those percentages are accurate, many of us have misread the mood of the nation on this. And in more ways than one. Until now, we haven't spent much time talking about the racial issues that hover over this man and this event. But this poll tells us we need to do more of that, too. Look at these numbers. The poll says 74 percent of black fans want Bonds to break this record. And nearly half of all black fans think Bonds has been given a raw deal. And a quarter of those fans think that raw deal is all about race -- not steroids or anything else. We're not so sure they're right in attributing the alleged mistreatment of this particular historical figure to racially charged motives. But for nearly all white fans who think Bonds has been treated unfairly to say race has nothing to do with it is stunning. We say to those fans: You're kidding yourselves if that's what you truly think. We hear all the time from African-American readers who are outraged over the coverage of Bonds and his pursuit of history. We don't agree with all of their complaints. But we know, from those e-mails, that their passion is real, and often raw. All of us need to keep that in mind as we chronicle this story, wherever it leads. Even many years down the road, when -- or if -- it leads to Cooperstown. We'd bet most Hall voters think it's the will of the citizens that they should rise up to keep Barry Bonds out of the Hall of Fame. But those voters had better look again at these poll results. If 58 percent of all fans, and 53 percent of white fans, and 85 percent -- yes, 85 -- of black fans think Bonds should be elected to the Hall, then the voters who vote against him someday may have to reexamine their belief that theirs is an overwhelmingly popular stand to take. If you look carefully at these poll numbers, they tell you just how conflicted America truly is about what's going to unfold. When that day finally comes, one of these weeks, and Barry Bonds is out there making the trot of a lifetime, it clearly won't be the euphoric moment we all once would have imagined it would be if someone ever broke Hank Aaron's record. If 73 percent of these fans think Barry Bonds used steroids -- but 58 percent still want him in the Hall of Fame, and just 52 percent are openly rooting against him -- it tells you something. It tells you it isn't as simple as we often assume it is to connect the dots between cause and effect. Between "cheating" and shame. Between the suspicions people may have about Bonds and the way those suspicions have colored their appreciation of how great a baseball player he has been for the last 22 years. So when that day finally comes, one of these weeks, and Barry Bonds is out there making the trot of a lifetime, it clearly won't be the euphoric moment we all once would have imagined it would be if someone ever broke Hank Aaron's record. But we have a greater feel now for all of the powerful elements that will collide when that historic baseball takes its fateful ride through the sky. And they won't be colliding quite the way most of us suspected before these poll results knocked on the door to our brains. Jayson Stark is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

Just speaking for myself, I would prefer a CDR.

I love it! What pitcher other than Jeff Weaver can go 5.2 innings, give up 6 ERs, and lower his ERA by more than 2.00?? You gotta love this game.

That sounds like a band that Steven Wilson should check out for the next edition in his Cover Series. You never know. Fear of a Blank Planet is turning into a bummer for me, the more I listen to it, the less I like it. Seems as if PT is in a holding pattern. Maybe seeing them Tuesday will change my mind about it.

Opened the Arts & Entertainment pull-out of the local rag, The Seattle Post-Intelligence this morning, expecting some kind of mention of the Porcupine Tree concert this Tuesday -- nada; didn't even have a check mark of recommendation next to the listing. However, they had a nice, long article on the Sippy Cups, who turn out to be a band that focuses on children's music. Good thing I live to close to hip 'n happening Seattle, where we pat ourselves on the back about how cool we are or I might have missed out on the Sippy Cups, heaven forbid!. Imagine expecting something about one the best rock bands playing now, what was I thinking....

Beny More Y Su Banda Gigante Grabaciones: Completas 1953-1960. The third time I've bought this, each previous time, I've given this box set to friends who heard it, and then, had to have it. It's that good.

Bill Evans: The Complete Verve Recordings Disk three. Mostly the Stan Getz/Evans sessions.

Those first three certainly aren't essential, but they are fun for the most part. If nothing else, snag DANCE TO THE MUSIC, as it lives up to its title in spades. Small Talk.... yer not missing anything, trust me on this one. We'll just have to agree to disagree on Small Talk, I happen to think it's a nice hidden gem of an album -- which seem to be the definite minority view on this cd.

I think Mike Hampton is also in the running for the worst free agent deal ever. Jeff Weaver is also making a very good run at the title also -- 0-4, ERA. 18.26, all that for eight million a year!

I wonder if Wilson is spreading himself too thin with all his side projects. I was much more impressed with Blackfield II than FOABP, it seemed much fresher, more creative, and even in that cd, the leftover PT cut was the weakest. Hate to say it, but I wouldn't be surprised to see PT go on a hiatus after this tour *sigh*.

I was only able to listen to Fear of a Blank Planet twice over the weekend, and I'm kind of underwhelmed by it; it's good but it has a been there, done that vibe for me. I'll have to really sit down and listen to it this week and maybe hearing the songs in concert next week will help also (eat your heart out everyone ). So, I'm holding off on a definite opinion at this point. edit: spelling

The Giants can have Jeff Weaver in a trade with the Mariners..... PLEASE!!!

Looks like Pavano will win that Pavano vs JD Drew DL race after all....

Dude! This totally proves baseball is out to get Bonds! MLB Credits Hank Aaron With 50 Lost Home Runs April 27, 2007 | Onion Sports MILWAUKEE—In what Major League Baseball officials are calling a "long overdue correction of a gross oversight," Commissioner Bud Selig announced Tuesday the discovery that Hall of Famer Hank Aaron had in fact accumulated 50 previously unaccounted-for home runs during his illustrious 22-year baseball career, bringing his once record total of 755 to an even higher 805 and putting the all-time home-run record perhaps forever out of reach. "Hank Aaron is a hero, an excellent man, and a great ambassador for the game of baseball," Selig said during a press conference to announce the findings. "We're proud to have finally set things right, hopefully once and for all. And I have to tell you, some of the home runs that we discovered were just monster shots. One was hit off of [Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher] Harvey Haddix that went 576 feet, and Hank wasn't even that big of a guy. Just naturally strong and gifted, I guess." Haddix was unavailable for comment, as he passed away in 1994. According to Selig, a committee of sports journalists and baseball historians was set up during the off-season to investigate, with Selig's oversight, whether there was any substance to a rumor that began circulating last summer concerning Aaron having hit more homeruns than those credited to him in the record books. Though Selig said he couldn't recall the date the committee was established, he believes it was in or around the time he approved the San Francisco Giants' highly publicized signing of Barry Zito. The committee's 30-page report points out several key factors that combined to increase Aaron's home run total. For example, in 1958, home runs hit during both the first week of spring training and those hit in pre-game batting practice during away games in the third week of August were added to a player's career numbers. In addition, home runs hit during the 1971 All-Star Game should have been tallied. Aaron, coincidentally, did hit a home run in that game. "We are here today to the right the wrongs," Selig said. "This is America's national pastime, and its players, fans, and all citizens deserve to have a record book in which they can take great pride. So if we didn't count Hank Aarons five-homer outing during 1964's famous 'Empty Stadium' game, I wouldn't be able to live with myself." Furthermore, the report continued, a third of the home runs hit by players who participated in the television series Home Run Derby, a show on which Aaron appeared several times, should have been counted. In addition, during the second half of the 1962 season, balls that bounced over the outfield fence should have been counted as home runs, and foul balls that were hit behind the batter but cleared the netting intended to protect fans seated behind home plate were also home runs. That being the case, league scorekeepers now say Aaron had his best year in 1962, hitting 65 home runs—20 more than originally thought. Though there has been some negative reaction towards the announcement of Aaron's new record, mostly from fans in northern California, the news has been received very well nationwide. "This is the best thing that has happened to baseball in years," said New York resident Tom Plaitano, 63. "I remember watching Hank Aaron as a kid, and even though I don't recall a time when all home runs hit off Sandy Koufax counted for two, I don't really care. This decision just makes sense to me." "The number 805 will go down as the most prestigious number in sports," said Selig, adding that there is a strong possibility still more of Aaron's home runs could come to the surface during this season, and maybe even the next several seasons to come. "It's not out of the question that Hank could have, say, 900 home runs by the time our investigation is all said and done." "Either way, the all-time home-run record couldn't be held by a more dignified and honorable man," Selig added. The committee's report has caused quite a shakeup to the list of baseball's all-time home-run leaders. Aaron, while keeping his record, is not even the biggest benefactor of the findings; as of now Aaron is first with 805, Willie Mays has jumped to second with 800, Frank Robinson is third with 798, Harmon Killebrew is fourth with 797, and Reggie Jackson, Mickey Mantle, Ernie Banks, Ted Williams, and Willie McCovey are tied for fifth at 796. According to Selig, early results of another investigation may net Babe Ruth as many as 74 additional home runs, Mike Schmidt an estimated 124, and Ken Griffey Jr. a possible 200, while players such as Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro, and Barry Bonds will probably be knocked even further down the list.

OK. And how often does this happen? Once, twice maybe three times in a player's life? You're pleading the case of the defense here, Matthew: Steriods do not increase the likelihood of a player hitting a HR. Vision and timing do. Period. There can be no question on this one. So I fail to see the issue here. Bonds using steriods now becomes a White man's justification that Ruth was second only to a "lucky" Black man in Hank Aaron. Can't you see why the media is so concerned about this? Even George "failed Iraq policy" Bush is on this one with getting the Feds involved. Any person with half a brain should ask why steroids in baseball are subject to a Federal investgation. It's a freakin' GAME, fer crissakes, not the answer to terroism. This is not at all about steriods [for the which they have no proof] it is all about another Black man beating Babe Ruth's record and, most importantly, the media jackals of the sporting press' effort to discredit Bonds in a shameless get-back for telling them to take a flying leap. It is total bullshit. There seems to be a couple of different issues here, let me comment on some: 1. Are you saying that a player only hits a fly ball to the warning track two or three times in his life? Jeesh, Adrian Beltre goes to the warning track two or three times a week, and I know that because Mariner fans have to watch that week after week. So, I disagree if that's what you're saying, I'm sure some stat geek out there is keeping track of "almost home runs." 2. We'll just have to agree to disagree on whether steroids creates home runs or not. You don't think so, I do, and I don't think either one of us will change our minds on that one. 3. Bonds and his treatment during his run up at Aaron's record is complex and crazy at the same time. Now I remember clearly Aaron's treatment during his chase of Ruth's record, and he garnered great respect from most people over the way he handled himself. Of course, it's well documented that he did suffer from racist taunts and letters, but he was respected in and out of baseball. Bonds is different, and it's true that most of the media treats him with disdain. There is an element of racism to it all, but there is also the feeling that Bonds is a jerk, and a lot of people don't care for him in the least. Of course, whether he's a jerk or not, I have no idea at all, so I can't comment on that at all. It's interesting to see how the media handles Bonds, I've lived in the Bay Area for a while, and go there on my vacation all the time, and the picture in the SF/Oakland papers of Bonds is different, and much more positive than anywhere else in the country, like L.A for example. Maybe the dislike for Bonds is partially to explain why, all of a sudden, there is a lot of talk of ARod beating his record later on in his career. The baseball establishment would certainly prefer ARod as the all-time home run king than Bonds, more cuddly than Bonds, that's for sure. It all causes me to wonder about the real reason why Aaron won't be there when Bonds breaks the record, and how that achievement will be celebrate in the stadium when it happens. One thing about Bonds: He's never dull.

But a fair ball that would have landed on the warning track, with that fifteen extra feet, is a home run. I'm not here to jump on BB, he's a great player, and I doubt that he is a long time user of steroids because it's been proven over time that the body breaks down with repeated, long term steroid use, eg. Albert Belle. I just don't agree if your point is that steroid use cannot create home runs, in the "steroid era" we saw plenty of players who had a great couple of years and then broke down. Steroids does not increase hand-to-eye coordination, but it does add distance, which is the key to its use in baseball. Bonds, OTOH, has sustained his greatness over his whole career, so even if(??) he used, at most, it would only be for a year or two, but whether he did or not, who knows -- Bonds denies it, he's never tested positive, so what can anyone do in that case? He's one of the best players ever, and maybe the best hitter of all-time, maybe just leave it at that.

Steroids can make a hitter better by adding ten feet to a fly ball, when that happens, then you have a home run hitter. That's really all it takes to change a twenty homer player to a forty homer guy, I mean, my gosh, look at what happened to Brady Anderson for heaven sake! Or did those fifty homers come off pure ability? That's what players were really looking for, that extra ten to fifteen feet, and that could be worth a couple of million extra a year.

Is this some sort of weird, little known Italian tradition? Slip a kid $20 at a funeral? And if you're Frank, you can have a lackey do it ... I've been to a lot of funerals and no one's slipped my anything yet......

Guys, the only thing more enjoyable than a Yankee seven game losing streak is a Yankee AND Red Sox seven game losing streak.