Matthew

Pure beauty from Brain Eno.

As I've said before - send him home for the rest of the post season. AJ has been officially been named game four starter by the Yankees -- good luck on that one, Ghostie, David, and Paul.

A.J. Burnett hits two Yankees during simulated game

That's ditto for the Inland Empire. Man, when is Fall actually getting here?? Yeah, it's already 90 here. Can't wait for cooler weather to arrive.

Crawford's gone, of course. I think Soriano's likely gone, too. Pena hardly had a standout year and could give the old hometown discount. Fan base is OK, just not eager to pry open the old wallet for ballgames in a crappy park. I think they do quite well as far as TV ratings go, if that's any gauge. And they did pack the place for the playoffs. I noticed some wide open spaces in the upper decks at Turner Field in their deciding game. I think this attendance thing is more widespread than Tampa-St. Pete. Tampa averaged 23,000; Cincinnati 25,000; San Diego 26,000. All pretty disappointing for teams taking a run at the playoffs all year. Anyways, as they refer to the offseason round here ... back to the drawing board. There was a surprising lack of attendance for a lot of teams this year. San Diego has never really cared for the Padres, or any sports team for that matter, usually the games that were loudest were Mets games, with all the transplants yelling for New York. Even the Chargers don't sell out their games. I was very surprised about Cincinnati though, good baseball city, 2011 will probably see a huge increase in Reds attendance.

I dunno, man--Wilson didn't have to pitch tonight and will start Game 1, and like they just said on TBS, NY struggles against lefties and was 1-4 at Arlington Park this year. Plus Cliff Lee will pitch Game 3 at Yankee Stadium and will be on tap for Game 7 in Texas if the series goes that far. I'd say the Yankees better try to win in 6 or they won't win at all. Anyway, I think this all is just one big battle for the privilege of losing to the Phillies in the WS (though you know I'll be pulling for the Giants in the NLCS!). Could be right. For Texas to win, Hamilton needs to get his groove back on -- left handed bat, with major power, at Yankee Stadium, (excuse me! New Yankee Stadium) he can cause a lot of damage if he gets hot. What's the over/under for the number of shots of Nolan Ryan? 1,000,000?

Oh well, now it looks like the Yankees are going to the World Series, I don't see them losing to the Rangers.

David Price, acting like he's dead from the neck up. Two runs scored in this game because he's not paying attention to what's going on.

It's just so stupid to have that long of a wait. Why? If there had been a game 5, it would have been played Weds, right? Ok, perhaps Friday then....still, 2 days wouldn't have seemed that bad. When do the Yanks vs. ? game start? I just think baseball should compact these series instead of the staggered stuff we get now. Start all series on the same day, so they end quickly. It's getting as bad as the NBA, for example: between game one and game two in the Phillies series, there was a completely unnecessary off-day. The World Series doesn't end until the first week in November, which is crazy -- can you imagine the weather if it's a Philadelphia / New York World Series? Just from my perspective, the post season could be scheduled in a lot better fashion. I just don't think the TV contract would allow that. Toughest in the first round with 4 games. Games would overlap more than they do now. I guess my major problem is that I think Bud Selig is an absolutely terrible Commissioner. He was crap as the owner for the Brewers, always covering his ineptitude by claiming "small market teams can't win," which has been proved total bullstuff. He is crap x2 as the Commissioner, who turned a blind eye at steroids, claiming he had no idea. Continues to let Latin players be totally exploited, despite proof that baseball people made money off "selling" these players, and overall, just sucks at his job. AND what really burns me up!: This complete fool will be elected to the Hall of Fame the first year he retires. What. A. Joke!

It's just so stupid to have that long of a wait. Why? If there had been a game 5, it would have been played Weds, right? Ok, perhaps Friday then....still, 2 days wouldn't have seemed that bad. When do the Yanks vs. ? game start? I just think baseball should compact these series instead of the staggered stuff we get now. Start all series on the same day, so they end quickly. It's getting as bad as the NBA, for example: between game one and game two in the Phillies series, there was a completely unnecessary off-day. The World Series doesn't end until the first week in November, which is crazy -- can you imagine the weather if it's a Philadelphia / New York World Series? Just from my perspective, the post season could be scheduled in a lot better fashion.

Phillies / Giants start Saturday in Philadelphia (thanks for the long wait Bud! You're money as always!). Should be a great series.

Wilson darn sure better close this one out, or he gets a big time Grrr It's true: Giant baseball -- Torture! Of course, Wilson can't make it easy, walking two in the ninth, but all's well that end well. Flat out awesome game one: Lincecum vs. Holladay. Must see tv.

Wilson darn sure better close this one out, or he gets a big time Grrr It's true: Giant baseball -- Torture!

Second that, Papsrus! Though I'd love to see a Lincecum-Halladay matchup, and it probably won't happen if this series goes back to SF for a Game 5. :bad: End this thing tonight! I am actually pulling for the Giants overall, Matthew--I'm just enjoying the ALDS games so much that I want to see more of them. And I would like to see a Lincecum-Halladay duel, so that's the upside for me if SF wins tonight. I'd be very happy if the Giants got a hit sometime tonight.

Second that, Papsrus! Though I'd love to see a Lincecum-Halladay matchup, and it probably won't happen if this series goes back to SF for a Game 5. :bad: End this thing tonight!

Even though I do not like Bobby Cox in the least! you can see he's caught between a rock and a hard place. Infante for Conrad is obvious (eg., the double play turn of Infante in the 10th of game 2), but Glaus is a statue at third, not that good of a fielder, and clogs the bases like Benji Molina. Any lineup on the infield has problems, but at this point, Conrad's is not in a happy place, and has to be replaced. Bumgarner a tough pitcher, the Braves are in for a tough night.

Yeah, they're looking like the team to beat for anyone to win the World Series -- they have it all, and everything in working on all cylinders. The Giants can match up with the Fightin's in terms of pitching, but I just don't see how the Giants can score enough runs to take a NLCS, the Phillies have a much better offense. Ghosty better pray to the baseball gods for a Texas win tomorrow, I don't think the Yankees can beat TB without the home field advantage.

That's for sure. Mostly for the player, though Berigan will likely accept sympathy too given they share a name. I always thought Weizen was Conrad. I need an Organissimo scorecard!

You're probably right. Have to feel for Conrad though...

Thank you Conrad!

Don't be jumping the gun there Ghosty!

Night Images from:The Gary McFarland Orchestra -- Special Guest Soloist: Bill Evans. Love how the opening and closing mirror each other. I would not call McFarland a great vibe player, but he wrote very good arrangements here that highlights his tastefulness.

Wednesday, I was driving around L.A. in the rain, today it's supposed to be in the mid 90's.

The Princess and the Frog. I found it very enjoyable.

Troubling news that Tony Gwynn is fighting cancer. I remember watching him as a point guard at San Diego State, he's blaming it on his chewing tobacco. Tony Gwynn, the prolific-hitting Hall of Fame outfielder who spent his entire 20-year career with the Padres, has been diagnosed with cancer of a salivary gland. Rest of the story.