Tommy on Tommy

Here is Tommy getting weighed on the same scale that my mom used to weigh her children. He doesn’t seem to mind but sometimes he squawks. This thing is pretty darned accurate–down to the ounce.

Here is the very first time that Tommy hears ANY Mississippi Delta Blues at all and of cour

Cincinnati Bill and Monte Irvin

Cincinnati Bill’s recent trip to Cooperstown for the inductions of Gwynn and Ripken. Thanks for the writeup, Bill:

Thursday -

Flew from Cincy -> Detroit -> Albany to get to Cooperstown. As we waited for the flight in Detroit we saw Al Kaline, George Brett and Monte Irvin. Kaline and Brett had security guards accompanying them to shoo away fans, but Irvin was alone in his wheel chair. My friends and I approached Monte for an autograph and asked him a few questions about the Negro leagues and old-time MLB baseball. Pretty basic stuff, best pitcher – Paige, best team – Newark (his), best teammate – Mays, MLB vs. Negro League – MLB better facilities, more power & pitching depth. Each response included a little story or rational. I could have sat with him for hours but the plane boarded. What an incredible way to kick-off the trip to Cooperstown!

Do Us A Favor ESPN

You know, just for the heck of it (and because I haven’t done it in a while), I sent the link to this post over to NY Post columnist, Phil Mushnick. Mushnick is a writing idol of mine. Mushnick “gets” it in a big way. He is often the ONLY voice of reason in the sports world and we need more of his horse sense.

I wasn’t particularly proud of this post. I actually thought it was overly negative and I try not to do that, believe it or not. But for some reason I sent out the link. And I have no way of knowing if he clicked in and really read it or not. You always wonder, “…was he appalled?…was he impressed?…will I get a phone call saying, ‘quit your day job and come write for the Post? haha” But he’s always polite and responds with some type of acknowledgement. Here it is:

“Phil.Mushnick”
to me show details
5:48 pm (4 hours ago)
Brian – Just keep your newborn away from ESPN! Thanks and congrats. – mushnick

They Can’t ALL Be Tommy Lee

Most rockers are knuckleheads.  You know, the guys who were out smoking when the rest of us were in class.  And some of them hit the rock “lottery” and become wildly rich and usually, they destroy their lives with it (See: Behind the Music). 

But occasionally there are bright bulbs who would have made it in any endeavor that they pursued.  You get the impression that Brian May of the old band Queen, was one of them.  Have a look: Click here to read about May’s doctoral thesis 

Thanks Ed, for the tip.  –fog

Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Bromo Tower, Baltimore

Watching the Yankee game last night made me aware that they are building a huge, new hotel out behind the left-center field seats at Camden Yards. The building will block the view of the “Bromo Seltzer Tower” from most of the stadium. This is a pretty large aesthetic loss to the CY’s experience.

Willie Randolph: Deer In The Headlights

Being home with Tommy up all night crying has made me watch more TV than I normally would. Has anyone seen this ESPN thing on which athlete is “more Now”?

Rusty can do stuff too, you know

This story was emailed to me and some had heard of it, so it obviously made the rounds recently. It concerns a cat in a nursing home that sits with patients who will expire within 4 hours. The accuracy of the cat is stunning. The question is, why?

Scott Schoeneweis – New York Mets

The Mets have sent Fighting Joe Smith down to AAA, and yet, here today I see Scott Schoeneweis getting in the game and here’s his line: 2/3′s of an inning, 2 Hits, 2 Earnies

Tommy’s World

 Here is Tommy’s control center.  It’s very complex.  There are a lot of choices.  Crickets, Treefrogs, Birds, and Cascading Water.  I think he likes the crickets best and frogs next.  Then there’s music.  A decent selection and all soothing.  You have the vibration machine.  You have the little light under the dry cleaning rack of bears.  You have a few other buttons there as well that I haven’t explored yet.

Here is yesterday’s shot.  He has his mitten sleeves on and it’s a good thing too, his nails are sharp. 

A Big, Flying Gas Can Full Of Smoking Germans

 

I hate to pluck stuff off of Drudge but this one, I couldn’t resist. The Germans are looking to launch a smoking-friendly airline~! What’s German for ‘Whooo ahhhhhh…? I’m sure that no vegetables will be served on that flight.

And you never know what the Germans will latch onto. A few years ago, my brother was in Germany and saw Hogan’s Heroes dubbed into German. I know–who knew? He also brought along an old game of “Trouble”, you know, the one with the pop-a-matic?

They LOVED it! They played it so much, that my brother left it there for them and there they were, all hunched over the Pop-A-Matic, sending each other back. –fog