MLB All-Star Game Live Blog!

Some pre-packaged, pre-game thoughts:

There’s no reason to be surprised or (if you’re one of the dozen existing Rays fans) concerned about the Tampa Bay Rays 7 game losing streak. Think of it as a “regression towards the mean.” The Rays have some top notch starting pitching among Scott Kazmir, James Shields, Matt Garza, and even [...]

Word of the Day – July 14th, 2008

Tendentious
adj.
Having or showing a definite tendency or bias; partisan.
Prepare for some tendentious broadcasting from Tim McCarver during tomorrow’s MLB All-Star game. Let me take a wild stab: Derek Jeter will be described as the best defensive shortstop the game has ever seen.

A Very Serious and Consequential Topic: Boycott Dunkin Donuts!

It was two years ago this past April that I made the arduous trek cross-country from Boston to the sunny climes of Los Angeles. It has taken a while but I have finally grown accustomed to the miserable traffic, the apathetic sports culture, and the formidable number of vacuous poseurs. Life is less stressful here, [...]

Word of the Day – June 9, 2008

Picayune
noun and adj.
As adjective: of little value, trifling; also: petty, small-minded, prejudiced. As noun: an insignificant person or thing.
A “Picayune” was originally a Spanish coin that was used in Spanish territories as well as colonial America. Surprisingly, Spanish tender was made legal tender in the United States in 1793 until it was demonetized in 1857. [...]

Republican Vice-Presidential Odds

Now that we’re past the 4th of July holiday and new campaign manager Steve Schmidt has begun to retool (no pun intended) the McCain campaign, let’s have a look at the odds for the Republican Vice-Presidential candidates. The task is admittedly more difficult than handicapping the Democratic candidates as McCain’s pick will most assuredly be [...]

Word of the Day – July 8, 2008

Ribald
adj.
Vulgar or indecent in speech, crude, offensive, irreverent.
Try to be ribald at least once a day, it’s good for the health.

The SS CC Sails Away

If you’re a sports fan that cares about teams outside of New England, New York, or Los Angeles — I’m sure you can relate to the Cleveland Indians trade of CC Sabathia. It’s happened to your team. This is what you have to do to stay competitive in the modern game. But [...]

Administrative Updates

I have arranged for a friend to begin posting on Cleveland sports and perhaps some other film/televsion/pop culture topics. I’ll explain more on this shortly.
I’m planning on doing a live blog during the MLB All-Star Game. I realize the game is pretty much meaningless but it’s a good excuse for me to get some baseball-related [...]

Word of the Day – July 7, 2008

Anodyne
adj. and noun.
As adjective: alleviating pain; soothing to the mind or feelings. As noun: something that calms or comforts; a medicine or drug that relieves pain.
From Greek, a conjugation of an- ”without” + odyne ”pain.” Odyne was the minor Greek Goddess of pain.
Now for all of the fanboys and cinemaphiles out there, you’re probably familiar with the word “Cyberdyne” [...]

O Canada!

I was flipping through Newsweek Magazine’s “The (mostly) Big Thoughts Edition” summer double issue and I encountered the most astounding fact. The issue features a two page spread that examines the question of whether or not the United States has any oil (the answer is yes), and includes a graphic that lists the top countries [...]