RANDOM RAMBLINGS
Good morning everybody! For Christmas, I got a puppy. A seven week old pure-bred black lab. I named her "Abby" and she is incredibly cute. However, did you know that when you get a puppy, you need to get up with her every two hours during the night to take them outside in an attempt to potty train them? OK, I knew that too, but until you've actually experienced it, it's easy to overlook how much work it is. I can't even imagine the responsibilities of having a child!
What is my point in bringing that up? Really, I don't have one. However, the lack of sleep, and taking a dog outside at 2 (and 4 and 6) a.m. wearing shorts and a t-shirt has a good way of making a person sick. I'm at that point right now. So, I am again going to keep this short today and just cover a couple of topics and include a couple of links to great articles by great bloggers. I need sleep, and there aren't a lot of exciting things going on in the baseball world.
I also need to tell you that there will be no new entry tomorrow. I am heading to Grand Forks, ND, this afternoon to watch some of the World Juniors Hockey Championships. The first game I will be attending at Ralph Engelstad Arena will match The Czech Republic and Switzerland. Tonight, I will see The United States take on Belarus. The game will be aired on ESPN2, so check it out! I think it is important to point out that this tournament pits the top hockey players from around the world who are 20 years of age and younger. Many of these players have already been drafted by an NHL team. Some are playing on minor league teams in Canada. Some are playing in college hockey. In other words, this is some pretty good hockey! I am excited to see it in person. However, I will be home late tonight and will sleep!
If you remember a year ago when I discussed my Hall of Fame ballot, and specifically the candidacy of Bert Blyleven, Rich Lederer from Rich's Weekend Baseball Beat wrote an article that described in detail why Blyleven should be in the Hall of Fame. Well, back then, he and I wrote a number of the Baseball Writers of America and encouraged them to consider voting for Blyleven. One of the people who responded very favorably to us was Jeff Peek of the Traverse City Record-Eagle. Well, Rich was able to have a Q&A with Mr. Peek about his Hall of Fame vote. It is a very interesting read. They discuss Bert Blyleven extensively as well as Wade Boggs, Alan Trammell, the relief pitchers and more. It is a great article!
DREW TO DODGERS - JD Drew had his first healthy season and his agent Scott Boras used that to get him a 5 year, $55 million deal with the Dodgers. I thought baseball was trying to keep its economics in order? There have been some crazy signings, and I think this is one of them! JD Drew is an incredible talent, but he has had just one full, healthy season. And, now he gets a five year deal at $11 million per season? It just makes absolutely no sense to me. But, apparently the Dodgers feel this need to spend money just to have a high payroll. I hope this works out because from everything I've read, JD Drew is a terrific person, and I like seeing guys with this much ability meet their potential. I just think this is a bad trade.
But think about some of the other signings that have happened. The Giants come to mind giving money and years to some older players like Omar Vizquel, Moises Alou, Armando Benitez and Mike Matheny. The going price for #3 and #4 type starters is 3 years and $21-$25 million. Eric Milton, Jaret Wright, Russ Ortiz, Kris Benson and others are decent starters who are making a lot of money now. It makes no sense to me.
MORE ON MILTON - Be sure to check out Reds Daily where you can find plenty of discussion and links to people with thoughts on the Eric Milton 3 year, $25.5 million deal with the Cincinnati Reds.
MOHR IN COLORADO - A week after not being tendered a contract by the San Francisco Giants, former Twins OF Dustan Mohr signed with the Colorado Rockies. As I understand it, the contract is for $950,000 for 2005 with an option for 2006. Good for him! In Colorado, maybe he put up some numbers and become a star!
MEET WILL YOUNG - Will Young writes a great Twins blog from Washington DC. Well, Will will be in the Twin Cities for a couple days and would love to meet some Twins fans and bloggers. So, he set up a get together in downtown Minneapolis and has invited all Twins fans to talk some baseball. I wish I lived closer because this is an event I would love to be a part of. But check out the details. There is an impressive group who have RSVP'd and will be there!
Here’s the details (From Will's Site):
Who: Me, as well as the TwinsGeek, BatGirl, Aaron Gleeman and Stick and Ball Guy hopefully
What: An evening of Twins talk / dinner
Where: The Bulldog, 2549 Lyndale Ave South
When: January 2nd, 6pm-whenever
Why: Why not? I’ve been dying to meet some of the people with whom I have debated the past 2 years and I’m always in the mood for some Hot Stove Chatter
DA ALI G SHOW SEASON 1 DVD - Last week, I bought Season 1 of Da Ali G Show. This is a weekly show that appears on HBO. Sacha Baron Cohen is a British comedian who has developed a number of hilarious characters that are all funny. My personal favorite is when he plays Borat, a reporter from Kazakhstan. He looks for dating advice or talks as though he is trying to learn American customs for TV. The skits are hilarious! He also becomes a street gangsta type and interviews political leaders like New Gingrich or Bhutros-Bhutros Ghali and the discussions and asks them great questions. If you like to laugh, definitely watch this show!
AMERICAN IDOL CDs - Last weekend, I also continued my trend of buying the CDs of former American Idol contestants. January 18th, the newest edition of the greatest talent show on earth, American Idol, will start on Fox! For one, I can't wait. I know that a bunch of you came to this site originally because of my baseball analysis, but I get a lot of debate and discussion on my American Idol thoughts as well.
I
bought the new Ruben
Studdard CD I Need an Angel. I actually
enjoyed his first CD, Soulful. His second album is
completely full of gospel music. Now, that may mean that
commercially it may not be as successful, but I really believe that
it is the niche that Ruben is at his best singing. Ruben, an
American Idol winner, has not had nearly the commercial success that
his runner-up, Clay Aiken has had. This CD won't help him,
but I really do think that musically he is at his best.
Next,
I got the
Fantasia Barrino debut album, Free Yourself.
Now, I made no bones about the fact that I really think she had a
great, strong voice, but a voice and an attitude that I really
didn't care for. I don't know how much range she will have. She
showed some on last year's show, but for the most part, her raspy
voice just annoyed me. I am looking forward to listening to this CD
today to see if it is great or annoying!
Finally,
I also bought the debut CD of Fantasia's runner-up
Diana Degarmo. As much as I didn't care for Fantasia, I
really liked the young Degarmo. I don't think that she had quite the
voice as Fantasia (or especially LaToya London), but her
cuteness-factor, smile and charisma made her a favorite. Also, the
fact that she was so young means that she can grow into her voice
and continue to get better. Her first album is called Blue
Skies. I have listened to it just once now and it is very
good. I don't think there is a lot of difference between the songs,
but she is very good.
Oh,
and for good measure, I also got the
William Hung Christmas CD Hung for the Holidays.
(check out the official
William Hung website here) Now, I really enjoyed his first
album, Inspirational, was great because his singing was so terrible.
You can't help but laugh when you hear it. I actually think that his
voice improved enough for this Christmas CD that it isn't as funny
to listen to, and it is just bad music. OK, I admit, I still laughed
at it. He is a funny individual and takes his career so seriously. I
happened to see him on
Countdown with Keith Olberman the other night. He sang a
couple of his Christmas songs (with Olbermann laughing and singing
along). We also found out that William Hung starred in a movie
recently which will be opening in the Far East in the near future.
The clip that they showed was absolutely awful. He had his 15
minutes and somehow it has lasted far longer than that!
Thanks again to everyone for taking the time to stop by this site. Have a great day! If you have any questions or comments on anything, please e-mail me.