Vote, but I don't think anyone should vote Republican this year. I'm an independent, not a Democrat, when I vote along Democratic lines, it is to restore balance to this country. Balance is something that the Republican party has lost. They claim to be protecting the nation from terrorism, but they promote terrorism. Terrorism, not abroad, but is aimed at our country. I don't believe they are in it for anything less than the power. Terrorism is their only true platform: pro-life matters are irrelevant to them, "Compassionate conservatism" is too wild for them. Morality and ethics mean nothing to them. You might ask, "how do you know their hearts?" How do I know their hearts? I don't. I know their deeds, and knowing their actions is a hell of a lot more damning than any knowledge of their innermost being. I know their big promises to grant their supporters their wildest dreams: money for charity, no money for abortions, money for the troops. Nothing. 000000000.
Money. Money. Money.
What we've gotten is war in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Chairman of the RNC has said that Democrats are "cut and runners" who want Iraq to be a failure like Afghanistan. Even the Republicans say that war was a failure. Iraq, what is Iraq? I hate it. I have a friend who fought there. I care for him more than I care for another round of Balkan bloodbaths. The only reason CNN is not calling it a civil war is because Robert E. Lee hasn't ridden up on Traveller to fight for a side.
Sorry, this is just a crazy post, but can we wake up and restore balance and unity to this Nation.
Throw out the people pay to run ads for terrorists. Throw out the people who call more than half the nation "traitors."
понедельник, октября 23, 2006
среда, октября 18, 2006
The P is for Politics
Finally, I am here. For too long I have not said anything about politics and the shameful state of our nation. What is it when a president is worse than King John? King John, forced by the noblemen, signed Hapeas Corpus into the Magna Carta. Hapeas Corpus, meaning the police have to state why they are arresting you. This no longer exists in the United States. Bush has taken a crap on this law, and has singed into law that any person a war tribunial, or any other kind of body he appoints, can send you to prison as an "enemy combatment." At least Stalin knew how to throw a show trial.
Congratulations, you live under a dictatorship. I thought I was only going to experience this once.
I hate this.
Torture is legal, and it's applauded. Do you care?
Am I not a man, and a brother?
We string up taxi-drivers like Christmas trees, because our generals don't know the hell they walked into. This situation could become worse than the Balkans in the 90's.
Ethnic groups killing each other for the hell of it.
Communism was dead: good thing
Saddam overthrown: good thing (but the right thing?)
But hornets' nests have arisen?
What are going to do?
Shoot people?
Torture them with methods learned from Stalinists and Pol Pot?
You're killing me.
End the war already,
I do not to fall in love,
I do not want flowers,
I want the bricks
from your high towers,
I want this to be over with.
I hate myself,
I'm tired of this clueless country,
Who are going to praise today?
Who's Jesus Anyway?
Did the whore anoint him,
perfume him for a battle?
He fought,
climbed a cross,
sliced into death with pain,
Sin, a parachute, he jumped into Hell,
and died.
Three days he hung,
Three days he lay
In blood and clay,
Till
the prisoners frolicked home free,
till he untied himself
to stitch a world together
"Peace on earth, we need it now, I'm tired of all this hanging around,
Sick of sorrow sick of pain, sick of hearing again and again, that
there's
going to
be
peace
on
Earth"
"Jesus, Jesus help me, I'm alone in this world, and a f**ked up world it is too. Tell me, tell me the story the one about eternity and the way it's all gonna be..." bono
Hope you have a good day, and I'll see you in Gitmo.
(yes, the eff word is necessary. it wouldn't be honest for me not to quote it in full. if it's a really big moral problem, please tell me. but what did Tony Campolo say? millions of people are dying around the world, and you're mad because I said "Damn.")
Revision: I "bleeped" the word. This morning I realized that it is not a very wise thing to typing obscenities at one in the morning. But who reads this blog anyway?)
Congratulations, you live under a dictatorship. I thought I was only going to experience this once.
I hate this.
Torture is legal, and it's applauded. Do you care?
Am I not a man, and a brother?
We string up taxi-drivers like Christmas trees, because our generals don't know the hell they walked into. This situation could become worse than the Balkans in the 90's.
Ethnic groups killing each other for the hell of it.
Communism was dead: good thing
Saddam overthrown: good thing (but the right thing?)
But hornets' nests have arisen?
What are going to do?
Shoot people?
Torture them with methods learned from Stalinists and Pol Pot?
You're killing me.
End the war already,
I do not to fall in love,
I do not want flowers,
I want the bricks
from your high towers,
I want this to be over with.
I hate myself,
I'm tired of this clueless country,
Who are going to praise today?
Who's Jesus Anyway?
Did the whore anoint him,
perfume him for a battle?
He fought,
climbed a cross,
sliced into death with pain,
Sin, a parachute, he jumped into Hell,
and died.
Three days he hung,
Three days he lay
In blood and clay,
Till
the prisoners frolicked home free,
till he untied himself
to stitch a world together
"Peace on earth, we need it now, I'm tired of all this hanging around,
Sick of sorrow sick of pain, sick of hearing again and again, that
there's
going to
be
peace
on
Earth"
"Jesus, Jesus help me, I'm alone in this world, and a f**ked up world it is too. Tell me, tell me the story the one about eternity and the way it's all gonna be..." bono
Hope you have a good day, and I'll see you in Gitmo.
(yes, the eff word is necessary. it wouldn't be honest for me not to quote it in full. if it's a really big moral problem, please tell me. but what did Tony Campolo say? millions of people are dying around the world, and you're mad because I said "Damn.")
Revision: I "bleeped" the word. This morning I realized that it is not a very wise thing to typing obscenities at one in the morning. But who reads this blog anyway?)
понедельник, сентября 11, 2006
DC and Gettysburg pictures Part Two: Air and Space Museum
суббота, сентября 09, 2006
RFK's Text
Here are the texts of the two speeches from the RFK Memorial.
"It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring these ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance"
South Africa 1966 (A dangerous place and time for him to say those things, I might add.)
"Aeschylus wrote: In our sleep, pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart and in our despair. Against our will comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.
What we need in the United States is not division, what we need in the United States is not hatred, what we need in the United States is not violence or lawlessness, but love and wisdom and compassion toward one another and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer within our country, whether the be white or they be black.
"Let us dedicate ourselves to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago: To tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world. Let us dedicate ourselves to that and say a prayer for our country and our people."
Indianapolis 1968
"It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring these ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance"
South Africa 1966 (A dangerous place and time for him to say those things, I might add.)
"Aeschylus wrote: In our sleep, pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart and in our despair. Against our will comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.
What we need in the United States is not division, what we need in the United States is not hatred, what we need in the United States is not violence or lawlessness, but love and wisdom and compassion toward one another and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer within our country, whether the be white or they be black.
"Let us dedicate ourselves to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago: To tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world. Let us dedicate ourselves to that and say a prayer for our country and our people."
Indianapolis 1968
My Trip to Washington D.C and Gettysburg: Pictures from Morning in DC and Arlington National Cemetary

Chinatown gate. That's my cousin's, Willis, head in the foreground.

Gen. Kearny. He was a one-armed Civil War general; when he led charges he held the reins by his teeth. Coinceidently, he died in such a charge.




RFK Memorial, Robert F. Kennedey, little brother of John was murdered in 1968 while running for President as a peace candidate. If he hadn't died he probably would've become President, instead Nixon was elected and America got seven more years of Vietnam and eventually, Watergate.

Amphitheater: Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
вторник, сентября 05, 2006
четверг, августа 31, 2006
Deadline Time!
Last Saturday proud Arsenal lost to the beggers that play for Manchester City 1-0, and the transfer deadline was less than a week away with Ashley Cole pouting to join the russki bluebellies at Chelsea, and Jose-Antonio Reyes longing for the plains of Spain where it mainly rains. Well, today Cole is with all the cup-toting jerks at Chelski and Reyes is at Real Madrid. But Arsenal was not left empty handed with rain pouring off its hat brim while seeing a beloved wear blue as the Germans wear grey. No, Gooners received Willy Gallas, a Frenchman (Allez Les Bleus!) and five million pounds in exchange for Cole. In exchange for for Reyes Arsenal received Julio Baptista, a Brazilian whom I know almost nothing about, but a number of Goonerbloggers are excited about Baptista.
Myself, I'm excited about Gallas joining Arsenal; Cole and Gallas are both fine defenders, and both have to protect their sad sack sorry no good excuses of keepers from being shown to be the hucksters they are. But... Gallas is verstile player with yo-yo like ball control and superb ability to play the field.
Hopefully, Baptista will provide similar variety of skills, and both should fit in Wenger's Total Football schemes.
If anybody would like to make a correction or would like something explained, please do so in the comments.
Myself, I'm excited about Gallas joining Arsenal; Cole and Gallas are both fine defenders, and both have to protect their sad sack sorry no good excuses of keepers from being shown to be the hucksters they are. But... Gallas is verstile player with yo-yo like ball control and superb ability to play the field.
Hopefully, Baptista will provide similar variety of skills, and both should fit in Wenger's Total Football schemes.
If anybody would like to make a correction or would like something explained, please do so in the comments.
понедельник, августа 21, 2006
Baseball Zombies and Other Happenings
Mariners are no longer rugged seafarers riding, conquering the high seas, currently they're a crew-- not unlike the undead of the Pirates of the Carribean movies--manning not some fearsome man'o'war, but a paddle-boat. They haven't won for two weeks and Saturday they commited the unpardonable sin of trading Jamie Moyer, a pitcher who has spent most his career with the M's, to the Phillies for two single-A pitchers. I feel helpless supporting a team that would make such a senseless--tasteless--trade like that. Mariner Housewife also is gloomy about the trade.
Premiership swung into motion on Saturday, with Arsenal finishing 1-1 against Aston Villa. Arsenal's goal came off a Theo Walcott pass to Gilberto Silva. Walcott, age 17, was on England's World Cup squad, but never saw a moment of action all the while. Now, he has shown himself in a game, and hopefully we will be able to see more action like this from him for this and upcoming seasons.
Walcott's place on the World Cup squad came at the expense of Jermain Dafoe, a star striker who was featured in Adidas ads during the cup, and Dafoe, not only is more established player than Walcott is also the star of Tottenham Hotspurs, the Gunners' arch-rival. Dafoe tore up the pitch in a recent friendly for England to show Eriksonn was an idiot for not bringing him along, and Theo showed him to be a wanker for not playing him.
Here is David Hirshery of Deadspin account of last weekend.
Premiership swung into motion on Saturday, with Arsenal finishing 1-1 against Aston Villa. Arsenal's goal came off a Theo Walcott pass to Gilberto Silva. Walcott, age 17, was on England's World Cup squad, but never saw a moment of action all the while. Now, he has shown himself in a game, and hopefully we will be able to see more action like this from him for this and upcoming seasons.
Walcott's place on the World Cup squad came at the expense of Jermain Dafoe, a star striker who was featured in Adidas ads during the cup, and Dafoe, not only is more established player than Walcott is also the star of Tottenham Hotspurs, the Gunners' arch-rival. Dafoe tore up the pitch in a recent friendly for England to show Eriksonn was an idiot for not bringing him along, and Theo showed him to be a wanker for not playing him.
Here is David Hirshery of Deadspin account of last weekend.
суббота, августа 19, 2006
Golden Helmet League
The Golden Helmet League-conference?- is kinda my version of Fantasy league. Instead of building an imaginary team out of real players with those players stats, it's an imaginary league of six real teams, Army, Navy, Notre Dame, Pitt, Purdue and Vanderbilt, and I keep track of the results. To no one's suprise Notre Dame won the league, beating Navy, Pitt and Purdue. I'm afraid these teams aren't BCS eligible, and can only win an at-large berth. All these teams are East coast teams with golden helmets (no duh), Georgia Tech is applying, and UCLA and Washington are asking for exemption.
Schedule:
Notre Dame vs Purdue Sep. 30
Navy vs Notre Dame Oct. 28
Army vs Notre Dame Nov. 18
Army vs Navy Dec. 02
Vanderbilt and Pitt are not playing any in "conference" games.
Schedule:
Notre Dame vs Purdue Sep. 30
Navy vs Notre Dame Oct. 28
Army vs Notre Dame Nov. 18
Army vs Navy Dec. 02
Vanderbilt and Pitt are not playing any in "conference" games.
пятница, августа 18, 2006
Towel Throwing
It's official, I've given up on blogging the Mariners for the remainder of the season. It'll be a mercy when it's over. It has an almost halfway decent year for them, but I think they've given up, and I can't think of any reason not to join them in their dismay. The only way I'll mention them again is if they get involved in a massive brawl with the Oakland A's that involves actual punching, leaving the field strewn with Athletics. Fat Chance.
But before I quit I'd like to leave you with a boatload of links to Mariner websites, blogs and Seattle newspapers. Yeah, I should've done this a long time ago too.
Mariner Magic
Official site
USS Mariner
Sports and Bremertonians
Mariner Housewife (Best blog of the bunch, plus she's a Portland resident).
Mariner Morsels
Marinerds
Nice Guys Finish Third
Seattle Times
Seattle Post Intelligencer
But I aint done yet. College and pro football is just around the corner, the English Premier League is ready to get going. After all of this is the start of the NHL season, then a month later the NBA (home of hometown favorites Portland Trailblazers).
Tomorrow I'll try to write up a preview of the Golden Helmet League. But for now here is a link to the Deadspin preview of the New England Patriots (my favorite football team), and links to That's on Point's preview of the Premiership, parts one, two, three and four.
I'm rooting for Arsenal, a team that's probably overloved, but at least it's not Manchester United or Chelsea. Chelsea might seem to be the more logical, Russian choice for me considering that its sometimes nickname "Chelski" comes with being owned by the Russian billionare Roman Abramovich and features the talent of the Ukrainian striker Andrij Shevchenko, but they're just plain sick, with throwing money to construct a half-baked All-star team that would leave Grand Sith Lord George Steinbrenner quesy.
And oh yeah school, five weeks away.
But before I quit I'd like to leave you with a boatload of links to Mariner websites, blogs and Seattle newspapers. Yeah, I should've done this a long time ago too.
Mariner Magic
Official site
USS Mariner
Sports and Bremertonians
Mariner Housewife (Best blog of the bunch, plus she's a Portland resident).
Mariner Morsels
Marinerds
Nice Guys Finish Third
Seattle Times
Seattle Post Intelligencer
But I aint done yet. College and pro football is just around the corner, the English Premier League is ready to get going. After all of this is the start of the NHL season, then a month later the NBA (home of hometown favorites Portland Trailblazers).
Tomorrow I'll try to write up a preview of the Golden Helmet League. But for now here is a link to the Deadspin preview of the New England Patriots (my favorite football team), and links to That's on Point's preview of the Premiership, parts one, two, three and four.
I'm rooting for Arsenal, a team that's probably overloved, but at least it's not Manchester United or Chelsea. Chelsea might seem to be the more logical, Russian choice for me considering that its sometimes nickname "Chelski" comes with being owned by the Russian billionare Roman Abramovich and features the talent of the Ukrainian striker Andrij Shevchenko, but they're just plain sick, with throwing money to construct a half-baked All-star team that would leave Grand Sith Lord George Steinbrenner quesy.
And oh yeah school, five weeks away.
понедельник, июля 31, 2006
Mariner Baseball May 30th-July 30
Wow. Look at that post title. I haven't been keeping anyone up to date on Mariner ball. Well, I don't think anyone reads this blog. If you do please post in the comments. But I should've been more consistent in my posting and more disciplined with my blogging habits.
Ok, I have to pay for it, so here I go...
May 29th to June 5th
This week they played the Texas Rangers and the Kansas City Royals. The Rangers extended the M's losing streak to 6 games, 0-2, 4-6, with the Mariners rising from the mat with a 14-5 win. Good timing. Royals were next, and the M's needed their day of the dead to look alive and remember how to swing the bat, hit thet ball, and run on dirt, so they wouldn't embarrass themselves by making the Royal's look competent. They took three games from KC, letting the Benchwarmers sneak off with a 4-9 loss.
At this point I didn't care much for events in the Mariner's season, with school only two weeks from finishing and the World Cup only days away.
Winning pitchers 5/29-5/06
F. Hernandez
J. Moyer
J. Pineiro
G. Meche
Losing Pitchers
J. Washburn (2)
G. Meche
Week in Mariner ball June 6th to June 11th
This was a good week for the M's dropping only one game to the Twins and none to the Angel's.
M's win 4-2, 10-9 but lose 3-7 in a three game series with the Twins at Safeco field. Then they traveled to someplace kinda in L.A. but kinda not to play the Angels. The Mariners make a three game sweep of this, winning 4-1, 12-6, 6-2. The World Cup had started, my Russian final was on Monday, and I forgot all I could about baseball and the Mariners. For the World Cup, I was rooting for England and USA, but once it progressed into the knockout stages my affection for Les Bleus of France was boundless. Americans think this is gross, but I could not hate Zidane, Henry, Ribery and Gallas.
Winning pitchers 6/06 to 6/11
F. Hernandez (2)
J. Mateo
J. Washburn
G. Meche
Losing pitcher
J. Pineiro
Mariner Baseball June 13th-June 18th
Mixed week, first they were swept by the Oakland A's then they swept the Giants of San Francisco as their interleague season restarted. The A's own the Mariners, as the M's have been unable to win a series against them all season. The A's renewed their Mariner tags with wins of 0-2, 2-7 and 6-9. And the American League likewise owns the National League, and when a team is mediocre in the AL (Mariners) beat-up a team that is good in the NL (that would be the Giants), then they llok a like a Ford's customer whose brand loyalty is respected but whose taste is suspect. M's win 5-4, 8-1, 5-1.
Winning pitchers 6/13-6/18
F. Hernandez
G. Meche
J. Moyer
Losing pitchers
J. Moyer
J. Pineiro
J. Wasburn
Mariner baseball June 20th-June 25th
Mariners continue to clean up in the National League, squishing the LA Dodgers and the San Diego Padres for two wins apiece, while dropping one game with each team. The M's series with the Dodgers in LA go for wins of 9-4, 8-4, and losing 2-4, then they drop their first game with the Padres 1-2, but run off with victories of 9-4, 9-5.
Winning Pitchers
J. Pineiro
J Mateo
J. Moyer
G. Sherrill
Losing Pitchers
F. Hernandez
J. Mateo
June 27th-July 2nd
Mariners take a detour from their Southern California road trip to visit the Arizona Diamondbacks. The M's turn'em upside down and empty their pockets with wins of 11-7, 10-3, 3-2. They returned to Safeco field for a three game set with the Colorado Rockies and fizzeled, losing two games 0-2, 3-4 and only one win of 8-7. The Rockies were the only NL team with a winning record against the M's in this year's edition of interleague play.
Winning pitchers
J. Woods
F. Hernandez
E. Guardado
J. Mateo
Losing pitchers
J. Moyer
J. Mateo
Mariner baseball July 3rd to July 9th
Last week of Baseball before the All-star break and the last week of the World Cup. I shoulda done all this blogging sometime then, but I was getting my head shaved and was on the lookout for Italians. But back to baseball... The M's sneak out of this week with only one win and looked terrible. First they lose the LA Angels 1-7, 6-14, 1-4. WE OWN THE ANGELS, but we lost. Why? Then we lost two straight to AL leading Detroit Tigers *choke*, losing 1-6, 1-2 before winning 3-2.
Winning pitchers
G. Meche
Losing pitchers
F. Hernandez
J. Mateo
J. Moyer
J. Pineiro
J. Washburn
July 14th-July 19th
All-star break came, France had let me down, I was depressed and I did nothing. Actually I did work, but's beside the point, if not pointless.
But the Mariners slowly revived. Well, kindof, they only won two of their next six games, but after that things would improve. First out of the break came the Toronto Blue Jays, M's took the first game 5-3 but lost the next two to the Blue Jays by scores of 6-7, 3-4. Then the New York Yankees took two games 2-4, 4-5, but the Mariners finish the week with a win of 3-2.
Winning pitchers
G. Meche
M. Lowe
Losing pitchers
E. Fruto
G. Sherrill
J. Washburn
J. Mateo
Mariner baseball July 21st-July 30th
Probably Mariners' best week and a half of baseball. Nine games and they only lost three of them, thereby winning the other six. Plus, Adam Jones gets promoted from Triple-A Tacoma to play centerfield, and Carl Everett was traded for a real DH. First, they dropped a game to the Boston Red Sox 4-9, then won 5-2, 9-8. Then they hosted the Blue Jays winning the bookends of the series 7-3, 7-4, while getting hammered in the middle game 3-12. Following this series they traveled to Cleveland to play the Indians. Chief Wahoo and purloined the first game 0-1, but the Seattle's men came back with victories of 3-1, 7-3. Now the Mariners are now playing the Baltimore Orioles. With new faces on board the Mariners are looking good, if they can win their upcoming series against Oakland, Seattle would be in position to win the AL West. Maybe.
Winning pitchers 7/21-7/30
F. Hernandez
J. Putz
J. Pineiro
J. Moyer
J. Washburn
J. Woods
Losing pitchers
J. Moyer
G. Meche
F. Hernandez
Ok, I have to pay for it, so here I go...
May 29th to June 5th
This week they played the Texas Rangers and the Kansas City Royals. The Rangers extended the M's losing streak to 6 games, 0-2, 4-6, with the Mariners rising from the mat with a 14-5 win. Good timing. Royals were next, and the M's needed their day of the dead to look alive and remember how to swing the bat, hit thet ball, and run on dirt, so they wouldn't embarrass themselves by making the Royal's look competent. They took three games from KC, letting the Benchwarmers sneak off with a 4-9 loss.
At this point I didn't care much for events in the Mariner's season, with school only two weeks from finishing and the World Cup only days away.
Winning pitchers 5/29-5/06
F. Hernandez
J. Moyer
J. Pineiro
G. Meche
Losing Pitchers
J. Washburn (2)
G. Meche
Week in Mariner ball June 6th to June 11th
This was a good week for the M's dropping only one game to the Twins and none to the Angel's.
M's win 4-2, 10-9 but lose 3-7 in a three game series with the Twins at Safeco field. Then they traveled to someplace kinda in L.A. but kinda not to play the Angels. The Mariners make a three game sweep of this, winning 4-1, 12-6, 6-2. The World Cup had started, my Russian final was on Monday, and I forgot all I could about baseball and the Mariners. For the World Cup, I was rooting for England and USA, but once it progressed into the knockout stages my affection for Les Bleus of France was boundless. Americans think this is gross, but I could not hate Zidane, Henry, Ribery and Gallas.
Winning pitchers 6/06 to 6/11
F. Hernandez (2)
J. Mateo
J. Washburn
G. Meche
Losing pitcher
J. Pineiro
Mariner Baseball June 13th-June 18th
Mixed week, first they were swept by the Oakland A's then they swept the Giants of San Francisco as their interleague season restarted. The A's own the Mariners, as the M's have been unable to win a series against them all season. The A's renewed their Mariner tags with wins of 0-2, 2-7 and 6-9. And the American League likewise owns the National League, and when a team is mediocre in the AL (Mariners) beat-up a team that is good in the NL (that would be the Giants), then they llok a like a Ford's customer whose brand loyalty is respected but whose taste is suspect. M's win 5-4, 8-1, 5-1.
Winning pitchers 6/13-6/18
F. Hernandez
G. Meche
J. Moyer
Losing pitchers
J. Moyer
J. Pineiro
J. Wasburn
Mariner baseball June 20th-June 25th
Mariners continue to clean up in the National League, squishing the LA Dodgers and the San Diego Padres for two wins apiece, while dropping one game with each team. The M's series with the Dodgers in LA go for wins of 9-4, 8-4, and losing 2-4, then they drop their first game with the Padres 1-2, but run off with victories of 9-4, 9-5.
Winning Pitchers
J. Pineiro
J Mateo
J. Moyer
G. Sherrill
Losing Pitchers
F. Hernandez
J. Mateo
June 27th-July 2nd
Mariners take a detour from their Southern California road trip to visit the Arizona Diamondbacks. The M's turn'em upside down and empty their pockets with wins of 11-7, 10-3, 3-2. They returned to Safeco field for a three game set with the Colorado Rockies and fizzeled, losing two games 0-2, 3-4 and only one win of 8-7. The Rockies were the only NL team with a winning record against the M's in this year's edition of interleague play.
Winning pitchers
J. Woods
F. Hernandez
E. Guardado
J. Mateo
Losing pitchers
J. Moyer
J. Mateo
Mariner baseball July 3rd to July 9th
Last week of Baseball before the All-star break and the last week of the World Cup. I shoulda done all this blogging sometime then, but I was getting my head shaved and was on the lookout for Italians. But back to baseball... The M's sneak out of this week with only one win and looked terrible. First they lose the LA Angels 1-7, 6-14, 1-4. WE OWN THE ANGELS, but we lost. Why? Then we lost two straight to AL leading Detroit Tigers *choke*, losing 1-6, 1-2 before winning 3-2.
Winning pitchers
G. Meche
Losing pitchers
F. Hernandez
J. Mateo
J. Moyer
J. Pineiro
J. Washburn
July 14th-July 19th
All-star break came, France had let me down, I was depressed and I did nothing. Actually I did work, but's beside the point, if not pointless.
But the Mariners slowly revived. Well, kindof, they only won two of their next six games, but after that things would improve. First out of the break came the Toronto Blue Jays, M's took the first game 5-3 but lost the next two to the Blue Jays by scores of 6-7, 3-4. Then the New York Yankees took two games 2-4, 4-5, but the Mariners finish the week with a win of 3-2.
Winning pitchers
G. Meche
M. Lowe
Losing pitchers
E. Fruto
G. Sherrill
J. Washburn
J. Mateo
Mariner baseball July 21st-July 30th
Probably Mariners' best week and a half of baseball. Nine games and they only lost three of them, thereby winning the other six. Plus, Adam Jones gets promoted from Triple-A Tacoma to play centerfield, and Carl Everett was traded for a real DH. First, they dropped a game to the Boston Red Sox 4-9, then won 5-2, 9-8. Then they hosted the Blue Jays winning the bookends of the series 7-3, 7-4, while getting hammered in the middle game 3-12. Following this series they traveled to Cleveland to play the Indians. Chief Wahoo and purloined the first game 0-1, but the Seattle's men came back with victories of 3-1, 7-3. Now the Mariners are now playing the Baltimore Orioles. With new faces on board the Mariners are looking good, if they can win their upcoming series against Oakland, Seattle would be in position to win the AL West. Maybe.
Winning pitchers 7/21-7/30
F. Hernandez
J. Putz
J. Pineiro
J. Moyer
J. Washburn
J. Woods
Losing pitchers
J. Moyer
G. Meche
F. Hernandez
воскресенье, июля 23, 2006
I Saw It with My Own Eyes
First things First
Drat you Boston "fans," drat you to double hockey sticks, all ye who jump on the bandwagon!
Yeah, I rooted for em' in 2004 against the Yankees, I even rooted for them against the Cardinals in the World Series, even though I wore my Card's hat every day to school. But seriously, y'all who are still on the bandwagon or even just hoping on, need to get off. Now. The Sox are really no better than the Yanks, with mercenaries looking for bounty, and waiting for a shot to play for the Yanks, do you noobs really want that, 'cause you know, Yankees Suck! Of course none of you live in Boston and care about what the franchise means for the city, after all you're bunch of mercs yourself.
And don't go tramping around the Emerald city and Safeco field as if you were soliders in a freshly occupied land, 'cause you're the ones who are occupied.
Why is it, that out here in the Northwest, we can't get loyalty to our local teams. We're eco-topians with socialistic-esque ideals, but we root like capitalists who wave our arms wildly for the lastest hot stock (kinda like how Enron used to be). This land is our land, so aren't these teams our teams. Seahawks rule football, Mariners rule baseball loyalties, while Sonics and Blazers rule their respective cities. Actually, the Sonics' new owner wants them to move to Ok. City, and according to an ESPN.com writer, people on the tv are saying this move will turn The future Ok. City Sonics into a Green Bay Packers of Basketball. That title is already taken, it's the Blazers, now buzz off.
I say this because I watched the Mariner/RedSawx contest in a sea of red. Most M's fans are probably careless enough to wear the other team's colors. If they were fans from Boston I would in awe of their devotion, but no. These fans were twerps, minor-leaguers, fair weather fanswho don't know any better than to root for the most over-hyped teams.
It seems Mariner devotion is like watching Matlock, only for the old folks, unemployed and the homeschooled. I'm actually serious about the local elderly and their devotion to the M's. For my grandpa, they're like second cousins or something, plus he sees them playing everyday. I may see him once a week if I'm lucky, since I live on the other side of town. And watching someone like the kid Felix "The King" Hernandez pitch on Saturday, he feels pride for a kid getting his shot in life, and for another great player to wear the local colors.
I just remembered, I watched a game yesterday, and a fine game it was. M's won 5-2 thanks to poor Sox fielding, luck and Japan. Ichiro was 2 for 5 with 2 RBI's, and Kenji Johjima was 0 for 4 but set into motion a crucial play when the Sox shortstop miffed a ball that allowed the M's to take the lead. Another hero I have not mentioned was DH Eduardo Perez whom I don't know much about, but with his two RBI's late in the game quietly killed the Sox.
This was my second trip to Safeco field which is gem of a park with its wonderful architecture that gives the stadium an old timey field that doesn't have a bad seat in the house. I know this as I was in the right field upperdeck with only ten or so rows until the roof. I couldn't see the right fielders (I missed you, Ichi!), but when things were still you could hear the ball hit the catcher's mit.
Gosh, really I have a lot more to type about, but that can wait for later in this week.
Drat you Boston "fans," drat you to double hockey sticks, all ye who jump on the bandwagon!
Yeah, I rooted for em' in 2004 against the Yankees, I even rooted for them against the Cardinals in the World Series, even though I wore my Card's hat every day to school. But seriously, y'all who are still on the bandwagon or even just hoping on, need to get off. Now. The Sox are really no better than the Yanks, with mercenaries looking for bounty, and waiting for a shot to play for the Yanks, do you noobs really want that, 'cause you know, Yankees Suck! Of course none of you live in Boston and care about what the franchise means for the city, after all you're bunch of mercs yourself.
And don't go tramping around the Emerald city and Safeco field as if you were soliders in a freshly occupied land, 'cause you're the ones who are occupied.
Why is it, that out here in the Northwest, we can't get loyalty to our local teams. We're eco-topians with socialistic-esque ideals, but we root like capitalists who wave our arms wildly for the lastest hot stock (kinda like how Enron used to be). This land is our land, so aren't these teams our teams. Seahawks rule football, Mariners rule baseball loyalties, while Sonics and Blazers rule their respective cities. Actually, the Sonics' new owner wants them to move to Ok. City, and according to an ESPN.com writer, people on the tv are saying this move will turn The future Ok. City Sonics into a Green Bay Packers of Basketball. That title is already taken, it's the Blazers, now buzz off.
I say this because I watched the Mariner/RedSawx contest in a sea of red. Most M's fans are probably careless enough to wear the other team's colors. If they were fans from Boston I would in awe of their devotion, but no. These fans were twerps, minor-leaguers, fair weather fanswho don't know any better than to root for the most over-hyped teams.
It seems Mariner devotion is like watching Matlock, only for the old folks, unemployed and the homeschooled. I'm actually serious about the local elderly and their devotion to the M's. For my grandpa, they're like second cousins or something, plus he sees them playing everyday. I may see him once a week if I'm lucky, since I live on the other side of town. And watching someone like the kid Felix "The King" Hernandez pitch on Saturday, he feels pride for a kid getting his shot in life, and for another great player to wear the local colors.
I just remembered, I watched a game yesterday, and a fine game it was. M's won 5-2 thanks to poor Sox fielding, luck and Japan. Ichiro was 2 for 5 with 2 RBI's, and Kenji Johjima was 0 for 4 but set into motion a crucial play when the Sox shortstop miffed a ball that allowed the M's to take the lead. Another hero I have not mentioned was DH Eduardo Perez whom I don't know much about, but with his two RBI's late in the game quietly killed the Sox.
This was my second trip to Safeco field which is gem of a park with its wonderful architecture that gives the stadium an old timey field that doesn't have a bad seat in the house. I know this as I was in the right field upperdeck with only ten or so rows until the roof. I couldn't see the right fielders (I missed you, Ichi!), but when things were still you could hear the ball hit the catcher's mit.
Gosh, really I have a lot more to type about, but that can wait for later in this week.
четверг, июля 20, 2006
I'm Back! (for a little while)
I left all of y'all hanging at the beginning of June and haven't returned. This idea of blogging every week about Mariner's slippery slope year ran into a problem: it's a World Cup year. So every day between June 9th and July 9th I watched and obsessed over the Cup. I shouldn't of been so greedy, and blogged a few of my thoughts on it, but I didn't and I'm sorry. I don't look forward to blogging on this site, having to bring more tales of M woe. That shouldn't have stopped me. I won't update today, like I should've done last week, but next week this site will show some signs of life. College and pro football is coming up and so is the beginning of England's Premiership. So, I'll be updating you on the going-on's of the Golden Helmet league, the Patriots and Arsenal.
My big news is that on Saturday I'll be watching the Mariners play the Red Sox in Seattle at Safeco field, and it's gonna be great!
My big news is that on Saturday I'll be watching the Mariners play the Red Sox in Seattle at Safeco field, and it's gonna be great!
вторник, мая 30, 2006
Mariner Baseball, May 22-May 29
Get out your barf bags people! It Mariners' Baseball!
Well... John Donovan of SI.com quotes Bob Finnagan of the Seattle Times as saying "If this keeps up, the Mariners will have to issue little white bags to fans attending their games."
It's not a real idea, however pratical it sounds. Yes, I'm a devoted M's fan, but that devotion is because of 90% accident of geography, 8% history, and 2% future. That leaves nothing to the present. Oh there are little things to love, such as when Ichiro throws baserunner out from way back in rightfield (Baseball is immune to grammar). But still what's there to love? The best pitchers are either too young or too old, Ichiro, Ibanez and Johjima, all of whom are missing puzzle pieces for contenders look worse the Yankees' utility players, as they being weighed down with the likes of Carl Everett or Adrian Beltre.
Who do we even have those guys? Safeco field is a pitcher's park with its far walls in the outfield, so why do we have these power-whiffing slugs? They're ruining the salt.
Why do I keep following these guys?
After all, I'm deeply in love with the St. Louis Cardinals and Albert Pujols. The Cards are a real team, deep with good pitching, and where starters are followed by relievers who know how to finish the game. It's filled with batters who don't look like tee-ball players who realize that their tee has been replaced live pitching. I would blog every day like the guys at deadspin, raptrously detailing the Red Birds latest attempt at greatness. No one would blame me; I wear my St. Louis hat every day, winners daily, contenders yearly, and I wouldn't have to worry about ineffectiveness of the Manager or the GM.
But still I will persist. There's still that 2% future, that maybe next year they'll great rid of their fat dinosaurs, Jamie Moyer and Felix Hernandez will be able to share their wisdom and youth, and that Mariners would play such great ball, A-rod and Griffey will be left weeping, wondering how they could have gone wrong leaving this team. That and watch Fraiser.
Pitching winners
J. Moyer
J. Washburn
Pitching losers
F. Hernandez
J. Moyer
J. Pineiro
G. Meche
E. Guardado
Batting stats (through the 22nd)
BA: 0.259
K's: 303
BB: 122
RBI: 217
HR's: 42
OBP: .314 (tied at 11th with the K.C. Royals)
SLG.: .392 (last)
OPS.: .706 (12th in the AL)
How did they reach these vaunted, vaulted heights of suckery?
After finishing a good series with the Padres they turned around and split a series with equally-sucky Orioles 8-6, 4-12, 7-4, 0-2. Then they ventured to play the crappy Twins for three game set and were swept, 1-3, 5-9, 3-4. And yesterday they lost to the Texas Rangers 0-2. Joyous. I don't really want to talk about them anymore for today. I've had enough for now, see you next week.
Well... John Donovan of SI.com quotes Bob Finnagan of the Seattle Times as saying "If this keeps up, the Mariners will have to issue little white bags to fans attending their games."
It's not a real idea, however pratical it sounds. Yes, I'm a devoted M's fan, but that devotion is because of 90% accident of geography, 8% history, and 2% future. That leaves nothing to the present. Oh there are little things to love, such as when Ichiro throws baserunner out from way back in rightfield (Baseball is immune to grammar). But still what's there to love? The best pitchers are either too young or too old, Ichiro, Ibanez and Johjima, all of whom are missing puzzle pieces for contenders look worse the Yankees' utility players, as they being weighed down with the likes of Carl Everett or Adrian Beltre.
Who do we even have those guys? Safeco field is a pitcher's park with its far walls in the outfield, so why do we have these power-whiffing slugs? They're ruining the salt.
Why do I keep following these guys?
After all, I'm deeply in love with the St. Louis Cardinals and Albert Pujols. The Cards are a real team, deep with good pitching, and where starters are followed by relievers who know how to finish the game. It's filled with batters who don't look like tee-ball players who realize that their tee has been replaced live pitching. I would blog every day like the guys at deadspin, raptrously detailing the Red Birds latest attempt at greatness. No one would blame me; I wear my St. Louis hat every day, winners daily, contenders yearly, and I wouldn't have to worry about ineffectiveness of the Manager or the GM.
But still I will persist. There's still that 2% future, that maybe next year they'll great rid of their fat dinosaurs, Jamie Moyer and Felix Hernandez will be able to share their wisdom and youth, and that Mariners would play such great ball, A-rod and Griffey will be left weeping, wondering how they could have gone wrong leaving this team. That and watch Fraiser.
Pitching winners
J. Moyer
J. Washburn
Pitching losers
F. Hernandez
J. Moyer
J. Pineiro
G. Meche
E. Guardado
Batting stats (through the 22nd)
BA: 0.259
K's: 303
BB: 122
RBI: 217
HR's: 42
OBP: .314 (tied at 11th with the K.C. Royals)
SLG.: .392 (last)
OPS.: .706 (12th in the AL)
How did they reach these vaunted, vaulted heights of suckery?
After finishing a good series with the Padres they turned around and split a series with equally-sucky Orioles 8-6, 4-12, 7-4, 0-2. Then they ventured to play the crappy Twins for three game set and were swept, 1-3, 5-9, 3-4. And yesterday they lost to the Texas Rangers 0-2. Joyous. I don't really want to talk about them anymore for today. I've had enough for now, see you next week.
вторник, мая 23, 2006
Week of Mariner Baseball, May 16-21
The Mariners got off to a terrible start this week, dropping three straight, 6-12, 2-7, 3-6, to the Oakland A's in Oakland. But they returned to the friendly confines of Safeco field for an interleague matchup with the San Diego Padres of the National League's Western division. They routed the Padres 7-4, 6-3, 10-8. Good news for the M's they defeated a team doing so much better than themselves.
Thsi week they're playing the Baltimore Orioles in a four game set and Minnesota Twins in three game set in the Twin Cities.
Pitching winners
R. Soriano
G. Meche
F. Hernandez
Pitching losers
F. Hernandez
J. Moyer
J. Pineiro
Batting stats (through the 22nd)
BA: 0.264
K's: 254
BB: 108
RBI: 198
HR's: 40
OBP: .319
SLG.: .405
OPS.: .724 (11th in the AL)
The M's pitchers are now pitching 4.59, which is 7th among AL pitching staffs, their lowest position since I've been keeping track of it.
The Mariners are now 3rd in the AL West and three games behind the division l,eading Rangers.
Here's a link to Sports Illustrated's John Donovan's MLB power rankings. Another link to the Oregonian's Brian Meehan and a column he wrote on how the M 's miss Mike Cameron. I was at Safeco field last summer when Cameron (who at the time was with the NY Mets) and he recieved a very warm greeting from the Mariner faithful.
Thsi week they're playing the Baltimore Orioles in a four game set and Minnesota Twins in three game set in the Twin Cities.
Pitching winners
R. Soriano
G. Meche
F. Hernandez
Pitching losers
F. Hernandez
J. Moyer
J. Pineiro
Batting stats (through the 22nd)
BA: 0.264
K's: 254
BB: 108
RBI: 198
HR's: 40
OBP: .319
SLG.: .405
OPS.: .724 (11th in the AL)
The M's pitchers are now pitching 4.59, which is 7th among AL pitching staffs, their lowest position since I've been keeping track of it.
The Mariners are now 3rd in the AL West and three games behind the division l,eading Rangers.
Here's a link to Sports Illustrated's John Donovan's MLB power rankings. Another link to the Oregonian's Brian Meehan and a column he wrote on how the M 's miss Mike Cameron. I was at Safeco field last summer when Cameron (who at the time was with the NY Mets) and he recieved a very warm greeting from the Mariner faithful.
вторник, мая 16, 2006
Week of Mariners
Mariners started their week at home against cellar owners Tampa Bay Devil Rays. They won the first two, 6-3, 8-1 but dropped the third 0-1, after Old man Moyer balked with a man on third. Ridiculous.
Then they traveled to the City of Angels (of Anaheim) to play the Angels, which is a mediocre club that should be better than it plays. After the M's threw the first game 7-12, they proved the Angels's mediocrity with wins of 5-4, 9-4. The first victory coming in the thirteenth inning.
Pitching winners
G. Meche (2 wins)
F Hernandez
G Sherrill
Pitching losers
J. Moyer
J. Pineiro
Batting stats.
BA: 0.257
K's: 227
BB: 92
RBI: 158
HR's: 31
OBP: .313
SLG.: .391
OPS.: .704 (11th in the AL)
Mariner pitchers are throwing a collective 4.41 ERA, which is 4th in the AL.
Currently the M's are 3rd in the AL West, and 4 games behind the division leading Rangers.
Then they traveled to the City of Angels (of Anaheim) to play the Angels, which is a mediocre club that should be better than it plays. After the M's threw the first game 7-12, they proved the Angels's mediocrity with wins of 5-4, 9-4. The first victory coming in the thirteenth inning.
Pitching winners
G. Meche (2 wins)
F Hernandez
G Sherrill
Pitching losers
J. Moyer
J. Pineiro
Batting stats.
BA: 0.257
K's: 227
BB: 92
RBI: 158
HR's: 31
OBP: .313
SLG.: .391
OPS.: .704 (11th in the AL)
Mariner pitchers are throwing a collective 4.41 ERA, which is 4th in the AL.
Currently the M's are 3rd in the AL West, and 4 games behind the division leading Rangers.
вторник, мая 09, 2006
Another Week of Mariner Baseball
When we last lef t the M's, they were a 2 1/2 gmes out of first in the AL West, and had come off a winning series against the O's. They were heading into a two game series with the woeful Twins.
They split that series: 8-2, 1-5, and then visited the champion ChiSox, and lost both games, 5-6, 1-4. Returning to Seattle they faced the Cleveland Indians, losing the opening and closing games, 4-9, 0-2, and winning the middle game 4-1.
Pitching Winners
J. Pineiro (2 games)
Pitching Losers
J. Washburn (2 games)
J. Woods
F. Hernandez
R. Soriano
Batting Stats through Sunday
BA: 0.254
K's: 194
BB: 84
RBI: 133
HR's: 21
OBP: .314
SLG.: .381
OPS.: .694, 11th in the AL
Mariner's ERA is 6th in the AL at 4.45
M's are 4.5 games out of first place in the AL West.
Ichiro is hitting .277, I think this is an improvement. I don't know.
They split that series: 8-2, 1-5, and then visited the champion ChiSox, and lost both games, 5-6, 1-4. Returning to Seattle they faced the Cleveland Indians, losing the opening and closing games, 4-9, 0-2, and winning the middle game 4-1.
Pitching Winners
J. Pineiro (2 games)
Pitching Losers
J. Washburn (2 games)
J. Woods
F. Hernandez
R. Soriano
Batting Stats through Sunday
BA: 0.254
K's: 194
BB: 84
RBI: 133
HR's: 21
OBP: .314
SLG.: .381
OPS.: .694, 11th in the AL
Mariner's ERA is 6th in the AL at 4.45
M's are 4.5 games out of first place in the AL West.
Ichiro is hitting .277, I think this is an improvement. I don't know.
понедельник, мая 01, 2006
Week in Mariner Baseball
Their first series of the week came against the World Series champion Chicago White Sox, so the worst could be feared. But good things happened. They won the first game 4-3, and won the third game 5-1, however, they did lose the middle game 3-13.
After this the M's journeyed to Baltimore to face the mediocre Orioles. They dropped the first game 2-5, but took games 2 and 3 by the scores of 8-6, 4-3, respectively. These last two games were the first wins of the season for Felix "Really Young" Hernandez and Jamie "Really Old" Moyer.
Pitching winners:
J. Mateo
J Washburn
F. Hernandez
J. Moyer
Pitching losers:
J. Vazquez
D. Cabrera
Team Batting Stats through Sunday:
BA: 0.219
K's: 159
BB: 72
RBI's:106
HR's: 19
OBP: .315
SLG: .365
OPS: .675
OPS (On Base Per. Plus Slugging per.) is the best stat to measure overall offensive performance, and the M's are 12th in the AL.
Meanwhile the Mariner's pitching staff is 5th in the AL with an ERA of 4.58. Obviously the pitching is playoff caliber, but the batters are still only swingers.
But the good news is they're only 2.5 games behind the AL West leading Rangers. So maybe there is some hope for us.
After this the M's journeyed to Baltimore to face the mediocre Orioles. They dropped the first game 2-5, but took games 2 and 3 by the scores of 8-6, 4-3, respectively. These last two games were the first wins of the season for Felix "Really Young" Hernandez and Jamie "Really Old" Moyer.
Pitching winners:
J. Mateo
J Washburn
F. Hernandez
J. Moyer
Pitching losers:
J. Vazquez
D. Cabrera
Team Batting Stats through Sunday:
BA: 0.219
K's: 159
BB: 72
RBI's:106
HR's: 19
OBP: .315
SLG: .365
OPS: .675
OPS (On Base Per. Plus Slugging per.) is the best stat to measure overall offensive performance, and the M's are 12th in the AL.
Meanwhile the Mariner's pitching staff is 5th in the AL with an ERA of 4.58. Obviously the pitching is playoff caliber, but the batters are still only swingers.
But the good news is they're only 2.5 games behind the AL West leading Rangers. So maybe there is some hope for us.
воскресенье, апреля 23, 2006
Mariner Games #18, 19 & 20 (Yeah A Triple-Header of Awfulness!)
Game 18
Mariners lost 2-1 one to once tepid Detroit Tigers. This season sucks.
Game 19
2-0 loss once again to the Tigers.
Game 20
Tonight they lost 6-4.
You must remember this: A kiss is still kiss, I meant to say that the Tigers have been in the AL cellar longer than a French wino. The M's are now there in their place, but they must be drinking kvass, 'cause they can't hit none of that hard stuff. Maybe they can't see 'em.
I use an awful lot of baseballese, do you faithful one readers want a crash course in this wonderful tongue? Da! Alrighty then, I'll it some other day. Oh yeah, from now on I will only be giving yall your M fix once a week, at least until they're fixed.
And in hockey info, it's playoff season, Av's up 1-0 over the wicked Dallas Stars.
And today is Easter Sunday (it's Monday now, actually) so...
ХРИТОС ВОСКРЕС!
All my Barry Bond's cards to person who can give the correct response!
Mariners lost 2-1 one to once tepid Detroit Tigers. This season sucks.
Game 19
2-0 loss once again to the Tigers.
Game 20
Tonight they lost 6-4.
You must remember this: A kiss is still kiss, I meant to say that the Tigers have been in the AL cellar longer than a French wino. The M's are now there in their place, but they must be drinking kvass, 'cause they can't hit none of that hard stuff. Maybe they can't see 'em.
I use an awful lot of baseballese, do you faithful one readers want a crash course in this wonderful tongue? Da! Alrighty then, I'll it some other day. Oh yeah, from now on I will only be giving yall your M fix once a week, at least until they're fixed.
And in hockey info, it's playoff season, Av's up 1-0 over the wicked Dallas Stars.
And today is Easter Sunday (it's Monday now, actually) so...
ХРИТОС ВОСКРЕС!
All my Barry Bond's cards to person who can give the correct response!
пятница, апреля 21, 2006
Mariner Game #17
M's lost to Texas on Friday night 4-3. Lost the series to them 1-2.
Season series thus far:
Angels 2-1
A's 1-3
Indians 2-1
Red Sox 1-3
Rangers 1-2
Slipping into the celler having won only one series in the AL West. Sad.
Season series thus far:
Angels 2-1
A's 1-3
Indians 2-1
Red Sox 1-3
Rangers 1-2
Slipping into the celler having won only one series in the AL West. Sad.
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