Interesting prospective bit of legislation. The downfall of genuine journalism and newspapers have been much discussed in recent years. No idea how exactly government can intervene to salvage legit print media or how government can afford to bailout another industry but its good to hear this issue at least being discussed by leaders.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2009/08/30/2009-08-30_threeandout_for_joba_but_yankees_cruise.html

See link above for recap of the Yankees latest win and Joba Chamberlain’s latest starter.

The Joba Rules are a real tired subject amongst Yankee fans and the New York sports media, mostly because the rules don’t ever make sense fully and change on a monthly basis.  The latest plan limits Joba Chamberlain to 3 innings per start for the rest of the regular season so that Chamberlain does not exceed 150 innings this season.

In a previous email on this topic, I half backed the Yankees’ plan, supporting the idea that a pitcher should not throw 200 innings in his first full season starting games.   But I know that Yanks’ math is somewhat misleading because they are not simulating the experience of being a starter for Joba.  Any baseball expert will tell you that a bullpen appearance is entirely different from a start.  Thats why starters may struggle as relievers and vise versa (nevermind closing).

Starters learn to pace, to adapt and craft their way through an opposing lineup  3 or 4 times in one start.  They pitch once every fifth day and they are done.

Relievers don’t worry about having the stamina to work deep into a ball game or having enough different looks off the mound to get a hitter out in a second (let alone a third) at bat.  They also have to be ready to pitch the very next day.

So while the Yankees claim to be helping Joba Chamberlain’s development by restricting him to three innings per start for the rest of the season, they might actually be stunting his development as a starter.  Right now, Joba pitches knowing that he just has to get through three innings.  The team can tell him to pitch as though he has to make it through the sixth, but mentally Chamberlain knows that this is not the case.

Therefore, the Yankees are giving him practice as a three-inning long reliever.  That means that Chamberlain is not really gaining the experience of 150 innings of starting that the team views as a developmental benchmark.  Short term, I am uncertain how prepared Joba will be to start a playoff game this season.  The Yanks can’t possibly use the three-inning start model in the postseason.

I am not some old-school minded knucklehead who wants to see Joba Chamberlain go out there and throw 180 pitches during a 9-inning start, but is it too much to ask to see him work five innings?  At least five innings forces Chamberlain to work through a lineup two to three times and learn how to pace himself through the majority of a game.  Over the last 5-6 starts of the season, would the dozen or so extra innings (innings above the 3-inning per start plan) cause his valuable right arm to fall off at the shoulder?

Please click link above for any background on the Rick Pitino sex-scandal story.

I hate reactions like this and I never understood why someone like Pitino would come out angry in a situation like this.  When you are a public figure, you have to know that when you screw up, you are going to open yourself up to all sorts of public criticism, scrutiny and embarrassment that most regular people will never deal with when they screw up.

Here Pitino is coming out, saying this scandal has been “hell” for his family and that the media should worry about more important current events topics like the passing of Ted Kennedy or the economy, yet Pitino put himself in this position.

No one told Pitino to cheat on his wife, pay for the resulting abortion his mistress needed and open himself up to this kind of controversy.  Is it fair?  Of course it isn’t fair entirely but this kind of reaction is the reality when you are a high profile person.  This is the trade off for the money and fame one accrues by maintaining a public persona; when you screw up, the whole world knows it and wants to keep on talking about it.

1)  In NPR’s Planet Money podcast from last Wednesday, the featured segment was an interview with an exectuive from Crazy Eddie’s Electronics, regarding the financial crimes perpetrated by Crazy Eddie’s top management which ultimately led to the companies downfall in the 1980s.

The interview is a good listen, but mostly the piece just made remember the ridiculous advertisements that Crazy Eddie’s had on television when I was a kid.  As Crazy Eddie’s was a chain in the greater-New York Metropolitan area, these crazy commercials were always on the local TV stations, especially Channel 11, the old WPIX.  The video above captures the frantic and, well, crazy pace and tone of a Crazy Eddie’s ad.  Enjoy.  2)  Watched Liverpool lose to Aston Villa today, 3-1.  Unexpected result surely, but I was more curious as to what happened to the face of baby-faced ‘Pudlian striker, Fernando Torres.  Apparently, he got clocked in the face in Liverpool’s previous game versus Stoke City while going for a header.

He did score the lone Liverpool goal.  This picture really doesn’t capture how strange his face looked.  I’m sure he’ll be ok, but it was pretty strange looking on high-definition TV.

1)  Love watching the Yanks take two of three from the Red Sox in Boston.  Seven and a half up in the standings.  Don’t know what else to say about the Yankees and their play of late.  I’m quite pleased. 

2) I read this story today about Jonathan Papelbon, Red Sox douchebag closer.  Apparently, Jon doesn’t like the Red Sox claim of Mets Reliever Billy Wagner off waivers.  I think Papelbon should probably keep his mouth shut and let management worry about personnel decisions.  In my opinion, a team can never have too many lefty relievers and Wagner before his injury was one of the best lefties out of the pen for many years.  But it is nice to watch Papelbon show his true ass-backwards sensibilities once again.  I think he is five seasons away from being a real life Kenny Powers.  Speaking of which…

3) In the “new to me” category of things I have discovered since returning home from Korea is the hilarious HBO comedy, “Eastbound and Down.”  Basic premise:  Star MLB Closer Kenny Powers wastes away a promising career on booze, women, drugs and media outbursts and finds himself back in his hometown, working as a substitute gym teacher.  Hilarity ensues.  Again, this show debuted in February, but no HBO in South Korea.  Please see video below.

4)  Kitsune Maison Compilation 7. Wonderful compilation of electronic music from the french music label, Kitsune.  This album was the “staff pick” in the electronic music section at Amoeba Records, Los Angeles.  I have listened through the album probably a half-dozen times and went on to download–err– legally purchase each of the other Kitsune Compilation Albums.  Here is track 3 off Compilation 7, Phoenix”s Lisztomania (Classixx Version):

1.  Brett Favre.  The most overrated NFL player…ever?  Favre last reached a Super Bowl in 1998.  In both the years prior to and following his prime as a Green Bay Packer, Favre could be characterized as a coach-killing, mistake prone, knucklehead, who was always primed to make huge, gaffes in the big spot and cost his team a game.  I’m probably being too harsh on the NFL’s career leader in touchdowns, yards, completions, etc., but I feel like its necessary just to combat all the hyperbole spewed talking up this guy.  Just to prove a point as to how overrated this guy, here are 10 quarterbacks (in no order) who are definitely better than Favre:

Troy Aikman

Tom Brady

John Unitas

Joe Montana

Steve Young

Terry Bradshaw

John Elway

Peyton Manning

Ben Roethlisberger

Bart Starr

I also believe you can toss Dan Marino, Roger Staubach, Bob Griese and Jim Kelly (among others) on this list as well.  As my primary measuring stick, give Favre and any of the other QBs I mentioned the same team and hold an competition against Favre and I believe Favre’s team loses more times than not to any of the other quarterbacks I mentioned.

I predict his career as a Minnesota Viking will be unremarkable and disappointing.  I can’t wait to have a NFL season without this guy.

2.  Usain Bolt.  I have seen a few articles written discussing how Bolt’s unprecedented performances must be viewed with hesitation as sports in the present-era is marked by the illicit use of performance enhancing drugs.  I counter that, arguing that Olympics sports like Track and Field generally have tough standards against PEDs and actually penalize dirty athletes with harsh penalties (see Marion Jones).  To my knowledge, Usain Bolt has yet to fail a drug test or be brought up on some charge of purchasing PEDs.

Could he be a cheat?  I guess so, but without a shred of proof, I would prefer to think he is just a phenom, a once in a generation talent, and leave conspiracy theories regarding his performance off the table.  Just enjoy an all-time great athlete performing at his peak.

3a.  500 Days of Summer.  Enjoyed it thoroughly.  Its kinda like Annie Hall, except that its set in Los Angeles and all the main characters have iPods, cellphones, etc.  Zooey Deschanel is a girl most nerds fall hard for.  Unrelated, the last Joseph Gordon-Levitt movie I saw was Angels in the Outfield, also set in Los Angeles (well, Anaheim).

3b.  So I go away to South Korea for 6 months and return home to find that things really do change while one is away for 6 months.  Namely, that many of my friends have really begun to make those big life steps (serious girlfriends, engagements, career moves, etc.).  Nothing really else to comment on this, just that something I wanted to note.

4.  Healthcare Reform.  My biggest problem is figuring out if I support healthcare reform in the manner currently prescribed by President Obama is that I am unsure what specifically will occur when (if?) the plan comes to fruition.  I do believe in Barack Obama, but I would appreciate more specifics than what are provided on his website.    Reducing costs, promoting scientific breakthroughs and increasing preventive care are great goals, but how do we get there?  If anyone can better advice me on specific plans, I am all ears.  Else, I somewhat blindly (but hopefully not unwisely, fingers crossed) support Mr. Obama’s healthcare reform plan.

5.  Everlast Boxing Shorts.  Very comfortable for the summer.  Also, when you wear them, you kinda feel like Muhammad Ali or Rocky Marciano, which is obviously awesome.

Lately, Anthony and I have been taking shots at US Soccer in the wake of their embarrassing showings versus Italy and Brazil in the Confederations Cup. Not exactly the World Cup, but it’s still a stage for the U.S. to match up against the very best International teams in the world.

Personally, I had assumed that the US was eliminated from the event until I read the wrap up from the Egypt match which stated that the U.S. had moved on out of the group stage after an unlikely scenario arose where the U.S. beat Egypt by 3 or more (US 3 – Egypt 0) and Italy lost to Brazil by 3 or more (Brazil 3 – Italy 0).

Anthony’s initial take was to give Stars and Stripes Soccer a nice pat on the back for a decisive win over a really solid and underrated Egypt team. Remember, Egypt is the same team that won the African Cup of Nations, outclassing teams full of Euro club stars like Cote D’Iviore, Cameroon, Nigeria and Ghana. Further, in Egypt’s first round match ups versus Brazil and Italy, the Pharoahs lost a tight 4-3 shootout with Brazil and pulled a tough 1-0 win versus Italy.

But while Anthony brought up the positives of a solid win over a success International team, I brought up the very valid question regarding U.S. Soccer. How is it that we can look like an AYSO squad against Italy and Brazil but trounce Egypt when Egypt can give those aforementioned teams a real game?

To me, the biggest issue is that the U.S. players seem to take themselves out of games mentally, before the matches even start. When we play teams like Brazil, or Germany, or Italy, our players, in interviews, are deferential to these historic powers and they put their chances of winning at slim. While it’s correct to acknowledge the greatness of these teams, American athletes are known for their swagger and self-confidence. For some reason, this hasn’t carried over into the realm of soccer. The U.S. Basketball team remained confident, even as they lost the gold medal in the 2004 Olympics. Would you expect to hear U.S. Baseball or Track not portraying confidence, even while praising the ability of the opponent?

I usually have to rely on Anthony’s knowledge of soccer to explain the outcome of matches, but I believe that U.S. soccer’s biggest problem is simply confidence and a bit of bravado. Against Italy, the U.S. team seemed to lose their cool over some questionable calls and a red card. It is frustrating that the U.S. never seems to get the benefit of the doubt in International play, but this is a fact of all sports. The better teams earn the grey area calls and the lesser teams ending up playing both the referees and their oponent. But maintaining your cool as a team is key to beating top opponents, and the U.S. can’t seem to do that.

It just ends up being frustrating to watch the U.S. play so well against teams like Egypt and Mexico, who are no slouches in their own right. These teams are going out, playing well and winning in International play. But then we come out lifeless in other matches. Here’s hoping that in our next game against Spain the real U.S. team shows up. I believe we have the talent, we just need to finally make the leap mentally.

Ah well.  Personally, its a fine time so long as I am not too sober.  Without enough libation in me, noraebong always lulls me sleep. 

Here is a great clip from Season 1.  The best scenes usually involve Murray, the wonderfully bungling manager and I don’t usually rate the songs as my personal high points from the shows, but this love serenade to Bret’s special lady always gets me.  This scenes doubles as a “things I miss about NYC” memory too because its set with the globe at the New York World’s Fair Grounds in Queens in the background.  Enjoy.

Flight of the Conchords Ep 4 If You’re Into It