Quick Falls: Clemens and Bonds

What a difference a year makes. Last year Roger Clemens was playing his half season of baseball pitching for the New York Yankees. Now, I think Roger is really retired or buried underneath a big pile of baggage which found him over the off season. Last year about this time Barry Bonds became the Home Run King and now he is out of baseball.

I'm not surprised Roger Clemens is finally retired. He was among the top pitchers if not the best pitcher of my time. The baggage, the investigations, the alleged affairs, the dispute with the trainer that was a surprise. What's true? I don't know. I wish he was squeaky clean as a fan. He does do a lot of good things, helping out with the Astros prospects the last three spring trainings, and through his foundation. If he did do steroids or other performance enhancing substances, so what? He is a pro athlete not an amateur It was his profession. I'm sure my boss wouldn't mind if I took performance enhancing substances to improve my work. If it is illegal then have them face legal charges if they are caught. if it breaks the work rules have them suspended, which Clemens and Bonds never were. 354 wins, an 11 time All-Star, an MVP award, 7 Cy Young Awards, and 6 twenty win seasons equals a pretty darn good career. Source Baseball-Reference.com for stats.

Barry Bonds is the Home Run King in baseball. 762 home runs and a .298 career hitter is how it stands for Bonds. Bonds wants to play but no one wants him. Last year in a 126 games Barry knocked 28 home runs, drove in 66, scored 75 runs , batted .276. He is not suspended. Sure he is 44 years old, but he still puts up very respectable numbers. It is like baseball has said you have the record but now the playground is closed for you. His alleged PEDs used can't be the reason teams won't sign him. Several players who admitted they used PEDs or were found to have been using PEDs or allegedly used PEDs are still playing. So, why won't baseball let Barry play? Sure his knees are questionable but he could still produce. Salary? I haven't even heard him being offered the minimum salary. Could it be baseball doesn't like Barry Bonds? Or are they saying "Barry you have the single season record, you have the career record now, so we don't think your worth signing because you won't draw enough fans."

Bernie Mac Has Passed Away

The Summer of 2008 is not going to be remembered as a kind summer to comedians. First Carlin and now Bernie Mac.

Bernie Mac passed away at the age of 50, years too early in this day and age. I became of fan of his by watching his television series "The Bernie Mac Show." The show coincided in my growing role as a step parent and now parent. Fitting show for that time in my life.

At least he will live on in re-runs of his TV shows and his movies can be caught on DVD.

The Monthly Beau Torbert Update

The summer has flown bye, here it is already August. The Sioux Falls Canaries wrap up the regular season August 26, and then the playoffs start August 28th. Beau Torbert continues to have a fine season for the Canaries Beau's .328 batting average is good for 9th in the league. Torbert leads the Canaries with 18 home runs, 62 RBIs, and slugging percentage .605. He is tied for second on the team in stolen bases with 10, and has 15 doubles and three triples. He is also second on the team in runs scored with 51. July was highlighted for Beau Torbert when homered twice in a game. You can read the recap from the teams Website.

Torbert also watched as teammate pitcher Josh Kite was signed by the Detroit Tigers organization. Certainly a season like Beau is having would catch the attention of organized baseball scouts. Beau continues to be a player who can bat for average and now has become a player who can bat for power as well. Torbert has shown what he is capable being a Carolina League All-Star, a Texas League All-Star and keeping his head on to be an American Association All-Star. He has also played in short league A ball, low A ball, High A ball, AA and AAA in the minor leagues.

Stats from the Canaries Website.

A year ago today

A year ago today I submitted my first article for associated content. It was a short article on the Houston Astros trade with the Tampa Bay, then Devil Rays. The deal included Ty Wigginton and Dan Wheeler. The article was published two days later on July 30. Here is a link to the article.

Currently my writing is in a bit of a lull, but I'm sure I will come out of it with a bunch more articles. Over the year I ended up publishing 104 articles with over 54,000 page views on Associated Content.

Over the year my writing expanded over to Helium.com, Hubpages and this blog. Here is to a year in the writing life.

A Reading Day

Today I woke up about 4:45 in the morning to go and do some volunteer work. When I got back home I ended up with baby duty as my wife went in to work a few more hours. Between spending time watching my daughter I was able to get some reading done. I finished a book on leadership I had been reading and then I read a book by a friend of mine. I would have finished a third book, but I couldn't find it. I have a bad habit of starting a book and then putting it down. Then life happens or I start another book.

The book I read was "Ravings From A Sane Man" by C.L. McGown. C.L. is originally from Weirton, West Virginia and I have known him for over 18 years. It was neat to read a book that has roots in the state I live in and also written by someone I know.

I learned a lot about C.L. from reading the book. Whether you agree or disagree with his point of view, C.L. shares a lot of them with the reader. He does so in a humorous entertaining method. The book is a quick read broken down into short quick chapters. More information on the book and how to get your copy is available here.

Saved a lot on a car repair..

Last Friday the cable in my drivers side power window on my car broke after a morning stop at McDonald's. The end of a very good morning. I mean I was out of the house and on my morning commute with enough time to hit the drive-thru. Then there was a weird a sound and my car window would not go back up.

Saturday, I took it to my local mechanic. He explained what had happened and told me I would need to go to a dealership. He's a great mechanic and gives lots of free advice. So, I went home and called dealerships in three states. Of course no one could do it over the weekend. I did get a quote of $560. Ouch! $410 dollars for the part and $150 to install it.

I found on the web I could get the part for $88 including shipped to my door. A friend of ours recommended another mechanic and I was able to get it done for $80. $168 is a lot better than $560. Hmm...I knew there was a reason for not wanting to go to the dealership.

The Cleveland Indians first half dissapointment

Since this is the first weekend after Major League Baseball's All-Star game, I thought I would blog about some of the teams that have been major dissapointments so far in 2008. One team that jumps out at me is the Cleveland Indians. Last year the Tribe won the AL Central by 8 games. The lost out to the World Serries Champion Boston Red Sox. Here is a link to my article previewing the Indians in the playoffs last fall.

Currently the Tribe is 42-54 and in the cellar of the AL Central 12.5 games behind the Chicago White Sox. The Tribe did trade away CC Sabathia, who went 19-7 with a 3.21 ERA last season. Fausto Carmona has been battling issues and is 4-2 with a 3.10 ERA but hasn't pitch since May. Last season Carmona went 19-8. Cliff Lee is a bright spot for the Indians returning to form this season with a 12-2 record and 2.31 ERA.

Sizemore's average is down this season batting .272 but his power numbers are up with 23 home runs, he only had 24 last season. Martinez isn't batting .301 this season or having the numbers he hit last season. Travis Hafner also hasn't played since May.

The Tribe are having ac disappointing season due to injuries and management has turned away from this season trading away CC Sabathia. A move the Tribe used to add some talent on the farm. The Indians may not have a winning season this year but they should be in the mix next year with Carmona and Lee in their rotation.