Author: fasted86

Briefly. 

The Brock Star! DYK: Aside from hitting for the cycle on Monday, Holt also hit for the cycle on June 16, 2015. 

Trivia #1: Who is the only Red Sox player, besides Brock Holt, to hit for the cycle multiple times in his career?

Trivia #2: In 1985, the Kansas City Royals were the first team to come back from a 3-1 deficit and win the ALCS. What was the first NL team to come back from 3-1 and win the NLCS?

Trivia #3: Who has struck out the most times in MLB postseason history? 

Red Sox “fans”, and you know who you are, STFU! Stop telling me about the Red Sox bullpen, or the yankees bullpen. Stop telling me about the yankees bats. The Sox won. They beat the yankees, it’s over! STFU! (and while you’re at it, stop talking about the Astros) 

The NFL is a joke with these penalties. Last night, on back-to-back plays, Philly’s Corey Clement gets hit with two, helmet-first hits. Blatant. Joe Buck casually mentions the second but that was it. Not discussion, no calls, nothing. Now don’t get me wrong, that’s fine with me too, but you can’t call the other penalties throughout the league  and not call those. 

The ALDS was the first playoff series ever where two first-year managers faced off against one another. Advantage, Alex Cora! 

David Pastrnak’s goal last night. Wow! Just sayin’.

Why do they not name an MVP of the divisional series?

Quote of the week: “I feel like we’re playing Kansas City.” – Bill Belichick when asked, “Does it feel like you’re playing for the top seed in the AFC with this game…” 

Disheartening quote of the week: “Crosby, Stills & Nash will never play another note together.” – Graham Nash 

Is there anything more anticlimactic in life than the full-count, foul ball? In all other sports, in critical situations, the crowd gets jeeped up, the tension is high, a play is made and either way, there is a winner and a loser. Not so much with a full count. The crowd is on its feet, screaming away, tension through the roof and doink! The pitch is fouled off. DOH! Do over… 

I was notified by WordPress.com that last Friday was my 100^th post. Wow! (get a life) 

TBS is terrible with their baseball coverage. It’s 2018 folks. We are used to seeing how fast each pitch is. TBS puts it up so you can barely see it and it lasts for about two seconds. 

Speaking of TBS, when the catcher or umpire asks the base umpire whether a batter went around with his swing, that automatically warrants a replay. Not always the case with TBS. Terrible. 

Birds flying under the influence is very common, as they eat fermented fall fruit, the sugar in the fruit turns to alcohol as they lose moisture. Says a Minnesota park ranger, “Birds don’t digest as quickly and soon they are intoxicated. It would be like chugging a keg of beer.” 

Drew Brees has now thrown for more yards than any quarterback in NFL history. That’s a big statement! His family was on the field with him Monday night when he broke the record. (well, soon afterwards, not during the play…) He is also apparently an unbelievable citizen of New Orleans. I’m a big fan. 

The commercials for the Google Pixel 3 are hilarious! If you haven’t seen one, google it. (try google.com, great website to google things) 

Heading into Monday night’s game, Nathan Eovaldi’s ERA was .036 with 6+ day’s rest. Needless to say, he was well rested that night. 

Trivia #1 answer: Who is the only Red Sox player, besides Brock Holt, to hit for the cycle multiple times in his career? Bobby Doerr (May 17, 1944 & May 13, 1947)

Trivia #2 answer: In 1985, the Kansas City Royals were the first team to come back from a 3-1 deficit and win the ALCS. What was the first NL team to come back from 3-1 and win the NLCS? – The 1996 Atlanta Braves vs. the Cardinals

Trivia #3 answer: Who has struck out the most times in MLB postseason history? – Derek Jeter (135) – he also has seen the most pitches in postseason history and has the most hits (200) 

“Southern man
Better keep your head
Don’t forget
What your good book said
Southern change
Gonna come at last
Now your crosses
Are burning fast
Southern man”

Briefly. 

Sox/Yankees. Really?

Trivia #1: What does USMCA stand for?

Trivia #2: What NHL team holds the record with a 35-game unbeaten streak?

Trivia #3: What NHL team holds the record with a 30-game winless streak?

What a week! Two MLB wild card elimination games, the Bruins’ opener, Thursday Night Pats and the Sox playoff opener tonight. This begs the question, how many cities/areas have EVER had four of their professional teams playing in one week, four nights in a row?! Celtics on Tuesday, albeit exhibition, Bruins on Wednesday, Pats on Thursday, Sox tonight.

Speaking of which, nice to see the Bruins bounce back last night with a shutout of their own. 

I’m a hater and I used to hate Peyton Manning. I still do. I don’t hate Andrew Luck. I don’t like the Colts but I appreciate Luck. 

“I said LIFT YOUR FEET!!!” – Holly Jane Akers started cleaning the house at 3 a.m. Her husband moved from room to room in an attempt to sleep, but she followed him with the vacuum cleaner. Akers allegedly struck him on the bridge of the nose with a vacuum attachment. Really. 

Useless information, supposed to fire my imagination. “Beatles Truth Revealed!” Ya, I think I’ll skip that article. 

The Oakland A’s Khris Davis finished the season with a .247 batting average. So what, you say? It was the 4^th consecutive season he has finished the year with a same batting average. Never been done. DYK: In his last game he went 0-2. I think he did it on purpose! 

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: The statewide Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference is losing game officials due to the increasing insufferable conduct of parents, coaches and spectators.

This week’s sign of the apocalypse, part deux: NY Jets running back Isaiah Crowell celebrated a touchdown against the Browns last Sunday by wiping the football across his butt and firing it into the crowd. He was fined $13,369 by the NFL. However, the stunt landed him a promotional deal with Dude Wipes! 

Speaking of Crowell, said his mother: “Well, I did not like it as a mother. Isaiah is such a mild-mannered person…” This is the same guy who, in 2016 with the Browns, posted a picture of a police officer getting his throat slit. Mild-mannered? As Warren Zevon would say, “he’s just an excitable boy.” 

Magazines are in most every doctor’s waiting area because that’s what you do there, you wait. But you know you are really in trouble when they move you to the exam room and there are magazines in that room too! 

Trivia #2 hint (giveaway?) – it was during the 1979-1980 season

Trivia #3 hint – it was in 1980 

In the 17^th annual NBA.com GM survey, Celtics coach Brad Stevens received 47% of the votes and finished first as the league’s best coach. It should be a great season, assuming/hoping for good health. 

The late, great Seve Ballesteros once replied to a question to describe how he four-putted, “I meese, I meese, I meese, I make.” 

The Rockies’ Nolan Arenado has been in the league 6 years. He has 5 gold gloves and more than 35 doubles and 35 homeruns in each of the last 4 years. If he keeps it up he may surpass the great Mike Schmidt as the greatest 3^rd baseman of all-time. 

Going to the gym, you’re doing it wrong. An American Airlines flight from Phoenix to Boston was diverted to Kansas City, MO, Monday evening after a passenger allegedly refused to stop doing pull-ups using the plane’s overhead bins. (Did I mention he was intoxicated?) 

Trivia #1 answer: What does USMCA stand for? – The United States Mexico Canada Agreement

Trivia #2 answer: What NHL team holds the record with a 35-game unbeaten streak? The Philadelphia Flyers in 1979-1980.

Trivia #3 answer: What NHL team holds the record with a 30-game winless streak? The Winnepeg Jets in 1980 (0-23-7) 

“Well, I met a girl at the Rainbow Bar
She asked me if I’d beat her
She took me back to the Hyatt House
I don’t want to talk about it”

Briefly. 

Nothing says autumn like a bowl of candy corn. 

Trivia #1: From the movie “Scarface”, how did Tony Montana get his name and why?

Trivia #2: Before becoming an actor, what was Burt Reynolds name when he was a running back at Florida St.? – Bill Reynolds, Buddy Reynolds, Paul Reynolds, Burt Reynolds, Bill Collins

Trivia #3: Which American holds the record for the most matches lost in Ryder Cup history? – Tiger Woods, Raymond Floyd, Phil Mickelson, Jack Nicolaus, Jim Furyk 

It’s late September and I really should be back at school. 

Tiger Woods’ walk up the 18^th fairway on Sunday was just plain incredible theater! 

The roughing the passer call on Clay Matthews last Sunday was the worst I have ever seen. I mean really. What could he have done?? 

Brock Holt (The Brockstar) really is a rock star! He was at SS last Saturday night just killing it. He does it all! Great locker room guy and very charitable, I understand. 

The nonsense has got to stop. This crap about calling a timeout just nanoseconds before a field goal is attempted. Too often is the kick made only to find out a time out had been called just before the snap. The kicker often missing the next attempt. It’s just wrong and needs to stop. 

Say what you want but Jimmy G has proven, again, that he cannot stay on the field. Some guys just can’t. 

Quote of the week: “It’s not the fall from grace that so many of us can relate to experiencing, but the rise to redemption that Americans love.” – Fox News’ Britt McHenry regarding Tiger’s victory last weekend. 

Al Michaels is timeless. Of course, Hair Club for Men has a lot to do with that.

Buckle up! It’s Ryder Cup weekend! (USA gets the first point this morning!) 

It was nice to accidently come upon Bruins’ exhibition hockey last night. I think hockey is my favorite exhibition season sport, with all the others tying for last. 

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: KinkySdollS, the maker of robot sex dolls, is slated to open a “robot sex brothel” in Houston this month. They opened one in Toronto last year where $60 buys a half hour alone with a robot sex doll. 

This week’s sign of the apocalypse – part deux: Canton-based Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc. announced Tuesday that it will officially change the chain’s name from “Dunkin’ Donuts” to simply “Dunkin.’” It’s part of an effort to position the company as a “beverage-led”, on-the-go, brand. Puh-lease! Do they really think fewer cops will hang out there? 

Terry Francona is such a class act. 

Phil Mickelson shot 13 over par in last weekend’s Tour Championship. He placed 30^th, essentially – in last place. He collected $144,000.

I know I predicted Pats/Pack Superbowl but boy, it’s looking like Chiefs/Rams, isn’t it?

Trivia #1 answer: From the movie “Scarface”, how did Tony Montana get his name and why? Tony Montana was named after HOF quarterback, Joe Montana. Producer Oliver Stone was a big 49ers fan.

Trivia #2 answer: Before becoming an actor, what was Burt Reynolds name when he was a running back at Florida St.? – Bill Reynolds, Buddy Reynolds, Paul Reynolds, Burt Reynolds, Bill Collins – Buddy Reynolds

Trivia #3 answer: Which American holds the record for the most matches lost in Ryder Cup history? – Tiger Woods, Raymond Floyd, Phil Mickelson, Jack Nicolaus, Jim Furyk – Phil Mickelson 

Have a nice fall! (not the Humpty Dumpty kind but, you know…) 

“Mother, mother
There’s too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There’s far too many of you dying
You know we’ve got to find a way
To bring some lovin’ here today – Ya”

Briefly.

Trivia #1: In 1967, Carl Yastrzemski finished one vote short of a unanimous selection for Most Valuable Player. Who got that one other vote?

Trivia #2: Who was the last MLB player to step into the batter’s box without a helmet?

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: A spray has been developed that makes dirty clothes smell fresh and appear crease-free – as millennials can’t be bothered to wash or hang them. About 60 percent of 22 to 37-year olds say they are too tired to do the washing. 

Oxymoron of the week. Saints/Defense. 48 points to Ryan Fitzpatrick? DYN, Fitzpatrick is a Harvard graduate? Is there any surprise he just schooled the Saints? 

Harvard University’s endowment is over $37B. That’s a ‘B.’ 

Headline of the week: Patient develops ‘black, hairy tongue’ from medication. Now that’s just disgusting!

After 9/11, a then 7-year old girl in Kentucky donated a pair of gloves to those helping in the aftermath. The gloves made their way to Manhattan and into the hands of trucker Dave Triola who was handling debris as Ground Zero. When he put on the gloves he found a note inside: “Dear Fireman, These gloves are to help you search for bodies. Thank you for helping other people.” The two finally met up together this past summer. Nice.

On Tuesday night, in the 5^th inning, the Astros Alex Bregman notched his 50^th double of the season, his 100^th RBI and scored his 100^th run.

Hey, that doesn’t sounds right! The Red Sox have clinched a playoff spot for the third consecutive season. That ties the longest streak in franchise history.

Hey, that doesn’t sound right part deux! Aaron Rodgers threw three touchdown passes during his (and the Packers, I guess) comeback on Sunday Night. That was the first time he has thrown for 3 TD’s in the 4^th quarter of any game. 

Trivia #1 hint: A Minnesota sportswriter gave the vote to a Twins player.

Trivia #2 hint: He was a Red Sox.

Kaylee Foster, Ocean Springs High School (MS) Sr., was named homecoming queen during halftime of her school’s game last Friday night. She also kicked two field goals during the game and added the game-winning extra point in overtime of the team’s 13-12 win.

So bye-bye Adam McQuaid. In Bruins’ speak, he is 31 and the B’s got 2 draft picks for him (4^th and a conditional 7^th). Good trade. My question is, when the Rangers come to town this season, do the Bruins have anyone who can kick his @ss?

Dennis Frandsen, a self-made success who now has 35 branches of Frandsen Bank & Trust, offered to pay for two years of technical college for all of Luck High School’s (WI) 34 prospective graduates this year. Luck is Frandsen’s home town.

Trivia #1: In 1967, Carl Yastrzemski finished one vote short of a unanimous selection for Most Valuable Player. Who got that one other vote? Minnesota Twins’ Cesar Tovar.

Trivia #2: Who was the last MLB player to step into the batter’s box without a helmet? – Bob Montgomery  

“Someone told me long ago,
There’s a calm before the storm,
I know; it’s been comin’ for some time.
When it’s over, so they say,
It’ll rain a sunny day,
I know; Shinin’ down like water.”

Briefly. 

I have one item on my ‘Bucket List’ and that is getting out of bed tomorrow. From there, seize the day! 

Trivia #1: Who is the only player in MLB history to have at least 200 hits and 39 homeruns for three consecutive years?

Trivia #2: What does “No GMOs” mean on a consumable product container?

Trivia #3: Since 1933, there have been 1,579 NFL opening day games. What team has the best highest percentage in opening day games? What team has the lowest percentage?

Bonus question: Who was Lewis Medlock? (come on, impress me)

For those “experts” picking the Atlanta Falcons to win the Super Bowl? They are doing so because the game is in Atlanta. Hey, guess what? You need to get there first. They won’t. 

I say: Pats/Packers Superbowl. It will be the most watched Super Bowl, eva. 

Go Pats! For those about to rock, we salute you! 

For those of us out there in the corporate world, there are few things in life more gratifying than a cancelled meeting. 

Serena is in the Open finals. Impressive. No truth to the rumor that she has signed with the Patriots. 

Like it or not, believe it or not, the Red sox Triple-A affiliate will be called the ‘WooSox.’ 

So the Pats reworked Gronk’s contact and filled it with incentives. Shouldn’t all contracts be like that, filled with incentives? 

While I do often listen to news radio, sports radio, NPR (sometimes), I am pretty much a classic rock radio kinda guy, especially on weekends. Having said that, I have deduced that Queen is the most overplayed rock band on radio, followed closely by Pink Floyd and the Eagles. 

The Healdsburg High School football team, the Greyhounds, lost their first two games this season by scores of 41-0 and 61-0. So what did they do? They quit! That’s right, they quit and cancelled their remaining games. The school has a legacy of good football teams up in northern CA. This season they only had 18 players on the team and 6 walked out after the second game. Said the writer of the article I read, “…for 12 kids in high school, going out and getting drubbed every week probably isn’t the best way to spend a Friday night.” Right. Now the kids can instead play video games, party and learn that quitting is really OK.

Some people are intelligent and then there are these guys. Harvard researchers have developed a technique that uses acoustic levitation to print droplets of materials that wouldn’t normally  be so accommodating, including metal and honey. The approach uses a subwavelength acoustic resonator to create a sound field that pulls substances from the printer nozzle at over 100G. 

The Bruins open their exhibition season next Saturday… in Shenzhen, China.

On September 5, 1791, an ordinance was passed in Pittsfield banning baseball from being played in Park Square. The bylaw, passed to protect the windows of the Massachusetts’ town new meeting  house, is believed to be the earliest written reference to baseball.

It’s official. The Patriots have clinched the AFC East title! 

R.I.P. Burt Reynolds (82) – What a stud! As he said in Smokey and the Bandit: “For the good old American life: For the money, for the glory, and for the fun… mostly for the money.” 

Trivia #1: Who is the only player in MLB history to have at least 200 hits and 39 homeruns for three consecutive years? – Jim Rice

Trivia #2: What does “No GMOs” mean on a consumable product container? – If there’s a bioengineered version of an ingredient, the product doesn’t use it.

Trivia #3: Since 1933, there have been 1,579 NFL opening day games. What team has the best highest percentage in opening day games? What team has the lowest percentage? – The Dallas Cowboys have the highest at .670, the Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints are tied for the lowest at .333.

Bonus question: Who was Lewis Medlock? – Lewis Medlock was Burt Reynolds character in Deliverance. 

If you can imagine lyrics to ‘Dueling Banjos’… I can’t.

“Whoa, we’re half-way there.
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer.
Take my hand, we’ll make it. I swear.
Whoa, livin’ on a prayer.”

Briefly. 

Trivia #1: Who are the top 5 players in games played in a Red Sox uniform?

Trivia #2: Who are the four MLB players with 3,000 hits, 300 homeruns and 200 stolen bases?

Trivia #3: (3?!?!) – Rank the following schools by all-time winning percentage in D1 FBS, thru last season – Georgia, USC, Michigan, Notre Dame, Alabama, Boise St. 

Yes, football season is upon us. College officially “kicks off” this weekend and the NFL next Thursday. Gotta love it! 

Congratulations to the Little League World Champions from Hawaii. Between volcanic eruptions, the hurricane and whatever else, I hope this gave the natives a little something to celebrate. 

Wednesday would have been Ted Williams 100^th birthday. Now I could read stats about Teddy Ballgame all day (there’s certainly enough of them!). I’ll start now giving some stats each weekly. To begin, Ted Williams CAREER on-base percentage (OBP) is .482. No active player has posted an OBP in any single season. Joey Votto, the active leader in OBP, could reach base in each of his next 650 plate appearances and still not reach Williams’ mark. 

Last weekend, the Miami Dolphins’ Kiko Alonso mistakenly ran to the Baltimore Ravens bench after a play. He was hit with a delay of game. Hey, give him a break. It’s preseason! 

Students at an Ohio middle school were asked who they would leave behind if the world was about to end, using age, religion and other descriptions as markers for their decisions. The assignment sparked widespread uproar. NOOOOOO!!!! Really? 

A New York Knicks fan, infuriated by the team’s five straight losing seasons, sold his fandom on eBay for $3,500 and will move his allegiance to the LA Lakers. I have two questions: 1) What took him so long? and 2) the Lakers?? 

Speaking of the Little League World Series… You see how big some of the kids are. You see how talented some of the kids are. Then you see that the batter’s favorite television show is SpongeBob SquarePants and you remember what you are watching. 

The Boston Bruins Foundation, started in 2002, announced a three-year partnership with the Special Olympics Massachusetts this past week. Very nice. It is the foundation’s largest donation to date and this year also happens to be the 50^th anniversary of the Special Olympics. 

The Red Sox are now 0-6 when wearing those stupid uniforms with their nicknames on the back. 

Did you happen to watch Sunday Night Baseball this past Sunday? I don’t even recalled who was playing, irrelevant. Jessica Mendosa, one of the color commentators, was wearing a black tank top. Not that she looked hot or anything, but a tank top?? 

From Danny Ainge: “Irving, Hayward at full speed and ready for Celtics training camp.” Great to hear!

This Sox team is so fun to watch!

Quote of the week: “Nothing in life is more liberating than to fight for a cause larger than yourself, something that encompasses you but is not defined by your existence alone.” – John McCain

I’m on a distribution for a Food & Wine email. Not even sure how often I get it. The subject line from the other day read: The Best BLT Recipes. Really? What’s next? The best PB&J recipes? 

R.I.P. John McCain (81) – McCain will lie in state at the US Capitol today with an 11am ceremony followed by a public viewing from 2-8pm. In 166 years only 30 people have had that same honor. 

Trivia #1 answer: Who are the top 5 for games played in a Red Sox uniform? Yaz (3,308), Dewey Evans (2,505), Teddy Ballgame (2,292), Jim Rice (2,089) and Ortiz (1,953). (I guessed Varitek)

Trivia #2 answer: Who are the four MLB players with 3,000 hits, 300 homeruns and 200 stolen bases? Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, George Brett and Dave Winfield

Trivia #3 answer: Rank the following schools by all-time winning percentage in D1 FBS thru last season – Georgia, USC, Michigan, Notre Dame, Alabama, Boise St. – Michigan(.729), Boise St.(.726), Notre Dame(.724), Alabama(.723), USC(.702), Georgia(.651) 

“Now I’ve been smokin’ so long,
Ya know I’m here to stay
Got me in a strangled hold, baby
you best get outta the way”

Briefly. 

Trivia #1: OK, I’m giving you a 50-50 here. Did Carlton Fisk hit more homeruns with the Red Sox or the White Sox? 

30 years ago, MLB batters compiled nearly 30,000(!) more hits than strikeouts. Last season, that edge dwindled to about 2,000. This season through last Wednesday, it was nearly even, with hits only slightly ahead: 30,678 hits to 30,569 strikeouts. Fifteen years ago, only seven qualified pitchers averaged 8.4 strikeouts per nine innings. Now, 8.4 is the major league average. Attendance overall is down, but I don’t care. I’m good with a pitchers’ duel as much as I am a slugfest. I am in the minority there. 

Lord I’m comin’ home to you. 

A tentative deal has been struck. The Red Sox’ Triple A affiliate, the Pawtucket Red Sox’ are moving to Worcester. Soon, the PawSox will be no more, at least in name. The WoSox just doesn’t work. 

NASA has issued an alert that a “potentially hazardous asteroid” is on a “close approach” toward Earth. However, it’s nothing to be alarmed at, as it is expected to zoom past the planet approximately 3 million miles away. The asteroid is said to be as big as 525 feet, taller than the Great Pyramid of Giza. Really? That is what they compare it to?

According to cbssports.com, the Patriots have the 2^nd easiest schedule for this upcoming season. Take it with a grain of salt, of course, but they actually used a formula not based on strength of schedule, per se. They looked at each game individually. For instance, strength of schedule would say no matter who plays the Packers it is just as difficult. These guys said, if you play the Packers at Lambeau in September, you have an easier game than playing them there in December where Aaron Rodgers is 15-0 in his last 15 at Lambeau in December. The Giants look to have the toughest schedule. 

So Victor Cruz has retired. So too, I guess, has the Salsa.

Remember tennis great, Boris Becker? He went bankrupt in 2017.

Back to the NFL schedule. This tells you something about the ease of the AFC. 14 of the 17 easiest schedules are AFC teams, mainly because they play each other more often than they play the NFC.

Trivia #1 answer: Did Carlton Fisk hit more homeruns with the Red Sox or White Sox? White Sox (214-162)

R.I.P. – Mike (49) & Laura (47) Cote, drowning victims at Seabrook Beach last weekend. Too soon, too young, two NICE people. Often, life ain’t fair. 49 & 47, damn!

R.I.P. – Ed King (68). King played with Lynyrd Skynyrd from 1972-1975 and again in 1987-1996. Had he not left the band in 1975 he very possibly would have been in the 1977 plane crash that killed three other members of their band.

“Ma, take this badge off of me.

I can’t use it anymore.

It’s getting dark, too dark to see.

Feel like I’m knockin’ on heaven’s door.”

Briefly. 

Trivia #1: Barry Bonds had his numbered retired by the Giants the other night. Did you catch it? No, neither did I. What number was it?

Trivia #2: Which quarterback-wide receiver duo was ranked first by the NFL during the 2017-2018 season? – Ben Roethlisberger- Antonio Brown, Matt Ryan- Julio Jones, Russell Wilson- Doug Baldwin, Tom Brady- Rob Gronkowski, Drew Brees- Michael Thomas? 

There were more than 600 applicants seeking to replace Rene Rancourt for the national anthem at Bruins’ games. They’ve narrowed it down to 52 finalists. 

Mookie wears one of those new-fangled mitts when he runs the bases. He wears it on his left hand which makes sense when he slides into second base, left hand first. What doesn’t make sense is that he dives back to first, on a throw, with his right hand first. Why not wear two mitts?? 

The headline for yesterday’s Red Sox farm system report read like this: Michael Chavis extends hit streak to 3 games. Really, that’s it? 

‘Cast’ is an interesting word. You can cast a spell, cast a fishing rod, be a part of the cast of a movie, you can cast something off to the side, have a cast on your broken arm or, you can cast a shadow.  Talk about diversity! 

Nice to be watching the Pats again. 

Not to be outdone by the Tim Tebow update, Clay Bucholtz is 6-2 with a 2.47 ERA and 1.07 WHIP for the D-Backs. You might recall that I was always a fan. 

I’m a fan of Drew Pomeranz too. But that folks, is quickly dying. 

Some say; “summer’s almost over.” Others say; “summer’s still here!” Which are you? 

R.I.P. Aretha Franklin (76) – The Queen of Soul

R.I.P. Vinnie Francescone (76). Vinnie was a good guy, period. 

Trivia #1 answer (kinda): Barry Bonds had his numbered retired by the Giants the other night. Did you catch it? No, neither did I. What number was it? Who cares?

Trivia #2: Which quarterback-wide receiver duo was ranked first by the NFL during the 2017-2018 season? – Ben Roethlisberger- Antonio Brown, Matt Ryan- Julio Jones, Russell Wilson- Doug Baldwin, Tom Brady- Rob Gronkowski, Drew Brees- Michael Thomas? – It was Big Ben – Antonio Brown. 

This was my tune for the day until I saw that Aretha passed away. So you get two today: 

“Takin’ my time
Choosin’ my line
Tryin’ to decide what to do
Looks like my stop
Don’t wanna get off
Got myself hung up on you” 

Here’s to Aretha! 

“I’m about to give you all my money
and all I’m askin’ in return, honey
Is to give me my propers
When you get home (just a, just a, just a)

Yeah baby (just a, just a, just a)

When you get home (just a little bit)

Yeah (just a little bit)”

Briefly. 

On Monday, the White Sox’ Matt Davidson became just the second player in MLB history with 15+ homeruns and 3 pitching appearances in the same season. The other? The Babe. (The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani will be there in no time, 11 & 9 so far this season) 

Trivia: Who is the only player in MLB history since 1933 to hit for the cycle three times in his career?

Speaking of cycles… I know it’s a rarity but after last night’s game, the recap went off on Mookie for over 5 minutes with barely mentioning the score. Yes, they haven’t been losing much lately but, had say Brock Holt hit for the cycle, I don’t think he get as much play. Tom Caron, relax. 

Speaking of Tom Caron, Steve Lyons is an idiot. 

Regarding last Sunday night’s, come from behind win over the yankmees. I challenge you. All things considered, tell me of a better, regular season win for the Red Sox, ever. 

Speaking of which. Andrew Benintendi has two career walk-off hits, both against the yankees’ Aroldis Chapman. Chapman’s 39 pitches (only 9 strikes!) in the 9^th inning Sunday night were his most in an appearance since 2015. 

I shouldn’t say it but… only three teams have failed to finish in first place when leading by 9 ½ or more games in August or later – the 1993 Giants, the 1995 Angels and the 2006 Tigers. 

Useless information supposed to fire my imagination: Tony Renda, who scored the winning run Sunday night as a pinch runner in his Red Sox debut, went to the same high school as Tom Brady. 

Last one and I’ll get off my Red Sox horse, really. Over the past 10 seasons, the yankmees have lost just twice when leading by three-plus runs entering the ninth inning. Both losses have been to the Red Sox. Over the past ten years the Red Sox are 2-53 (.036) against the yankmees in those games. The rest of MLB is a combined 0-430 against the yankmees. 

The headline read: Stonehenge mystery solved, says breakthrough scientific study. Solved? The following words were found in the article: Possibly, could be, also likely, potentially, unclear, can’t guarantee, and my favorite “tantalizingly close”.

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: Tokyo Medical University officials admit the school rigged exam scores of female applicants to keep women out.

Mookie Betts is the youngest Red Sox player ever to reach 100 homeruns and 100 stolen bases. 

Trivia #1 hint: He was the answer to a question just last Friday. 

NAZCAR CEO and chairman Brian France was arrested in the Hamptons for being under the influence and in possession of OxyContin pills. TMZ referred to him as one of the most powerful people in professional sports. During the incident, France referenced the powerful friends he had, allegedly even mentioning the president. Sounds to me like a classic case of “don’t you know who I am!”. 

If TMZ refers to the aforementioned Brian France as being one the most powerful people in professional sports, just what “sport” are they referring?? 

I heard an interview on ESPN radio the other day with the 7-time “King of Cornhole.” The name escapes me but is totally irrelevant. Mike Golic asked him what I thought was a ridiculous question: Do you have a go-to move that you use when you really need it? Go-to move?! It’s freakin’ cornhole! Anyway, the guy’s response was classic. He said, “Ah, reach for my beer?”

On Wednesday the 10 millionth Ford Mustang rolled off the line at the automaker’s Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Michigan further cementing the model’s place as the best-selling sports car of all time.

R.I.P. Australian golfer Jarrod Lyle (36) after a long struggle with cancer. Let me tell you something. If you die at 36 after a long battle with anything, that sucks.

R.I.P. British children’s entertainer Barry Chuckle (73). Barry’s real name was Barry Elliott. (I know several people whose last name could be changed to ‘Chuckle’)

Trivia answer: Who is the only player in MLB history since 1933 to hit for the cycle three times in his career? Adrian Beltre 

“Where have you been hiding out lately, honey?
You can’t dress trashy till you spend a lot of money.
Everybody’s talkin’ ‘bout the new sound
Funny but it’s still rock and roll to me”