Blog

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”

Briefly. 

As if Friday’s weren’t good enough. The Sox, down 4-0, put a 15-spot on the yankees last night! Oh, happy days. 

Trivia #1: Who was Josip Nikolai Peruzovic?

Trivia #2: Who was the first Dominican-born MLB player to reach 3000 hits? 

It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity! 

I don’t care the sport, hall of fame inductions are worth the watch! 

Most things that you eat with a fork you can get away with eating with a spoon, if you have to. A salad is not one of them. 

I came across the Tour de France over the weekend. The crowds along the route are incredible, as is the coverage. It has to be one of the most popular sporting events in the world. 

Role player, maybe? But I like Eric Decker. Go Pats! 

You can’t say enough about a good, honest, reliable mechanic. 

Did you hear (about) the Philly fans chanting E-A-G-L-E-S at Fenway during the Sox series earlier this week? I read a Philly sports writer who wrote “never, ever, change, Eagles fans.” Never change Eagles fans? Boston fans would have done the same given the situation. Philly fans got nothing on us! 

When something barely hits you, you get “nick’d.” Why Nick’d. Why don’t you get Paul’d, or Steve’d? 

This week’s sign of the apocalypse: Headline Wednesday morning: “Between the starters and substitutes, the Nationals offense accounted for 243 Draft Kings fantasy points.” 

Scum: Two people were arrested Sunday in Redding, CA on suspicion of looting homes that had been evacuated earlier due to an explosive wildfire. 

Hats off to Rick “Nifty” Middleton, having his number (16) retired by the Bruins. If not for injuries, he’d be in the NHL Hall of Fame. I’ll throw in a trivia question here. Who did the Bruins trade to land Rick Middleton in 1975? 

Disturbing trend. It’s the middle of summer and some stores are out of stock of some back-to-school supplies, such as bulletproof backpacks and bulletproof inserts for backpacks. A campus in Oklahoma has installed bulletproof shelters for students and teachers, just in case.  

Chiyo Miyako was awarded a Guinness World Record shortly before her death for being the oldest person alive. She was 117. Me, I set my own personal record this morning for consecutive days alive… 

Quote/Line of the week: I’m assuming you’ve heard of, or been to, Three Dollar Dewey’s in Portland, ME. “$1 Lookie; $2 Feelie; $3 Dewey” 

Trivia #1 answer: Who was Josip Nikolai Peruzovic? – WWE Hall of Famer Nikolai Volkoff. He died on Monday at the age of 70. Though he played a villainous Russian, he was Croatian and Yugoslavian.

Trivia #2 answer: Who was the first Dominican-born player to reach 3000 hits? – Adrian Beltre (just last July)

Throw-in trivia answer: The Bruins traded Ken Hodge to the NY Rangers for Rick Middleton. 

“And if you listen very hard
The truth will come to you at last.
When all are one and one is all
To be a rock and not a roll.”

Briefly. 

Last week few read my post. No email. So what?! Either register or just go check the site from time to time. (sorry for those who missed it) 

What’s more frustrating? That Jackie Bradley Jr. had the count at 3-0 with the bases loaded in the 9^th inning of last night’s 2-1 loss to the Twinkies, or that available pinch-hitter Mitch Moreland was sitting on the bench having been 6 for 10 with 2 walks against reliever Fernando Rodney? 

Yesterday was the anniversary of Nolan Ryan’s 100^th strikeout for the 23^rd consecutive season. What!? 

Trivia #1: Who is the longest tenured member of the Celtics?

Trivia #2: Who is Forrest Richards Betts?

Trivia #3: Newly acquired Red Sox pitcher Nathan Eovaldi is from Alvin, Texas. What other former big leaguer is from the same town?

Trivia #4: What the heck. I dug this up this morning. Who are the only three active NBA players heading into this season who played in the 1990’s? 

I joked a couple of weeks ago that the World Cup was starting soon, I thought?? I am not joking now when I found out the Tour de France just ended stage 17. Seventeen! I managed to miss any sort of news on the first 16 stages. Incredible. (that’s a bike race, right?) 

New York Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard has been placed on the disabled list after contracting hand-foot-and-mouth disease. Officials said Syndergaard likely contracted the disease, which is much more prominent amongst children, when he made an appearance at a kids’ baseball camp last Thursday. 

You can’t lick any part of your reflection except for your tongue. 

Having sex, you’re doing it wrong. Kahali Johnson found his wife, Tameka Hargrave, 39, and her 56-year-old mechanic dead in a parking garage outside his apartment in Newark. Hargrave was paying for work done on her vehicle by having sex with the mechanic. The cause of death was alleged to have been carbon monoxide poisoning. Editor’s note: She was paying for work done on her car. I bet the husband knew and was just trying to save a few bucks. 

NFL teams began training camps yesterday and today. You know what that means?! My fantasy football league draft is in 6 weeks! 

Trivia #3 hint: He also threw hard, like Eovaldi. 

So the Comeaus go to Greece and the place nearly burns to the ground? Seriously though, what a tragedy. Flames burned out of control near Athens as people were forced to flee to the ocean to survive. Many didn’t make with some as close to 50 feet from the sea were charred. 

Haverhill’s Noah Vonleh has signed with the Knicks. This may be his last chance. 

Here is your Tim Tebow update and maybe the last one. Any long-shot chance Mets prospect Tim Tebow had to play in the major leagues this season has likely been dashed after he broke the hamate bone in his right hand swinging a bat during a minor league game. “Good cut!” 

Speaking of baseball, St. Louis Cardinal David Poncedeleon, 26, was struck in the right temple by a line drive on May 9, 2017 while pitching for Triple-A Memphis. He suffered a fractured skull, which caused bleeding in the brain and required emergency surgery. Segway to this past Monday night when he made his major league debut and threw 7 no-hit innings. He had been battling a sore neck and was removed after 116 pitches. Great night, right? Well, mostly. His teammates blew his one-run lead and lost on a walk-off. DOH! 

Quote of the week: “Don’t knock the weather; nine-tenths of the people couldn’t start a conversation if it didn’t change once in a while.” – Kin Hubbard 

Trivia #1 answer: Who is the longest tenured player for the Celtics? – Marcus Smart

Trivia #2 answer: Who is Forrest Richards Betts? – Not Mookie, but Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers

Trivia #3 answer: Newly acquired Red Sox pitcher Nathan Eovaldi is from Alvin, Texas. What other big leaguer is from the same town? – Nolan Ryan

Trivia #4 answer: Who are the only three active NBA players heading into this season who played in the 1990’s? – Dirk Nowitzki, Vince Carter and Jason Terry. 

“Nobody gonna take my car
I’m gonna race it to the ground
Nobody gonna beat my car
it’s gonna break the speed of sound
Oooh it’s a killing machine
It’s got everything Like a driving power big fat tires
and everything”

Briefly. (what do you expect, I’m on vacation)

The coldest temperature ever recorded was negative 138.5 degrees Farenheit in Antarctica, August,  2010.

Trivia #1: Nick Markakis set what MLB record this year by being named to the Midsummer Classic (All Star Game)?

There’s so much to be said for slowing life down every once in a while or, forgetting about it entirely. 

Jose Canseco has signed with World Class Revolution Pro Wrestling. 

I love how they look out for you in the White Mountains of NH. Signs along the road; “Brake for Moose.  It could save your life.” Do you know how big a moose is? Let me tell you something. If there’s a moose standing in the middle of the road, I don’t need anyone telling me to hit the brakes!

JD Martinez has 53 opposite field home runs since 2015. That’s 18 more than 2nd place Joey Votto.

Saw an add for “world’s easiest wine opener.” Really, unless you’re 90, does it matter? 

Trivia answer: Nick Markakis ended the longest wait in being named to his first All-Star game, 1,928 games. 

“You’ve got a smile so bright, you know you could have been a candle 

I holding you so tight,  you know you could have been a handle 

The way you swept me off my feet, you know you could have been a broom

The way you smell so sweet ,you know you could have been perfume”

 

 

 

 

Briefly. 

I’m on vaca. You may not hear from me next Friday. Hopefully, someone hears from me… 

Trivia #1: Last week – what MLB single-season record did Jim Rice set in 1984? Answer: He hit into 36 double plays. This week – Who hit into the most double plays in his career?

Trivia #2 (sticking with baseball – tis the season): What 5 pitchers have thrown an immaculate inning (9 pitches, 9 strikes, 3 strike outs) more than once in their career? 

I heard Tim Neveritt’s (sp?) call on the radio last night of Mookie’s grand slam. In case you missed it, 4^th inning, 13-pitch at-bat. I have to say it was the greatest, non-playoff, non-game-winning home run call I have ever heard. 

About 24 percent of adults last year said they exercise enough each week, up from 21 percent in 2015. Also, a government study finds that adult obesity is inching upwards. What does this mean? I’m not sure but it sounds to me as though some adults believe that eating a burger is exercise. 

Get this, through 335 at-bats this season JD Martinez was hitting .331 with 111 hits, 28 homers, 21 doubles, 50 extra base hits 87 strikeouts and 77 RBIs. Through 335 at-bats in his Red Sox debut season, Manny Ramirez was .331 with 111 hits, 27 homers, 21 doubles, 50 extra base hits, 88 strikeouts and 85 RBIs. Really 

I’m not certain but I think the World Cup is starting soon. 

Honeymooning, you’re doing it wrong. An Israeli man, Egael Tishman, 24, and his newlywed wife, Shif Fanken decided to go ziplining in Honduras where they had stopped while on their honeymoon cruise. Fanken got stuck about halfway through and her husband crashed into her. Both were taken to a hospital with multiple, serious injuries but Tishman eventually died. 

Trivia #1 hint: He is still playing. 

“Tie goes to the runner.” Isn’t that what we were taught growing up? Well, apparently not. Sunday night during the Angels/Dodgers game, there was a clear tie at first base. Everyone saw it, everyone said it. However, because the runner was called “out” by the umpire, there wasn’t enough evidence to overturn the call. Tie goes to whoever the ump says. 

“Tie goes to the runner.” That’s right up there with “God knows!” 

Trivia #2 hint: One did it three times, the others twice. One did it once in the AL and once in the NL. 

What color is a mirror? (don’t say “clear” because clear is not a color) 

Speaking of Sunday Night Baseball, A-Fraud was interviewing Mike Trout the other night. Mike Trout, the guy who is very well one of the greatest players ever at his young age. By the time the interview was over, A-Hole was giving Trout hitting tips. What an arrogant $%^&! 

If you toast a cold sub is it still a cold sub? 

Trivia #1 answer: Who hit into the most double plays in his career? Albert Pujols

Trivia #2 answer: What 5 pitchers have thrown an immaculate inning (9 pitches, 9 strikes, 3 strike outs) more than once in their career? Sandy Koufax (3), Left Grove, Nolan Ryan (AL & NL), Randy Johnson, Max Scherzer 

The song/tune below is one that could stay in your head pretty much the entire weekend. If you don’t know it, look it up. (remember, google.com is the best web site for googling things) 

“Made the scene
Week to week
Day to day
Hour to hour
The gate is straight
Deep and wide
Break on through to the other side”