Pavano, Misty and Never Too Many Reyeses

I've been a bit of a blog slacker all week but sometimes my Clark Kent persona gets in the way.

Some quick hits:

Carl Pavano might start for the Yankees? Really? Does that mean that maybe John Stears will be back 'in June' as they said every year? Actually Stearns did return in 84 but damned if I recall it.

If you are the NYYs and your season is Ponson and Pavano, well maybe things didn't work out so well.

The Mets got another Reyes, this one Al. Maybe they should sign everyone named Reyes. Since they already have an A. Reyes what happens on his nameplate? Will it say Al? Mets Police don't believe in name plates anyway. If you don't know who #5 is we don't want you anyway.

The meanies at ESPN have moved the Sep 7 game to 8:05pm. That way ESPN can pick up zero national viewers against the first NFL weekend, and Mets fans can freeze on a September night at Shea.

See if we can keep ESPN distracted before they hose us on September 28 the way they hosed the Sep 21 game.

Of course if they move the game then Seaver can claim he had 'night plans' and then he won't have to go.

Shea is coming up on 17 games left, right? 17 hmmm that number sticks in my brain. Is it that someone from the Formerly Brooklyn Dodgers wore it? No that's not it. Is that how much uppers will cost next year? No that's too low. Oh now I know, 17 is the first number they give out to and Tom, Dick or Fernando. I thought I recognized the # from the outfield fence but I'm mistaken.

Have any more details leaked about Sep 28th other than Famous Dodger Mike Piazza is coming by?

How about Pelfrey being the ace? And Jerry with the complete games? He must really trust the bullpen.

Playing with fire – isn't Shawn Chacon out of baseball after pushing an executive (which is ok if you are Manny being Manny) – maybe he could give you an inning in the pen?

Don't roll your eyes at me, Omar just brought in Al who the cops had to taser (twice) earlier in the year. I'm just trying to help.

Congrats to Misty May-sigh-Trenaor and the best player on the planet Kerri Walsh on the gold.

Shout out to Faith and Fear in Flushing: thanks for the link and kind words. Over the weekend I'll send some love back.

I named my dog Reyes and I think I saw Omar watching us play catch at the park. If you see a dog in the lineup, he's mine.

Felt good to be snarky. Catch y'all later.

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John Challis, Rest In Peace

I’m on the road and can’t give this the attention it deserves right now, but John Challis has passed away at the age of 18.
 
Here’s some links and I will do a proper post when I can.
 
Inspirational Pittsburgh-area teen dies of cancer
The Associated Press – 16 hours ago
PITTSBURGH (AP) — John Challis, who inspired professional players with his battle against cancer, died at his parents’ suburban Pittsburgh home on Tuesday.
A-Rod reacts to cancer patient’s death
MLB.com – 20 hours ago
By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com TORONTO — During the Yankees’ June trip to Pittsburgh, Alex Rodriguez presented 18-year-old cancer patient John Challis with a
Coach Remembers Teen’s Inspirational Message
KDKA, PA – 4 hours ago
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― His battle with cancer and inspirational message touched so many and on the day after his death, John Challis’ friends are remembering

Atlanta Counterintelligence

Mets Police went to Atlanta in search of Braves fans.

There are none. No Braves signs, no advertising, nobody paying attention to the game in sports bars. It is as if they don't exist.

The Falcons do exisit. Billboards everywhere (interestingly selling season tickets starting at $250 which is slightly less than the Evil Moneygrubbing Giants).

Nice win last night. Doubly so watching it in Atlanta.
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Next For Phelps

On Sunday I asked 'What does Phelps do with himself now' and todays papers told me –

They expect he'll make $5 million in endorsements this year. So that means he can nothing! Good for him. Make some wise investments and chill.

He will also be promoting the 2012 London games. I imagine the Queen pays well.

He made $3 million last year. That number amazes me. Endorsements – but why? Were they anticipatory deals? Were people going to Swimwear Hut and buying Phelps gear?

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The Police at Shea. No Not the Mets Police, The Sting Kind

25 years ago today.  I didn’t get to go.

Here’s the Times from August 20, 1983…Link
  
”We’d like to thank the Beatles for lending us their stadium,” said Sting, the bassist and singer of the Police, near the end of the trio’s concert at Shea Stadium. The group topped the Shea Stadium attendance figures for the Beatles and everyone else on Thursday night because a way was found to pack in 70,000 people for a sold-out performance.
 
 I find this next paragraph funny in light of the recent reunion.   They did manage to reproduce the records this time around,  Stewart Copeland did amazing work on a few songs.

What makes the Police stand out among performing bands is that it never bothers to imitate its records. The trio couldn’t if it tried, since band members overdub extra instruments in the recording studio. So it goes to the other extreme, revamping every song in a gleeful whirl of improvisation. The Police is one of the few rock bands – along with the Rolling Stones, the Talking Heads and the Grateful Dead – that is willing to shake up its arrangements nightly.

I still hope McCartney asks to play there so I don’t have to hear about Billy Joel ever again.