Car, anyone?
I’ve asked once; I’m asking again. We’re leaving on Wednesday and I really need to unload my 1997 Jetta before then, as we can’t afford to have two cars in New York. KBB.com says $5,555 — I’m asking $5500 and will listen to any reasonable offer. Here’s the craigslist listing. Thanks.
Who?
Just saw this headline on ESPN.com’s baseball page: “Mariners’ Young on 60-day DL.” Uh, who? Oh, Eric Young. Of the Padres. Right.
Fever Pitch opens
I’ve heard it’s good. I won’t be seeing it, though I own the book it’s (not at all) based on and I’m a big fan of the author, who is loosely connected to this adaptation.
Allow me to recall an episode of “Alf”.
Alf: Hey Willie, come here, listen to this. let me know when this gets irritating, okay? (opens mouth, emits crazy high-pitched chirping noise accompanied by weird harmonic tone)
Willie: Enough! Enough! (Alf stops) It becomes irritating… almost at once.
Jimmy Fallon is like that sound to me.
(You can download the audio of that from this helpful person’s page)
Movin’
You’ll notice a new author link on the left nav… Derek alluded to this in the past, but now I’m ready for the announcement. In a few weeks I’ll be moving (along with my wife and son) to New York to attend the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park (about 90 minutes north of New York city). I’ll still post when I can, and of course will keep the Big Board updated as well.
No, this isn’t an April Fools joke. Yes, this is the first time in my life when I’ll be living someplace other than Seattle, and that bums me out. But attending the CIA is a great opportunity for me professionally, and we fully plan on returning to Seattle when I’m done with the program.
And if anyone wants to buy my car — which I love, but we’re only taking one car with us — it’s up on craigslist.
Potpourri
With the season around the corner and today being a frivolous Friday, I figured now was the time to get a few general observations off my chest. I was going to do an April Fool’s Day post “arguing” that the Mariners should trade for Ryan Howard, but Dave’s under enough stress lately. For better or for worse, I actually believe everything written after the jump.
BP signing w/ Derek and Jonah
Come pester Jonah Keri with questions about Baseball Prospectus and this year’s book! Because the chapters aren’t bylined, for all you know he wrote it! So ask him really detailed, wonky questions about the team and the front office!
In all seriousness, Jonah’s a fine fellow, and I highly recommend him. I’ll be there, probably heckling and asking him really detailed, wonky questions about the team and the front office. See if you can spot me. I’m sure it’ll be reaaaaaaaaaaaaally difficult.
Third Place Books
Lake Forest Park , Sat Mar 26
Saturday, March 26 @ 6:00pm
17171 Bothwell Way NE
Lake Forest Park, WA 98155
206-366-3333
Everyone’s favorite hyperactive Quebecois will also be on the television, he’s supposed to go on KOMO Friday about 11 AM.
Little computer help
I’m having some more issues with my computer and our wireless network. If you feel like lending a hand, specifics after the jump;
My posse’s in Mulgore
Seriously, you should only read this post if you’ve been playing video games in the off-season, otherwise this is going to make no sense and only annoy you, which is why I’ve tried to make this lead-in as short as possible while being entirely clear about its content.
Behold the power of green tea
Good news for non-steroid users: green tea extract boosts athletic performance, for endurance exercise anyway. A new study shows an 8-24 percent increase in swimming time-to-exhaustion in mice being fed the extract.
“Now that even baseball players may need to seek new, more natural performance aids,” the story asks, “will Japanese green tea sets become standard in dugouts and athletic training tables around the world?”
Humans of around 165 pounds would have to drink four cups a day to get the same effect. I’m off to make cup number one and ponder whether Shigetoshi Hasegawa switched to Earl Grey last year.
Easterbrook’s eye-roller
Today’s Tuesday Morning Quarterback contains this lovely tidbit
In the National Football League, which elaborately tests for steroids and many other drugs, including many supplements. NFL players get their physiques the old-fashioned way. Those who get their physiques through chemical shortcuts may end up with long-term health consequences — Major League Baseball better have a good health-insurance plan for retirees, because there are going to be some very sick former players.
I should put a [sic] in there for the first part, but anyway.
I used to read Easterbrook regularly. I’ve read his books. But many of the things that turned me off to his stuff come forth here. You can find other people harping on his poor fact-checking elsewhere, and his run in with ESPN over some bizarre things he said about some Jewish guys got more attention than it probably deserved, so — I’ll skip those.
This statement of his is the most close-minded, simplistic thing I’ve ever read from him. I’ve endured his derisive comments about baseball before, but this — this is too much. This opinion defies logic.
If you believe that there are MLB players are on steroids, say on the basis of the leaked evidence in the BALCO case — then you should recognize Bill Romanowski was one of those named.
If you believe that MLB players are on steroids because you’re suspicious of their body types and performances, then how can you look at football players and not have those same thoughts? Does Easterbrook really believe that none of those NFL players takes steroids? That they’re all on Carnation Instant Breakfast, which he recommends in this column? That alllllll those 300-lb guys who run a 40-yard dash in under 5 seconds do so on extra-hearty soup and a good workout regimen?
And if he believes that, why not give baseball players the same benefit of the doubt?