Baseball blatherings
*Tigers pitcher Jason Johnson homered off Jeff Weaver last night. Weaver's also given up homers to Eric Milton and Jason Schmidt this year. It is 2 AM Pacific and I just got done with my "day" job so I can't think of a good punch line to that one, but email me if you come up with one.
*I know I'm a couple days late jumping into this one, but what is up with the panic every time David Ortiz plays first base? Based on the way it is portrayed, you'd think the Sox were trotting out Billy Buck. Let's see, in the World Series Ortiz plucked Jeff Suppan off third and in the opener on Monday he nailed a runner at the plate. He might not be a Gold Glover out there, but he can handle himself. I'm sure on Friday we'll hear all about whether he can handle first at Wrigley.
*Also, I think we can stop hearing about "the first time (fill in the blank) happened in Washington since 1971" at this point unless it is something historic. The point was made in April. No baseball in D.C. for 34 years. Gotcha. We don't need to be reminded every time there's the first unassisted double play or back-to-back home runs.
*Nice pickup by the Phils grabbing Oogie Urbina. Urbina was 21-for-24 last year in save opportunities in Detroit and was 8-for-8 in Troy Percival's absence over the past few weeks. He might have been written off a bit too soon.
*Just curious -- is the person who updates the top-of-the-screen scoreboard at NESN narcoleptic? Earlier tonight I was staring at the screen and saw Jay Payton on second, but the graphic has him on first. In and of itself a minor thing, but it seems to happen a couple times an inning and after watching the MLB package on DirecTV the past month, I can attest this isn't a common problem.
*OK, this one's for all the Yankee apologists in front of the cameras on the big national TV outlets. Yes, I'm deluding myself into thinking you're reading me. This is just between you and me. I'll whisper you this little secret, so no one else can hear. Ready? OK, here goes: You are not required to preface every single comment on the Yankees with something to the effect of "we all know the Yankees will be right there at the end." You're welcome to entertain the notion that maybe this year's Yanks might not make the playoffs. It's OK. No one will think less of you. Try it sometime.
*Got a decent amount of response to my item on CHOAN! Figgins on Saturday. Guess I'm not the only one who calls him Choan. But the most salient point was provided by frequent Dave's World correspondent Scott Tribble: "He may have the worst defensive instincts of any speedy, athletic player since Jose Offerman." That's harsh, but fair.
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