I have an idea for a new tipping system at restaurants: none.
No, I am not saying that we should give the people serving us nothing, in addition to the $2.13/hour they are making. I am advocating that restaurant owners should begin adding in to the price of their food how much they would like the servers to make, then charge that addition to us, and do away with the tipping system.
Example: Let's say a meal costs $10. Let's say the restaurant owner wishes that you would tip his/her worker about $2. That meal would now cost $12. You simply pay for it, get up, and leave. No wondering how much you should tip. It is what it is. The server knows how much from that meal they will be receiving as a wage.
Seems pretty simple to me.
Then again, maybe there's a reason that I am not a restaurant owner.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Watch More Laverne & Shirley
It seems to me that our geographical knowledge is diminishing with each successive generation.
I was fortunate to have a good geography teacher. And I have a rather unique interest in maps and knowing where places are. I realize that I am the exception to the rule, not the norm.
While checking out at Target the other day, I overheard a conversation between a worker and the person checking me out:
"He went to Milwaukee."
"Where is that?"
"I don't know."
One of them finally had the epiphany that it might be in Wisconsin. They asked me if that were true; and I nodded in agreement.
I was glad they finally discovered the state Milwaukee is found in. But I was more sad than glad that neither of them could recall it immediately.
These two workers were both college-aged. And I am certain they have both been in geography courses and have been around the world long enough to have heard about Milwaukee on a number of occasions. I knew where Milwaukee was by the age of probably four of five, thanks to Laverne & Shirley. All you have to do is watch the opening credits; and you're given this golden nugget of information. I'm guessing reruns of the show were not as prevalent in their childhood as in mine. But still, "Where is Milwaukee?" . . . Really?
It just seems sad to me. Not morally sad or anything like that. It's not a huge travesty that young people cannot locate towns, in America, much less the world. I just find it sad, or maybe the better word is unfortunate, that young Americans have such an unawareness. It's not just this example. I have seen this pattern time and again over the last ten to fifteen years. High school geography classes seem to be letting kids slip through without hardly any retention at all.
Like I said, I realize that I probably know where towns are located much more so than most people. I enjoy looking at maps, enjoying knowing where places are, am interesting in finding stuff like this out. I know this is not exactly normal. Maps scare most people. I love maps.
But still . . . Really?
I was fortunate to have a good geography teacher. And I have a rather unique interest in maps and knowing where places are. I realize that I am the exception to the rule, not the norm.
While checking out at Target the other day, I overheard a conversation between a worker and the person checking me out:
"He went to Milwaukee."
"Where is that?"
"I don't know."
One of them finally had the epiphany that it might be in Wisconsin. They asked me if that were true; and I nodded in agreement.
I was glad they finally discovered the state Milwaukee is found in. But I was more sad than glad that neither of them could recall it immediately.
These two workers were both college-aged. And I am certain they have both been in geography courses and have been around the world long enough to have heard about Milwaukee on a number of occasions. I knew where Milwaukee was by the age of probably four of five, thanks to Laverne & Shirley. All you have to do is watch the opening credits; and you're given this golden nugget of information. I'm guessing reruns of the show were not as prevalent in their childhood as in mine. But still, "Where is Milwaukee?" . . . Really?
It just seems sad to me. Not morally sad or anything like that. It's not a huge travesty that young people cannot locate towns, in America, much less the world. I just find it sad, or maybe the better word is unfortunate, that young Americans have such an unawareness. It's not just this example. I have seen this pattern time and again over the last ten to fifteen years. High school geography classes seem to be letting kids slip through without hardly any retention at all.
Like I said, I realize that I probably know where towns are located much more so than most people. I enjoy looking at maps, enjoying knowing where places are, am interesting in finding stuff like this out. I know this is not exactly normal. Maps scare most people. I love maps.
But still . . . Really?
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Out of Our Hands
I have been "playing" a game lately called Out of the Park Baseball. My friend, Tyler, recommended it to me. It's a great game. I say "playing" because I never actually control a player in the game. I act as general manager and manager of the team that I am over. So I control a lot of different things. But I never actually pitch the ball or try to hit the ball.
It's been fun to play. It's also taught me some great lessons.
As far as baseball goes, it shows that you can put together an incredible team of talented people. But it ultimately comes down to the players on the field actually getting the job done. One has to look no farther than last night's Rangers loss in Seattle to see that truth actually played out in real baseball.
This team of incredible talent managed 0 runs against a spare, at best, pitcher and a horrible team. They're in the middle of a stretch run in a pennant race. They had a chance to go up another game on the team behind them. And they had a chance to stay 2 up on the Yanks for the best record in the A.L. They had guys in scoring position all night long. Their pitcher allows only 1 run to the other team.
And they produce 0 runs.
Out of the Park baseball, and real baseball, also teaches us that there are only so many things that we can control. Even if you are a player on a team, you are one player out of many. There are so many things that you must rely upon others for.
So it is with life.
As humans, we can do much. We are talented, incredible beings, made in God's image. However, there is only so much we can control. The lives that we live are a part of God's story. When we get on board with that reality, we live our lives to the best. We see it all throughout the Bible and all throughout history. There is much of life that is simply out of our hands. That shouldn't be a depressing thought. It should be freeing. It should free us to orient our lives around what God is doing and what God has been doing throughout history. When we live with this way of thinking, we see that there truly is much that we can do.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Christian Fiction
While walking through Hastings yesterday, I noticed a peculiar section of books: Christian Fiction.
Now sure, I have seen this section in bookstores in years. But it just struck me differently yesterday.
Two things, I guess:
If we're talking about Christianity, how can that in anyway be associated as being fictional? "Oh, come on, Brian, that's not what it's talking about." I know. But think through this with me.
When I think of Christianity, the Christian faith, I think about a reality that is the most truthful thing I know, more truthful than anything else, what truth, at its core, really is. To associate that with fiction . . . well that doesn't seem to do it any justice at all.
Second, I am growing tired (and leery) of the desire to label things (everything) as "Christian." There's Christian fiction, Christian music, Christian t-shirts, Christian television shows, Christian gum that you can buy at the counter at the Christian bookstore. And many times, I find that these "Christian" things do not always line up with what I believe, the faith I try to live out, what I desire . . . even though I identify myself with the Christian faith.
Seems to me that rather than labeling lots of stuff as "Christian" that Christians would do better to be about the business of doing things well and living out their faith through what they do. In other words, their Christian witness should shine through who they are rather than having to label everything as "Christian."
For instance, let's say I'm going to write a book . . . for grins, let's say it's fiction. I could write it and then set about making sure it's in the Christian Fiction section (where most probably only a subset of people who call themselves "Christian" are going to ever come across it). Or, I could write it in a way that gives honor and witness to the faith I have, simply publish it as fiction, and then market it to a very wide audience.
Now I hope I am not offending any Christian Fiction writers . . . or anyone for that matter. I really do. Because I know that Christian Fiction writers, and Christian musicians, and Christian book writers, and Christian t-shirt makers mean well. It's just that I do not get the sense from reading about what Jesus said and did, as recorded in the gospels, and the whole Bible for that matter, that people of the Christian faith are to be out trying to make a Christian sub-culture. I think what we should be shooting for is that Christians should be out being a witness to the whole world, to all of culture, trying to make the whole world a better place.
At least that seems, to me, how Jesus tried to do things.
So maybe instead of being known as Christian Fiction writers, or Christian musicians, Christian book writers, or Christian t-shirt makers, maybe we should strive to be known as fiction writers who are Christians, or musicians who are Christians, or book writers who are Christians, or t-shirt makers who are Christians. Fiction writers, musicians, book writers, t-shirt makers, and all followers of Christ for that matter, who strive to be the best at their work . . . and strive to be a witness in all that they do.
Now sure, I have seen this section in bookstores in years. But it just struck me differently yesterday.
Two things, I guess:
If we're talking about Christianity, how can that in anyway be associated as being fictional? "Oh, come on, Brian, that's not what it's talking about." I know. But think through this with me.
When I think of Christianity, the Christian faith, I think about a reality that is the most truthful thing I know, more truthful than anything else, what truth, at its core, really is. To associate that with fiction . . . well that doesn't seem to do it any justice at all.
Second, I am growing tired (and leery) of the desire to label things (everything) as "Christian." There's Christian fiction, Christian music, Christian t-shirts, Christian television shows, Christian gum that you can buy at the counter at the Christian bookstore. And many times, I find that these "Christian" things do not always line up with what I believe, the faith I try to live out, what I desire . . . even though I identify myself with the Christian faith.
Seems to me that rather than labeling lots of stuff as "Christian" that Christians would do better to be about the business of doing things well and living out their faith through what they do. In other words, their Christian witness should shine through who they are rather than having to label everything as "Christian."
For instance, let's say I'm going to write a book . . . for grins, let's say it's fiction. I could write it and then set about making sure it's in the Christian Fiction section (where most probably only a subset of people who call themselves "Christian" are going to ever come across it). Or, I could write it in a way that gives honor and witness to the faith I have, simply publish it as fiction, and then market it to a very wide audience.
Now I hope I am not offending any Christian Fiction writers . . . or anyone for that matter. I really do. Because I know that Christian Fiction writers, and Christian musicians, and Christian book writers, and Christian t-shirt makers mean well. It's just that I do not get the sense from reading about what Jesus said and did, as recorded in the gospels, and the whole Bible for that matter, that people of the Christian faith are to be out trying to make a Christian sub-culture. I think what we should be shooting for is that Christians should be out being a witness to the whole world, to all of culture, trying to make the whole world a better place.
At least that seems, to me, how Jesus tried to do things.
So maybe instead of being known as Christian Fiction writers, or Christian musicians, Christian book writers, or Christian t-shirt makers, maybe we should strive to be known as fiction writers who are Christians, or musicians who are Christians, or book writers who are Christians, or t-shirt makers who are Christians. Fiction writers, musicians, book writers, t-shirt makers, and all followers of Christ for that matter, who strive to be the best at their work . . . and strive to be a witness in all that they do.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, and Doggone It People Like Me . . . But
Trips to the dentist have not been the most pleasant things in my life. Sure, no one likes to go to the dentist. But dentists have not been very kind to the my mouth. I have not always been kind to my mouth, either. But even during periods of good dental hygiene, dentists still have negative things to say about my teeth. I am by no means one of those people who can just brush their teeth whenever they think about it and have no cavities. Must be genetic or something.
So when I got up to leave the dentist yesterday and did not hear one negative word or one warning about what I need to do, I was absolutely shocked. That was the first time I have ever been to the dentist and heard, "It all looks good." I kept waiting on what they would say next. They probably looked at me, thinking, when is this fool going to get up and leave??
It hit me on my drive away from the dentist that this mindset, of always expecting negative words after positive ones, is a condition we live by. We give it and we receive it.
"You did a great job on this work project . . . I just wish you would have . . . "
"You get an A on this research paper . . . it would have been an A-plus if you had . . . "
"I'm so glad you came to see me . . . I wish you would come more often."
How much do we do this with others? With our friends? With our enemies? With our children?
With ourselves? How much do we expect others to do this to us?
It would do us all well to remember the words of the Saturday Night Live self-help guru, Stuart Smalley. On each episode of sorts, he would look in the mirror and say, "I'm good enough. I'm smart enough. And doggone it, people like me." There was no ". . . but I could do better at" or ". . . people would like me more if . . ."
Because even Michael Jordan needed to look in the mirror and give it an I'm good enough . . .
So when I got up to leave the dentist yesterday and did not hear one negative word or one warning about what I need to do, I was absolutely shocked. That was the first time I have ever been to the dentist and heard, "It all looks good." I kept waiting on what they would say next. They probably looked at me, thinking, when is this fool going to get up and leave??
It hit me on my drive away from the dentist that this mindset, of always expecting negative words after positive ones, is a condition we live by. We give it and we receive it.
"You did a great job on this work project . . . I just wish you would have . . . "
"You get an A on this research paper . . . it would have been an A-plus if you had . . . "
"I'm so glad you came to see me . . . I wish you would come more often."
How much do we do this with others? With our friends? With our enemies? With our children?
With ourselves? How much do we expect others to do this to us?
It would do us all well to remember the words of the Saturday Night Live self-help guru, Stuart Smalley. On each episode of sorts, he would look in the mirror and say, "I'm good enough. I'm smart enough. And doggone it, people like me." There was no ". . . but I could do better at" or ". . . people would like me more if . . ."
Because even Michael Jordan needed to look in the mirror and give it an I'm good enough . . .
Monday, September 17, 2012
Miscommunication
A lack of communication seems to be behind many of the world's problems.
Take all the mess between many of the Middle East countries and the U.S. over the past week-plus. When an American, via free speech, puts out something on You Tube, people in other countries can easily suffer from miscommunication, as they think that such a video must surely speak for the whole country, as it would in their own. And when a handful of people riot against the U.S., Americans can easily suffer from miscommunication, as they think such actions must surely speak for the whole country, as well as that country's government.
In our day and age of overly-biased, opinionated, entertainment-based news stories, we take a small piece to represent an entire whole. Fareed Zakaria says it well:
http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2012/09/14/fareeds-take-vivid-protest-images-do-not-tell-whole-story/?hpt=hp_t1
Miscommunication seems to stem so many problems. When there is a problem or a rift between sports figures or athletes and coaches, it almost always has to do with one side not understanding or hearing the the others side correctly. I haven't even begun to dig into the Tom Coughlin/Greg Schiano mess; but I feel sure there is a lack of communication somewhere in the mix.
Stopping to take a second to see what the other person/side is saying is what we need to do in so many situations. If we can get beyond that and try to put ourselves in the other person's/side's shoes, to gain some perspective, we can help ourselves and others from being involved in so many fights, squabbles, hurt feelings, and misunderstandings.
Take all the mess between many of the Middle East countries and the U.S. over the past week-plus. When an American, via free speech, puts out something on You Tube, people in other countries can easily suffer from miscommunication, as they think that such a video must surely speak for the whole country, as it would in their own. And when a handful of people riot against the U.S., Americans can easily suffer from miscommunication, as they think such actions must surely speak for the whole country, as well as that country's government.
In our day and age of overly-biased, opinionated, entertainment-based news stories, we take a small piece to represent an entire whole. Fareed Zakaria says it well:
http://globalpublicsquare.blogs.cnn.com/2012/09/14/fareeds-take-vivid-protest-images-do-not-tell-whole-story/?hpt=hp_t1
Miscommunication seems to stem so many problems. When there is a problem or a rift between sports figures or athletes and coaches, it almost always has to do with one side not understanding or hearing the the others side correctly. I haven't even begun to dig into the Tom Coughlin/Greg Schiano mess; but I feel sure there is a lack of communication somewhere in the mix.
Stopping to take a second to see what the other person/side is saying is what we need to do in so many situations. If we can get beyond that and try to put ourselves in the other person's/side's shoes, to gain some perspective, we can help ourselves and others from being involved in so many fights, squabbles, hurt feelings, and misunderstandings.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Why Can't We All Just Get Along?
Those words of Rodney King ring true, year after year after year.
The whole Rodney King case was an interesting one, to say the least . . . but his words are true.
The latest flare-up in the Middle East, regarding the video made by some fringe religious extremist Americans, caused me to think about these words.
I have heard a history expert say that after thousands and thousands and thousands of years, humans are doing the same thing they have been doing since they beginning: simply trying to get along with each other. After all these years and all the advances we have made in so many different areas of life, in a way, we're no better off than we were in the beginning: we still don't know how to live with each other.
We need to learn to respect each other . . . and respect ourselves.
The whole Rodney King case was an interesting one, to say the least . . . but his words are true.
The latest flare-up in the Middle East, regarding the video made by some fringe religious extremist Americans, caused me to think about these words.
I have heard a history expert say that after thousands and thousands and thousands of years, humans are doing the same thing they have been doing since they beginning: simply trying to get along with each other. After all these years and all the advances we have made in so many different areas of life, in a way, we're no better off than we were in the beginning: we still don't know how to live with each other.
We need to learn to respect each other . . . and respect ourselves.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
I Wish I Knew What to Wish For
I had a difficult time deciding what to wish for last night. The Rangers were playing the Indians last night. That's a no-brainer. Actually, it's a no-brainer when the Rangers play anyone. You root for the Rangers. Just like it's a no-brainer anytime the Mavs or Cowboys play anyone. You can add the Longhorns to that list, too.
At this time of year, you always look at who you are chasing or who is chasing you in the standings. For us, that happens to be the A's and the Angels, chasing us in the standings. And beyond that, it's the Yanks, O's, Rays, and I guess that's about it right now--the other teams in the A.L. who have a chance of catching us for the A.L. best record.
Last night was a toughy. The A's and the Angels were playing each other. I just didn't know who to root for in that game. You want the Angels to get even farther behind us. And, of course, you want the A's too the same. But when they're playing each other, you have to hope for a 0-0 tie. That's not going to happen. It left me thinking I wish I knew what to wish for in that game.
It's like that in sports. It's also like that in life. This mindset too easily bleeds over into how we live. At least I know it does for me.
In any sporting event, it's tough for me to watch it just to watch it, to enjoy it just for it being a sporting event, especially when I do not have a rooting interest in the game. I need to root for someone. If I'm not careful, I do that same thing in life--with events, news stories, relationships, etc.
That leaves me thinking that sometimes I just need to sit back and enjoy life go by. Hey, we've got a three game lead over everyone in the A.L. Let's be happy in that. And be happy in baseball. It's supposed to be fun.
At this time of year, you always look at who you are chasing or who is chasing you in the standings. For us, that happens to be the A's and the Angels, chasing us in the standings. And beyond that, it's the Yanks, O's, Rays, and I guess that's about it right now--the other teams in the A.L. who have a chance of catching us for the A.L. best record.
Last night was a toughy. The A's and the Angels were playing each other. I just didn't know who to root for in that game. You want the Angels to get even farther behind us. And, of course, you want the A's too the same. But when they're playing each other, you have to hope for a 0-0 tie. That's not going to happen. It left me thinking I wish I knew what to wish for in that game.
It's like that in sports. It's also like that in life. This mindset too easily bleeds over into how we live. At least I know it does for me.
In any sporting event, it's tough for me to watch it just to watch it, to enjoy it just for it being a sporting event, especially when I do not have a rooting interest in the game. I need to root for someone. If I'm not careful, I do that same thing in life--with events, news stories, relationships, etc.
That leaves me thinking that sometimes I just need to sit back and enjoy life go by. Hey, we've got a three game lead over everyone in the A.L. Let's be happy in that. And be happy in baseball. It's supposed to be fun.
Is It a Hamburger Or a Wrap?
I was watching Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives the other day; and the show went to a place that specializes in hamburgers. I forget where it was; but the burgers did look good.
They showed one particular "burger" they make and I noticed it was the ingredients were not contained in buns but in a tortilla-like substance. My first thought was, that's not a burger, that's a wrap.
It got me to thinking: what's the difference?
It's pretty easy to spot a burger: two buns, a piece of hamburger meat in between them.
It's pretty easy to spot a wrap: deli meat or really anything else, wrapped in a tortilla or a pita.
But what about hamburger meat, or turkey meat, or a black bean burger wrapped in a tortilla? Hard to say, I guess. Pretty much anything else wrapped in a tortilla would be considered a wrap, I think.
But put hamburger meat in a tortilla . . . well, I just don't know what that is.
They showed one particular "burger" they make and I noticed it was the ingredients were not contained in buns but in a tortilla-like substance. My first thought was, that's not a burger, that's a wrap.
It got me to thinking: what's the difference?
It's pretty easy to spot a burger: two buns, a piece of hamburger meat in between them.
It's pretty easy to spot a wrap: deli meat or really anything else, wrapped in a tortilla or a pita.
But what about hamburger meat, or turkey meat, or a black bean burger wrapped in a tortilla? Hard to say, I guess. Pretty much anything else wrapped in a tortilla would be considered a wrap, I think.
But put hamburger meat in a tortilla . . . well, I just don't know what that is.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Letting Kids Be Kids
We are pushing our youngsters to be professional athletes at incredibly young rates.
I've seen it. You've seen it. Really young kids being pushed into focusing on one sport. Then they are encouraged, or demanded, to give it their all and train to become the best they can be at that one particular sport for . . . well, we're not sure.
The reality is many parents push their kiddos so hard, so young to hopefully give them a shot to go pro . . . or get a college scholarship . . . or to start as a high schooler. It's done in the name of help the kid reach their potential. But many times, it seems as if their potential is, deep down inside, the least of the parents' worries.
Travel teams are becoming more and more popular. I'm sure they were around when I was young. But I don't remember them. Travel teams go beyond the dedication of a rec league or a Little League team. Kids on travel teams are normally from towns all around an area. So they pick a central location to come to practice at for much of the week, then spend their weekends traveling around the state, or country, with their team playing in all sorts of tournaments.
I heard Tom Grieve on a radio show yesterday talk about this. Tom would know, better than just about any parent out there. Tom, himself, was a major league baseball player. Then he was General Manager of the Texas Rangers for over a decade. Now he's been a broadcaster for almost two decades. His boys have both played baseball at high levels, one at the Major League level. In other words, the guy knows what he's talking about.
Grieve said he believes getting your child onto a travel team as a youngster has no bearing upon their talent level as a twenty or twenty-one year old. Sure, things like travel teams, which go beyond the scope of rec league or Little League-type teams, give the kids more opportunities to play and get better. And there are times and places for these things, he said. But, as Grieve noted, eight year-old kids is not the time for it.
The fact is that sometimes things like travel teams can do more damage than harm. Youngsters on these teams live and breath baseball. Nothing wrong with good ol' baseball. But you start doing that too young to a kid and burnout is almost inevitable.
No doubt I have never had a kid. So I do not know what it is like to raise one. But it seems to me that we need to encourage our kids to be the best they can be. And we should do what we can to help them harness and improve their talents.
But we also need to let them be who they are . . . kids.
I've seen it. You've seen it. Really young kids being pushed into focusing on one sport. Then they are encouraged, or demanded, to give it their all and train to become the best they can be at that one particular sport for . . . well, we're not sure.
The reality is many parents push their kiddos so hard, so young to hopefully give them a shot to go pro . . . or get a college scholarship . . . or to start as a high schooler. It's done in the name of help the kid reach their potential. But many times, it seems as if their potential is, deep down inside, the least of the parents' worries.
Travel teams are becoming more and more popular. I'm sure they were around when I was young. But I don't remember them. Travel teams go beyond the dedication of a rec league or a Little League team. Kids on travel teams are normally from towns all around an area. So they pick a central location to come to practice at for much of the week, then spend their weekends traveling around the state, or country, with their team playing in all sorts of tournaments.
I heard Tom Grieve on a radio show yesterday talk about this. Tom would know, better than just about any parent out there. Tom, himself, was a major league baseball player. Then he was General Manager of the Texas Rangers for over a decade. Now he's been a broadcaster for almost two decades. His boys have both played baseball at high levels, one at the Major League level. In other words, the guy knows what he's talking about.
Grieve said he believes getting your child onto a travel team as a youngster has no bearing upon their talent level as a twenty or twenty-one year old. Sure, things like travel teams, which go beyond the scope of rec league or Little League-type teams, give the kids more opportunities to play and get better. And there are times and places for these things, he said. But, as Grieve noted, eight year-old kids is not the time for it.
The fact is that sometimes things like travel teams can do more damage than harm. Youngsters on these teams live and breath baseball. Nothing wrong with good ol' baseball. But you start doing that too young to a kid and burnout is almost inevitable.
No doubt I have never had a kid. So I do not know what it is like to raise one. But it seems to me that we need to encourage our kids to be the best they can be. And we should do what we can to help them harness and improve their talents.
But we also need to let them be who they are . . . kids.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Roy Oswalt, Go Home
Mark it down. I've said it. He's finished.
Roy Oswalt will not pitch again this year for the Texas Rangers. I predict it. And I sure as heck hope it happens that way.
Oswalt has been a cancer for this team. I know it's been this way since he's been yanked from the rotation. And something tells me he has been like that from the moment he got to Arlington.
Nolan Ryan was actually wrong about something. About $4-$5 million wrong on this one. This was Ryan's deal. He lobbied to have the guy signed. And after earning a $100,000 for pitching two innings and giving up two home runs, I sure hope we are done with him.
Oswalt had a little success early on. But since then, the guy's done nothing. And when he refused to go back out in Kansas City a couple of months ago after a few innings of work, the guy should have been canned.
Jon Daniels tried to trade him earlier on. And good for him. I think the team recognized they made a mistake in signing him. And they tried to do something about it.
Well you can definitely do something now. Call it an injury. Tell him to go home to Mississippi and that his services are no longer needed. I could have done better than that dude did yesterday.
We can't take anymore of it. We're in a pennant race. And I have the sneaking suspicion that our clubhouse can't take anymore of his whining and complaining, very evident on TV, especially for our young guys.
Roy Oswalt will not pitch again this year for the Texas Rangers. I predict it. And I sure as heck hope it happens that way.
Oswalt has been a cancer for this team. I know it's been this way since he's been yanked from the rotation. And something tells me he has been like that from the moment he got to Arlington.
Nolan Ryan was actually wrong about something. About $4-$5 million wrong on this one. This was Ryan's deal. He lobbied to have the guy signed. And after earning a $100,000 for pitching two innings and giving up two home runs, I sure hope we are done with him.
Oswalt had a little success early on. But since then, the guy's done nothing. And when he refused to go back out in Kansas City a couple of months ago after a few innings of work, the guy should have been canned.
Jon Daniels tried to trade him earlier on. And good for him. I think the team recognized they made a mistake in signing him. And they tried to do something about it.
Well you can definitely do something now. Call it an injury. Tell him to go home to Mississippi and that his services are no longer needed. I could have done better than that dude did yesterday.
We can't take anymore of it. We're in a pennant race. And I have the sneaking suspicion that our clubhouse can't take anymore of his whining and complaining, very evident on TV, especially for our young guys.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
My Cousin is Better Than Yours
I knew it was coming.
Standing in a concession line at a football game recently, I had the fortune (or misfortune?) of standing behind a young woman and a young boy fighting.
It wasn't really a mean fight. But I could see it all unfold as it actually did.
The young woman, maybe twenty'ish, was talking with a young boy, maybe seven, directly in front of her. The boy was telling her about a cousin of his who plays professional sports. Generally agreed-upon social structures say that you should tell the boy how nice that is and move on. You don't try to one-up a seven year-old.
But I could tell that this young woman doesn't abide by the social cues lots of people do. She told him about a relative or friend of hers who also plays professional ball, to which, naturally, the young boy told her about someone else he knows who plays ball.
About the only thing you should really do at that point is tell the boy how neat of a thing that is and MOVE ON.
But she didn't. She told him about someone else she knew that did something or played something or was somehow superior to the person that the boy just told her about.
You know what happened next. I don't blame the boy a bit for it, either.
He simply looked at her and said, "Yeah, well my cousin is better than yours."
You can see it coming with seven year-olds. It's not so easy or so natural to so see it coming with twenty-seven, or thirty-seven, or forty-seven year olds. That's why it probably catches us off-guard.
But we all do it just the same. We try to one-up each other. Whether it's reveling and taking joy in other people's misfortunes, scrambling to get in front of the jerk in traffic who just cut us off, or comparing our children's Little League performances or teams, we know how to one-up each other.
Part of the reason we do this is that it's human nature. The story of Cain and Abel gives us clues towards this end. Cain tried to one-up his brother and the offering he made to God. The story of God and the story of God's people in the beginning of the Bible is the story of us. We try to one-up each other because it's in our DNA, it's who we are.
But that doesn't mean it's okay. It's not okay to one-up seven year-olds and it's not okay to one-up seventeen year-olds and it's not okay to one-up fifty-seven year olds.
It doesn't do us or them any good.
Standing in a concession line at a football game recently, I had the fortune (or misfortune?) of standing behind a young woman and a young boy fighting.
It wasn't really a mean fight. But I could see it all unfold as it actually did.
The young woman, maybe twenty'ish, was talking with a young boy, maybe seven, directly in front of her. The boy was telling her about a cousin of his who plays professional sports. Generally agreed-upon social structures say that you should tell the boy how nice that is and move on. You don't try to one-up a seven year-old.
But I could tell that this young woman doesn't abide by the social cues lots of people do. She told him about a relative or friend of hers who also plays professional ball, to which, naturally, the young boy told her about someone else he knows who plays ball.
About the only thing you should really do at that point is tell the boy how neat of a thing that is and MOVE ON.
But she didn't. She told him about someone else she knew that did something or played something or was somehow superior to the person that the boy just told her about.
You know what happened next. I don't blame the boy a bit for it, either.
He simply looked at her and said, "Yeah, well my cousin is better than yours."
You can see it coming with seven year-olds. It's not so easy or so natural to so see it coming with twenty-seven, or thirty-seven, or forty-seven year olds. That's why it probably catches us off-guard.
But we all do it just the same. We try to one-up each other. Whether it's reveling and taking joy in other people's misfortunes, scrambling to get in front of the jerk in traffic who just cut us off, or comparing our children's Little League performances or teams, we know how to one-up each other.
Part of the reason we do this is that it's human nature. The story of Cain and Abel gives us clues towards this end. Cain tried to one-up his brother and the offering he made to God. The story of God and the story of God's people in the beginning of the Bible is the story of us. We try to one-up each other because it's in our DNA, it's who we are.
But that doesn't mean it's okay. It's not okay to one-up seven year-olds and it's not okay to one-up seventeen year-olds and it's not okay to one-up fifty-seven year olds.
It doesn't do us or them any good.
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Texas BBQ
I think I have come up with some good ways to measure good barbeque, Texas barbeque, real barbeque. In other words, brisket.
By far, the best brisket I have ever had is at Kreuz's in Lockhart. The brisket there is far and above anything else out there. There are still many places I want to try and many places I think could probably rival Kreuz's, like Franklin Barbeque in Austin, Snow's in Lexington, and Louie Muller in Taylor. But for now, Kreuz's is king in my book.
What sets Kreuz's apart is two things: it is so good that it truly does not need sauce (which is good because they don't serve any); and the meat is marbeled with the perfect amount of fat. It's not too fatty and not too lean. It's just right.
These things hit me as I tried out a barbeque place in town. It's called Bennie J's. I know it's awesome because when they answer the phone, they say, "Smoke Pit . . . "
Bennie J's is good, very good, in fact. It is no doubt better than most, definitely better than anything in town or probably anything in a sixty mile radius (the word on the street is Fargo's in Bryan is pretty dern tasty). The brisket at the Smoke Pit (Can I call it that, too? Probably not.) is good. I got it chopped; but next time, I'll get it sliced so I can get a little better feel for it. But the meat tastes good, nice and tender. The bun (yes, I opted for a sandwich this go around) is buttered and toasted nicely. And the fries are doubled-fried or something along those lines-very unique but good. My friend, Colter, says the sausage is really good. I think it's jalapeno sausage, so that might hold me back from trying it. But overall, the place is great, especially because, as Colter notes, your clothes smell like the restaurant for the rest of the day.
What holds it back from being top-notch is what sets Kreuz's, and very few other places, apart: sauce is necessary to eat it and it seems to be a little too lean. I'm curious what the sliced brisket looks like to see how much fat is on it.
So . . . if you're ever in the Huntsville area and have a hankerin' for some good barbeque, go to Bennie J's. To find it, just roll your window down and your nose will lead you to it.
By far, the best brisket I have ever had is at Kreuz's in Lockhart. The brisket there is far and above anything else out there. There are still many places I want to try and many places I think could probably rival Kreuz's, like Franklin Barbeque in Austin, Snow's in Lexington, and Louie Muller in Taylor. But for now, Kreuz's is king in my book.
What sets Kreuz's apart is two things: it is so good that it truly does not need sauce (which is good because they don't serve any); and the meat is marbeled with the perfect amount of fat. It's not too fatty and not too lean. It's just right.
These things hit me as I tried out a barbeque place in town. It's called Bennie J's. I know it's awesome because when they answer the phone, they say, "Smoke Pit . . . "
Bennie J's is good, very good, in fact. It is no doubt better than most, definitely better than anything in town or probably anything in a sixty mile radius (the word on the street is Fargo's in Bryan is pretty dern tasty). The brisket at the Smoke Pit (Can I call it that, too? Probably not.) is good. I got it chopped; but next time, I'll get it sliced so I can get a little better feel for it. But the meat tastes good, nice and tender. The bun (yes, I opted for a sandwich this go around) is buttered and toasted nicely. And the fries are doubled-fried or something along those lines-very unique but good. My friend, Colter, says the sausage is really good. I think it's jalapeno sausage, so that might hold me back from trying it. But overall, the place is great, especially because, as Colter notes, your clothes smell like the restaurant for the rest of the day.
What holds it back from being top-notch is what sets Kreuz's, and very few other places, apart: sauce is necessary to eat it and it seems to be a little too lean. I'm curious what the sliced brisket looks like to see how much fat is on it.
So . . . if you're ever in the Huntsville area and have a hankerin' for some good barbeque, go to Bennie J's. To find it, just roll your window down and your nose will lead you to it.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Thank You. God Bless You. And God Bless the United States of America
Words lose meaning when used over and over again.
That's simply the way it is. If you were to tell someone that you love them at the exact same time everyday, sure it would be sweet and everything. But the words would come to lose meaning over time because it becomes an expectation. They really would.
So it is with the ending of speeches by political figures. They end their speech with the title of this post every single time. And like so many other things in life, the words of this ending has lost their meaning.
I appreciate their thanking the crowd for the opportunity to speak. I appreciate them asking God to bless us. And I appreciate them asking God to bless this country. But these words have lost their meaning.
It's not that the subjects they are bringing up lose their meaning. The meaning of God has not been lost. We can do nothing to make that happen, as God is totally different, totally supreme to any of our words or actions. But as we come to expect that ending to every speech, the words begin to fall on deaf ears.
I think it would do us, and the people making the speeches, good to think about the words of Chris Rock. Chris Rock??? Yes, the great theologian, Chris Rock.
In the movie, Head of State, Rock plays a person running for president. He has a bit of commentary on the phrase, "God bless America:"
"Isn't it obvious that God has blessed America? . . . America is the richest, most powerful nation on earth. How about God bless Haiti? How about God bless Africa? How about God bless Jamaica?"
I love America. And I am so proud and so thankful to be living in the country that I do. But I think Rock is on to something here. We know the phrase "God bless America" so well that we don't even think twice when we hear it at the end of a political speech. Perhaps when we say or hear something like that, we should begin thinking about how much we want God to bless the whole world . . . and what we can do to help bring that about.
After all, that's what the good news of Jesus is all about. Jesus didn't tell the disciples, "Hey y'all (Jesus probably spoke with a Texas twang), we've got a good thing going here. Let's make sure and keep it right around here and don't spread it anywhere else." God's goal, God's intention is that the entire world come to know God's good story and that we all live in a way that God created us to.
To put it another way, and to quote an actual politician (Abraham Lincoln): "My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right."
That's simply the way it is. If you were to tell someone that you love them at the exact same time everyday, sure it would be sweet and everything. But the words would come to lose meaning over time because it becomes an expectation. They really would.
So it is with the ending of speeches by political figures. They end their speech with the title of this post every single time. And like so many other things in life, the words of this ending has lost their meaning.
I appreciate their thanking the crowd for the opportunity to speak. I appreciate them asking God to bless us. And I appreciate them asking God to bless this country. But these words have lost their meaning.
It's not that the subjects they are bringing up lose their meaning. The meaning of God has not been lost. We can do nothing to make that happen, as God is totally different, totally supreme to any of our words or actions. But as we come to expect that ending to every speech, the words begin to fall on deaf ears.
I think it would do us, and the people making the speeches, good to think about the words of Chris Rock. Chris Rock??? Yes, the great theologian, Chris Rock.
In the movie, Head of State, Rock plays a person running for president. He has a bit of commentary on the phrase, "God bless America:"
"Isn't it obvious that God has blessed America? . . . America is the richest, most powerful nation on earth. How about God bless Haiti? How about God bless Africa? How about God bless Jamaica?"
I love America. And I am so proud and so thankful to be living in the country that I do. But I think Rock is on to something here. We know the phrase "God bless America" so well that we don't even think twice when we hear it at the end of a political speech. Perhaps when we say or hear something like that, we should begin thinking about how much we want God to bless the whole world . . . and what we can do to help bring that about.
After all, that's what the good news of Jesus is all about. Jesus didn't tell the disciples, "Hey y'all (Jesus probably spoke with a Texas twang), we've got a good thing going here. Let's make sure and keep it right around here and don't spread it anywhere else." God's goal, God's intention is that the entire world come to know God's good story and that we all live in a way that God created us to.
To put it another way, and to quote an actual politician (Abraham Lincoln): "My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right."
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
"I Hate the Way I Watch Games"
That was a quote from one of the recent Sklarbro Country podcast episodes. Jason & Randy Sklar do a fine job of mixing comedy, sports, and all around awesomeness in their podcasts. I am particularly fond of the way they are confessional about their sports-watching.
They are huge University of Michigan football fans and St. Louis Cardinals fans (consequently, I have had to turn it off when they start talking about the Cards because it almost always comes around to the 2011 World Series, which almost always comes around to Game Six. Still ain't over it. Probably never will be.
Anyway, a number of times, they have talked about their passion (over-the-top passion) for sports. I completely understand what they are talking about. So on the episode that this quote comes from, they talk about their emotions while watching Wolverines football. They are either ecstatic over the way their team is playing . . . or furious over the way their team is playing. They noted that rarely, if ever, do their emotions have to do with the way the other team is playing.
That's so true, at least I know it is for me. When I watch games, my emotions rarely have anything to do with the other team. For instance, my normal way of doing things would be to go crazy when the Cowboys score tonight and to be furious when they give up a touchdown to the Giants tonight (I expect many of those). So when they lose (which is my prediction), I am prone to blame everything on the Cowboys, rather than praise the job the Giants did. Same goes for the Rangers. If they win tonight, it's because they're awesome. If they lose, it's because they're horrible, not because of the Royals' greatness. Well that may be a bad example. "Royals" and "greatness" doesn't really go all that well together.
I would do better to allow more for what happens from the other team, not just what happens to my team. Unless the Yankees are playing. The Yankees deserve no credit :)
They are huge University of Michigan football fans and St. Louis Cardinals fans (consequently, I have had to turn it off when they start talking about the Cards because it almost always comes around to the 2011 World Series, which almost always comes around to Game Six. Still ain't over it. Probably never will be.
Anyway, a number of times, they have talked about their passion (over-the-top passion) for sports. I completely understand what they are talking about. So on the episode that this quote comes from, they talk about their emotions while watching Wolverines football. They are either ecstatic over the way their team is playing . . . or furious over the way their team is playing. They noted that rarely, if ever, do their emotions have to do with the way the other team is playing.
That's so true, at least I know it is for me. When I watch games, my emotions rarely have anything to do with the other team. For instance, my normal way of doing things would be to go crazy when the Cowboys score tonight and to be furious when they give up a touchdown to the Giants tonight (I expect many of those). So when they lose (which is my prediction), I am prone to blame everything on the Cowboys, rather than praise the job the Giants did. Same goes for the Rangers. If they win tonight, it's because they're awesome. If they lose, it's because they're horrible, not because of the Royals' greatness. Well that may be a bad example. "Royals" and "greatness" doesn't really go all that well together.
I would do better to allow more for what happens from the other team, not just what happens to my team. Unless the Yankees are playing. The Yankees deserve no credit :)
Getting Involved
Seems to me that most people who claim to be followers of Christ get, or at least say they get, the idea that we are supposed to love one another . . . and not hate others . . . and all that stuff.
Then we do a good job of picking and choosing: who's in and who's out, whom does God approve of and whom does God not approve of, etc., etc. People all across the spectrum of the Christian faith have their own various groups they oppose (or fear, depending upon how you look at it). I could list them all out, the groups that we oppose; and we all do it, but I am getting tired just thinking about it.
One group of people that we all love to jump in on is politicians, whether we are conservative or progressive, Democrat or Republican, high-church or low-church, hymn-singing or chorus-singing, large church or small church, weekly communion or quarterly communion, hand-raising or knee-kneeling (see where I'm going with this?) is: people running for or currently in public office.
I am one of the world's worsts at this. I try to encourage others to equally jump on people on both sides, not just the side they want to demonize. But why do we need to demonize?
Don't get me wrong: there's plenty out there that ain't right. During these two weeks of political party national conventions, I have gotten very bothered and very excited about a whole host of people and issues. And I plan to continue that theme for the next two days. And I plan to continue doing it until November. I have strong, passionate beliefs. And those beliefs usually cause me to be for someone and against, many times passionately against, their political opponent.
But it would do me good (confession here) to stop for a moment and put myself into the shoes of the politicians that I demonize. Doing that would probably still leave me either angry or pumped-up, depending upon the person and the issue. But it would help me to see that politicians do the things they do for reasons that are beyond my understand and my comprehension.
So what should we do? Should we just give up on the political system?
I would encourage the other end of that spectrum, or something close to it: we need to all be involved, to be educated on issues, at the very least, to go vote. There is no perfect political candidate. They're all people, doing what they do for a reason.
So let's try to make it better. Let's make it better because these political races matter. They really, really, really, really do, regardless of what we think about the direction of our country or of our pocket of the country. We can throw our hands up and say we don't care. But we do care . . . because these races affect what happens in our lives. We might say we don't care in November. But we'll sure as heck care when our school taxes are raised, or when the decision to go to war comes up, or when your local police force makes huge changes in the way things are run, or when health care issues are decided upon, or when your local elected leaders are deciding whether or not to allow new business to build in your town.
Until we are ready to go run for the particular political offices ourselves, let's vote for the person that we feel will do the best job. It won't be the way we would do the job. But then again if everyone did their jobs the way we would, it probably wouldn't be that great of a world . . . and it sure wouldn't be all that enjoyable.
On a completely unrelated side-note, I just deleted all of the e-mails in my inbox. That is an incredible feeling! Anybody else with me on that one???
Then we do a good job of picking and choosing: who's in and who's out, whom does God approve of and whom does God not approve of, etc., etc. People all across the spectrum of the Christian faith have their own various groups they oppose (or fear, depending upon how you look at it). I could list them all out, the groups that we oppose; and we all do it, but I am getting tired just thinking about it.
One group of people that we all love to jump in on is politicians, whether we are conservative or progressive, Democrat or Republican, high-church or low-church, hymn-singing or chorus-singing, large church or small church, weekly communion or quarterly communion, hand-raising or knee-kneeling (see where I'm going with this?) is: people running for or currently in public office.
I am one of the world's worsts at this. I try to encourage others to equally jump on people on both sides, not just the side they want to demonize. But why do we need to demonize?
Don't get me wrong: there's plenty out there that ain't right. During these two weeks of political party national conventions, I have gotten very bothered and very excited about a whole host of people and issues. And I plan to continue that theme for the next two days. And I plan to continue doing it until November. I have strong, passionate beliefs. And those beliefs usually cause me to be for someone and against, many times passionately against, their political opponent.
But it would do me good (confession here) to stop for a moment and put myself into the shoes of the politicians that I demonize. Doing that would probably still leave me either angry or pumped-up, depending upon the person and the issue. But it would help me to see that politicians do the things they do for reasons that are beyond my understand and my comprehension.
So what should we do? Should we just give up on the political system?
I would encourage the other end of that spectrum, or something close to it: we need to all be involved, to be educated on issues, at the very least, to go vote. There is no perfect political candidate. They're all people, doing what they do for a reason.
So let's try to make it better. Let's make it better because these political races matter. They really, really, really, really do, regardless of what we think about the direction of our country or of our pocket of the country. We can throw our hands up and say we don't care. But we do care . . . because these races affect what happens in our lives. We might say we don't care in November. But we'll sure as heck care when our school taxes are raised, or when the decision to go to war comes up, or when your local police force makes huge changes in the way things are run, or when health care issues are decided upon, or when your local elected leaders are deciding whether or not to allow new business to build in your town.
Until we are ready to go run for the particular political offices ourselves, let's vote for the person that we feel will do the best job. It won't be the way we would do the job. But then again if everyone did their jobs the way we would, it probably wouldn't be that great of a world . . . and it sure wouldn't be all that enjoyable.
On a completely unrelated side-note, I just deleted all of the e-mails in my inbox. That is an incredible feeling! Anybody else with me on that one???
Who Is Persecuting Who?
Last night, I was at a Bible study group that is working through the book of Acts.
We were looking specifically at a situation in which some of the early Christians were being persecuted. Someone spoke up and noted that it's interesting that Christians have moved from being a group who were being persecuted to a group that is persecuting, through the laws some Christians are trying to pass and the things they are trying to do to keep certain groups of people down, to, in a sense, oppress them.
The fact is that Christians actually began persecuting others many years ago, at least 1,700 years ago, when Christianity became the official religion of Rome, if not before. But the message does ring true: what gives us the power or the reasoning to oppress others? As Christians, nothing gives us that. Nothing.
I have heard it said that God always sides with people who are being oppressed. I couldn't agree more. Sort of turns things upside down when people claiming to be God's people are the ones doing the oppressing.
We were looking specifically at a situation in which some of the early Christians were being persecuted. Someone spoke up and noted that it's interesting that Christians have moved from being a group who were being persecuted to a group that is persecuting, through the laws some Christians are trying to pass and the things they are trying to do to keep certain groups of people down, to, in a sense, oppress them.
The fact is that Christians actually began persecuting others many years ago, at least 1,700 years ago, when Christianity became the official religion of Rome, if not before. But the message does ring true: what gives us the power or the reasoning to oppress others? As Christians, nothing gives us that. Nothing.
I have heard it said that God always sides with people who are being oppressed. I couldn't agree more. Sort of turns things upside down when people claiming to be God's people are the ones doing the oppressing.
How Was Your Day?
Last week, I walked up to place my order at a restaurant. The person behind the counter asked me, "How is your day?"
I mumbled something about fine and asked how theirs was.
Then they asked me, "Well, how was your week?"
I stopped, thought about it, and said, "Well I didn't do much. I guess it was okay."
It's too bad that we measure our days and our weeks by what we accomplished or what we did . . . rather than by how the day or week actually went, how we experienced it, how we were able to connect with others.
I mumbled something about fine and asked how theirs was.
Then they asked me, "Well, how was your week?"
I stopped, thought about it, and said, "Well I didn't do much. I guess it was okay."
It's too bad that we measure our days and our weeks by what we accomplished or what we did . . . rather than by how the day or week actually went, how we experienced it, how we were able to connect with others.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Cleveland Football Fundraiser
As you drive through the highways and biways of our great country (what exactly is a biway, anyway?), you see lots of interesting stuff.
I recently made a trip to Beaumont. On the way, I drove through the thriving metropolis of Tarkington (no red light, just a water tower). There was, though, a four-way stop sign. At the stop sign, a firefighter was making himself into a pretty good traffic obstacle as he stradled the lanes, trying to raise money for the local firefighters. You know, one of those deals where someone stands in the road and collects money from passer-bys for certain causes in a boot or a can or something.
That made me think about the fact I've never been a big fan of the guy or gal standing in the middle of the road, raising money for something. Besides the obvious safety hazard, something just seems sort of off about the whole thing.
Then, on my way back from Beaumont, there were two men and two boys raising money, with one of each on each side of an intersection underneath a freeway in Cleveland. This was causing traffic delays and the boys were dangerously close to the road. But what was most offensive about this was that they were raising money for the local youth football organization.
What business do they have pedaling themselves to the people who pass by on US-59 to raise money for a sports league? Seems to me that money should come from somewhere else . . . like from the families in the league, maybe???
This may be a bit of an overreaction. Probably because it made me think back to a similar situation that really got me going.
When we lived in Georgia, there was a certain intersection in town where groups of people would solicit funds for different things, from Girl Scouts to local law enforcement . . . to church youth ministries. That's the one that really got me going. I have been doing fundraisers for church youth ministries for over a decade. I have spent countless hours doing all sorts of random work and have enlisted good people to work their rear-ends off doing all sorts of random work to help send our youth to camps, mission trips, etc. And then I see a youth ministry a year or two ago just standing by the road wanting people to give them money to go on a trip . . . for, well, nothing. Just for standing by the road. As one might expect, I was not too thrilled to see that.
I think what really gets me is the expectation behind all of these things. People raising funds for something, specifically young people, do not need to learn an expectation that they will be given money just because. If there is a lesson in the many fundraisers I have helped do, and there generally is nothing fun about fundraisers, it's that you do work to help raise funds. Standing beside the road, I'm sure, is hot and not necessarily fun. But when you just stand on the road, what exactly are you doing? What type of service are you performing for others in which they could feel compelled to give you money?
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Disappointed
Well, I'm disappointed to awake this morning and find that the Rangers made no trade for a bat yesterday.
I went to bed last night without finding anything out about a trade. I had hoped to awake this morning and find out that they made a trade right before the 11:00 p.m. deadline last night. Everybody who is going to be on the playoff roster has to be there by last night. But alas, it's not to be.
Sure, they called up plenty of players from the minors with the rosters expanded to forty players last night. And there's lots of talent in that group that I am sure will be great for years to come. But I believe we needed to acquire an MLB-proven guy to come off the bench who has seen MLB pitching. Not a guy who has been watching Double-A pitching all year.
This has shown to be needed over the last two years in the playoffs. There was definitely a huge difference between our bench and the Cardinals bench last year. I won't say the Cardinals' player name . . . because it still hurts too much . . . but the Cardinals' huge bat coming off the bench last year was a big asset for them. We didn't have jack coming off the bench.
Lots of people are concerned about our pitching, particularly starting pitching, heading into what we hope is the stretch run of September, with October clearly in view down the road. But I really think pitching will be okay. The bullpen is great right now. And I think our starting pitching is coming into its own. Dempster is showing what he's capable of. I think resting Yu over the past month or two is paying huge dividends as he is really starting to kick butt lately. Harrison is having a career year. And Holland . . . well, he's Holland, frustrating and all. Last October taught us to have some faith in the young boy. I was there; and I'm a believer.
The Failed Experiment That Was Jose Cantu, two years ago, should have taught us that we need a reliable bat coming off the bench in the playoffs. Don't remember Jorge Cantu? Exactly. But I bet you remember a guy with the last name of Craig who played for the Cardinals last year.
I went to bed last night without finding anything out about a trade. I had hoped to awake this morning and find out that they made a trade right before the 11:00 p.m. deadline last night. Everybody who is going to be on the playoff roster has to be there by last night. But alas, it's not to be.
Sure, they called up plenty of players from the minors with the rosters expanded to forty players last night. And there's lots of talent in that group that I am sure will be great for years to come. But I believe we needed to acquire an MLB-proven guy to come off the bench who has seen MLB pitching. Not a guy who has been watching Double-A pitching all year.
This has shown to be needed over the last two years in the playoffs. There was definitely a huge difference between our bench and the Cardinals bench last year. I won't say the Cardinals' player name . . . because it still hurts too much . . . but the Cardinals' huge bat coming off the bench last year was a big asset for them. We didn't have jack coming off the bench.
Lots of people are concerned about our pitching, particularly starting pitching, heading into what we hope is the stretch run of September, with October clearly in view down the road. But I really think pitching will be okay. The bullpen is great right now. And I think our starting pitching is coming into its own. Dempster is showing what he's capable of. I think resting Yu over the past month or two is paying huge dividends as he is really starting to kick butt lately. Harrison is having a career year. And Holland . . . well, he's Holland, frustrating and all. Last October taught us to have some faith in the young boy. I was there; and I'm a believer.
The Failed Experiment That Was Jose Cantu, two years ago, should have taught us that we need a reliable bat coming off the bench in the playoffs. Don't remember Jorge Cantu? Exactly. But I bet you remember a guy with the last name of Craig who played for the Cardinals last year.
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