July 11, 2002 [LINK]

Today is Fan Walkout Day!!!

Today, July 11, has been designated as "Fan Walkout Day" by the grassroots Take Back Baseball movement. (See below.) It's somewhat of a moot point for those of us living far out in the boonies, but even we can register our opinions by BOYCOTTING TELEVISED BASEBALL TODAY! Accordingly, I just sent the following message to ESPN:

I'm a die-hard Yankees fan and would truly love to see the game being broadcast at Jacobs Field this evening, but as a gesture of anger toward both the players and the owners in the ongoing contract negotiations, the organization Take Back Baseball (http://www.TakeBackBaseball.com) is calling for a fan walk-out today. Not living close to any major league ballpark, the only way I can participate is by NOT WATCHING the game on ESPN tonight. Sorry, I just hope the players and owners get their acts in order SOON.

You can do the same and show those arrogant jerks on both sides of the negoiating table how you feel.

All-Star Game, 2002

Two days ago I wrote, "Is there any doubt who will win?" Hah! Who could have imagined a game ending in a tie?? Well, at least my (implied) prediction of an A.L. victory was not contradicted by an N.L. victory. The fans' angry protests spoiled Commissioner Selig's "homecoming" to Milwaukee; poor guy. I missed the whole brouhaha, having fallen asleep after the 7th inning thanks to an allergy pill. The American League has won the last five times, and 11 of the last 14 Midseason Classics. In contrast, when I was growing up the National League almost always won, with 19 victories during the 20-year span from 1963 to 1982. The recently-built Miller Park in Milwaukee provides an interesting venue, and is rain-proof thanks to the movable roof. Sammy Sosa sure did clobber a few in the Home Run Derby the night before: His longest blast was estimated at 524 feet long! New Yankee Jason Giambi snuffed him out in the final round, however, 7 to 1. Now we can start to worry about the threat of a PLAYERS' STRIKE!

R.I.P. Ted Williams

Baseball fans mourn the death of Ted Williams. He was probably the greatest hitter of all time, the last man to bat over .400 in a season (1941). His awesome lifetime batting statistics (521 home runs, .344 average) would have been even greater if he had not served for three years in World War II and two years in the Korean War, where he was a jet fighter pilot! On his very last at bat in 1960 he hit a home run. Nine years later he was hired to manage the Washington Senators, and did a fairly good job. It's a pity his team, the Boston Red Sox, never won the World Series (he only played in one Series -- 1946), and it's a shame his family is squabbling over his body, which has apparently been cryogenically frozen.