hiway29

I'm watching the Dodgers, who continue to pound the ball. I'm also hearing a lot of blaring music, so I don't know what happened yesterday. The Dodgers look like they'll win 150 games this year-I see no one in the NL Worst touching them, at least. I still can't believe it-but I'm enjoying it.

gotta be 'Dagger of the Mind"

while licking my wounds over that crazy Yankee loss, it was a marvelous day at Dodger Stadium. Manny hit 2 home runs, and was as entertaining in the field.An easy fly popped out of his glove,and while diving for another ball, rolled on the ground at least 3 times , while 2 guys scored. I can't think of another player who can foul up like that on the field , and it somehow adds to the game. Ethier also hit 2 home runs,getting some fat pitches hitting in front of Manny. The weather was suddenly summer like. Around the 5th inning my wife pointed out the lack of blaring rock music, signs telling us to 'make some noise', or most of the other distractions that normally irk us. It was a pure game, accented by good ol' Nancy Bea's organ between innings. I have no idea who's behind it, but I'd like to shake his hand, and only hope it stays that way.

I think Roger Maris belongs in Cooperstown's Hall, but will probably never get there. He qualifies for the Shrine for more than his on the field accomplishments. The pressures in '61 are a story in themselves. How many players lose clumps (!) of hair from pressure ? Hee was always accused of being surly, while Mantle was the 'good guy'. In many ways it was the other way around. He also wanted nothing more than to stay in Kansas City, being a small town North Dakota guy. For all his fame, and impact with the Yankees, I wish he had been able to do so.

The House of David photos are on display at Pasadena City college library as we speak. Thanks for reminding me to get over there. I'd go today but I'd have to squeeze it in before leaving for the 12:30 ! game at Dodger Stadium.

well, in typical hiway29 style, I got my membership in 2 days after the voting deadline, so I can't vote this year ! I won't make that mistake again, and at least I can go to the induction ceremony just down the street. Pete Gray has to go in. More contemporary players I'm considering are Tug McGraw, Luis Tiant, and Roger Maris.

I'd dig some Wee Willie Keeler pics myself. Any Highlander stuff would be interesting. I don't know if this joke translates-but the one time Chris Berman made me laugh out loud-he was showing a home run clip from Yankee Stadium on a night when hardly anyone was there-as the ball landed in empty seats, Berman described it as the batter' hitting it where they ain't'. Well, it made me laugh. I finally joined the Baseball Reliquary, and got all sorts of neat stuff in the mail. One of the better reasons to live in Pasadena, is they do a lot of their programs at the library(like a through the ages baseball card show coming up soon). This year, Curt Flood, and Bill Veek Jr will be inducted in their "Shrine of the Eternals', and I am certainly going to attend the induction.From Veek's time-they have Eddie Gaedel's jockstrap, and a burned record from Disco Demolition Night-Don't ask me how. I also get to vote on next years inductees.There's a list at their website, and I'm going to have to give it some thought. It's also about keeping the fun in baseball.

That books looks interesting. Thanks. For the 'record', I'd also be interested in that type of historical book from most any team, though of course I'm partial to the Yankee theme.

right now, Manny has changed the face of the Dodgers for the better. Here's hoping that remains the case, but as I've said, I'm a Manny convert ( at least until he gives me reason not to be). One thing is certain, imo, and that's Manny is in a class by himself, for good or bad. It's been all good for the Dodgers so far.

I suppose it 'could' happen. That's different than stating that's what they 'are'. I agree that the Yankees have thrown good money after bad in the past. I don't see the players they got this year that way. I think without them, they'd be playing to beat Toronto for 3rd place. I have no idea how this season will play out. I have as much right to 'believe in them' as anyone else has for their team. Living on the other coast, I'll be at Dodger Stadium tomorrow. The Dodgers are fun for the first time in ages, with Manny, the young players maturing, and Orlando Hudson. Hudson hit for the cycle the other night, and looks like he's always enjoying himself. This could be a terrific season to be at the park, as long as I can afford it.

I know I'll be sorry I asked-but just who are the 'overpaid egos' on the Yankees ? A case can be made for Arod, but who else ? AreTex and Sabatthia 'egos' because they took the money? And who else are you referring to ? Jeter? Rivera ? Cano? Posada ? And what qualifies them as 'egos' ? I'm already sorry I asked, but I am still curious what people really mean when they say this.

I remember those jackets , now that you describe it. Like I said-they weren't giving them to the wow's-the wows only gave them a chunk of their life to push their program. Those part time McDonalds jobs should have covered shiny jackets as long as they were abundantly sharing. I get what George is saying-I've got all sorts of crap tucked away I'm not necessarily proud of-maybe I am an ex addict .

WOW jackets ? I never had or saw a WOW jacket. I was WOW in '76, but don't remember seeing them as of '89 when I left. I doubt they were giving them away for their faithful service. I'm also relieved I wasn't pressured into wearing a jacket with WOW written on it. I've got a little box with my wow pin, wow, advanced class nametags, high school ring, and a few other items from my sordid past.

'get the funniest looks from-every one we meet'-hey hey we're the Monkees I'll really try to get a new one up soon-I'm in deadline hell right now-shouldn't even be doing this !

Thanks for all you've done here, Paw. I appreciate this site, and am mystified by the few that give you grief. That was an amazing account of your struggles, and I respect you all the more for it.

amen to the WBC- enough is more than enough

of course it's too much- Sports fans are not all wonderful, level headed people, who just want to enjoy a nice day at the park. The beer doesn't help.

well-the reports were from OUTSIDE the stadium-for whatever that's worth

Orlando Hudson (a great pick up by the Dodgers) hit for the cycle on opening day. This guy has a great attitude, fun to watch, and major ability. The Dodgers got him for a song, due to a recovering wrist injury. He looks healthy to me. The perfect opening day (of course I was at work) was marred by guns and knives and fights in the parking lot. I rarely go to Giants games-there's always a large contingent of drunken fools when they're in town. I'd be all for banning beer at games, but I know it's not feasible. If there were some way to limit beer to 1 per customer, it'd be great. Really, no one needs more than one beer to enjoy the game-but I'll stop before I get on a temperance soapbox.

Mark 'the Bird' Fidrych found dead under his truck. Phillies announcer Harry Kalas dies in the booth. Of course, the Nick Adenhart tragedy. :( :( :( This season has not started well.

Sorry you didn't get your free car- not that the Yankees weren't capable of blowing 4 games.

The Adenhart tragedy is just awful, and has really shook things up here. Let's face it, the surreal aspect of his starting pitching shut out debut, on the same night he was killed , made it a bigger story, than if he was still 'nameless'. Still, everyone is in shock, and the Angels have handled the situation with dignity and class. His poor father, who just hours ago had watched his son pitch, met with the team, and every Angel spoke with him personally. The Angels are leaving his locker intact for the season, and of course wearing his number on their uniforms.

My wife, who fortunately knew nothing of the way, started flipping through my old note covered Cambridge, not long ago. Don't ask me why I still have it. Her first response was amazement that I wrote all over it, then wondered why I was crossing out lines, then reading my margin notes and asking me what they meant. I admit I felt ridiculous. The notes were of course all way nonsense, and I couldn't ( and didn't want to) try to put the 'logic' and reasons for the notes she was asking me about. Then there was the note whenever fornication was used, where I wrote SPIRITUAL fornication next to it. sigh. I put it back in the box of old books and syllabi in the closet. Again, I can't answer why I haven't ditched it all.

I guess his career is over., or he's supposed to throw a shut out every time. Not that he didn't reek today, but geez. And are they supposed to be cheering Tex in Baltimore ?

I still cringe at the memory of going to Shea on opening day, freezing in the nose bleed section, while it snowed and sleet(sleeted?), clutching a hot chocolate for warmth. Baseball was not made for such weather. Later that night, I saw Chicago at Carnegie Hall,(which became part of the Chicago 4 album). I had much more energy and endurance back then. I want to play on the Field of Dreams field ! I'd have second thoughts about chasing a ball into the cornfield, though.