What is the significance of the title 33 Days? That is the number of days that the DOGS will have patiently waited for Roger Clemens to pitch for their team. By using scoring periods, it was four complete weeks (#5 through #8) that Roger was on the Dog roster but preparing for that first start which will come on Monday, June 4. How many points were potentially lost? Well, going every 5th day would be 6 starts. If 3 of those are wins and say an average of 5 K's per game, that would be an estimated 75 points that a fairly decent pitcher would have earned. So, now that we have that figured out, Tony and Ed say it's time to go out and earn your keep Rocket, and make up those points. And you can see Tony is pumped about it as he gives Clemens the Fist Bump after his workout today.
And just to put a wrap and a bow on week 8 of the KIDS, I should have known it was going to be a good week when Kevin Youkilis of all people hits an inside the park home run! The guy's a decent hitter, but certainly no speed merchant.
You know, the NINERS outfielder Ichiro Suzuki is having another nice season, currently batting .336. However, here's a fact about Ichiro I came upon that has to do with his defense. I know, defense doesn't mean anything in fantasy, but I'm throwing this in only because I like the cool nickname of the old-time player that will be mentioned............ So here it is....... Now that Suzuki is in center field, he is on pace to eclipse the record for OF Put-Outs in a season (547). A mark held by Taylor "The Ball Hawk" Douthit, of the 1928 Cardinals. Perfect nickname for a defensive center fielder, isn't it?
After a couple of rough weeks, the HORNS seem to be back on track. Harv was thrilled to see ................ BAY's BACK!
Bay-Watch makes his annual late May push for good lookin' stats to be the Pirates All-Star representative. Good times for Harv and Jason. Harv was also in a good mood on Wednesday as he took the opportunity to rip on his arch-nemesis Big Daddy, saying he's back where he belongs - in the basement! In fact, Harv said he called Eddie and asked him ..... "How's Big Daddy now that he's buried in 10th place?" Harv said Eddie's response was ............. "He has a look on his face the same as Brady Quinn did after hearing that Ted Ginn Jr went # 9 in the NFL Draft." Hmmm. Eddie is known as an NFL guy... Ok then......
So, what's up with those BOMBERS?? They're going through a rough stretch, and H-Bomb starter Carlos Zambrano is so frustrated that he started to beat up on catcher Michael Barrett in the dugout and clubhouse on Friday afternoon. We're waiting for a response from Barrett's owner - Piffy of the 69'ers! This is sort of like waiting to see what Phil Leotardo is going to do in response to Tony Soprano beating up Coco!
You know the AL SLAMS got their first Complete Game of the season this week (James Shields), as Alabama was the last remaining team still looking for a CG. But this team has perhaps the SP with the toughest luck in MLB right now. This note in Friday's USA Today said that..... "Erik Bedard has a 1.50 ERA in his last 5 starts but only one Win to show due to lack of run support." But despite that, the Slammers are poised to bust into the top 5, sitting about a dozen points out at this writing.
With all teams now having at least one CG, we still have 5 teams waiting for their first Shut-Out. And that includes the 3rd Place OWLS. And as John recently pointed out, that should be no surprise as in 2006 the Birds were the only squad that did NOT have a Shut-Out for the entire season. Which caused me to go back and look at the year before - 2005, and review those Shut-Out numbers. Ironically, JF's boys led the league that season in SH-OUTS with 10. Go figure! Maybe new Owls Starter Cha Seung Baek (pronounced "Bake") can get one. After all, the legend of Pusan, South Korea posted a big W for the Owls on Thursday night.
You knew he couldn't stand it for too long...... The TRAIN had to bust up the Leyland boys. Durbin and Robertson got their train ticket out of Franklin Park this week. And on Thursday night at PNC Park, Bob got an eye-witness view of his catcher Josh Bard doing his best impression of George Brett in the famous "Pine Tar Game." Wow, I happened to be at that game as well, and the big guy with the shaved head looked like a raving lunatic charging out of the dugout towards the umpire with his shin pads on. And I don't think Bob's too happy with Bard on the 3 game suspension, but Big Train management stated they will appeal it.
Something I mentioned in the NPL news article..... On Wednesday when I was talking to the 1st Place CATS, I was letting John know what call backs I was waiting on and so forth...... I then said that ..... "Big Daddy has to call me back and so does Harv but right now he's busy feeding the baby." To which a visibly shaken Raven blurted out...... "HARV HAS A BABY?????" I stated that wrong - meaning of course that it was Big Daddy feeding the baby, and when I later told Harv of what I had inadvertently said, his only response to hearing that he was feeding the baby, was a one-word --- favorite word of yours truly....... "Yikes."
And what's the deal with the BIG O being sent to "AA" as I teased in the website news article??
One jokester e-mailed me saying that it must be "Alcoholics Anonymous." Ha-Ha, good one, but not exactly correct..... This demotion is taking place on Sunday, June 17th, Fathers Day.
If you recall, in 2006, Larry attended the PIRATES Fantasy Camp. After all, you should remember the story of Big O beaning the old guy, and then the next inning the old guys son pitches against Larry and throws him some chin music!! (one of my favorite stories by the way). And in case you had forgot about the fantasy camp experience, this should jog your memory.....
And now the young Southpaw is being sent to the AA - Altoona Curve for a one-day Curves Fantasy Camp on Fathers Day. The Curve has also asked Mr. Ott to work with top prospect Andrew McCutchen while he's there.... Time for O to limber up the arm. Like Roger Clemens, he's making a mid-season comeback!!!
SOPRANOS:
No show last Sunday, and the final two upcoming....... But in the meantime, Al sent these two Sopranos related links......
Maxim Magazines Soprano Mistresses.... Note: Regular actresses, not the Bada-Bing girls (sorry!)
Make sure you check out "#4."
And, from You-Tube. Every single Sopranos "whacking" in chronological order. Almost 10 minutes worth!! After these final two episodes, there may be a lot more to add......
Note: To watch this one, you may have to register with You Tube (free) to view.
And lastly, this picture had nothing to do with anything, and I can't imagine why these two individuals would ever be in the same room together, but here's my advice........
Mario - turn and run...... Run as fast as you can and get away from this guy!!!!
Later - Kommish.
