WTF is wrong with us

 If you are one of the people that is even smirking let alone celebrating the stunt that the Governors of Texas and Florida pulled off on Migrants to this country - then YOU have a Fucking problem. 

Forget the  God Damn  law for minute that deals with interstate trafficking or Women and Children - LET me type that again - WOMEN and CHILDREN!! and Interstate trafficking .  Plus I do not give a SHIT about - and frankly don;t exactly know about the Crisis at the Border,....   

..  Those FUCKS  - Abbott and Desantis deliberately and intentionally deceived these people - these were Immigrants that this country that had already  processed and approved for entry into the United States... and were released for the FED control to go meet their family and friends here in the US - IF they had them - BUT NO  - they were rounded up and put on Airplanes and flown to in the case of the Florida financed group to Martha's Vineyard ... not told where they were going until half way there,,,, given false information about how to change their address (that is required by immigration) and in some cases their address was already changed by Desantis to Washington State !    and If you don't know all of these people were in TEXAS  - Desantis did this to people that were not even in his state !!  WTF is that  !

These people arrived in Massachusetts - not knowing what the hell was happening to them,.... Innocent Children, Women, families ---  What kind of Monster does this - and secondly WHAT kind of Monsters celebrate it ! Like if you are one of those celebrating  I have no Idea WTF is going on with you ! Yea - the "WE showed them" !!  This is how to get them to address the Border issue,,,, showed them DEMS !! 

NAH - What ya did was demonstrate to everyone what kinda of  Person you actually are.....

Christian ??  NOPE ,,,,   You might remember that that religion has a story that turns away a  Pregnant women, and her husband from an inn,,, and sends them to a Stable.......  

Both Sets of MY grandparents immigrated to this country  and yes - maybe they were treated badly when they arrived,,, but not like this.... not the Very Government should be protecting them pulling a Scam and doing this to them just to make Political stunt.... Just to get face time on the news,.... Jesus christ - what is happening is that this is not our Country - this is not the way we - AMERICANS - act......

We act they way the people of Martha;s Vineyard did - With food, Clothing, Shelter, Medical care, etc etc for those that were so deliberately abused by the Florida and Texas Governor.

Go ahead .,, smirkk,,, smile laugh about it.....  one day - and I hope that day never comes - Someone will treat you the way these folks were treated -  your Family treated this way,,, your Children .... treated that way for a political stunt - then we will see how funny you think it is.....

Not a great video - but you get the Idea....

Getting interesteing

 With the loss last night the Yankees lead is just 3 1/2 games over the 2nd place Rays, and it's just 2 games on the loss side,,, IF the Yankees lose again today,,, obviously the Lead goes to 2 1/2 games, and 1 on the loss side with 23 games remaining,,, and man the pressure will be on to win Sunday,.,, Fast Forward to a Sweep by the Rays... and come Monday the yankees lead is 1 1/2 - and even on the loss end,, you know thats the important number.... the Losses.... 

I can see them being overtaken for 1st place,,, they have been hit by 2 things - Injuries (hey every team has injuries and no one if sorry for them) and Poor play by a few of the regular players.. 

Injuries :

Anthony Rizzo - 10 Day IL - Back and Headaches

Giancarlo Stanton - 10 Day IL - Foot

DJ Lemahieu - 10 Day IL  - Toe 

Matt Carpenter - 10 Day IL - Broken bone in Foot

Andrew Benintendi - 10 Day IL - Bone in Wrist - 

Harrison Bader - they traded Montgomery for him - he is out with Planar foot issues,  hoping to start rehab soon..... HA ! 

Not Injured

Josh Donaldson - Paternity Leave

Jose Trevino - Paternity Leave

Pitches IL

Luis Severino - 60 day IL - could be activated Sunday

Scott Effross - 15 Day IL - Shoulder

Adrolis Chapman 15 Day IL

Zack Britton - 60 Day IL

Miguel Castro - 60 day IL

Luis Gil - 60 day IL

Albert Abreau - 15 Day IL

Michael King  - 60 day IL 

Couple all that with Aaron Hicks and Gleyber Torres

Torres hitting .230 and the last 7 days it's .130 - and OPS of .703 - Dismal

Hicks - Hitting  .211 - his last 7 days - .095 and an OPS of .622 -  JUST AWFUL...

Donaldson - .220 (he is on Leave ) and an OPS of .684

I have no issue with the AAA Guys - hey they are thrown into a spot that  they know they need to produce something,,,  

this all is not a winning combination....   I will say there that I think they will be  Wild Card team,,, and Tampa will win the East .... I also think that Judge will struggle to get to 60 Home runs,,,  I said before that Teams they are playing that are in the Hunt for Wild Card spot - or BOSTON that would love to kill the yankees hope of the divison win,,, are NOT going to let Judge beat them,, now he may not get the Bonds treatment of Intentional walks every other at bat,,, but look for teams to Walk him more and simply pitch around him - there is no Rizzo , Stanton, Carpenter , behind him to protect him - per say..... and they are playing teams like - the Rays, Orioles, Boston, Toronto who are in that race,, the Pirates, Brewers, and Rangers are pretty much out of it - so they will get a break there,,,,   it will make for great Drama - when they fall from 1st place,,,, and if you do not think it can happen - The Mets just fell behind the Braves for 1st place in the NL East ..... So hang onto your hat !!

Secondly - lets talk about the Rule Changes...

Pitch Clock - 

The new rules include a 30-second timer to speed up time between batters.

 Pitchers will have 15 seconds between pitches when the bases are empty, but, with runners on base, that time will expand to 20 seconds.

If a pitcher violates the timer, he will be charged an automatic ball. If a batter violates the limit, he will be charged an automatic strike.

Will be interesting how this is enforced,,,,  can you see 2 outs, bottom on the  9th inning , Bases loaded ,  tie game,  3 -2 count,  and the ump calls a ball on a Pitch Clock Violation that gives the team a walk off win,,, OR calls a Strike 3 on the batter that ends the inning !!  Ok - those are the Extreme  examples,,, but we will see - as those are Umpire enforced.

Now the SHIFT ! 

The defensive shift rule change is an attempt to increase batting average on balls put in play, particularly from batters who tend to hit mainly to one side of the field. The rule keeps the four infielders within the infield, and prevents them from switching sides. Not counting the pitcher and catcher, four players must have both of their feet on the infield dirt when the pitcher releases the ball, and two infielders must be on each side of second base. The teams must designate before the game which players will stand on each side. Those players will not be allowed to switch sides during the game.

This one is obvious - that really no ump Judgement there ,,, I can see teams pushing the Limit...but many dead pull hitter are gonna love it...

MLB is also increasing the size of bases from 15 inches square to 18 inches square. This gives infielders more distance between themselves and baserunners, in a bid to decrease collisions.

The change also decreases base-to-base distance by 4.5 inches.

Let's see if that increases stolen bases....

A Quick Look at - I'll say recent rule changes. not back to the 1800's !!

The strike zone has been redefined several times - and still Umpires can't seem to be consistent with it...

1965 - regulated the Size of the Catchers glove

1968 - Anti Spitball rule and pitchers mound lowered 5 inches 

1973 - glove sizes for Position players 

1978 - Pitcher not allowed to throw at the Batter

Relief pitcher must face 3 Batters or End of the inning..

Now - across the history of the Game - 

Used to be that Caught foul balls were just strikes - not outs...

There was no min for Relief pitchers - they could warm up and then be taken out - never facing a batter

4 Strikes for outs,  and 7 Balls for base on Balls

Batter could ask for high or low pitches 

The slab was moved from 50 feet to 60 feet 6 inches from rear of home plate.

Regulated Mound height - then moved it several times...

No fielder could take a position in line with a batter's vision with the deliberate intent to in any way distract the batter.

My thought is that these changes are good,,, Speed the pace a bit- but let;s be real - there are games - that are more important than others,, and that pitch clock thing should just be a Guide in those games, and certainlly playoffs..

I can Not make this shit up...........

 SO the conservative Right , Republicans, Fox entertainment are all "up in arms" over President Bidens characterization of radical MAGA Trumpers being Semi- Fascist

“It’s not just Trump, it’s the entire philosophy that underpins the — I’m going to say something — it’s like semi-fascism.”

“I do think anyone who calls for the use of violence, fails to condemn violence when it’s used, refuses to acknowledge when an election has been won, insists on changing 

the way in which the rules to count votes, that is a threat to democracy.”

This Speech was on the 2nd.....

Then FORMER held one of his Rally's - and has a known neo -Nazi speek at his rally

The speaker at Trump’s Pennsylvania rally was Cynthia Hughes, the leader of a support group for January 6 defendants like Timothy Hale-Cusanelli, whose case went viral after the Justice Department released photos of him sporting a distinctive “Hitler mustache.”

Trump’s decision to feature a speaker highlighting such a case, when there are hundreds of other Capitol riot defendants to cite as examples, prompted a pointed response from Lofgren, also a member of the House Judiciary Committee: “Being a supporter of Adolf Hitler does put you in the Fascist category; there is no semi about it. I do think this is troubling.”

SO - I guess they need to take umbrage at the use of SEMI - should just all  many of them Fascists.

What is fascism ??? 

Fascism is a system of government led by a dictator who typically rules by forcefully and often violently suppressing opposition and criticism, controlling all industry and commerce, and promoting nationalism and often racism.

The 2nd topic today is about the flag,,,, 

The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free. The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored so that it might be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way. The flag should never be used as covering for a ceiling. The flag should never have anything placed on it.

SO - all you Patriots out there with it flying off the back of your truck ...

Flying it in the dark...  when its dirty, tattered,.. torn.. and putting the image of your

Political GOD on it.,.  Knock it OFF !!!  

In Memory of............

 Watched a bit of the Tribute to Taylor Hawkins on MTV last night......   I'll post a few videos from that... and I will start with end,,, if you are unfamiliar - Tylor was the drummer for the Foo Fighters - he passed away in March of this year at just 50 years old,,,  There goes my hero features Taylors 16 year old son Shane...  

MY HERO....

This is Everlong 

If everything could ever be this real forever
If anything could ever be this good again
The only thing I'll ever ask of you
You've got to promise not to stop when I say when
She sang

Breathe out
So I can breathe you in
Hold you in
And now
I know you've always been
Out of your head
Out of my head, I sang

Remembering that Dave has lived thru the death of Kurt Cobain,,,, Now Taylor,,, and his mom dies about a month ago.......

This Time like these,,,, he could not get thru the song... this is lousy video ,, but you get the Emotion..

I, I'm a one way motorway
I'm the one that drives away
Then follows you back home
I, I'm a street light shining
I'm a wild light blinding bright
Burning off and on
Ah-ah-ahh

It's times like these you learn to live again
It's times like these you give and give again
It's times like these you learn to love again
It's times like these time and time again

I, I'm a new day rising
I'm a brand new sky
To hang the stars upon tonight
I am a little divided
Do I stay or run away
And leave it all behind?

Gonna be an Interesting weekend....

 So  - the Lead in AL east is down to 6  Games -  5on the loss side - and that is the important number,,,,

Tampa must be stoked - they were 15 - 16 games behind NY - essentially playing for a Wild Card berth...Now they are just 6 games back,, and BTW - they play NY 6 more times....  hummmm 

A Note : at the All Star Break - the Yankees were on pace to win 122 games.... now they will be struggling to win 100 - that is how much they have lost lately....  they have 79 Wins - needing another 21 for 100 - I just do not see that as possible.... I'd say 93-97 wins ... possibly as low as 92,,,,, 

OK - They play 3 games in Tampa this weekend - Friday, Saturday and Sunday ,,, then 3 next weekend - same deal....  Let's  Speculate ..........

Tampa wins all 3 this weekend,,,,,   so that going into Monday - they are just 3 games out of the AL East crown,,, and 2 back on the loss side (remember that is important,,, cause you can win more games,,, but you can't lose less games ...) and the really comfy lead that the Yankees had  - let me capitalize HAD ... might come down to a Close race to avoid the Wild Card game.... NOW - Tampa has to WIN the 3 this weekend,,,   

Looking at the Schedule in September :

The Rays, Blue Jays, Orioles and Twins are all in the Wild Card Race..

The Rays (see above) in the AL east race

The Twins in the AL central Race

The Brewers still hoping for Wild Card spot....

So,,  none of the  teams they play in Sept / Oct are gonna be laying down for New York...and all those teams would love to add to the collapse of the Yankees - Just imagine having to play the Wild Card Game !!

3  @Tampa

4 Home to Minnesota

3 Home to Tampa

2  @  Boston (how much would they like to hurt NY??)

3 @ Milwaukee

2 Home to Pirates

4 Home to Boston (how much would they like to hurt NY??)

3 @Toronto

3 Home to Baltimore (October)

4 @ Texas  (October) 

The 2nd topic is WillJudge hit 60 or 61, or 62... 

he is sitting at 51 with 113 RBI's = yup incredible season even if he does not hit one more Home run !

but ok - 31 to go - needs 10 to Tie Maris....  Let's say 3 AB's per game ....  93 At Bats. his current rate is a homer every 9 at bats...that would give him 10 - 11 more... so It is certainly doable... however - lets go back to the prior conversation - the Yanks have hurt his chances by playing so poorly... and they schedule is that the teams they are playing are motivated to WIN ... Just may see these teams Walk him intentionally  as to not allow him to beat them,, especially late in the games....so watch for that .... It will be incumbent on Rizzo and Stanton - who are hitting behind him to come thru in those situations,,,  and yes,, thats pretty good protection to have hitting behind you !! Rizzo with 30 Homers and Stanton 24 .... 

IF - and that's a bigger IF NOW .... If they can clinch the playoff spot they want ,,, the #1 spot - then Boone could move Judge from batting 2nd to batting 1st to get him a few more at bats over the last few games,,,, it will be great theater to watch !!!

Songs in my head,.....

 From the LP - Bad Luck Streak in Dancing school... Empty Handed Heart.

I especially like that it's Ms. Ronstadt singing the lines near the end of the song...

The Tedeschi Trucks Band - and I am the Moon....

Did I post up about Mavis Staples going to say hello to the  band ,,, she is a big fan of theirs,,, and they are of her,,,,   and sWhere was Susan  ???   at the Laundromat !!  I guess they (Susan and Derek)  take their kids on tour,,, and she was doing their Laundry... so much for being a BIG Rock Star !!  

Suzanne Vega with Joe Jackson  - Left of Center,,,, a song from a ways back...  1986 - off the soundtrack

Pretty in Pink...

You can hear the whole Carry Me Home  CD on Spotify or Youtube..

Here is Mavis and Levon