Wednesday, October 19, 2022

ALCS Game 1: Shame and secession

If you Google "Texas shame"--which I did in search of ammunition against the Astros for this post--you get appoximately 74,600,000 results. The first page is heavy with editorials against newly adopted state policies or party positions, with headlines like "Shame on Texas," "Shame on you, Texas," and "Deep in the Shame of Texas."

Google "New York shame" and you get about 101,000,000 results, but the early ones are mostly videos of Carey Mulligan singing "New York, New York" in the 2011 film Shame

Now I ain't here to talk no politics, but that "Deep in the Shame of Texas" one caught my eye. It concerns the 2022 platform of the Texas branch of a major political party--I ain't tellin' which one, 'cause like my daddy always said, "I ain't here to talk no politics." The plank that grabbed me was:
“Texas retains the right to secede from the United States and the Texas legislature should be called upon to pass a referendum. The possibility of secession should be put up for a vote in the 2022 general election.”
Which got me thinking. The Houston Astros are Texans, right? Well, maybe some of them think along the same line as the Texas braanch of that major political party. So what, if anything, could the Yankees do in tonight's Game One to motivate the Astros to secede from the American League?

And if there's something, isn't it worth doing without delay? 



[Added to the ALCS roster: Peraza, Montas, Weissert. Subtracted: Gonzalez, Hicks, Luetge.]


148 comments:

JM said...

If only Texas would secede and stop grabbing an outsized share of federal revenue, supplied by states like ours and those of similar persuasion. As do other states of Texas' persuasion.

Rufus T. Firefly said...

Mustang,

You buried the lede.

The roster. Other than Montas, it looks like the intern was chained to a chair and forced to ditch he beloved dead wood.

Rufus T. Firefly said...

he=his, but you get the point.

Beauregard Jackson Pickett Burnside said...

Judge in lead off again? No lefties? Well if it wasn’t the intern we know surely John Sterling didn’t write it.

Beauregard Jackson Pickett Burnside said...

Oh that an ancient line up you posted. Scared me a little.

Doug K. said...

Today's line up is good but there's ikf at ss instead of peraza. Why? Why? Also Cabera gets the day off. (for now) Carpenter DH Stanton in the OF.

Stang said...

Shoot! I posted the wrong lineup card! Sorry, everybody. Fixed.

AboveAverage said...

(typed in the voice of Slim Pickens as Major Kong from Doctor Strangelove: OHILTSWALTB)

I sure hope Ted Cruz didn't throw out the first pitch.

I sure hope he didn't.

mik said...

Just started watching and already Verlander has gotten on my nerves.

JM said...

Bosch, Peraza is suffering from Boone disease.

JM said...

Rizzo hit yet again.

TheWinWarblist said...

Shoulda hit Donaldson.

AboveAverage said...

Donughson

TheWinWarblist said...

AB, you are close to spot on.

BernBabyBern said...

And that was your daily reminder that Josh Donaldson is pretty much useless.

mik said...

Do we really need another reminder about Josh?

AboveAverage said...

Now Jameson - please oh please oh please let him be on his game and dominate

Doug K. said...

sigh.

mik said...

Please don't let this get out of control...

mik said...

Okay. One more time - if we don't sign Judge, and make him Captain, then the whole front office should be held in contempt.

Beauregard Jackson Pickett Burnside said...

“You’ll see it. You’ll see that catch for years”. -J.S. And we’re outta the inning. This game is going to be brutal.

Beauregard Jackson Pickett Burnside said...

Kinda wish I’d seen it. Damn radio.

mik said...

And Harry's wild about me!

JM said...

Bootsy, baby!

AboveAverage said...

Bader Tater See You Later

JM said...

Wilkommen, bienvenue, welcome. As Joel Grey said, even the orchestra is beautiful.

JM said...

What outfielder failed us? Stanton? I missed it.

Beauregard Jackson Pickett Burnside said...

Ok I can’t read this blog, you’re all way ahead of the radio. Darth Bader he says…! Suzyn had an orgasm.

JM said...

Or did someone make a great catch?

JM said...

Wow. But a dame as emcee... that works. Puts a different spin on "Two Ladies," maybe a little lyric tweak there.

So Judge made a great catch, I take it.

mik said...

Judge made a terrific catch. FUll out DIVE with men on base and held the runners

Beauregard Jackson Pickett Burnside said...

Judge made a flying interception.

HoraceClarke66 said...

Judge did make a great catch. But could not quite catch up to the shot Maldonado hit off the wall to tie the game.

Two outs and two strikes, of course. The Yankees' motto: Never, ever throw a waste pitch.

HoraceClarke66 said...

And now Altuve up, of course. But don't walk him or anything. Oh, no!

HoraceClarke66 said...

Taillon looks like he has nothing.

HoraceClarke66 said...

By the way, I'm for us ALL seceding. 50 separate states, so I never have to watch another of these appalling election ads.

HoraceClarke66 said...

Blake already out to speak to Taillon.

HoraceClarke66 said...

Single, double, walk—all with two out.

HoraceClarke66 said...

Nice throw by Donaldson, pretty much all he can do anymore.

mik said...

"The Yankees' motto: Never, ever throw a waste pitch." - I never noticed that before but you seem to be on to something.

Good play -Rizzo scooped Donaldson's throw

JM said...

Bosch, that sounds interesting. Ulla cannot be played by a less than appealing gal, so she should make a good Sally.

I'm not a big musical fan post-1955 or so, but Cabaret is special.

JM said...

Donaldson has to make a great to throw because it takes him forever to set up.

Doug K. said...

but now donaldson again...

All he needs is contact but he sucks!

Carl J. Weitz said...

When will they smarten up and bench Doneldson?

JM said...

Donaldson sucks.

Rufus T. Firefly said...

Struck out on ball five.

Doug K. said...

this ump sucks.

That said, Astros get guys on the score. We get guys on they die there.

AboveAverage said...

Bad call

JM said...

Can't help having a soft spot for Carp. Hope he can come back and be effective.

But Donaldson sucks.

Platoni said...

Donaldson, AKA Gallo Jr., can go fuck himself

Carl J. Weitz said...

And he's a fucking stupid hitter.

Mildred Lopez said...


Peraza on the rooster, Ralph at SS, and...Donaldson??

Rufus T. Firefly said...

Donaldson needs to have a Mike Andrews injury.

Carl J. Weitz said...

Where's Brian Doyle?

TheWinWarblist said...

I was on a call. What did I miss?

Oasisdave said...

Boone, get smart? Never.. he'll play him till the bitter end

Rufus T. Firefly said...

The home plate ump obviously has money on the ASStros.

AboveAverage said...

Umpire‘s Mother must really be angry at what a bad job her son is doing

AboveAverage said...

Verlander will be 95-105

AboveAverage said...

Stanton!?

TheWinWarblist said...

Suzyn says Stanton broke the wall.

AboveAverage said...

Better than an aneurism!

TheWinWarblist said...

Jameson has thrown 63 pitches through 4 innings.

Rufus T. Firefly said...

Stanton broke a scoreboard panel after a running catch.

AboveAverage said...

Or an aneurysm (thanks autoC)

Rufus T. Firefly said...

Jameson tie-one-on could save the Yankees' season.

Or be someone Yankees fans boo for ever.

AboveAverage said...

Remover this line, Doug?

“I’d rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.”

TheWinWarblist said...

Let's hear for aneurysm!

AboveAverage said...

Wow my autocorrect is in hyperdrive - Not REMOVER - REMEMBER

Rufus T. Firefly said...

Iggy Pop.

Rufus T. Firefly said...

I'd rather have a free bottle in front of me than a pre-frontal lobotomy.

JM said...

Trevino is a waste of at bats.

13bit said...

"Life is what you do while you're waiting to die."

~Zorba the Greek

Doug K. said...

Dorothy Parker?

Also

This ump has called strikes outside the zone - High, low, inside, and outside. It's tough enough facing Varlander without giving him a giant strike zone.

AboveAverage said...

Oh Schit

Kevin said...

Pulling Taillon after 65 pitches? Bullshit, gutless call.

mik said...

Home plate ump must be a Kate Upton fan

JM said...

Whew. That was fucking close.

ranger_lp said...

Big play…

JM said...

My favorite Dorothy quote was when someone came in and said Calvin Coolidge died, and she said, "How can you tell?"

mik said...

Wow, Donaldson looks so lost. Why is he the Yankees 3rd baseman?

Rufus T. Firefly said...

"If you don't have anything nice to say about someone, sit right here next to me!"

"
A martini is nice.
Two at the most.
Three, I'm under the table.
Four, I'm under the host.
"

"Her acting runs the gamut from A to B."

Doug K. said...

JM - Mine was "I know who killed JFK. I'll tell you tomorrow."

JM said...

Fuck

AboveAverage said...

Schit

Kevin said...

Man, Carpenter looks russsssty.... Left-handed or not, he shouldn't be starting.





FUCCCCCCKKKKKKKK!

Joe of AZ said...

Boone taking over management lessons from Dave Roberts

Mildred Lopez said...


Glass half full - Verlasshole has to be about done

Glass half empty - Azztros bullpen good

Glass full, spilled all over the table - Schit sucks

JM said...

Why is Schmidt still in?

JM said...

Ok, he's not.

Pocono Steve said...

That's game. We suck. Good night.

Kevin said...

Well, so much for avoiding the dreaded "third time through the order". FUCK.

Carl J. Weitz said...

Yup, turning game off.

mik said...

These A@@holes celebrate a little too much. Relax you cheating Texas b@st@rds!

TheWinWarblist said...

So this is going great!

Kevin said...

Pulling your pitcher when the bullpen is short and gassed... I don't think that I'm just second-guessing here. Boone should know better, what the fuck could the man be thinking?

ranger_lp said...

Ask Ca$hman about that…

JM said...

Boone is an idiot.

Schmidt got the double play. That should have been it.

13bit said...

Remember, folks: EVERY DAY ABOVE GROUND IS A GOOD DAY!

Carl J. Weitz said...

Can we cancel the Clarke Schmidt experiment now?

mik said...

Jameson Taillon should still have been in the game. The pen is burnt out, Taillon was fresh, what was Boone thinking?

AboveAverage said...

If anyone has Boone’s cell phone number - please send him a text begging him to take Donaldson out of tomorrow’s lineup.

Thank You

Kevin said...

AB, LOL!

mik said...

Custer graduated bottom of his class from West Point, bet he could still out-manage Boone.

HoraceClarke66 said...

I think that "come sit next to me" quote WAS Alice Roosevelt. She had a pillow with that embroidered on it.

JM said...

Montas. Go to bed. We're done.

Rufus T. Firefly said...

Jesus,

Trying to justify the intern's horrible trade deadline deals.

ranger_lp said...

They’re bringing in Montas…wave the white flag…

ranger_lp said...

Great fucking move…

HoraceClarke66 said...

I don't like the whole trend of taking classic plays or movies and just changing the gender of the leads. They're doing that with 1776 over here, and it sounds like a disaster. They cast a handsome Black woman in her 40s as Richard III in Shakespeare in the Park this summer. When she gave her opening monologue, which contains her whole motivation, she of course repeated the original line, "But I who am not shaped for sportive tricks..."

Well, of course you are. You're more fit that anyone else in the damned theatre.

My feeling is, write your own fucking play. Really! There are enormous, untold numbers of great female, Black, Hispanic, etc. stories. Tell those. No need to just stick people in roles written for white men.

JM said...

See ya. And see ya tomorrow.

Nobody is as bad at managing the bullpen as Boone. No...body.

HoraceClarke66 said...

And yeah, pointless to bring in this clown.

Rufus T. Firefly said...

Pointless to have him on the team.

Rufus T. Firefly said...

Boone is trying to lose.

13bit said...

Is anyone here really surprised?

BernBabyBern said...

It's games like this that show just how valuable Mike Stanton and Jeff Nelson were.

BTR999 said...

Boone is nothing more than a shaved ape costumed in a Yankee uniform. Beyond Donaldson, beyond Cashman, beyond Steinbrenne, there is Boone…his affable mask obscuring the true hopeless incompetence that lies beneath. Sickening, yet predictable. Yes, I’ll watch on to the bitter end. My fate as fan.

Kevin said...

Nothing says, "boys, we're gonna lose" like warming up Castro....

Carl J. Weitz said...

How many consecutive games does Donaldson have to strike out 3 times before Boone has a frank discussion with him and say " look Josh, this isn't 2016. You're no longer a home run hitter so don't try to be. Become a contact hitter or be on the bench?"

Rufus T. Firefly said...

I thought the umps that worked the playoffs were supposed to be the good ones?

Rufus T. Firefly said...

Carl,

Do you still believe in the tooth fairy?

Same possibility.

HoraceClarke66 said...

Even Judge looking bad at the plate now.

AboveAverage said...

Awful

HoraceClarke66 said...

Also, since I'm in this bad mood already...is there any athlete on any team in any sport any longer—including ours—who does NOT do an elaborate little celebration when they do the smallest thing well?

I don't mean celebrating a walk-off home run or the like. But just a single or a strikeout brings an avalanche of heart shapes, salutes, knowing signals to teammates, etc. It's silly already.

HoraceClarke66 said...

Nice shot by Rizzo. Gee, too bad that didn't make it 3-2...

HoraceClarke66 said...

Donaldson has enough trouble without the ump giving him trouble.

And now he swings at ball four...

HoraceClarke66 said...

All right! A walk!

HoraceClarke66 said...

Darling saying that, in order to win the World Series this year, a team will have to beat the other team's closer.

Don't know why that follows at all. The key, as it is in the regular season, is to get out in front early, then rely on YOUR closer.

Of course, that's a little difficult for us...

HoraceClarke66 said...

Think Carpenter's not ready yet? I'd say he's not ready yet.

Really no need to play him or Montas in this game. And yet, quite possibly, that's the whole difference.

Joe of AZ said...

Carpenter ain't ready dog... He needs to sit

AboveAverage said...

Castro looked great

Kevin said...

IKF a Gold Glove third baseman? I don't think so. Double-clutches every throw, arm is more suited for second base.

DickAllen said...

It’s not Chinatown Jake. It’s worse than that. It’s Houston.

HoraceClarke66 said...

Awful at-bat by Falafel. Yeah, glad we don't have Correa and/or Machado on this team. Nope, who could use them?

ranger_lp said...

😔

Kevin said...

@Horace, your comments about the petite celebrations are so right on. Call me an old grouch, I remember when touchdown celebration started. I liked it better when it was all about the "Sport" instead of about "ME". Getting old sucks, or maybe watching the end of Men with Balls sucks more.

BTR999 said...

Must agree about all the celebrations. ( Although the NFL is worse. Somebody gets an interception and the whole D has to run to rhe end zone to pose). It's all part and parcel of the modern day athlete. Part of the same mindset that thinks it's not cool (I know they don't use that word) to run hard to First, or even hustle in general. Yeah, we're just a bunch of old school scolds, but it doesn't mean we're wrong,

Meanwhile, buckle up L + G's, this could be a sweep. Could definetly be a sweep.

HoraceClarke66 said...

I know, I loved the old adage, "When you get to the end zone, act like you've been there before." Or the great Jim Brown just dropping the ball to the turf after he had pile-driven about 10 guys to cross the goal line. Or watching Mantle all but race around the bases after hitting one out, so as not to show up the pitcher.

What goes on now, I don't know if it's less macho or more macho. Probably the latter. "In your face"—on every play. And sure, things change, people want to celebrate more, fine.

But the level it's at now...it's so elaborate you get the feeling these guys put as much time into their self-celebrations as they do studying the pitchers they face.



HoraceClarke66 said...

So 17 strikeouts tonight, which is unacceptable. Verlander wasn't even at his best. No control of the strike zone.

An offense that, once again, only knows how to play "Three True Outcomes" baseball. And when the other team's pitchers are NOT walking everybody in sight, and you're NOT getting the calls from the ump...it comes down to Two True Outcomes.

No way they can beat a team this good, playing this way.

TheWinWarblist said...

That was despicable.

HoraceClarke66 said...

Don't you mean, deth-picable?

Oasisdave said...

This team is built to die in the playoffs

Kevin said...

Who believed that the Yankees had a chance against the Braves in the World Series...?

Parson Tom said...

losing sucks

The Hammer of God said...

In a best of 7, you can lose two and still come back to win the series convincingly. '96 Yanks, '81 Dodgers are examples.

Or this might be the Yankee equivalent of Custer's last stand.

Which will it be?

0-2 comebacks can happen, but I'd love to see Yanks win Game 2. But seriously, BaBoone, would you sit Donaldson already.

Carl J. Weitz said...

I just woke up to a 5 dollar bill under my pillow!

The Hammer of God said...

@Carl H. Weitz, Ha Ha, good one, LOL!

Rufus T. Firefly said...

Carl,

Did you leave a ten under your pillow when you when to sleep?