Sudan Veep dies

Sudan's Vice-President John Garang, a former rebel leader, is killed in a helicopter crash, a UN official in Sudan says.

For more details: http://www.bbcnews.com

 

Hmmm.  It's always nerve-wracking when a high official dies in Africa.  Almost every country there is on a wafer-thin line of stability to begin with.  I wonder if this was an accident, or if Darfur played into it...

Livan

July 31, 2005
Washington 4, Florida 2 at Dolphins Stadium

Winning pitcher - Livan Hernandez (13-4)
Losing pitcher - Brian Moehler (6-8)
SV - Chad Cordero (35)

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Washington	0	0	1	0	2	0	0	0	1		4	11	0
Florida	1	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0		2	11	0

HR: WSH: N. Johnson (9) FLA:
Washington Record: (56-49)

Next Game: Aug 02, 2005 07:05 PM ET vs. Dodgers

He...shall...be...Li...vaaaaaaaannnnn! He even had an RBI after the dumbass on the mound walked Guzman to load 'em up. How do decide to walk Guzman? He's not even a threat to a Brownie Troop Team at this point. Sheesh.

FINALLY another W. And a homer for Nick. Finally getting some good karma at 1st base again.

SO glad to see this. Unfortunately, Atlanta beat the Bucs tonight, too. Didn't gain any ground.

I'll take this as a tip-toe into a brighter August. Next up: Loaiza hosting Weaver and the LADs at RFK Tuesday night. Weaver's 8-8, Este's 6-6.

New Owner "To-Do List"

The Capitol Punishment DC Baseball Blog has a great rant up about the state of the team...which hasn't done much right since the first week in July.

When you get down to it...the team is still an improvement over any team DC has had in 33 years. I don't even live there and I appreciate that.

And for cryin' out loud...we're talking about last year's Montreal Expos. This has been a great year when you consider THAT...

Planet X Lives!

Astronomers in the United States have announced the discovery of the 10th planet to orbit our Sun.

(It's so far out there, it might possibly be colder than my ex-wife sounds on the phone...)

The Road From Bristol

Download the .pdf of the bracket for the tournament that's determined to reveal the most annoying talking head on ESPN.

Is it petty to rattle off the shortcomings of the ESPN staff? Of course. It's also fun.

I'm sure I'd be pretty close to the top of the list of annoying radio people in South Bend, too. I can live with that.

He has spoken.

(thip!)

July 30, 2005
Washington 0, Florida 3 at Dolphins Stadium

Winning pitcher - A.J. Burnett (8-6)
Losing pitcher - John Patterson (4-3)
SV - Todd Jones (20)

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Washington	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	4	1
Florida	0	1	0	0	0	1	1	0	X		3	7	1

Washington Record: (55-49)

Next Game: Jul 31, 2005 01:05 PM ET vs. Marlins

I suppose I could be happy that it wasn't another One-Run loss.

But I won't. My old team clobbered my new team again. The Expos are back, baby!

Then again, there's this:

But there also is this pleasant aura that has persisted the entire season that probably produces feelings of guilt when anger and frustration surface. After all, there is major league baseball in Washington, and good or bad it's better than the vacuum that existed here for 33 seasons. Like Mama said, the next best thing to playing and winning is playing and losing.

Skipping Record

One run victory.  For the other guys.  Yadda yadda yadda.

July 29, 2005
Washington 3, Florida 4 at Dolphins Stadium

(thip!)

 

July 28, 2005
Washington 4, Atlanta 5 at Turner Field

 

(thip!)

 

July 27, 2005
Washington 3, Atlanta 4 at Turner Field

 

(thip!)

 

July 26, 2005
Washington 2, Atlanta 3 at Turner Field

 

(thip!)

 

And the stylus bounces merrily across the same segment of the 2005 season soundtrack...

NHL thread on Fark

(to read later)

Brooms out in Atlanta

Taped it. Watched it with the wife. She did the Tomahawk a few times. Still love her anyway.

July 28, 2005
Washington 4, Atlanta 5 at Turner Field

Winning pitcher - Jorge Sosa (6-1)
Losing pitcher - Ryan Drese (7-10)
SV - Chris Reitsma (12)

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Washington	0	0	0	0	1	1	2	0	0		4	10	2
Atlanta	0	0	1	3	0	1	0	0	X		5	10	0

HR: WSH: J. Vidro (6) ATL: J. Francoeur (5)
Washington Record: (55-47)

Next Game: Jul 29, 2005 07:35 PM ET vs. Marlins

Upcoming Home Games:
vs. Dodgers, Aug 02, 2005 07:05 PM ET

Nats get swatted again

Didn't get this one added last night...was busy finishing Harry Potter VI.

July 27, 2005
Washington 3, Atlanta 4 at Turner Field

Winning pitcher - Dan Kolb (3-6)
Losing pitcher - Gary Majewski (2-2)
SV - Chris Reitsma (11)

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Washington	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0		3	7	1
Atlanta	0	0	0	2	0	0	1	1	X		4	9	2

HR: WSH: ATL: M. Giles (8)
Washington Record: (55-46)

Next Game: Jul 28, 2005 01:05 PM ET vs. Braves

That's the series. 0-2 with one to go, the only televised one. VCR poised for Noon today, so I can witness the bleeding somewhere other than SportsCenter...

Kim, of course, is so sad for me...

Dilger retires

Another Buc hits the road as our team's average age approaches that of the Rolling Stones.

After 10 seasons, former Pro Bowl tight end Ken Dilger has decided to retire.

Indian Oil Platform Fire

A fire is raging at an oil drilling platform off the coast of India, with fears that at least 150 people may be trapped.

For more details: http://www.bbcnews.com

 

What a sobering headline to read in the morning...

YYYYEEEEESSSSSS!!!

The Colorado Avalanche said today they plan to honor the contracts of Joe Sakic and Rob Blake, two of the core players for the perennial Stanley Cup contenders whose futures were in limbo.

Worse yet...

...it's another extra-innings loss...

Sounds like Livan had a good outting in eight innings, but that bullpen is murder. Will have to watch BT on ESPN. I guess a Harry Potter break tonight would be acceptable...

July 26, 2005
Washington 2, Atlanta 3 at Turner Field

Winning pitcher - Chris Reitsma (3-2)
Losing pitcher - Mike Stanton (1-3)

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Washington	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0		2	8	0
Atlanta	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1		3	8	0

	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18		R	H	E
Washington	0										2	8	0
Atlanta	1										3	8	0

HR: WSH: ATL: A. LaRoche (14)
Washington Record: (55-45)

Next Game: Jul 27, 2005 07:05 PM ET vs. Braves

Irene

For further review.  Provided by The Dark Lord.

Movin' To Montana Soon. Gonna Be A Dental Floss Tycoon

2005/07/26 04:08 M 5.6 WESTERN MONTANA Z= 5km 45.40N 112.55W

This information is provided by the USGS
National Earthquake Information Center.
(Address problems to: sedas@ghtmail.cr.usgs.gov)

These parameters are preliminary and subject to revision.

A magnitude 5.6 earthquake IN WESTERN MONTANA has occurred at:
45.40N 112.55W Depth 5km Tue Jul 26 04:08:36 2005 UTC

Time:
Universal Time (UTC) Tue Jul 26 04:08:36 2005
Time Near Epicenter Mon Jul 25 22:08:36 2005
Central Daylight Time (CDT) Mon Jul 25 23:08:36 2005

Location with respect to nearby cities:
20 km (15 miles) NNE of Dillon, Montana (pop 3,700)
65 km (40 miles) S of Butte, Montana (pop 33,000)
75 km (45 miles) ESE of Wisdom, Montana (pop 100)
140 km (85 miles) SSW of HELENA, Montana (pop 25,000)

For maps, additional information, and subsequent updates,
please consult: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/

Day off for the Nats

...and Wil Cordero was let go.

Here's hopin' a change at first will be the boost the Nats need.

I had no idea his batting average was so low (.119) and I hope his salary makes room for a bigger bat. Look at the freakin' guns on this guy. His arms look like a damn Popeye cartoon. You would think he'd be able to hit a ball those things. But he has the same number of home runs this season that I have. And I'm not even playing.

El Hombre due on the mound tomorrow night for the series opener in Atlanta. Vital series. I hope he has his head back where it needs to be. I want the Livan back that pitched ten straight wins. I know he's in there. He's not that old.

Shit, Fan. Fan, Shit. I'll let you two catch up.

TEAMSTERS, SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION BREAK AWAY FROM AFL-CIO

 

Headline sent to me by Fox News a few minutes ago.

No One Here Gets Out Alive

LOS ANGELES -- Two of three original members of the classic rock group The Doors have been ordered not to tour under the name The Doors or The Doors of the 21st Century.

Jesus, John...just ask 'em for money.

Nicobar Islands Again

2005/07/25 03:26 M 5.6 NICOBAR ISLANDS, INDIA REGION Z= 10km 8.09N 91.91E

This information is provided by the USGS
National Earthquake Information Center.
(Address problems to: sedas@ghtmail.cr.usgs.gov)

These parameters are preliminary and subject to revision.

A magnitude 5.6 earthquake IN THE NICOBAR ISLANDS, INDIA REGION has occurred at:
8.09N 91.91E Depth 10km Mon Jul 25 03:26:14 2005 UTC

Time:
Universal Time (UTC) Mon Jul 25 03:26:14 2005
Time Near Epicenter Mon Jul 25 09:26:14 2005
Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) Sun Jul 24 23:26:14 2005

Location with respect to nearby cities:
160 km (100 miles) W of Misha, Nicobar Islands, India (pop N/A)
405 km (250 miles) SSW of Port Blair, Andaman Islands, India
1125 km (700 miles) WSW of BANGKOK, Thailand
2745 km (1700 miles) SE of NEW DELHI, Delhi, India

For maps, additional information, and subsequent updates,
please consult: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/

55-44 & Still Tied For 1st

July 24, 2005
Houston 4, Washington 1 at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium

Winning pitcher - Russ Springer (3-3)
Losing pitcher - Hector Carrasco (3-3)
SV - Brad Lidge (23)

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Houston	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0		4	10	1
Washington	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0		1	4	0

	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18		R	H	E
Houston	0	0	0	0	3						4	10	1
Washington	0	0	0	0	0						1	4	0

HR: HOU: E. Bruntlett (2) WSH:
Washington Record: (55-44)

Next Game: Jul 26, 2005 07:35 PM ET vs. Braves

 

No need to be discouraged.  It's just a rough patch.  Crucial Braves series begins tomorrow.

NHL Is Official Now

Commissioner Gary Bettman said the action "signals a new era" for the league, promising "an era of unparalleled excitement and entertainment for our fans."

Yo, Barry...

...get back to work!

Fear Of Terrorism

Another day, another truck bomb in Iraq that kills 22 people.

A man from Brazil shot down cold in the London Tubes because he ran from the police.

Two attacks in London and the entire world is quivering again, and with good reason.

Iraq...well, that's something that has to be worked out in ways we aren't prepared to do. As for the unfortunate shooting in London...both sides were in the wrong there. But when the London Subway becomes an explosive video game with real casualties...you have to do what you have to do to protect the multitude. There have to be limits, but men hopefully wiser than I have to find the lines.

Andaman Sea

Another biggin', about 90 minutes ago:

2005/07/24 15:42 M 7.0 NICOBAR ISLANDS, INDIA REGION Z= 10km 7.93N 92.15E

This information is provided by the USGS
National Earthquake Information Center.
(Address problems to: sedas@ghtmail.cr.usgs.gov)

These parameters are preliminary and subject to revision.

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake IN THE NICOBAR ISLANDS, INDIA REGION has occurred at:
7.93N 92.15E Depth 10km Sun Jul 24 15:42:05 2005 UTC

Time: Universal Time (UTC) Sun Jul 24 15:42:05 2005
Time Near Epicenter Sun Jul 24 21:12:05 2005
Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) Sun Jul 24 11:42:05 2005
Central Daylight Time (CDT) Sun Jul 24 10:42:05 2005
Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) Sun Jul 24 09:42:05 2005
Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) Sun Jul 24 08:42:05 2005
Alaska Daylight Time (ADT) Sun Jul 24 07:42:05 2005
Hawaii Standard Time (HST) Sun Jul 24 05:42:05 2005

Location with respect to nearby cities:
135 km (85 miles) W of Misha, Nicobar Islands, India (pop N/A)
420 km (260 miles) S of Port Blair, Andaman Islands, India
1110 km (690 miles) SW of BANGKOK, Thailand
2775 km (1720 miles) SE of NEW DELHI, Delhi, India

For maps, additional information, and subsequent updates,
please consult: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/

The Indian/Indonesian Region, if you follow these things, gets hit by a 5.0 or bigger every day, sometimes twice.

RFK Stadium And The Modern Homerun

The "Nasty Nats" blog-guy has posted an absolutely FASCINATING article about the HR shortcomings of RFK. Nice work indeed. Neat to read if you're into architecture and the sciences behind the game.

Go.

Nats Win!

July 23, 2005
Houston 2, Washington 4 at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium

Winning pitcher - Tony Armas (5-4)
Losing pitcher - Brandon Backe (8-7)
SV - Chad Cordero (34)

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Houston	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0		2	4	0
Washington	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	X		4	7	0

HR: HOU: L. Berkman (9) WSH:
Washington Record: (55-43)

Next Game: Jul 24, 2005 01:05 PM ET vs. Astros

Sweet Tapdancing Christ

This could be so much uglier.

 

I'm not entirely sure HOW, but it could.

 

July 22, 2005
Houston 14, Washington 1 at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium

Winning pitcher - Roger Clemens (8-4)
Losing pitcher - Ryan Drese (7-9)

 

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Houston	2	0	1	0	0	1	4	4	2		14	19	0
Washington	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0		1	6	1

HR: HOU: M. Ensberg (26) M. Lamb (5) WSH:
Washington Record: (54-43)

Next Game: Jul 23, 2005 07:05 PM ET vs. Astros

Godzilla wakes

Pretty damn close to Tokyo...

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake NEAR THE S. COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN has occurred at:
35.47N 139.96E Depth 75km Sat Jul 23 07:34:58 2005
UTCTime: Universal Time (UTC) Sat Jul 23 07:34:58 2005
Time Near Epicenter Sat Jul 23 16:34:58 2005
Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) Sat Jul 23 03:34:58 2005
Location with respect to nearby cities:
30 km (20 miles) SE of TOKYO, Japan (pop 7,967,000)
110 km (70 miles) SSW of Mito, Honshu, Japan (pop 246,000)
130 km (80 miles) E of Kofu, Honshu, Japan (pop 201,000)
130 km (80 miles) SE of Maebashi, Honshu, Japan (pop 284,000)
For maps, additional information, and subsequent updates,please consult: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/

Livan determined

Found this post from one of my fellow fans while perusing the NatFanatics forum today, eating my lunch:

I was caught in traffic getting to the ball park and heard the pre-game interview with Livan. He said it was one reporter from ESPN last night that took what he said out of context. It was probably 100 degrees on the field at game time last night. I'd bet after it was over he was exhausted, dehydrated and frustrated over the loss. He said tonight, I'm not about to quit on this team. We're not done yet and we're going to win this division. No way I am going to quit on my teammates here, we are together. I was glad to hear it from his mouth. These are frustrating times. Lets hope we can stop leaving so many men on base and cease with the dumb base running.
Go Nats

Go Nats indeed. Livan may not be the most stable molecule in the project, but anyone can have a bad night and say the wrong thing at the wrong time to the wrong guy.

We need FIRE. Livan had it in spades in the first half. He can get it back. We need one more pitcher, and one more bat, and we could do some real damage to the NL East...

12.31.78

I just slid my way into a used copy of The Closing Of Winterland by The Grateful Dead today. All 4 CDs, in pristine condition, with some fabulous liner notes and great pictures that do a small part to put you in the scene.

Five hours of live Dead. A mammoth marathon of a concert, saying goodbye to a place they had played 58 times before (comprising roughly 10% of the rock concerts played there). So much Dead that I still haven't heard it all yet.

I'd love to find a few deadheads to gather additional opinions from , since I love to absorb the voice of experience...but I'll firmly stand on the opinion that this is one of the best albums these guys could ever have possibly recorded.

Musically, the band is tighter than Clear Channel's wallet, and the lineup is superb, giving us the Godchaux pair and including something I'd never heard before, a song where Donna Jean sang lead. Really well, too. From what I've been able to ascertain about the Dead, this was the last gasp of the strong lineups, right after Shakedown Street.

The usual vocal missteps are far less frequent, and Garcia's pipes in particular sound unusually strong. "St. Stephen" sounds laid back, but sturdy. "Terrapin Station" is in full peacock mode despite being shorter rather than longer, and when they kick into "Dark Star", which they hadn't touched in San Francisco for nearly five years, the crowd reaction gave me a chill. And I dare say "Good Lovin'" sounds better than it did on Shakedown.

A fabulous find indeed.

Too little too late

Guillen & Wilson scored in the bottom of the ninth, but the damage was already done.

The Braves and Nats are now tied for the division lead. 54-42.

Livan pulls our legs

Oh, what a funny, funny man that Eisler Livan Hernandez is.

Flipping out after last night's crucial game, which he'd had won for a while, where he plunked 4 batters and gave up a crucial home run. Being pissed off about something unspecified. Telling us he's done. 99% certain he won't pitch again.

"It's not the doctors,'' Hernandez said. "It's me. I'm the doctor. I don't need it, but I'm going to'' have an operation.

Comedy GOLD!

And back down again

July 20, 2005
Colorado 3, Washington 2 at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium

Winning pitcher - Jason Jennings (6-9)
Losing pitcher - Livan Hernandez (12-4)
SV - Brian Fuentes (14)

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Colorado	0	0	0	0	1	2	0	0	0		3	9	1
Washington	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0		2	8	0

HR: COL: J. Closser (6) WSH:
Washington Record: (54-41)

Next Game: Jul 21, 2005 07:05 PM ET vs. Astros

I followed the game online. Once El Hombre plunked four and gave up that homer, I knew we were dead.

James Doohan died this morning

...and in the course of researching some good audio for my show, I stumbled upon this site, to be reviewed later.

Happy Birthday, Mighty Pete

The greatest Hockey Player in the goddamn world turns 32 today.

With any luck at all, he'll walk away from his old MoDo team in Sweden...and his new modelling career...and come back to wear THIS again.

But I doubt it.

"54-40 or fight!"

July 19, 2005
Colorado 0, Washington 4 at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium

Winning pitcher - John Patterson (4-2)
Losing pitcher - Shawn Chacon (1-6)
SV - Chad Cordero (33)

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Colorado	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	4	1
Washington	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	X		4	10	0

Washington Record: (54-40)

Next Game: Jul 20, 2005 07:05 PM ET vs. Rockies

And lo, the Capitol Hill Gang finally pulled themselves out of their misery and played like men, instead of a bridge club full of blue-haired old ladies.

And there was much rejoicing.

And for at least one more day...we held off Hotlanta.

.

July 18, 2005
Colorado 5, Washington 4 at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium

Winning pitcher - Jose Acevedo (1-0)
Losing pitcher - Chad Cordero (2-2)
SV - Brian Fuentes (13)

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Colorado	1	0	0	0	1	2	0	0	1		5	9	3
Washington	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0		4	9	3

Washington Record: (53-40)

Next Game: Jul 19, 2005 07:05 PM ET vs. Rockies

Just "." And maybe a for good measure...

Great ads

...allegedly from British Newspapers.

Damnit!

July 17, 2005
Washington 3, Milwaukee 5 at Miller Park

Winning pitcher - Tomo Ohka (6-4)
Losing pitcher - Ryan Drese (7-8)
SV - Derrick Turnbow (19)

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Washington	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0		3	5	2
Milwaukee	2	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	X		5	8	1

HR: WSH: J. Guillen (19) MIL:
Washington Record: (53-39)

Next Game: Jul 18, 2005 07:05 PM ET vs. Rockies

A series at Colorado, home of the home run and land of crappy baseball, would be the shot it the arm these guys could use.

Too bad this series is at RFK (did I just say that? Hasn't this road trip been long and painful ENOUGH?!?). We gotta snap out of this losing streak.

Good to see Jose hit his 19th dinger on the year. His bat is still awake, at least.

We need a huge blowout of somebody to get the blood pumping again. The Rockies are perfect for that...

NHL Column By Matt Canamucio

A read for later, just clearing it out of my queue for now, posting it here in case it has merit.

Finally grabbed one from the Brew Crew

July 16, 2005
Washington 5, Milwaukee 3 at Miller Park

Winning pitcher - Esteban Loaiza (6-5)
Losing pitcher - Ricky Bottalico (2-2)
SV - Chad Cordero (32)

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
Washington	0	1	0	1	0	1	2	0	0		5	8	0
Milwaukee	0	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	0		3	8	0

HR: WSH: J. Vidro (5) MIL:
Washington Record: (53-38)

Next Game: Jul 17, 2005 02:05 PM ET vs. Brewers

About freakin' time. Let's get one more tomorrow and split the series, boys. Nice to see Milwaukee unable to score in the bottom third of the game. Bullpen waking up under Chad. Still worried about it being too thin, though...

More on the Nats loss tonight...

Word around the campfire is that it was on a bullshit balk call.

F'n Brilliant Website

"Our task is simple: to determine, via a time-tested method (the 64-team elimination tournament as seen in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, which ESPN used to show in its pre-sucking days) which ESPN broadcasting personality is the most totally loathsome and most deserves to suffer permanent paralysis of the vocal cords."

Gotta see how this turns out.

The premise: in a style similar to March Madness...a tournament to determine which Talking Head on ESPN is the most irritating of them all.

C'mon, Screamin' A. Smith. Although two of the other #1 seeds (Stuart Scott, Dick Vitale) would also be a strong winner. Chris Berman is on the list, but he's a harmless cartoon.

Wither, Bullpen?

July 15, 2005 Washington 3, Milwaukee 4 at Miller Park Winning pitcher - Julio Santana (2-3) Losing pitcher - Luis Ayala (7-6) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Washington 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 11 1 Milwaukee 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 4 10 1 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 R H E Washington 0 3 11 1 Milwaukee 1 4 10 1 HR: WSH: B. Wilkerson (6) MIL: C. Lee (23) Washington Record: (52-38) Next Game: Jul 16, 2005 07:05 PM ET vs. Brewers Didn't we used to have a bullpen that could pull off the late innings? OK, so we didn't. But didn't we have one that used to act like they could?