Out In The Sticks
May 26, 2006
By
Michael Rauch
Volume I, Issue VI
Ten Things
1. I don’t know about everyone else, but I’m just about sick of hearing/reading about Barry Bonds. Everyone knows what the issues are and everyone has their own opinions. But do we really need to hear everybody’s opinion every single day? I think not. My pledge to you: No Barry “Out in the Sticks”.
2. Everyone seems to be down on Tigers 1B Chris Shelton fantasy-wise. I’m of a differing opinion. While there is no way he will match his power numbers from April (10 HR, 20 RBI), he has always been a good hitter. While he only has one home run for the month of May, he’s still hitting a respectable .288. And he did hit .299 in 388 at bats in 2005. I would look for him to level off somewhere between his April and May numbers for the rest of the season. Which would not be too shabby.
3. So much for Cole Hamels’ much ballyhooed Major League debut. Sure, he was great in his first game. Then not so much in game two. Now he’s on the DL with a strained left (pitching) shoulder. If everything said and written about him is true, I’m sure he’ll go on to have a successful career, if he can stay healthy. But it was fun to watch all the drooling and clamoring about when it was announced that he would be called up from AAA.
4. I don’t know what the NFL’s big deal is with numbers. If you’re playing an eligible position, then what difference does it make what eligible number you’re wearing. 5, 19, 25, 43, 88. They’re pretty much all the same. They give you the right to be downfield. It’s not even like that is set in stone either. You can have a lineman with a number 50-79 announced as an eligible receiver at any time. Just another stroke of idiocy by the No Fun League.
5. I’m not a big fan of the NBA, but being from Texas I couldn’t help but watch the Dallas/San Antonio series. You know what? I thoroughly enjoyed the series. Every game came down to the wire, with two going into overtime. The basketball was quite good. Shooting was good. Scoring was into triple digits on a regular basis. I thought that maybe I was missing something by not watching more NBA games. Then I watched an Eastern Conference matchup and remembered why I stopped watching the NBA in the first place. I’ll settle for watching the rest of the Mavs/Suns series and leave it at that.
6. You think ESPN’s coverage of the NHL playoffs has been just a tad less than extensive? Could it be because they don’t have a television hockey deal any longer? Throughout the playoffs, ESPN’s coverage has basically gone like this: He shoots. He scores. Team X takes a 2-1 series lead. Now over to Barry Melrose. What did you think of the game, Barry? Well, let me tell you…….Hold on Barry, we’ve got breaking news in tiddlywinks……….
7. Albert Pujols is the man. I know, that’s not exactly breaking news. I just hope he hits 80 this year. And averages 50 for the next 10. You do the math.
8. Can the Royals really be that awful? I guess so. After blowing a 6-0 lead to Detroit on Thursday, they enter the ninth tied 8-8. Then go about giving up five runs and three HR in the top of the inning. Of the collapse, Kansas City manager Buddy Bell said, “We've done this before. This isn't anything new.” The loss was KC’s 13th straight, dropping their season record to a Major League-worst 10-35. Ouch.
9. Matt LeCroy, the Nationals’ third string catcher was pulled in the middle of an inning by manager Frank Robinson after allowing seven stolen bases to the Houston Astros. Robinson took it hard, saying that he didn’t want to embarrass LeCroy. Good thing Robinson doesn’t manage in San Diego. I don’t think Mike Piazza has thrown out anyone in three years.
10. Everybody’s been boo-hooing over the tragic injury that struck Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro in the Preakness. I’m sure there are some with genuine concern for the well-being of the horse, but (and I know this will sound cold) it seems that some are just concerned about the well-being of their pocketbooks. Don’t get me wrong. It was a tragic accident, but a LOT of money has already been spent to keep this horse alive. And for what you may ask? Cold, hard cash.
Recommendation of the Week
Try some new ethnic food. Just got done trying a new Thai restaurant in town. Thai food rocks. Had some Korean fare last weekend. Couldn’t pronounce half of the menu, but, man, was it some tasty treats.
Feature Articles 
Feature Articles: Out In The Sticks
Volume I, Issue VI Ten Things 1. I don’t know about everyone else, but I’m just about...
6. You think ESPN’s coverage of the NHL playoffs has been just a tad less than extensive? Could it be because they don’t have a television hockey deal any longer? Throughout the playoffs, ESPN’s coverage has basically gone like this: He shoots. He scores. Team X takes a 2-1 series lead. Now over to Barry Melrose. What did you think of the game, Barry? Well, let me tell you…….Hold on Barry, we’ve got breaking news in tiddlywinks……….
Yeah revert back to item 1. "Hold on Barry, Barry was just intentionally walked. Let's show you the walk. And the first pitch was well outside. Look at the catcher, he is ten yards away from the batter's box. Is Barry Bonds that dangerous?"