Hello out there in cyber world. It has been a while. I've missed a month or so without a single post. Some of you may have even thought I had perished. I'm sorry to disappoint those of you who were hoping, but here I am...though I am no longer a whole man. We'll get to that later...
So SIU had a brief, brief run in the tournament. Played great, shutdown defense all year and then the wily Crimson Tide comes in and scores a couple of crazy buckets late. I can say I was disappointed but I wasn't down on them or anything. They had a good year, but when all the facts are measured, I don't think they had the pure firepower of the team 2 seasons ago. I do have to say that this has been one of the best tournaments in a long time in my lowly opinion. So many games coming down to the last 30 seconds. And really, Xavier, great job. I was wholly impressed by that squad. The two teams I thought had the best shot in the field of 65 are still around and I imagine one of them will walk away with it. Saturday should be quite an interesting night. Gotta root for the Dukies.
The Cubs spring training has been one of the most scrutinized by myself personally in a long, long time. Scott McClain has almost played himself into a spot. Talk about a guy who does just about anything anyone asks. If he could hit 75% this good in a season, there is no way he wouldn't be a 3B or DH for someone. I think Baker will find a way to pinch him off the roster, if only to make room for that all important 12th pitcher (more to come about that). It's too bad though. I'd like to see the guy succeed and if he's going to, I can think of no better place than Clark and Addison.
Twelve pitchers. Lets think about this. The logic is to have that EXTRA arm in the pen...just in case. Our top 4 (w/o Mr Prior) is still the best or second-best in the league. And they average just under 7 innings a start. Now, with Remlinger out...that leaves us Borowski, Mercker, Hawkins, Farnsworth as pen locks. Andy Pratt will likely be there. But then who? Todd Wellemeyer? Bryan Corey? Jimmy Anderson? Michael Wuertz? I mean honestly. Is a 7th pen guy who is below MLB quality better than not having him there? Especially with all the off days in April. Sometimes I really, really question the common sense of baseball "minds". It would be like be like buying 3 BMWs and then getting a Renault...just for fun.
Last Wednesday, I had arthroscopic surgery on my right (throwing) shoulder. I had three tears in my labrum, a sublaxated humerous (shoulder socket was slightly dislocated), and abrasions on my rotator cuff. In a 27 minute procedure, Dr. Thorpe (nice guy) melted my labrum back into place, shrunk the socket, shaved 50% of my right scapular (top of my shoulder blade), and trimmed off the damaged spots of my rotator cuff muscles. There really wasn't any pain upon waking up, but I was quite sore and uncomfortable. My range of motion is currently limited, but I am rehabbing 5 days a week to get back into the swing. I should be able to throw a baseball by June 1st and throw near 100% velocity by July 1st. All I have to show for this entire ordeal are 3 incision areas the size of your pinkie nail. Pretty sweet. Now I have had my first official "baseball" injury and had surgery just like the big boys. But I, unlike Mark Ellis of the A's, will not be out all season.
In Other News...
a) The O'Franken Factor went on the air today. No doubt to rape and pillage the ability to think from some lonely liberals. Im not doubting that this little venture will succeed, I just don't see how it can be any better than a Rush/Sean Hannity from the left...and god, those guys are bad enough.
b) If you ever need a man to save the world. Especially one from the underworld or underground, call
Ron Perlman . The man was first the beast from "Beauty and the Beast" of CBS and "I love the 80's" fame, and now he is "Hellboy". I am pretty sure that if we ever do a movie about Dale R. Wolf, we'll have to cast Mr. Perlman to play the part.
c) I am glad to see Jimmy survived his break. Good job. But please, refrain from being so mean to God. He's a nice guy, I promise.
d) Aramis Ramirez or Corey Patterson. Who's going to have the better year? Any thoughts?
Connemara's Rising is solely a division of David Brunner's Intellectual gifts.
© 2004 David Brunner
