So, I come into the Lot D this morning and I see Ian's blog (which should be a few slots below this one, so I won't link it).  We have been in discussions on the Reds' chances, and we certainly agree if they can get to around .500 by the All-Star break (give or take a game or 2) they could be in striking distance for an NL Wild Card.  Well, it had been a while since I checked the standings but Ian inspired me to do just that, and here is what I come up with:

The Reds are currently 39-46 with 11 games to play til the Break.  For the Reds to get to .500 by the Break, they would have to win 9 of 11...which even the most optimistic of us can admit...ain't gonna happen.  So I have come up with a few eh, trajectories of wins and losses needed to finish out the season to get to certain milestones and possibly put them in the playoffs.

To finish the regular season at .500 (81-81), the Redlegs would have to go 42-35 the rest of the way or play at a .545 clip.  (They are currently playing at a .459 clip).

As Ian pointed out, it doesn't take much to get it done in the N.L. as evidenced by "Last year the best team in the NL was Arizona who finished at .556." -Ian-  OK, so let's forget about the division (because we are not in the West), and let's look at the wildcard.  Assuming the Cubbies and to an extent the Cards tail off a little bit, I will randomly guess the NL best win pct., which should be from the NL Central will be .560.  I think that is a reasonable guess.  Let's say the 2nd place NL Central team will be the wildcard with about a .550 win pct.  Again, I think that is a reasonable guess. Now,

For the Reds to finish with a 89-73 record, which is a .549 win pct., they would have to finish the season 50-27 or play at a .649 clip the rest of the way.  Conclusion being, although the Reds are certainly not mathematically eliminated, it surely looks like they may be done for the season.  Reasons for optimism is we are witnessing the building of a great young team who has to take their knocks in order for them to dominate the NL for years to come!

While I'm here, I guess I might as well recommend a movie, a classic, that until last weekend I had never seen before.  Let me admit upfront, I love musicals, and I know musicals are not the most manly thing to like, but what can I do.  My friend LG suggested we watch it (then she fell asleep), but I was skeptical...but I sat there and after 15 minutes I was enthralled, etc. etc. etc.!

The King and I with Yul Brenner and Deborah Kerr

All I can say is, it is regarded as a classic with good reason.  So if you never saw this one like me, and especially if you dig musicals, this one is for you, and really it is for everybody...etc. etc. etc.!  I give this a "this is one of the ones you HAVE to see as an all-time movie classic."

First it was Moms and now this Independence Day weekend, it will be my 2 youngest children (the Kids) so look for the recap next week!

Peace. 

OK, guys, I normally don't do this (double/triple-blog it), but I spent all that time talking about Moms that I didn't get any sports in.  So, I wanted to drop a few baseball thoughts I had while I was working.

I never heard of the Ohio Cup until today on Lot D...I mean really is there a more meaningless "Cup" out there?  Give me the "Battle of Ohio" (Bengals v. Browns) any day of the week.

The Reds can make their way out of last place with a series win v. the Pirates.  Only problem is, with the Reds winning the series against the Tribe, they are due for a let down.  We all know they are inconsistent, so it is only right we would expect them to get swept by the Pirates.  Well, at least they have a shot to get out of the cellar, and that's all you can ask for, is an opportunity.

I will have one eye on the Reds attempt to escape last place and another eye on the Rays v. Red Sox.  Wow, what a series that should be as the surprising Sunrays take on the new Evil Empire.  I think the Sunrays are the real McCoy, you don't play almost half your games in baseball and have the highest winning percentage in the Bigs without being very good.  Now of course they could tank, but as of right now, they are a team to be reckoned with.

To echo some of your sentiments I've seen in the blogs, MLB needs to do away with fan-voting for the All Star game, which is a popularity contest and tribute to old greats, who the big market teams usually win.  Reason is, not only is it unfair to the players who are truly the best at their respective positions, but home field advantage in the World Series is riding on this thing.  Now considering the Redlegs will be in the World Series next year, it is important the NL win this thing...but with Griffey possibly getting a start (as a nod to 600), and the Cubs, Yanks, and Sox dominating the teams...the best possible team is not being fielded. 

You can't have it both ways MLB, you want interest and ratings, yet you want the game to have meaning.  Let the players and coaches decide who plays, then you will field the best teams and can have the big stakes attached with a clean conscious. 

I used to get mad when the Wizard of Oz was at the tail-end of his career and stealing All-Star starts from Barry Larkin.  Well, now having the best bats and players at each position is even more important than at any other point in the past, so hopefully baseball fixes this.  (I don't have much faith though, considering baseball moves like a tortoise when it comes to change).

Congrats to Spain on the Euro Cup, I know in my sports bar in Brooklyn they said they were going with the sound on Euro Cup as opposed to Mets v. Yankees.  I wonder how that turned out? (I wasn't there but knew of the plan with the sound).

OK, I'm done til later this week, so Lot D, have at it!

  Me and Moms in the lobby of Carnegie Hall.

My Moms came into town this weekend and as I told Chris in Cambridge she did not bring me any of my favorite imports (Skyline, UDF malts or homemade ice cream, Grippo's BBQ chips etc.) but she brought plenty of love.  Her sister and her sister's husband (the Porters), also came in from the Tampa Bay area to see their daughter (my cousin) sing with an ensemble choir and the New England Symphonic Ensemble as they played Carnegie Hall.  During the weekend, we also got to see Thurgood played by Laurence Fishburne in a wonderful one-man-show.  I've got pics as usual and I also have a resteraunet you should not visit in New Jersey and a classic musical I saw for the first time that I will recommend.  Check it out:

  Me and LG, it was her first time meeting Moms and she met my aunt and her husband as well...good impressions all around!

At the Booth Theatre on  45^st,  we saw Thurgood played by Laurence Fishburne.  Laurence successfully carried 1 hr. and 30 mins. of stage time by himself in his Tony-nominated performance. 

Some facts I didn't know about Thurgood:

• He was a self-admitted lush
• He had a "fondness" for the pretty ladies
• His birth name was Thoroughgood, but he shortened it in the 2nd grade
• The rejection, based on his race, of his application to the University of Maryland Law School motivated him to great legal heights in the area of civil rights.

I knew he was a hell of a lawyer fighting hard for civil rights and he was the lawyer who successfully won the Brown v Board of Ed. decision in the Supreme Court in 1954 (which began the long haul effort of de-segregating the U.S.)

  Me and Moms in Junior's, nextdoor to the Booth Theatre.  (Junior's is a Brooklyn institution that in recent years has migrated to Manhattan in Grand Central Terminal and in this location pictured in the Theatre District.  Junior's is best known for their deliscious cheesecake).

  The family in Junior's.

On Sunday we took it Carnegie Hall.  I have to say, living and working in New York for 15 years now, I never stepped foot inside Carnegie Hall, and to say the place was impressive would be an understatement.  These pictures really do it no justice but,

  Outside Carnegie Hall (founded by Andrew Carnegie)

  Inside Carnegie Hall (front to back)

  Perelman Stage in Carnegie Hall

There were 2 choir ensembles performing, one adults, the other, adults and children.  They comprised choirs from all over the country.  My cousin was a part of the Tampa Youth Choir.  Both ensembles were accompanied by the New England Symphonic Ensemble.  There was also a soprano and a baritone soloist.  The adult enemble performed The Magnificat and the mixed enemble of adult and children performed Mass of the Children.  The sounds of the symphony and the beautiful voices (working together, hint hint Chad) was an absolute joy to be witness to.

What a great time to see my Moms.  I hadn't seen her since Thanksgiving so it was truly a blessing for me to spend that time with her.  My Moms always grounds me and pulls me back to the Cincinnati side of my being.  She energizes and inspires me to live up to all that she has taught me to be from my youth.  Always great to see her!

WARNING: If you are in New Jersey, specifically the Jersey Garden Mall in Newark/Elizabeth avoid at all costs the Ruby Tuesday's.  The food was horrendous, I won't get into details but they gave Ruby a bad name.  (The salad bar was the best thing in the place).  I've been to Ruby Tuesday's in Kenwood and that is much much much better and is actually really good.  Stay away from this one in the Jersey Garden Mall however!

Since the blog is soo long already I will forgo recommending the classic movie I saw for the first time until later this week.  Also I will do some sports this week as well, but until then, everybody be good and enjoy your Moms (and Dads), esp. if you live in the same town as her (them)! 

well, to Newark, NJ and Manhattan moreso... She got in last night and is here with her sister (my auntie) and my aunt's husband.  I didn't see them last night because they were delayed getting here (my aunt from Florida and Moms of course from Cincy) and needed to rest up.  I will visit with them tonight for a while this evening.  We are scheduled to go see:

   "Thurgood" starring Laurence Fishburne as the first Black Supreme Court Justice, Thurgood Marshall.

The play is Saturday afternnoon.  Then on Sunday afternoon we are going to see my younger cousin sing in a choir at some venue in NYC (I'm not sure where yet).  The reason I get to go to these great events is because my younger cousin's older brother (my older but still younger cousin) could not make it...so I am taking his place. Thanks, B!

Knicks 1st Round Draft Selection:
Are you serious? 

Black by Popular Demand said in a blog post dated June 18
(http://www.thelotd.com/blackbypopulardemand/blog/2008/06/18/trophy_goes_to_the_toughest_team_all_american_team):

"...and the overall lack of toughness that is a byproduct of a roster that is too international." 

He was referring to the international players on LA's squad, but I think it applies to international players in general.  They are soft.  Sooooo the Knickerbockers (my adopted B-ball team) goes out and drafts:

    Danilo Gallinari, a 19 year-old player from the Italian pro league.

To be sure, the kid is talented, but the Knicks need tough defensive minded players first as a foundation to any success (like the Knicks of the 90's).  See the Celtics (pronounced Keltics) for reference and what they did to these international players.  The Knicks needed a 6-10 shooter like they need Stephon Marbury.  (BTW I commend Marbury on making his Starbury sneakers/gymshoes for poorer kids to be able to afford.  It is great work on his part).

Now, the international game is a different ballgame from the NBA with different rules.  We can debate all day about our NBA boys losing the past decade in international games, but I am talking about the NBA game right now.  When it comes down to it, the players who D up and get it done in the playoffs are American.  If the draft was so weak the Knicks should have traded down to get quantity since the quality was not there. 

Here is the kicker in this sorted tale.  When they first announced the hiring of D'Antoni as head coach, I thought, "that's interesting, considering he comes from a team who didn't play defense (the Suns)."  I'm sorry but Defense wins Championships...again see the Celtics (pronounced Keltics).  Now it ends up D'Antoni played with Danilo's dad, Vittorio, in the Italian pro league in the late 70's and early 80's.  They roomed together for 9 years, won 4 Italian league titles, and 2 Euroleague titles.  If this was politics, we'd be calling for D'Antoni's resignation...but alas, this is the Knicks...when do the Nets get to Brooklyn?

Sidenote:  (My luck in rooting for sports franchises since 2000-once you throw the Knicks into the equation-is horrendous.  Chriminies, I'm a Bengal/Reds/Knicks fan.  This has to be the worst combo and win loss pct. since 2000 on the planet).

Just a quick note on stirrups.  I was looking at a bit of the Pirates v Yankees game Wednesday night, and the right fielder for the Pirates just looked like a ballplayer.  It was because he had on a beautiful pair of black stirrups.  Please Major Leaguers, with those long pants, you look sloppy and lazy and apathetic (which I think a lot of them may be anyway).  Please wear stirrups and Mr. Selig, please make stirrups mandatory!

  What a baseball uni should look like.

   The sloppy and aloof look, perfect for Adam Dunn.

I will be recommending some quircky independent type movie next week...it's been a while.

Have a great weekend everybody!