Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
I was on the Upper West Side last night and walked through my father's old neighborhood. It's funny how quiet Broadway can get in spots in the high 80s and 90s. It almost feels desolate at times. But when the traffic has ceased temporarily, there is a stillness that falls over the streets, that is welcoming. You can still hear a hum of noise, and then a stray siren in the distance or a horn from the upper floors of a nearby apartment building.
I thought I heard a familiar tune as I crossed 96th street but wasn't aware of it until I got to the next block and saw a man in a beret and an overcoat playing a flute. Just outside of what used to be the Wiz. And now--I didn't notice--I still don' think anything is in that spot, making it even more isolated. There was a Beatles songbook on a music stand in front of him. The flute case was open at his feet (red velvet) and he was playing "And I Love Her," almost painfully slowly; the mournful sound of his instrument echoed throughout the vicinity. I could still hear him playing, faintly, fading, several blocks away.
I stopped in at Sal and Carmine's on 101rst street for a couple of slices. Sal and Carmine's is my childhood pizza jernt--though they used to be in another spot---and I still go back when I can. Sal and Carmine are both old, wrinkled and cranky, but they warm up to you if they know you a little bit. The pizza is too salty but I love it. I prefer my slices lukewarm when I'm on the go. I finished one of them when I got the 103rd street subway station and then started to dog the second one as I waited on the platform for an uptown train. I was thinking of you guys. Dag, I better house this slice, I can't get on a train with food after my rant this morning. The slices didn't give off any smell becaue they were cold, but that made the dough doughier and harder to chew. When the train came, I was down to the crust, but my jaw was killing me (only one other thing I can think of can make your jaw ache like that--think Shelley Duvall and Woody in Annie Hall).
Yo, Royals fans must be pleased, huh? And why not? Their team has handled the slow, old guys from New York for two consecutive days and they are going for the sweep tonight. Andy Pettitte is sure to hear it but good from them. He'll need to get used to it, of course but I doubt he'll be bothered by it.
I know I sound like a broken record, but I feel good about the bats tonight. Something's gotta give.
The ways of your mind must be tortuous ones indeed, or I may be obtuse, or both, but that was one non-sequitur of an All in the Family clip.
But whatever, it was great. I felt like a kid again, it's been a long time.
Let's go, Pett! No peeves tonight, baby!
Archie Bunker was such an iconic figure to me that I invoked him in my college admissions essay.
Ah, the good old days.
Of course, Like Mike, he can't hit for the guys too, so they'd best score some fucking runs.
i am really looking forward to tonight's game, man... we need this one. rain gods, you hearin' me? bugger off!
You hear that, Jason?
It's really not rocket science, ffs.
My thoughts now are all sarcastic, along the lines of, "Oh, have a plane to catch now, have we?"
And again! (to German)
And again! (to Teahen)
These umps are unreal.
I've not seen it yet.
We'll see...
Ok, this is our game now.
I mean it, you watch.
"The Yanks found an MRI machine in Kansas City and got Derek Jeter inside it. It was simply a precaution, and the results were about what everyone expected. Jeter has a mild quad strain. The location is high and medial, near where many might call it a groin injury, but the images did show that it's a small, Grade I+ tear in his quad. Jeter's first step has never been his strength, but this is the type of thing where his "baseball IQ" should help."
And the first pitch to Gload. I don't care if he's being consistent or not, that damn pitch is NOT a strike (pet peeve). Why won't these umps call the strike zone properly?
And speaking of just lost at the plate, JD doesn't even look like a major leaguer. Hope it's just a slump.
82 And the first pitch to AG.
61 Abreu is first on the team in AVG, Matsui 2nd, Molina 3rd. AG was tied with Abreu until that last PA.
Nice job, Melk!
Wow, I'm impressed. If Melky hits like this the rest of the season it could definitely be a breakout. That was impressive.
We're starting to get a huge lightning storm about 5 miles to the west. When it starts raining here, it'll be about 5-10 minutes from Kaufmann.
Sigh.
104 German is the one guy on this team who, prior to this year, has a history of actually walking.
K then GIDP?
He didn't K, and that's good enough for me.
But hey, the Yanks have a lead!
I wonder if that means Andy is toast.
If Pettitte doesn't come back, and they play a full 9 innings, the pen will be OK. Say Ohlendorf for a couple, Hawkins for one, Joba for two, and Mo for one to close it out. Traber could probably come pitch to one lefty if needed too.
Gosh, a bunt just to get to Damon? I think I have more faith in AG at the moment
OK MVP, do yer thing here (that is, don't make a damned out!)
105 And the 1st pitch to Molina - over the plate, ball. 4th pitch, almost the exact same location, called strike.
Seems to have packed on quite a few pounds.
Maybe because it's Nomo?
The Yankees have some pretty fancy non-pitching arms. I'm sure Arod, Melky and Molina could light up the gun.
Salty, my ass -- it's the best pizza in New York. And I don't say that lightly....
Comment status: comments have been closed. Baseball Toaster is now out of business.