Daily Archives: February 4, 2010

Spring Goodness

by Alex Belth | February 4, 2010 4:00 pm | 14 Comments

The spring crop of baseball books is just around the corner and I’m especially eager to read Howard Bryant’s biography of Hank Aaron. Closer to home, there are two baseballish memoirs of interest, The Cardboard Gods: An All-American Tale Told through Baseball Cards, by former Toaster pal, Josh Wilker, and 90% of the Game Is Half Mental: And Other Tales from the Edge of Baseball Fandom, by our own Emma Span. In a baseball round-up from Library Journal, the word is such on Emma’s book:

A warm and funny memoir (casual swearing included) by freelance writer Span, consisting of separate essay-chapters relating to her own experience of baseball, from her father’s nurture over scorecards, through her time (2006–07) as sportswriter for the Voice, to observations of what the game brings out in all of us around this country and beyond—players, writers, and fans included. This will be especially enjoyed by Span’s twenty-something peers who follow the Mets or Yankees. She has a refreshingly unassuming and appealing voice.

Josh and Emma are not only friends but I think they are two of the most interesting and engaging writers to emerge from the baseball blogosphere. I’m so excited for them both and I hope that their books get the attention and praise they deserve. This is just the first you’ve heard about both projects in this space.

Ya Hoid?

[Photo Credit: ckaroli]

Tasting, Check Three

by Alex Belth | February 4, 2010 1:55 pm | 2 Comments

I am a bona fide vinegar junkie. Much to the wife’s chagrin, I’ve got over a dozen bottles at a time, and can’t keep any of them neat or clean. I’ll cop to it–I’ve got a sticky problem. I denied it for years, but I’m like Pig Pen, man. Emily is always harumphing, “How come this counter is so damn sticky?!” And I shout back, “I wiped it down twice!” Which isn’t always the case, but I usually try to clean after myself a little bit.

Then, one time when she was out of town for a few days, and I was in the apartment and I’ll discovered it for myself–I am sticky. What the hell, dude? I make a mess. Hey, we all have our flaws.

But back to the finer things in life, namely, vinegar. This here is one of my favorite products of all-time, an aged red wine vinegar from Spain.

It is not nearly as distinct and syrupy as aged Balsamic vinegar, but it is a little sweet and mellow. Anyhow, I think it is the bomb and use it constantly. It isn’t cheap, but for twenty bucks it makes a terrific gift. You can buy it here.

Ready to Winn:

“They’re the World Series champions from last year and I have a chance to compete and get some playing time,” Winn said in a phone interview Tuesday night with The Associated Press from the Bay Area where he still lives. “I thought it was a great fit, being a versatile guy who can play all three outfield positions and can hit anywhere in the lineup.”

. . . “This came together quickly. The offseason was slow,” Winn said. “I didn’t really know what to expect. I got calls with interest but no offers.”