Blog Archives

Over at the Baseball Analysts, Jeremy Greenhouse takes a look at three pitchers who possess another gear.

Breakfast with Bob.

From the stellar 1966 Playboy Interview:

PLAYBOY: Some of your old fans would agree with you – and not in a complimentary vein – since your debut with the rock-‘n’-roll combo at last year’s Newport Folk Festival, where many of them booed you loudly for “selling out” to commercial pop tastes. The early Bob Dylan, they felt, was the “pure” Bob Dylan. How do you feel about it?

DYLAN: I was kind of stunned. But I can’t put anybody down for coming and booing: after all, they paid to get in. They could have been maybe a little guieter and not so persistent, though. There were a lot of old people there, too; lots of whole families had driven down from Vermont, lots of nurses and their parents, and well, like they just came to hear some relaxing hoedowns, you know, maybe an Indian polka or two. And just when everything’s going all right, here I come on, and the whole place turns into a beer factory. There were a lot of people there who were very pleased that I got booed. I saw them afterward. I do resent somewhat, though, that everybody that booed said they did it because they were old fans.

PLAYBOY: What about their charge that you vulgarized your natural gifts?

DYLAN: What can I say? I’d like to see one of these so-called fans. I’d like to have him blindfolded and brought to me. It’s like going out to the desert and screaming and then having little kids throw their sandbox at you. I’m only 24. These people that said this – were they Americans?

The great Ted Berg talks Red Sox:

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Bad break for the Sox today, as they’ve lost Kevin Youkilis for the rest of the season.

Steve Lombardi thinks the Red Sox might thrive despite the loss because Josh Beckett is back; over at the Boston Globe, however, Bob Ryan says there is no way the Sox can overcome this one:

The Twins beat the Rays this afternoon, putting the Yanks back in first by a half-a-game.

[Picture by Bags]

The Beat Conductor vs Metal Face:

David Lebovitz, you’re a good man.

Here, he hips us to RUB barbeque. Many thanks. Looks like one is worth a try.

Short schedule here at the Banter this morning with an afternoon game on the schedule. Man, I’m still cranky about the past few days. Two hits last night? Got to be kidding me, man.

Feelin’ just ornery enough for some Cube–what up Loc?:

Let’s hope this ain’t no real skid here, and just an old-fashioned two-game losing streak. Either way, the Boss would not be pleased…

Time for the Yanks answer last night’s ass-whuppin’ with one of their own.

Never mind the formalities: Let’s Go Yan-Kees!

(I was fool enough to call Alex Rodriguez’s 600th last week so what do I know; don’t know if he’ll get it tonight but it says here the Big Puma will have a big game.)

[Drawing by Larry Roibal]

Sorry I forgot to pass this along when it came out. The Times’ review of David Chang’s new midtown spot:

It is a strange feeling, sitting in Má Pêche on a Friday night, well underneath Midtown in the basement of the Chambers Hotel, Modest Mouse playing at half volume on the stereo system as people drink wine and talk and stab at sticky pork ribs with chopsticks. The seats at the restaurant have backs to them. They are comfortable. There is plenty of space.

There is nothing like this at the other restaurants in David Chang’s four-restaurant Momofuku confederation — of which Má Pêche is the newest, the largest and the first not located in the East Village. There is no extra space in the other Momofuku restaurants at all, no real creature comforts beyond the food and the service. There are just counters, nooks, sharp corners and little chance for intimate conversation, even at Momofuku Ko, which flies the standard of excellence for them all. (There, you just stare at the chefs and wait for the magic.)

Got to be a worth a try, no?

[Photo Credit: Oyster Locals]

It’s gunna be a slow day, bloggin’ at the Banter. So here’s some stuff to look at…

Flix by Bags.

The Rays have pulled even with the Yanks in first place in the AL East. It was a long, clammy night in the Bronx. AJ Burnett looked okay through the first four innings. Then it all went to hell in the fifth and when the dust cleared Burnett was headed to the showers and the Jays had eight runs on the board.

The Yanks were not out of it, though; two-run homers by Nick Swisher and Mark Teixiera, kept them alive. Derek Jeter had a couple of hits, and Lance Berkman collected his first RBI in pinstripes. But pinch-hitter Austin Kearns, representing the tying run, struck-out looking to end the eighth. Swisher hit a long solo homer in the ninth and Alex Rodriguez came up for the fifth time, now truly swallowed-up in a slump (soft ground balls, swinging through pitches). He grounded out to end the game and you could hear some fans groan.

The Yankees’ bullpen was good but the offense didn’t have enough to survive Burnett.

Yeah, not a happy night.

Final Score: Jays 8, Yanks 6.

[Photo Credit: Kathy Willens/AP]

Balsamic Strawberry Jam.

Yes, please.

From the Savory Sweet Life (thanks to Saveur for the link).

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Wait, it’s Monday isn’t it? Dag, I’s still feelin’ lazy.

I’ll never get that cornmeal made.

Wouldn’t you be?

I think this says it all:

“I was thinking about that on the way over here — I’m coming to play for the New York Yankees against the Tampa Bay Rays, basically for first place in the division in August, or I’d be going up to play the Milwaukee Brewers, and there are like 10 people in the stands,” said Berkman, who will wear No. 17. He added, “When you’re a veteran — I’m 34, which isn’t necessarily ancient, but definitely getting toward more yesterdays than tomorrow in the game — you start to see the window for an opportunity to win and feel the rush of the playoffs close.”
(Ben Shpigel, N.Y. Times)

The heat broke in New York. Yesterday, it was sunny but clear. This morning, it’s overcast, no humidity, with a breeze. We could all use a break. ‘Nother win this afternoon sure would be nice too.

[Photo Credit: Mike Carlson/AP]

Been a couple of exciting, well-played games by the Yanks and Rays, huh? Phil Hughes made one mistake on Friday night and it cost the Yanks the game. They bounced back tonight, however, and served the Rays a dose of their own medicine. The Yanks rallied down 3-1, and 4-3. A trio of homers did it–a two run bomb by Mark Teixiera, solo shot by Nick Swisher and the game-winner, a long, soaring home run by Robinson Cano.

Final score: Yanks 5, Rays 4.

Javier Vazquez and Matt Garza both competed; neither was great. Matt Joyce hit another long home run, and duly admired the fruits of his labor. Carl Crawford collected the 400th stolen base of his career. But Boone Loogan and Dave Robertson were terrific in relief, and kept the game close for New York. And Mariano did like he do in the ninth after Cano’s homer gave the Yanks the lead in the bottom of the eighth.

Alex Rodriguez had a tough night, striking out, popping up, and laughed at himself when he spoke to reporters after the game.  He had some more pitches to drive, put some good swings on them, and had nothing to show for it.

Lance Berkman didn’t look relaxed either but then again, the Yanks only had six hits all night, three by Cano.

The Yanks lead in the AL stands at two. No matter what happens tomorrow, they’ll leave town in first.

[Photo Credit: Mike Carlson, AP,

Yanks saddled up with some beef for the home stretch: Kerry, Austin and Lance. Sounds like the Chelsea All Boys Glee Club.

Still, the Bombers can use all the muscle they can get against these tough Rays.

Go git ’em, boys.

I’ve never met a Lance that I’ve liked. Knew a kid when I was in fourth grade, lived up the block, Lance. He was a dick. Lance. Never followed one on TV or in sports that I liked, until Lance Berkman, that is. Because Lance Berkman has a good face–doughy and open. Looks like a second-rate opera singer with black eye-liner or a moldy Elvis impersonator. The point is, he’s fun. And according to Jeff Pearlman he’s authentic too, so I think he’ll do just fine in New York.

First Lance I ever cared to like and now will be more than heppy to root for. Here’s hoping there are no late snags on this one and Berkman in this year’s David Justice for Cash Money. I know he’s on the downside of his career, but in this line up he could wake up in a New York minute.

So, bring us some Lancelot P. Berkolllistock with a schmeer. Let’s tip the scales, shall we?

[Photo Credit: Bob Levey/Getty Images North America]

Happy Summer Friday.

In the Summer…

In the City…

In the summer…

Stay cool and drink plenty of fluids.