Just a few thoughts on Sunday

Just a few thoughts on Sunday. I watched Padraig play an amazing last few holes to win his second straight Open championship. I am glad I wasn't out there playing. I had a hard enough time in some rain on a easy course yesterday.

I played yesterday in an outing benefitting Sand Castles Grief and Loss Program. This program helps children 3-18 to work through the grief of losing a parent. The event was named for someone that had passed away a few years ago and his children really benefitted from the SandCastles services. It was touching to hear the widow talk about the program and how it realy helped her children. All in all a nice event, except for my lack of decent play and the rain.

I am watching the Tigers game now, and wondering why Sheffield is still a starter on this team, although I don't think this team is going anywhere. But I have a do have a question: Why does Jimmy "Two Smokes" Leyland rest more than one starter on given days? I understand the idea of giving rest, but can we spread it around a little better? Verlander is pitching really well. Rodney seemed to do well last night.

I read two things today: new Playboy - some scary articles, and yes I am reading articles. Mickey Edwards (eight term Republican congressmen from Okla) wrote a strong article about the administration fighting to protect the government from the people - by protecting the executive branch from scrutiny by the public and not answering to Congress.

::Tigers update:: Wait, did Leyland just pull Verlander with 2 outs in the bottom of the ninth with a four run lead? In a game where Verlander has a bunch of hometown fans who made the 163 mile trip? Are you kidding me? Verlander shook his head in disbelief as he walked off the mound. /::Tigers update::

He gives examples of the signing statements and ignoring Congressional subpeonas. I was not able to find a link to the Playboy forum.

The other thing I was reading was Al Gore's book - Assault on Reason - and he wrote about the same thing, the secrecy of this administration (plus the massive amount of denial of objective information - pretty good book) and how that is destroying the fabric of democracy. Leads me to this thought, the next president should do two things. Fight to re-establish transparency

::Tigers update:: Jones put the first guy on. /::Tigers update::

in our government, go extremely overboard and publish blogs in an automatic fashion instead of classifying everything. This administration made attempts to take things out of the National Archives that have been public for ever.

::Tigers update:: Inge makes a great play at third to save Jones and Leyland. If Inge does not make that stop, Millar has a double, one run at least scores, and Luke Scott has a chance to tie it up. /::Tigers update::

To quote from Chapter 4 - Convienent Untruths

"To head off complaints from our nation's governors over how much they
would receive under federal programs, the Bush administration simply stopped
printing the primary state budget report.
When mass layoffs become too embarrassing, this administration simply
stopped publishing the regular layoff report that econonomists and others have
been receiving for decades.
More than six thousand documents ... removed from governmental Web sites
... one example, a document ... giving citizens crucial information on how to
identify chemical hazards near where their families live."

This is contrary to democracy and the American concept of good government that the founding fathers envisioned. The adminstration is fighting the Freedom of Information Act in anyway they can. Transperancy needs to be a hallmark of the next administration.

My other thought is that the two candidates should come out and say they are going to rescind most of the Bush administration's signing statements, especially those that are unconstitutional. Let's bring checks and balances back to the government.

Later.

Thoughts on baseball

Still working at 10:30 pm - been at the office over 13 hours so far. I rock. Waiting for ACL to count through 3.1 million records, plenty of time to post.

Anyway, i listened to the end of the Tigers game, I think I was too harsh on Cabrera and Guillen this seaon, they won it for us tonight, still not sure if this is a playoff team yet.

I went to mlb.com to check the ChiSox score and there was a picture of Carlos Zambrano. I thought, I fear for the mound of the next Miluwalkee/Chicago series if big Z and CC go against each other. That old mound at Wrigley might not make it.

Oop, files done.

Tigers reach .500 with dramatic ninth-inning rally

"Tigers reach .500 with dramatic ninth-inning rally: "Those are frustrating ones, to be honest with you,' Leyland said. 'You've got a three-run lead in the ninth and then you look up, bottom of the ninth and you're down one. But that's the life of a closer. Here's a guy who is 14-for-14 (in save opportunities). Pretty tough job when you're 14-for-14 and you blow one and get booed that bad. That's pretty tough.'"

Sorry Jim, we had every right to boo that lustily after that performance. The fact that he was cheered coming to Sunday's game was the correct response by the fans.

Update: Todd Jones the next day.
Jones, on the fans' reaction to him: "I was very thankful. I got a pretty nice ovation. I could hear it today. I was anticipating a Jason Grilli-esque greeting."

Tigers on Tax day

So, I am watching the end of the Tigers game, and Rayburn made one heck of a play, even if it didn't quite work out. Had Young not scored, that would have been play of at least the week. Anyway, did I see Cabrerra try the hidden ball trick on Monroe? That wasn't mentioned.

Anyway, good win, need many more.

Oh and taxes due in 1 hour 52 minutes.

Tigers Talk

I know its been a while.

So, I was reading this article on Dane SarSomething, possibly the Tigers backup catcher on opening day. I was thinking (ok, it is Sardinha), since his problem seems to be hitting, and we got the best hitting pitcher from the national league (D-Train), does the DH rule say that DH has to be for the pitcher? Why don't we make Dane D-Train's personal catcher and have him bat when he pitches? He could continue to work with the coaches on his offensive needs, and then get comfortable at the major league level, but not hurt the offensive rhythm.

And I am tired of Brandon whining. And I used to really like the guy.

Diary of Monday Night Football

Actually, this is only about the battle for first place in the CMA FFL League. The Dwight Shrute Bears and the PPG Warriors are both undefeated at 7-0-0. The two heavyweights of the league play this week, and Tom Brady handed the Bears a 43 point performance, but none of the other players showed up this week. For the Warriors, Antionio Gates scored 21 and TJ Whos your daddy scored 14. After Sunday - Bears were up by six points, and they have no further players. The Warriors have DeShawn Wynn going tonight, so as soon as Wynn scores that 11 yard touchdown, the Warriors, against all expectations, will take the week and continue undefeated. Unfortunately, Green Bay has the worst running game in the league, but the Broncos have the worst running defense in the league. Winn is being handed the reins, and most importantly the bulk of the carries, so hopefully I have a chance.

I will watch the game and write about what's going on.

8:40 PM - Packers kick off, so who cares? I only care about the Packers on offense see you then.

First play - one of the ugliest shovel passes ever.

8:42 PM - I am not sure I like the trade by the Tigers today - seems like a lot of the future to give up, and why can't we trade for anyone else but the Braves. Renterria will probably be good for the Tigers though.

8:44 PM - Broncos moving ball pretty well. Couldn't the Lions have drafted Cutler a few years ago? Instead of Williams I think.

8:46 PM - KGB with pressure, Packers about to get the ball. Here we go. Woodson to receive, but over his head into end zone.

8:49 PM - first play , let's see. I don't even know Wynn's number. I just picked him up this week. Stupid pass. I want to go to bed early knowing I won. Get the ball to Wynn. Now a dropped pass on 2nd down, see what happens. That's why you need to run the ball. 3rd down. Hits the running back out of the backfield, but some guy I don't know. Some other guy I don't know I should say. Punt. Jerks.

9:03 PM - Finally, Denver scored on a nifty play by Cutler. I really like the running back or tight end coming back to make that block for Cutler to have another second or two. Get the Pack back on the attack!

9:08 PM - First down. Changed channels, watching about 8 women wrestling on USA. Football in a while. And I keep changing back to ABC, stupid ESPN. I come back and
Farve throws a big touchdown. I assume there was no run play. Jerks. Hell of a play though. What is that graphic where they track the entire path of the receiver? That looks pretty cool. I assume it is from Madden or something.

9:10 PM - going back to wrestling. Now some muscle bound screaming thug. Women are gone. Stupid USA.

9:17 PM - this looks the makings of a great game, or neither team plays defense, but very watchable. End of first quarter, Wynn stats - NOTHING. Hasn't even been looked at yet. Must have not sung his school fight song well enough during camp and Farve hates him.

9:21 PM - Cutler fumbles, will Wynn get the back to give Favre a little breathing room? Probably not. Wynn got a carry, he got a carry! No yards, but they are trying to establish the run all right.

9:26 PM - Favre play action, I think he did that just to tease me.

9:27 PM - Yards - 7 yards. on the Ground - Who the hell is that? Why is Wynn on the sideline? Why do the Packers hate me. Who is Grant?

9:29 PM - I am going to cry.

9:36 PM - Really, my last hope for victory is standing on the sideline. Did I mention my quarterback, on the biggest matchup of the season, got me 2 points. VY - who killed M in the Rose Bowl, 6/14 for 42 yards. 2 stupid points.

9:45 PM - More runs to super man Grant - oooh isn't he awesome? He is sooo cool. I hate football. Sorry, can't watch Deanna.

9:47 PM - I thought the man crush on Favre was limited to Madden. Apparently it is part of the Monday Night Football contract with the NFL.

9:57 PM - Ok, closing this, since I don't think Wynn is playing anymore, so I am going to bed.

Happy 4th

Happy 4th of July everyone.

I am over at my parents, since my Grandfather came up, driven by my Aunt and Uncle from Tennessee, and we are going to barbecue and then go to the Tigers game tonight.

I don't think I want to talk about the Tigers. I am quite disgusted with the hitting, especially Monroe and Inge, but Pudge has done nothing clutch. Guillen and Pudge in the tenth inning last night were two abhorrent at bats. Just disgusting.

So about Scooter.

“Remember Philip Agee, who I consider a traitor to our country?'' Bush asked,
referring to Agee's efforts to expose CIA operations and identify
spies.

So when someone from Junior's administration is convicted as exposing a covert agent, he gets a pardon, sorry, commutation. Lovely. Is there anyone who didn't see this coming?

Nice thoughts:

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The hypocrisy is unpardonable. President Bush's decision
to commute the sentence of a convicted liar brought out the worst in both
parties.

In keeping I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby out
of jail, Bush defied his promise to hold wrongdoers accountable and undercut his
2000 campaign pledge to "restore honor and dignity" to the White House. And it
might be a cynical first step toward issuing a full pardon at the conclusion of
his term.

Isn't this hard to defend? I am sure Fox News has been defending it like crazy, I should probably watch. But it can be so painful.

Sean

Sunday evening update

Hello, posting from Kathy's house as I am spending a few days over here taking care of her dogs. The dogs are fine.

I went to the ballgame yesterday, Saturday, with the Social Connection group, and had a great time and met a number of cool people. Course, I didn't ask for phone numbers, I always forget or never find the right time or anything. I had dinner with a group of four friends that had gone down for the game, all hard core fans and fun women to hang out with. We ate over at Como's, and I sat at the bar after they left until about 1:30 or so. I talked to a few other women that were there, but I got the hiccups a few times and then I was really wasted, so I kinda of lost a lot of confidience and again couldn't get any phone numbers. I need to learn to close.

I decided I had to take today pretty easy since I drank a lot on Thursday at the game, then Friday night while watching the game at the rock (and doing some writing on my script for the first time in almost a year) I had several beers and then Saturday. Saturday ended poorly since I, well, gave back the burrito I had after the bar. I should really stop doing that. I didn't go to bed until about 4 am, and then had to take care of the dogs around 7 am. I was able to sleep on the couch for a few hours after they ate.

So far I am watching the Tigers do nothing against the second coming of Bob Gibson apparently, this Baker character. It sucks that when I go to a few games in the span of a week that they start playing terrible.

Live Update: Harwell has been on the ESPN broadcast and just gave us a Stood there like a house by the side of the road. I should try and find that for my ringtone on my cell phone.

At least there are a few All-Star reps - Mags, Guillen, Verlander, Pudge. Granderson apparently didn't get enough write in votes. I tried for him. One of the women I met yesterday said she would marry Curtis, that he seems like such a good guy. He has a blog that is pretty interesting at espn, and he seems like the kind of person you would want to model your own life after, or have your child emulate. As I am typing this, he just hit his 15th triple of the season.

I am going to try to do some work. Go Tigs!

Father's Day Post

Hello all, it's been a few days, been trying to do a lot of things. The Tigers won today, surprisingly. I am really starting to get down on Craig Monroe (already down on Inge until he hurt his foot, and down on Rodney and Grilli). Maybe I should start a widget on the right hand side of the screen showing which Tigers are out of my favor. How many chances do you give this guy when you have a Hall of Famer that could easily take his job, and Maybin waiting in the wings. The problem is, are there any teams that would be willing to give something for him. He is a free agent this year or next, so some lower level team might not be willingly to take him, and would the Tigers want to give him to a contender?

Watching the U.S. Open with my dad, Tiger hitting his second shot into 15, into nasty rough. This course is difficult, glad I am not playing it. I have enough trouble with easy courses.

This is always a big weekend for my family, since June 14th is my mother's birthday, June 15th is my parent's anniversery, and then today the 17th is Father's day. If I had any money, it would be an expensive weekend. When I am out of my debt problems, it will be again. We bought mom a cool planter with three singing frogs, and I gave dad a golf shirt (that was bought for me but didn't fit) and Rear Window on DVD. I wlll do better in the future.

So, I can't decide whether the Tigers should demote Monroe or not. Playing in National League ballpark will give Leyland a chance to sit him for a few straight days. Sheffield has been playing the field well enough, although I don't know if he would have made that catch that Monroe made today.

It's now 6:50 on Sunday afternoon, Mom is making dinner, Dad and I watching the US Open, and I will have to go into the office for a little while before I head to the gym tonight. Big exciting night.

Tigers related thoughts

I wonder if Todd Helton would be the answer for the Tigers at first base, although Casey is starting to hit better. I wonder what it might take to get him.

When Kenny Rogers comes back, how will that affect the rotation? Does he replace Miller, assuming he stays? Does Durbin get put in the bullpen, even though he is pitching rather nicely these days? What if Nate is able to come back after resting his arm? Here would be a good situation - Miller is able to pitch well, although we can't expect another outing like last time (7 innings, no runs), and stays in the rotation until Rogers is ready. Then move Miller to the bullpen until Zumaya comes back, then he goes back to Erie to continue to learn to be a starter.

Interesting step forward on the demolition of Tiger stadium, and I am really glad to see they are trying to salvage the front entrance and part of the field. That is a real nice nod to tradtion. I hope they can turn the front entrance into a sort of classy mini mall and then some condos or lofts around the site. If they could do something with the old train station - Corktown would explode.

This is amazing story on Verlander:

Sports Illustrated reports that the Tigers pitcher made a deal with a
classmate in 10th grade that would come back to haunt him:
"I wanted a chocolate milk that cost 50 cents, and I didn't have the money," Verlander told the magazine. "So I said, 'How about I give you 0.1 percent of my pro signing bonus if you give me 50 cents now?' He found a napkin, wrote it up, and I signed it.

"I forgot about it, but after I signed, he whips out this old napkin. I'm
like, 'Oh my God!' My bonus was 3-point-something million.
"Was a chocolate milk worth $3,000? I want to say yes. I was parched."

How many other players would have actually paid up for this - the other guy has got to be successful business man by now with that kind of thinking. And Justin needs to find a trustworthy business advisor.

And the minors get more stocked with the Gatorade High School Player of the year (I think), Rick Porcello. The last three years they have gotten some of the top talent in the draft well below where they should have been picked because other teams were worried about signing. Maybin, Miller, now Porcello. Thanks for spending the money Mr. I. Somebody posted on freep.com about how the Tigers didn't draft a catcher, and that might be a concern except Rabello seems to be doing pretty well. He will be sent back to Toledo in a few weeks to continue learning, after a nice run backing up one of the best ever. Maybe he is the future. But back to the point. The 5 pitchers in the first 6 picks shows Dombrowski's theory that pitching wins, and if you have great pitchers, you can win with them or trade for position players. Gotta like that plan.

And I liked Leyland's quote about Porcello:

When asked if he'll manage the Tigers long enough to see Rick Porcello -- their
No. 1 pick Thursday afternoon -- pitch for them, manager Jim Leyland said, "If
he's as good as they say, he might be pitching here in September. I hope I'm
here that long."

And I think a lot of us would hope a lot longer.

Later

Crushes, Tigers and Notes

I really need to start coming up with the title after I write the post, because I rarely have a good title before I start.

Song: Five Years by David Bowie 4 stars

A few days ago I was trashing Jason Grilli (almost typed Steve for some reason, his father) about being very ineffective this year. After his performance tonight and last night, I was ready to come post about how well he had been pitching, so I would only be disappointed with Ledezma. Guess what happened next, Mesa comes out and brings the Angels back into the game. The number of disappointing pitchers has not changed, just the names. Great job by Grilli and Byrdak.

Song: Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash - 5 stars

I think I am going to develop an unhealthy crush on Amy Sedaris. She's just so adorable and damn funny. I have liked her for a while, but just watched her Conan episode last night and thought it was right. Now, this does not affect my other unhealthy crush on Lauren Graham (see posts in the keyword listing to the right). Since I will never have contact with either woman, I have enough unrequitable love for the both of them. I wish I would get more ambitious and finish a few of the screen play ideas so I would have a reason to send them a script. Just as much of a fantasy, trust me.

Song: Garden of Eden by Guns 'N' Roses - 5 stars

So back to Amy. Whenever I have seen her on Conan, I she always seems to overdress, wearing a short cocktail type dress that seems old -fashioned but looks great. Here is a picture of it (I hope) at this link. Not being a fashion person, I don't know how to describe it. Ok, its not that I am not a fashion person, it is that I haven't dated much - you happy? I said it.

Song: Honey Don't by The Beatles - 1 star (since on BBC recordings, ask me about it some other time - cool song.

So Amy - if you ever do a vanity Google search, I hope this comes up and I wish you lots of success and all the acting work you want from your role in Shrek the Third.

Other notes: I have been to the gym for five straight days. I need to go tomorrow so I can take Friday off from the workouts. It's only treadmill, but still, the body has to rest.

Song: Til the End of the Day by The Kinks - 3 stars, but rethinking that. I have been on a Kinks /Ray Davies kick lately, and listening more to the 3 or 4 cd's I have of theirs.

Another book on the Daily Show I would like to read, The Age of Abundance - How Prosperity Transformed America's Politics and Culture by Brink Lindsey. This is a discussion of America's prosperity since WWII has changed the dynamics of the culture, since it is the first time there has been a generation that has taken food, shelter clothing for granted because they have always been there, whereas most societies (historically) were driven by trying to obtain these basics. Sounds fascinating.

Anyway, I need to go to bed, night.

P.S. The title has changed - from Wednesday night to Crushes, Tigers and Notes. Little more interesting.

Tigers vs Cardinals

Just a few thoughts regarding this series, which the Tigers just swept.

Verlander is really, really good. I am looking forward to watching him for a long time.

Grilli and Ledezma are not getting the job done. They are going to have to turn it around if they want to continue getting the ball. It doesn't seem like those guys can be relied upon. Especially since we have a number of guys ready - Minor, Miller this Durbyk guy - in the minors (or just brought up) that seem to be a lot more effective. Many people said they should be able to weather the loss of Zumaya, but not if the middle relievers don't get the game to the 8th inning. Losing Mesa for a while didn't help much either.

Glad to see that Sheffield is really warming up. I also like that Monroe is doing things even though he is not really hitting. That throw to nail Pujols yesterday made a huge difference in the game.

Even with all the pitching injuries, this team is tied for first in the central. Cleveland is playing really well, and everyone thought they would, but they can't continue to play at a 16-4 pace at home (can they?).

Maggio for MVP

Later

Thoughts on the news

Hey there. I was able to survive the thunderstorm from last night, actually, we were called in from the golf course via the GPS system just in time before the rain really started coming down. I think the course (Cattails) did a great job of tracking storms and getting everyone off the course.

So what happened with the Pistons? They forget how to play? Thank goodness the Wings and Tigers turned it around, with the Wings just playing great and Verlander pitching in ways that should make Tigers fans drool for years to come.

I wanted to note an article in the Detroit News today, Daniel Howes article on the Chrysler sale,

• False synergy, bad deal
  DaimlerChrysler was a big promise that seldom delivered. Its mastermind, Schrempp, badly misunderstood Chrysler's weaknesses and overestimated the "synergies" the deal would deliver by underestimating the antipathy his own troops felt for Chrysler and the idea of melding any of it into Mercedes-Benz.

Wow, that sounds like what I said, although with more concrete details. Makes me feel kinda smart.

Another article on detnews.com, Mayor Kilpatrick is trying to rebuild the city by focusing on certain neighborhoods. They selected a mix of neighborhoods in varying conditions and set out specific, measurable goals for each, tailored to the issues facing the neighborhoods. I like this plan, not only for the specifc neighborhoods, but also for the lessons that can be learned for improving the other neighborhoods and other cities. Once the blueprint has been set out and refined through practice, and some results are shown, maybe places like Flint, Pontiac or Battle Creek can use the lessons, and focus on rebuilding smaller sections.

I also like the selection of areas with differing problems and levels of need. This allows experimentation with different methods and not trying to do all the hard things at once. This in turns allows the better management of resources instead of over using some (police - trying to stop crime) and under using others (business development). I have always liked the idea of getting all the interested parties together, and the project managers that are going to be hired (hopefully with quality project management experience) should have an ear open for ideas from all parties. Put residents, police, city managers, financial people, area (and potential area) business managers and others all in the same room will hopefully lead to unique results.

Sean

Sean

Hard day to be a Detroit fan

Mother's day was not a good day to be a Pistons fan. Or a Wings fan. Or a Tigers fan. Did the Lions do something to screw up somehow? That was a brutal day. My mother had the entire day planned around watching the games, and luckily she went to bed before the Wings lost. The only game I thought was critical was the Wings Ducks game - how can you lose to DUCKS! They aren't even Mighy anymore - we needed to keep that home ice advantage. But they seemed to outplay us a lot in that game, and most of their goals seemed to be off turnovers, those turnovers were caused by aggressive play, not even great play, just very aggressive. Losing game 2 is frequently a problem (sorry, don't have the statistics), since Ducks have momentum, good feelings and confidence going back home. I hope the Wings can overcome

Tigers pitchers could never get the ball down, and the hitters coudn't figure out the curve from Bonser - how can you lose to a guy named BOOF! - and looked silly an awful lot. I felt bad for Virgil Vasquez, brought up for one game and he got rocked, not that Grilli or Ledezma did much better. Vazquez did get a lot of instruction from the pitching coach, and there was a great scene of those two on the bench and Chuck was just giving all this information and Virgil soaking it all up. Nice picture. Sox next, I am looking forward to seeing some of Dice-K on Tuesday, if the Motor City Kittys bat like they did yesterday, it might be his first MLB no hitter.

Pistons dropped back into their "we've got plenty of time" mentality and allowed the Bulls a little life. I think they saw the number of times a team has come back from 3-0 (0 for 81 in NBA history, ABC showed that stat about 20 times) and decided the series was over. That run by Chicago at the end of the 2nd quarter made the Pistons look like a ... uh ... no clever metaphor - just bad. I still feel like they will pull it out on Tuesday, but I hope they play a lot harder.

Whalers won - something, can't say I understand the playoff structure.

Later

Post game night thoughts and myself

This morning was a small step in the right direction. I went to bed late after getting home from the Pistons game and spending some time building a financial model for my debt repayment plan. When the alarm went off this morning, I didn't hear it right away, but when I did, I got out of bed and STAYED OUT OF BED. Sure, I took a long shower and then spent some time on the computer before I went to work, but I got to work about 9:10 am. Significant improvement and will be the basis for everything that follows. I will do it again tomorrow. And I will report on it then.

So we went to the Pistons game last night and had a great time. We went into the ERSA club, with the free buffet, just awesome, and then headed to the seats (I would love to say our seats, but we only got them for the night). We had sat there before, but there was more energy this time. I walked by David Stern, and the seats were right next to where members of the Tigers were sitting. Bonderman and his wife, Verlander and girlfriend (I assume), Craig Monroe and then Gary Sheffield and his wife came later. My mother had her Tigers purse that she made last year, and tried to get Sheffield to sign it. She caught his eye and asked if he would, and he agreed, but just as she got there, the usher grabbed her and brought her back to her seat. She was heartbroken. Still, that was probably the worst thing all night, so it was a great time. Watching the game from the third row on the floor is amazing. You are so close to everything. Since the players are always right there, it is a lot more intimate than my Michigan Football seats, which are 3 row in the end zone, and they get to be real close, but not as often as in a basketball game. Just a great time, thank you so much to the lady that gave them to us (name withheld, obviously).

Headed to therapy, Sean

Taxpayer Funded stadiums

I read this article and had to say something. The two people mentioned in the article, who are testifying to congress, are a resident of Detroit who fought for 10 years against the building of Comerica Park and a woman from the South Bronx complaining about the apartment buildings near parking garagaes for the stadium. And the headline is Taxpayers Last to Benefit from Stadiums. These people are free to testify before congress, whether they are objective or not, congress is free to listen to anyone they want, but wouldn't it make a lot more sense to bring some economists into the discussion? That seems to make a lot more sense to me, but I have a business education background, so I might be biased towards research.

Their quoted testimony is pretty interesting too.

• 'We have terrible budget deficits as a result of having professional sports,' said Frank Rashid, a Detroit resident who waged an unsuccessful 10-year campaign to stop construction of a new Detroit Tigers Stadium at Comerica (NYSE:CMA PRZ) (NYSE:CMA) Park.
  
  At a House subcommittee hearing on domestic policy, Rashid said promises of economic development and new jobs didn't materialize from the stadium built with public and private money in 2006
  
  He maintained that 30 schools are being closed, residents can't get quick responses when they dial 911 for emergency help, and there are fewer police and fire fighters on the streets.

I can't speak for the Bronx statements, but I will be the reaction would be similar. WHAT THE CITY OF DETROIT PAID FOR COMERICA PARK AND FORD FIELD ARE NOT THE REASON FOR BUDGET DEFICITS AND MISMANAGEMENT OF THE CITY. I feel extremely comfortable with that statement. I would hazard a guess that is the lack of neighborhoods, terrible business climate, horrible city government, lack of care in the city, the antagonism from the city towards the suburbs, etc. You can't say the 2005 All Star game at Comerica Park and the 2006 Super Bowl at Ford Field didn't help the image and finances of this city. These parks are part of the reason people are opening new restaurants and bars and clubs downtown and why some people are actually moving back into the city.

I am not sure if the return on taxpayer money has been sufficient or if the money should have been used somewhere else instead, but I know Detroit is a better place to be now than 7 or 8 years ago in my opinion.

Lastly, just bad reporting in the article, it's not a Detroit Tigers Stadium at Comerica Park, its Comerica Park, home of the Detroit Tigers. Detroit Tigers Stadium is the crumbling hulk further out on Michigan Ave.

Bye

While waiting for a programs to run

I am sitting waiting for two programs and a backup process to finish, so I decided to read a little baseball. Jon Heyman of SI.com relatest this cool story:

• Chipper Jones came into the Braves clubhouse late in Tuesday's game with the Tigers and told Smoltz, "I just saw the hardest pitch I've ever seen." He was, of course, referring to the work of Joel Zumaya, whose very first pitch this spring hit 100 mph (and that's before he really got going). The Braves, though, did touch Zumaya for his first two runs of the spring, both on home runs. As Jones put it, "We were rakin'."

Just wanted to pass that along.