Right here, under an Illusione banner ad, I dare no DARE no D A R E review an Illusione Ultra no ~ULTRA~ offering. I don't even know what to say. Not bad weather to-day, warm 'nuff and the rain is holding off for the most part. A hoodie gets it done, and my sweatpants are aided by long-johns underneath. Nice. Nice 'nuff, anyways. Metal folding chair. Porch. Sure -- nice. How's 'bout them Damn Yankees firing the beyond expectations Joe Girardi, seemingly sans greater plan? Lesser-so nice.
Thursday, November 30, 2017
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
Curivari Achilles Legendario Heroicos - Cigar Review
Not all posts require a lead-in, right? Right.
NOTES:
Woe, woe! is the combustion to-wit I saith "Whoa." A quarter-horse rate of speed, yes. Too, a pin-point burn-hole of a visible tunneling opens up there-'bouts an inch-up the shaft from char-line. When the line gets closer, a connective runner develops. Then some canoe threat and finally a mere curvature of burn. The good news? No re-touches are employed... maybe 'cause it happens so fast. I do have in my possession a box-press version which I will perform a redux review on at a later-date*. Pulling the proverbial bad-one might be at play here.
NOTES:
Woe, woe! is the combustion to-wit I saith "Whoa." A quarter-horse rate of speed, yes. Too, a pin-point burn-hole of a visible tunneling opens up there-'bouts an inch-up the shaft from char-line. When the line gets closer, a connective runner develops. Then some canoe threat and finally a mere curvature of burn. The good news? No re-touches are employed... maybe 'cause it happens so fast. I do have in my possession a box-press version which I will perform a redux review on at a later-date*. Pulling the proverbial bad-one might be at play here.
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
La Palina Lp01 - Cigar Review
Twitter.
Instagram.
NOTES:
A well-rolled cigar which draws smooth, burns on a straight-line -- gate-to-wire. Solid. Mayhaps could-be richer. Delivers via zesty-smooth manner. Stays cool. Sweet-bright spices, berry and citrus additions. Red-flake/produce-fresh peppers, thin cream. Salted fudge as peppery front-load settles. Cocoa butter. Wine cask/Spiced cedar. Crisp earthen under-belly, sweet/sour/spiced complex finish.
Instagram.
NOTES:
A well-rolled cigar which draws smooth, burns on a straight-line -- gate-to-wire. Solid. Mayhaps could-be richer. Delivers via zesty-smooth manner. Stays cool. Sweet-bright spices, berry and citrus additions. Red-flake/produce-fresh peppers, thin cream. Salted fudge as peppery front-load settles. Cocoa butter. Wine cask/Spiced cedar. Crisp earthen under-belly, sweet/sour/spiced complex finish.
Monday, November 27, 2017
Curivari Buenaventura Crema - Cigar Review
Curivari is a brand that would appear rather well-known for its strange business behaviors. It employs odd shipping and order-filling practices, remains incredibly hard to successfully contact, and touts a website which looks a few-years worth of abandoned.
Saturday, November 25, 2017
Diesel Grind - Cigar Review
Real quick, gentlepersons. Snack Tray and I are expected at a Lego Party...
NOTES:
A smallish Robusto that looks tidier than it performs. Rolled well, but suffers-some in combustion (jagged-line with tunnel-threats). Pepper-spice front with close-behind bitter notes. Umami and sour bits balance one-another well and further-back. Flirts with bite, but that's averted via purging. Dryly rich and simply balanced, with notes strung out on a line. There are some nuanced depths, humsoever. Whilst the feel is surprisingly smooth, the bumps come by-way-of a lurching strength that hither and thither comes-on helter-skelter.
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan
STRENGTH: Full
FORMAT: Robusto
ORIGIN: Tabacalera Fernandez, Nicaragua
FINAL GRADE: B
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59
IN ADDITION
The Diesel Grind line which was previously peddled by Cigars International (CI), distributed by Meier & Dutch (MD), now operates within the General Cigar portfolio. The offering was hi-lit at this year's IPCPR trade-show. The Diesel brand itself is crafted by one Mr. AJ Fernandez (mayhaps ya heard a' him). It's been under the CI/MD banner for a number of years, and since both are owned by Scandinavian Tobacco Group, General Cigar’s parent company... this is vastly meaningless to you and I. Tho the Grind is now a brick & mortar exclusive.
Report a typo, win a No-prize.
"In His Gravy"
NOTES:
A smallish Robusto that looks tidier than it performs. Rolled well, but suffers-some in combustion (jagged-line with tunnel-threats). Pepper-spice front with close-behind bitter notes. Umami and sour bits balance one-another well and further-back. Flirts with bite, but that's averted via purging. Dryly rich and simply balanced, with notes strung out on a line. There are some nuanced depths, humsoever. Whilst the feel is surprisingly smooth, the bumps come by-way-of a lurching strength that hither and thither comes-on helter-skelter.
- Black Pepper
- Black Walnut
- Baking Spice
- Molasses
- Anise
- Sarsparilla
- Grapes (white)
- Leather
- Manure
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan
STRENGTH: Full
FORMAT: Robusto
ORIGIN: Tabacalera Fernandez, Nicaragua
FINAL GRADE: B
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59
IN ADDITION
The Diesel Grind line which was previously peddled by Cigars International (CI), distributed by Meier & Dutch (MD), now operates within the General Cigar portfolio. The offering was hi-lit at this year's IPCPR trade-show. The Diesel brand itself is crafted by one Mr. AJ Fernandez (mayhaps ya heard a' him). It's been under the CI/MD banner for a number of years, and since both are owned by Scandinavian Tobacco Group, General Cigar’s parent company... this is vastly meaningless to you and I. Tho the Grind is now a brick & mortar exclusive.
Report a typo, win a No-prize.
"In His Gravy"
A Review of Recent Grade A Cigar Offerings
"Sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn’t commit, these men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem - If no one else can help - and if you can find them - maybe you can hire the A-Team."
Gentlepersons, below is a list as shallow and pedantic as Lois Griffin's meatloaf. It is a list of recent (November 2017) cigar offerings I humbly found to be worthy of A (A- to A+) review ratings.
Gentlepersons, below is a list as shallow and pedantic as Lois Griffin's meatloaf. It is a list of recent (November 2017) cigar offerings I humbly found to be worthy of A (A- to A+) review ratings.
 |
| Not an advertisement. |
THE A-TEAM
(names = links to full reviews)
"In His Gravy"
Friday, November 24, 2017
Top 10 Baseball Free Agents: Ranked - A Black Friday Shopping List
With Turkey-Day in the rear-view, I sit here at my Chromebook needing elastic-waisted sweatpants and a belch. 'Twas a good 'un of frozen pizzas, fries, ice cream. Yet it wasn't without its... confusion. For instance, when did Alice's Kitchen become a long-standing tradition on Thanksgiving? I never once heard that-one till yester-day. Terrible song, just terrible. Punishingly bad, really. Twenty-plus minutes worth a' it. And Michael Vick on a football pre-game show which becomes de facto morning-show here on the left coast? That was a surprise. I'm not really familiar with the NFL product. It seems out-of-step with itself. Unsure of both its identity and its fans' identity, as well. Drek, one might rightly say.
Alas 'tis now Black Friday. Big BIG sale day. Why not get yerself an Official Kaplowitz Tshirt? Greatest stocking stuffer since the candy cane. Or at least the toothbrush. Nevertheless, ya got a couple days with-which to thrill the gentlepersons on yer nice list and to SHOP HERE NOW. And if yer in the market for a professional baseball fella, I can help ya there, too.
Lettuce delve, rank...
1. J.D. MARTINEZ, 30, OF
J.D.Martinez is the best right-handed power bat of the crop if not simply its best bat period. He's too shown four-seasons worth of that. He knows how to Walk Like A Man and earn the Silver Star. Four Seasons, get it? It was 2017 though, that he went next-level. Might be a risk to sign him long-term off the strength of those numbers. But really, you won't be tragically disappointed; depending on yer wallet's depth. Defensively, he'll work in either OF corner -- in a Swiss Cheese sorta manner. You're buying a bat, and one with excellent control given its power.
Alas 'tis now Black Friday. Big BIG sale day. Why not get yerself an Official Kaplowitz Tshirt? Greatest stocking stuffer since the candy cane. Or at least the toothbrush. Nevertheless, ya got a couple days with-which to thrill the gentlepersons on yer nice list and to SHOP HERE NOW. And if yer in the market for a professional baseball fella, I can help ya there, too.
Lettuce delve, rank...
1. J.D. MARTINEZ, 30, OF
J.D.Martinez is the best right-handed power bat of the crop if not simply its best bat period. He's too shown four-seasons worth of that. He knows how to Walk Like A Man and earn the Silver Star. Four Seasons, get it? It was 2017 though, that he went next-level. Might be a risk to sign him long-term off the strength of those numbers. But really, you won't be tragically disappointed; depending on yer wallet's depth. Defensively, he'll work in either OF corner -- in a Swiss Cheese sorta manner. You're buying a bat, and one with excellent control given its power.
2. LORENZO CAIN, 32, OF
L.Cain is perchance the best all-'rounder herein. Stellar CF glove, speed on the basepaths, goodly skilled in the batter's box. His 2017 campaign was the second in his last-three wherein he topped 15 homers and swiped 25+ bases. He's too hit the .300 mark every-year since 2014. in short, he does everything quite well. My caveat in signing him is that I don't see him getting a lot better, so upswing is somewhat lacking -- and he's not quite marquis. Humsoever, he's clearly the most employable of the soon-to-be drained Royals, and would fit well somewheres twixt your spark-plug and plate-cleaner.
3. WADE DAVIS, 32, RHP
W.Davis is wherest ya start if you need to buy a closer. And many do, so many will. His 32 saves and 2.30 ERA last year was very nice, but his walk-rate was the highest he's yet tallied. However, he was healthy all-campaign, a correction of 2016's double-DL stint. Bottom-line: you'll over-pay if you sign a check that covers a hurler whom can go more than an inning per-outing. Too, you may have to use him even more sparingly if your season goes long. A superb closer, nonetheless, supreme if not asked to much of. Very much a throw-back positioneer.
W.Davis is wherest ya start if you need to buy a closer. And many do, so many will. His 32 saves and 2.30 ERA last year was very nice, but his walk-rate was the highest he's yet tallied. However, he was healthy all-campaign, a correction of 2016's double-DL stint. Bottom-line: you'll over-pay if you sign a check that covers a hurler whom can go more than an inning per-outing. Too, you may have to use him even more sparingly if your season goes long. A superb closer, nonetheless, supreme if not asked to much of. Very much a throw-back positioneer.
4. ERIC HOSMER, 28, 1B
E.Hosmer has some very nice tools he brings to the table. Good glove, avoids the DL, is patient at the plate. Also, he's a young gun-for-hire at 28. He won't fill the rock-star slot, but will furnish yer team a driving heart-beat. He's fresh-off recording a career year in the batter's box, and dinged 25 dingers for the second in as many years. For all his youth, he can lead both by show and by go and too, has post-season experience galore. Sign him long-term and he could be the driving-force of yer team for many a campaign to come.
E.Hosmer has some very nice tools he brings to the table. Good glove, avoids the DL, is patient at the plate. Also, he's a young gun-for-hire at 28. He won't fill the rock-star slot, but will furnish yer team a driving heart-beat. He's fresh-off recording a career year in the batter's box, and dinged 25 dingers for the second in as many years. For all his youth, he can lead both by show and by go and too, has post-season experience galore. Sign him long-term and he could be the driving-force of yer team for many a campaign to come.
5. SHOHEI OHTANI, 23, RHP/DH/OF
S.Ohtani appears lower on my list than about any other you'll see. In fact, he almost didn't appear at all, since every list which includes him is in err since he's not been posted yet. I include him here, as a warning. Japan's level is twixt AAA and MLB. Think the 2017 SanFran Giants. He hits and pitches, but all scouts say he's a pitcher. I say he's a long reliever or 5th-starter, ultimately. Japanese imports really have a crummy resume state-side. Buy him to put a curious tuchus in each stadium seat... not in a meaningful effort to win.[I'll break from my 100-words for each player format here to go-on: Many applaud his leaving money on the table by coming here at 23 instead of waiting till 25. Just two years. He's had injuries, ya know. He's recouping from surgery now. I call endorsements money-grab whilst the grabbing's good. With the NPB complicit. Am I the only one? Read my: Shohei Otani: Is the Japanese Star Destined to Don Pin-Stripes in 2018? for more.]
6. MIKE MOUSTAKAS, 29, 3B
M.Moustakas blasted a Royals-record 38 homers in 2017. Whilst 'nuff to surpass Steve Balboni's mark -- it ain't really that much. Remember: juiced balls. Plus, his .305 career OBP is far from wow. Although youth doth serve him, his only mainly serviceable hot-corner mitt lesser-so doth. Plus, I don't see his path to becoming N.Arenado. Avoid him unless you are in pedal-to-the-metal win-now mode. Also if you're pockets are deep 'nuff to brush off a loss. Or, see if the market is on yer side and unwilling to over-pay for a solid guy whose best weapon may be as fan-fodder presence.
8. CARLOS SANTANA, 32, 1B/DH
The dark-horse of my list is C.Santana. We could either look brilliant or 'special' here. Lettuce hold hands and drive-off together in oblivion. Shall we, Louise? I'll start with his great strides in defensive improvements at 1st-base. We'll add that to his proved presence at the plate. Did I mention he's a switch-hitter sporting a .365 OBP? The knock? He's 32. But if ya don't need all of what Hosmer offers in intangibles, this guy is yer guy right now -- for much cheaper. You could also extend his sell-by-date by plugging him into a DH role, if you're so able'd.
10. ADDISON REED, 29, RHP
Bummed you can't swing Ohtani? Why not skip ahead to whenst Japan's Babe Ruth becomes a long-reliever and nail-down the 29 year-young A.Reed now? For a couple campaigns, the righty hath been perchance the most effective set-up man in all MLB. Plus, he has closer experience and could become a new-fangled two-stanza stopper. Interestingly/tantalizingly, his numbers indicate he handles right and left-handed batters equally-well. A load-off for any skipper. The knock here is he gave up 11 homers in 2017. An uncomfortable amount for the roles indicated. But he gets the job done and maybe they'll re-replace the ball.
IN ADDITION:
Greg Holland is a straight no-buy and steer-clear of. Coming back from Tommy John with his first-half/second-half splits, raise every red flag ever there were in that surgery's recovery. Todd Frazier is a nigh expiration-date Moustakas, with a Damn Yankee fetish. Leave him be. Sign Jay Bruce only if you need an old lefty power-bat whose story is worth more than his services.
But really -- do make sure you buy an Official Kaplowitz Tshirt or two HERE.
M.Moustakas blasted a Royals-record 38 homers in 2017. Whilst 'nuff to surpass Steve Balboni's mark -- it ain't really that much. Remember: juiced balls. Plus, his .305 career OBP is far from wow. Although youth doth serve him, his only mainly serviceable hot-corner mitt lesser-so doth. Plus, I don't see his path to becoming N.Arenado. Avoid him unless you are in pedal-to-the-metal win-now mode. Also if you're pockets are deep 'nuff to brush off a loss. Or, see if the market is on yer side and unwilling to over-pay for a solid guy whose best weapon may be as fan-fodder presence.
7. YU DARVISH, 31, RHP
On paper, Y.Darvish is your best option if in need of a starting pitcher. He's not just another pretty arm, tho. He's showed an ability to adapt via tweaking his delivery mid-summer. Just ignore his World Serious collapse. Hey, we all have bad days. Twice. In-a-row. Also, whilst that adaptation showed IQ, he did need to adapt in the first-place. Perchance slick Fall Classic balls take the blame for 1/2 them slumps. He's a strong second-starter, methinks. Unless he can't rebuild after the debacle of being named the 'Stros MVP. Insure yerself by getting a better skipper than Roberts.
On paper, Y.Darvish is your best option if in need of a starting pitcher. He's not just another pretty arm, tho. He's showed an ability to adapt via tweaking his delivery mid-summer. Just ignore his World Serious collapse. Hey, we all have bad days. Twice. In-a-row. Also, whilst that adaptation showed IQ, he did need to adapt in the first-place. Perchance slick Fall Classic balls take the blame for 1/2 them slumps. He's a strong second-starter, methinks. Unless he can't rebuild after the debacle of being named the 'Stros MVP. Insure yerself by getting a better skipper than Roberts.
8. CARLOS SANTANA, 32, 1B/DH
The dark-horse of my list is C.Santana. We could either look brilliant or 'special' here. Lettuce hold hands and drive-off together in oblivion. Shall we, Louise? I'll start with his great strides in defensive improvements at 1st-base. We'll add that to his proved presence at the plate. Did I mention he's a switch-hitter sporting a .365 OBP? The knock? He's 32. But if ya don't need all of what Hosmer offers in intangibles, this guy is yer guy right now -- for much cheaper. You could also extend his sell-by-date by plugging him into a DH role, if you're so able'd.
9. JAKE ARRIETA, 32, RHP
J.Arrieta shows that durability is more than just showing-up. Whilst he doth show, what also shows is a 2mph drop-off on his number-one since 2015. That's a mile-a-year, and also matches my running-log to perfection. Too, he did recently miss time last campaign via bum September hammie. Hey, he's no spring chicken. But he does tout a nice 2.90ERA with 92K in his last 105 2/3 stanzas. In short, he's a righty with good 'nuff stuff to be an important win-now addition to anyone's rotation. Unfortunately, the asking price of that service projects to be of quite a height.
J.Arrieta shows that durability is more than just showing-up. Whilst he doth show, what also shows is a 2mph drop-off on his number-one since 2015. That's a mile-a-year, and also matches my running-log to perfection. Too, he did recently miss time last campaign via bum September hammie. Hey, he's no spring chicken. But he does tout a nice 2.90ERA with 92K in his last 105 2/3 stanzas. In short, he's a righty with good 'nuff stuff to be an important win-now addition to anyone's rotation. Unfortunately, the asking price of that service projects to be of quite a height.
Bummed you can't swing Ohtani? Why not skip ahead to whenst Japan's Babe Ruth becomes a long-reliever and nail-down the 29 year-young A.Reed now? For a couple campaigns, the righty hath been perchance the most effective set-up man in all MLB. Plus, he has closer experience and could become a new-fangled two-stanza stopper. Interestingly/tantalizingly, his numbers indicate he handles right and left-handed batters equally-well. A load-off for any skipper. The knock here is he gave up 11 homers in 2017. An uncomfortable amount for the roles indicated. But he gets the job done and maybe they'll re-replace the ball.
IN ADDITION:
Greg Holland is a straight no-buy and steer-clear of. Coming back from Tommy John with his first-half/second-half splits, raise every red flag ever there were in that surgery's recovery. Todd Frazier is a nigh expiration-date Moustakas, with a Damn Yankee fetish. Leave him be. Sign Jay Bruce only if you need an old lefty power-bat whose story is worth more than his services.
But really -- do make sure you buy an Official Kaplowitz Tshirt or two HERE.
Partagas No. 10 - Cigar Review
Happy Black Friday. Go get an Official Kaplowitz Tshirt. The perfect stocking stuffer for the gentlepersons on yer nice list, as long as there are no follow-up questions. Available for the next couple-days HERE.
That bit of capitalism run amok aside, lettuce looksie this Partagas No. 10.
NOTES:
A typically fugly Cameroon top-leaf. Veiny, lumpy, and once lit, a pair of hair-line cracks happen along the way -- smoke clean-thru. Rolled well 'nuff all-said, but not by a bunch. A tick of loosening-seams at char. Some softening of pack density, but no hard/soft spots. There is an occasional dampening of draw which shifts the tension up but stays in the medium+ spectrum. Burn-line requires some Bic-flick'd guidances, but not an abundance thereof. Ash dumps freely and grey. Burns verily cool on an even languid pace. Nice amount of smoke off each end which ebbs and flows insofar as volume. Leaves a very pleasant room-note of delicately sweet fusty 'baccy earthiness.
Cushiony mouth-feel with a slight tingle. Rich but in a light manner. Smoothly-cool delivery. Balanced well up-top but some helter-skelter activities be-low. No bite. Finish is a lengthier thing than a mild-medium offering might foretell. Settles into some nicely attainable complexities whenst primaries work down-ward through the profile.
Overall a sweet stick (which was the name I performed under during my late 1990s hip-hop career). This is balanced well by some sour notes which attract fusty leanings. Them sour bits doth rise in the 3/3. DOTH RISE. Somewhat of a salty offering, but kindly-so dealt into the sweetness and then warmly unto finish. No real bitter additions on draw, some subtly relegated to finish. Savoriness in a pale non-meaty, oft vegetal manner. Spices are 'nuff for the aforementioned slight-tingle, delivered sans kick.
WRAPPER: Cameroon
BINDER: Mexican San Andres
FILLER: Dominican, Mexican
STRENGTH: Mild-Medium
FORMAT: Double Corona
ORIGIN: Dominican Republic
FINAL GRADE: B
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59
Sample courtesy of Fumare.
Reno's most exclusive Cigar Boutique.
Specializing in rare and hard to find cigars.
Report a typo, win a No-prize.
"In His Gravy"
That bit of capitalism run amok aside, lettuce looksie this Partagas No. 10.
NOTES:
A typically fugly Cameroon top-leaf. Veiny, lumpy, and once lit, a pair of hair-line cracks happen along the way -- smoke clean-thru. Rolled well 'nuff all-said, but not by a bunch. A tick of loosening-seams at char. Some softening of pack density, but no hard/soft spots. There is an occasional dampening of draw which shifts the tension up but stays in the medium+ spectrum. Burn-line requires some Bic-flick'd guidances, but not an abundance thereof. Ash dumps freely and grey. Burns verily cool on an even languid pace. Nice amount of smoke off each end which ebbs and flows insofar as volume. Leaves a very pleasant room-note of delicately sweet fusty 'baccy earthiness.
Cushiony mouth-feel with a slight tingle. Rich but in a light manner. Smoothly-cool delivery. Balanced well up-top but some helter-skelter activities be-low. No bite. Finish is a lengthier thing than a mild-medium offering might foretell. Settles into some nicely attainable complexities whenst primaries work down-ward through the profile.
Overall a sweet stick (which was the name I performed under during my late 1990s hip-hop career). This is balanced well by some sour notes which attract fusty leanings. Them sour bits doth rise in the 3/3. DOTH RISE. Somewhat of a salty offering, but kindly-so dealt into the sweetness and then warmly unto finish. No real bitter additions on draw, some subtly relegated to finish. Savoriness in a pale non-meaty, oft vegetal manner. Spices are 'nuff for the aforementioned slight-tingle, delivered sans kick.
WRAPPER: Cameroon
BINDER: Mexican San Andres
FILLER: Dominican, Mexican
STRENGTH: Mild-Medium
FORMAT: Double Corona
ORIGIN: Dominican Republic
FINAL GRADE: B
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59
Reno's most exclusive Cigar Boutique.
Specializing in rare and hard to find cigars.
"In His Gravy"
Thursday, November 23, 2017
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
No new posts here today, gentlepersons.
My best of wishes to you and yours.
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
Joe Morgan's Letter to Baseball Hall of Fame Voters & My Thoughts on the Matter
Yesterday morning, Baseball Writers Association of America Hall of Fame voters awoke to Joe Morgan's inbox'd beseechings that they not support candidates linked to steroid-use. The full text of that email can be found HERE. Gentlepersons, if I may be so bold as to butt and to butt once-again in rebuttal to Mr. Morgan; if I may offer-up my two-cents and patiently await my change...
I shall begin with "integrity, sportsmanship, character." Ya see, back in 1999 whenst Pete Rose was widely and wildly applauded for being named part of the All-Century team, Morgan met with Bud Selig in an effort to lift Rose's life-time ban for gambling on baseball. Morgan too sent along video congratulations to his Big Red Machine co-hort whenst Charlie Hustle gained induction into the Reds HOF in 2016. The next year, he played a role in the ceremonial unveiling of a Pete Rose statue at the Great American Ballpark. With this evidence in mind, we can see that whilst named in the fakakta Mitchell Report is the greatest of all moral sin -- admitting to gambling on the game whilst being part of it, not-so much. Them's odd rules. Oh, and Pete Rose needs to be in the Hall of Fame.
Further-more, how about guys who took amphetamines during Joe's own playing days? I mean I've read Ball Four. Most of it. Some of it. Look, I tried. How about racists? Misogynists? (We'll get to a couple'a those in a tick.) How's 'bout players whom bolstered their careers whilst and by never having to face blacks? Again -- where's this line drawn? Who draws it? Joe tried but used a blunt pencil and lightly-so.
Too, this tardy communique is signed with the title "Vice Chairman." This title is true. Also true is that Morgan has been on the Hall’s board of directors since 1994. Why I point this out is because for many years now, voters have been seeking guidance from the Hall regarding just this topic. Ya see, as their heads ain't been buried in the sand, they've long been as ginger as Canelo in their electing of proved and alleged PED users. To the extent that even players who never tested positive nor were mentioned in the Mitchell Report -- think Mike Piazza and Jeff Bagwell -- one and a half shoo-ins, instead faced voted-upon delayings of their inductions. This begs the question of whom's head then, hath been to the sandy beach most and why did he finally fold up his chair, deflate his floaties, and head on home all this time later. Who knows? I'm sure there are reasons, even if it's just an old guy keeping kids off his lawn.
So too little too late, coming from a far from pristine source? This oughtta help loads! Helping even more than loads is "Now, I recognize there are players identified as users on the Mitchell Report who deny they were users. That’s why this is a tricky issue. Not everything is black and white -- there are shades of gray here." With that then, we are really just back to our murky square-one. Roused for no good reason. "Wake up, it's time to take your sleeping pill." Particularly when Morgan than leaves it all to the voters' discretions, trusting them to navigate the perils on their lonesome after pestering them with his finagling. Handling it, they are though. In recent years and according to their vote, they're coming around to even the most tightly-tied to 'roids ballotees. According to an article by Joel Sherman, "Barry Bonds was named on only 36.2% of ballots in 2013, his first year of eligibility, but received 53.8% support last year. Roger Clemens (37.6% support in 2013, 54.1% in 2017) has similarly improved his standing." For the record, 75% gets ya inducted.
There is this, though from Joe: "Players who failed drug tests, admitted using steroids, or were identified as users in Major League Baseball’s investigation into steroid abuse, known as the Mitchell Report, should not get in. Those are the three criteria that many of the players and I think are right." As that compass reads, Sammy Sosa is in like Flynn, gentlepersons. There goes his new-found Clorox'd white privilege again! My feeling is they'll all get in eventually. I'm more than OK with that, it's just the waiting is killing me.
But hey, Till then Craig Biggio is enshrined and whom wouldn't make a lengthy pilgrimage to garner looksie at that uni? Me. I wanna see, hear, touch, taste the fame. It's in the name. "If this is the house of pancakes, then how come I can't eat the walls?" - Homer Simpson as Max Power (The Simpsons, "Homer to the Max". Season 10 / Episode 13.) I wanna wide-eyed bear witness to the relics of said fame, gentlepersons. Not morality -- that hall wouldn't have Babe Ruth nor Ty Cobb exhibits. Taken thatta-way, with me on the opposite end of the spectrum -- one can see this letter from Morgan is just another bit of polarization in an already polarized whirled. So where to find the balance? There's no need to look for it if yer a voter. It ain't yer job. Your job is to simply vote in the greats. No need to choose CNN or Fox News. No need to pick yer protest. My word, though. The letter is even replete with thinly-veiled threats of protest. The mention that other Hall of Famers might take a knee and not attend the induction ceremonies of steroid users. Lettuce all calm verily-well down and be far-less heroic. Where do I sign-up to protest protests?
At the end of the day, this is all-about Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens and their aforementioned closing-in on inductions. Again I ask ya to conjure up images of a Ruth and Cobb free Hall. Or perchance that is next as people seem to love toppling historic statues these days. But that's mainly another topic, right? Soitenly. Of all this email, much of which can be dismissed a la a timely Thanksgiving table interjection of yer great uncle's loud thoughts on whatever -- as one-man's opining to no good-end as Morgan admits to not speaking for every member and offers no true guidance -- what sticks in my craw most is:
I shall begin with "integrity, sportsmanship, character." Ya see, back in 1999 whenst Pete Rose was widely and wildly applauded for being named part of the All-Century team, Morgan met with Bud Selig in an effort to lift Rose's life-time ban for gambling on baseball. Morgan too sent along video congratulations to his Big Red Machine co-hort whenst Charlie Hustle gained induction into the Reds HOF in 2016. The next year, he played a role in the ceremonial unveiling of a Pete Rose statue at the Great American Ballpark. With this evidence in mind, we can see that whilst named in the fakakta Mitchell Report is the greatest of all moral sin -- admitting to gambling on the game whilst being part of it, not-so much. Them's odd rules. Oh, and Pete Rose needs to be in the Hall of Fame.
Further-more, how about guys who took amphetamines during Joe's own playing days? I mean I've read Ball Four. Most of it. Some of it. Look, I tried. How about racists? Misogynists? (We'll get to a couple'a those in a tick.) How's 'bout players whom bolstered their careers whilst and by never having to face blacks? Again -- where's this line drawn? Who draws it? Joe tried but used a blunt pencil and lightly-so.
Too, this tardy communique is signed with the title "Vice Chairman." This title is true. Also true is that Morgan has been on the Hall’s board of directors since 1994. Why I point this out is because for many years now, voters have been seeking guidance from the Hall regarding just this topic. Ya see, as their heads ain't been buried in the sand, they've long been as ginger as Canelo in their electing of proved and alleged PED users. To the extent that even players who never tested positive nor were mentioned in the Mitchell Report -- think Mike Piazza and Jeff Bagwell -- one and a half shoo-ins, instead faced voted-upon delayings of their inductions. This begs the question of whom's head then, hath been to the sandy beach most and why did he finally fold up his chair, deflate his floaties, and head on home all this time later. Who knows? I'm sure there are reasons, even if it's just an old guy keeping kids off his lawn.
So too little too late, coming from a far from pristine source? This oughtta help loads! Helping even more than loads is "Now, I recognize there are players identified as users on the Mitchell Report who deny they were users. That’s why this is a tricky issue. Not everything is black and white -- there are shades of gray here." With that then, we are really just back to our murky square-one. Roused for no good reason. "Wake up, it's time to take your sleeping pill." Particularly when Morgan than leaves it all to the voters' discretions, trusting them to navigate the perils on their lonesome after pestering them with his finagling. Handling it, they are though. In recent years and according to their vote, they're coming around to even the most tightly-tied to 'roids ballotees. According to an article by Joel Sherman, "Barry Bonds was named on only 36.2% of ballots in 2013, his first year of eligibility, but received 53.8% support last year. Roger Clemens (37.6% support in 2013, 54.1% in 2017) has similarly improved his standing." For the record, 75% gets ya inducted.
There is this, though from Joe: "Players who failed drug tests, admitted using steroids, or were identified as users in Major League Baseball’s investigation into steroid abuse, known as the Mitchell Report, should not get in. Those are the three criteria that many of the players and I think are right." As that compass reads, Sammy Sosa is in like Flynn, gentlepersons. There goes his new-found Clorox'd white privilege again! My feeling is they'll all get in eventually. I'm more than OK with that, it's just the waiting is killing me.
But hey, Till then Craig Biggio is enshrined and whom wouldn't make a lengthy pilgrimage to garner looksie at that uni? Me. I wanna see, hear, touch, taste the fame. It's in the name. "If this is the house of pancakes, then how come I can't eat the walls?" - Homer Simpson as Max Power (The Simpsons, "Homer to the Max". Season 10 / Episode 13.) I wanna wide-eyed bear witness to the relics of said fame, gentlepersons. Not morality -- that hall wouldn't have Babe Ruth nor Ty Cobb exhibits. Taken thatta-way, with me on the opposite end of the spectrum -- one can see this letter from Morgan is just another bit of polarization in an already polarized whirled. So where to find the balance? There's no need to look for it if yer a voter. It ain't yer job. Your job is to simply vote in the greats. No need to choose CNN or Fox News. No need to pick yer protest. My word, though. The letter is even replete with thinly-veiled threats of protest. The mention that other Hall of Famers might take a knee and not attend the induction ceremonies of steroid users. Lettuce all calm verily-well down and be far-less heroic. Where do I sign-up to protest protests?
At the end of the day, this is all-about Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens and their aforementioned closing-in on inductions. Again I ask ya to conjure up images of a Ruth and Cobb free Hall. Or perchance that is next as people seem to love toppling historic statues these days. But that's mainly another topic, right? Soitenly. Of all this email, much of which can be dismissed a la a timely Thanksgiving table interjection of yer great uncle's loud thoughts on whatever -- as one-man's opining to no good-end as Morgan admits to not speaking for every member and offers no true guidance -- what sticks in my craw most is:
"P.S. Families come to Cooperstown because they know it’s special. To parents, it’s a place they can take their kids for an uplifting, feel-good visit. It’s a place where kids can see what true greatness is all about. It’s a place where youngsters can dream that one day they too might get in. This place is special. I hope it stays that way."
"Little Johnny, this is Craig Biggio's glove. You probably never heard'a him. He was nice, I s'pose"
Don't raise my kids, Joe. I got it covered. What do I tell Snack Tray? Well, since he's only seven now, I tell him that Mom and me are wrestling. Wait -- that's another-thing. I tell him that baseball's growth and saving-grace has always been the long-ball. First, the Babe yanking the sport from its Dead Ball era with newly-furnished live-ones, then some very big chemically-enhanced fellas rescuing it from a strike-shortened year sans Fall Classic. The powers-that-be were complicit in both. I wasn't around for them Ruthian antics, but do recall MLB hyping their brand with the use of cartoon comic-book renditions of their big-name bangers. Bulging muscles and veins and all. So larger than life and heroic and did I say chemically induced? But just men. One day you'll be a man, I tell Snack Tray. Would you rather be a TV hero or sell appliances at Sears? Same amount of practice, just a few seconds needle-in-tuchus difference. How important are others' rules in how you judge yer actions (I lost him there). Rambled on anyways. What if you were the boss? Would you glorify these your saviors, then precipitate and participate in throwing them that helped under the bus? Which is more disgusting? By the by, Bud Selig is in the Hall of Fame.
"Little Johnny, this is Craig Biggio's glove. You probably never heard'a him. He was nice, I s'pose"
Don't raise my kids, Joe. I got it covered. What do I tell Snack Tray? Well, since he's only seven now, I tell him that Mom and me are wrestling. Wait -- that's another-thing. I tell him that baseball's growth and saving-grace has always been the long-ball. First, the Babe yanking the sport from its Dead Ball era with newly-furnished live-ones, then some very big chemically-enhanced fellas rescuing it from a strike-shortened year sans Fall Classic. The powers-that-be were complicit in both. I wasn't around for them Ruthian antics, but do recall MLB hyping their brand with the use of cartoon comic-book renditions of their big-name bangers. Bulging muscles and veins and all. So larger than life and heroic and did I say chemically induced? But just men. One day you'll be a man, I tell Snack Tray. Would you rather be a TV hero or sell appliances at Sears? Same amount of practice, just a few seconds needle-in-tuchus difference. How important are others' rules in how you judge yer actions (I lost him there). Rambled on anyways. What if you were the boss? Would you glorify these your saviors, then precipitate and participate in throwing them that helped under the bus? Which is more disgusting? By the by, Bud Selig is in the Hall of Fame.
I can hear the gob-smacked kids now. "Daddy, daddy! It's Mr. Selig's office chair!"
Dominion Flor de Claro - Cigar Review
There is a sign I oft look at, as it sits across the street from my kitchen window and I oft hand-wash sinkfuls of dirty dishes. It belongs to the city park/community center and boasts updates of events therein. It is updated none-too regularly. Until two days ago, it bore news of "Boo Barn," a Halloween thing. It is, of course, now mid-November.
The day before yesterday was a tough day for me. They swapped out the old-school vinyl lettered signage for a new digital monstrosity from the next-century. Its frame lights up. However, its LED lights which should bring news of... something... anything... have yet to be lit. In the face of this vulgar and unnecessary "progress," I've decided to hand-write my notes pertaining to the Dominion Flor de Claro I reviewed this very morn. I'm no hero, gentlepersons, I am just one man.
One man bringing balance to the world.
NOTES:
The day before yesterday was a tough day for me. They swapped out the old-school vinyl lettered signage for a new digital monstrosity from the next-century. Its frame lights up. However, its LED lights which should bring news of... something... anything... have yet to be lit. In the face of this vulgar and unnecessary "progress," I've decided to hand-write my notes pertaining to the Dominion Flor de Claro I reviewed this very morn. I'm no hero, gentlepersons, I am just one man.
One man bringing balance to the world.
NOTES:
 |
| Click or tap to enlarge. |
WRAPPER: Honduran Connecticut
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan
STRENGTH: Medium
FORMAT: Toro
ORIGIN: Plasencia Cigar, Nicaragua
FINAL GRADE: B
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59
Sample courtesy of Fumare.
Reno's most exclusive Cigar Boutique.
Specializing in rare and hard to find cigars.
Report a typo, win a No-prize.
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan
STRENGTH: Medium
FORMAT: Toro
ORIGIN: Plasencia Cigar, Nicaragua
FINAL GRADE: B
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59
Sample courtesy of Fumare.
Reno's most exclusive Cigar Boutique.
Specializing in rare and hard to find cigars.
Report a typo, win a No-prize.
"In His Gravy"
Tuesday, November 21, 2017
Top 5 List of 2018 First-Year of Eligibility Baseball Hall of Fame Candidates
A couple-few days back, we learnt the nominees for 2018's Hall of Fame inductions. 'Tis a bulky crop but with a thin cream atop it. As Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire and even Sammy Sosa of new-found white privilege are kept out, as Joe Morgan pleads they remain thata-way, I cobble together this. This list of the top-five for me first-time ballotees. A weighty 14 of such did not make my nigh meaningless cut. Let the bickering begin and please to note that comments are, as ever, closed.
1. JIM THOME
1. JIM THOME
J.Thome is one-fifth the club of MLB players with at least 500 home runs, 1,500 runs scored, 1,600 RBI and 1,700 walks. Barry Bonds, Mel Ott, Babe Ruth, Ted Williams flesh-out that grande list.
A five-time All-Star in 22-campaigns with the Indigenous Peoples, Phils, Sox, Dodgers, Twins and O's. Did spend time as a DH, but that is an actual position on the team, gentlepersons. One I despise, but one nonetheless. Did at third-base procure an AL Silver Slugger Award which shows he could hit whilst fielding, in 1996, anyhow. Hit 20+ homers 16-seasons; 40-or-more six times. Tallied 100-or-more ribbies nine-times (26th on history's list with 1,699) and crossed the plate 100-or-more times in eight seasons. Led his league once in each slugging-percentage (His tally is 23rd all-time) and four-baggers (his 612 sits eighth-best in history). Bested .300 in three-years. Ranks 41st all-told in total-bases.
Thome naturally stood country-strong, mountain-big during an era whenst others stuck needles in tuchuses to be-so. All them should be in the Hall, as should he -- particularly if you feel cheaters shall never win. If in fact 'roids are cheating and not in-sync with baseball's eternal gamesmanship. His cleanliness makes him even a greater shoo-in.
A five-time All-Star in 22-campaigns with the Indigenous Peoples, Phils, Sox, Dodgers, Twins and O's. Did spend time as a DH, but that is an actual position on the team, gentlepersons. One I despise, but one nonetheless. Did at third-base procure an AL Silver Slugger Award which shows he could hit whilst fielding, in 1996, anyhow. Hit 20+ homers 16-seasons; 40-or-more six times. Tallied 100-or-more ribbies nine-times (26th on history's list with 1,699) and crossed the plate 100-or-more times in eight seasons. Led his league once in each slugging-percentage (His tally is 23rd all-time) and four-baggers (his 612 sits eighth-best in history). Bested .300 in three-years. Ranks 41st all-told in total-bases.
Thome naturally stood country-strong, mountain-big during an era whenst others stuck needles in tuchuses to be-so. All them should be in the Hall, as should he -- particularly if you feel cheaters shall never win. If in fact 'roids are cheating and not in-sync with baseball's eternal gamesmanship. His cleanliness makes him even a greater shoo-in.
2. CHIPPER JONES
C.Jones is one of only nine players and the only switch-hitter in history with at least a .300 batting average, .400 on-base percentage, .500 slugging average and 400 home runs. The others are: Jimmie Foxx, Lou Gehrig, Mel Ott, Stan Musial, Manny Ramirez, Babe Ruth, Frank Thomas and Ted Williams. He is also the lone player to hath played the hot-corner in a minimum 50-percent of his games whilst recording at least 1,600 RBI and scoring 1,600-plus runs.
Played 19 seasons, all with the Braves and eight as an All-Star. Was named the 1999 NL Most Valuable Player. Garnered twice, the Silver Slugger Award winner at third base. In 2008 his .470 on-base percentage and .364 AVG each topped his league. All-told hit over .300 in ten-campaigns. Drove-in 100+ ribbies in nine-seasons and scored the same in eight. Too, tallied 14 in-a-row years with at-least 20 round-trippers. His plate discipline ranks him 16th all-time in walks with 1,512.
Jones compares favorably to Mickey Mantle, whom many designate as the greatest switch-hitter ever. This in terms of batting-average, hits, RBI. With fewer strike-outs in more plate appearances. His 85.0 WAR ranks amongst the greatest third-basemen of all-time, ahead of Brooks Robinson.
Played 19 seasons, all with the Braves and eight as an All-Star. Was named the 1999 NL Most Valuable Player. Garnered twice, the Silver Slugger Award winner at third base. In 2008 his .470 on-base percentage and .364 AVG each topped his league. All-told hit over .300 in ten-campaigns. Drove-in 100+ ribbies in nine-seasons and scored the same in eight. Too, tallied 14 in-a-row years with at-least 20 round-trippers. His plate discipline ranks him 16th all-time in walks with 1,512.
Jones compares favorably to Mickey Mantle, whom many designate as the greatest switch-hitter ever. This in terms of batting-average, hits, RBI. With fewer strike-outs in more plate appearances. His 85.0 WAR ranks amongst the greatest third-basemen of all-time, ahead of Brooks Robinson.
3. ANDRUW JONES
A.Jones and his 10 center-field Gold Glove Awards make him one of-only six out-fielders ever to earn at least that many. Among players with 10-or-more such Awards only Willie Mays, Ken Griffey Jr., and Mike Schmidt have more home-runs than his 434, which ranks 47th all-time.
He played 17 years with the Braves, Dodgers, Rangers, White Sox, Yankees. Finishing only 5th in 1997's NL Rookie race, he debuted the year-prior, helping Atlanta get to the World Serious wherein he swatted two big-flies, batted an even .400. A five-time All-Star all-'round player whom on two-occasions landed in the top-ten of NL MVP votings. Whilst fielding he garnered them Gold Gloves and too, topped NL center-fielders in putouts six times and three times in assists. At bat, he ten-times banged 20+ home-runs and in 2005 led the way with 51. Also in that year, he led the league in ribbies and all-told drove-in 100+ runs five-times. Unfortunately, he only hit .300 once. On the base-paths he four-times scored 100-or-more runs, stole 20+ bases four times.
Off all listed here, Jones is for me the greatest athlete -- to the extent it may penalize him. His loping gracefulness oft looked like anything but hustle.
A.Jones and his 10 center-field Gold Glove Awards make him one of-only six out-fielders ever to earn at least that many. Among players with 10-or-more such Awards only Willie Mays, Ken Griffey Jr., and Mike Schmidt have more home-runs than his 434, which ranks 47th all-time.
He played 17 years with the Braves, Dodgers, Rangers, White Sox, Yankees. Finishing only 5th in 1997's NL Rookie race, he debuted the year-prior, helping Atlanta get to the World Serious wherein he swatted two big-flies, batted an even .400. A five-time All-Star all-'round player whom on two-occasions landed in the top-ten of NL MVP votings. Whilst fielding he garnered them Gold Gloves and too, topped NL center-fielders in putouts six times and three times in assists. At bat, he ten-times banged 20+ home-runs and in 2005 led the way with 51. Also in that year, he led the league in ribbies and all-told drove-in 100+ runs five-times. Unfortunately, he only hit .300 once. On the base-paths he four-times scored 100-or-more runs, stole 20+ bases four times.
Off all listed here, Jones is for me the greatest athlete -- to the extent it may penalize him. His loping gracefulness oft looked like anything but hustle.
4. SCOTT ROLEN
S.Rolen, famously one-third of the early-2000s “MV3” Cardinals along-side Albert Pujols and Jim Edmonds. Now, perchance the intrigue-iest of this candidate lot. As to J.Edmonds, an example of a player excluded from the Hall of Fame because of loaded ballot and 10-player vote-limit. In short -- Edmonds did not get a fair shake. But lettuce shift focus back-to Rolen -- no more of a second-fiddle than Andruw played to Chipper.
Played 17 seasons for Philadelphia, St. Louis, Toronto, Cincinnati. Won National League 1997 Rookie of the Year honors, went-on to seven All-Star appearances. Gold Glove third-baseman eight-times. Topped the NL in put-outs and assists by third-basemen twice each. NL Silver Slugger hot-corner honoree. Bashed to the 20-home run mark in 10 seasons. Two campaigns of .300+. Five-times passed the 100-RBI threshold. Twice scored 100+ runs. Topped the NL in put-outs and assists by third-basemen twice each.
He won't get in now and inherits Edmond's bum luck (whom should get-in first) far-and-further-out there on the fringe. If stuffs stays back-logged as steroid-era-denizens keep stealing votes but not 'nuff to gain election -- Rolen shall find his way into the Very Good wing of the Hall of Fame -- via early Eras Committee.
He pitched 12 seasons in total for Minnesota and New Yawk, going to four All-Star games. Twice in three years won the American League Cy Young Award and twice too, finished in the top-10 in MVP voting. Humsoever, only accrued a single 20-win season but did have a 19-win campaign thrown-in. Once-bestowed the AL Gold Glove Award and four-times led in WHIP. Thricely in ERA, strike-outs, hits and strike-outs per-nine innings. Too, he twice sat atop all in starts and stanzas-pitched. Once beat-out the league in wins.
Will all this be 'nuff to get him in? Probably not -- very definitely not on the first ballot -- but he's a pitcher whom deserves more attentions than many will give him. So I done my sorta due diligence. I'll leave ya with these ESPN figures pertaining to a pair of short-lived and filthy for the ages southpaws:
Santana: 139-78, 3.20 ERA, 136 ERA+, 50.7 WAR, 2 Cy Youngs
Koufax: 165-87, 2.76 ERA, 131 ERA+, 53.2 WAR, 3 Cy Youngs
Played 17 seasons for Philadelphia, St. Louis, Toronto, Cincinnati. Won National League 1997 Rookie of the Year honors, went-on to seven All-Star appearances. Gold Glove third-baseman eight-times. Topped the NL in put-outs and assists by third-basemen twice each. NL Silver Slugger hot-corner honoree. Bashed to the 20-home run mark in 10 seasons. Two campaigns of .300+. Five-times passed the 100-RBI threshold. Twice scored 100+ runs. Topped the NL in put-outs and assists by third-basemen twice each.
He won't get in now and inherits Edmond's bum luck (whom should get-in first) far-and-further-out there on the fringe. If stuffs stays back-logged as steroid-era-denizens keep stealing votes but not 'nuff to gain election -- Rolen shall find his way into the Very Good wing of the Hall of Fame -- via early Eras Committee.
5. JOHAN SANTANA
J.Santana hurled the first Mets no-hitter in franchise history versus the Cards on June 1, 2012. His zenith was a short but rather brilliant one, which I shall attest to in his segment's closing.He pitched 12 seasons in total for Minnesota and New Yawk, going to four All-Star games. Twice in three years won the American League Cy Young Award and twice too, finished in the top-10 in MVP voting. Humsoever, only accrued a single 20-win season but did have a 19-win campaign thrown-in. Once-bestowed the AL Gold Glove Award and four-times led in WHIP. Thricely in ERA, strike-outs, hits and strike-outs per-nine innings. Too, he twice sat atop all in starts and stanzas-pitched. Once beat-out the league in wins.
Will all this be 'nuff to get him in? Probably not -- very definitely not on the first ballot -- but he's a pitcher whom deserves more attentions than many will give him. So I done my sorta due diligence. I'll leave ya with these ESPN figures pertaining to a pair of short-lived and filthy for the ages southpaws:
Santana: 139-78, 3.20 ERA, 136 ERA+, 50.7 WAR, 2 Cy Youngs
Koufax: 165-87, 2.76 ERA, 131 ERA+, 53.2 WAR, 3 Cy Youngs
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
OMAR VIZQUEL
A good glove, no hit guy. But less of each whenst held-up to, say, Ozzie Smith. Fantastic baseball brain whom may find his road to The Hall going through the dug-out.
OMAR VIZQUEL
A good glove, no hit guy. But less of each whenst held-up to, say, Ozzie Smith. Fantastic baseball brain whom may find his road to The Hall going through the dug-out.
JOHNNY DAMON
A or perchance thEE pioneer of to-day's caveman look. Bushy beard, long hair -- notably and at the time newsily sans his Damn Yankees stint. Good ball-player.
Now if you'll be-so kind as to excuse me gentlepersons, The Simpsons Movie is on in a tick.
Report a typo, win a No-prize.
"The Burrito Trap"
A or perchance thEE pioneer of to-day's caveman look. Bushy beard, long hair -- notably and at the time newsily sans his Damn Yankees stint. Good ball-player.
Now if you'll be-so kind as to excuse me gentlepersons, The Simpsons Movie is on in a tick.
Report a typo, win a No-prize.
"The Burrito Trap"
Monday, November 20, 2017
Espinosa Murcielago (2017, AJ Fernandez) - Cigar Review
It's easy to predict the third-time as being the charm whenst ya got AJ Fernandez involved. This is, to be clear, the third iteration of the Murcielago name. The line debuted in 2009 as part of the United Tobacco/EO Brands’ parcel in a portfolio under the ownership of Erik Espinosa and Eddie Ortega. Whenst the partnership dissolved, a college-try of a crack was taken at mimicking the blend for a 2015 release -- since the Garcia family, manufacturers of the original at their My Father factory -- retained the blend information. Now, this. According to Director of Operations for Espinosa Premium Cigars, one Hector Alfonso Sr., the success herein is within well-aged tobaccos. Well, I'll be a monkey's uncle dipped in buttermilk.
To be succinct in review, this is the Murcielago with the shiny, not anything reminiscent of Batman logo, silver/black band. (Its name means bat, by the by.) The name was also employed as a model of Lamborghini from 2001 to 2010. Also, some folks don't know exactly what's in the cigars they take credit in creating. But hey! Let's light this bad-boy up and get me some blog hits. 'Tis a cynical Monday morning 'round these parts to be sure.
NOTES:
To be succinct in review, this is the Murcielago with the shiny, not anything reminiscent of Batman logo, silver/black band. (Its name means bat, by the by.) The name was also employed as a model of Lamborghini from 2001 to 2010. Also, some folks don't know exactly what's in the cigars they take credit in creating. But hey! Let's light this bad-boy up and get me some blog hits. 'Tis a cynical Monday morning 'round these parts to be sure.
NOTES:
Well-built and verily-so. Even draw, tight seams, no hard/soft spots, and the box-press holds perfectly. Combusts in a cruise-control manner on a slight curvature. Pacing is moderate and temperature of smoke is cool 'nuff all the way through. Voluminous smoky-smoke off each end both active and resting. Ash is a medium-to-dark grey marbled and somewhat aerated stack a' dimes.
All-told a muscular straight-forward thing that is ultimately perchance not pleasant per se, but verily satiating. A hearty entree that don't need an appetizer and leaves bupkis room for dessert. All-told, Part II, verily an AJF offering of the high upper-middling shelf.
WRAPPER: Mexican
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan
STRENGTH: Full
FORMAT: Robusto Box-Press
ORIGIN: AJ Fernandez San Lotano factory, Nicaragua.
FINAL GRADE: A-
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59
Report a typo, win a No-prize.
"The Burrito Trap"
- Black Pepper
- Chocolate (semi-sweet, fudge)
- Cayenne
- Baking Spices
- Cuban Coffee
- Molasses
- Leather (Boot)
- Grains
- Marshmallow (Toasted)
- Meat (Smoked)
- Sarsaparilla
- Manure
- Compost
All-told a muscular straight-forward thing that is ultimately perchance not pleasant per se, but verily satiating. A hearty entree that don't need an appetizer and leaves bupkis room for dessert. All-told, Part II, verily an AJF offering of the high upper-middling shelf.
WRAPPER: Mexican
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan
STRENGTH: Full
FORMAT: Robusto Box-Press
ORIGIN: AJ Fernandez San Lotano factory, Nicaragua.
FINAL GRADE: A-
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59
Report a typo, win a No-prize.
"The Burrito Trap"
Sunday, November 19, 2017
Graycliff Silver - Cigar Review
I understand that each box of these Graycliff Silver cigars comes with a certificate of authenticity. PayPal me 'nuff moolah and I'll write you up my own certificate of authenticity. For one shant be careless whenst perusing blogs, ya see. There is the Dark Web and too there are Russian hackers 'round every corner purveying fake news. Foward gelt HERE. What price to pay for the safety and security of you and yer loved ones? Soitenly we can think of a monetary figure which suits each of our budgets.
Ah, but on-to the cigar at frozen autumn-morning hand, the aforementioned Graycliff Siver...
Burns coolly even with occasional self-correcting and oh-so-slight wobbles as to nowt mention a thing, lo I just-did. Languidly paced. Rolled verily-well with tight seams and well-assembled cap and shoulder; sans hard/soft spots and nary a softening through progression. Excellent smooth draw set to an even-keeled medium+ tension. Smoke hits the palate cool as a cuke which allows for a look at some sparkling complexities. Texture is quite velvety with a slight but lively tingle.
Citrus-intwined creamy cedar along-side a complex array of subtle exotic spices. Grains, blonde vanilla latte, and a caramelized sugar'd suede flesh-out the softly bulging middlings. Under-belly is clay dirt sweetened by traces of golden hay and honey malt. The finish exhibits a sashaying extension of draw and out-stretched toasting of the grains, roasting of the woods. Oak plays hither and thither as does a salted fusty influence.
WRAPPER: Ecuadorian
BINDER: Ecuadorian
FILLER: Costa Rica, Honduras, Philippines, Nicaragua
STRENGTH: Medium
FORMAT: Toro
ORIGIN: Bahamas
FINAL GRADE: A
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59
Sample courtesy of Fumare.
Reno's most exclusive Cigar Boutique.
Specializing in rare and hard to find cigars.
Report a typo, win a No-prize.
"The Burrito Trap"
WRAPPER: Ecuadorian
BINDER: Ecuadorian
FILLER: Costa Rica, Honduras, Philippines, Nicaragua
STRENGTH: Medium
FORMAT: Toro
ORIGIN: Bahamas
FINAL GRADE: A
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59
Sample courtesy of Fumare.
Reno's most exclusive Cigar Boutique.
Specializing in rare and hard to find cigars.
Report a typo, win a No-prize.
"The Burrito Trap"
Friday, November 17, 2017
Macanudo Inspirado White - Cigar Review
Looking out the window whilst washing the dishes this morning, I saw a neighbor walk past with a new dog, a black and white fluffy medium-sized thing. The dog, not the neighbor. It was nice to see. Nicer was my feeling of somewhat belonging or at least familiarity to or with the area I've lived in for the better part of a decade now.
Mind you, I have no idea where exactly this fella lives, nor have I ever spoken a single word to him. I have no intention of changing that, either. The idea of it truthfully makes me cringe. It's 'nuff connection as it is to make my morning a lil more okay than it may've otherwise been. Just a peek outta a window into the life of some vaguely familiar fellow human-being. Distances. Comfortable distances.
Please now read this review of a Macanudo Inspirado White offering. No need to tell me ya did, I'll know someone has, just by looking at the ol' blog stats and maybe even think fondly of that over the next sink of crusted-over plates and flatware.
NOTES:
Burns evenly and offers a smooth medium+ tensioned draw which satiates and saturates well particularly given the profile's mildness. Well-rolled sans soft/hard spots with nada softening via heating. Smoke stays cool to ye olde nub. Burnt-offerings grow-well lo, delicately-so in a nigh whiteness. Verily a smoky-smoke with delicate sweet room-note of pale floral spices. Lively yet gentle pepper-spice tingle. Subtly complex from draw to finish via them spices mingling-well with sweetnesses. Draw is spice then sweet, finish flips the script on longer legs than ya'd guess. Well-rounded with a zesty richness.
BINDER: Indonesian
FILLER: Nicaraguan, Mexican
STRENGTH: Mild-Medium
FORMAT: Robusto
ORIGIN: Dominican Republic
FINAL GRADE: B+
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59
IN ADDITION:
Macanudo Inspirado Goes Black & White - Cigar News
Macanudo Inspirado Black (Original Blend) - Cigar Review
Macanudo Inspirado Black (Revamp) - Cigar Review
Sample courtesy of Fumare.
Reno's most exclusive Cigar Boutique.
Mind you, I have no idea where exactly this fella lives, nor have I ever spoken a single word to him. I have no intention of changing that, either. The idea of it truthfully makes me cringe. It's 'nuff connection as it is to make my morning a lil more okay than it may've otherwise been. Just a peek outta a window into the life of some vaguely familiar fellow human-being. Distances. Comfortable distances.
Please now read this review of a Macanudo Inspirado White offering. No need to tell me ya did, I'll know someone has, just by looking at the ol' blog stats and maybe even think fondly of that over the next sink of crusted-over plates and flatware.
NOTES:
Burns evenly and offers a smooth medium+ tensioned draw which satiates and saturates well particularly given the profile's mildness. Well-rolled sans soft/hard spots with nada softening via heating. Smoke stays cool to ye olde nub. Burnt-offerings grow-well lo, delicately-so in a nigh whiteness. Verily a smoky-smoke with delicate sweet room-note of pale floral spices. Lively yet gentle pepper-spice tingle. Subtly complex from draw to finish via them spices mingling-well with sweetnesses. Draw is spice then sweet, finish flips the script on longer legs than ya'd guess. Well-rounded with a zesty richness.
- White pepper
- Allspice
- Cream
- Wasabi
- Lemonade
- Chamomile
- Vanilla bean
- Caramel
- Grass
- Hay
- Earth
BINDER: Indonesian
FILLER: Nicaraguan, Mexican
STRENGTH: Mild-Medium
FORMAT: Robusto
ORIGIN: Dominican Republic
FINAL GRADE: B+
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59
Macanudo Inspirado Goes Black & White - Cigar News
Macanudo Inspirado Black (Original Blend) - Cigar Review
Macanudo Inspirado Black (Revamp) - Cigar Review
Sample courtesy of Fumare.
Reno's most exclusive Cigar Boutique.
Thursday, November 16, 2017
Giancarlo Stanton & Jose Altuve Named 2017 MVP Recipients
The announcements were announced and how long is it again till pitchers and catchers report? I slunked back into my chair and took a deep breath, which is hard to do whilst slunked so I got a little light-headed but I pulled through OK. Ah, baseball's year-end let-down. The last of the awards biggies are in the bag.
Giancarlo Stanton, he of the Miami Marlins and super-bright retinae-searing toothy grin and Houston Astros spark-plug Jose Altuve (hey, have you heard he's on the short-side???) were tapped for the National and American League most Valuable Player awards, respectively. So spoketh the Baseball Writers' Association of America. As through-out the Big Four year-end trophy dole-outs, the production value of the MLB Network presentation was similar to that episode of Home Improvement where Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor let his oddest and youngest boy mock-up a video for Tool Time. The high-light of which was Jose Ramirez appearing live via satellite in what seemed to be hostage footage. Never have I doubted more the words of an interpreter; aside from every sign language translator ever.
Whilst Ramirez had the same crack at winning to-day as did yester-day's Cy Young Damn Yankees representative Luis Severino, Aaron "Dave Kingman" Judge was there to make things at least tighter than the space twixt his two front teefs. For this, it was opted not to lead with his post All-Star break slump and 200+ strike-outs. I adore stuff being stufft down my throat, don't you? Really though, it was rightly J.Altuve by a country-mile and deservedly-so. In the match-race of this ceremony, there was but only one pony whom put forth splendidly from the campaign's start to finish, and as mentioned nay it weren't A.Judge. Altuve, too a goodly-gloved second-baseman, racked up quite the MVP resume with a 346 batting average, 204 base-knocks, 81 ribbies and a tie for career-high 24 homers. He also led the league in the hustle-quotient of infield hits. He also-also set the league mark with his tally of three-hit games. He was second in runs with 112, third in stolen-bases with 32. He was nigh tops in many an other category, but I don't get paid by the word. So that's a succinct wrap on yer AL MVP. I might add that I still ain't used to the 'Stros being an AL squad, gentlepersons.
Onto the Senior Circuit, it was as mentioned, a big night for the also (if not equally) deservant Giancarlo Stanton. Now, on the strength of finally having a non-injury-plagued season, lettuce follow his chase for a long-term big-moolah contract. Speaking of chases, G.Stanton spent much of the '17 campaign chasing the home-run record of his choosing -- the 61 of Roger Maris. If only he'd called into target Babe Ruth's circa 1920 standard of 54, then doing away with all else. His 59 woulda been the best ever, in that case! Accompanying the prodigious HR total were 132 RBI and a batting-average of .281. The Marlins' right fielder too put in a top-five showing in runs and total bases. He also walked 85 times and legged-out 32 doubles. Ultimately, Stanton set personal-bests nigh across the offensive board. The Marlins finished their campaign with a losing record of 77-85, so one (me) must bend one's (mine) thoughts on what an MVP doth mean and do -- but in years as big as this was for Stanton -- that's practically doable. I'd come out and say Charlie Blackmon shoulda won, and Stanton was the best only of the three finalists from wherest C.Blackmon was somehow omitted... but Colorado as a whole seems to think well 'nuff of itself sans my help.
Of note is each honoree was a first-time honoree and that the National League's vote saw a record hair's breath separation twixt Stanton and the best hitter now hitting on G-d's green but really mostly blue earth: Joey Votto. Now if ya excuse me, there's a salty snack bowl waiting for me to turn it in into crumbs on the front of my sweatshirt.
Report a typo, win a No-prize.
"The Burrito Trap"
Giancarlo Stanton, he of the Miami Marlins and super-bright retinae-searing toothy grin and Houston Astros spark-plug Jose Altuve (hey, have you heard he's on the short-side???) were tapped for the National and American League most Valuable Player awards, respectively. So spoketh the Baseball Writers' Association of America. As through-out the Big Four year-end trophy dole-outs, the production value of the MLB Network presentation was similar to that episode of Home Improvement where Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor let his oddest and youngest boy mock-up a video for Tool Time. The high-light of which was Jose Ramirez appearing live via satellite in what seemed to be hostage footage. Never have I doubted more the words of an interpreter; aside from every sign language translator ever.
Whilst Ramirez had the same crack at winning to-day as did yester-day's Cy Young Damn Yankees representative Luis Severino, Aaron "Dave Kingman" Judge was there to make things at least tighter than the space twixt his two front teefs. For this, it was opted not to lead with his post All-Star break slump and 200+ strike-outs. I adore stuff being stufft down my throat, don't you? Really though, it was rightly J.Altuve by a country-mile and deservedly-so. In the match-race of this ceremony, there was but only one pony whom put forth splendidly from the campaign's start to finish, and as mentioned nay it weren't A.Judge. Altuve, too a goodly-gloved second-baseman, racked up quite the MVP resume with a 346 batting average, 204 base-knocks, 81 ribbies and a tie for career-high 24 homers. He also led the league in the hustle-quotient of infield hits. He also-also set the league mark with his tally of three-hit games. He was second in runs with 112, third in stolen-bases with 32. He was nigh tops in many an other category, but I don't get paid by the word. So that's a succinct wrap on yer AL MVP. I might add that I still ain't used to the 'Stros being an AL squad, gentlepersons.
Onto the Senior Circuit, it was as mentioned, a big night for the also (if not equally) deservant Giancarlo Stanton. Now, on the strength of finally having a non-injury-plagued season, lettuce follow his chase for a long-term big-moolah contract. Speaking of chases, G.Stanton spent much of the '17 campaign chasing the home-run record of his choosing -- the 61 of Roger Maris. If only he'd called into target Babe Ruth's circa 1920 standard of 54, then doing away with all else. His 59 woulda been the best ever, in that case! Accompanying the prodigious HR total were 132 RBI and a batting-average of .281. The Marlins' right fielder too put in a top-five showing in runs and total bases. He also walked 85 times and legged-out 32 doubles. Ultimately, Stanton set personal-bests nigh across the offensive board. The Marlins finished their campaign with a losing record of 77-85, so one (me) must bend one's (mine) thoughts on what an MVP doth mean and do -- but in years as big as this was for Stanton -- that's practically doable. I'd come out and say Charlie Blackmon shoulda won, and Stanton was the best only of the three finalists from wherest C.Blackmon was somehow omitted... but Colorado as a whole seems to think well 'nuff of itself sans my help.
Of note is each honoree was a first-time honoree and that the National League's vote saw a record hair's breath separation twixt Stanton and the best hitter now hitting on G-d's green but really mostly blue earth: Joey Votto. Now if ya excuse me, there's a salty snack bowl waiting for me to turn it in into crumbs on the front of my sweatshirt.
"The Burrito Trap"
Dominion Black Lotus - Cigar Review
Snack Tray just read a story about Babe Ruth calling his shot. His review was: "I didn't like it but I didn't not like it." So, I'm looking to sell the kid-of-mine to the highest bidder. I'm out. Whilst waiting to field offers (please no men of the cloth or politicians) I figured I might as well sit down for a looksie at this Dominion Black Lotus offering.
NOTES:
Excellently constructed and performing cigar all-'round. Smooth medium+ tension'd draw delivering cool-smoke to smoke-hole, gate-to-wire. Seams and cap don't budge nor soften, and neither doth density of pack. There's a whole-lotta 'baccy in this Black Lotus. Verily slow and increasingly-so burn-rate with some slight puckerings at the even through-out char-line. Ash is a grower and a stubborn one at that, building in a medium-dark grey marbled stack a' dimes. There is some jagged dryness there-in the burnt-offerings on occasion.
A front of dusty spices fades through the opening stanza, as its black pepper tandem carries-on ahead. There's a growing sweet attachment all-along which stems from a viscous fruitiness of blood-red to purple hues, although remaining indistinguishable more-than that. Some gamey bits and soy sauce form the middling's majority alongside dark oily tobacco; gets a black walnut complexity warmly inserted at the half. Rich manure under-belly. Some alkaline tendencies on room-note and end-of finish. The finish itself is a quite-deep black pepper with sweet spice accompaniment. Does unfortunately bitter-some at final stanza. All-told well-balanced with 'nuff complexities to escape linear progressions.
WRAPPER: Honduran Habano Colorado
BINDER: Honduran Sumatra
FILLER: Nicaraguan, Honduran
STRENGTH: Medium-Full
FORMAT: Robusto
ORIGIN: Tabacos De Oriente, Honduras
FINAL GRADE: B+
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59
Report a typo, win a No-prize.
"The Burrito Trap"
NOTES:
Excellently constructed and performing cigar all-'round. Smooth medium+ tension'd draw delivering cool-smoke to smoke-hole, gate-to-wire. Seams and cap don't budge nor soften, and neither doth density of pack. There's a whole-lotta 'baccy in this Black Lotus. Verily slow and increasingly-so burn-rate with some slight puckerings at the even through-out char-line. Ash is a grower and a stubborn one at that, building in a medium-dark grey marbled stack a' dimes. There is some jagged dryness there-in the burnt-offerings on occasion.
A front of dusty spices fades through the opening stanza, as its black pepper tandem carries-on ahead. There's a growing sweet attachment all-along which stems from a viscous fruitiness of blood-red to purple hues, although remaining indistinguishable more-than that. Some gamey bits and soy sauce form the middling's majority alongside dark oily tobacco; gets a black walnut complexity warmly inserted at the half. Rich manure under-belly. Some alkaline tendencies on room-note and end-of finish. The finish itself is a quite-deep black pepper with sweet spice accompaniment. Does unfortunately bitter-some at final stanza. All-told well-balanced with 'nuff complexities to escape linear progressions.
BINDER: Honduran Sumatra
FILLER: Nicaraguan, Honduran
STRENGTH: Medium-Full
FORMAT: Robusto
ORIGIN: Tabacos De Oriente, Honduras
FINAL GRADE: B+
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59
Report a typo, win a No-prize.
"The Burrito Trap"
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Corey Kluber & Max Scherzer Named 2017 Cy Young Award Recipients
Congratulations are due to the two hurlers deemed best of the best by the Baseball Writers Association of America to-day and thusly honored with this year's Cy Young Awards: Corey Kluber of the Cleveland Indians and Max Scherzer of the Washington Nationals. Representing, natch, the Junior and Senior Circuits, respectively. For the second and third time each and again, respectively.
BoSox south-paw Chris Sale finished first-loser, followed to the line by Damn Yankees righty Luis Severino. It was not a photo-finish twixt place and show, gentlepersons. Interestingly, C.Sale's season was something like Kluber's in-reverse and part of me wondered if that'd lead to splitting the trophy -- but what-have ya done for me lately prevails and truly, what Kluber done lately was splendiferous.
M.Scherzer won the honors for the first-time as a member of the Detroit Tigers back in 2013. Most recently, he won last-year which is literally, most recently. Scherzer won going away over the innings-lacking trolley-Dodger Clayton Kershaw and his own Nats stable-mate Stephen "The Orchid" Strasburg. He done-so via securing 27 of 30 first-place votes, which makes either that or the AL's count, seem odd. Regardless, he's now the 10th hurler with at least three Cy Youngs under his belt. I wonder how them Mrs. Youngs feel about that. Baseball MLB Corey Kluber Max Scherzer Cy Young "Woooooo!!!" Ric Flair.
Humsoever, I must say: not just the best of the best were present and accounted for, at the oddly casual low-production announcements, as Chris Sale 'tweren't and for some reason Luis Severino 'twas. He answered the panel questions in such a way as I'd, well... answer the panel questions -- for we each knew we had the same shot at glory there. Poor kid. The Cy Young Award to me is what I feel the MVP is to many others. This is my personal biggest-deal of the Fantastic Four year-end accolades. If ya ask me -- but ya don't have to -- because I just told ya. My order of preference (are we still allowed preferences these days?) would be Cy Young, MVP, Manager of the Year, and Rookie of the Year. I won't get into why, nor promise to espouse or even recall that order later. But that all did get my word-count up and might just ping some keyword crawlers so's I look nice to Google searches. Baseball MLB Corey Kluber Max Scherzer Cy Young
In this the Year of the Home-run, the award becomes even a bigger deal and thankfully, found itself quite-well represented in and by this pair a' aces. How many years hath we now that could be called that? The Year of the Home-run. Babe Ruth revolutionizing the game and selling out stadiums as Ty Cob cussed and sharpened his cleats to razors. Barry Bonds going up a hat-size and saving the game from MLB and the strike and no World Serious. It's always the long-ball. And apple pie and blue jeans and beauty queens... Baseball MLB Corey Kluber Max Scherzer Cy Young Boy-O, I'm in a mood! I'd do bes' to digress.
Righty C.Kluber earned 28 of 30 first-place votes. This on the back of an American League-leading 18 wins and 2.25 ERA. All that in spite of spending a month on the shelf, licking wounds and collecting dust. All-told he finished with 203-stanzas of work and went a minimum a' six-frames in 25 of 29 starts. Only in this brave new whirled doth that work-rate speak to work-horse, gentlepersons. His five complete games tied him for tops in all the majors.
The jury is still out on what I'm 'bout to impart, as to whether it's less or more impressive -- but Kluber truly won this award on the sweat a' only one of two brows. Or at least one of two halves. Of the season, to be clear. This award was awarded on the biggest mound turn-around I can recall (please don't ask me what I ate for breakfast). A day post-May Day his earned-run average was 5.06. He toe'd the rubber for just three-innings that day's-go. Then came the stretcher-stretch: a stint on the disabled-list. In his returning June till the 162nd game, he went 15-2 with that 15 being top of the top-class class, as was his 1.62 ERA. Kluber's other Cy Young came three-years ago, he is now the first Cleveland Indigenous People to win the honor twice.
BoSox south-paw Chris Sale finished first-loser, followed to the line by Damn Yankees righty Luis Severino. It was not a photo-finish twixt place and show, gentlepersons. Interestingly, C.Sale's season was something like Kluber's in-reverse and part of me wondered if that'd lead to splitting the trophy -- but what-have ya done for me lately prevails and truly, what Kluber done lately was splendiferous.
M.Scherzer won the honors for the first-time as a member of the Detroit Tigers back in 2013. Most recently, he won last-year which is literally, most recently. Scherzer won going away over the innings-lacking trolley-Dodger Clayton Kershaw and his own Nats stable-mate Stephen "The Orchid" Strasburg. He done-so via securing 27 of 30 first-place votes, which makes either that or the AL's count, seem odd. Regardless, he's now the 10th hurler with at least three Cy Youngs under his belt. I wonder how them Mrs. Youngs feel about that. Baseball MLB Corey Kluber Max Scherzer Cy Young "Woooooo!!!" Ric Flair.
Scherzer's 268 strike-outs led the NL and his 2.51 ERA ranked second. He too finished fourth in wins with 16. I mean really, does anyone else feel odd about this count? Ne'ertheless, he now hath one more Cy Young Award than eye hue. He has two differently-colored eyes.
Each winner had a rough-spot whenst it mattered most in the post-season, but that ain't incorporated into these votings. Lest S.Strasberg going from "Orchid" to "Succulent" therein may've won him the Cy-nod. Scherzer flung-up his arms at the news of his win and exalted an exclamation on the low-production MLB Network live presentation. Kluber's emotions could not be reached for comment and have not responded to phone-calls at the time of this writing.
Report a typo, win a No-prize.
"The Burrito Trap"
Each winner had a rough-spot whenst it mattered most in the post-season, but that ain't incorporated into these votings. Lest S.Strasberg going from "Orchid" to "Succulent" therein may've won him the Cy-nod. Scherzer flung-up his arms at the news of his win and exalted an exclamation on the low-production MLB Network live presentation. Kluber's emotions could not be reached for comment and have not responded to phone-calls at the time of this writing.
Report a typo, win a No-prize.
"The Burrito Trap"
Rocky Patel Vintage 2006 San Andres - Cigar Review
I'm bleaching the little red house's kitchen counter-tops. Flu-Season, and all. Of course, I do it year-round, as I'm rather neurotic. To keep from bleaching my sweatpants and shirt, which should be seen as akin to ripped jeans in a fashion-sense -- but why trouble trouble -- I donned an old apron.
Back in my chef days of yore, I never wore the highfalutin jackets of the post's prescription. Instead, I wore a Tshirt with apron over-top. Why? Because no one asks the guy in the apron anything. He is left alone. Please don't leave me alone. Or at least first read this review of a Rocky Patel Vintage 2006 San Andres in its Robusto format. Then, ya know, leave me alone. Or send gelt.
NOTES:
Performs via cruise-control burn with smoothly-medium draw tension. Brightly front-loaded of zesty baking-spice/red pepper -- subdues but hangs in to kindly-kick. Rising up of pecan, meat, grain, mocha, and marshmallow. Quite San Andres but greatly Broad-leaf influenced. Supremely-balanced, forward-driven. Complex bitter/sweet long clean leathery finish. Tingly viscous smoke-hole feel.
WRAPPER: Mexican San Andres
BINDER: Connecticut Broadleaf
FILLER: Nicaraguan
STRENGTH: Medium-Full
FORMAT: Robusto
ORIGIN: Tabacalera Villa Cuba S.A., Nicaragua
Back in my chef days of yore, I never wore the highfalutin jackets of the post's prescription. Instead, I wore a Tshirt with apron over-top. Why? Because no one asks the guy in the apron anything. He is left alone. Please don't leave me alone. Or at least first read this review of a Rocky Patel Vintage 2006 San Andres in its Robusto format. Then, ya know, leave me alone. Or send gelt.
NOTES:
Performs via cruise-control burn with smoothly-medium draw tension. Brightly front-loaded of zesty baking-spice/red pepper -- subdues but hangs in to kindly-kick. Rising up of pecan, meat, grain, mocha, and marshmallow. Quite San Andres but greatly Broad-leaf influenced. Supremely-balanced, forward-driven. Complex bitter/sweet long clean leathery finish. Tingly viscous smoke-hole feel.
WRAPPER: Mexican San Andres
BINDER: Connecticut Broadleaf
FILLER: Nicaraguan
STRENGTH: Medium-Full
FORMAT: Robusto
ORIGIN: Tabacalera Villa Cuba S.A., Nicaragua
"The Burrito Trap"
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
Terry Lovullo & Paul Molitor Named 2017 Manager of the Year Award Recipients
Sedate. If I had to sum my to-day up in a single-word: sedate. The driving mid-November in Oregon monsoons yielded to nigh sun-shine. The frigid winds to mere cool breezes. The latest Reader's Digest edition arrived in my mailbox. In light of this, I opted to keep the calmness going with a snack of Saltines and Velveeta, putting off the stack of Ritz for more turbulent times. In keeping with this mood, the second-day of year-end MLB awards were given out. congratulations to Paul Molitor of the Minnesota Twins and Terry Lovullo of the Arizona Diamondbacks. AL and NL, respectively.
Of the four biggies: MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, and Manager of the Year -- this, that list's caboose, is by far its most... lettuce say... sedate affair. Which is to take nothing away from its calm inherent mystery. How is this thing arrived at, exactly? No one knows but current trends, this year's included, seem to take into vast account over-achieving and/or flying beyond expectations. Lest it'd simply be handed to the skipper whom's squad registered the greatest tally of wins. I mean there's a big difference between sedate and bo-ooo-ring.
T.Lovullo, rookie D-Backs manager, was honored on account'a forming a 93-win post-season team from an under-achieving 93-loss, fourth-place team over the span of a single campaign. For this feat, the Baseball Writers Association of America endorsement he by his garnering 18 of 30 first-place votes. Last year's winner, the ever-over-managing (except for leaving Yu Darvish in whenst it mattered precious-mmost) Dave Roberts of the LA Dodgers, fleshed-in this year's exacta. Bud Black of the Colorado Rockies finished third; then came Craig Counsell of the Milwaukee Brewers in fourth. The canned Dusty Baker finished fifth. Lovullo's win marks the fourth-year in a row that a first-year manager gained the nod and got the trophy. Makes sense if we're grading on turn-arounds. "Yes, hello. I'm calling to see if you have Dusty Baker in a can? ...'
P.Molitor is now perchance the most successful of all Hall of Fame players-cum-managers and as proof is only the second of such to win this award and I can't recall the identity of the other. His win came on the heels and on account'a steering the Twins into the post-season coming off a 103 loss 2016. For this Herculean effort, he too was given 18 of 30 first-place votes. Terry Francona of the Cleveland Indians came in first-loser. World Champion Houston Astros skipper A.J Hinch finished third (?interrobang!) and another unemployment-office denizen Joe Girardi formerly of the Damn Yankees finished fourth. Not only was Molitor's completed-task mentioned a tick ago Herculean, but it landed he in the record books as being at the helm of the first squad ever to accomplish a 100-loss season spring-boarding to a next-year play-off berth. No one was more surprised than Minnesota's front-office.
Sedate. Nice. The Reader's Digest cover story is "The Nicest Places in America." Congratulations again to Terry Lovullo, Paul Molitor, and now Gallatin, Tennessee. This just in! It would appear, according to a small column on a pastel back-drop entitled "The Crazy Things People Said While Asleep," that a man's wife heard him say a month-ago: "Set the burrito trap."
A warmly chuckled "Oh, boy!"
I think I'll make a cup of tea, not drink it, and hit the sack early to-night.
Of the four biggies: MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, and Manager of the Year -- this, that list's caboose, is by far its most... lettuce say... sedate affair. Which is to take nothing away from its calm inherent mystery. How is this thing arrived at, exactly? No one knows but current trends, this year's included, seem to take into vast account over-achieving and/or flying beyond expectations. Lest it'd simply be handed to the skipper whom's squad registered the greatest tally of wins. I mean there's a big difference between sedate and bo-ooo-ring.
T.Lovullo, rookie D-Backs manager, was honored on account'a forming a 93-win post-season team from an under-achieving 93-loss, fourth-place team over the span of a single campaign. For this feat, the Baseball Writers Association of America endorsement he by his garnering 18 of 30 first-place votes. Last year's winner, the ever-over-managing (except for leaving Yu Darvish in whenst it mattered precious-mmost) Dave Roberts of the LA Dodgers, fleshed-in this year's exacta. Bud Black of the Colorado Rockies finished third; then came Craig Counsell of the Milwaukee Brewers in fourth. The canned Dusty Baker finished fifth. Lovullo's win marks the fourth-year in a row that a first-year manager gained the nod and got the trophy. Makes sense if we're grading on turn-arounds. "Yes, hello. I'm calling to see if you have Dusty Baker in a can? ...'
P.Molitor is now perchance the most successful of all Hall of Fame players-cum-managers and as proof is only the second of such to win this award and I can't recall the identity of the other. His win came on the heels and on account'a steering the Twins into the post-season coming off a 103 loss 2016. For this Herculean effort, he too was given 18 of 30 first-place votes. Terry Francona of the Cleveland Indians came in first-loser. World Champion Houston Astros skipper A.J Hinch finished third (?interrobang!) and another unemployment-office denizen Joe Girardi formerly of the Damn Yankees finished fourth. Not only was Molitor's completed-task mentioned a tick ago Herculean, but it landed he in the record books as being at the helm of the first squad ever to accomplish a 100-loss season spring-boarding to a next-year play-off berth. No one was more surprised than Minnesota's front-office.
Sedate. Nice. The Reader's Digest cover story is "The Nicest Places in America." Congratulations again to Terry Lovullo, Paul Molitor, and now Gallatin, Tennessee. This just in! It would appear, according to a small column on a pastel back-drop entitled "The Crazy Things People Said While Asleep," that a man's wife heard him say a month-ago: "Set the burrito trap."
A warmly chuckled "Oh, boy!"
I think I'll make a cup of tea, not drink it, and hit the sack early to-night.
Espinosa Laranja H-Town Lancero - Cigar Review
NOTES:
Rolled a tick unevenly, but seams are tight. Pack softens in the three/three, draw hampers-some; mainly even-pulling till then. Big plumes a' smoke spike occasionally to bigger plumes, calming quickly twixt pulls. Smoke and shaft heat-up at band-point. The dark ash ain't a grower, is prone to splitting, and comes outta a sometimes jagged-line. Pacing is even 'nuff.
Citrus-forward mulling spice. Black pepper. Soft woods. Ebbing-and-flowing cocoa, less-frequently milk chocolate. Cedar comes sharply-in at the half with cardboard lilt. Leather and oils. Hay with grassy accompaniment under-belly. Zesty sweet-spice dials-back in second woodsy/earthen half. Short sweet/spicy-cum-earthen finish.
WRAPPER: Brazilian Laranja
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicarauan
STRENGTH: Medium
FORMAT: Lancero
ORIGIN: La Zona factory, Nicaragua
FINAL GRADE: B
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59
IN ADDITION:
Rolled a tick unevenly, but seams are tight. Pack softens in the three/three, draw hampers-some; mainly even-pulling till then. Big plumes a' smoke spike occasionally to bigger plumes, calming quickly twixt pulls. Smoke and shaft heat-up at band-point. The dark ash ain't a grower, is prone to splitting, and comes outta a sometimes jagged-line. Pacing is even 'nuff.
Citrus-forward mulling spice. Black pepper. Soft woods. Ebbing-and-flowing cocoa, less-frequently milk chocolate. Cedar comes sharply-in at the half with cardboard lilt. Leather and oils. Hay with grassy accompaniment under-belly. Zesty sweet-spice dials-back in second woodsy/earthen half. Short sweet/spicy-cum-earthen finish.
WRAPPER: Brazilian Laranja
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicarauan
STRENGTH: Medium
FORMAT: Lancero
ORIGIN: La Zona factory, Nicaragua
FINAL GRADE: B
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59
IN ADDITION:
Sample courtesy of Fumare. Reno's most exclusive Cigar Boutique, specializing in rare and hard to find cigars.
Report a typo, win a No-prize.
"HERE KITTY KITTY"
Report a typo, win a No-prize.
"HERE KITTY KITTY"
Aaron Judge & Cody Bellinger Named 2017 Baseball Rookie of the Year Award Recipients
I ran out to Bi-Mart twixt the announcement of Aaron Judge & Cody Bellinger being named the Junior and Senior League rookies of the year respectively, and sitting down to pen this. Whilst out I got some cleaning supplies, two packs of baseball cards -- those smorgasbord post-factory grab-bags of thirty-or-so commons -- and forgot a Diet Pepsi. So I'm a bit sleepy now as bed-time doth approach.
Anyways, as the Baseball G-ds and purely cosmic feces-shoot would have it, one of the sixty-ish cards was Bob Hamelin's 1994 Score Select Rookie Surge KC Royals card. At the age of 26 in 1994, Hamelin hit 24 home runs in 312 AB, winning him the AL Rookie of the Year over some Clevelander named Manny Ramirez or something. Long story short, B.Hamelin was outta the MLB right on time to party like it was 1999. With that cynicism bracing the rest of this post or column or article or whatever, lettuce delve-some gentlepersons.
Right-fielder Aaron "Dave Kingman" Judge is the first of the Damn Yankees to be honored as such since Derek Jeter, or as I like to call him Barry Larkin in pin-stripes (no offense to Mr. Larkin) in 1996. Los Angeles Dodgers first-baseman Cody Bellinger is the second of Dem Bums to win the award in as many years, SS Corey Seager having won last-year. All-told, he is the record 18th Dodger to garner this particular accolade. Of note, each 'young buck' was named RotY unanimously; this occurring for the first time since 1997 whenst Scott Rolen and Nomar Garciaparra won-out. When someone references a 1997 model car, it still sounds new to me at first blush. I've gotta believe that on-top of being unanimous, it was even easier than that would indicate for the Baseball Writers' Association of America to come to this conclusion.
Right-fielder Aaron "Dave Kingman" Judge is the first of the Damn Yankees to be honored as such since Derek Jeter, or as I like to call him Barry Larkin in pin-stripes (no offense to Mr. Larkin) in 1996. Los Angeles Dodgers first-baseman Cody Bellinger is the second of Dem Bums to win the award in as many years, SS Corey Seager having won last-year. All-told, he is the record 18th Dodger to garner this particular accolade. Of note, each 'young buck' was named RotY unanimously; this occurring for the first time since 1997 whenst Scott Rolen and Nomar Garciaparra won-out. When someone references a 1997 model car, it still sounds new to me at first blush. I've gotta believe that on-top of being unanimous, it was even easier than that would indicate for the Baseball Writers' Association of America to come to this conclusion.
A. Judge, the six-foot-seven slugger has already a vernacular all his Judgian own and a Pepsi deal to boot and maybe I didn't mindlessly forget that diet offering... Nevertheless, he went yard an American League rookie record 52-times and put on a show at the All-Star break and struck-out over 200 times. The former record of 49 big-flies was held by Mark McGwire of the generation that juiced themselves instead'a relying on some Costa Rican factory to juice the ball, gosh darn it and Jiminy Cricket. Judge also ranked a league ichiban in runs with 128 and walks with 127. I'm offering a real mixed-bag of a review here, but I will say I'm impressed by Judge's ability to adapt and improve which I take as coming from a place of humility as much as desire.
The six-foot-four C.Bellinger too broke a home-run record all his own, in this the year of stoopid baseball. The 21-year-old's 39 dingers put him ahead of the former mark shared by Wally Berger in 1930 and Frank Robinson in '56. Bellinger too led the Dodgers with 97 ribbies and 87 runs. His part in batting the squad to within one win of World Series immortality was no small one -- until they were actually in said World Series and we all found-out together that he can't hit the curve-ball. Hopefully, he adjusts as well as his AL counter-part, there.
Other rookies we're supposed to believe had a chance of winning were the American League's Andrew Benintendi, Bosox outfielder and too, Orioles outfielder Trey Mancini. The National League ballot was fleshed-out by Paul DeJong, Cards short-stop and Pirates first-baseman Josh Bell. This last paragraph full of information was totally worthy-of-note and also got my word-count up to more where I like it. Congratulations to all, then.
The six-foot-four C.Bellinger too broke a home-run record all his own, in this the year of stoopid baseball. The 21-year-old's 39 dingers put him ahead of the former mark shared by Wally Berger in 1930 and Frank Robinson in '56. Bellinger too led the Dodgers with 97 ribbies and 87 runs. His part in batting the squad to within one win of World Series immortality was no small one -- until they were actually in said World Series and we all found-out together that he can't hit the curve-ball. Hopefully, he adjusts as well as his AL counter-part, there.
Other rookies we're supposed to believe had a chance of winning were the American League's Andrew Benintendi, Bosox outfielder and too, Orioles outfielder Trey Mancini. The National League ballot was fleshed-out by Paul DeJong, Cards short-stop and Pirates first-baseman Josh Bell. This last paragraph full of information was totally worthy-of-note and also got my word-count up to more where I like it. Congratulations to all, then.
Monday, November 13, 2017
Artur Beterbiev Thumps Enrico Koelling for Vacant IBF Light-Heavyweight Championship
Saturday's Fresno, California Save Mart Arena on the campus of Fresno State saw Artur Beterbiev (12-0, 12KO) dominate then dispatch Enrico Koelling (23-2, 6KO) via twelfth-stanza knock-out.
This securing the Russian fighting outta Montreal the IBF Light-Heavyweight strap, his first bit of big-time professional-gold. The fight was slated to first be an elimination match for a mandatory challenge of then title-holder one Mr. Andre Ward. Since booking, A.Ward's retirement up-graded these festivities to that of up-for-grabs vacant championship bout. Not only was A.Beterbiev convincingly victorious here but too kept intact his KO streak over the pitter-pattering German. Employed in this effort was his punching-power which many feel ranks at the pound-for-pound tops in all pugilism.
This is to say that E.Koelling was out-gunned. Dominated. Convincingly. Just to tell ya gentlepersons again what I've already told ya as any good writer should do. The 32-year-old Beterbiev was long a foregone conclusion to capture a crown, having won more than 300 amateur fights and representing Russia twicely in the Olympic Games. The road to this eventuality was a tick or two longer than perchance expected upon its onset, as losing a year to shoulder-surgery and another to a dispute with promoter Yvon Michel (which remains in litigation) stepped the Russnadian slugger back-some on his odyssey.
This time-off and Koelling's stead-fast refusal to step outside of seemingly and understandable fearful survival mode, are really the only reasons I can see that the bout nigh saw the score-cards, of-which Beterbiev pitched a perfect game. Nevertheless, the blood-thirsty crowd booed through much of the hesitant and mismatched affair. It was no bit of an "exposure" nor Asian-American in the armor of Artur. He played the role of aggressor throughout -- controlling pace, distance and other things that whenst written appear to make the writer seem knowledgeable. In keeping with that, he also showed excellent ring-awareness cutting-off thereof, always keeping Koelling's back on the ropes. Or maybe Koelling put himself there.
With the 27-year-old trapped there, for whatever the reason and no-matter who's to blame, Beterbiev showed a quick and powerful jab as well as a primo penchant for working the Sauerkraut-basket of his adversary. In answer to this, Koelling offered an occasional cautious jab featuring a none-too high ratio of landings. The harumphing audience edged toward their seats' edges in the 11th-frame whenst Beterbiev split Koelling's guard via upper-cut and rocked him with a thunderous right, hard as a Russian night is cold. Yet ultimately not fulfilling as a plate of Poutine, as Koelling found relative safety by picking up the pace of and widened the path of, his bicycling...
Till the next and final round. Again employing his upper-cut as a guard-splitter, Beterbiev picked up his pace to out-pace the pace of Koelling. The German took a knee from a barrage, and when the fight commenced the Russnadian was all over his opponent like schtick on Yakov Smirnoff. With a heavy right-hand, he canvass'd him once again and Ref. Lou Moret waved it all off with some thirty-seconds remaining.
With that, Koelling's seven-bout winning streak concluded as he stated afterward and in awe that Beterbiev's power is as real as... as... I think I'll spare you fine gentlepersons another analogy. I will say this: if you're looking for some stiffer competition for the guy, ya might have to keep looking. Sullivan Barrera balked then walked on an offer to fight Beterbiev in his own Miami back-yard and really -- Koelling was the best of the somewhat willing opposition. Methinks that popular demand sees to a Sergey Kovalev show-down after Krusher does away with Vyacheslav Shabranskyy. That might just see Kovalev following Ward off into his much more timely sunset.
Now if you'd kindly excuse me as I take my leave, I gotta try-again to figure out if this is sweatshirt weather or sweatshirt+hoodie weather which I am currently and miserably experiencing on this lovely Oregonian day.
This is to say that E.Koelling was out-gunned. Dominated. Convincingly. Just to tell ya gentlepersons again what I've already told ya as any good writer should do. The 32-year-old Beterbiev was long a foregone conclusion to capture a crown, having won more than 300 amateur fights and representing Russia twicely in the Olympic Games. The road to this eventuality was a tick or two longer than perchance expected upon its onset, as losing a year to shoulder-surgery and another to a dispute with promoter Yvon Michel (which remains in litigation) stepped the Russnadian slugger back-some on his odyssey.
This time-off and Koelling's stead-fast refusal to step outside of seemingly and understandable fearful survival mode, are really the only reasons I can see that the bout nigh saw the score-cards, of-which Beterbiev pitched a perfect game. Nevertheless, the blood-thirsty crowd booed through much of the hesitant and mismatched affair. It was no bit of an "exposure" nor Asian-American in the armor of Artur. He played the role of aggressor throughout -- controlling pace, distance and other things that whenst written appear to make the writer seem knowledgeable. In keeping with that, he also showed excellent ring-awareness cutting-off thereof, always keeping Koelling's back on the ropes. Or maybe Koelling put himself there.
With the 27-year-old trapped there, for whatever the reason and no-matter who's to blame, Beterbiev showed a quick and powerful jab as well as a primo penchant for working the Sauerkraut-basket of his adversary. In answer to this, Koelling offered an occasional cautious jab featuring a none-too high ratio of landings. The harumphing audience edged toward their seats' edges in the 11th-frame whenst Beterbiev split Koelling's guard via upper-cut and rocked him with a thunderous right, hard as a Russian night is cold. Yet ultimately not fulfilling as a plate of Poutine, as Koelling found relative safety by picking up the pace of and widened the path of, his bicycling...
Till the next and final round. Again employing his upper-cut as a guard-splitter, Beterbiev picked up his pace to out-pace the pace of Koelling. The German took a knee from a barrage, and when the fight commenced the Russnadian was all over his opponent like schtick on Yakov Smirnoff. With a heavy right-hand, he canvass'd him once again and Ref. Lou Moret waved it all off with some thirty-seconds remaining.
With that, Koelling's seven-bout winning streak concluded as he stated afterward and in awe that Beterbiev's power is as real as... as... I think I'll spare you fine gentlepersons another analogy. I will say this: if you're looking for some stiffer competition for the guy, ya might have to keep looking. Sullivan Barrera balked then walked on an offer to fight Beterbiev in his own Miami back-yard and really -- Koelling was the best of the somewhat willing opposition. Methinks that popular demand sees to a Sergey Kovalev show-down after Krusher does away with Vyacheslav Shabranskyy. That might just see Kovalev following Ward off into his much more timely sunset.
Now if you'd kindly excuse me as I take my leave, I gotta try-again to figure out if this is sweatshirt weather or sweatshirt+hoodie weather which I am currently and miserably experiencing on this lovely Oregonian day.
Sunday, November 12, 2017
La Gloria Cubana Ernesto Perez-Carrillo Coleccion Reserva - Cigar Review
I'm running late. Had to spend 30-minutes standing in line behind a smelly fella at a discount grocery store. I was short on crackers and cereal. Lettuce delve post-haste then into and unto this La Gloria Cubana Coleccion Reserva. I sure could make-do with smelling something different.
NOTES:
NOTES:
Finely-rolled with tight seams and excellent draw with just a half-tick of tension through-out. Somewheres twixt minimal and moderate veins. Burns straight with a slight ribboning not nearly needing re-direction. From there grows a tightly-wound sheath of pale-grey silvery ash which begins with a cleave of a crack but quickly corrects. Burns at an excellent pacing. Delivers cool smoke down to its well-formed nub.
- White pepper
- Cedar
- Applejack*
- Cinnamon raisin toast
- Grapefruit
- Jellybean (fruity-ones, honest)
- Beef jerky
- Charred oak barrel
- Clay soil
Very bright white pepper with a tangy attachment. A certain fustiness rises from bottom to upper middle a' profile. Tar threatens slightly in the final stanza but is cleansed with a quick purging or-two. Room-note is a sweet fustiness that too is on the rather long-legg'd finish. A verily complex and supremely balanced cigar. Mouth-feel doth err toward dry, but not egregiously. Rich, but cleanly-so and nigh sharply at times. A muscular cigar but not aggressively-so.
WRAPPER: Ecuadorian Sumatra
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan
STRENGTH: Medium-Full
FORMAT: Robusto
ORIGIN: Tabacalera La Alianza, Dominican Republic
FINAL GRADE: A-
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59
FURTHER READING:
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Nicaraguan
STRENGTH: Medium-Full
FORMAT: Robusto
ORIGIN: Tabacalera La Alianza, Dominican Republic
FINAL GRADE: A-
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59
IN ADDITION:
*"Applejack is a strong apple-flavored alcoholic drink produced from apples, popular in the American colonial period. The name derives from "jacking", a term for "increasing" (alcohol content) and specifically for "freeze distilling", the traditional method of producing the drink." (Black, Rachel (2010). Alcohol in Popular Culture: An Encyclopedia.)
Sample courtesy of Fumare. Reno's most exclusive Cigar Boutique, specializing in rare and hard to find cigars.
Friday, November 10, 2017
Kovalev-Shabranskyy: Preview, Prediction & Thoughts on Krusher
"If you go to the body on a guy who drinks vodka like crazy, you're gonna stop him." John D. Jackson.
"There were some personal issues. I just didn't think that he could be guided. I think that Sergey has a mind of his own. Sergey is very strong-willed. Sergey is a very smart guy. I didn't think that he could be guided." Abel Sanchez.
(Each quote from Seconds Out.)
"There were some personal issues. I just didn't think that he could be guided. I think that Sergey has a mind of his own. Sergey is very strong-willed. Sergey is a very smart guy. I didn't think that he could be guided." Abel Sanchez.
(Each quote from Seconds Out.)
Here's a third table-setting quote.
This-time from myself via one of mine olde Sports Edition posts.
"Sergey Kovalev (30-2-1, 26 KO) is training for his November 25 MSG Vyacheslav Shabranskyy (19-1, 16 KO) bout. We now know whom is training him: Abror Tursunpulatov. You mightn't know him as trainer of F.Gaibnazarov, Uzbek 2016 Olympic gold-medalist. Tursunpulatov hath trained a slew of Eastern European amateurs and believes he can sharpen Kovalev. Krusher agrees. He's also stated greater comfort-levels with a white... ... E.European task-master.This-time from myself via one of mine olde Sports Edition posts.
Bandied-about were R.Garcia, V.Hunter, and F.Roach. The latter making least sense outside a' complexion -- offense ain't needing addressed. "Krusher" must impress against Shabranskyy, after two losses in-a-row to A.Ward; and falling-out with former-trainer J.Jackson."
The racism angle is nothing new and I ain't by far the first to address it. Although all whom do address it seem to posit that no one else has. So heroic, they. It's Yogi Berra observing no one going to that restaurant any-more because it's too busy. Still, it bears mentioning in delving into the make-up of the man. There are many instances of this issue. In no particular order and forgive me if I miss any:
The Jean Pascal presser where the Haitian offered Kovalev a banana to give his then trainer, J.D.Jackson. This was seen and presented in such a way as Kovalev showing restraint as his feathers were trying to be ruffled. It also shows the Russian's "personal preferences" perchance are no secret. Then, there's he referencing Adonis Stevenson as a monkey via a pic on the shirt of a kid, arms 'round one-another. Another instance was a clearly race-baiting if not racist social media campaign he helmed 'gainst Ward.
So what if he's a racist? I don't condone, I don't care 'nuff to condemn. I'm not looking for my new best friend. I simply am thinking within the context of developing a character profile of a man I don't know using information from sources he'd fallen-out with prior. With the goal of predicting pugilism. To be clear, Kovalev denies the accusation of being a huge putz. What everything shows though, is he's a bully either purposefully or some-hows accidentally. And in approaching him thusly when predicting his rematch with Ward, that tact helped me do-so successfully. The proof was in the pudding. He was stood up to and withered. Mayhaps due to the vodka was in the gut.
The Kovalev we've known till now is a head-strong fella who is smart -- but I'd wager not as smart as he thinks. He's thoughtless and brash. Because if he ain't a racist, he should realize when he looks like one. How's this all show in the ring? No Plan B. And now it must ALL be about Plan B. His entire career needs redirection. This happens when you drop two-in-a-row, to the same opponent, fighting virtually the same fight. Lemme nip something in the bud: many feel he was right in not changing a thing in the Ward re-match, because he won the first. Regardless of how ya saw it -- he, in reality, lost. Via three (granted) American judges scoring it 114-113 each. Then, of course, the eighth-stanza stoppage wherein Ward pummeled his (alleged)vodka-basket as well as clear on south-ward to his vodka-exit. Multi-faceted, all this. N'ertheless, a man not fueled by nor fueling his own hubris sees need to change... something... anything to get that win. No, drinking more Stoli's don't count.
What is clear is that on the 25th of this month, anon cometh Vyacheslav Shabranskyy at MSG in a bout up-graded to a WBO title-fight. This on account of Ward retiring and in-turn, forfeiting the belt. So yer telling me Kov retired the bum?! (Multi-faceted.) He'll have the already-covered new coach Abror Tursunpulatov to ignore as he shouts instructions in vain and against Shabranskyy whose high-light thus-far is a KO loss to Sullivan Berrera. The then-unbeaten Ukrainian toughed-through an opening-round knock-down to in-turn drop Barrera in the second. Sans defense through-out. Shab. was downed again before a seventh-stanza final-time. Since the loss he's registered a pair of Ws.
So how's he stack up against Kovalev? Poorly, but for one thing: he's shown toughness. He won't be beaten before entering the ring and maybe not even after being knocked-down a time or two or three (I call three). There is a 2% chance of Kov gassing. So will it simply be Kovalev pummeling the tough outta the poor lad? Maybe, but I hope not. For Krusher's sake.
What Krusher needs to show is another dimension. A Plan B. Maybe the new coach will be listened to -- or perchance he was hired to be ignored. We don't know, but we will. If Kov does come out to Krush, he wins. Ultimately though, he's finished and is un-coachable. His inability to learn and develop will be his one-dimensional un-doing. He'll have an alphabet-soup strap but won't win another big fight. If he listens, though -- he wins with a jab. He puts in a full night's work sans losing a round nor running outta gas. Voila! New Sergey Kovalev. It'll look a lot like he laid off the hoochsky.
Plan A Kovalev wins in three. Plan B Kovalev wins either by late-round stoppage or unanimous-decision. Believe me, Shab. wants Plan A.
Step-two of Plan B involves Sergey sitting with himself and figuring out if he's a putz or a schmuck. A putz, as mentioned, speaks to racism whilst being a schmuck just means you're too dumb not to look like what ya ain't. Either-way. Fix-it. I don't care how. Then imagine how easier Kathy Duva's job will be in promoting the guy. What if all these things not going his way are paybacks by them in-the-know? Conspiratory food for thought. The tough decisions, the now hard to book and non-primo matches. Yup, it'll make K.Duva's job a real dream, this reinvented Krusher. Don't worry -- she'll mess it up.
Or, what if this whole-time she's been floundering under the worst-case scenario of a drunken and bigoted and ultimately abusive client she's somehow become captively co-dependent upon? Nah. Now if ya excuse me, I got a birthday party to attend. That's right, gentlepersons. I'm going out on the town for the second-time in as many weeks. I hope to be in bed by nine regardless.
I s'pose I should share my thoughts on Kovalev's alleged racism before I throw on my formal black sweatpants and head out the door. He grows up to be Trump. The embarrassing uncle who keeps saying terrible things that don't fully reflect his shallow thoughts. Methinks it's over for him, as that type don't do no Plan B. Heck, they're most proud'a that.
& does he drink? Like a fishsky. It's a cultural thing. Or a social construct. Or it's just in-keeping with the sorta guy I got him pegged as. I bet he smells of the metabolized stuff.
Report a typo, win a No-prize.
"HERE KITTY KITTY"
What Krusher needs to show is another dimension. A Plan B. Maybe the new coach will be listened to -- or perchance he was hired to be ignored. We don't know, but we will. If Kov does come out to Krush, he wins. Ultimately though, he's finished and is un-coachable. His inability to learn and develop will be his one-dimensional un-doing. He'll have an alphabet-soup strap but won't win another big fight. If he listens, though -- he wins with a jab. He puts in a full night's work sans losing a round nor running outta gas. Voila! New Sergey Kovalev. It'll look a lot like he laid off the hoochsky.
Plan A Kovalev wins in three. Plan B Kovalev wins either by late-round stoppage or unanimous-decision. Believe me, Shab. wants Plan A.
Step-two of Plan B involves Sergey sitting with himself and figuring out if he's a putz or a schmuck. A putz, as mentioned, speaks to racism whilst being a schmuck just means you're too dumb not to look like what ya ain't. Either-way. Fix-it. I don't care how. Then imagine how easier Kathy Duva's job will be in promoting the guy. What if all these things not going his way are paybacks by them in-the-know? Conspiratory food for thought. The tough decisions, the now hard to book and non-primo matches. Yup, it'll make K.Duva's job a real dream, this reinvented Krusher. Don't worry -- she'll mess it up.
Or, what if this whole-time she's been floundering under the worst-case scenario of a drunken and bigoted and ultimately abusive client she's somehow become captively co-dependent upon? Nah. Now if ya excuse me, I got a birthday party to attend. That's right, gentlepersons. I'm going out on the town for the second-time in as many weeks. I hope to be in bed by nine regardless.
I s'pose I should share my thoughts on Kovalev's alleged racism before I throw on my formal black sweatpants and head out the door. He grows up to be Trump. The embarrassing uncle who keeps saying terrible things that don't fully reflect his shallow thoughts. Methinks it's over for him, as that type don't do no Plan B. Heck, they're most proud'a that.
& does he drink? Like a fishsky. It's a cultural thing. Or a social construct. Or it's just in-keeping with the sorta guy I got him pegged as. I bet he smells of the metabolized stuff.
Report a typo, win a No-prize.
"HERE KITTY KITTY"
Avo Syncro Nicaragua Fogata - Cigar Review
A short review of a short stick, gentlepersons. I'm busying my day mostly with teaching Snack Tray his gazintas. As in five gazinta ten two times. It's a lot like teaching piano, this homeschooling -- one needs only stay a single-step ahead of one's pupil. Having a calculator app on my phone helps, too.
NOTES:
Well-rolled. Pack softens minimally as progression progresses, draw stays nicely tension'd. Seams hold nigh invisibly-so. Smoke is coolly-delivered through-out. Burn-line ain't perfect but requires no guidance. Ash is a tightly-wound ball of grey-marbled yarn.
NOTES:
Well-rolled. Pack softens minimally as progression progresses, draw stays nicely tension'd. Seams hold nigh invisibly-so. Smoke is coolly-delivered through-out. Burn-line ain't perfect but requires no guidance. Ash is a tightly-wound ball of grey-marbled yarn.
Profile smoothly evolves through-out and becomes the Fogato (camp-fire) of its name, but ever-so delicately-so. Twigs, not logs are burning. Complex 'nuff, but lacking in depth of notes. Grassy-floral bits are bothered by soapy mineral interferences. Nondescript woods and muffled spices. A leathery-tea creates the sweetly pleasant tho short finish. Through the schnoz is a white pepper sharpened wood. Ends with the mineral bits stuck-to palate.
WRAPPER: Ecuadorian Habano
BINDER: Mexican San Andres
FILLER: Dominican and Nicaraguan
STRENGTH: Medium
FORMAT: Short Torpedo
ORIGIN: Dominican Republic
FINAL GRADE: B
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59
Report a typo, win a No-prize.
BINDER: Mexican San Andres
FILLER: Dominican and Nicaraguan
STRENGTH: Medium
FORMAT: Short Torpedo
ORIGIN: Dominican Republic
FINAL GRADE: B
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59
Report a typo, win a No-prize.
"HERE KITTY KITTY"
Thursday, November 9, 2017
Shohei Otani: Is the Japanese Star Destined to Don Pin-Stripes in 2018?
Just whom is this Shohei Otani person?
And just whom does he think he is?
For you gentlepersons whom this line of query speaks-to, they call him the Japanese Babe Ruth. Which perchance conjures up images of sumo more-so than svelte 23-year-old. The nom de diamond speaks to his right-handed flung 102mph heater with accompanying slider and splitter. Splitter seems so old-school now. I recall whenst 'twas the new-school. Nevertheless, like the Babe, S.Otais also plays a lil out-field and swats some balls. Over his last couple campaigns, he's picked-up some power, adding to his .326 batting-average 30 big-flies in 613 at-bats over that time. As to pitching statistics, how's 'bout going 42-15 in 85 games with a 2.52 ERA and 10.3 strike-out average over nine-inning doses of his 543 pitched thus-far?
Why Otani and his play is or perhaps are now big news stateside is that he's been talking of coming over for some-time. The Japanese star hath just recently employed CAA Sports as his USofA representation. This on the heels of him stating his intent to play here in 2018. I mean all this ain't a secret, but too -- it mightn't be as easy to pull off as you may think. We'll get into them particulars by beginning with some strides taken in making this happen.
Major league baseball has reached what they term a "tentative understanding" with the NPB. Essentially this has to do with a one-year extension of the free-agent posting system currently in place, this info via Joel Sherman of the New York Post. This stemming directly from discussions twixt MLB and NPB, ensuring that Japanese teams get a better cut of their player's contracts. The newer plan would have been far-less favorable to them and may-well have nixed this all from the word go. So, it's all about mollah with that dang Nippon Professional Baseball League. Pffft. The take-away here is that for a $20 million fee, any ol' MLB club can negotiate with Otani. For 30 days.
Our lad Otani is no such material girl. One can safely say it ain't about the money on his end. Not that he'll be dining it up in soup kitchens upon his arrival, but he is OK with leaving there-abouts $100M on the table to come play right now in the MLB. If he simply waited two more years till his 25th trip around the sun in this his current soul incarnation, his contract here would be of nine figures if 'twas a dime. But he's as I said already, just 23-years-old. So teams here have to act as though he's a 16-year-old Dominican kid. Succinctly (as if I ever could) his signing bonus and contract will be the standard bit of business as any unproven draft-pick or mere mortal international free-agent.
Still, there doth exist a snag. The Players Union. The Major League Baseball Players Association, to be exact. They can plum veto any bit of this business. They've recently been quite concerned with this bit of business, too. They're a stickler for any player's previous non-US squad getting much more moolah than the foreign player himself. Makes sense, that. No need to seed a competing league. But this is a big deal. Because NPB likely walks if the already-mentioned "tentative understanding" goes sayonara.
This is all very complex and verily more outta most hands. Lettuce play-pretend that the sushi fall wherest in favor of Otani coming to America. Then he must agree to a marriage from the teams that have courted him via elaborate courting fees. What then, huh? Well, whilst every team would want him, there are a handful a' main players, speaking strictly monetarily. Also, we have a decent idea as to what they'll be speaking monetarily. According to the AP, the Bronx Bombers can offer Otani a $3.25M signing bonus. Only the Texas Rangers can offer more ($3.535M). The Minnesota Twins come in third with a potential $3.245M -- but whom the heck are we kidding? Notable clubs like the Red Sox, Cubs, and Dodgers can all swing around $3-400K. By comparison, that ain't 'nuff swing to fill half a minute of a Benny Goodman tune.
But what's the best fit? The one thing we know is that Otani wants to continue being both a hitter and pitcher. But which does he prefer and what will be done whenst it is revealed he's not a professional caliber hitter? And what of the leg injuries that allowed him only five starts in 2017? I figured this column needed some punching up right 'round now. Beyond hitter or pitcher -- Left coast or Right? Big or small market? Boxers or briefs? AL or NL... American League or National League? The one spot the Damn Yankees aren't completely perfect here is in their despicable use of the DH. How will Otani feel about sitting and letting a designated-hitter take his ABs?
I'll tell ya what I do see happening, and it involves him going to the Damn Yankees, as doth the rest of this story do. A dual role as pitcher and DH whenst he starts games, staying in to play the rest of the game once removed from the mound. What a hoot! Is that legal? As far as when he does start, maybe he starts some at DH, maybe Aaron "Dave Kingman" Judge does too. Maybe "Dirty" Sanchez. In other words, the one Yank issue ain't without a work-around. Plus, he'll have Masahiro Tanaka to show him around town, since he's announced his staying-on. Also, Hideki Matsui works with the staff in a special advisory capacity. Seems like the easiest transition since Caitlyn Jenner's.
Finances make sense for him to put on the pin-stripes, as well. The Bronx Zoo wants to come in under the 2018 $197M luxury-tax threshold. Shohei is a cost-effective youngster with one heckuva up-side. As a ticket-seller and as a pitcher. I bet he goes to the Mets in a few years and stays happy hitting for himself during starts. I mean long-relief stints. This has all been a lot to digest. Also, I jumped the gun on reintroducing coffee to my IBS gut.
Gotta go.
"HERE KITTY KITTY"
CAO Amazon Anaconda - Cigar Review
Why is there a rope of tobacco where my mouth needs to be? It's sorta nice, actually. A bit of grip-tape as the CAO offering dangles from my smoke-hole in an autumn breeze. I always thought that every yarmulke should have a chin-strap.
As to the Amazon Anaconda...
NOTES:
Rugged eye-balling. Open draw. Seams widen-some ahead'a char. Some dilapidation of cap/shoulder. Verily a slow-burner. Goodly wonkings to line along-the-way on a none-to-even burn. YUGE Smoke out-put, blue off the foot and brown off the head.
Somewhat gritty of mouth-feel. Nigh sharply-thin yet complex finish after immediate-draw richness. Under-tongue zetz. A plain-as-the-nose-on-yer-face fig note in the upper-middlings. Black-peppery front and a backing of sweet-damp earth with cedar, ginger, leather expressions. Back to mids: cocoa and a roasty-toasty 'baccy. Under-belly is mo' dat earth with brown sugar/dark chocolate swirling up and through excelsiorly.
Unique, I shall give it that.
As to the Amazon Anaconda...
NOTES:
Rugged eye-balling. Open draw. Seams widen-some ahead'a char. Some dilapidation of cap/shoulder. Verily a slow-burner. Goodly wonkings to line along-the-way on a none-to-even burn. YUGE Smoke out-put, blue off the foot and brown off the head.
Somewhat gritty of mouth-feel. Nigh sharply-thin yet complex finish after immediate-draw richness. Under-tongue zetz. A plain-as-the-nose-on-yer-face fig note in the upper-middlings. Black-peppery front and a backing of sweet-damp earth with cedar, ginger, leather expressions. Back to mids: cocoa and a roasty-toasty 'baccy. Under-belly is mo' dat earth with brown sugar/dark chocolate swirling up and through excelsiorly.
Unique, I shall give it that.
BINDER: Nicaraguan
FILLER: Brazilian, Colombian, Dominican
STRENGTH: Full
FORMAT: Toro
ORIGIN: Honduran
FINAL GRADE: B
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59
STRENGTH: Full
FORMAT: Toro
ORIGIN: Honduran
FINAL GRADE: B
A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 0-59
IN ADDITION:
Get yer CAO Amazon Anaconda at Cigars City to-day.
The fellas there also had something-more to say 'bout this offering: "Among the filler tobacco in the Amazon Anaconda, you'll find Braganca, which is known as a very spicy leaf. Also, you'll find Fuma em Corda, which is tobacco that is braided into cords during the fermentation process. (You might know that term "Fuma em Corda" from the CAO Amazon Fuma em Corda cigars that were released just a few months before the Anaconda)."
"HERE KITTY KITTY"
"HERE KITTY KITTY"
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
MLB 2017 Gold Glove Award Winners Announced
The Gold Glove Awards hath been awarded yesterday-evening, gentlepersons -- it's just a lil thing that's been done since 1957. These days it marks the first-day of a many-day unfurlment of year-end baseball congratulatory hardwares. This means, of course, that Spring Training is forever and ever away and that I'm layering up my thermals and sweats like layering up thermals and sweats is going (even further) outta style. I mean Snack Tray is hitting me up for mittens already, epis! Ruby Vondella no-longer whines to follow me onto the porch with my cigar. This Sabbath I'll light the candles within the 5 o'clock hour, methinks.
Where was I? Ah, yes. Gold Glove Awards. Here's some stuff'a interest, I sure doth hope.
Winning for the fifth-time were three-players: Nolan Arenado, Jason Heyward and Alex Gordon. Colorado Rockies All-Star third-baseman N.Arenado became the second player after Ichiro Suzuki to begin their careers winning five-straight. Although I.Suzuki was far from a green rook whenst his string began, as he were already a star from back in Japan. Arenado also became the first hot-corner denizen to rattle off five-in-a-row such honorifics since Scott Rolen in 2000-04. J.Heyward won his fourth consecutive of five via getting over-on a couple heavy-hitters named Giancarlo Stanton and Yasiel Puig. I'm quite glad as to have side-stepped another Y.Puig montage here. According to Lee Judge at the KC Star and from what little I've seen, A.Gordon is two full ticks of a show-man. Ne'er slowing-down whilst nosing toward a wall, and catching the ball as slamming into said wall. Then laying there for dramatic effect before holding the juiced-to-theatrical-heck ball up for applause.
Transversely to the old-guard mentioned, there was new blood honored, as well. The 2017 Gold Glove Awards saw six first-time honorees. Herein the Junior Circuit was represented by Marcus Stroman, Martin Maldonado, Brian Dozier, and Byron Buxton. Whilst its Senior alternative was doth done-so via Tucker Barnhart and Marcell Ozuna. Salvador Perez's four-year winning streak for AL catchers was halted by the M.Maldonado nod. Staying with the theme of catcher, T.Barnhart became the first Red with glove a' gold since Johnny Bench in '77.
Of note Paul Goldschmidt of the Dbacks won his third GG for his first-base play, getting the mention there-over fellow MVP finalist Joey Votto. We do all know Giancarlo "Future Asterisk" Stanton is a dead-lock for the biggie trophy, no? Also and of further note, Brandon Crawford became the first NL SS to win consecutively thrice since Jimmy Rollins. It was a tight race there, twixt he, Corey Seager, and Freddy Galvis. Hey, something else: The Houston Astros and LA Dodgers each won zilch. That's good, I can use a break from them both to be quite honest. I love spaghetti but can only ingest so much before I must walk away groaning under the weighty-weight of a severe case of vapors.
In further ceremonies of both pomp and circumstance, Reggie Jackson will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award. As with any award of such ilk, look for Mr. October's name to be on the rise in Doug Stanhope's Death Pool. Ivan Rodriguez and Omar Vizquel will also see induction into the Rawlings Gold Glove Award Hall of Fame.
But how are these award recipients arrived upon, you may-be asking yerself. I know I once-did. Here, let me Google that for ya. It would seem that the newest piece of the equation is 2013's addition of a Sabermetric element, aptly if not boringly entitled the "SABR Defensive Index." It counts for 25 percent of the voting. According to ESPN, "According to the Society for American Baseball Research website, the "SDI" is made up of two types of defensive metrics; "batted ball location-based data" and "play-by-play records of games."" Impressive, huh? I'm not a basher of them Sabermetrics as so-many of my old-school co-horts tend to-be. It's information. Baseball is a game of information. It's a game of compiling information into statistics. We, as fans, have had stats stuck up our collective wazoos for generations. Coaches and managers live on info and intel and a sad amount of fast-food from what I hear. We all adore numbers. Numbers are the anchor in a 162-game storm.
Plus as a Jew, I like to know things. Science-y things. Informative things. But is this good science to be informed of? SABR's own website does not provide many metrics as-to how their metrics are handled, how accurate they are, or why "batted ball location-based metrics" equal 70 percent of the SDI whilst "play-by-play metrics" equal 30 percent. For the record, I can only guess at just 'bout everything I typed twixt quotes.
When do the robot umps report for Spring Oiling?
Take heart, fellow non-Futurists. These awards are still refreshingly-perhaps very subjective. 75 percent-so, to be exact. Them three-quarters consist entirely of human coaches and managers voting. The rules are they can only cast ballots for within their league, and never for players on their own team. If that seems to fall-flat against yer bias preference minimum, I suggest to you the "Best of the Best" honorific. It's fan-voted and due to be announced Friday. There'll be an AL and NL winner. Ya lousy buncha home-cookin' dummies. Here's a full roll-call of this year's Gold Glove Award winners.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
P Marcus Stroman, Toronto Blue Jays
C Martin Maldonado, Los Angeles Angels
1B Eric Hosmer, Kansas City Royals
2B Brian Dozier, Minnesota Twins
3B Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays
SS Andrelton Simmons, Los Angeles Angels
LF Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals
CF Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins
RF Mookie Betts, Boston Red Sox
NATIONAL LEAGUE
P Zack Greinke, Arizona Diamondbacks
C Tucker Barnhart, Cincinnati Reds
1B Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks
2B DJ LeMahieu, Colorado Rockies
3B Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies
SS Brandon Crawford, San Francisco Giants
LF Marcell Ozuna, Miami Marlins
CF Ender Inciarte, Atlanta Braves
RF Jason Heyward, Chicago Cubs
Ya like lists? Me neither. Have another. This just-so-happens to be the tenth anniversary of a very important 50th anniversary. Back in 2007, MLB and Rawlings (not a sponsor of this blog) put forth an all-time Gold Glove Team in celebration of the then 50th anniversary of these gala festivities. At their joint bequest 70 baseball reporters, former players and former managers voted from a pool of 50 all-time greats. Here are the results:
1B Wes Parker
2B Joe Morgan
3B Brooks Robinson
SS Ozzie Smith
OF Willie Mays
OF Roberto Clemente
OF Ken Griffey, Jr.
C Johnny Bench
P Greg Maddux
Gentlepersons, I glove yous all for reading.
Report a typo, win a No-prize.
"Here Kitty Kitty"
Where was I? Ah, yes. Gold Glove Awards. Here's some stuff'a interest, I sure doth hope.
Winning for the fifth-time were three-players: Nolan Arenado, Jason Heyward and Alex Gordon. Colorado Rockies All-Star third-baseman N.Arenado became the second player after Ichiro Suzuki to begin their careers winning five-straight. Although I.Suzuki was far from a green rook whenst his string began, as he were already a star from back in Japan. Arenado also became the first hot-corner denizen to rattle off five-in-a-row such honorifics since Scott Rolen in 2000-04. J.Heyward won his fourth consecutive of five via getting over-on a couple heavy-hitters named Giancarlo Stanton and Yasiel Puig. I'm quite glad as to have side-stepped another Y.Puig montage here. According to Lee Judge at the KC Star and from what little I've seen, A.Gordon is two full ticks of a show-man. Ne'er slowing-down whilst nosing toward a wall, and catching the ball as slamming into said wall. Then laying there for dramatic effect before holding the juiced-to-theatrical-heck ball up for applause.
Transversely to the old-guard mentioned, there was new blood honored, as well. The 2017 Gold Glove Awards saw six first-time honorees. Herein the Junior Circuit was represented by Marcus Stroman, Martin Maldonado, Brian Dozier, and Byron Buxton. Whilst its Senior alternative was doth done-so via Tucker Barnhart and Marcell Ozuna. Salvador Perez's four-year winning streak for AL catchers was halted by the M.Maldonado nod. Staying with the theme of catcher, T.Barnhart became the first Red with glove a' gold since Johnny Bench in '77.
Of note Paul Goldschmidt of the Dbacks won his third GG for his first-base play, getting the mention there-over fellow MVP finalist Joey Votto. We do all know Giancarlo "Future Asterisk" Stanton is a dead-lock for the biggie trophy, no? Also and of further note, Brandon Crawford became the first NL SS to win consecutively thrice since Jimmy Rollins. It was a tight race there, twixt he, Corey Seager, and Freddy Galvis. Hey, something else: The Houston Astros and LA Dodgers each won zilch. That's good, I can use a break from them both to be quite honest. I love spaghetti but can only ingest so much before I must walk away groaning under the weighty-weight of a severe case of vapors.
In further ceremonies of both pomp and circumstance, Reggie Jackson will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award. As with any award of such ilk, look for Mr. October's name to be on the rise in Doug Stanhope's Death Pool. Ivan Rodriguez and Omar Vizquel will also see induction into the Rawlings Gold Glove Award Hall of Fame.
But how are these award recipients arrived upon, you may-be asking yerself. I know I once-did. Here, let me Google that for ya. It would seem that the newest piece of the equation is 2013's addition of a Sabermetric element, aptly if not boringly entitled the "SABR Defensive Index." It counts for 25 percent of the voting. According to ESPN, "According to the Society for American Baseball Research website, the "SDI" is made up of two types of defensive metrics; "batted ball location-based data" and "play-by-play records of games."" Impressive, huh? I'm not a basher of them Sabermetrics as so-many of my old-school co-horts tend to-be. It's information. Baseball is a game of information. It's a game of compiling information into statistics. We, as fans, have had stats stuck up our collective wazoos for generations. Coaches and managers live on info and intel and a sad amount of fast-food from what I hear. We all adore numbers. Numbers are the anchor in a 162-game storm.
Plus as a Jew, I like to know things. Science-y things. Informative things. But is this good science to be informed of? SABR's own website does not provide many metrics as-to how their metrics are handled, how accurate they are, or why "batted ball location-based metrics" equal 70 percent of the SDI whilst "play-by-play metrics" equal 30 percent. For the record, I can only guess at just 'bout everything I typed twixt quotes.
When do the robot umps report for Spring Oiling?
Take heart, fellow non-Futurists. These awards are still refreshingly-perhaps very subjective. 75 percent-so, to be exact. Them three-quarters consist entirely of human coaches and managers voting. The rules are they can only cast ballots for within their league, and never for players on their own team. If that seems to fall-flat against yer bias preference minimum, I suggest to you the "Best of the Best" honorific. It's fan-voted and due to be announced Friday. There'll be an AL and NL winner. Ya lousy buncha home-cookin' dummies. Here's a full roll-call of this year's Gold Glove Award winners.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
P Marcus Stroman, Toronto Blue Jays
C Martin Maldonado, Los Angeles Angels
1B Eric Hosmer, Kansas City Royals
2B Brian Dozier, Minnesota Twins
3B Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays
SS Andrelton Simmons, Los Angeles Angels
LF Alex Gordon, Kansas City Royals
CF Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins
RF Mookie Betts, Boston Red Sox
NATIONAL LEAGUE
P Zack Greinke, Arizona Diamondbacks
C Tucker Barnhart, Cincinnati Reds
1B Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks
2B DJ LeMahieu, Colorado Rockies
3B Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies
SS Brandon Crawford, San Francisco Giants
LF Marcell Ozuna, Miami Marlins
CF Ender Inciarte, Atlanta Braves
RF Jason Heyward, Chicago Cubs
Ya like lists? Me neither. Have another. This just-so-happens to be the tenth anniversary of a very important 50th anniversary. Back in 2007, MLB and Rawlings (not a sponsor of this blog) put forth an all-time Gold Glove Team in celebration of the then 50th anniversary of these gala festivities. At their joint bequest 70 baseball reporters, former players and former managers voted from a pool of 50 all-time greats. Here are the results:
1B Wes Parker
2B Joe Morgan
3B Brooks Robinson
SS Ozzie Smith
OF Willie Mays
OF Roberto Clemente
OF Ken Griffey, Jr.
C Johnny Bench
P Greg Maddux
Gentlepersons, I glove yous all for reading.
Report a typo, win a No-prize.
"Here Kitty Kitty"
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