Mets Give Out Broadcaster Baseball Cards

I can't believe I just heard about this. The NY Mets had a recent promotion where they gave away trading cards featuring their on-air/ radio talent. Illustrious former stars like Keith Hernandez, Ron Darling, Ralph Kiner and Lee Mazzilli were available.

The Dodgers need to do this. I would love to have a baseball card featuring Vin Scully. I would even keep a Rick Monday, Steve Lyons and Charley Steiner cards in my collection. On the other hand, we can do what the the Mets fans did.

It started around the fifth inning, what looked like confetti falling from the upper decks by left field. Then more fell. And more. By the eighth inning, everyone in the stadium had the itch, because they had discovered that the SNY baseball cards fluttered in the hot New York air like ticker tape after a World Series win. The PA announcer had to warn everyone to not throw anything from the stands on to the field, or the game would be delayed. Of course few cards made it to the field, most just fluttered down to the field level seats.

Probably the most interesting thing was that the fans were being very selective about who they threw over the railing. The Trifecta of Mets game announcers, Ron Darling, Gary Cohen, and Keith Hernandez, as well as legendary player/announcer Ralph Kiner seemed to, for the most part, be spared the indignity of having their cardboard alter-egos hurled out of the stands. The lesser watched SNY talent did not have that privilege. Miniature Julie Donaldsons, Matt Yallofs, Lee Mazzillis and Kevin Burkhardts were everywhere, with only an occasional recognizable face thrown in (probably by Braves fans).

So who would you select to be thrown into the wild Blue yonder?

You can have the Steiner, I'm keeping the Scully!

Story Link: Broadcasting Cable Blog:
Hat Tip: SCD:
Photo Link: Duncan's Corner:

My Eyes Hurt

Watching has been hard to do. Our team has looked dismal. They haven't been able to score any meaningful runs for weeks. Our pitching staff has been in and out of the emergency room. They are overworked and in need of a tune up. We made some desperate trades only to see us make other moves to replace who we lost. (Betemit for Hillenbrand & Marlon for Sweeney) It has been like watching a pinball wrap around a course only to see it fall into that hidden gap for a loss. When will these doldrums end.

Then, something happened. That something is something I don't think I can appropriately describe. Yesterday was like a brand new day. It was a different day. Our players came out with more gusto. They had the look of a team that may be down, but they certainly were not out.

Our staff ace, Brad Penny, came roaring back with an efficient and commendable 6 inning performance. Our relief staff (Proctor, Broxton, Saito) pitched 3 scoreless innings. They combined for one walk, one hit and four strike outs. Our bats, from young to old, suddenly came back to life.

Juan Pierre has been on fire. Russell Martin snapped out of his mid-season funk to crank out two homers. Kemp looked like he is ready to get out of his slump. Gonzo got two hits. Everything appears to be working itself out.

Will this last? I hope so. After all, at this point in the season all we have left is hope.

OT: Economics- Market Woes

Wow. Two posts about economics in one month. I guess I have work on the mind. The Big Picture, which is one of my favorite economics/ business blogs, points to a editorial found in the Wall Street Journal.

"The current crisis is the result of the normal ebb and flows of credit cycles, and the free market will amply handle the correction that is already happening. Calls for Federal Reserve intervention or for other governmental involvement -- including an increase of the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac lending limits -- must be rejected.

In the free market, those that made bad credit decisions must be allowed to pay the price, and only by paying dearly can lessons truly be learned. Borrowers who were unwitting and took on too much debt must learn that there are consequences for their actions. Homebuilders that built too many homes or overpaid for land need to face the consequences. Wall Street firms that provided credit to all of these activities with too much laxity must also pay a price. This is all part of a healthy correction.

All of these players reaped benefits during the housing boom that preceded the current crisis. Certain homeowners were able to temporarily live above their means. Homebuilder and bank profits have been exorbitant, and shareholders and executives of these companies have profited mightily in the boom. To not permit losses now would be a direct violation of the free-market ideals at the foundation of our economy."

If you are in the market be sure to keep your eye on the ball. As always, hope for the best, but always be prepared for the worse.

Story Link: WSJ:
Hat Tip: The Big Picture: