There goes the Spider-Man
Five alternate titles for this post:
1. What a Tangled Web We Weave (too obvious)
2. There goes the Sell-Out, Man (possibly misleading--the sell-out still exists in some form. Also, this requires knowledge of the reference to the old theme song, and that might be a little dated. The title I went with makes sense even if the reader doesn't get the reference.)
3. Meltdown for Spidey Advertising Plan (this was good, but maybe too subtle--perhaps people aren't aware that Spidey is radioactive)
4. Back-up plan is to have "Be the next Spiderman" contest with the Albuquerque Isotopes (again, radioactivity joke too subtle, and it just doesn't read as funny as it should)
5. I just don't get it
And with the last alternative title, Baseball Widow approaches her topic. . .
I just don't get it. The uproar over the Spiderman advertising on the field seems bizarre to consider while I'm watching the Odor Eaters Fantastic Feat and the AFLAC Trivia Question during the Braves' away game at PETCO park or Coors field. The game is commercialized, and it's not going to change. As a matter of fact, I'd rather have more in-game advertising than 500 trajilliondy commercial breaks.
What's the big deal about putting something on the bases? Okay, aside from the fact that it's against the rules? I think it's much less intrusive than a screen graphic. Of course, there are even better alternatives. Baseball Hubby suggested an armpatch, but I think it would be disrespectful to the memories of those who have been honored by armpatches in the past, essentially equating their accomplishments with a movie. I've always thought that someone should utilize the grass and have an ad mowed in. (MIT took this step one further by seeding the Harvard football stadium so that the letters MIT grew as a patch across the field.)
Honestly, my real question for Spiderman 2 is, why bother? Seriously, this is a highly anticipated movie. It needs very little advertising. Some cool trailers, a few billboards, and you're good to go. Baseball Widow formerly worked in a large New York advertising firm, and if there's one thing she learned, it's nothing. . . No, really, I learned that no one really understands advertising. No one knows what works or why, or if anything works at all. Who knows? Maybe some new psychological studies have evidenced that advertising on baseball bases is the most highly effective form of coercive advertising. I doubt it, though. Besides, who watches baseball anyway? It has incredibly low TV viewership. Why not buy another commercial on the last Friends?
Which brings me to my last alternative title for this post:
Could I be any more apathetic?
Friday, May 07, 2004
Wednesday, May 05, 2004
Puns for Titles are So Lame
Baseball Widow was devastated when Max Kellerman got the boot from Around the Horn and PTI's Stat Boy stole the gig. Baseball Widow likes Stat Boy--when he's running stats, not when he's ruining one of the most original sports shows on TV.
Kellerman's new show, I, Max, premieres May 10 on Fox Sports Net, and, despite the lame title, Baseball Widow will be happy to have Max back.
Here are three reasons you should be psyched, too:
1. Max Kellerman has an ego to rival Baseball Widow's. That's pretty impressive.
2. Max Kellerman knows his stuff, and he's an Ivy League grad to boot. (Max and Baseball Hubby share Columbia University in the City of New York as their alma mater.)
3. Max Kellerman has the same name as the resort owner in Dirty Dancing.
Baseball Widow was devastated when Max Kellerman got the boot from Around the Horn and PTI's Stat Boy stole the gig. Baseball Widow likes Stat Boy--when he's running stats, not when he's ruining one of the most original sports shows on TV.
Kellerman's new show, I, Max, premieres May 10 on Fox Sports Net, and, despite the lame title, Baseball Widow will be happy to have Max back.
Here are three reasons you should be psyched, too:
1. Max Kellerman has an ego to rival Baseball Widow's. That's pretty impressive.
2. Max Kellerman knows his stuff, and he's an Ivy League grad to boot. (Max and Baseball Hubby share Columbia University in the City of New York as their alma mater.)
3. Max Kellerman has the same name as the resort owner in Dirty Dancing.
Tuesday, May 04, 2004
I hope they at least bought them dinner first.
Today's headline from Slam! Sports says it all, "Jays Aquire Clapp from Indians."
Today's headline from Slam! Sports says it all, "Jays Aquire Clapp from Indians."
Monday, May 03, 2004
PEDs, part IV (I think)
In the past, Baseball Widow has been quick to point out that the Performance Enhancing Drug ("PED") moniker is inadequate, especially to the extent that "performance enhancing" relates to competitive balance. I don't want to re-tread water under the bridge, but I've pointed out that the Yankees' payroll is an artificial advantage that smaller-market teams can never rival. We've talked about performance enhancing. Now let's talk about drugs.
Two recent events have caused Baseball Widow to think about drugs. No, neither of them involved law school finals.
1. Baseball Hubby's paternal grandmother recently had a terrible respiratory infection with some dangerous complications. She spent over a month in the hospital. At one point she was injected with steroids to keep her lungs open. The woman has incredible pluck--when visitors walked in, she asked, "Wonder if they'll finally let me in the big game?" She was, of course, referring to baseball. (Baseball Hubby's grandmother is a huge baseball fan, but that's another post.)
2. Baseball Widow recently spent an evening on a police ride-along. No, she wasn't arrested. Baseball Widow rode in the patrol car with a police officer for a ten hour shift, going on every call. The most eye-opening part of the experience was touring the slums and seeing how drugs permeate the community. Baseball Widow isn't saying anything new when she says that crack has devastating effects.
This is perhaps the most simplistic idea I've ever posted, but sometimes simple ideas need spelling out: drugs are neither inherently good nor inherently bad--they're just drugs. Sometimes drugs are essential to save lives. Sometimes drugs are instrumental in ruining lives. And, although people don't really like to think about it, sometimes drugs are just for the kick. We see all three instances in baseball.
Just for the kick: Maybe they work, maybe they don't. Sometimes they're legal, sometimes they're not. Creatine, Ephedra, Hgh, Steroids, Slim-Fast, Viagra, whatever.
Ruining lives: Steve Howe, Darryl Strawberry, Otis Nixon, Dwight Gooden.
Saving lives: Detroit Tigers pitcher Jason Johnson, wearing an insulin pump during games to keep his life-threatening diabetes in check.
It is inadequate to draw the illegal/legal distinction. First, there is a fundamental difference between Jose Canseco trying to hit a few more homers and Greasy Eddie the neighborhood crack dealer ripping off car stereos to support his habit. Second, the illegal/legal distinction is simply an arbitrary standard set by government officials who are susceptible to lobbying influence. Pop quiz: which is more dangerous, marijuana or tobacco? Well, if you grow it and roll it, you're gonna live a longer, healthier life smoking dope than buying Lucky Strikes. What's the difference between crack and powder cocaine? Chemically, pretty much nothing, but if you get busted for crack, you're gonna do at least twice the time as if you peddled cocaine. Look, I'm not making the case that anyone should be doing any of these, but I am saying that an intelligent conversation about drug policy--both nationally and in baseball--requires making finer distinctions than illegal/legal.
So, what is the standard that baseball should use? "Artificial Advantage" is about as slippery as "Performance Enhancing." What if I told you that some baseball players were abusing a prescription-only steroid injection in order to deaden themselves to pain so that they can play longer and harder? Outraged? Why should you be? It's just cortisone. Sure, excessive use can kill white blood cells, cause cataracts, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and cause tendons to explode, but, hey, if everybody uses it, it can't be a big deal, right?
Is it possible that the uproar over illegal steroids is just because they haven't gained widespread use or acceptance yet? And if this is the case, haven't we really worked ourselves back around to the issue of competitive balance?
Baseball Widow doesn't have an answer or a conclusion. This is a topic in progress. . .
In the past, Baseball Widow has been quick to point out that the Performance Enhancing Drug ("PED") moniker is inadequate, especially to the extent that "performance enhancing" relates to competitive balance. I don't want to re-tread water under the bridge, but I've pointed out that the Yankees' payroll is an artificial advantage that smaller-market teams can never rival. We've talked about performance enhancing. Now let's talk about drugs.
Two recent events have caused Baseball Widow to think about drugs. No, neither of them involved law school finals.
1. Baseball Hubby's paternal grandmother recently had a terrible respiratory infection with some dangerous complications. She spent over a month in the hospital. At one point she was injected with steroids to keep her lungs open. The woman has incredible pluck--when visitors walked in, she asked, "Wonder if they'll finally let me in the big game?" She was, of course, referring to baseball. (Baseball Hubby's grandmother is a huge baseball fan, but that's another post.)
2. Baseball Widow recently spent an evening on a police ride-along. No, she wasn't arrested. Baseball Widow rode in the patrol car with a police officer for a ten hour shift, going on every call. The most eye-opening part of the experience was touring the slums and seeing how drugs permeate the community. Baseball Widow isn't saying anything new when she says that crack has devastating effects.
This is perhaps the most simplistic idea I've ever posted, but sometimes simple ideas need spelling out: drugs are neither inherently good nor inherently bad--they're just drugs. Sometimes drugs are essential to save lives. Sometimes drugs are instrumental in ruining lives. And, although people don't really like to think about it, sometimes drugs are just for the kick. We see all three instances in baseball.
Just for the kick: Maybe they work, maybe they don't. Sometimes they're legal, sometimes they're not. Creatine, Ephedra, Hgh, Steroids, Slim-Fast, Viagra, whatever.
Ruining lives: Steve Howe, Darryl Strawberry, Otis Nixon, Dwight Gooden.
Saving lives: Detroit Tigers pitcher Jason Johnson, wearing an insulin pump during games to keep his life-threatening diabetes in check.
It is inadequate to draw the illegal/legal distinction. First, there is a fundamental difference between Jose Canseco trying to hit a few more homers and Greasy Eddie the neighborhood crack dealer ripping off car stereos to support his habit. Second, the illegal/legal distinction is simply an arbitrary standard set by government officials who are susceptible to lobbying influence. Pop quiz: which is more dangerous, marijuana or tobacco? Well, if you grow it and roll it, you're gonna live a longer, healthier life smoking dope than buying Lucky Strikes. What's the difference between crack and powder cocaine? Chemically, pretty much nothing, but if you get busted for crack, you're gonna do at least twice the time as if you peddled cocaine. Look, I'm not making the case that anyone should be doing any of these, but I am saying that an intelligent conversation about drug policy--both nationally and in baseball--requires making finer distinctions than illegal/legal.
So, what is the standard that baseball should use? "Artificial Advantage" is about as slippery as "Performance Enhancing." What if I told you that some baseball players were abusing a prescription-only steroid injection in order to deaden themselves to pain so that they can play longer and harder? Outraged? Why should you be? It's just cortisone. Sure, excessive use can kill white blood cells, cause cataracts, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and cause tendons to explode, but, hey, if everybody uses it, it can't be a big deal, right?
Is it possible that the uproar over illegal steroids is just because they haven't gained widespread use or acceptance yet? And if this is the case, haven't we really worked ourselves back around to the issue of competitive balance?
Baseball Widow doesn't have an answer or a conclusion. This is a topic in progress. . .
Saturday, May 01, 2004
I'm back! (No Trimspa necessary.)
Baseball Widow is back. She would prefer that you not ask her about the Securities Act of 1934.
Wow. So much to catch up on. Let's start with the greatest thing to happen to Baseball Widow since grade inflation. As you might have noticed from the nifty button on the sidebar, Baseball Widow is now a member of the Rocky Top Brigade. What does that mean? Generally, it means that people in the blogosphere have too much time on their hands. Specifically, it means I belong to a loose confederacy of bloggers with a Tennessee connection. So, when Baseball Widow isn't updating, go check out some RTB sites!
Baseball Widow would like to thank Len Cleavlin for nominating Baseball Widow for the RTB slot. Len has been one of Baseball Widow's best supporters and frequent commentators. He has interesting stuff to say about politics and baseball, and he never holds back. Be sure to check out the Musings of a Philosophical Scrivener.
Baseball Widow is going to gather her thoughts and attempt to post more later. But, first, celebratory chocolate chip pancakes are in order.
Baseball Widow is back. She would prefer that you not ask her about the Securities Act of 1934.
Wow. So much to catch up on. Let's start with the greatest thing to happen to Baseball Widow since grade inflation. As you might have noticed from the nifty button on the sidebar, Baseball Widow is now a member of the Rocky Top Brigade. What does that mean? Generally, it means that people in the blogosphere have too much time on their hands. Specifically, it means I belong to a loose confederacy of bloggers with a Tennessee connection. So, when Baseball Widow isn't updating, go check out some RTB sites!
Baseball Widow would like to thank Len Cleavlin for nominating Baseball Widow for the RTB slot. Len has been one of Baseball Widow's best supporters and frequent commentators. He has interesting stuff to say about politics and baseball, and he never holds back. Be sure to check out the Musings of a Philosophical Scrivener.
Baseball Widow is going to gather her thoughts and attempt to post more later. But, first, celebratory chocolate chip pancakes are in order.
Friday, April 23, 2004
Never say never
A few hours ago, Baseball Widow was procrastinating. Now, she's gone off the deep end. Baseball Widow just finished cleaning house. She even dropped some cinnamon in the teapot and set it to boil--filling the place with yummy smells. As if that weren't adequate to ruin any plans she had of actually studying, Baseball Widow then did a little surfing. Found an interesting post about me--sorta.
Over at The Rage Diaries, the Slate article on Baseblogs is criticized for its choice to use Baseball Widow as the only reference to female baseball blogging.
Baseball Widow would like to weigh in on this subject, but it will have to take a back seat to Jurisprudence for now. I'm sure I'll be back in ten minutes. . .
A few hours ago, Baseball Widow was procrastinating. Now, she's gone off the deep end. Baseball Widow just finished cleaning house. She even dropped some cinnamon in the teapot and set it to boil--filling the place with yummy smells. As if that weren't adequate to ruin any plans she had of actually studying, Baseball Widow then did a little surfing. Found an interesting post about me--sorta.
Over at The Rage Diaries, the Slate article on Baseblogs is criticized for its choice to use Baseball Widow as the only reference to female baseball blogging.
Baseball Widow would like to weigh in on this subject, but it will have to take a back seat to Jurisprudence for now. I'm sure I'll be back in ten minutes. . .
Procrastination Techniques
I know I shouldn't be blogging right now, but in the attempt to avoid studying, I've seriously done everything else I can think of to do (besides cleaning house, but let's not go crazy).
Baseball Hubby added Kazuo Matsui to his 5th-place fantasy team. (Sorry--couldn't resist the dig.)
I wonder, why don't we ever see the Kaz-Mat team at games? They could wear orange outfits and carry Geiger counters. Just a thought, and probably not an original one at that.
I know I shouldn't be blogging right now, but in the attempt to avoid studying, I've seriously done everything else I can think of to do (besides cleaning house, but let's not go crazy).
Baseball Hubby added Kazuo Matsui to his 5th-place fantasy team. (Sorry--couldn't resist the dig.)
I wonder, why don't we ever see the Kaz-Mat team at games? They could wear orange outfits and carry Geiger counters. Just a thought, and probably not an original one at that.
Thursday, April 22, 2004
Update
Baseball Widow would like to make a couple of quick updates.
I've received some email asking how the Eye-Candies are coming along. Well, despite a couple of days in first place, they're settling down around fourth--about where Baseball Hubby had predicted. (Did I mention that he thinks he's very smart?)
Offense is generally good, although on Tuesday I had six of my starting lineup pull 0-fers. God bless Javy Lopez, because he's anchoring me. Fifty-two at bats in, and he's still swinging .462.
I've made one lineup change, dropping the injured Joe Mays and picking up Danys Baez to fill the closer role. In general, I'm hesitant to over-manage because I really do want to field the team as I picked it, but the Eye-Candies were getting slaughtered without a closer. Besides, I hadn't initially separated closers from middle relief, so I feel okay about mixing up the pitching a little. Don't worry: Baez is a looker, too.
That's the first update, about the Eye-Candies. The second update is about I, Candi. (Please don't give me grief about the use of "I" instead of the proper "me." Sometimes I have to sacrifice grammar for entertainment value.)
Baseball Widow has tried not to burden this site with information about herself, but it's time to make a confession: I'm a law student. As a matter of fact, the blogfather himself, Glenn Instapundit Reynolds, is currently my Con Law professor. I was shocked to learn a couple of days ago that he actually knows my name, but as far as I can tell, he knows nothing about Baseball Widow and her comparatively measly 6000 hits.
I've said all that to say this: I'm rapidly approaching finals, so I probably won't have much to say about baseball for the next week or so. I think I'm gonna let Baseball Hubby step in and write a few. Remember, too many hours sitting in front of the BV (that's Baseballvision) might have caused his expository writing muscles to atrophy, so don't be too hard on him.
Baseball Widow would like to make a couple of quick updates.
I've received some email asking how the Eye-Candies are coming along. Well, despite a couple of days in first place, they're settling down around fourth--about where Baseball Hubby had predicted. (Did I mention that he thinks he's very smart?)
Offense is generally good, although on Tuesday I had six of my starting lineup pull 0-fers. God bless Javy Lopez, because he's anchoring me. Fifty-two at bats in, and he's still swinging .462.
I've made one lineup change, dropping the injured Joe Mays and picking up Danys Baez to fill the closer role. In general, I'm hesitant to over-manage because I really do want to field the team as I picked it, but the Eye-Candies were getting slaughtered without a closer. Besides, I hadn't initially separated closers from middle relief, so I feel okay about mixing up the pitching a little. Don't worry: Baez is a looker, too.
That's the first update, about the Eye-Candies. The second update is about I, Candi. (Please don't give me grief about the use of "I" instead of the proper "me." Sometimes I have to sacrifice grammar for entertainment value.)
Baseball Widow has tried not to burden this site with information about herself, but it's time to make a confession: I'm a law student. As a matter of fact, the blogfather himself, Glenn Instapundit Reynolds, is currently my Con Law professor. I was shocked to learn a couple of days ago that he actually knows my name, but as far as I can tell, he knows nothing about Baseball Widow and her comparatively measly 6000 hits.
I've said all that to say this: I'm rapidly approaching finals, so I probably won't have much to say about baseball for the next week or so. I think I'm gonna let Baseball Hubby step in and write a few. Remember, too many hours sitting in front of the BV (that's Baseballvision) might have caused his expository writing muscles to atrophy, so don't be too hard on him.
Monday, April 19, 2004
Seriously, this has to stop
You've got to be kidding me. You seriously have to be kidding me. Oh, okay, I'm the one talking to you. Well, I'm not kidding either.
Reese Witherspoon is set to play in Sports Widow, a movie about--you know what? I'm not even going to tell you what the movie is about. Let's just say that if you read Baseball Widow, you've pretty much stumbled onto the plot.
You've got to be kidding me!
You've got to be kidding me. You seriously have to be kidding me. Oh, okay, I'm the one talking to you. Well, I'm not kidding either.
Reese Witherspoon is set to play in Sports Widow, a movie about--you know what? I'm not even going to tell you what the movie is about. Let's just say that if you read Baseball Widow, you've pretty much stumbled onto the plot.
You've got to be kidding me!
Saturday, April 17, 2004
They have the Internet on computers now
D'oh! How did Baseball Widow not know this?
The Florida Marlins' AAA affiliate in Albuquerque, NM, is none other than the Albuquerque Isotopes. The nickname stems from "Hungry Hungry Homer," an episode of The Simpsons in which the Duff Beer Company threatens to move the Isotopes, Springfield's minor league team, to (where else?) Albuquerque.
Baseball Widow and Hubby are huge fans of The Simpsons, as are most people with brains and TVs. And Baseball Widow doesn't want any crap about how you used to like them, but the last few seasons have been bad. That line is tired, in addition to being wrong. Don't get me started on psychological feedback loops and misplaced nostalgia.
As if reference to nuclear energy weren't a controversial enough nickname, Tampa Bay's new AA team attacks another controversial subject: carbohydrates. Eschewing the low-carb life, the Montgomery (Alabama) Biscuits, have opened their inaugural season, and they just might steal the best logo title away from the Augusta GreenJackets.
And did you hear? Minor league baseball will also open in Japan next year, when the Biscuits will take on the Ham-Fighters. . .that's a match-up Baseball Hubby is already salivating over.
Baseball Widow loves minor league baseball. First and foremost because she can afford good seats. Second, it's cool to check out prospects or check in on re-habbing names. Third, there's something intimate and exciting about a minor league game--as if, at any moment, a star might be made in front of your eyes.
Speaking of minor league ball, Baseball Widow will be heading to a Tennessee Smokies game soon. Last year Rick Ankiel was trying to get things under control with the St. Louis AA team. The night I saw him pitch, he appeared frustrated with the game--as if baseball had become a chore. Ankiel should try being married to Baseball Hubby.
D'oh! How did Baseball Widow not know this?
The Florida Marlins' AAA affiliate in Albuquerque, NM, is none other than the Albuquerque Isotopes. The nickname stems from "Hungry Hungry Homer," an episode of The Simpsons in which the Duff Beer Company threatens to move the Isotopes, Springfield's minor league team, to (where else?) Albuquerque.
Baseball Widow and Hubby are huge fans of The Simpsons, as are most people with brains and TVs. And Baseball Widow doesn't want any crap about how you used to like them, but the last few seasons have been bad. That line is tired, in addition to being wrong. Don't get me started on psychological feedback loops and misplaced nostalgia.
As if reference to nuclear energy weren't a controversial enough nickname, Tampa Bay's new AA team attacks another controversial subject: carbohydrates. Eschewing the low-carb life, the Montgomery (Alabama) Biscuits, have opened their inaugural season, and they just might steal the best logo title away from the Augusta GreenJackets.
And did you hear? Minor league baseball will also open in Japan next year, when the Biscuits will take on the Ham-Fighters. . .that's a match-up Baseball Hubby is already salivating over.
Baseball Widow loves minor league baseball. First and foremost because she can afford good seats. Second, it's cool to check out prospects or check in on re-habbing names. Third, there's something intimate and exciting about a minor league game--as if, at any moment, a star might be made in front of your eyes.
Speaking of minor league ball, Baseball Widow will be heading to a Tennessee Smokies game soon. Last year Rick Ankiel was trying to get things under control with the St. Louis AA team. The night I saw him pitch, he appeared frustrated with the game--as if baseball had become a chore. Ankiel should try being married to Baseball Hubby.
Thursday, April 15, 2004
Ya can't p'ahk ya b'ahd in the y'ahd
Baseball Widow decided to meet her neighbors in oddball outlier land. First up was the Score Bard. Sure, Baseball Widow is impressed with his flow, but even more exciting was his blogroll in the form of a Periodic Table--and Baseball Widow thought she was a nerd!
Here's to hoping that one day the Bard discovers Baseball Widow as a new element in the Baseball Family. . .
Baseball Widow decided to meet her neighbors in oddball outlier land. First up was the Score Bard. Sure, Baseball Widow is impressed with his flow, but even more exciting was his blogroll in the form of a Periodic Table--and Baseball Widow thought she was a nerd!
Here's to hoping that one day the Bard discovers Baseball Widow as a new element in the Baseball Family. . .
Wednesday, April 14, 2004
Steal this Post
Again, someone has latched on to the wisdom of Baseball Widow and taken it for his own purposes. If Baseball Widow had a nickel for everytime that happened, well, she'd have about fifteen cents.
No sooner did Baseball Widow comment on Johnny Damon's new 'do (see post entitled "The Passion of the Sox") than did Damon's Disciples crop up. Of course, Dave Pinto wants credit for the moniker, but Baseball Widow's "genesis" for the idea was posted two hours before he coined the phrase.
You know, Pinto went to Harvard--not that there's anything wrong with that. I'm just saying. . .
Again, someone has latched on to the wisdom of Baseball Widow and taken it for his own purposes. If Baseball Widow had a nickel for everytime that happened, well, she'd have about fifteen cents.
No sooner did Baseball Widow comment on Johnny Damon's new 'do (see post entitled "The Passion of the Sox") than did Damon's Disciples crop up. Of course, Dave Pinto wants credit for the moniker, but Baseball Widow's "genesis" for the idea was posted two hours before he coined the phrase.
You know, Pinto went to Harvard--not that there's anything wrong with that. I'm just saying. . .
Leftover Easter Candi
Thought I'd start to catch up on the posts that I promised last week. . .
Baseball Widow celebrated Easter by purchasing "Baseball Oreos"--five different baseball-themed designs on the cookies plus the chance to "Take the Field with A-Rod." Baseball Widow was amused and a little concerned at the tagline "You can lick, twist, and dip with A-Rod." That kind of language seems much more suited to banter on the Eye-Candies site than to a product marketed at kids.
Check out the Oreo's website, though, for all sorts of goodies about the contest--like the section on "A-Rod's Tips and Tricks." Baseball Widow's favorite is number 8: when batting, wear a batting helmet. That A-Rod. . .you can't pull anything over on him.
Thought I'd start to catch up on the posts that I promised last week. . .
Baseball Widow celebrated Easter by purchasing "Baseball Oreos"--five different baseball-themed designs on the cookies plus the chance to "Take the Field with A-Rod." Baseball Widow was amused and a little concerned at the tagline "You can lick, twist, and dip with A-Rod." That kind of language seems much more suited to banter on the Eye-Candies site than to a product marketed at kids.
Check out the Oreo's website, though, for all sorts of goodies about the contest--like the section on "A-Rod's Tips and Tricks." Baseball Widow's favorite is number 8: when batting, wear a batting helmet. That A-Rod. . .you can't pull anything over on him.
Better Slate than Never
Baseball Widow was just mentioned on slate.com.
Granted, she's classified as an "oddball outlier," but there's no such thing as bad press, right?
It's confusing, though. . .Baseball Widow practically abandons her blog for a week and gets a slate.com mention. What if I never write again? Pulitzer?
Baseball Widow was just mentioned on slate.com.
Granted, she's classified as an "oddball outlier," but there's no such thing as bad press, right?
It's confusing, though. . .Baseball Widow practically abandons her blog for a week and gets a slate.com mention. What if I never write again? Pulitzer?
Friday, April 09, 2004
Not Your Everyday Blog
Baseball Widow would like to begin this post by issuing a public thank you to everyone for being so supportive of this site since its debut just a couple of months ago. Baseball Widow is particularly flattered by the sites that have chosen to link here. I also apologize that I don't update my own links more frequently because there are a lot of great blogs (and people) out there whose work deserves recognition.
Baseball Widow was recently added as a link on the Reds Daily page. She appears under the title of "Semi-Daily" reads, and Baseball Widow thinks that sounds about right.
I know I don't update as frequently as some, but I hope that my posts are thoughtful and thought-provoking. (If they're not, please let me know!) Because my posts are sporadic, many of you may not be in the habit of stopping by daily. That's cool--you should spend that time reading some of the other amazing stuff out there, or, hey, even watching a game.
Baseball Widow doesn't want to be your everyday blog, but do drop in once or twice week 'cause you never know what Candi's cooking.
Tomorrow Baseball Widow will return to a familiar topic, and on Sunday we'll discuss a special Easter treat. Hope you'll come back.
Baseball Widow would like to begin this post by issuing a public thank you to everyone for being so supportive of this site since its debut just a couple of months ago. Baseball Widow is particularly flattered by the sites that have chosen to link here. I also apologize that I don't update my own links more frequently because there are a lot of great blogs (and people) out there whose work deserves recognition.
Baseball Widow was recently added as a link on the Reds Daily page. She appears under the title of "Semi-Daily" reads, and Baseball Widow thinks that sounds about right.
I know I don't update as frequently as some, but I hope that my posts are thoughtful and thought-provoking. (If they're not, please let me know!) Because my posts are sporadic, many of you may not be in the habit of stopping by daily. That's cool--you should spend that time reading some of the other amazing stuff out there, or, hey, even watching a game.
Baseball Widow doesn't want to be your everyday blog, but do drop in once or twice week 'cause you never know what Candi's cooking.
Tomorrow Baseball Widow will return to a familiar topic, and on Sunday we'll discuss a special Easter treat. Hope you'll come back.
Wednesday, April 07, 2004
Sunday, April 04, 2004
Ich Bin Ein Dodger
Baseball Hubby had predicted that Milton Bradley would become a Dodger--either that or he'd move to Providence and develop a new game for his namesake toy company. They already make "Don't Break the Ice" and "Don't Spill the Beans," but Bradley (the person, not the trademark) would have been marketing the latest addition "Don't Backtalk your Boss."
Baseball Hubby had predicted that Milton Bradley would become a Dodger--either that or he'd move to Providence and develop a new game for his namesake toy company. They already make "Don't Break the Ice" and "Don't Spill the Beans," but Bradley (the person, not the trademark) would have been marketing the latest addition "Don't Backtalk your Boss."
Here's a shock: another terrible announcer who's a former jock
Baseball Widow has decided to keep tabs on how often John Kruk makes reference to "the facts." Baseball Widow has been watching Baseball Tonight's season preview for less than twenty minutes, and he's already said "for the simple fact that" five times! Economy of words, John. If you mean "because," say "because."
Baseball Widow has decided to keep tabs on how often John Kruk makes reference to "the facts." Baseball Widow has been watching Baseball Tonight's season preview for less than twenty minutes, and he's already said "for the simple fact that" five times! Economy of words, John. If you mean "because," say "because."
Saturday, April 03, 2004
If "ifs" and "buts" were candy and nuts. . .
Baseball Widow knew that readership was up, but this is ridiculous. . .
Just last week Baseball Widow posted a diatribe about the shortcomings of sports announcers, and the next day ESPN had the Baseball Tonight Crew calling the Yanks/D-Rays game. In the same post, I referred to TBS's problem-child, Erin Andrews.
Well, call the dog and spit in the fire, 'cause Ms. Andrews is outta here! Here are some highlights from a post-firing interview:
Q: Why do you think that Turner chose not to bring you back?
A: Because they were going in another direction. . .
(B-Widow running commentary: Uh, yeah, they decided to go in a direction that didn't suck.)
A (continued): . . .it doesn't surprise me that they wanted someone with more baseball knowledge. . .
(B-Widow: No, Erin, all they wanted was someone with some baseball knowledge--any baseball knowledge at all would do. Quick: How many outs in a half-inning? How many strikes and you're out? How many letters in "out"?)
Q: What was your relationship with the local fan base?
A: . . . There were the doubters out there but I think that anyone who watched the studio show enough realized how much I knew about sports. I hope.
(B-Widow: You know it's bad when Erin herself hopes that she knows something about sports.)
Q: What was your most embarrassing moment onscreen at Turner?
A:. . . I couldn't see the Teleprompter straight, and I sent it back "Don Simpson" and "Joe Sutton."
(B-Widow: 'Cause you have to see the Teleprompter to correctly identify your co-workers, what with the Braves constantly changing their announcers and all.)
Marc Fein will replace Erin. Although Baseball Widow would have preferred the return of Beau Estes, she's sure he'll do a "Fein" job.
Baseball Widow knew that readership was up, but this is ridiculous. . .
Just last week Baseball Widow posted a diatribe about the shortcomings of sports announcers, and the next day ESPN had the Baseball Tonight Crew calling the Yanks/D-Rays game. In the same post, I referred to TBS's problem-child, Erin Andrews.
Well, call the dog and spit in the fire, 'cause Ms. Andrews is outta here! Here are some highlights from a post-firing interview:
Q: Why do you think that Turner chose not to bring you back?
A: Because they were going in another direction. . .
(B-Widow running commentary: Uh, yeah, they decided to go in a direction that didn't suck.)
A (continued): . . .it doesn't surprise me that they wanted someone with more baseball knowledge. . .
(B-Widow: No, Erin, all they wanted was someone with some baseball knowledge--any baseball knowledge at all would do. Quick: How many outs in a half-inning? How many strikes and you're out? How many letters in "out"?)
Q: What was your relationship with the local fan base?
A: . . . There were the doubters out there but I think that anyone who watched the studio show enough realized how much I knew about sports. I hope.
(B-Widow: You know it's bad when Erin herself hopes that she knows something about sports.)
Q: What was your most embarrassing moment onscreen at Turner?
A:. . . I couldn't see the Teleprompter straight, and I sent it back "Don Simpson" and "Joe Sutton."
(B-Widow: 'Cause you have to see the Teleprompter to correctly identify your co-workers, what with the Braves constantly changing their announcers and all.)
Marc Fein will replace Erin. Although Baseball Widow would have preferred the return of Beau Estes, she's sure he'll do a "Fein" job.
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