Not the best fan film I have ever seen, but still pretty damn good.[^fn1]
[^fn1]: And, more importantly, better than anything DC has put out in the last 4-5 years. (Yes, I did kind of like Man of Steel, but still…)
Month: October 2013
Barry Smith, writing at the *Carolina Journal*:
> Gov. Pat McCrory on Monday struck back at the federal government, saying the U.S. Department of Justice was “working in the fringes.” McCrory, a Republican, said the state would defend the lawsuit filed by the Democratic administration of President Barack Obama against the state’s new election laws vigorously.
> “I believe that North Carolina is in the mainstream on this issue and it’s the Justice Department that’s working in the fringes,” McCrory said during a press briefing in Raleigh. McCrory made a statement and took no questions. The state has hired private legal representation to defend the lawsuit.
The Left continues to have hissy-fits because it lost almost all control in North Carolina[^fn1], and this is the latest move to try to paint North Carolina Republicans as far-right loons. Thankfully, I think the people of North Carolina are smart enough to realize just what kind of game Holder and the Justice Department are playing.
[^fn1]: After running it into the ground for years.
Here is how the Red Sox are described:
> **Why they’re here:** GM Ben Cherington did a masterful job of putting the pieces back together following two disappointing seasons, including a last-place finish in 2012. Adding veterans such as Shane Victorino, Mike Napoli, Jonny Gomes and Koji Uehara made them a deeper team across the board, and that depth is why they’re going to be the team to beat in the AL.
> **They’ll make the World Series if:** They advance through the ALDS. A lot of times the wild-card teams get into a groove and make life difficult in a short series. For Boston, it’ll be all about surviving that charge and advancing. Of course they won’t face a pushover in Detroit or Oakland, but they can wear anybody down over seven games.
> **They’ll get knocked out early if:** They start slow. The first two games of the ALDS might be the key to their survival.
> **Player who can’t slump:** They look like slump-proof team, but David Ortiz is the guy they need mashing the ball all over the yard.
> Player who might be a surprise hero:** Mike Carp has been a nice piece off the bench for John Farrell. Another excellent pickup by Cherington who makes an impact from the seventh inning on.
> **In the 2013 MLB yearbook, they’d win this award:** Team most likely to get their beards shaved by a fastball.
> **If this team were a song, what song would it be?** “Fear the Beard” by Cashbox — Love the beards or hate them, it’s their identity.
Tough to argue with that.
> **The Way Through**: The Red Sox have homefield advantage throughout the playoffs, a meaningful perk for a team with the best home record in the AL (53-28, including 40-17 since May 24). Their offense is a grinding one filled with veteran hitters who take and foul off lots of pitches. Boston saw the most pitches in baseball this year — 1,167 more than any other team still playing. Ace Jon Lester was sharp down the stretch (5-1, 2.22, one home run allowed in his last eight starts).
> **The Way Out**: Red Sox hitters were fourth in the league in strikeouts. Power pitchers who pound the strike zone can slow them down. Boston ranked ninth MLB in batting against power pitchers. Detroit would be a difficult ALCS draw for the Red Sox.
I agree with Verducci, but I think that this analysis does not properly value Boston’s pitching. If Lester, Lackey, Buchholz and Peavy all bring their “A game”, Boston’s pitching is as good as any other playoff team.
Categories
Pacific Rim now Available on iTunes
[Pacific Rim](https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/pacific-rim/id694686367)[^fn1] was one of my favorite movies of the summer. I am pumped to watch it again.
[^fn1]: Affiliate link (as is the post link).
Categories
Looking at A-Rod’s suspension appeal
I was surprised by how long the whole thing will take:
> After five days of MLB attorneys giving their side and A-Rod’s attorneys presenting theirs — much like in a courtroom — arbitrator Fredric Horowitz then has 25 days to make a ruling. Don’t expect anything too soon. As USA Today’s Bob Nightengale writes, “Even if Horowitz knows his decision early, MLB would not walk to disrupt the postseason, much less the World Series. Look for Horowitz to announce his ruling the first week of November.”
As a Red Sox fan, I think the best outcome would be that A-Roid is suspended for 75-100 games, but that his full salary has to be paid by the Yankees and that money counts against their luxury tax burden.
Categories
P.J. Hairston pranks Marcus Paige
Hopefully, this type of gag will be the extent of Hairston’s hijinks for the rest of the season.
In a surprise to absolutely no one, this looks great.