Phillies @ Astros 9/14/12

[Ron Brand]

Bad top of the first, Gonzalez gives up a home run to lead off, then walks, hits, stolen bases, etc. make it 4-0. Astros batting now.

[Ron Brand]

Phillies obligingly playing stumblefuck ball and Rollins lets Altuve score with a horrible throw to first on the back end of what he wanted to be a double play. 4-1.

[Ron Brand]

J. Rollins SS
J. Pierre LF    
C. Utley 2B
R. Howard 1B
C. Ruiz C
D. Brown RF
J. Mayberry CF
K. Frandsen 3B    
C. Hamels P

J. Altuve 2B
B. Barnes CF
B. Wallace 1B
J. Maxwell LF
J. Lowrie SS
M. Dominguez 3B
M. Downs RF
C. Snyder C
E. Gonzalez P

[Ron Brand]

Now, really. Has anyone ever seen Juan Pierre in a clean uniform? Even in the team photo?

[Ron Brand]

Jeff Kent's in the booth with Brownie and JD. Very enjoyable stuff.

[Ron Brand]

4-1, middle 2.

[Ron Brand]

The curse of Friday Night in the Game Zone.

[Ron Brand]

Dominguez with a cue shot in no man's land for an infield single.

Boy, Kent is really energetic and personable in the booth.

[Ron Brand]

Kent on Survivor: "I'm proud of the way the game went, I'm happy I did it, and hopefully it won't be how people remember me."

"Y'know, before Survivor, I've been known for the car washing thing, the fight with Bonds thing, and now it's Survivor, so maybe that's why I did it, so maybe they won't remember me for all that other crap."

[Ron Brand]

Altuve loads the bases with his second hit. Two out.

[Ron Brand]

Barnes gives it a ride to LCF but it's caught. 4-1 after 2.

[chuck]

Kent's got that irritating, pinched California accent.

[Matt]

Kent's got that irritating, pinched California accent.

Yeah I was noticing that.

[Ron Brand]

Kent's got that irritating, pinched California accent.

Didn't bother me at all. I was probably too amazed to hear him talk so much and be so animated. I thought he was great in the booth.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Just made it to the Slack Shack. JD and Brownie beg to differ with Bobby V.

[Ron Brand]

Just made it to the Slack Shack. JD and Brownie beg to differ with Bobby V.

They're having a good game tonight.

[Ron Brand]

Hey, Dominguez has an arm.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Didn't bother me at all. I was probably too amazed to hear him talk so much and be so animated. I thought he was great in the booth.

Brownie was pressing him pretty hard about PEDs but Kent wasn't going to give Bonds anyone up.

[Ron Brand]

Brownie was pressing him pretty hard about PEDs but Kent wasn't going to give Bonds anyone up.

Wouldn't say shit if he had a mouthful.

[chuck]

Yeah I was noticing that.

I don't know how you stand it out there, dude.

[Ron Brand]

JD on Larry Andersen: "He was like 50 when he pitched here. I used to ask him how he pitched to DiMaggio."

[chuck]

JD on Larry Anderson: "He was like 50 when he pitched here. I used to ask him how he pitched to DiMaggio."

hHA    hHA     hHA     hHA

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Wouldn't say shit if he had a mouthful.

Kent. Code. Omerta.

[chuck]

Trying to convey Brownie's fake laugh.

[Ron Brand]

Hamels is settling in.

[chuck]

Kent. Code. Omerta.

I don't "do lunch."

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Trying to convey Brownie's fake laugh.

Got it.

[Ron Brand]

Oktoberfest, sponsored by Budweiser.

[Ron Brand]

Damn, good throw would've had him.

[Ron Brand]

Two hard-hit balls in a row by Mayberry and Frandsen and it's 5-1.

[Ron Brand]

Dominguez with his second hit, this one past Utley.

[Ron Brand]

Downs jerks a two-run shot to the Boxes!

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Up with Downs.

[Ron Brand]

5-3 through four.

[Ron Brand]

Time for Fick.

[Matt]

I don't know how you stand it out there, dude.

I generally make fun of them.

[Ron Brand]

Nice pitchout nabs Pierre on a steal attempt.

[Ron Brand]

Fick walks two in a row. Ruiz up.

[Ron Brand]

FeRod's in to clean up the mess.

[juliogotay]

Good play by Dominguez on short hop. It's good to see someone that can actually play the position rather than occupy the position.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Good play by Dominguez on short hop. It's good to see someone that can actually play the position rather than occupy the position.

Yes.

[chuck]

I generally make fun of them.

Sure, but how is that satisfying when they don't even realize what you're doing? If I'm going to mock someone they need visibly to be insulted for me to get anything out of it.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Wow. Good send from Samuel.

[Ron Brand]

And then it goes to shit when a comebacker goes off FeRod's leg and Altuve has to run to find it, then his throw is wide of the plate. Two runs score and it's 7-3 now.

[Ron Brand]

Maxwell hits one off the I Hate Gay People Fowl Pole in left to make it 7-4.

[chuck]

BAAAAK!!!

[chuck]

Hamels is going to plunk Maxwell the next time he sees him. Not that Maxwell did anything wrong but that Hamels is a flaming twat.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

I bet such a flaming twat couldn't pitch so well against a real MLB team.

[Ron Brand]

6.1 innings, 2 hours 20 minutes. God fucking damn.

[Ron Brand]

Dom Brown with a two run shot to the upper deck in right. Valdez has failed this test. 9-4 Phillies.

[Ron Brand]

This expanded roster in September is brutal.

[Ron Brand]

Time for a double switch. Everybody plays, everybody gets a snocone.

[Ron Brand]

Ohhh, now it makes sense. Longer games = more concessions sold. Duh.

[Ron Brand]

10-4 in the eighth, two on, no outs. And Cruz is warming up.

[Ebby Calvin]

So, it looks like I shouldn't feel too bad about missing this one, right?

[Ron Brand]

So, it looks like I shouldn't feel too bad about missing this one, right?

I think I should feel worse because I'm here.

12-4.

[Ron Brand]

So now let's bring in Cruz. This should be fun.

[Ebby Calvin]

12-4.

Yikes.  Thanks for cleaning up late, RB.

[Ron Brand]

Yikes.  Thanks for cleaning up late, RB.

There's no 'clean' here.

[Ron Brand]

I am the Sin-Eater.

[Mr. Happy]

Private Happy reporting for duty, sir.

[Ron Brand]

You, uh, haven't missed much.

[Mr. Happy]

You, uh, haven't missed much.

I read the whole thread with interest. I had to go to a UM law school reunion dinner and when I got back to my car, I discovered that my battery was dead. So I had to wait for AAA, which took about 45 minutes, but she started right back up. I drove it around for 30 minutes and then got out. So I'm here. And grateful.

[Ron Brand]

12-5 on a passed ball.

[Ron Brand]

I read the whole thread with interest. I had to go to a UM law school reunion dinner and when I got back to my car, I discovered that my battery was dead. So I had to wait for AAA, which took about 45 minutes, but she started right back up. I drove it around for 30 minutes and then got out. So I'm here. And grateful.

New batteries are a good thing. Glad you're back.

[Ron Brand]

I can't BELIEVE Tony D is letting Cruz hit for himself.

[Ron Brand]

Or, y'know, strike out for himself.

[Mr. Happy]

New batteries are a good thing. Glad you're back.

And the feeling is mutual on seeing you too, RB

[Ron Brand]

They're still raving over Kent's appearance. It was definitely the highlight.

[Mr. Happy]

I see that EDR came in throwing BP again. In my opinion, running that guy out there is a colossal waste of time. He has nothing in my opinion.

[Mr. Happy]

I can't BELIEVE Tony D is letting Cruz hit for himself.

See, flag, white.

[Ron Brand]

I see that EDR came in throwing BP again. In my opinion, running that guy out there is a colossal waste of time. He has nothing in my opinion.

There was a full-on casting call for Guys Who Have Nothing tonight.

[Mr. Happy]

They're still raving over Kent's appearance. It was definitely the highlight.

I wish that I had heard it. It's been interesting not having a television. In a way, I've really enjoyed it. But I have missed it. I'm going to my first Grizzlies home game tomorrow.

[Ron Brand]

Schierholz rocks a double to the wall in LCF. Rollins hitting.

[Mr. Happy]

There was a full-on casting call for Guys Who Have Nothing tonight.

The bully only allowed nine hits and seven earnies in four frames.

[Ron Brand]

The bully only allowed nine hits and seven earnies in four frames.

Gonzalez set the tone.

[Ebby Calvin]

So I've been trying to muster up something interesting for my last preview of the year, and even before RB's great Beatles references this week I was thinking about using Bonnie "Prince" Billy's "I See a Darkness" to call attention to the oncoming Void.  I just looked up the actual lyrics and Jeebus they're depressing.  Wonder what I was going through when I fell in love with this song.

Oh no, I see a darkness
Oh no, I see a darkness
Oh no, I see a darkness
Oh no, I see a darkness
And did you know how much I love you
Is a hope that somehow you, you
Can save me from this darkness

[Mr. Happy]

Schierholz rocks a double to the wall in LCF. Rollins hitting.

Schierholz is a reserve player, but I liked him when he was with the Giants. He has good at bats and thinks out there. Refreshing.

[Mr. Happy]

So I've been trying to muster up something interesting for my last preview of the year, and even before RB's great Beatles references this week I was thinking about using Bonnie "Prince" Billy's "I See a Darkness" to call attention to the oncoming Void.  I just looked up the actual lyrics and Jeebus they're depressing.  Wonder what I was going through when I fell in love with this song.

Oh no, I see a darkness
Oh no, I see a darkness
Oh no, I see a darkness
Oh no, I see a darkness
And did you know how much I love you
Is a hope that somehow you, you
Can save me from this darkness

Go with Rama Lama Ding Dong.

[Ebby Calvin]

Go with Rama Lama Ding Dong.

Depressing on another level.

Oh oh oh oh
I got a girl named Rama Lama, Rama Lama Ding Dong
She's everything to me
Rama Lama, Rama Lama Ding Dong
I'll never set her free
For she's mine, all mine
Oh oh oh oh
I got a girl named Rama Lama, Rama Lama Ding Dong,
She's fine to me,
Rama Lama, Rama Lama Ding Dong
You don't believe that she's mine, all mine
I love her,
Love her, love her so.
That I'll never, never let her go.
You may be certain she's mine, all mine,
She's mine all of the time.
Oh I got a girl named Rama Lama, Rama Lama Ding Dong
She's everything to me
Rama Lama, Rama Lama Ding Dong
I'll never set her free
For she's mine, all mine

[Ron Brand]

So I've been trying to muster up something interesting for my last preview of the year, and even before RB's great Beatles references this week I was thinking about using Bonnie "Prince" Billy's "I See a Darkness" to call attention to the oncoming Void.  I just looked up the actual lyrics and Jeebus they're depressing.  Wonder what I was going through when I fell in love with this song.

Oh no, I see a darkness
Oh no, I see a darkness
Oh no, I see a darkness
Oh no, I see a darkness
And did you know how much I love you
Is a hope that somehow you, you
Can save me from this darkness

Challenge yourself, man! Conflict is tension. Try "Sugar, Sugar" or "YMCA."

Explore the studio space.

[Mr. Happy]

It's always been one of my favorites. The Edsels sang that one.

[Ron Brand]

Sounds like my choice for my final is not in danger.

[Mr. Happy]

Challenge yourself, man! Conflict is tension. Try "Sugar, Sugar" or "YMCA."

Explore the studio space.

Elvira. What about Elvira?

[Ron Brand]

Ja, Horst ist in.

[Ron Brand]

Elvira. What about Elvira?

I've got it. A celebratory mash-up of DoRay's ministrations.

[Ebby Calvin]

Challenge yourself, man! Conflict is tension. Try "Sugar, Sugar" or "YMCA."

Explore the studio space.

I don't know where I heard it, but years ago in high school I heard something that proclaimed that the two songs that are SURE to get in somebody else's head if you sing them aloud are "Sugar, Sugar" and "Feliz Navidad."  I stand by that statement.

[Mr. Happy]

Sounds like my choice for my final is not in danger.

That would be your final for this season. I can't wait. no, wait a minute, I can wait. I still hate the Void, and it'll be on us before you know it.

[Mr. Happy]

I don't know where I heard it, but years ago in high school I heard something that proclaimed that the two songs that are SURE to get in somebody elses' head if you sing them aloud are "Sugar, Sugar" and "Feliz Navidad."  I stand by that statement.

Truer words...

[Ron Brand]

I don't know where I heard it, but years ago in high school I heard something that proclaimed that the two songs that are SURE to get in somebody else's head if you sing them aloud are "Sugar, Sugar" and "Feliz Navidad."  I stand by that statement.

If you want to cleanse your soul, give Wilson Pickett's version of "Sugar, Sugar" a try.

[Ebby Calvin]

If you want to cleanse your soul, give Wilson Pickett's version of "Sugar, Sugar" a try.

I originally read Wilson Phillips on this.  You owe me a new keyboard and half a beer now.

[Ron Brand]

I originally read Wilson Phillips on this.  You owe me a new keyboard and half a beer now.

Billing me for your shortcomings? Please.

[Ebby Calvin]

Billing me for your shortcomings? Please.

Hey man, you brought "Sugar, Sugar" into this.

[Ron Brand]

Hey man, you brought "Sugar, Sugar" into this.

Yeah, but I can READ.

[Ron Brand]

Stop your whining and listen to the song.

[Ron Brand]

Boy, the Phillies suck in the field.

[Ron Brand]

Wallace fans (because he was facing a lefty) and the misery is done.

[Mr. Happy]

If you want to cleanse your soul, give Wilson Pickett's version of "Sugar, Sugar" a try.

You turned me on to that version on Facebook one day. The Wicked Pickett's version is great. Don't know what the Archies were thinking.

[Ebby Calvin]

Stop your whining and listen to the song.

No, I've heard it.  It's good.  Unfortunately the Archies killed anything good it ever had going for it.

[Ron Brand]

You turned me on to that version on Facebook one day. The Wicked Pickett's version is great. Don't know what the Archies were thinking.

Catchy melody and $$$$$$$.

[Ron Brand]

No, I've heard it.  It's good.  Unfortunately the Archies killed anything good it ever had going for it.

So what are you going to use? "Desolation Row?"

[Mr. Happy]

Wallace fans (because he was facing a lefty) and the misery is done.

Wallace, after a good start, has reverted to the AAAA player that he really is. He ain't the answer at first sack. How about trying Fernando Martinez there? he can hit and is a terrible outfielder.

[Ebby Calvin]

So what are you going to use? "Desolation Row?"

I cannot tell you how many times I've tried to do that.  Seriously, that's one of my favorite Dylan songs.

[Ron Brand]

Wallace, after a good start, has reverted to the AAAA player that he really is. He ain't the answer at first sack. How about trying Fernando Martinez there? he can hit and is a terrible outfielder.

I guess anybody is just marking half of 2013 until Singleton shows up.

[Ron Brand]

I cannot tell you how many times I've tried to do that.  Seriously, that's one of my favorite Dylan songs.

I worked in "Visions of Johanna" on one that cut too damn close to the bone.

I heard about her yesterday. She's in Tripoli. Jesus.

[Mr. Happy]

I guess anybody is just marking half of 2013 until Singleton shows up.

Yep. I guess that it doesn't matter who occupies the spot for the first half of 2013. I'd like to see them try someone who can hit. Martinez has shown me more than Wallace.

[Ron Brand]

Yep. I guess that it doesn't matter who occupies the spot for the first half of 2013. I'd like to see them try someone who can hit. Martinez has shown me more than Wallace.

Yeah. It's really sad, Wallace had a lot of promise.

[Ebby Calvin]

As a parting gift from leaving my first "real" job, my news director gave me a two-disc CD of some live Dylan concert.  He was really into him, went to tons of shows and thought Bob hung the moon.  He being 1) a really cool guy, 2) my first real mentor (aside from mom & dad), I cherished it for many many hours on the drive from Oregon to Texas.  Then I lost it when I returned the UHaul.  I've tried to find it online and really any record shop I go to, but no such luck yet.

[Ron Brand]

As a parting gift from leaving my first "real" job, my news director gave me a two-disc CD of some live Dylan concert.  He was really into him, went to tons of shows and thought Bob hung the moon.  He being 1) a really cool guy, 2) my first real mentor (aside from mom & dad), I cherished it for many many hours on the drive from Oregon to Texas.  Then I lost it when I returned the UHaul.  I've tried to find it online and really any record shop I go to, but no such luck yet.

If you can figure out the date, I can probably find it. If you can give me a track list, I may be able to narrow it down.

[Ebby Calvin]

If you can figure out the date, I can probably find it. If you can give me a track list, I may be able to narrow it down.

All I've got is that it was after he went electric, had a kick-ass Simple Twist of Fate on it, was an actual CD (not a bootleg) and was fairly old.  I'm sure that really narrows it down.

[Mr. Happy]

Yeah. It's really sad, Wallace had a lot of promise.

Yep. I saw the kid play in high school at Justin Siena in Napa. Just can't get around on the inside pitches, which is a death knell to a lefty.

[Ron Brand]

So it was a legit release and it had Simple Twist of Fate on it, meaning it's post-1974. Anything else?

[Ebby Calvin]

Einstein, disguised as Robin Hood
With his memories in a trunk
Passed this way an hour ago
With his friend, some jealous monk

Now he looked so immaculately frightful
As he bummed his cigarette
Then he went off sniffing drainpipes
And reciting the alphabet

You would not think to look at him
But he was famous long ago
For playing the electric violin
On desolation row

[Ron Brand]

Yep. I saw the kid play in high school at Justin Siena in Napa. Just can't get around on the inside pitches, which is a death knell to a lefty.

Yeah, and he has lost his plate discipline too. He'll swing if it's up and away.

[Ebby Calvin]

So it was a legit release and it had Simple Twist of Fate on it, meaning it's post-1974. Anything else?

I'm sure if I saw the tracklist, I'd say, yep that's it.  I'm remembering "Isis," but that might be more hopeful than truthful.

[Ron Brand]

Einstein, disguised as Robin Hood
With his memories in a trunk
Passed this way an hour ago
With his friend, some jealous monk

Now he looked so immaculately frightful
As he bummed his cigarette
Then he went off sniffing drainpipes
And reciting the alphabet

You would not think to look at him
But he was famous long ago
For playing the electric violin
On desolation row

Try as I might, I can't get my wife or daughters to even listen.

[Ron Brand]

I'm sure if I saw the tracklist, I'd say, yep that's it.  I'm remembering "Isis," but that might be more hopeful than truthful.

And you're sure it's a legitimate US release, meaning it would be on Columbia?

[Mr. Happy]

So it was a legit release and it had Simple Twist of Fate on it, meaning it's post-1974. Anything else?

Your music knowledge knows no bounds, RB. I'm fairly knowledgeable about doo wop, R&B, etc. but you know so much more.  

[Ebby Calvin]

And you're sure it's a legitimate US release, meaning it would be on Columbia?

Columbia, I don't know, but it was legitimate.  2-disc.

[Ron Brand]

Your music knowledge knows no bounds, RB. I'm fairly knowledgeable about doo wop, R&B, etc. but you know so much more.  

Ha. Thanks, but it's just a weird knowledge. Lots of wasted time.

[Ebby Calvin]

Lots of wasted time.

With every fiber of my being, I disagree.

[Ron Brand]

Columbia, I don't know, but it was legitimate.  2-disc.

And when did he give it to you?

[Mr. Happy]

Ha. Thanks, but it's just a weird knowledge. Lots of wasted time.

And like my encyclopedic knowledge about the Drifters hasn't also involved a substantial time investment. Oneo f my nicknames at a law firm I practiced in back in New Orleans was "repositor of the bizarre and arcane." I'm actually proud of that one.

[Ebby Calvin]

And when did he give it to you?

Fall 2003.

[Ron Brand]

And like my encyclopedic knowledge about the Drifters hasn't also involved a substantial time investment. One of my nicknames at a law firm I practiced in back in New Orleans was "repositor of the bizarre and arcane." I'm actually proud of that one.

Nice, I like that.

[Ron Brand]

The only legit 2-disc live set that has "Simple Twist of Fate" on it that I know of is Live at Budokan. "Isis" isn't on there.

[Ron Brand]

Ah, no, I'm wrong - it's also on Live 1975, that Rolling Thunder Revue thing.

[Ebby Calvin]

The only legit 2-disc live set that has "Simple Twist of Fate" on it that I know of is Live at Budokan. "Isis" isn't on there.

Looking at the tracklist.  That's not it.  Hmmm...

[Ron Brand]

This is Live 1975.

This is Live at Budokan.

[Ebby Calvin]

Ah, no, I'm wrong - it's also on Live 1975, that Rolling Thunder Revue thing.

There it is.  Awesome.  "Click to purchase"  Many, many thanks RB!

[Ron Brand]

There it is.  Awesome.  "Click to purchase"  Many, many thanks RB!

Cool. Glad to help.

[Mr. Happy]

Cool. Glad to help.

You. Fucking. Rock.

[Ron Brand]

You. Fucking. Rock.

Ha. I try.

[Ron Brand]

I worked in "Visions of Johanna" on one that cut too damn close to the bone.

I heard about her yesterday. She's in Tripoli. Jesus.

Louise, she’s all right, she’s just near
She’s delicate and seems like the mirror
But she just makes it all too concise and too clear
That Johanna’s not here
The ghost of ’lectricity howls in the bones of her face
Where these visions of Johanna have now taken my place.

Tripoli.

[Mr. Happy]

Louise, she’s all right, she’s just near
She’s delicate and seems like the mirror
But she just makes it all too concise and too clear
That Johanna’s not here
The ghost of ’lectricity howls in the bones of her face
Where these visions of Johanna have now taken my place.

Tripoli.

But can I get an amen for Who Put the Bomp?

[Ron Brand]

But can I get an amen for Who Put the Bomp?

Amen.

In the bomp-sh-bomp.

[Guinness]

Somehow, this post:

Yeah, and he has lost his plate discipline too. He'll swing if it's up and away.

Was the perfect follow up to this one, like it was the next line in the song...

Einstein, disguised as Robin Hood
With his memories in a trunk
Passed this way an hour ago
With his friend, some jealous monk

Now he looked so immaculately frightful
As he bummed his cigarette
Then he went off sniffing drainpipes
And reciting the alphabet

You would not think to look at him
But he was famous long ago
For playing the electric violin
On desolation row

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

For some reason, Neil's excellent recap reminded me of this.

[Mr. Happy]

For some reason, Neil's excellent recap reminded me of this.

I am a published author of three books (the third is coming out this winter), but I wish that I could write like Neil. Or Dark Star, who I haven't seen around here lately. I wonder what's up with that.

[Bench]

For some reason, Neil's excellent recap reminded me of this.

Excellent is right.  Niel gets my vote for Astros MVP this season.

[Mr. Happy]

Excellent is right.  Niel gets my vote for Astros MVP this season.

+1

[JimR]

I am a published author of three books (the third is coming out this winter), but I wish that I could write like Neil. Or Dark Star, who I haven't seen around here lately. I wonder what's up with that.

ahem

[Mr. Happy]

ahem

Or Coach! Coach, you are an excellent writer too. I've loved your stories and am always ready to read more!