BALTIMORE, Maryland August 30, 2014 - Points have arrived; or, rather, a point has arrived at Turf Moor. Today, the gamely Claret held the monster - or, is it former monster? - Manchester United, to a scoreless draw. Thus, a point for the Claret, and a jumping off point for Sean Dyche. The game was very reminiscent of the 2009 fixture between these two sides at Turf Moor, a match won by the Claret, 1-0, on a goal by Robbie Blake. Today, David Jones' rocket shot carromed off the bar. That's how close Burnley was to a win.
Said the BBC in their report: "Burnley may not have repeated the win Robbie Blake's goal gave them in this fixture in 2009 but this result could prove just as vital in terms of adding self-belief. On this evidence, a first victory will not be long in coming."
With over 21,000 roaring at jam packed Turf Moor, the Claret went to the attack just minutes after the opening whistle. Jones blistering free kick hit the cross bar only 2:56 in. According to reports, the Claret were aggressive until the final 30 minutes when they circled the wagons a bit to gain a certain point. The two sides looked at the draw differently. The Claret, as is shown by the BBC report, were delighted to be on the board. Manchester United, only one point ahead of Burnley after three matches, are in a malaise under new Coach Louis van Gaal. Being winless in three will do that when money flows as freely as it does for the visitors. Their $59.7m British Pound buy of striker Angel Di Maria, is just one example. Di Maria played 70 minutes from the start before retiring with cramps of a sort. The BBC said he showed flashes of brilliance. That is nice. Next weekend Burnely goes to Crystal Palace, which today came from ahead to lose to Newcastle, 3-2.
Burnley keeper Tom Heaton and his defensive mates recorded the first clean sheet in 41 regular season Premier League matches for Burnley. Michael Duff played a key role in his 500th league match. United took seven shots during the match, two of which were on goal. Burnley had nine shots, three of them on target.
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Evil Afoot in the Modern Age, With America and Others Around the World Wondering Who Will Confront It?
BALTIMORE, Maryland August 26, 2014 - Even as America wakes up each day and wonders whether the growing ensemble of evil percolating in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, Africa and Central America, and elsewhere, will have opposition that is really up to the frightful yet essential task of stopping the growing carnage.
As a Democrat, I can tell you it will not be our Far Left American President. He is much too beholden to the Uber Left to actually engage the forces of evil in any profound and meaningful way. In some cases, believe it or not, it isn't even clear whether he wants to halt evil's now comprehensive march. Instead, he cowers and hopes his watch is over before he is actually forced to dispatch troops back to the Middle East. He also desperately hopes that Iran or some other neo-nuclear terror organization does not nuke Israel on his watch - or seriously attempt to - because he knows he has left the door open for that apocalyptic event, and not even a total fool will believe any attempt by him to blame that kind of catastrophic disaster on President Bush or the Republicans. Not that he wouldn't try. In the meantime, Hilary gears up to replace Obama. Who, in days of old, replaced Nero? We witnessed the Holocaust but sit back while Kerry and Obama - and then Hilary - guard against a replay? Are we serious?
And then came Ferguson: I do not know anything about the killing of young Mr. Brown. I know he should not be dead. But who is chiefly to blame in his particular case remains a mystery. It does remind me a lot of the senseless act in Florida that killed Trayvon Martin and the mindless response to it, that gripped America those too few months ago. In that case a neighborhood watch person, aka George Zimmerman, went looking for trouble and found it. Now, one is dead and another marked for life. What has to happen and quickly is a determined look at why blacks generally dislike the police. Anyone in a police uniform is a suspect in black neighborhoods. As a society we know that. The issue is why and what we will do about it. When the problem is this pervasive, nobody is totally correct. Leaders of compassion and wisdom start with that truism and set out to find the answer. It's there to be found.
Blacks, for the most part, were brought to the USA as slaves, and there is no more despicable institution. For some 200 years they were in bondage and were prohibited from learning the most basic subjects like reading. Abraham Lincoln and his supporters enacted the Emancipation Proclamation, ending slavery, but open discrimination hung on for over 100 additional years. Even today we still confront the vestiges of it: lower academic scores by a race subjected to enforced prohibitions against academic learning. followed by a century of segregated schools. Sad to say, but a lot of police in the decades of the 40's, 50's and 60's, and beyond, continued to discriminate in how they handled the races, generally. I know there were thousands and tens of thousands of outstanding police officers, and thank God for them. But whole police forces looked down on blacks, in the south and in the Inner City. They were seen as second class citizens. There was a reason why they fell behind like that. It's not like they chose to be that way.
That being said, nobody benefits by wasting time dwelling on it. Discrimination happened. Today, there is less and less of it. People of good will tend to keep the spiral of racial hatred heading toward oblivion, and that is as it has to be. This truism is why whites really dislike a charlatan like Al Sharpton.
Whites by and large want a civil society. They want everybody to compete in a fair contest of achievement. They see the police as the enforcers of a civil society, and indeed, that is what they are intended to be.
It is our leaders who need to enforce an open dialogue aimed at solving the problem of mistrust between police and black citizens. Many thought increased numbers of black officers would solve the problem, but, to the surprise of some, it really hasn't. It's the uniform that separates the citizens from the police, and no, I'm not advocating an end to uniformed police.
Obama has been a disaster when he could have been a real catalyst for positive change. The Black economic situation has worsened under the one president who had a mandate to improve it. The reason: he is an uber leftist first, and everything else, including improving the plight of the black man, second, and not a close second, either. That is the one truism about Obama that isn't open to debate. His top priority was taking concepts like democracy and capitalism out of the American equation. To that, he can say he tried. Thankfully, the good ole USA is a tough nut to crack, and we might just survive him, yet. We have to keep our heads up and our eyes on the prize, however. Rome, in a sense, survived Nero and his ilk, for the time being. But Nero et al put Rome, at least western Rome, on a downbound train, and the Empire never got off that track until Rome was no more.
As a Democrat, I can tell you it will not be our Far Left American President. He is much too beholden to the Uber Left to actually engage the forces of evil in any profound and meaningful way. In some cases, believe it or not, it isn't even clear whether he wants to halt evil's now comprehensive march. Instead, he cowers and hopes his watch is over before he is actually forced to dispatch troops back to the Middle East. He also desperately hopes that Iran or some other neo-nuclear terror organization does not nuke Israel on his watch - or seriously attempt to - because he knows he has left the door open for that apocalyptic event, and not even a total fool will believe any attempt by him to blame that kind of catastrophic disaster on President Bush or the Republicans. Not that he wouldn't try. In the meantime, Hilary gears up to replace Obama. Who, in days of old, replaced Nero? We witnessed the Holocaust but sit back while Kerry and Obama - and then Hilary - guard against a replay? Are we serious?
And then came Ferguson: I do not know anything about the killing of young Mr. Brown. I know he should not be dead. But who is chiefly to blame in his particular case remains a mystery. It does remind me a lot of the senseless act in Florida that killed Trayvon Martin and the mindless response to it, that gripped America those too few months ago. In that case a neighborhood watch person, aka George Zimmerman, went looking for trouble and found it. Now, one is dead and another marked for life. What has to happen and quickly is a determined look at why blacks generally dislike the police. Anyone in a police uniform is a suspect in black neighborhoods. As a society we know that. The issue is why and what we will do about it. When the problem is this pervasive, nobody is totally correct. Leaders of compassion and wisdom start with that truism and set out to find the answer. It's there to be found.
Blacks, for the most part, were brought to the USA as slaves, and there is no more despicable institution. For some 200 years they were in bondage and were prohibited from learning the most basic subjects like reading. Abraham Lincoln and his supporters enacted the Emancipation Proclamation, ending slavery, but open discrimination hung on for over 100 additional years. Even today we still confront the vestiges of it: lower academic scores by a race subjected to enforced prohibitions against academic learning. followed by a century of segregated schools. Sad to say, but a lot of police in the decades of the 40's, 50's and 60's, and beyond, continued to discriminate in how they handled the races, generally. I know there were thousands and tens of thousands of outstanding police officers, and thank God for them. But whole police forces looked down on blacks, in the south and in the Inner City. They were seen as second class citizens. There was a reason why they fell behind like that. It's not like they chose to be that way.
That being said, nobody benefits by wasting time dwelling on it. Discrimination happened. Today, there is less and less of it. People of good will tend to keep the spiral of racial hatred heading toward oblivion, and that is as it has to be. This truism is why whites really dislike a charlatan like Al Sharpton.
Whites by and large want a civil society. They want everybody to compete in a fair contest of achievement. They see the police as the enforcers of a civil society, and indeed, that is what they are intended to be.
It is our leaders who need to enforce an open dialogue aimed at solving the problem of mistrust between police and black citizens. Many thought increased numbers of black officers would solve the problem, but, to the surprise of some, it really hasn't. It's the uniform that separates the citizens from the police, and no, I'm not advocating an end to uniformed police.
Obama has been a disaster when he could have been a real catalyst for positive change. The Black economic situation has worsened under the one president who had a mandate to improve it. The reason: he is an uber leftist first, and everything else, including improving the plight of the black man, second, and not a close second, either. That is the one truism about Obama that isn't open to debate. His top priority was taking concepts like democracy and capitalism out of the American equation. To that, he can say he tried. Thankfully, the good ole USA is a tough nut to crack, and we might just survive him, yet. We have to keep our heads up and our eyes on the prize, however. Rome, in a sense, survived Nero and his ilk, for the time being. But Nero et al put Rome, at least western Rome, on a downbound train, and the Empire never got off that track until Rome was no more.
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Maryland in Decisive 3-0 Win Over Akron in Preseason Soccer Opener; Terps Second in NSCAA Poll
BALTIMORE, Maryland August 19, 2014 - Junior Defenseman David Kabelik scored twice, and fellow Junior Mael Corboz hammered home a penalty kick as No. 2 Maryland easily handled No. 13 Akron, a National Champion just four years ago. All three scores came in the first half, while the second half was scoreless.
In the preseason NSCAA soccer poll posted at the NCAA.com, Maryland is ranked second behind Notre Dame, and received the only first place vote not earned by the Irish. The Irish edged Maryland is a terribly officiated title game that the Terps would have won were it not for some brain dead no-calls. The official responsible for the embarassment has never publicly apologized for the debacle. Anyway, Maryland received 471 points to 497 for Notre Dame. Virginia is third, followed by UCLA (huh?) in fourth. UMBC is 19th and Navy is 25th. Here is the entire top 25 and others receiving votes:
NJCAA Preseason Top 25
1. Notre Dame: 497 points
2. Maryland: 471 points
3. Virginia: 435 points
4. UCLA: 404 points
5. New Mexico: 393 points
6. Washington: 392 points
7. California: 370 points
8. Connecticut: 360 points
9. Georgetown: 340 points
10. Michigan State: 333 points
11. Wake Forest: 294 points
12. Marquette: 255 points
13. Akron: 254 points
14. Louisville: 200 points
15. Penn State: 162 points
16. UC Irvine: 157 points
17. Coastal Carolina: 151 points
18, UC Santa Barbara: 143 points
19. UMBC: 134 points
20. Stanford: 133 points
21. Wisconsin: 119 points
22. North Carolina: 77 points
23. Charlotte: 64 points
24. Cal State Northridge: 49 points
25. Navy: 34 points
25. Old Dominion: 34 points
Others receiving votes: VCU 30, Clemson 25, UAB 20, Delaware 19, Elon 17, Creighton 14, George Mason 12, Indiana 11, Duke 11, Saint Louis 10, St. John's 10, Michigan 9, Syracuse 8, Northwestern 8, Tulsa 5, South Florida 3, Milwaukee 2, Bradley 2, William & Mary 1, Denver 1, Monmouth 1.
A web site called College Sports Madness selected a Preseason All-Conference Team that included only two Terps on the first team (Dan Metzger and Mikey Ambrose) and three on the second team (Tsubassa Endoh, Alex Crognale and Zack Steffen).
In the preseason NSCAA soccer poll posted at the NCAA.com, Maryland is ranked second behind Notre Dame, and received the only first place vote not earned by the Irish. The Irish edged Maryland is a terribly officiated title game that the Terps would have won were it not for some brain dead no-calls. The official responsible for the embarassment has never publicly apologized for the debacle. Anyway, Maryland received 471 points to 497 for Notre Dame. Virginia is third, followed by UCLA (huh?) in fourth. UMBC is 19th and Navy is 25th. Here is the entire top 25 and others receiving votes:
NJCAA Preseason Top 25
1. Notre Dame: 497 points
2. Maryland: 471 points
3. Virginia: 435 points
4. UCLA: 404 points
5. New Mexico: 393 points
6. Washington: 392 points
7. California: 370 points
8. Connecticut: 360 points
9. Georgetown: 340 points
10. Michigan State: 333 points
11. Wake Forest: 294 points
12. Marquette: 255 points
13. Akron: 254 points
14. Louisville: 200 points
15. Penn State: 162 points
16. UC Irvine: 157 points
17. Coastal Carolina: 151 points
18, UC Santa Barbara: 143 points
19. UMBC: 134 points
20. Stanford: 133 points
21. Wisconsin: 119 points
22. North Carolina: 77 points
23. Charlotte: 64 points
24. Cal State Northridge: 49 points
25. Navy: 34 points
25. Old Dominion: 34 points
Others receiving votes: VCU 30, Clemson 25, UAB 20, Delaware 19, Elon 17, Creighton 14, George Mason 12, Indiana 11, Duke 11, Saint Louis 10, St. John's 10, Michigan 9, Syracuse 8, Northwestern 8, Tulsa 5, South Florida 3, Milwaukee 2, Bradley 2, William & Mary 1, Denver 1, Monmouth 1.
A web site called College Sports Madness selected a Preseason All-Conference Team that included only two Terps on the first team (Dan Metzger and Mikey Ambrose) and three on the second team (Tsubassa Endoh, Alex Crognale and Zack Steffen).
Strong Cold Front Sweeps Across Much of Europe
BALTIMORE, Maryland August 19, 2014 - A strong cold front is sweeping down from the Arctic and plunging temperatures across much of the northern half of the European Continent noticeably below normal. Even the pro-global warming crowd at the BBC was forced to concede that the soccer match Monday night in Lancashire between Burnley and Chelsea was played at "chilly" Turf Moor, while the BBC forecast for Lancashire tonight calls for a low of 46 degrees. Lancashire is in the central part of the United Kingdom. At Inverness, in northern Scotland, the BBC says the cold will last at least through Sunday. In fact, the forecast low at Inverness Airport Saturday night is 43 degrees. Folks, this is the middle of August. The cause of the cold is a strong Arctic Cold front sweeping south across the Continent. Southern Europe - Spain, Italy and Greece - are not affected by the front.
SPORTS WRAP-UP: Orioles Crush White Sox, 8-2, after Grabbing Key Win in Cleveland; Nearly 21,000 at Turf Moor see Chelsea rally past Burnley in Premier League Opener; English Championship League Also Opens; Ravens Starters Beat Up Dallas
Baltimore, Maryland August 19, 2014 - After the Orioles salvaged a key win on Sunday afternoon in Cleveland, after dropping the first two games of the series, they blew into Chicago Monday night and whacked the Chisox, 8-2. Bud Norris earned his eleventh win against seven losses, and J.J. Hardy, Nick Markakis, Nelson Cruz and Jonathan Schoop all homered to lead the Birds. With the Yankees and Blue Jays both idle, the Baltimore lead is now 7 and one-half over New York, 8 over Toronto and 10 and one-half over Tampa Bay. On Sunday, Kevin Gausman gave up only one run and two hits in six strong innings, and a bullpen trio of Darren O'Day, Andrew Miller and Zach Britton surrendered no runs or hits over the last three innings, and the Birds got critical RBI hits from J.J. Hardy and Chris Davis, and insurance home runs from Steve Pearce and Jonathon Scope to beat Cleveland, 4-1. The Orioles actually trailed in the game, 1-0, when they failed to score in a third inning in which they produced two doubles, and then the Indians pushed across a run in the fourth. But Baltimore struck for two runs in the sixth, thanks to Hardy's two-out single, followed by Davis' second double of the game. The Oriole strong man led off the third with a double but managed to get picked off the base when the next hitter, Nick Hundley, smoked a line drive that induced Davis to run with the crack of the bat. But Cleveland second baseman Jason Kipnis caught the batted ball and easily doubled up Davis. Pearce homered in the seventh to increase the Baltimore lead to two runs, and Schoop's blast in the ninth to straight-away center further padded the Oriole lead. Baltimore now moves to Chicago for something that is still a baseball rarity: two consecutive series in the same city. Baltimore plays three against the White Sox starting Tuesday, and three more against the Cubs beginning Friday.
The Premier League started over the weekend, and the long-awaited showdown between powerful Chelsea and newly promoted Burnley produced a whale of a game. On a cold night at the started of a very cold week, the homestanding Claret, playing at jam-packed Turf Moor, grabbed the lead in the 14th minute when Scott Arfield launched a rocket past the visitor's keeper, Thibaut Courtois. Sadly for the 20,899 fans packed sardine-like inside the historic venue, the Burnley lead last only three minutes. Chelsea leveled the affair on a goal by Diego Costa (later booked controveially for a dive). Four minutes after that, the Blues had the lead when Andre Schurrle beat Tom Heaton. Before the shot made it to the net it nicked one Burnley defender and went through the legs of another. And thirteen minutes after that, Chelsea scored a third goal on a shot by Branislav Ivanovic. After that, Heaton and his defensive mates stabilized and throughout the smartly played second half Burnley took numerous shots trying to edge back in. It didn't happen, however, prompting Sean Dyche to remind fans that the season is a marathon and this but the first step. The best opportunity that the Claret had to get within a goal was when Arfield intercepted a clearing kick attempted by Chelsea's Gary Cahill and drilled a slicing shot that Courtois saved with extreme effort.
Burnley will wait only until Saturday to get back in action. Then, they are to take the drive to Wales to play the lads from Swansea City, a winner in week one against Manchester United. Terrific, right? Three days after that, the Claret open their try at the Capital One Cup when they collide with Sheffield Wednesday. In weekend action, Leicester City made their return to the Premier a memorable one, battling powerful Everton to a 2-2 draw. Another upset saw Swansea beating Manchester United, 2-1. Also, Manchester City beat back Newcastle, 2-0; Liverpool upended Southhampton, 2-1, Hull ruined QPR's return to the Premier, 1-0; Aston Villa stopped Stoke, 1-0; Sunderland and West Bromwich battled to a 2-2 draw; Tottenham Hotspur stopped West Ham, 1-0; and Arsenal opened with a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace. In the Championship League, Charlton surprised Wigan, 2-1; Norwich crushed Watford, 3-0; Leeds beat Middlesbrough, 1-0; Birmingham, which missed relegation by a late fluke goal, upended playoff participant Brighton, 1-0; Blackburn upended Blackpool, 2-1; AFC Bournemouth downed promoted Brentford, 1-0; Cardiff City got by Huddersfield Town, 3-1; Millwall surprised demoted Fulham, 1-0; Reading, denied a chance to play off for promotion on the last day of the regular season in May, started on the right foot by beating back Ipswich, 1-0; newly promoted Rotterham United scored late to defeat the newly demoted Wolverhamption Wolves, 1-0; and Sheffield Wednesday and Derby County played a scoreless draw. There are a whole raft of matches tonight in the Championship, while on Wednesday Fulham and Wolverhampton will have a chance to right their respective ships when they tangle.
The Ravens' better players were all gone shortly after halftime Saturday night in Dallas, but that was plenty of time for Baltimore to smash up the Cowboys regulars. After the Ravens first drive of the second half, they led the Cowboys, 34-10. Touchdowns were spread all around, and included a 103 yard kick return by Deonte Thompson, a 25-yard fumble recovery and return for a touchdown by second-year linebacker Courtney Upshaw, and a beautiful over the shoulder catch of a beautiful pass from Joe Flacco by Torey Smith. Ray Rice continued to look wonderful. He only carried twice before bruising his shoulder, an injury not considered to be at all serious, but picked up 21 yards, including an outstanding 18-yard burst. If Rice can run like that beginning in week three - he is suspended for the first two games - the Ravens' journey back to the playoffs will be wonderful to behold. The Ravens play the Redskins Saturday night in a game that will serve as the final tune-up for the starters, who never play in the last pre-season game.
The Premier League started over the weekend, and the long-awaited showdown between powerful Chelsea and newly promoted Burnley produced a whale of a game. On a cold night at the started of a very cold week, the homestanding Claret, playing at jam-packed Turf Moor, grabbed the lead in the 14th minute when Scott Arfield launched a rocket past the visitor's keeper, Thibaut Courtois. Sadly for the 20,899 fans packed sardine-like inside the historic venue, the Burnley lead last only three minutes. Chelsea leveled the affair on a goal by Diego Costa (later booked controveially for a dive). Four minutes after that, the Blues had the lead when Andre Schurrle beat Tom Heaton. Before the shot made it to the net it nicked one Burnley defender and went through the legs of another. And thirteen minutes after that, Chelsea scored a third goal on a shot by Branislav Ivanovic. After that, Heaton and his defensive mates stabilized and throughout the smartly played second half Burnley took numerous shots trying to edge back in. It didn't happen, however, prompting Sean Dyche to remind fans that the season is a marathon and this but the first step. The best opportunity that the Claret had to get within a goal was when Arfield intercepted a clearing kick attempted by Chelsea's Gary Cahill and drilled a slicing shot that Courtois saved with extreme effort.
Burnley will wait only until Saturday to get back in action. Then, they are to take the drive to Wales to play the lads from Swansea City, a winner in week one against Manchester United. Terrific, right? Three days after that, the Claret open their try at the Capital One Cup when they collide with Sheffield Wednesday. In weekend action, Leicester City made their return to the Premier a memorable one, battling powerful Everton to a 2-2 draw. Another upset saw Swansea beating Manchester United, 2-1. Also, Manchester City beat back Newcastle, 2-0; Liverpool upended Southhampton, 2-1, Hull ruined QPR's return to the Premier, 1-0; Aston Villa stopped Stoke, 1-0; Sunderland and West Bromwich battled to a 2-2 draw; Tottenham Hotspur stopped West Ham, 1-0; and Arsenal opened with a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace. In the Championship League, Charlton surprised Wigan, 2-1; Norwich crushed Watford, 3-0; Leeds beat Middlesbrough, 1-0; Birmingham, which missed relegation by a late fluke goal, upended playoff participant Brighton, 1-0; Blackburn upended Blackpool, 2-1; AFC Bournemouth downed promoted Brentford, 1-0; Cardiff City got by Huddersfield Town, 3-1; Millwall surprised demoted Fulham, 1-0; Reading, denied a chance to play off for promotion on the last day of the regular season in May, started on the right foot by beating back Ipswich, 1-0; newly promoted Rotterham United scored late to defeat the newly demoted Wolverhamption Wolves, 1-0; and Sheffield Wednesday and Derby County played a scoreless draw. There are a whole raft of matches tonight in the Championship, while on Wednesday Fulham and Wolverhampton will have a chance to right their respective ships when they tangle.
The Ravens' better players were all gone shortly after halftime Saturday night in Dallas, but that was plenty of time for Baltimore to smash up the Cowboys regulars. After the Ravens first drive of the second half, they led the Cowboys, 34-10. Touchdowns were spread all around, and included a 103 yard kick return by Deonte Thompson, a 25-yard fumble recovery and return for a touchdown by second-year linebacker Courtney Upshaw, and a beautiful over the shoulder catch of a beautiful pass from Joe Flacco by Torey Smith. Ray Rice continued to look wonderful. He only carried twice before bruising his shoulder, an injury not considered to be at all serious, but picked up 21 yards, including an outstanding 18-yard burst. If Rice can run like that beginning in week three - he is suspended for the first two games - the Ravens' journey back to the playoffs will be wonderful to behold. The Ravens play the Redskins Saturday night in a game that will serve as the final tune-up for the starters, who never play in the last pre-season game.
Friday, August 8, 2014
The Things We Learn; Orioles Win Series in Toronto; Ravens Rout 49'ers in Preseason Opener
BALTIMORE, Maryland August 8, 2014 - Some sage wit once said that the human never ceases to learn. Smarter still are those who realize that and open their minds to the possibilities.
Recently - within the last year or so - these are some of the things I've learned. Some of this is embarassing; in other words, they are things I probably should have already known but didn't. For instance, I never knew about the tale, in Genesis, about the Nephilim. I've read most of the Bible over the years, but I've never made a comprehensive effort to read it from beginning to end. I figured I'd read or listened to to it being read so often that I'd heard most of it. Then one night I stumbled over Genesis 6. What is that? It is hard for a Christian to believe that is just there as filler. Why is it there? Once I read it (and read it again and again to make sure I read it right the first time) I began looking around for explanations. There are few that are based on certainty. I was flabbergasted and taken totally aback to discover Danielle Trussoni's nover, Angelology, within a month of stumbling over Genesis 6. The reason was that I had purchased Trussoni's first book, a memoir, which was gritty and wonderful and showed tons of talent as a writer. You don't expect a novel like Angelology from a writer like that. But, on the other hand, it gave that book a lot credulity in my mind. I raced through it and then scooped up Angelopolis as soon as it was published. And if you read those books your curiosity, as a Christian, is piqued. Next I read about John Dee, a close adviser to Elizabeth I of England. And to think I went through all those years without knowing anything about these topics.
Nor did I know anything at all about the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Christians have been making that trek for 1,000 years, give or take. What is at Santiago de Compostela? The grave of Saint James. Whereas in the past some years would pass and only a dozen or so brave souls would make the journey, nowadays, upwards of 200,000 persons per year make the trip. A German "personality" wrote a book about the trip and interest in it in Germany has skyrocketed. These days, most of the pilgrims are German. I was vaguely aware that St. James was buried in Spain. I was vaguely aware that pilgrims, on their way to the Holy Land during the time of the Crusades and before and after, would sometimes stop there on their way. Now, the place is an end to itself. The German magazine, der Spiegel, has a feature story on the pilgrimage and its impact on people in the current on-line edition. If your German isn't as good as those souls born there, der Spiegel has an English version for the clicking. The place to click is above the headlines and across the top of the front page. Click "English."
I could go on and on. In another column I probably will...
The Orioles beat the Blue Jays in Toronto last night in a victory that defines this team and its current hold on first place in the American League East Even as many Baltimoreans were watching the Ravens play the 49ers in the first exhibition game for both teams (see below, the Ravens won easily in case you missed it), the Orioles were out-pitched - or were they? - and out-hit (sort of), but in the Toronto ball park, the Baltimore team won for the second time in the three game series. They now lead the division by five games over both the Blue Jays and Yankees, who also won their key series against the Tigers, two games to one. The Orioles had two decent hits the whole game. Unfortunately for the Blue Jays, they came in the same half inning and earned the Orioles two runs. J.J. Hardy doubled and Caleb Joseph, for the fourth time in a row in games he has started, hit a home run, The only game in the last five that Joseph didn't start was the game the Blue Jays won, 1-0. In the other four of five, he did start, he did homer, and the Orioles did win. Miguel Gonzalez improved to 6-6 with six strong innings of four-hit baseball. After six, he turned the game over to the Orioles' simply outstanding bullpen. Three relief pitchers, no hits, no runs, one measly walk. It doesn't get much better than that. Now the Cardinals come to Baltimore for three interesting games. St. Louis is one game over .500 on the road this season. They are coming off of a home series against the Red Sox that saw them take two out of three. Baltimore has announced that Ubaldo Jimenez will be activated to make the start on Saturday. It's not the way the Orioles wanted to do things but Jimenez, as was his contractual right, forced their hand. Oriole Management wanted Jimenez to extend his rehab, but he declined. So the Orioles, which forked over a ton of money to the former Indian last winter, chose to activate him rather than release him. We'll find out whether he is indeed ready on Saturday. Chris Tillman pitches tonight. Here are the up-to-the-minute-standings:
American League East Standings
1. Baltimore Orioles: 65 wins, 49 losses, .570 pct., v. St. Louis Cardinals, 7:05 pm*
2. New York Yankees: 60 wins, 54 losses, .526 pct., 5 games behind, v. Cleve., 7:05 pm
3. Toronto Blue Jays: 61 wins, 55 losses, .525 pct., 5 games behind, v. Det., 7:07 pm
4. Tampa Bay Rays: 55 wins, 59 losses, .482 pct., 10 games behind, @ Chi. Cubs, 4:05 pm
5. Boston Red Sox: 50 wins, 64 losses, .439 pct., 15 games behind, @ L.A.Ang., 10:05 pm
Offense Shines Under Kubiak as Ravens Rout 49'ers, 23-3 in preseason opener: Although the 49'ers moved the ball during the one season their first string offense was on the field, with the drive ending in the only points San Francisco put on the board throughout the game, the Ravens had lots to be happy about during last night's preseason opener. After that one drive, the defense, substitutes and all, settled down to blank the west coast squad from the first drive onward. And even the first drive did not get into the endzone. Instead, Kapernik and company had to take a FG for a brief lead. The Ravens offense came right back with a length of the field drive for a TD. Joe Flacco was 4-5 during the drive, for 52 yards. The new Kubiak offense includes a pass-catching FB, who the Ravens happen to have in Harvard graduate Kyle Juszczyk. A seond year man who played almost exclusively on the special teams last season, Juszczyk caught three passes last night during his one-half of playing time, good for 28 yards. After Flacco's one series, Tyrod Taylor took over. Going the entire game save for that first series, Taylor was 13 of 21 doe 115 yards and one touchdown, a seven yard pass to undrafted rookie Jeremy Butler. He also threw one interception. Asa Jackson had an interception for the Ravens. After sitting out much of last season on league suspension, Jackson is pushing hard for playing time and, barring injury, may well get lots of it.
Recently - within the last year or so - these are some of the things I've learned. Some of this is embarassing; in other words, they are things I probably should have already known but didn't. For instance, I never knew about the tale, in Genesis, about the Nephilim. I've read most of the Bible over the years, but I've never made a comprehensive effort to read it from beginning to end. I figured I'd read or listened to to it being read so often that I'd heard most of it. Then one night I stumbled over Genesis 6. What is that? It is hard for a Christian to believe that is just there as filler. Why is it there? Once I read it (and read it again and again to make sure I read it right the first time) I began looking around for explanations. There are few that are based on certainty. I was flabbergasted and taken totally aback to discover Danielle Trussoni's nover, Angelology, within a month of stumbling over Genesis 6. The reason was that I had purchased Trussoni's first book, a memoir, which was gritty and wonderful and showed tons of talent as a writer. You don't expect a novel like Angelology from a writer like that. But, on the other hand, it gave that book a lot credulity in my mind. I raced through it and then scooped up Angelopolis as soon as it was published. And if you read those books your curiosity, as a Christian, is piqued. Next I read about John Dee, a close adviser to Elizabeth I of England. And to think I went through all those years without knowing anything about these topics.
Nor did I know anything at all about the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Christians have been making that trek for 1,000 years, give or take. What is at Santiago de Compostela? The grave of Saint James. Whereas in the past some years would pass and only a dozen or so brave souls would make the journey, nowadays, upwards of 200,000 persons per year make the trip. A German "personality" wrote a book about the trip and interest in it in Germany has skyrocketed. These days, most of the pilgrims are German. I was vaguely aware that St. James was buried in Spain. I was vaguely aware that pilgrims, on their way to the Holy Land during the time of the Crusades and before and after, would sometimes stop there on their way. Now, the place is an end to itself. The German magazine, der Spiegel, has a feature story on the pilgrimage and its impact on people in the current on-line edition. If your German isn't as good as those souls born there, der Spiegel has an English version for the clicking. The place to click is above the headlines and across the top of the front page. Click "English."
I could go on and on. In another column I probably will...
The Orioles beat the Blue Jays in Toronto last night in a victory that defines this team and its current hold on first place in the American League East Even as many Baltimoreans were watching the Ravens play the 49ers in the first exhibition game for both teams (see below, the Ravens won easily in case you missed it), the Orioles were out-pitched - or were they? - and out-hit (sort of), but in the Toronto ball park, the Baltimore team won for the second time in the three game series. They now lead the division by five games over both the Blue Jays and Yankees, who also won their key series against the Tigers, two games to one. The Orioles had two decent hits the whole game. Unfortunately for the Blue Jays, they came in the same half inning and earned the Orioles two runs. J.J. Hardy doubled and Caleb Joseph, for the fourth time in a row in games he has started, hit a home run, The only game in the last five that Joseph didn't start was the game the Blue Jays won, 1-0. In the other four of five, he did start, he did homer, and the Orioles did win. Miguel Gonzalez improved to 6-6 with six strong innings of four-hit baseball. After six, he turned the game over to the Orioles' simply outstanding bullpen. Three relief pitchers, no hits, no runs, one measly walk. It doesn't get much better than that. Now the Cardinals come to Baltimore for three interesting games. St. Louis is one game over .500 on the road this season. They are coming off of a home series against the Red Sox that saw them take two out of three. Baltimore has announced that Ubaldo Jimenez will be activated to make the start on Saturday. It's not the way the Orioles wanted to do things but Jimenez, as was his contractual right, forced their hand. Oriole Management wanted Jimenez to extend his rehab, but he declined. So the Orioles, which forked over a ton of money to the former Indian last winter, chose to activate him rather than release him. We'll find out whether he is indeed ready on Saturday. Chris Tillman pitches tonight. Here are the up-to-the-minute-standings:
American League East Standings
1. Baltimore Orioles: 65 wins, 49 losses, .570 pct., v. St. Louis Cardinals, 7:05 pm*
2. New York Yankees: 60 wins, 54 losses, .526 pct., 5 games behind, v. Cleve., 7:05 pm
3. Toronto Blue Jays: 61 wins, 55 losses, .525 pct., 5 games behind, v. Det., 7:07 pm
4. Tampa Bay Rays: 55 wins, 59 losses, .482 pct., 10 games behind, @ Chi. Cubs, 4:05 pm
5. Boston Red Sox: 50 wins, 64 losses, .439 pct., 15 games behind, @ L.A.Ang., 10:05 pm
Offense Shines Under Kubiak as Ravens Rout 49'ers, 23-3 in preseason opener: Although the 49'ers moved the ball during the one season their first string offense was on the field, with the drive ending in the only points San Francisco put on the board throughout the game, the Ravens had lots to be happy about during last night's preseason opener. After that one drive, the defense, substitutes and all, settled down to blank the west coast squad from the first drive onward. And even the first drive did not get into the endzone. Instead, Kapernik and company had to take a FG for a brief lead. The Ravens offense came right back with a length of the field drive for a TD. Joe Flacco was 4-5 during the drive, for 52 yards. The new Kubiak offense includes a pass-catching FB, who the Ravens happen to have in Harvard graduate Kyle Juszczyk. A seond year man who played almost exclusively on the special teams last season, Juszczyk caught three passes last night during his one-half of playing time, good for 28 yards. After Flacco's one series, Tyrod Taylor took over. Going the entire game save for that first series, Taylor was 13 of 21 doe 115 yards and one touchdown, a seven yard pass to undrafted rookie Jeremy Butler. He also threw one interception. Asa Jackson had an interception for the Ravens. After sitting out much of last season on league suspension, Jackson is pushing hard for playing time and, barring injury, may well get lots of it.
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Orioles Bludgeon Blue Jays, Balloon AL East Lead to Five Games
BALTIMORE, Maryland August 6, 2014 - The Orioles had stopped hitting but were still leading the American League East. According to the talking heads on MLB, that was proof that the AL East was not a very strong division this season. What it was proof of was that the talking heads are not so smart. The AL East is always strong. Last year's World Champion, the Boston Red Sox, play in the AL East - you may recall - and they are no better than last place at this moment. Last night those 'light hitting' Orioles wandered into the Rogers Centre to begin an important three game series with the Toronto Blue Jays. The Jays are in second place in the division and, prior to this past weekend, were charging hard. Then they went to Houston, where the last place team in the AL West, the Astros, play, and promptly lost three straight games. That isn't how you want to prep for a key series against the division leaders. Sure enough, last night the Blue Jays new woes continued. Starting pitcher Mark Buehrle, who had been the Jays' ace early in the season, has suddenly hit the skids and there was no righting the ship last night. Baltimore clubbed three home runs off of Buehrle en route to a 9-3 romp. Caleb Joseph, Jonathan Schoop and Chris Davis went deep and Bud Norris won his 9th game as the Orioles improved to 64-48.
Buehrle went into the start with a record of 11-7 and a healthy ERA in the low threes. But his last five starts have all been shakey and he was in trouble in this one right from the git go. He managed to wiggle out of big jams in the first and second innings but he stumbled again in the third and this time the Orioles made him pay. Delmon Young drew a one out free pass and raced home with two outs when J.J. Hardy uncorked a long double to deep center field. Baltimore struck hard in the fourth to put space between themselves and their pursuers. Joseph led off with his sixth homer - and third in the last three games - and was followed by Jonathan Schoop's 9th round tripper. But the Orioles weren't finished in the inning. Nick Markakis and Manny Machado followed the back-to-back homers with back-to-back singles, and both runners advanced one out later when Buehrle uncorked a wild pitch. Markakis then scored on Young's infield hit.
Toronto got on the board in the bottom of the fourth when Colby Rasmus clubbed a two-out two-run long ball off of Norris. But Baltimore wasn't content to protect their lead. Instead, Chris Davis opened the Orioles lead back up again when he went deep for the 18th time this season in the top of the fifth. One inning later, Nelson Cruz' two-out hit plated Manny Machado and gave the Orioles a four-run cushion at 6-2.
To the Blue Jays' credit, they didn't go quietly. They loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the seventh on consecutive singles by Ryan Goins, Jose Reyes and Melky Cabrera. Jose Bautista got a run home on a sacrifice fly off of Tommy Hunter, who replaced Brian Matusz after Reyes' hit. Hunter got out of the jam when he induced Dioner Navarro to ground into a double play: Hardy to Schoop to Davis.
Leading 6-3, Baltimore put the game away for good in the 8th. Machado lead off and drew a walk from Toronto relief hurler Dustin McGowan. Machado moved to second on Adam Jones single. McGowan then issued another free pass to Young to load the bases. Cruzz got his second RBI of the game, and almost got a lot more; his long drive to center field was so well hit that it not only scored Machado from third, but also allowed Jones to race to third and Young to second. Hardy plated the inning's second run when he singled solidly to left, scoring Jones. Young stopped at third. Chris Davis picked up his second RBI of the game when he scored Young on a sacrifice fly that Blue Jay third baseman Danny Valencia caught in foul territory down the third base line. With Valencia's momentum carrying him deeper into the outfield, Young tagged and scored and Hardy tagged and raced to second. Really good baseball teams - typically found in the American League East - do things like this.
Once again the Orioles bullpen - bolstered now with the addition of Andrew Miller - kept the Orioles in the lead when they took the lead. Norris gave up two earned runs and seven hits in five and one-third innings. After him, Matusz went two-thirds, Hunter went one inning, Miller went one inning and T.J. MacFarland went one inning (it wasn't a save situation by the ninth inning). Only Matusz was touched up, and then only slightly.
Baltimore's lead also increased over third place New York, which lost at home to the Tigers, 4=3. Tampa Bay also lost, going down 3-0 in Oakland. The Red Sox lost in Saint Louis to the Cardinals, 3-2. Tonight, Wei-Yin Chen goes for his 13th win against the Blue Jays Drew Hutchinson. Chen is second in the league in wins.
Buehrle went into the start with a record of 11-7 and a healthy ERA in the low threes. But his last five starts have all been shakey and he was in trouble in this one right from the git go. He managed to wiggle out of big jams in the first and second innings but he stumbled again in the third and this time the Orioles made him pay. Delmon Young drew a one out free pass and raced home with two outs when J.J. Hardy uncorked a long double to deep center field. Baltimore struck hard in the fourth to put space between themselves and their pursuers. Joseph led off with his sixth homer - and third in the last three games - and was followed by Jonathan Schoop's 9th round tripper. But the Orioles weren't finished in the inning. Nick Markakis and Manny Machado followed the back-to-back homers with back-to-back singles, and both runners advanced one out later when Buehrle uncorked a wild pitch. Markakis then scored on Young's infield hit.
Toronto got on the board in the bottom of the fourth when Colby Rasmus clubbed a two-out two-run long ball off of Norris. But Baltimore wasn't content to protect their lead. Instead, Chris Davis opened the Orioles lead back up again when he went deep for the 18th time this season in the top of the fifth. One inning later, Nelson Cruz' two-out hit plated Manny Machado and gave the Orioles a four-run cushion at 6-2.
To the Blue Jays' credit, they didn't go quietly. They loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the seventh on consecutive singles by Ryan Goins, Jose Reyes and Melky Cabrera. Jose Bautista got a run home on a sacrifice fly off of Tommy Hunter, who replaced Brian Matusz after Reyes' hit. Hunter got out of the jam when he induced Dioner Navarro to ground into a double play: Hardy to Schoop to Davis.
Leading 6-3, Baltimore put the game away for good in the 8th. Machado lead off and drew a walk from Toronto relief hurler Dustin McGowan. Machado moved to second on Adam Jones single. McGowan then issued another free pass to Young to load the bases. Cruzz got his second RBI of the game, and almost got a lot more; his long drive to center field was so well hit that it not only scored Machado from third, but also allowed Jones to race to third and Young to second. Hardy plated the inning's second run when he singled solidly to left, scoring Jones. Young stopped at third. Chris Davis picked up his second RBI of the game when he scored Young on a sacrifice fly that Blue Jay third baseman Danny Valencia caught in foul territory down the third base line. With Valencia's momentum carrying him deeper into the outfield, Young tagged and scored and Hardy tagged and raced to second. Really good baseball teams - typically found in the American League East - do things like this.
Once again the Orioles bullpen - bolstered now with the addition of Andrew Miller - kept the Orioles in the lead when they took the lead. Norris gave up two earned runs and seven hits in five and one-third innings. After him, Matusz went two-thirds, Hunter went one inning, Miller went one inning and T.J. MacFarland went one inning (it wasn't a save situation by the ninth inning). Only Matusz was touched up, and then only slightly.
Baltimore's lead also increased over third place New York, which lost at home to the Tigers, 4=3. Tampa Bay also lost, going down 3-0 in Oakland. The Red Sox lost in Saint Louis to the Cardinals, 3-2. Tonight, Wei-Yin Chen goes for his 13th win against the Blue Jays Drew Hutchinson. Chen is second in the league in wins.
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Orioles' Dramatic Late Charge Repels Nationals
BALTIMORE, Maryland August 5, 2014 - The Orioles overcame a 3-1 deficit in Washington last night to defeat the Nationals, 7-3. Ryan Flaherty's double tied the game in the seventh, and Delmon Young's pinch hit single - after a sacrifice bunt by Caleb Joseph, who had earlier homered - put the Birds ahead to stay. A third run in the inning was plated on a single by Adam Jones. Young had moved around the bases on singles by Nick Markakis - who also homered earlier in the game - and Manny Machado. Baltimore pushed across two additional runs in the 8th, with both scoring on a single by Jospeh.
With Toronto idle, the Baltimore lead in the tough American League East expanded to four games. The Orioles already lead Toronto by five in the loss column. The two teams open an important three game series in Canada tonight. Here are the up-to-the-minute American League Eastern Division Standings:
American League Eastern Division Standings
1, Baltimore Orioles: 63 wins, 48 losses, .568 pct.
2. Toronto Blue Jays: 60 wins, 53 losses, .531 pct., 4 games behind the Orioles
3. New York Yankees: 58 wins, 53 losses, .523 pct., 5 games behind the Orioles
4. Tampa Bay Rays: 54 wins, 58 losses, .482 pct., 9.5 games behind the Orioles
5. Boston Red Sox: 49 wins, 62 losses, .441 pct., 14 games behind the Orioles
With Toronto idle, the Baltimore lead in the tough American League East expanded to four games. The Orioles already lead Toronto by five in the loss column. The two teams open an important three game series in Canada tonight. Here are the up-to-the-minute American League Eastern Division Standings:
American League Eastern Division Standings
1, Baltimore Orioles: 63 wins, 48 losses, .568 pct.
2. Toronto Blue Jays: 60 wins, 53 losses, .531 pct., 4 games behind the Orioles
3. New York Yankees: 58 wins, 53 losses, .523 pct., 5 games behind the Orioles
4. Tampa Bay Rays: 54 wins, 58 losses, .482 pct., 9.5 games behind the Orioles
5. Boston Red Sox: 49 wins, 62 losses, .441 pct., 14 games behind the Orioles
Sunday, August 3, 2014
Orioles Continue Winning Close Ones, as Tillman, Miller and Britton ambush Seattle, 1-0
BALTIMORE, Marylalnd August 3, 2014 - If you were a tad late to your seat Sunday afternoon you missed all of the scoring. Nick Markakis led off the Oriole First Inning with a homer, and that was all there was for either side in a brilliantly pitched 1-0 Oriole victory that expanded the Baltimore lead in the powerful American League East to three and one-half games. This was because the Toronto Blue Jays lost their third straight game to Western Division Cellar-Dweller Toronto, 6-1. The Yankees and Boston square off tonight on national TV; for the moment the Yanks trail Baltimore by five and one-half games. The up-to-the-minute American League East Standings follow this post.
Chris Tillman threw seven strong innings of shutout baseball, and got scoreless relief pitching from Andrew Miller and Zach Britton in the win. Tillman allowed only 4 hits and allowed not a single base on balls in gaining his 8th win against 5 losses. For the second time since being acquired last week, Miller threw shut out relief baseball, and Britton copied him, gaining his 23rd save.
The Orioles are in Washington tomorrow night for a make-up game with the Nationals. They will then move north of the border for a key series with the suddenly swooning Blue Jays, losers of three straight to the hapless Astros. Friday night they return to Camden Yards for a interesting and important inter-league series with the Cardinals.
/AMERICAN LEAGUE EASTERN DIVISION STANDINGS, Current to 6:01 pm on August 3, 2014
1. Baltimore Orioles: 62 wins, 48 losses, .564 pct.
2. Toronto Blue Jays: 60 wins, 53 losses, .531 pct., 3.5 games behind the Orioles
3. New York Yankees: 56 wins, 53 losses, .514 pct., 5.5 games behind the Orioles
4. Tampa Bay Rays, 54 wins, 56 losses, .491 pct., 8 games behind the Orioles
5. Boston Red Soz: 49 wins, 61 losses, .445 pct., 13 games behind the Orioles
Chris Tillman threw seven strong innings of shutout baseball, and got scoreless relief pitching from Andrew Miller and Zach Britton in the win. Tillman allowed only 4 hits and allowed not a single base on balls in gaining his 8th win against 5 losses. For the second time since being acquired last week, Miller threw shut out relief baseball, and Britton copied him, gaining his 23rd save.
The Orioles are in Washington tomorrow night for a make-up game with the Nationals. They will then move north of the border for a key series with the suddenly swooning Blue Jays, losers of three straight to the hapless Astros. Friday night they return to Camden Yards for a interesting and important inter-league series with the Cardinals.
/AMERICAN LEAGUE EASTERN DIVISION STANDINGS, Current to 6:01 pm on August 3, 2014
1. Baltimore Orioles: 62 wins, 48 losses, .564 pct.
2. Toronto Blue Jays: 60 wins, 53 losses, .531 pct., 3.5 games behind the Orioles
3. New York Yankees: 56 wins, 53 losses, .514 pct., 5.5 games behind the Orioles
4. Tampa Bay Rays, 54 wins, 56 losses, .491 pct., 8 games behind the Orioles
5. Boston Red Soz: 49 wins, 61 losses, .445 pct., 13 games behind the Orioles
Burnley Rebounds to Shut Down Blackpool, 1-0; Marvin Sordell's Missle From 24 Feet Caps Dominating Performance
BALTIMORE, Maryland August 2, 2014 - After an ominous loss to League One denizen Preston NE, Burnley dearly needed a dominating performance Saturday at longtime rival Blackpool. They got it. Claret Coach Sean Dyche was quick to voice his happiness with what he saw as an overall inspired performance by his team. Tom Cisak started in the net for Burnley and kept the Seasiders off the socreboard during his half of action. Cisak is unscored upon this preseason in a combined game and a half of action. Matt Gilks played the second half and managed to rebound from his losing effort against Preston.
Burnley scored the game's only goal just 22 minutes from time when newcomer Marvin Sordell found the back of the net. It was Sordell's third score of the preseason as both he and fellow newcomer Lukas Jutkiewicz have both scored multiple goals in the four preseason matches to date. Burnley is 3-1 in the four. The Claret are back in action at Turf Moor Tuesday night when Italian Club side Celta Vigo come to Lancashire for a 7:45 pm match with the Claret.
Burnley scored the game's only goal just 22 minutes from time when newcomer Marvin Sordell found the back of the net. It was Sordell's third score of the preseason as both he and fellow newcomer Lukas Jutkiewicz have both scored multiple goals in the four preseason matches to date. Burnley is 3-1 in the four. The Claret are back in action at Turf Moor Tuesday night when Italian Club side Celta Vigo come to Lancashire for a 7:45 pm match with the Claret.
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