Love Letters: Let's see, don't talk politics, don't be funny ...
Insider | Short Hops
Updated Sept. 20
Where else can you get baseball news, hilarious quips and maybe a dose of constitutional history all in one place? Right here, baby.
From: Robert K.
Keep your political statements to yourself. This is a sports site. ("While Bill Belichick, devious coach of the NFL's Patriots, apparently thinks he's a lieutenant in George W. Bush's domestic spying program. ..." from this week's Weekend Buzz).
Like the bumper sticker says, bub: If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention. And I'm talking about Belichick. ...
From: Ray M.
Can't you leave the President out of it? It's not funny. All of you California libs can go to hell.
Hey, Ray, look how much we have in common: You're not funny, either.
From: Jerrold G.
I would be more willing to read your articles if you would stop TRYING to be funny. Actually, your attempts fail. Considering that you focused on the length of the Yankee-Red Sox games, your articles would be a lot shorter if you dropped the comedy.
On the other hand, you may be hedging your bet to become a comedian by trying your hand at being a moralist. The article you wrote was supposedly about baseball. Making references to football seems inappropriate, especially since you found it necessary to drown your verbiage in sarcasm about the Patriots. Why not just stick to facts & relevant opinions.
You're right, making references to the NFL is totally inappropriate. I should stick to college football references -- it's such a better game.
From: Jon L.
Let's face it Scott: Without the Yankees, Baseball is Boring!
I know, I know. Who else would they have made fun of in Seinfeld if not for Steinbrenner?
From: Randy from Minnesota
Thanks Scott, I actually read your article on Terry Ryan's resignation before noting who wrote it; then I saw it was you and thought, of course. Intelligent thinking about baseball was the balm I needed; I spent way too much time listening to KFAN (last Thursday) just to get news about Ryan. I can't believe the idiots who kept bashing him! We still miss you here in Minny; actually we met at Wrigley Field years ago when you were with Jim Caple.
Was he carrying my bags again? That was a joke -- Jim, my old teammate at the St. Paul Pioneer Press, is a terrific baseball man, great writer, fantastic mind, world traveler and one of my dearest friends.
From: Keith P.
"As for Arizona's Chris Young, he's the first rookie in major league history with at least 30 homers and 25 steals." Hey -- this is piling on. I know the kid was doing great, but THIS!! The ChiSox couldn't use a swift and talented OF, could we? To paraphrase John Belushi, NOOOOOOO! I know we thought Brian Anderson and our two other minor-league OF youngsters were MLB-bound, but we gave away the best kid! I know Javier Vazquez is having a good year, but he scares me. Who will show up next year -- Good Javy, or will it be Bad Inconsistent Javy. After wearing my In-N-Out T-shirt last night I have developed a taste for a couple burgers. Chicago, land a franchise please.
What would be a more powerful expansion: An In-N-Out franchise in Chicago, or baseball's move into Florida with the Marlins and Devil Rays franchises? I'd go with the burgers.
From: Glenn G.
One of your worst articles, Scott. Must have been tight on your deadline, huh? Lame arguments put forth as to why the (September roster expansion) call-up is so bad. Yes, money is a component, but it's a component on the 25-man rosters from April through August. This permits a showcase of talent and the talent of an organization's scouts. I say good for them. And ... if I can win a 16-inning game by using 14 pitchers, so be it. My opponent had the same chance to do likewise. Tell me you have not enjoyed seeing the likes of Jacoby Ellsbury, Joba Chamberlain and other young kids contribute to the clubs that have now made careers for these guys. Celebrate the good. Stop writing about what's wrong and what's bad ... look for something positive.
Sorry, deadline is approaching. What was it you were saying?
From: Mike B.
Enjoy your work. Baseball will allow the AL team with the best record to select who they want to play in the first round, but I can't find why they are not doing the same in the NL? Thanks!
Not who they want to play. It's when they want to start. Check out this week's Short Hops for an explanation.
From: Nick W.
LOL!!!!!!!!!! You have to be the biggest hypocrite ever. Rick Ankiel and Troy Glaus feel-good stories. No stories about (Shawn) Merriman being a cheater, (Gary) Matthews a cheater, (Jason) Giambi a cheater, before and after pictures of Big Head Clemens. Yet an asterisk next to Bonds' name. You are such a joke.
I haven't written about Glaus in years, so I've got no idea what you're talking about there. I don't write about Merriman because I don't write about football. I've written about the issues involving both Matthews and Giambi; you must not have been paying attention those days. And Clemens, he hasn't failed a drug test and his name has not been linked to steroids or Human Growth Hormone in any credible investigation yet. Bonds*, on the other hand, has.
From: DC from Ohio
From your Carlos Pena article: "Pena is one of only three major leaguers -- along with A-Rod and Fielder -- to record at least 25 doubles and 35 homers this season." Adam Dunn has 27 doubles and 39 HRs.
Thanks for that. I got the stat out of the Tampa Bay game notes -- I don't know if they were wrong or if I misread them. But let's add Dunn's name to the list.
From: Mark C.
I was reading your article today and was surprised when you referenced Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central's football team. I am a graduate of Monroe High, class of '99. I live Sacramento, Calif., after graduating from Northern Michigan University and I still like to know what is going on in Monroe. The point of this is that I just wanted to say it is nice hearing references about Monroe on a national level.
Can't promise you I'll be keeping you updated on the entire Monroe news scene, my friend, but every now and again I do enjoy throwing something from the ol' hometown into my Bull Pennings blog. Long live Gen. George Armstrong Custer! Uh, whoops, bad hometown reference -- that didn't go so well at Little Big Horn, did it?
