Howard Hawks on TCM!

I think a very good case can be made that Howard Hawks (the distinguished guy in the sport coat) is the greatest movie director of all time. He could do it all, and he could do it all with flair, subtle payoffs, attention to detail and joi de vivre. Today's his birthday and they are showing some of his works on TCM today. To Have and Have Not, followed by The Big Sleep are up next, and you'd be wise to watch them now or some time.

Reasons To Be Cheerful pt 12

The Giants' Steve Smith!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Gs6cdvDIpw

Yanks Win!

Clippard had no curveball, but Robbie Cano looks back! He had 3 doubles and a single, and his running buddy Melky had a couple of hits, too. Interestingly, Torre, who is way too laid back to begin with sought to end the losing streak by telling the guys to show up late and skip BP. It worked. Something was bound to.

Bob Hope in Black and White

Today would have been Bob's birthday and so they are showing some classic Bob flicks on TCM. They've already showng the clever "My Favorite Brunette" in which a baby photographer (Bob) gets mixed up with a bunch of film noir baddies. Now they're showing "Ghost Breakers" where Bob playing Lawrence Lawrence Lawrence and Paulette Goddard get mixed up in murder and a haunted castle.

The movies Bob Hope made in the `30's and `40's were tremendously influential and are sadly underrated and largely forgotten today. Hope worked with top notch talent and top notch and very funny scripts. Check em out if you get the chance.

Jim Schoenfeld for Assistant GM

With Don Maloney taking the Phoenix GM job, Jim Schoenfeld, the head coach of the Wolfpack should take over as AGM. Schoenfeld has demonstrated and affinity for player development and an ability to put in a system and make it work. Schoeny is my first choice for any job the big team has, and they shouldn't waste any time in promoting him now.

Joe Must Go

Joe Torre was finally booed at Yankee Stadium. He took Mike Mussina out with one out and one on in the 7th with a 2-1 lead. Moose had only thrown 95 pitches and had been in command all day. He brought in Scott Proctor and allowed Proc to give up a double and 3 walks, before relieving him with Bruney, the far better pitcher. Yanks fell behind 4-2 as a result of Torre's latest overmanaging disaster. The Yanks need a spark and it has to come from their leader. This leader can't spark them and needs to go.

Moose Redeems Himself

Moose allowed 1 run and K'd 6 in 6.1 innings of work today. He left after walking his first batter of the day, so he is responsible for that runner. He changed speeds very well today and things look good going forward. Phew. Proctor is in to get the last two outs in the 7th.

Torre Overmanaging Against the Angels Again

This is how Torre should be dressed against the Angels. He once again created an out in the first by calling an absolutely senseless hit and run with one out and Jeter on first by way of an error. Matsui didn't ground into a double play, which he does with alarming frequency, but he did ground right back to Lackey for the easy out at first. ARod then walked and Giambi hit a soft liner for the third out. The Yanks got 2 outs that inning and this time Torre can't blame the ump, like he did, rightly, yesterday.

The Spy Who Loved Me

The best of the Roger Moore Bond's is on Encore Action today. It's just a great flick. You have Bond, you have Barbara Bach who is a Russian agent and has vowed to kill Bond for killing her lover after the mission (shades of Guns of Navarrone), you have Richard Kiel as Jaws! and you have the Lotus Espirit taking the place of the Aston Martin. Plus, you have a great theme song. Check it out.

The Mark of Zorro on FMC

FMC is running Rouben Mamoulian's great 1940 swashbuckler this month. I place this second only to The Adventures of Robin Hood among the late `30's early `40's swashbucklers. Both films benefit from casting legitimately great swordsman Basil Rathbone in a key bad guy role. This one also benefits from the presence of Linda Darnell, who may very well have been the most beautiful of the classic screen sirens. Check it out.

A Face in the Crowd

Back in `57 Elia Kazan and Budd (What Makes Sammy Run?) Schulberg cooked up this stinging and incredibly prescient indictment of the media's ability to make a star and a man's ability to buy into his stardom lock, stock and barrel. Andy Griffith gives one of the great performances in this movie, and it's hard to believe he didn't go on to make more great dramas. Anyway, it's on TCM this month and if you haven't seen it before you should.

Wang????????????

What the...? Our ace is down 3-0 with two outs in the first.

UPDATE: Wang ended up going 8 without giving up another run. However, the team was flat and couldn't get anything done offensively. They didn't seem to care. You have to really wonder if taking the pressure off Torre has helped or hurt the team.

Clippard Doesn't Help

Tyler Clippard is already out of the game after 4 innings of 3 run ball in his first Yankee Stadium start. He was victimized by the play of Damon and Matsui, but also gave up a homer. He didn't have good stuff and only K'd 1. DeSalvo is now in, and he's wild.

To Live and Die in LA this month on TMC

The very underrated 1985 William Friedkin flick is playing this month. It features a lot of actors who would go on to big things as well as Darlanne Fluegel, who was insanely hot back in `85. Cool and gritty and very undererated. Check it out.

Koong Foo Alert!

Master of the Flying Guillotine, Jimmy Wang Yu's 1975 masterpiece is back on Showtime Extreme this month. This particular flick is a catalog of cool factors. This is a sequel to an earlier independant flick called The One Armed Boxer, and it is spiritually representative of the very apotheosis of the One Armed Swordsman character Wang Yu created for the Shaw Bros. back in the 1970's. Check listings!

Torre Cries Foul

as his ass has apparently been nailed to the dugout bench by pranksters preventing him from confronting the umpires over any of a dozen or so bad calls tonight. He hopes to be able to get his ass off the bench tomorrow.

Ed Hickox is a Bad Ump

And his Crew sucks, too. Here's where you can contact him to discuss his terrible and perhaps crooked performance tonight.

http://www.umpirescamp.com/contact1.htm

Moose Apologizes for Taking Estrogen

Moments after being lifted for giving up 7 runs and ten hits over 6.1 to the Red Sox, Yankee Grand Dame Mike Mussina apologized for having injected Estrogen, he said he felt it would make him prettier and didn't realize that it would rob him of his fastball or his competiveness. He may have gone to Stanford, but he wasn't a chem major.

Giants Add Tynes

The Giants today acquired KC kicker Lawrence Tynes for future considerations. Until I know what those are, I can't render an opinion, but this fungible veteran will be camp competition for Chris Huston. Hickok apparently failed to impress at the Rookie Mini Camp and was released.

Wang Wins!

Wang beat the Sox tonight, even though he didn't have his best stuff. He went 6.1 allowing just two runs. He used more sliders and changeups than usual and got some help from Damon, Jeter, ARod (Homer), Giambi (Homer) and Cano (2B, 3B). Yanks won 6-2 and appear to be waking up.

Tyler Clips Mets in Big League Debut

Hot Yankee prospect Tyler Clippard shutdown the Mets tonight in his major league debut. He gave up 1 run on three hits (inluding a homer to David Wright), 3 walks and 6 K's. He made several Mets look stupid on the curve and change and froze some with fastballs on the black. Jeter, Posada and ARod all homered to aid the cause. Proctor who seems to have no problem with NL line-ups pitch two strong innings of relief and Mo came into a 6-1 game to get some work in the 9th. Ponderously, he gave up yet ANOTHER homer to Damion Easley before ending it. Yanks win 6-2 and Tyler Clippard gets his first major league win.

Great TC audio over at Pete's blog.

http://yankees.lohudblogs.com/2007/05/21/wrapping-it-up-from-shea-stadium/

Rasner Breaks Finger in Latest Luckless Loss

Rasner broke his finger in the first and had to leave the game. Myers and Vizcaino pitched about the way they have all year, and the Yanks found themselves way down. A comeback win was averted by the home plate ump, who missed a balk and messed with balls and strikes in the late going to seal a win for the Mets, who are a very good team this year.

Yanks Still Laying Back

The Yanks wasted another fine start by Andy Pettitte tonight. They're writing a great comeback story. It would be nice if it would start soon.

Yanks WIN!

Chien Ming Wang gave the Yanks 7 strong innings on the way to an 8-1 win. They needed the win and that's why Wang's their ace. Abreu, Melky and Po all homered for the good guys. Let's keep it going Yanks, and WELCOME BACK, MELKY!

Bravo Bones!

Congrats Bones on a great second season! Despite a strange schedule, TV's best ensemble churned out great episode after great episode. It's smart and quirky enough to make exposition interesting, character development a delight, and old cliches like the "enlightened outsider" character seem fresh. Way to go Bones! I believe this is now my favorite show.

Moose Screws the Pooch

Moose looked good early today, but then gave up a homer and when the Yanks tied it, he gave up another run. When the Yanks tied it again, he gave up 3 more runs and that was just about that. Abreu and Melky look like they may be waking up, though and that bodes well for the future, whenever that starts. Go Yanks! Win the Nightcap!

Giants Cut Myles, Add Three

The Giants surprisingly cut WVU WR Brandon Myles today. Myles had been one of their most noteworth UDFA signings and seemed like a great pick up. It's a shame things didn't work out. He had great hands and AA. Meanwhile they added DL Dek Bake from Texas Tech, G/C Matt Maddox from Illinois, and checkered past CB Darren Barnett from the school of hard knocks. He has sick AA and should be fun to watch this summer if he can keep his nose clean.

Yanks Embarrass Their Moms

The Yanks just lost 2-1 against the crappy Mariners. Andy Pettitte pitched his heart out for 7.1 but will take the loss cause he teammates didn't show up. Joe Torre, for reasons known only to himself, lifted Phelps from the game when Seattle's lefty starter left. Minky then went on to create 3 outs in his two ab's including the final out of the game on a K where he was overmatched. Phelps has a quicker bat and should have been left in. Just a pathetic loss and another case of Joe's overmanaging hurting the Yankees chances.

Two More Power Pitchers Stepping Up

Joba Chamberlain at Tampa and Alan Horne at Trenton showed why they are climbing the pitching charts last night. Joba held the High A Mets to NO HITS, an uncharacteristic 4 walks and 6K's en route to his first win of the season. The walks were new and after the game Joba didn't seem happy yet with his slider or change. He's a team first guy, though and was glad the Yanks won.

Alan Horne was dominant in Trenton going 6IP 4-H 1-R 0-ER 2-BB 8-K to earn a no decision. Horne, who will remind you very much of Kevin Brown on the mound, has a great fastball and finally seems to have taken control of it and the rest of his pitches. He's sporting a 6/1 K/BB rate so far and he keeps gettting better. I expect to see both of these pitchers promoted in the not too distand future.

DeSalvo Wins His First!

Matt gave the Yanks 6.2 innings of 7 hit, 3BB, 2 run ball tonight to earn his first big league win. He also got his first two big league K's. Way to go Matt. The offense showed up tonight as Jeter and Posada continued to sizzle. But, seriously, where are the home runs?

The Draft Picks!

The buzz out of the early practice was about Smith (12) and Bradshaw(44). The second practice in about to start, so we should have more info later. They gave Michael Johnson Spider Lockhart's #43, Kevin Boss got Mark Bavaro's #89, Ahmad Bradshaw got Doug Kotar's #44, and first pick Aaron Ross is wearing Jason Sehorn's #31. Needless to say, they all have a lot to live up to.

On the Mark is Back

My buddy Mark Kriegel, author of bestsellers about Namath and Pistol Pete, has an all new sports blog you can follow every Tuesday at the following address http://msn.foxsports.com/boxing/story/6785912

Bookmark it!

Rookie Mini Camp is Here!

One of the key events of the offseason is upon us. Rookie Mini-Camp! This weekend and Monday, the Giants will put their 8 new draft picks and about 20 UDFA's through their first NFL style meetings and practices. I expect all the picks to eventually make the team, and three of the UDFA's as well. They are WR Brandon Myles, DB Craig Dahl, and RB Stephan Logan. Myles is a very talented, very fast WR who was lost in the run first, second and third offense at WVU. He's the goods, though, and reminds me of the things that impressed us about Ron Dixon. Dahl was a safety and North Dakota State, but the Giants are listing him as a CB right now. He's big, fast and strong for either position. Stephon Logan is much more of a scat back that draft pick Ahmad Bradshaw projects to be. Ultimately I expect Bradshaw to be part of a 1-2 punch with Jacobs, and Logan to return kicks and possibly punts as well. The reports should start filtering down around lunch time tomorrow. Enjoy!

M*A*S*H on FMC

MASH is on FMC this month, and properly letterboxed. The 1970 masterpiece is far funnier and more interesting than the eventually sanctimonious TV show that followed. I think it's Altman's best work and that's saying something. Check listings then check it out.

Yanks Get No Pitching on Getaway Day

And they's gotten no offense, either. They're gonna be a game under .500 as they head to Seattle. Wang was really off.

Favorite Comic Book Covers!

Nick Fury, Agent of Shield #14. This sort of looks more like a Steranko knock off than an actual Steranko, but I always got a kick out of the Beatles tribute in the blurb.

Moose Keeps It Going

Moose gave up 2 runs over six as the Yanks more or less cruised to a 6-2 win. Down on the farm, Moose tribute pitcher Ian Kennedy had another 1 run over 5ip performance. Further down the farm, Austin Jackson is starting to produce: 3-5 with a double, SB, RBI and 3 runs. It's all starting to come together. Day game tomorrow.

Andy Gives Us Another Great Start!

Andy gave us 7 innings of 1 run ball for the win. The O showed up tonight and the Yanks won 8-1. ARod broke his homer slump, and Jeter just keeps hitting. The Yanks are gonna go on a tear and it might have started tonight. Go Moose! Go Yanks!

Rest in Peace, Champ

I'm just hearing that Diego Corrales was killed in a traffic accident this evening. He had a troubled life, but I'll always remember him as a game fighter who gave his all every time in the ring. Rest in peace, Diego.

What The...?

Safe?????????????????????????????

Mo collected his 3rd loss of the young season tonight. First pitch homer to Beltre with two out in the 9th. Unreal. DeSalvo had pitched wonderfully in his major league debut, then a bad ump call while Farnsworth was in in the 8th made it a tie, and Mo made it a loss. Tough Night.

Coming in June to a Stadium Near You!

This is gonna be a fun summer!

This is a Man and a Yankee

Lost in the Clemens buzz was an action taken by Scott Proctor today. After Phelps got plunked for nailing the M's catcher on a play at the plate, both teams were warned. Proc didn't care and promptly threw behind one of the Mariners, forcing his own and Torre's ejection. The benches emptied but nothing much happened. Still, it's about time Yankee pitchers stood up for Yankee hitters. Well done, Scott.

Rangers Done

As soon as they get Marc Staal up, they won't have to roll out crappy defensemen like Rachunek in the playoffs anymore. Thanks for the grit and great moment in `06-`07 Rangers. Now have a great draft, don't make any bad deals and bring up Staal.