More on Cliff Lee

Ironically Cliff Lee has a horrible record pitching in Arlington and debut was not surprising. There are some owners in the league who are upset that Texas has been allowed to take on salary. They are undergoing bankruptcy procedures as a part of the deal to sell the team. I don't see the Rangers signing him in the off season. I predict he'll be wearing his fifth uniform in two years come spring training. That's amazing considering his talent. My prediction: Pinstripes

Saturday, July 10 Notes

It's a lazy Saturday and that's a good thing. I just realized that I have been inside all day. Inasmuch as you have to drive to go anywhere in this town that's alright. I saved gas money today.

I did a couple of productive things though; I bottled the second batch of beer and completed a requisition for new music this coming school year for my jazz group. I'm not done with requisitions yet. Two big ones to go.
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Microbrewed Beer

Last month I was given as a birthday gift a Mr. Beer brewery kit. Now trust me, I'm no beer drinker. I'll have one now and then but most are too bitter or too heavy for my tastes. The "German" beers seem like the worst for bitterness.

I was also skeptical about all the precautions needed for sterile conditions in brewwing because, well, sterile conditions scare me. So with all that on my mind I went about following directions to the letter and began brewing my first two gallons (!)of beer. It's a 14 day process at minimum, seven for fermentation and seven for "conditioning", where the beer is bottled in one liter bottles with a specified amount of sugar and allowed to sit for a minimum of seven more days. This step adds the carbonation to the brew.

Today was actually the fifteeth day, so I had popped two liters into the fridge a couple days ago. I opened one up today. Oh man, it's good! This one is a blond wheat beer, not heavy and just about right. Of course I quickly purchased an American golden brew too, and I have that fermentng now. Should be ready for bottling this weekend. I'll update you on that batch.

The Yankees and Cliff Lee

Seattle gave Cliff Lee to Texas for nothing! And they even paid the Rangers 2.5 million dollars to take him. I guess they just did not want to make the Yankees that much richer. Gonna watch this one, because I have a feeling it's not done.

7/10 Update:

Cliff pitched tonight so it was a done deal. I liked this deal because, sorry Yankees fans, New York does not get to buy up every player that they need on demand. But on second thought it may not be over. Lee is a free agent; with the sale of Texas in process it remains to be seen if they can sign him. So New York may yet get him.

The Yankees

Sorry @CaramelQTofTX, it looks like your Yankees have stalled in their bid to land Cliff Lee. I was dreading the idea of The Rich Getting Richer, but knowing that the Minnesota Twins, the arch-rival of my beloved White Sox, were next in line I'm disappointed that New York did land him. Maybe the Rays can steal him away from Seattle. Afterall, if we see New York or Tampa Bay again this year it will be in the playoffs. We still have 14 games with Minnesota yet to play.

KIng James and Miami

So The King has moved on to the Heat after what can only be described as an acrimonious parting from Cleveland. LeBron James has so much talent that you wonder if he was worried about his "legacy" had he chosen to play in Chicago, a great fit, or even in New York and did not win in either place. Championships are not guaranteed, of course.

So then this looks like a move to hedge his bet, to better ensure that he will eventually get that ring. Ironically it won't be next year. Miami has so over spent that they don't even have a mid-level exception this year under the Collective Bargaining Agreement. D-Wade, James and Bosh are going to be surrounded next year by a lot of ninth of tenth man roster players; in short, NBA minimum salary players and rookies. Hardly the type of team on which to begin a dynasty.

My best guest? Next year they are out in the second round of the playoffs. Perhaps in two years they will be championship material in terms of a complete team. If I had to predict the future, I'd see one or maybe two rings, especially if Kobe retires during this run. We'll see.

KIng James

This LeBron James thing is shameful in it's excess. Ask yourself; would MJ, Magic, Bird, or even Kobe drag this thing out into primetime TV like he's done? Who really cares? It's basketball! That's all. LeBron James won't put one pea on my table - none of them will. I just can't get too excited about all of this.