Congress Now Controls The Sun

This is far and away the stupidest thing I've ever read. Politics, global warming, and everything else aside, apparently this woman thinks that daylight savings time has some sort of an effect on how much sunshine there is in a given day.

Wow. That's amazing.

Although I linked to it, I'm including the entire text of her "article" here. Inevitably this article will be removed eventually. But it will be preserved here at Hooray Beer.

Also, I apologize in advance for increasing your stupidity by putting this in front of you. And I also apologize from taking us away from baseball and inane things. But at least I bumped the platypus off the top of the page.

Anyway, here's the story:

Daylight exacerbates warning
You may have noticed that March of this year was particularly hot. As a matter of fact, I understand that it was the hottest March since the beginning of the last century. All of the trees were fully leafed out and legions of bugs and snakes were crawling around during a time in Arkansas when, on a normal year, we might see a snowflake or two. This should come as no surprise to any reasonable person. As you know, Daylight Saving Time started almost a month early this year. You would think that members of Congress would have considered the warming effect that an extra hour of daylight would have on our climate. Or did they ? Perhaps this is another plot by a liberal Congress to make us believe that global warming is a real threat. Perhaps next time there should be serious studies performed before Congress passes laws with such far-reaching effects. CONNIE M. MESKIMEN / Hot Springs

I truly hope that not everyone in Arkansas is this stupid. Apparently the "letters to the editor" editor is equally stupid as he (she) left the title as "daylight exacerbates warning" instead of replacing "warning" with "warming". I suppose we should just be thankful for the well placed use of "exacerbates". That's a big word for folks from Arkansas.

Okay - it's a new regime around here.

I got the new account working and now I am ready to rock.

And not like the ESPN fantasy baseball thing.

I actually mean it.

And to prove it - here is a picture of a pissed off platypus.





















Do NOT mess with me and the platypus.

Jackie Robinson Day

I am a huge Jackie Robinson fan. And I'm a big supporter of Ken Griffey Jr's idea (ok, I don't think it was really Ken's idea, but he's getting credit for it -- for whatever reason, that I can't verify, I feel like I read an idea very similar to this a few year's back on some blog or website).

But I think what's going to happen on Sunday is a little out of control. For the most part, I agree wtih what Torii Hunter had to say (and being that he's a Twin, that's rare for me).

Yes, all of the Dodgers should be wearing 42 on Sunday. Whether it's Juan Pierre, Jeff Kent, Wilson Betemit, or anyone else, it makes absolute sense for every Dodger to wear 42 in Robinson's honor. Regardless of race (but not to diminish anything that Robinson did for African Americans), Jackie Robinson did more than most people can comprehend for the game of baseball. His impact for blacks was both obvious and tremendous. But he effectively opened the door for foreigners (regardless of skin color) as well. Jackie Robinson changed the game, and a lot more in America, as a Dodger. All Dodger players should honor that each and every April 15th.

And I think at least one player on each other team should wear 42 on April 15th too. Whether it's a black player or not is not the issue for me though. The player(s) on each team who wear 42 need to "get it".

For one, I think each player who wears 42 for the day (Mariano Rivera can get a pass if he doesn't want to do this) should have to take and pass a test about Jackie Robinson. Each player who wears the number should be able to demonstrate that they know why they are wearing it. If you can't pass the test, you should study up and maybe you will be granted the honor next year.

Second, everyone who passes the test should either be evaluated by a committee and/or nominated by their team. If you have character issues, are an off the field problem, or shouldn't be associated with Jackie Robinson for any other reason, this is how baseball can ensure they don't. Players who wear 42 should be worthy of the honor. I would put Mr. Robinson's wife on the committee and a handful of others in and associated with baseball who "get it" (maybe Tony Gwynn, Ken Griffey Jr, Frank Robinson, and Kenny Williams -- just to name four people).

Also, having entire teams wear 42 (other than the Dodgers) just seems goofy to me. I don't get it. If that's part of a larger plan and each of the players can pass the Jackie Robinson history test, fine. But I doubt that's the case.

Is He a Hall of Famer?

Last year we talked about a bunch of guys who were borderline Hall of Fame candidates. With his home run last night, giving him home runs with 10 different teams, I couldn't help but think about whether Kenny Lofton was a potential Hall of Famer.

Here are his stats.

He has about 2,300 hits right now, over 600 stolen bases, and a lifetime OBP of .372. He's a 6 time All-Star, four time gold glover, received MVP votes in four different seasons, and was the runner-up for Rookie of the Year (to Pat Listach, of all people). Despite 10 post-season appearances, Kenny hasn't won any rings (and his teams only advanced to the World Series twice).

Kiki Cuyler is the only Hall of Famer on his most similar players list (his career ended in 1938). Ken Griffey (the dad) is Kenny's most similar comparable.

Based on the stats, Kenny isn't a Hall of Famer. I hope he gets some votes. Based on how many teams he's played for, it's tough to say what cap he'd wear in the Hall. It's probably not an issue anyway. He has been a lot of fun to watch though. And he's been a guy for a long time that was a good guy to build a team around. He might not have ever been the MVP/statistical leader of a team, but he's been a really good table setter with some pop (about an average SLG percentage for his career -- not bad for a leadoff guy).