Chien-Ming Wang is a trailblazer in many ways -- a semi-homegrown Yankees pitcher, the successor to Kevin Brown as a "heavy sinker" dynamo, and the prototype for what teams should be pursuing in the Asian pitcher market. He's also in the Time 100.
Yet, and not that he's expected to, he has no international pull -- the U.S. doesn't officially recognize Taiwan, although it is a strong protector, and Costa Rica just switched to China.
One wonders if Wang ever has to worry about his native land someday surrendering its independent existence. Heady thoughts when toeing the mound.
The soft-baked oatmeal cookies from Pepperidge Farm are incredible. And not terribly unhealthy. Just a suggestion.
50 years ago, the late Lew Burdette pitched three complete games in the World Series to lead the Milwaukee Braves' defeat of the New York Yankees. In 2007, more than one-third of the way through the year, eight pitchers are tied with two. Not a new trend, just saying.
Speaking of interleague play, the Yankees and Pirates match up starting tonight. About two years ago, the Yankees pounded Pittsburgh to finally pass them in record. So that year, apparently, didn't start well, either.
I've been test-driving cars all this week, and it's the greatest thing ever. There's no obligation, they're bound to be better than what you've got, even if they aren't what you want, and you get to have a salesperson be (or pretend to be) interested in you and chat you up. It's not a bad way to kill an hour.
I'm traveling to the Poconos for NASCAR on Sunday, and I'm excited despite the sport not being my thing and the traffic jams being a bother. It's bound to be a good experience -- at the least, I can say I've witnessed it. I'll bring the camera, but who knows what I can get from where we're sitting. My camera is not new and thus not incredible.
Conan O'Brien continues to find new gimmicks even after almost 14 years on-air, and the key, I think, is that he never burns out a skit. Whether it be If They Mated, Triumph, Masturbating Bear, Preparation H Man, Frankenstein wastes a minute of our time, Walker clips, HornyManatee.com and a million others, they always disappear, sometimes for a spell, sometimes forever. He leaves you wanting more. Part of me almost wishes Jay Leno would renege on his 2009 departure just to keep Conan in New York and in the 12:35 humor vein. Enjoy it while you can.
