My Shortstop from Tokyo

With sincere apologies to the gentlemen of Deep Purple...

Flys in from the Rising Sun

Need an infielder, he's the one
Yeah, he's played the position
Let's have him start

My shortstop from Tokyo

He makes an "E"
My shortstop from Tokyo
He goes oh-for-three

Talk about him like a stud

Ain't no way that he's a dud
Yeah, he's gonna make us a winner
World Series on it's way

My shortstop from Tokyo

He cannot see
My shortstop from Tokyo
The ball rolls through his knees

He's out at home and, and he just don't belong

So far away from his league 'cross the sea

Outmatched over here, he's our team's LVP

Soon we shall see just how far numbers go
From Mendoza lines to much further below

Rising from a play at two

Forgot to jump the runner who
Slid, to break up the twin killing
Ow! He got hurt

My shortstop from Tokyo

We can agree
My shortstop from Tokyo
Sucks worse than Nicky

What's the Japanese Word for "Sucks?"

Since his call up from AAA (where he was batting a rock solid .245) Tsuyoshi Nishioka has gone 0 for 8, botched multiple plays in the field, arguably cost his team one game, and supposedly lost a ball in the sun on a cloudy day while wearing sunglasses.

It is safe to say that we now have enough data, and the Nishioka experiment is a failure.  Big time.

While he may be a baseball hero in Japan, here in Twins Territory Nishi is a baseball "yagi."

Look it up.

8 Month Old Hears Mother's Voice for First Time

Through the miracle of the Cochlear Implant, and through some video work by his dad, we get to see an 8 month old hear his mother's voice.  For the first time.  Ever.

If this doesn't make you happy, we here at YDP can't help you:



Hat tip to House Baby

Usain Bolt - Showboat, But a Classy Showboat

Usain Bolt blew away the 100M field in London, and had a good time doing it:



Lest you think him just another cocky athlete, consider his behavior during an interview with Spanish TV:

Vacation Recap in Pictures

Last week's vacation has come to an end, and it was spectacular.  The weather was about perfect, fishing better than expected, the fun in abundance, and overall just a fabulous time.  The only thing that was missing was my sis who needed to attend to her job.  We're hoping she can make it next year.  

Here is the recap:

Here is my favorite fishing partner.  While she didn't catch any fish, at least she looked good doing it.

This is our "Man Swim" group.  I think we got out in the middle of the lake for a swim just about every day.

I got some biking in every day except one, which is a good thing as I gained 6 lbs. on the vacation.  Beer, wine, and Walker pies can do that to a guy.

I was able to get out with JT, Bill, Steve, and Tom for a trolling fiasco.  Six lines, three hours, one fish.  At least I was able to augment the fish fry.  Note: don't let JT mix the cocktails.  Either that or bring ice.

Our best luck fishing was at night where we were treated to beautiful sunsets like this one.



 My brother with the biggest walleye of the week - a 27" monster. 

 Sometimes the fishing was slow, and little dudes just needed to sack out

 On the way back to the cabin after a successful night on the water

Cousins on the way to a swim

The 7 hour, one way trip took its toll on my tires.  At least we made it home before this one gave out.  Time for a new set.

Can't wait to do it all again next year.

Sammy Hagar Concert Review and Set List Greenville WI

I am a big fan of Sammy Hagar, but have never seen him live.  That was rectified with last night's show in Greenville, WI as Sammy and the Wabos got on stage and cranked it out. 

The set was a bit of a mess and Sammy kind of unorganized.  I guess that was to be expected, as he's just coming off of playing with Chickenfoot and had not played with the Wabos in a while.  Despite the organizational issues, the concert was a blast. 

Here is the set list to the best of my recollection:

I Can't Drive 55

There's Only One Way to Rock

Why Can't This Be Love

Next Time Around

Bad Motor Scooter

Standing On Top of the World I

've Done Everything for You

I'll Fall in Love Again

Your Love

Three Lock Box

Right Now

Finish What You Started

Heavy Metal

Mas Tequila

How Do I Know When It's

Love Summertime Blues/Fight for Your Right

Three things stood out for me from the concert:

1. Hagar is an awesome showman.  He was getting the crowd way into the show, interactive, energetic, and just a lot of damn fun.  As stated earlier in these pages, Sammy is better than David Lee Roth, but just based on stage presence tonight, Sammy takes back seat to nobody. 
2. Sammy's guitar playing was excellent.  While I knew he played, I didn't exactly know to what level.  Really impressive playing. 
3. Sammy's voice is fantastic.  Like Robert Plant or Paul Rodgers, Hagar's voice was made for rock.  Big range, pitched well (even on the screams), and still hitting high notes.  For somebody that was having such a great time on stage, his vocal craft was nothing less than completely professional. 

Some others notes from the evening:  

• The Wabos were outstanding. Vic Johnson handled some of the Van Halen guitar work like a pro, and Mona Gnader's bass and high harmonies made one nearly forget about the great Michael Anthony. 
• Highlight song for me was Heavy Metal.  Part sing-along, part cranking rocker, and full on butt kicker.  Great song. 
• Sammy appeared to forget the words to Fight for Your Right, and instead worked in the first verse of Summertime Blues, which worked incredibly well.  After an extended guitar solo Mona picked up the second verse of the Beastie's song and brought it all to a close.  While it was likely not how the play was drawn up, it ended up going for a touchdown anyway. 

Overall, it was a great concert by a great band and a great front man.  Simply put, Sammy rocks. 

You canclick here for the concert review of Ace Frehley.

Ace Frehley Concert Review and Set List Greenville WI

The last time I saw Ace Frehley, it was with Kiss in 1997 for their first "Farewell Tour," (there would be many farewells to follow).  During Shout it Out Loud Ace screamed out, "St. Louis!" which would have been great, but seeing as we were in St. Paul, it was kind of an issue.  Gene and Paul made up for it by mentioning St. Paul 83 more times during the rest of song, but it was just part of a tough night for Ace. 

Fast forward 15 years. 

Ace is older, heavier, sober, and more solid.  He put on a great show, and frankly surprised the hell out of me. 

Here is the set list to my recollection:

Rip it Out

Parasite

Sister

Snowblind

a portion of I Want You

Rock Soldiers

Lover Her All I Can

2000 Man

She

Hard Times

New York Groove

Blues riff while stalling for bass guitar to get fixed

Flaming Youth

Rocket Ride

Shock Me

Shout it Out Loud

Deuce

Cold Gin

end of Black Diamond 

Some notes on the evening:

• Ace's guitar playing was simply outstanding.  He sounded wonderful. 
• The backing band was very solid.  On the Kiss songs, both the drummer and bass player did a good job with Gene's vocals, and the guys picked up some of the Kiss stage moves as well.  Fun to watch them get into it. 
• Rock Soldiers in particular was a monster, and was much better live than I could have imagined. 
• The guitar solo at the end of Shock Me was also incredible. 

Overall, Ace put on a really solid show.  For those folks that knew him from back in the day, he did not disappoint.  For those that just came out for Sammy (you can find the full Sammy Hagar concert review and set list here), they had to be pleasantly surprised. 

Ace said it best in Rock Soldiers - "Ace is back and he told you so." 

Back indeed.

For Those About to Hack, We Salute You

Good hackers (yes, there is such a thing) have been jacking with Iran and their nuclear ambitions for a while now.  But the latest attack has to have Iranian physicists exclaiming that "It's a Long Way to the Top if You Want to Rock & Roll."

 In the most recent hit, hackers made Iranian computers play AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" at maximum volume in the middle of the night. 

I guess it's true.  Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution.

Crank it up, Angus...