For Your Listening Pleasure

Here is Jonah Keri on "something called Dave Dameshek's" podcast. It's a a few minutes of circumcision talk, and about 40 more of breaking down what's left of the World Series. Dameshek is a little insufferable but Jonah is good enough to make you forget that.

After a day off, the boys at On The DL are back at it after a day off. They talk about Game 6, Gus Johnson's questionable description of Chris Johnson's speed, Steven Colbert's decision to sponsor US Speedskating and the current seasons of Mad Men and Dexter.

Go. Listen. But come back around 3:00 for the post I've been working on all day about Chase Utley, Bobby Richardson and the 1960 World Series. It's not like anything else you've read on the subject. I promise.

New York By A Landslide

This Yankee postseason run has meant good things for this here blogosite, most notably some prominent links being tossed our way and a sizable increase in traffic. Most recently, we were asked to contribute to a New York vs. Philly cultural breakdown for the Sporting News' Sporting Blog.

Along with Dan Levy from the excellent On The DL Podcast, Rob Iracane from the irreverent Walk Off Walk and Meech from the hilarious Phillies blog The Fightins, we discussed the relative merits of the Lobel's Steak Sandwich vs. the Schmitter, Freddy Guzman vs. Andy Tracy, New Yankee Stadium vs. Citizens Bank Park, the MoMA vs. the Mutter, Statue of Liberty vs. Liberty Bell, MTA vs. SEPTA, and Yogi Berra vs. the Phanatic.

Levy and Meech will never admit it, but I think Iracane and I put the smackdown on the boys from Philly. You be the judge.

The Missing Links

The news might be almost two weeks old, but these links go out to my girl Ardi, whose 3.2 million year old remains proved that there is no "missing link''.

Matthew Pouliot at Circling the Bases doesn't like the Angel's chances for mounting a comeback. Joel Sherman says they won't go down without a fight.

Sadly, the "Save Gate 2" movement isn't going so well.

Larry at Wezen-Ball re-discovers how 70 million people were captivated by the 1952 World Series in light of the fact that the Yankees and Dodgers won't be meeting in the Fall Classic again this year.

Tyler Kepner talks to Joba about his sweat-stained cap. Unfortunately he didn't tell him to get a fucking new one.

Our buddy Simon on Sports has a different take on the conspiracy theory Matt detailed this morning. And I have to admit, despite our differences, this is kind of funny.

A former up calls for the use of instant replay. Buster Onley wants it for this World Series. Like my grandfather always used to say to me, "Simmer down, Buster".

Behind the Box Score asks which is more important (or more appropriately less important), a batter's last 7 plate appearances against a pitcher or their most recent 7 times up?

I hope FOX has their finest drop button operator ready.

YFSF wonders why A-Rod isn't getting the courtesy of intentional walks extended to Barry Bonds. I mean, they walked him with their closer in Game 2 with no one on base. It's 32 plate appearances, let's not get carried away here...

King of the sports podcasts, Dan Levy, celebrates his Phillies' return to the World Series and (prematurely) sizes up the Yankees from afar. Let's just say he's not shaking in his shoes. He also talks a little bit about A.J. Daulerio's own "media meltdown" over at Deadspin yesterday.

Philly fan boo TBS. Well done, folks.

Did Anyone Else Catch This?

Like Matt was yesterday, I was listening to most of Saturday's game on the radio and didn't hear Dick Stockton sneak in a quick little, ahem, plug for Just For Men in the top of the 8th inning.

Dan Levy from On The DL Podcast was kind enough to send this over and he added some more thoughts to go along with an LSU Freek photoshop at the Sporting Blog. As Dan points out, it's pretty funny, given Stockton's cranial adornments and marital status, that he's telling other men to "stay in the game" by dying their hair, but aside from that, I'm not sure how I feel about these types of ads.

You can be sure that networks aren't selling fewer advertisements during breaks because of these spots; they are just finding more ways to wring money out of the broadcast and as the customers in this scenario, we aren't getting anything out of this. It's not exactly obtrusive, but it certainly is pretty contrived.

Has anyone noticed the occasional Listerine ad that pops up during the later innings on the YES network? It is accompanied by a gurgling noise that sounds like someone taking a bong hit, and the banner sits on the screen for a few seconds without so much as an acknowledgement from the broadcasters. Again, it's pretty easy to ignore, but seems out of place.

I don't know how effective these spots can possibly be. I already use Listerine, and won't dye my hair even when I do end up going gray. How many people have been introduced to these products or persuaded to use them by these ads? I mean, literally none? Does is just fall under the hazy purposes of brand building? Anyone in the world of marketing care to weigh in?

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That Didn't Take Long

After Alex Rodriguez was taken out of the line up for two days in Florida last weekend, the Yankees' plan was to rest him once a week. How quickly things change:

Alex Rodriguez should be in the lineup this weekend when the Yankees play their first games at the Mets' new Citi Field.

"It's our home city, and I think our guys enjoy the Subway Series," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Thursday before New York played the Atlanta Braves. "Alex feels good, feels like he's got a lot of energy in his legs. He feels good, so we'll let him keep going."

So, let's recap. A-Rod comes of the DL and the Yankees say he should get rest one day a week. Joe Girardi can't find one single game to sit him down and his numbers start dropping. The front office may or may not have had to intervene, and A-Rod sits down two days in a row. He breaks out of his slump in Atlanta driving in six runs in two games and the Yanks throw the plan out the window once again.

It's good that they try to be transparent with their plans. However, what is the point of presenting this cut and dry plan to the media if you are going to deviate from it literally as soon as possible? It's stupid to sit a player once a week just for the sake of sitting him. What if A-Rod hits .450 over the next 6 games and drives in 12 runs? Does he really need a day off? What if he follows up an night off with three sluggish games and goes 0-13? Only once a week!

According to Girardi, [team physician Christopher] Ahmad said Marc Phillipon, the Colorado specialist who operated on the $275 million third baseman, doesn't think Rodriguez needs one off day a week as the team indicated recently.

/head explodes

So where did this stupid notion even come from?

Like I mentioned the other night, these are A-Rod's version of the Joba Rules... except they get broken more often then they are followed.

Dear Mr. Girardi,

Joe, you are a major league manager. Even though playing A-Rod for 39 straight games after he was returning for major surgery might lead some to believe otherwise, you should be able to figure out when to give your players days off. Use your judgement and stop backing yourself into a corner by letting the media in on your plan, especially when someone with the ability to count to seven will have the right to call you out when you break your word.

Cordially,

Fack Youk

Humpday Podcast Recommendations

I sort of gave up listening to ESPN Radio after the unceremonious conclusion of the Max Kellerman Show and instead have transitioned over to podcasts. They are great for a couple of reasons:

1. You can turn them on whenever you want
2. You can pause them if something comes up
3. The hosts generally aren't pompous asshats (coughColinCowherdcough)
4. They occasionally allow foul language
5. They are free
6. THERE ARE NO COMMERCIALS

Here are three podcasts that have been produced in the last day or so, that you may or may not enjoy. There's really not a whole lot of risk involved, considering all you have to lose is the time you spend listening to them. On the other hand, if you do like them, you've got a free source of entertainment and something to make you temporarily forget how much you hate your job.

Here you go:

• The Bronx View (51 mins): I've linked to these guys before and they are top notch. The production and sound quality is excellent and they represent the rational and even-keeled Yankees fan in all of us. This show features Dan LaTorraca from Pinstripes PA who writes about the Scranton-WB Yanks at the blog linked above.
  
  
• On the DL (47 mins): They transitioned to a daily podcast back in the beginning of March and have a steady stream of great guests. Today, they have Dan Shanoff and Dan Steinberg from The Sporting Blog and D.C. Sports Bog, respectively. I would recommend perusing their archives for the shows with Steve Phillips, Trey Wingo, Tony Kornheiser, Darren Rovell and Annie Duke. If you are wondering how they get all these awesome guests, I don't know either.
  
  
• The BS Report (w/Rick Reilly) (46 mins): It's just like Jon Stewart vs. Jim Cramer (except not at all). It's pretty congenial and obviously was arranged to quell the rumors in the blogosphere that they hated each other. [Update: More to come on this]
  
  
• Also, The River Ave. Blues Radio Show should be out tomorrow.

By my calculations, taking into account some interruptions, those should get you well into the afternoon.

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And just as a totally random aside: Who gets bitchslapped by an umbrella thief?