Sunday Potpourri No. 14

Today's post comes with the Standard Sunday Disclaimer: "The post title is using the term 'potpourri' in the second of the two senses listed here. The post may also be rather short, although not necessarily so."

Things That Make Me Happy: Indoor Edition

My beloved Kansas City Royals clinched a series win against the Tampa Bay Rays yesterday evening, winning Game 2 comfortably 6-3. It wasn't an outstanding start for Kris Medlen, but he pitched into the 6th inning, and improved his record to 3-0, 3.51 ERA. All-Star 3B Mike Moustakas continued his torrid streak, going 3-for-5 with two doubles and driving in three runs. All-Star Wade Davis got his 13th save in the 9th, and needed just 7 pitches to do it.

"Hang on, this'll just take a sec..."

The Royals go for three-game sweep this afternoon, with Danny Duffy (7-6, 4.11 ERA) matched up with the Rays' Nathan Karns (7-5, 3.69).

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

My best friend is visiting from Pennsylvania this weekend, and one of the things we decided to do during his visit was to go see an Omaha Storm Chasers game, because Alex Gordon is still on his rehab assignment with the Chasers (he'll probably rejoin the Royals in time for the homestand that begins on Tuesday.

I bought seats far down the left field line and close to the field itself, to get as close to Alex as possible for photographic purposes. Unfortunately, the Storm Chasers manager decided that Alex would DH last night, so we never got to see him in left field.

My friend has a really good digital camera, though, so he was able to get some good pics of Alex even from far away...

Pre-game stretching

When you are rehabbing an injured hamstring, stretching exercises are particularly important.

The Fresno pitchers were very cautious with Alex, walking him twice. He scored after both walks, so maybe that wasn't the best strategy...

Alex also hit a double, but his teammates weren't able to drive him in.







There's just nothing quite like seeing a ballgame in person with a friend who also loves the game...

"How come you never take me to a game with you?"

Most ballparks have a "No Quadrupeds" policy. I know that's discriminatory, but I don't make the rules...

Things That Make Me Happy: Dead Cow Edition

One of the cool things about having someone come for a visit is getting to go to restaurants I wouldn't go to by myself. Before the Storm Chasers game, Skip and I had dinner at a Texas Roadhouse near the ballpark.

Skip had a 10-ounce ribeye and baked potato...

...while I enjoyed the 10-ounce prime rib with loaded mashed potatoes.










Skip is spreading a story that I consumed an inordinate amount of dinner rolls, but that is a baseless canard.

"I'd believe it. I've seen you lay waste to a basket of warm bread before."

Was I talking to you?

Until Next Time...

Today's send-off is another of my dear friend's favorite pieces (and mine also), the "Spring" movement from Antonio Vivaldi's The Four Seasons. This performance was recorded at the National Botanic Garden of Wales, and features Julia Fischer on violin, accompanied by The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields. Enjoy...