Trumped Up

Hang On a Sec...

I don't generally like to take on relatively serious topics on the weekend, but I just need a moment for this...

Dear Trump Supporters:

Your hero has been running around for weeks now saying--not hinting, flat-out saying--that he'll probably run for president as an independent if he doesn't get the GOP nomination.

If you believe it is unfair for this issue to be brought up during a GOP candidate forum, you are simply too stupid to be allowed to vote. Fortunately for you, this is still a free country, and you can say and do as you please. But for the love of God, can you drop the indignation every time your boy gets called out about the ignorant crap that spews out of his mouth? Thanks!

Sincerely,

Every Person With a Brain

 

"Wow. Is it your time of the month or something?"

It wasn't funny when Trump said it about Megyn Kelly, and it's not funny now...

Things That Make Me Proud: Hall of Fame Edition

"Hi, I'm going to be plowing over you all day today."

In Canton, Ohio this afternoon, Will Shields will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, an honor he richly deserves.

Follow the link to his name and you'll find all the remarkable information about Will, who played his entire career for my beloved Kansas City Chiefs.


What makes this a bit more special for me is that Will went to high school in Lawton, Oklahoma, a town I once lived in for awhile in the early 1960s. Isn't it funny how these sorts of connections make us feel closer to players?

Way to go, 68!

Toast Boast

My toaster is one of these. If yours isn't, I feel sorry for you. That is all...

KitchenAid KTT570ER

Things That Make Me Happy: Home Cooking Edition

My beloved Kansas City Royals were finally back home at Kauffman Stadium last night after a rough 11-day road trip that saw them go 4-6. The pitching match-up was the Royals' Edinson Volquez against long-time nemesis John Danks (9-1 lifetime against the Royals at game time) for the Chicago White Sox. We have already had this same pairing three times this season. Volquez prevailed 4-1 on April 9 at Kauffman Stadium (the lone Royals defeat of Danks before last night), but Danks beat Volquez the next two meetings 5-3 and 2-0, both games played at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago.

Both pitchers did their jobs well last night, but despite a 9th inning wobble by closer Greg Holland (who allowed a home run and a single), the Royals took the opener of the three-game weekend series 3-2. Volquez improved his record to 11-6, 3.11 ERA, and Holland notched his 24th save. All-Star center fielder Lorenzo Cain had a triple, and an RBI double in the 6th inning that put the Royals ahead to stay...

"You're not winning tonight, Danks!"

Game 2 of the series will be tonight, with Jeremy Guthrie (7-7, 5.65 ERA) going up against Jeff Samardzija (8-6, 4.35, 0-2 versus the Royals this season), who figured prominently in some Royals-White Sox beanball scuffles earlier this season. Fasten your seatbelts...

"You're not really expecting a rumble tonight, are you?"

No, but @TheRealJGuts is old-school, so he'll do the right thing if Samardzija plunks anybody...

The Times, They Are A-Changin'

From the hilarious comic strip Zits, by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman, which you should read every day.

Until Next Time...

A couple of days ago I used the 13th movement of Saint-Saëns's The Carnival of the Animals (aka "The Swan") as the send-off. A reader and dear friend wrote to let me know that he prefers the 7th movement (aka "Aquarium"), and since I am very fond of him I will indulge his preference today. It is a lovely bit of music.

The performance is by the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Vilem Sokol, and it is accompanied by a fascinating digital representation of the music. Enjoy...