I thought I had something interesting to say about Wally Backman, but I’m not sure anymore. In either case I’m too busy to write it today anyway.
That explains the general lack of text here today. So in lieu of that, enjoy this classic:
An error on Google Maps has sparked an international conflict.
Jose Miguel Insulza, the Secretary General of the Organisation of American States, reacts about exactly as you’d expect:
Troy’s from the Denver Post. EASTER EGG: Mention of burritos.
I’m live-blogging the Carlos Beltran conference call over at MetsBlog. Check it out if you’re interested in what Carlos Beltran has to say.
I think it’s pretty clear that Matt Cain is the bassist, Brian Wilson is the drummer and Tim Lincecum is the heartthrob singer/guitarist. I can’t come up with a fitting name, though, so your suggestions are welcome.
Photo from the Montreal Gazette, via Jonah Keri.
Weird and awesome. BUT WHO WILL PLAY ROYCE CLAYTON!?
Anyway, I know a lot of people disagree with me on Backman. Reasonable people can disagree on the matter. It just seems that reasonable people who have taken issue with me on the guy have done so for what I’ve actually said rather than invented fantasy reasons like me thinking that Backman deserves to pay penance for filing bankruptcy or whatever. I don’t give a hoot about that. My team was managed for the past 20 years by a guy who was involved in a domestic violence incident for cryin’ out loud. I’m not inviting Bobby Cox or Wally Backman into my home, but I’m not going to say that disqualifies them from a job in which it has been proven that even drunk, violent jerkwads can be effective. It’s business, not personal. And if I’m totally wrong about what I think Sandy Alderson wants in a manager and he goes ahead and hires Backman? Great, I was wrong. I’ll admit it and do my best to understand it.
But I sure would like the crazy faction of Backman supporters — which Costa either is or is pretending to be — to admit that Backman is not the Alpha and Omega of managerial candidates, that he does lack experience compared to other candidates, and that if he is ultimately hired by Alderson, he would be an unconventional pick given Alderson’s track record. That’s all I’m saying.
– Craig Calcaterra, Hardball Talk.
Excellent writeup by Calcaterra recapping his getting accosted on talk radio for “slandering” Wally Backman. If you say that Wally Backman should not or probably won’t be the Mets’ next manager, you are sometimes accused of slandering him. That’s the direction this bizarre, unending debate has taken.
More on Backman coming in a bit.
Good piece from George Vecsey in the Times arguing that Marvin Miller should make the Hall of Fame (while he’s still alive) before George Steinbrenner. Agreed wholeheartedly.
To anyone with a GPS system, a singer opening at a Manhattan cabaret next week may sound familiar.
Karen Jacobsen, who will be belting out ballads at the Laurie Beechman Theatre on 42nd St., is the soothing voice that tells Garmin owners when to make a turn.
– Edgar Sandoval, N.Y. Daily News.
I guess I should first mention that I hate the GPS device, like probably more than it is rational to hate a machine. It was sort of a necessary evil when I moved to Westchester because my wife and I were so unfamiliar with the area, but I always prefer to map out routes on my own before going anywhere.
Still, every so often — less frequently now that I’ve got the lay of the land — I wind up trying to get someplace in a rush, or trying to get someplace unfamiliar starting from a location that’s not my house, and just plug the address into the stupid thing. Then I can be almost certain it’s taking me on some dumb route that totally fails to consider where there’s likely to be traffic, but I have no way of getting out of it because I’m all disoriented because of the machine.
Anyway, one of the worst parts about it is Karen Jacobsen’s obnoxious tone when you miss a turn or something. You can tell she gets really pissed off, and she’s all, “Make a U-Turn,” or whatever. Don’t tell me what to do, lady! I’ll turn when I damn please. Do you not see the Wendy’s up the road? I’m going to that Wendy’s. Stop judging me.
I long ago switched the settings on my Garmin to use the female German voice, even though I don’t understand a lick of German. German just sounds hilarious to me, and I always feel like I’m in good hands with the Fraulein.
I do kind of wonder what Jacobsen’s cabaret act sounds like, and if her hit single is something like, “In 200 Feet, Turn Left.”
Longtime Tedquarters readers know that Jack is an old friend.
Tedquarters 