The High Heat

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121204&content_id=40525522&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb Robin Yount 'Dick Cheneys' Dale Svuem.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121204&content_id=40522480&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb No Hamilton for the Red Sox. It'll be Gomes in left, Ellsbury in center, and now Shane Victorino on right. Boston is going for high-energy, self-leaders this offseason. Napoli and David Ross fit that bill as well.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121203&content_id=40498100&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb Speaking of A-Rod...how much will he play in 2013?

With Span only making $4MM and top of the order hitters being in demand the Twinkies should have gotten another good prospect (or at least Lannan) thrown in the deal. If the Phils don't sign Bourne - and I hope they don't! - he's going to have a hard time getting the typical Boras-client contract he's seeking. For a lead off/base stealer, he's a whiff machine too.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121130&content_id=40470266&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb David Wright will be with the Mets through 2020, and R.A. Dickey is close to signing a 2 or 3 year extension. Also: Mo Rivera is coming back to the Yanks on another one year deal. The Nats acquired CF Dernard Span from the Twins for one minor league pitcher - a steal for D.C.! Russell Martin is heading to Pittsburgh with a two year contract.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121128&content_id=40445762&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb First significant FA (no disrespect to the 2 year deal Torii Hunter signed with Detroit) to switch teams: B.J. Upton, Atlanta Braves, 5 years/$75MM. I wonder they'll make a play for his brother now?

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121124&content_id=40406376&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb The upcoming HOF ballot features first-timers Bonds, Clemens, Sosa, Biggio, Piazza, Schilling, and 14th year candidate Jack Morris, who gets closer to getting voted in every year. I'm guessing only Biggio and Morris get in next year, and Piazza will have the most votes of those not getting in. It'll probably take 2 or 3 tries before Piazza gets the nod. The rest should get enough to stay on the ballot, but it will be interesting to see if Sosa gets more votes than Schilling.

Chris Farley as Matt Foley, Motivational Speaker on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Makes me envision Phillip Seymour Hoffman's character in Charlie Wilson's War going all WWF!

http://www.bostonherald.com/track/inside_track/view.bg?articleid=1061177571 Boardwalk Empire should be a little tighter next season. The show is bringing on Dennis Lehane as a consultant.

http://aol.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2012-11-27/carlos-ruiz-suspended-suspension-25-games-amphetamines-adderall-phillies So my favorite player got busted for using adderall twice and is suspended 25 games. Don't know how exactly to feel about this, but I know I still love Chooch.

Never seen this before. Hartman's audition:

With all the disclaimers attached to commercials these days, the Happy Fun Ball bit is more relevant now that when it was put out. Ahead of its time!

Yes you do! I keep meaning to re-read it, but I'm sorry to say I haven't. I understand Russo has a memoir out/coming out as well.

For whatever reason, this has stuck with me: DO NOT TAUNT HAPPY FUN BALL

Flipping through the tv channels late last night I came across a Paul Newman movie already in progress. About two minutes in I think to myself that his gruff character reminds me of Sully from Richard Russo's book Nobody's Fool, and then a note appears and it's addressed to - Sully! Made me laugh knowing I love that book and character that I can hone it on it just stumbling across a movie I didn't know existed! Other than Empire Falls, are there any other Russo-adapted movies I don't know about? I'd love to see Straight Man on the screen!

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121121&content_id=40393828&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb Mark Buehrle says he was lied to several times by the Marlins and is not pleased with the trade to Toronto after making a commitment to Miami.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121120&content_id=40371532&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb Melky has company in the land of second chances: Toronto to name John Gibbons as their new manager. Also: Juan Pierre signed with the Marlins. I'm assuming playing time and no state taxes have an appeal to sign with Miami so early. I do not understand this offseason so far. What's next? Josh Hamilton signing with the Padres?

Box Full of Letters Are you recording this performance and posting it on here?

My thinking is that if Melky is confident in his ability to perform without help, he'd take a one-year contract gamble to try for the bigger long-term deal if he still puts up All Star numbers after being caught.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121116&content_id=40319344&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb Melky Cabrera to sign with Toronto for 2 years/$16M. The Blue Jays really are fishing now.

Tastykake is where it's at for cardboard cake treats anyway!

Miggy is the AL MVP, Posey in the NL. Cabrera blew away August and September and won the Triple Crown while playing for a first place team. Trout was amazing, but Miggy deservedly edged him out.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121114&content_id=40283280&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb R.A. Dickey becomes the first knuckleball pitcher to win a Cy Young Award. David Price won it in the AL.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121113&content_id=40277468&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb Referring to this mega-trade, of course. The Fish have already ditched Heath Bell, and now this. Yunel Escobar will replace Ozzie as Miami's village idiot. New stadium, same old Marlins.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/11/secession-petitions-gain-clicks-fast/ My fellow Americans can be ridiculous to no end! I guess we're taking our cue of getting nothing accomplished but division from the folks up in D.C.