observations

Hello to all of you. Thanks for inviting me to blog.

Last night I watched the Wisconsin Indians beat the California Los Angeles Angels. Here are a few observations:

While the injury to Victor Martinez is devastating to the club's line-up, Kelly Shoppach brings some outstanding defense and a better than average bat. Shoppach homered in the second inning and ended the contest by throwing out Erick Aybar (a fast fellow) attempting to steal second. No way a throw from Victor would have gotten Aybar.

I'm convinced that Casey Blake doesn't have the ability to form new memories. He acts like every at-bat is his first one ever. He stares the opposing pitcher down with a steely glare. He watches the ball's movement as it sails past him into the catcher's mitt. He studies the defense's strategic positioning. Eventually, the umpire asks him to sit down in his dugout without having taken the bat off his shoulder. Casey repeats this procedure three more times per game. And fielding is an even bigger adventure. Besides memory issues, the guy has no clue how to judge the ball as it comes off the bat. I'm glad he's hitting behind Hafner.

I'll be keeping an eye on Slider in the coming weeks. He didn't look healthy last night. Maybe my eyes were playing tricks on me, but he appeared to have a yellow rash on his alien skin. He has been spending a lot time with Bernie Brewer lately...

Another great addition to the MLB all-name team: John Bootcheck, middle reliever for Anaheim.

Finally, I submit Roberto Hernandez to the list of ugly baseball players. Dude has a weird-shaped head.