Rainy Days and Mondays....

With the strains Karen Carpenter's angelic voice drifting through my head, I take a crack at cleaning out the Mental In-Box.....

• We spent a rainy Sunday yesterday catching up on some movies we had missed. It sure beat watching the Pirates play in their personal Hell that is Miller Park.


• First movie was "Morning Glory", a harmless piece of romantic comedy fluff that starred Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford, and Diane Keaton. Cute and a pleasant way to pass two hours.


• Of course, I admit to being HUGE fan of Diane Keaton, even though she really didn't play big role in this flick.


• Second movie was the Natalie Portman Oscar-winning movie "Black Swan." This was, to put it mildly, a very strange movie. Very strange. Did Portman deserve an Oscar for her performance? Well, she certainly emoted a lot throughout, and I guess that this resonated with the voters.


• Natalie Portman is beautiful (although way too thin in this movie), and I guess she's a pretty good actress, but to me, anyway, she's no Diane Keaton!


• Have been having a tough run on books lately. Bought baseball historian John Thorn's book "Baseball in the Garden of Eden" about the early, early days of baseball and how the game developed. Deadly, and a sure cure for insomnia. Couldn't get out of the third chapter. It's sitting on the Kindle, and I might go back to it, but it is not a page turner.


• Next was an English mystery story called "Left Early, Took My Dog" that received a great review in Time Magazine. I quit about a third of the way in. Can't remember the author's name, but Agatha Christie's legacy is safe.


• I did finish a book called "Guilt by Association" by former Los Angeles assistant district attorney Marcia Clark. As a mystery writer, Clark makes a great prosecutor, and we all remember that she LOST her most famous case. Dreadfully written.


• OK, the Pirates. After reaching what could turn out to be the high water mark of the season, 18-17, on Monday night, they have lost five straight, including dropping three in a row to the Brewers. They are now 3-33 at Miller Park since 2007. That is unbelievable!


• I admit to giving myself a break and watching very little of the Brewers series this weekend. Why put myself through the frustration? And are you like me in that there is something about that Brewers team that just bothers the hell out of you?


• Now I did see that Rickie Weeks got a little chippy with Ronny Cedeno when Cedeno tagged him out in a run down on Friday. Both benches cleared but nothing happened other than the umps warning both managers about retaliation. Wouldn't it have been worth something if Cedeno had just hauled off and belted Weeks in the mouth? Even if it brought a suspension, it's not like the Pirates would have lost Honus Wagner for the three or so games he'd have drawn.


• And on the same line, have Pirates pitchers ever considered just drilling a fast ball into Ryan Braun's ass sometime? The Pirates are Cryin' Ryan's personal punching bag, so why not give him close shave once or twice with a high and tight fastball?


• It becomes increasingly frustrating watching a Pirate lineup that is, with the exception of Neil Walker and maybe Andrew McCutchen, completely impotent at the plate.


• And what do you do about Pedro Alvarez? The kid is far beyond a slump at this point. I suppose that the Pirates have to keep sending him up to the plate and hope he comes out of it.


• It is laughable to hear the Pirate announcers grasping at anything even slightly positive that Alvarez does as a sign that he's "starting to come around." In one of the Dodger games this week, they were beside themselves at a foul ball that he hit. Honest, a foul ball!


• One thing is sure, if Alvarez bats seventh, he will NEVER see a good pitch to hit with Cedeno and the pitcher following him in the order.


• On a somewhat promising note, Daniel Moskos has an ERA of 0.00 in 5 appearances and 4.2 IP since his recall. The team has not yet used him in what you would call pressure relief situations as yet. Perhaps they should consider that since Chris Resop has crashed and burned in recent appearances.


• The Pirates are currently on pace to win 73 games in 2011.


• And in minor league news, Jameson Taillon is sporting a 1-0, 1.80 ERA record at Class A West Virginia. He has pitched in four games and 15 IP, he as 14 K, and only 3 BB. At this rate, the Pirates may have him in Pittsburgh sometime in this decade.


• Watched the Players Championship conclude on Sunday afternoon. A great birdie by David Toms on 18 to force a playoff that K.J. Choi won on the first extra hole. Good stuff, but I question the PGA Tour using the island green 17th at Sawgrass as their first playoff hole. If the Tour touts this as the "fifth major", should a playoff for the Championship be decided on what is essentially a gimmick hole?


• And isn't PGA Tour Commish a ball of fire? Watching him at the NBC mike at the close of the tournament made you wish that Bud Selig was the Tour Commish.


• We are off to see "Bridesmaids" this afternoon. This R-rated comedy has gotten some great reviews, and I will give you mine later tonight.


• Speaking of Karen Carpenter, when she died her brother Richard's career sure died with her, didn't it?


• Oh, some NBA talk. Looks like the Miami Heat thought they won the championship when they ousted the Celtics, but looks like the Bulls had other ideas. Remember, I called for a Bulls-Lakers Finals back when the season began. I could still be half right.


• The St. John Neumann Golf Outing will be one week from today, May 23, at Shannopin Country Club. Spots are open at $150 per golfer. This includes 18 holes, a box lunch, and buffet dinner, and it benefits a great cause - the Parish's Youth Ministry programs. Contact me ASAP if interested.

Have a great week, everybody!!