Left Coast Sports Babe

Diamondbacks won in a walkoff but. WTF? Arizona pulled Brandon Pfaadt, pitching an absolute gem, 5 2/3 innings making Phillies look bad, to keep him from going through lineup 3rd time.

(and D’Backs won only after bullpen gave up a run.)

Imagine someone trying to take out a young Madbum.

–

Dusty Baker wasn’t happy that the room is open at Globe Life Field tonight. “We were told that there was an agreement that we wouldn’t have the roof open in either place,” Baker said during his pregame news conference, “and so I don’t know what changed.

Final score tonight – 10-3 with 5 of Astros runs coming off home runs.

Maybe Dusty’s gotten over it.

–

Illustration of what’s wrong with media and US politics: If asked to name an Ohio politician, guessing many more people would name Jim Jordan instead of the state’s truly wonderful Senator Sherrod Brown. And if you’re not following @SenSherrodBrown on Twitter or some platform, you should be.

–

–

Love this Rolling Stone headline: “Jim Jordan Is Determined to Keep Losing Votes for Speaker.” If only Jim could pretend these votes never happened, like he ignored those sexual assaults of wrestlers at Ohio State…

–

So Jim Jordan and his backers are threatening other GOP membrs of Congress and their families in his quest to become Speaker Can you imagine what Gym would do if he actually HAD the power of the House Gavel?

–

Meanwhile, while the Senate is hardly all moderates, they are at least capable of acting like grownups. (Starry hiding the Zero “no” votes)

On top of everything else with as inspiring and wonderful as President Biden’s speech was just now, is it wrong that I am smiling at the thought of ketchup dripping down the walls at Bedminster tonight?

–

So who is Donald Trump going to turn his rage on next? “Traitress” Sidney Powell or “Loser” Jim Jordan?

·

Congratulations to the Las Vegas Aces. winners of their second straight WNBA championship.

Some players are married, some are dating. Some are moms, sme are not. Some are involved with men, some with women. And nobody cares. They’re a team. As it should be.

Why can’t more men athletes figure that out?

–

And this second win might have been even more impressive, as last year’s WNBA finals MVP Chelsea Gray, the Aces’ point guard was injured in game 3 and was out for the season. (Along with starting center Kiah Stokes. Imagine the Warriors in the NBA finals without Stephen Curry..

–

Meanwhile, game 4, where the Aces came back from double digit deficits, including well into the the third quarter, was a lot more interesting than tonight’s Astros-Rangers game, or to be quite honest, most of the games this post season.

(Seriously, anyone remember any game with dramatic moment?)

Now it’s GOP Michigan Congressman Jack Bergman (who?) saying he might run for House Speaker. Bergman voted against certifying 2020 results. If GOP want any Dem support maybe not bad idea to find SOMEONE to nominate who didn’t vote to overturn results from presidential election?

Marco Rubio wants any foreigner deemed Hamas supporter eligible to be deported & have visa revoked. He adds”You do not have a first amendment right to overthrow the government of the United States.” So is Rubio saying he wants to prosecute some of his fellow members of Congress?

–

Watching Trump’s responses to the gag order makes me definitely think someone didn’t get enough time outs as a kid.

–

Why does anyone think GOP will negotiate with Democrats when Republicans can’t even negotiate amongst themselves?

How many people – Dr. Anthony Fauci, General Mark Milley, Fani Willis, Judges Arthur Engoron and Tanya. Chutkan, many election workers, etc. now need security because of Donald Trump’s continuing to incite violence against them? And how long until someone gets hurt or worse?

–

Random thought about Velveeta Voldemort’s fundraising. He loves to say he’ll fly one lucky donor/winner out to a dinner or VIP experience at one of his events. But we NEVER see pictures of Trump with one of these winners. Yet another grift.

Trump gave Jim Jordan his “full and complete endorsement” as Speaker. Too soon to start a poll on who Velveeta Voldemort will blame when Jordan finally concedes he’s lost?

–

Rep. Tom Cole today on House floor saying quiet part out loud: Jim Jordan wants to address “real drivers of debt….Social Security & Medicare & Medicaid…get at roots of our spending problem.” GOP & Jordan want to cut these programs to save tax cuts for billionaires. Period.

Bad news. Ratings for ALCS and NLCS are expected to be low.

Good news? Both ALCS and NLCS look like they will be “nasty, brutal and short.”

–

Wisconsin legislators are working on a bipartisan spend more than $500 million in public money to help cover repairs at Milwaukee Brewers stadium. The stadium opened as Miller Park in 2001. A year after the SF Giants opened Pac Bell Park. So it’s only 22 years old. But sounds like the facility is aging like fine beer.

–

Starry doing her halloween cat pose during today’s House Speaker vote. Still less scary than the thought of Jim Jordan as House Speaker.

As tragic as the attack on the Gaza hospital was, and we still don’t know what happened, , today reminds us how important it was that Twitter once was considered (usually) an accurate source of news with safeguards against disinformation.

Elise Stefanik praised Jim Jordan today, and even brought up his past “on the wrestling mat.” (no joke)

Stefanik has a young child. I want reporters to start asking these cult members on camera how they’d feel towards someone in a position of responsibility who ignored abuse happening to THEIR children.

–

Meanwhile in the banana republic that Florida has become: Former pres of New College paid $305,000. But Ron Desantis put a crony in charge, raised base pay to $699,000 – $1 million with perks and benefits. Now they may raise it to $1.5 million. New College has 698 students.

(and since this is an incendiary statement, here’s the link, it’s sadly true.-)

$1.5 million to lead a college with 698 students? | Commentary

–

Rachel Maddow pondered last night if House of Representatives under Jim Jordan’s leadership would “ever certify results of election in which Trump ran.”

Doesn’t get talked about but our democracy was so lucky Chair of Senate Rules on January 6, (before Ossoff and Warnock became Senators) was GOP’s Roy Blunt. Blunt is conservative but a very decent man. He worked with Amy Klobuchar to certify votes at 4am. But Blunt could have said it was too late, and or just refused to return to the Capitol after the insurrection.

Imagine if Chair that day were Ted Cruz.

Bruce Bochy needed a break, and he’s not an analytics guy.

But Bochy came out of retirement in 2023 to coach the Texas Rangers. But have to wonder, if Bruce were back coaching the Giants, would SF be, even still be, in the playoffs?

–

Wow, in Houston Astros pitcher’s Framber Valdez’s ALDS start against the Minnesota Twins he gave up 5 earned runs in 7 innings. Today in ALCS he gave up 4 runs, one earned, in the first. Who does Valdez think he is? Clayton Kershaw?

–

As Texas Rangers go up 2-0 on the Houston Astros, and the heavily favored Philadelphia Phillies win game one 5-3 start out with 2 home runs in the1st, …well as far as postseason baseball and ratings as being talked about, this 2023 postseason at least may be “nasty, brutish and short.”

–

Who says there’s no good news these days? During halftime of Dallas Cowboys Washingon Commanders game on Thanksgiving, Dolly Parton will perform. Now can CBS set up an alert for those of us who don’t care about Cowboys or Commanders when halftime starts so we can watch Dolly?-

–

Judge Chutkan just issues a limited gag order against Donald Trump. Too soon to start a pool as to when Velveeta Voldemort will violate it?

–

Idaho GOP Rep Russ Fulcher just said of House Speaker chaos “Republicans tend to be more independent, while Democrats are more compliant.” “Independent?” Meaning they independently genuflect before loser who tried to overturn an election.?

Somewhere Liz Cheney is laughing.

The media is licking their lips at the prospect of Gym Jordan as Speaker. So, he’s a pale imitation of Trump. But stll, guaranteed chaos all the time.

–

Wait, Jim Jordan, in calling for a Speaker of the House vote tomorrow, just said “the only way to do this is as the founders intended….” Yes, pretty rich coming from a man who supported an insurrection against certifying a Presidential election “as the founders intended.”

–

Rachel Maddow talking about Poland election- 74% percent of the electorate showed up to vote the right-wing nationalists out of power. 74%?!!! As Americans we should be both ashamed of our turnout, and take that as a goal for 2024.

As John Boehner’s calling Jim Jordan “a legislative terrorist” went viral Monday your reminder of what Boehner said about Ted Cruz. “Lucifer in the flesh. I get along with almost everyone, but I have never worked with a more miserable son of a bitch in my life.”

If you didn’t already know how good the SF Chronicle’s Ann Killion is, this from today’s paper (before the game against the Browns) : “How do you see things playing out for the SF 49ers in Cleveland?” Killion “This seems like a true trap game…”

–

The 1972 Miami Dolphins are gonna be really hungover Monday morning.

Looks like SF 49ers and New Orleans Saints may be fighting over available placekickers to audition this week.

–

New Orleans Saints in the Red Zone today against Houston Texans were sadly reminiscent of the 2023 SF Giants with runners in scoring position.

–

For many of us USC vs Notre Dame in football was the sports equivalent of Scalise vs Jordan vying for House Speaker. Could they both lose?

–

Of the four teams left in MLB playoffs, none won more than 90 games. Not that baseball works like March Madness, but would have been a great year for those in office pools who pick winning teams by colors or mascots.

–

If only Jim Jordan had made a fraction of effort he is making to bullying his GOP colleagues into voting for him as speaker, into trying to protect college wrestlers at Ohio State….

–

Joe Manchin “The two-party system, unless it changes, will be the downfall of our country.” Pretty rich from someone who has become one of the most famous men in the Senate mostly by exploiting his status as the most conservative member of one of two parties.

–

Re headlines on GOP “flipping” Governor’s seat in Louisiana. Louisiana, outside New Orleans and Baton Rouge, is deep red. Liked John Bel Edwards -term limited- but he’s very conservative (anti-choice) Dem who still won in part due to Jindal fatigue

Very hard to win statewide as Dem. Maybe Drew Brees could win, but think he’s GOP.

–

—

Rite Aid has filed for bankruptcy. On top of everything else going to be hard for them to find lawyers: Especially since most lawyers will probably quote a price but tell Rite Aid they have to hire two of them to get it.

–

Remember when Velveeta Voldemort talked about vaping when he was President “And that’s how the first lady got involved. She’s got a son…” If the stories are true that he doesn’t interact with his father, good for Barron.

–

If only Jim Jordan had made a fraction of effort he is making to bullying his GOP colleagues into voting for him as speaker, into trying to protect college wrestlers at Ohio State….

Stanford Cardinal down 29-0 at half somehow came back and won in 2 OTS.

–

As the Pac-12 sunsets, Stanford fans and alums should thank Deion Sanders coaching at Colorado for something. This might be the last time for a long time the Cardinal plays in a game with as big of a national TV audience

–

Although to be fair, with the game ending about 2a Eastern Time, wonder how many people on the East Coast, one, even saw the finish, and two, due to the coverage media usually gives Pac 12, will even KNOW Stanford game back.

–

Kevin McCarthy is now saying he endorses Jim Jordan for Speaker. Makes sense if you think Kevin wants to make House GOP regret voting him out. “Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone…”

–

GOP House is turning into a twisted version of Oprah. “You get a Speaker nomination and you get a Speaker nomination, and you get a Speaker nomination…

–

All about the hate. Top Fox News headline today “Biological males take top spots on podium at women’s cycling competition.”

Actual story: at an amateur non-elite cyclocross event in Chicago two transgender women finished 1-2. Does Fox even know what cyclocross is?

(Hint, I didn’t either, but it’s a kind of cross country, non-Olympic biking sport and the event is something that normally no one outside competitors’ friends and family would pay attention to..)

–

All the headlines that the House GOP isn’t getting anything done while they bicker over choosing a leader. Uh, House GOP wasn’t getting anything done when they HAD a leader. And when McCarthy compromised to do SOMETHING – ie keep the government open, they fired him.

–

The Democratic party especially in the House is a big blue sometimes meesy tent. And yet Nancy Pelosi held it together for years when the vote count mattered. And Hakeem Jeffries is doing the same.

Democrats can govern.

New slogan? Adults vote blue!

–

Any Republican supporting Jim Jordan for Speaker should be asked on camera how they would feel if one of their children or grandchildren were sexually abused in high school or college and an adult in a position of responsibility enabled the predator.

Who knew that the kiss of death in the MLB 2023 postseason would turn out to be winning 100 games in the regular season?

Four teams left in baseball’s postseason. Only ONE won their division and that team, the Houston Astros, had the second worst record of any division winner.

–

MLB’s regular season is getting closer to the irrevelancy of the NBA regular season every year

–

Tommy Tuberville insists of his dangerous stunt “Hold is not affecting our readiness & it’s certainly not affecting the readiness of other countries.” So military in his mind doesn’t need leaders? By that token why should college football teams need multi-million $$ coaches?

–

Fox News & some right wingers roasting John Fetterman for saying “You all need to know that America is not sending their best & brightest to Washington, D.C. Uh, Fetterman has auditory processing issues after a stroke. He’ll keep getting better. But you can’t fix stupid.

–

Steve Scalise has dropped out of the House Speaker’s race. Sparing us at least 17 rounds of voting where if Scalise finally got some of the truly crazy vote, they’d probably depose him by Christmas.

–

Are we sure chaos isn’t the goal? If Republicans ever did get their act together to rally around a House speaker who could pass legislation acceptable to the far-right wing of their party, it would quickly become obvious how out of step GOP is with majority of this country.

–

Not just that Donald Trump has called Vladimir Putin a “genius” and “smart, Kim Jong Un “very talented” and a “smart guy, and that he now calls Hezbollah “very smart.” But that Donald says all those things and many in GOP still genuflect before him.

–

GOP Rep. Troy Nehls again suggested making former president Donald Trump speaker since he is “the leader of our party.” If Velveeta Voldemort were even CLOSE to a leader Republicans would have rallied around his choice of Jim Jordan Even most of House GOP knows Trump is a loser.

So let’s see… If you’re an SF Giants fan In the past two days you’ve seen two former managers, Bruce Bochy and Dusty Baker advance to the ALCS.

And the Dodgers get swept by the Diamondbacks. Not a bad baseball week.

–

Do think as an SF Giants fan that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts sometimes gets blamed too much by LA fans for the team’s losses.

But uh, it took FIVE balls hit over the fence (one overturned as a foul ball) before he thought it might be time for a pitching change?

–

Former SF Giants manager Dusty Baker is taking the Astros back to the ALCS.

Former SF Giants manager Bruce Bochy is taking the Rangers to the ALCS.

Does this mean theDodgers, eliminated AGAIN in the postseason, will now try to hire former SF Giants manager Gabe Kapler?

–

Aaron Rodgers wants to bring RFK Jr to debate Travis Kelce and Dr Fauci on the topic of vaccines.
If Rodgers knows more than doctors why the heck did he accept any medical intervention after his Achilles injury? I’d call him a horse’s ass but that’s an insult to horses.

–

Okay then, former LA Dodger Steve Garvey is running for US Senate from California as a Republican. For those who didn’t know or forgot, this puts a REAL spin on GOP family values. Back in 1989, two women said Steve Garvey got them pregnant, and he married a third woman.

There was a joke some years ago that the three most common questions in a Lamaze couples class were 1. When are you due? 2. Is this your first? and 3. “Aren’t you Steve Garvey?

–

The House today adjourned without even voting on a Speaker. Think GOP actually looked less dysfunctional when Nancy Pelosi was speaker.

–

George Santos now faces 23 felony counts. How many does he need before Donald Trump says Santos will be under consideration as a possible running mate?

–

Has Trump attacked all the House GOP who voted for Steve Scalise as RINOs yet?

–

One more thing about Steve Scalise, who might be better than Jim Jordan but not by much. He’s been wearing a mask in the House because he has blood cancer. But when it suited him, he railed against masks. We should call them GOH – Grand Old Hypocrites.

–

Unlike Dark Brandon, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is really showing his age. He’s allowing an ex-football coach fired from his last two jobs to hold the most powerful military in the world hostage.

Best thing for an SF Giants fan is watching the Giants winning in the playoffs. Second best thing is watching the Dodgers lose in the playoffs. #BeatLA

And yes –

SF Giants know all about being down 2-0 in a series…. they won 6 straight elimination games in 2012 before sweeping the Detroit Tigers in the World Series.

So we know the Dodgers are not out of it. Still, must admit its’ been fun watching the Diamondbacks this week.

–

Another reason SF Giants fans miss Bruce Bochy, . You got sense of watching a team, not whatever lineup the analytics computer spit out that day.

“He sends out nearly same lineup for every game & he stays out of its way unless circumstances demand otherwise.”

–

NY Liberty tried to come up with a Superteam like LeBron did with the Miami Heat, and they’ve reached WNBA finals.

But the Las Vegas Aces are pretty d*mn good, and coached by Gregg Popovich protege Becky Hammon. Pop must be enjoying this series.

–

So much media attention as to who might end up GOP Speaker of the House. As we’ve learned in last 9 months, does it really matter? The inmates are running the asylum

Will Hurd has dropped out of the GOP presidential primary. This must really disappoint both his supporters.

–

Meanwhile, RFK Jr. was never a Democrat.

Despite the attack on Israel. Tommy Tuberville still refuses to drop his dlocking military leadership appointments

Again, time for Minority leader Mitch McConnell to put up or admit he’s lost control of his GOP caucus. Mitch has the power to strip the ex-coach of committee assignments, if he really gives a d*mn about our military & people’s lives.

Or is McConnell just too old to do his job

Israel, supposedly with the best defense intelligence in the world gets hit by a horrific surprise attack and GOP wants to point fingers. Uh, how many Americans had access to Israel’s secrets, are buddies with Putin, and shared classified information like after-dinner mints?

–

As an occasional joke writer this makes me sad. Not sure I could ever write anything funnier than this: Trump said he has a ‘much better body’ than Biden and claimed that he could beat him in a physical fight”

The Ruben Rivera baserunning school of coaching

If you know, you know.

Not in this clip was Tim Hasselbeck saying “In all my years of watching football, that was the single worst coaching decision I’ve ever seen.” pic.twitter.com/0kMRK06oQ2

— Wes Reynolds (@WesReynolds1) October 8, 2023

Seeing Justin Verlander starting ALDS ame 1 against Bailey Ober (who?), reminds me as SF Giants fan of WS 2012 game 1, Verlander against Zito. Never been so sure I was going to watch Giants lose. Baseball’s a funny game.

Guess the Twins needed Pablo Sandoval.

–

Suppose we SF Giants fans shouldn’t giggle over playoffs Clayton Kershaw being back.

·

New Big Ten 2024 schedule out: Oregon away games include Michigan, Purdue & Wisconsin. USC plays at Maryland, Michigan & Minnesota, UCLA will go to Nebraska, Penn State, Rutgers.

#Pac12 RIP

–

So much anti-semitism lately in GOP, especially among Trump followers. And yet they also manage in their minds to blame Biden for the Hamas attack on Israel… Logic has a liberal bias.

–

So since GOP suddenly cares about US military, on Tuesday all Republicans in the Senate are going to rein in their anti-American colleagues – Paul, Vance and especially Tuberville and get our Ambassador to Israel and military leadership confirmed, right?

–

NY Times headline “From the Fringe to the Center of the G.O.P., Jordan Remains a Hard-Liner.” Better headline? “Jim Jordan remains on the right-wing fringe… but the GOP has come out there with him.”

–

Did not have Steve Scalise being the more rational GOP candidate for House speaker on my 2023 batsh*t bingo card.

So much drama for teams getting to playoffs with the expanded wild card but not a single game 3 needed in wild card round… Four sweeps. Now no baseball until Saturday. A sad little hint of approaching winter “It breaks your heart, it was designed to break your heart…”

–

RIP Dick Butkus, 80. My dad used to tell me I saw him play in 1st college football game he took me to at University of Illinois in 1962. I was 3 so sadly. don’t remember it. Apparently I liked game just fine until halftime & they shot off cannon in William Tell Overture… (Then apparently I screamed, a lot.)

–

Just for fun non-politcal tweet — For those claiming NY Yankees didn’t make playoffs only due to superior division. 2-3 of 3 wld card teams from NL East. including 99 win Blue Jays.. Both were swept. Only Baltimore Orioles remain.

Sorry not sorry Yankees-Red Sox fans.

–

But how cool is it for those of us longtime baseball and trivia fans? The Washington Nationals were eliminated a LONG time ago But TWO teams who were former Washington Senators are still alive in the 2023 MLB postseason.

–

For all that the media acts like there is no solution to the House circus, there is ONE solution:. Vote Blue in 2024. Democrats may not agree on everything, but we are quite simply now the party of grownups.

–

Donald Trump has now given Jim Jordan his “complete and total endorsement” for House Speaker. Only about 9 months after he gave McCarthy his endorsement for House Speaker. Best thing about this? We know #ETTD

–

All you need to know today’s jobs report – “Economy adds 336,000 jobs in September, in a stunning gain” is that Fox News isn’t even mentioning it.

–

Meanwhile

Media attacked Hillary Clinton nonstop because her secure private email server MIGHT have put our national security at risk. Velveeta Voldemort’s bragging about details of US nuclear submarine secrets gets less coverage than Biden’s dog Commander biting Secret Service agents.

CDC study found 63% of those hospitalized this year for COVID were over 65, only 24% of those up to date on COVID vaccines. This group was also nearly 90% of COVID -related deaths. No wonder GOP working so hard on voter suppression. Their anti-vax leaders are killing their base.

Guess it’s already time to retire the Kevin McCarthy cocktail. Russian vodka originally straight up, but mixed with sour orange & bitters puts it on the rocks.

Looking at the MLB post season, while the NL has a few TV favorites, Braves, Dodgers, Phillies, AL is basically all non-marquee teams plus the Astros. And Fox has the ALDS and ALCS plus the World Series. Couldn’t happen to a nicer network.

(Personally, I’m rooting for one of the smaller market underdog teams…. but cackling a bit at the thought of the national ratings.)

–

Both NY teams out of the MLB playoffs, both NY teams 1-3 in the NFL. Do sports fans in New York City realize the best team they may get to root for all year are the WNBA Liberty?

–

Congrats to the Twins. 18 game losing streak is over. The last time Minnesota won playoff game was October 2004. Same day as the VP debate between John Edwards and Dick Cheney. (Yeah, so long ago we all thought Edwards was a good guy and Cheney was the worst the GOP could be.)

–

Both NY teams out of the MLB playoffs, both NY teams 1-3 in the NFL. Do sports fans in New York City realize the best team they may get to root for all year are the WNBA Liberty?

–

.

–

With former Trump Chief of Staff John Kelly, two things can be true. 1. Yes, it would be nice if he spoke up sooner about Trump. 2. Better late than ever. And yes, the question again, how many people have to be lying for Velveeta Voldemort to be telling the truth?

–

Lady Jane Grey, the 9 days Queen of England Kevin McCarthy, the 9 months Speaker of the House. At least Kevin escapes with his head.

Soon after Jan 6, Kevin McCarthy was recorded saying he’d push Trump to resign immediately “I’ve had it with this guy,” he told GOP leaders. If he’d only stuck to that, he might still be Speaker. Sold his soul for 9 months of a gavel & becoming & historical cautionary tale.

–

Is there a head of lettuce somewhere cackling right now?

–

Aaron Rodgers claims he can return this season “This is just my mindset. I believe in the power of intention. I believe in prayer. I believe in your mental status and the power of will. I believe in making room for the miraculous to happen.”

Fine, since anti-vaxxer Rodgers thinks it’s about mental status not medicine why doesn’t he fire all his doctors then?

As Trump’s first trial continues, your reminder again, if the entire country is so powerful and biased against Donald, why didn’t they just find Hillary Clinton fewer than 80,000 votes in 2016. (About 79,000 votes in three states would have flipped the election

Nancy Pelosi: “With important decisions new GOP Leadership must address, one of 1st actions from Speaker Pro Tem Patrick McHenry ordered me to immediately vacate my office in Capitol,..I am in CA to pay tribute to my dear friend Dianne Feinstein & unable to retrieve my belongings at this time.”

Patrick McHenry made headlines in 2011 for falsely accusing Elizabeth Warren, appointed by Obama to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, of lying regarding a committee hearing.

His local paper said McHenry should apologize – “unacceptable for any member of Congress to treat a witness in manner in which he treated Warren.”

So he has a problem with strong women. Got it.

–

CNN headline “House is in chaos after McCarthy’s ouster.” Dear CNN, was this GOP House ever NOT in chaos?

–

As Trump trial starts and some wonder why cult members still support Donald, this quote from LBJ comes to mind.

“If you can convince the lowest white man he’s better than the best colored man, he won’t notice you’re picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he’ll empty his pockets for you.”

San Diego Padres owner Peter Seidler said in a statement Monday morning that the current leadership team “continues to have my full support.”

So Bob Melvin’s managerial job appears to be safe.

OTOH, anyone remember George McGovern saying he was behind Thomas Eagleton 1000%?

–

RIP Tim Wakefield, much too young at 57. Cancer sucks Many quotes about the knuckleball, a favorite that hasn’t been seen too often was from Jason Varitek: “You know, catching the knuckleball, it’s like trying to catch a fly with a chopstick.”

–

Reading some of these MAGA trolls on social media about Russia and Ukraine, and pretty clear their reaction in the 1940s would have been – “It’s not our problem, who who cares if Hitler takes over a few more European countries?

–

Glad our government isn’t shutting down- for now- but your regular reminder that when Democrats had a razor thin majority in the House under Trump this sort of insane drama didn’t happen. Nancy Pelosi could herd her cats.

Thinking if President Biden really wants to get media attention for all the good things he and his administration have accomplished Joe should start running commercials each announced to have a few new random pictures of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce together.

–

New COVID-19 hospital admissions have decreased for a second consecutive week in California. California’s Gov. Newsom and Dept of Public Heath have been recommending the booster since early September and CA locations offering vaccines have been jammed. Coincidence?

–

GOP’s Darrell Issa challenging Newsom’s choice of Laphonza Butler to replace Feinstein, claiming Laphonza lives in Maryland though she has house in California. So when is Issa challenging Josh Hawley, who only owns a house in Virginia & Tuberville who lives mostly in one of his two houses in Florida?

Is it too much to ask, that Laphonza Butler, an impressive lesbian black married woman with a daughter, will be seated next to Tommy Tuberville in some Senate committee hearing?

–

Fox News headline: “COVID vaccine poll finds more than half of adults are likely to say ‘no thanks’ to the vax Meanwhile, 70% of Democrats say they’ll get the new vaccine, the survey found.” Alternate headline -” Are anti-vax GOP leaders killing their base?”

–

So with all these claims Velveeta Voldemort is making on how highly valued his properties SHOULD be, wonder what he’s saying about them on his tax returns.

–

Ron Deathsantis claims he will lower gas prices in US to $2 a gallon, in part by allowing offshore oil drilling. Just not in Florida, he’s fine with it off coasts of Louisiana &Texas. As long as Florida beaches don’t get messed up. No, not a joke . But Ron is a bad joke.

Looking at NY witness list and thinking a man who has spent his life throwing everyone under bus may be about to have the favor returned.

One consoling thought for SF Giants fans this weekend. At least we’re not Cubs fans.

–

Not always fan of Gabe Kapler’s decisions & not sure how much he was told to make those decisions. But this 2023 SF Giants season feels a bit like putting a bus together with cheap spare parts & then firing bus driver when bus breaks down.

(AJ Pollock and Paul Dejong? Really?)

–

–

Despite being a respected protege of Gregg Popovich, and despite interviewing for several jobs, the NBA thought Becky Hammon wasn’t head coach material.

The Las Vegas Aces, coached by Hammon, are defending WNBA champions. And they just completed another postseason sweep – this time of the Dallas Wings – to go back to the NBA finals.

–

Some say it’s not fair to criticize Speaker Kevin McCarthy because who could possibly govern with such a slim majority? Nancy Pelosi, that’s who. Madam Speaker Emertia looks more impressive every day.

–

She became mayor of San Francisco after Moscone/Milk assassinations my sophomore year in college. Known even then as one of Stanford’s best graduates. And yes for the youngsters who only remember an aging Senator, Dianne Feinstein was not only brilliant but beautiful.

–

–

Supported both these women when they ran for Governor – 1990 and 1998. Either would have been a great first woman Governor of California. Jane Harman and Dianne Feinstein.

Turns out to have been the last picture taken of Feinstein the night she died.

–

John Fetterman “The damage to our nation’s reputation and critical programming, and chaos for America’s families is because of a small group of GOP peckerheads in the House.

–

Thank you Senator, and thank you Pennsylvania, for electing John Fetterman to the Senate. Peckerheads might be my new favorite word!

–

As House Democrats vote to keep the government open – the bill Saturday passed 335 to 91 – with 209 Dems and 126 GOP voting yes, again your reminder… Democrats fundamentally have the same job as those who attend to animal sanitation at some circuses… they clean up after elephants.

–

Public servant to the end: Jane Harman, who visited Feinstein night before she died, said DiFi “felt she had to stay on job to make sure California was taken care of in the budget.” Senate works on Seniority, Padilla has been there less than 3 years. Sadly, Dianne wasn’t wrong.

President Biden “You can’t love your country only if you win.” You’d think regardless of party that message would at least resonate with sports fans.

–

Angel Hernandez, umpiring 3rd base, ejected Bryce Harper today after Harper got upset with him Hernandez mistakenly saying he swung at a pitch.

–

In a polarized world, we can agree on very few things. But guessing we have have bipartisan agreement that Angel Hernandez sucks.

–

–

As the Cubs get swept by the Braves, it is just possible that of the 13 biggest payrolls in MLB, only six of them… Rangers, Phillies, Dodgers, Astros, Blue Jays and Braves will make the playoffs.

Kevin McCarthy told CNN if the GOP stopgap fails “I still got time, I got time to do other things.” Okay, many of us have pulled a few all-nighters to get a last minute paper or assignment done but most of us grew out of that after our college days.

–

GOP about to shut down government Oct 1, which will affect almost all Americans, from those depending on govt paychecks to those who travel or want to use any govt service. And House is focused …on trying to find reasons to impeach President Biden? Make it make sense.

–

The House under Nancy Pelosi voted to impeach President Trump twice, and managed to keep the government open while they did it. Just an unvoted-upon inquiry seems to be paralyzing the GOP House. On top of everything else, Democrats can walk and chew gum at the same time.

–

GOP demanding increased money for border security. Could Democrats say, okay, IF it’s coupled with immigration reform? Employers in many industries are desperate for workers & people are risking their lives to come here for jobs, seems we should be able to work something out.

–

Someone at Newmax talking about impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden actually complained about the “impossibly high bar” of “direct firsthand evidence.” #NotTheOnion Gosh… just imagine our justice system if prosecutors didn’t need to worry about evidence.

–

Biden at event honoring McCain. “I was able to get Infrastructure bill passed. Majority of has gone to red states who didn’t vote for me – I represent ALL Americans. I’ve tried my very best, whether you voted for me or not. Because that’s the job”. I love having a President.

–

Another BS headline, this time from “The Hill.” “Trump, Biden duel over autoworkers’ support.” Uh, President Biden showed up to show support to workers on the picket line. Donald showed up for a vanity rally at a NON-UNION factory. #DoBetterMedia

–

Again for those in the back. Pres. Biden didn’t have to negotiate on debt ceiling in June. But he agreed to meet with McCarthy to get budget deal & stave off govt shutdown. Now Kevin is abandoning deal & blaming Biden’s refusal to negotiate, again.

Why should Joe believe him?

Mets didn’t tarp their field during a storm resulting in it being too sloppy to play last night. Which meant DH vs Marlins today that messed up Miami’s pitching plans & hopes of a playoff berth. NY apologized to Marlins. Wonder if Mets will end up getting flowers from Cubs.

117 errors so far in 2023 for SF Giants. Leading the majors, Perhaps some players might consider putting their gloves aside after the season for the 2024 Junior Giants glove drive. Not like many of tthose gloves have gotten much use

–

This SF Giants team is seriously out of gas, and has been on fumes for what seems like months.

Although looking at the Cubs and Marlins stumbling into the last weekend right now…. does anyone really want that third wild card spot?

–

How serious is AI “deep fake’ threat for both parties?! Senator Amy Klobuchar talking today in Rules committee hearing how she and Josh Hawley are actually leading bipartisan bill to fight it. And whatever you think of Hawley, have to grudgingly admit, he’s a smart man.

(And it affects both parties, in rules hearing Amy talked about an AI generated fake Liz Warren who supposedly said GOP shouldn’t vote. And then picture of Trump hugging Fauci)

But is there a purple heart for bipartisan bills? If so partnering with Hawley should get Klobuchar a nomination.

Senator John Fetterman has had enough. Apparently he told his colleagues today that he will wear a suit when delivering speeches on the floor. Our long national nightmare is over.

–

Senate Leadership now in order #1 Chuck Schumer, #2 Dick Durbin, #3 Debbie Stabenow, #4 Amy Klobuchar. Klobuchar, Stabenow and now Durbin have all called for Menendez to resign. 4.3.2… Your move, Majority Leader Schumer.

–

GOP – Business deals of private citizen Hunter Biden are one of the most important things issues facing our country? Also GOP – So who cares about the business deals of U.S Senator Bob Menendez?

–

It all makes sense if you realize that Republicans don’t want government to work!

–

US officials say Travis King, the US soldier who crossed into North Korea 2 months ago is now in American custody. So where is the bipartisan praise for President Biden? If he were released under Trump’s watch GOP would be saying Donald should have the Nobel Peace Prize.

–

If I didn’t already feel good about choosing not to watch tonight’s GOP debate just heard that I missed Mike Pence’s attempt at a sex joke…

–

JD Vance lying on Senate floor today that Dept of Justice is focused on politics not justice.

J.D. continues to block judicial appointments, claiming people have lost confidence in DOJ because it has become political…

Uh, can someone ask Vance on camera about SCOTUS?

Elon Musk posted on Twitter/X tonight that he has just fired the entire ‘Election Integrity Team’ at Twitter.

Shocking, Musk still HAD an “Election Integrity Team?

–

WTAF? Kevin McCarthy held the country hostage and insisted President Biden sit down and negotiate a deal in June to avoid a goverment shutdown. So after Joe got a deal done, now McCarthy is saying Biden needs to do it again. This is why you don’t negotiate with terrorists.

At least the SF Giants, one of worst road teams in baseball, have been spared the potential humiliation of being shut out in a Wild card series on the road.

Well, a number of people I like are Twins fans. So I could root for Minnesota, back in postseason for 3rd time in 5 years….

Except uh, last time the Twins won a playoff game, let alone a series? 2004.

So maybe they’re do.

–

Mets and Yankees have been eliminated.

Jets and Giants are 1-2.

Has it occurred yet to New York sports fans, that their best chance for postseason glory going forward is unquestionably the NY Liberty.?

(And I say that as a fan of coach Becky Hammon and the Las Vegas Aces.)

First Amy Klobuchar, #4 in Democratic Senate, called for Menendez to step aside. Now Debbie Stabenow, #3 in leadership, also says Menendez should resign. Okay Durbin and Schumer. You’re up. #WomenLead

–

And hate this “”The Hill” headline. “Rosen becomes fourth vulnerable Democratic senator to demand Menendez resign.” Uh, at least 24 Senators have called for him to resign. Including Booker, Klobuchar, Gillibrand, Warren, Blumenthal, Duckworth, Sanders…all in pretty strong positions.

–

ICYMI, or a reminder, Cassidy Hutchinson is a Republican. She still describes herself as a Republican. Country over party. Shame more GOP elected leaders don’t feel the same.

–

WTAF? CNN is actually leading the 5pm hour with a story that Biden’s German Shepherd bit another Secret Service agent. Channel changed.

–

Matt Gaetz has now asked for his own pay to be withheld during potential government shutdown. Translation, Gaetz has enough money saved he has no problem paying living expenses while waiting for back pay after govt reopens. Too bad millions of Americans don’t have that luxury.

–

Myy Senator in California, Alex Padilla, like Bob Menendez, is Latino. He knows about racism.

He also knows Menendez is not being indicted because of his race, Bob’s being indicted because of his behavior. Come on Alex Padilla, join the chorus in calling for his resignation.

–

Senate votes to begin debate on a bill to keep the government open. Tommy Tuberville voted “No.” The ex-football coach, fired from his last 2 jobs, claims his blocking of military promotions is about abortion. What Tuberville just really wants to do is shut USA down.

–

19 Senators voted against keeping govt open: Blackburn, Braun, Britt, Budd, Cruz, Daines, Fischer, Hagerty, Hawley, Johnson, Lee, Lummis, Marshall, Paul, Ricketts, Schmtt, Rick Scott, Tuberville, Vance. Rich can survive shutdowns. But 19 in GOP put politics over people’s lives.

–

WTAF? Ted Cruz thinks there’s “very significant” chance of Democrats replacing President Biden w/ Michelle Obama as their nominee next summer. Michelle has ALWAYS said she won’t run for office. But there might be a more significant chance of that then of Ted Cruz acting human

Notre Dame had 10 men on the field for last 2 plays of their loss to Ohio State. Coach Marcus Freeman said changes are being made to prevent this happening again. Like teaching Fighting Irish players how to count?

–

Well, the SF Giants have stayed alive longer in the playoff hunt than the NY Yankees.

Even without Arson Judge.

If SF Giants manager Gabe Kapler hadn’t removed Logan Webb after 8 2/3 shutout innings on Aug 13, Logan would be tied for the MLB lead in complete games. That number for the lead — is 3. Mickey Lolich had three complete games in the 1968 World Series alone.

–

Dear Media: EVERY single time you make a point of Biden’s age you should point out that his top rival as of now in 2024 is an overweight junk-food loving 77 year old. Thank you. Americans tired of this constant one-sided criticism.

–

Try to doublecheck outrageous statements before posting on social media and -this surely seemed satire.

Trump: “Senate Democrats should all resign based on Sen. Bob Menendez! They all knew what was going on & way he lived.” Nope, it’s true. When are GOP resigning who knew about Donald?

–

–

Senate is back in DC Tuesday. Which means a whole lot of Democrats are going to have to come up with a good statement on Robert Menendez, or play hide and seek with DC reporters.

If GOP shuts down the government, nearly seven million women and children across the country would be at risk of losing critical WIC nutrition assistance.

WIC isn’t a luxury- it serves about half of all infants born in the United States. Why aren’t so-called “pro-life” members of the GOP demanding a solution to avoid a MAGA government shutdown?

–

Cassidy Hutchinson talks to Rachel Maddow about being concerned for her own security. “I’m not only one..sadly. won’t be last. That’s what he does to people who speak out against or detract from him. It’s one of most dangerous things about about Donald Trump.” She’s right!

–

“He almost destroyed democracy in one day and wants to do it again.” Why is it so hard for other Republicans, many who have taken an oath of office to serve our country, to say what Cassidy Hutchinson has the courage to say?

–

Cassidy Hutchinson interview with Rachel Maddow was brave, informative & scary. Although also scary, her warnings about how dangerous Donald Trump would be in a 2nd term have gotten less press than her scoffing at Matt Gaetz’s claim they dated – “‘I Have Much Higher Standards.’

–

Leaving everything else aside about Trump… if ANY CEO had hired as many people who after they left his employ claimed he was a crook – and his response was to say they were all liars -at the very least you’d never want someone with such poor judgment to run anything again.

Rough day for Saints and Vikings fans, among others in the NFL. But there are these five comforting words “At least the Cowboys lost.”

–

Clemson football is now 2-2 in the ACC with losses to Duke and FSU. Wonder if the Tigers will now be lobbying to get Stanford and Cal into the conference earlier.

Heck, at this point the Tigers would probably be happy to schedule the University of Phoenix.

–

Senator Bob Menendez is now claiming accusations against him are racist. Actually same “racism” accusation Angel Hernandez makes about not being chosen to umpire postseason games. Racism is real. But Hernandez is incompetent and Menendez certainly appears to be a crook.

Chris Christie says he has no interest in running for Bob Menendez’s US Senate seat in New Jersey.

Chris Christie knows he would lose running for US Senate in New Jersey.

–

Have MAGA Republicans figured out a fantasy that links Bob Menendez to Hunter Biden yet?

–

Lauren Boebert, part of a far-right group with Matt Gaetz, voting against Kevin McCarthy’s funding measures says they “are doing the real work to avoid a government shutdown.” That’s almost as good as her claiming she and her groping partner were on a first date.

–

Now it’s attending Koch brothers’ events. Pretty clear that Clarence Thomas feels like he can kill judicial codes of ethics and norms in plain sight and not lose his SCOTUS seat.

Hoping this writers’ strike really is settled for many reasons, mostly how many livelihoods are affected. But after this week and the House meltdown, along with the Senate dress code change and Menendez indictment, how much did we miss SNL and Stephen Colbert.

-,

Newest iPhone, which costs $1199, uses a USB-C port – which non-Apple devices have had for years, and is now required by European regulators to reduce waste and save money. Why is Europe so much braver in dealing with Big Tech than the US is?

–

Your regular reminder that Donald Trump is 77 years old.

–

All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men and women not to vote.

Tyler Fitzgerald’s 1st home run as SF Giants finally beat the Dodgers 5-1 was as reminder this SF Giants team potentially has a great future.

But normally sure-handed Patrick Bailey’s passed ball on strike 3 allowing tying run to come to the plate against LA Dodgers in 8th was reminder it’s time for 2023 season to end.

OTOH, the Giants are still having a better season than the Mets, Padres, and Yankees.

–

Washington State and Oregon State believe they’ll know within the next month whether it makes sense to rebuild under the Pac-12 brand.

But as awful as this whole college football re-alignment mess has become, does anyone think the current situation will last? Why don’t they just say college football a paid minor league for the NFL and be done with it.-

Congrats to the Minnesota Twins, with their third AL West Central Title in five years.

It will be their 8th trip to the postseason going back to 2004. Which was the last time the Twins won a game in the postseason. Even the Minnesota Vikings think that’s rough.

–

President Carter will turn 99 on October 1.

On top of many wonderful things Jimmy Carter has done for USA, he’s for many people made hospice less terrifying.

Hospice can be short but instead of trying to cure something incurable, it’s about quality of life, emotional & spiritual needs. Jimmy deserves all the comfort in the world.

–

Allegations against Bob Menendez are pretty shocking, not just bribes involving gold bars but with foreign governments involved. If he wasn’t a Democrat you’d think Menendez would be auditioning to be Donald Trump’s running mate.

–

Politics is compromise. In a perfect world, I hope Kyrsten Sinema doesn’t run for re-election in Arizona. But if she does and as an independent wins the Democratic primary to run against Kari Lake, yes I would support her.

(I much prefer Ruben Gallegos. But Kari Lake would be a disaster.)

–

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson says he is leaving the Democratic party to become a Republican. He’s been an elected Democrat in Texas since 2010, and staunchly pro-choice. Too soon to start the pool on when he’ll announce his conversion on the issue?

–

If your employer finds out you lied on a job application, you get fired. Voters are politicians’ employers. So if you lie about your party affiliation on a ballot, shouldn’t you be fired?

–

Cassidy Hutchinson, 27 years old, with a wise beyond her years comment about Velveeta Voldemort: “Trump doesn’t care if you dispute him or call him a liar. Only silence bothers him. Being ignored drives him mad.