What Would Ron Do ...

The Brewers deserved to win last tonight's game - up until the 11th. Heck - with the Reds SS dropping an easy pop-up and a HBP - we really should have just won.

But they blew it - and deserved too.

The Brewers just didn't seem to hustle. Games like last night make the rest of the world's assessment seem true (the rest of the world says the Brewers are just the best of the crappy teams).

All those years the Twins made the play-off with a strategy like ours ... except they hustled. Ron Gardenhire would let 'em have it if they didn't. In public - on the bus - in their hotel room.

Back to the game ...

11th inning

JJ Hardy hits a routine pop up behind 2nd base - DROPPED by the Reds. JJ gets first - but looking at the replay: had he been hustling: he gets 2nd.

Next play - he scores on Braun's single. Instead he only got 2nd.

11th inning again ...

Johnny Estrada doesn't hustle down the line - and the Reds turn the 1-2-3 double play (pitcher, to home plate to first base). If he had hustled and beat the throw - the bases would have been loaded when Jenkins got HBP in the next at-bat. Again we would have scored.

We're not the Twins of the past few years ... they hustled or Ron Gardenhire kicked their butts. Ned needs to embarrass one of these loafers like Billy Martin did to Reggie Jackson back in '77.

If he won't do it - I sure hope a veteran like Damian Miller steps up.

Saturday Morning Quarterback

I buy officially licensed MLB clothing.

I see the banner ads behind the batter.

In other words - I have paid my freight as a baseball fan and deserve to do some arm-chair quarterbacking (is there a baseball metaphor as good as this one? I cannot think of one).

Carlos Villaneuva walks three batters in a row with 2 outs to load the bases. They weren't close 3-2 counts that ended up as walks. There was something like 5 or 6 balls in a row.

He was in trouble. He was left-in.

Why? This isn't triple A Milwaukee baseball anymore. The Cubs won. We needed to win to keep our 3.5 game lead. We have an 8 game road trip ahead (including a double-header).

I wanna hear Ned say YEAH, We're in a pennant race and I'm watching the scoreboard.

Why?

Because it's the truth. It better be ... otherwise leaving Villaneuva in was resorting back to last year's "let them develop" mentality.

If we don't make the play-offs by a game ... remember Friday 7-20-07.

Bonus Coverage

Before I sleep on tonight's Brewers loss and get mad (I'm too tired to be mad right now) ...

Derrik Turnbow versus Barry Bonds was cool.

It's too bad it had to be with a 'couple of ducks on the pond" ...

But a 99 mph fastball did the trick.

Okay - Ryan's Klesko's RBI single down the right-field line that immediately followed sucked.

But it will be the Bonds at-bat everyone is looking at tomorrow.

** 4 walks given up by Milwaukee pitching scored. I am going to be in a bad mood tomorrow.

Behind The Music

Kudo's to the Plain White T's - there really is a Delilah. Great "behind the music" story. Double click on the picture to make it large enough to read.

First Half Report Card Time

Here we go with the rest of the season for the crew. Technically they are past the half-way point, but today begins the 2nd half ... kind of they way Memorial Day begins summer. Here is my assessment of each moving part of the puzzle:

FIRST BASE: A+

We could not ask anything more of Prince. MVP in the clubhouse, the field, the team and so for the National League. Thank goodness for "Billyball" or Prince would be an Oakland Athletic.

SECOND BASE: D+

This is Ricke Weeks spot and he has been a disappointment. He defense got better (but not kudo's for fielding your position like an average big leaguer), but his batting average is atrocious and he seems to be this year's rally killer. When he is up when we need a hit - it's not there. The only reason I gave the position a + is that when Tony Graffinino or Craig Counsell is playing that position - they seem to shine: Only when playing that position.

SHORT STOP: A

JJ Hardy is having a career year - ALREADY! He's great with the glove and clutch hit. I also like the way he works pitchers (ala the All Star Game).

THIRD BASE: A-

The minus is only for the first month when Counsell and Graffinino were splitting time. That would have been a D for sure. But Braun may turn out to be the MVP for the Crew this year. Considering he's a rookie and was thrown right into the 3 hole - he gets my highest grade: The Ralphie A++++.

LEFT FIELD: B-

Jenkins is his typical hot and cold. He's not a drag on the team batting 7th - leave him there. Mench never saw a pitch he didn't like to swing at! I would give Mench a B and Jenkins a C, so let's settle on B-.

CENTER FIELD: B-

This one pains me - because Bill Hall is my favorite Brewer. I think he could be a franchise player. I think he would be the first to say the whole moving to center field thing is no excuse for a drop-off at the plate. If we didn't compare him to last year - we would be a whole lot happier. But we have too. We need Billy to either hit more dingers - or make more contact. A home run drought combined with a lot of K's really hurts. I sure love the effort he gives in the field.

RIGHT FIELD: A

Corey Hart rules! I still with we could play "Sunglasses At Night" when he comes to bat! He hits, runs and fields like a lead-off guy. He just doesn't look like one. Looks can be deceiving. I get the feeling he may be one of the smartest players on the squad too (again - deceiving looks). He just has great instincts.

CATCHER: A-

Johnny Estrada is a big streaky - and that is the only reason for the minus. He's an amazing asset for the Crew behind the plate and Damian Miller may be the best back-up catcher in the league. What a HUGE difference from the Henry Blanco, Chad Moller days.

BENCH: B+

Tony Gwynn Jr. may be my second favorite Brewer. I want more Gwynn more often! I'd give him an A for his .300 + average as a non starter and amazing talent in center field. I like Gabe Gross - but only as a pinch hitter. Graffinino and Counsell are okay as subs.

STARTING PITCHING: B+

Sheet is finally having his career year. Soup has been a disappointment - but still a solid # 3 guy in the National League. It's Cappy that's gotta have a spectacular 2nd half to get this number up.

BULL PEN: A-

Coco looks tired - and I hope Ned didn't over use him: but we have to expect he will still be as effective. Turnbow has gotten rid of (or at least quieted) those voices in his head. Shouse is a good one man choice - and Matt Wise is sort of like old reliable.

Are You A Jerk At Work?

Fun little quiz - unless you fail ...

Answer each one of these questions true or false. . . and give yourself one point for every time you answer "true".

*#1.)* You feel surrounded by incompetent idiots. . . and you let them know the truth every once in a while.

*#2.)* You were a nice person until you started working with the current bunch of jerks.

*#3.)* You don't trust people around you, and they don't trust you.

*#4.)* You see your coworkers as competitors.

*#5.)* You believe that one of the best ways to "climb the ladder" is to push other people down or out of the way.

*#6.)* You secretly enjoy watching other people suffer and squirm.

*#7.)* You're jealous of your colleagues and find it's hard to be genuinely happy for them when they do well.

*#8.)* You have a small list of close friends and a long list of enemies. . . and you're equally proud of both lists.

*#9.) *Sometimes, you just can't hide your contempt toward the losers at work.

*#10.)* You find it's useful to glare at, insult, or even, sometimes, yell at some of the idiots at work. . . otherwise, they never seem to shape up.

*#11.)* You take credit for your team's accomplishments. . . I mean, you should, they'd be nowhere without you.

*#12.)* You like lobbing "innocent" comments into meetings that have no purpose. . . other than to make the person on the receiving end humiliated or uncomfortable.

*#13.)* You're quick to point out other people's mistakes.

*#14.)* You don't make mistakes. . . when something goes wrong, you always find some idiot to blame.

*#15.)* You constantly interrupt people because what you have to say is more important.

*#16.)* You're constantly buttering up your boss and other powerful people, and you expect the same treatment from the people you manage.

*#17.)* Your jokes and teasing can get nasty sometimes. . . but you have to admit, they're pretty funny.

*#18.)* You love your team, they love you. . . but you're all constantly at war with the rest of the company. You treat everyone else badly because, if they're not on your team, they don't matter or they're the enemy.

*#19.)* People seem to avoid eye contact when they talk to you, and they often become very nervous.

*#20.)* You have the feeling that people are always very careful about what they say around you.

*#21.)* People keep responding to your e-mails with hostile reactions, which often escalate into LOTS of angry e-mails back and forth.

*#22.)* People don't want to tell you personal information.

*#23.)* People seem to stop having fun when you show up.

FIGURE OUT YOUR SCORE:

21-23 POINTS (answered "true" to 21 to 23 questions): You are DEFINITELY a jerk at work. It's time to take a big step back.

15-20 POINTS: You are PROBABLY a jerk at work. Think about how you're treating people, and try to calm down.

10-14 POINTS: You MAY BE a jerk. Sometimes you are. . . it's erratic.

5-9 POINTS: You AREN'T a jerk...but occasionally you have mood swings or snap at people.

0-4 POINTS: You are NOT a jerk. You're probably beloved around the office, and around any place you've ever worked

I watched some of the LIVE EARTH show over the weekend and enjoyed many of the performances. But I hear how many people have a negative feelings toward the whole show. To me it's just music - but I totally understand the hypocrisy.

To me, what celebrities think is irrelevant - just as irrelevant as whether they like Hillary or Obama. Or which 90210 kid was seen at the national convention.

What are real folks wondering when Bo Jovi's on stage for Live Earth?

They're wondering how many of this weekend's performer's flew commercial airlines to the event? When was the last time any of them checked a bag? They answer is very few ... and not for a long time.

They see all of the dazzling lights and wonder how many kilowatts it's all eating up?

They read in Salon about edicts saying that limo's were to be hidden - so bloggers couldn't publish pictures.

But it wasn't always this way.

At first, we all were stunned and impressed with Michael Jackson's "USA For Africa. Mellencamp blew us away with his farm-aid. You could see the man's passion - those were HIS people he was helping. It was personal.

But since Farm-Aid #1, there hasn't been a single "cause" concert that captured the public's imagination. I don't know if we're all that smarter. But we are not surprised that Akon had to be educated on what being "green" means ... or that Sting flew in a private jet.

Do you realize how much waste would be saved if the entire CD manufacturing process was scrapped for digital downloads?

Less waste. Less profit for Sheryl Crow (CD's are HUGE mark-up items)

No wonder so many musicians like politics - they make great bedfellows!

In my household, we are as green as we can be. Not because some hypocrite who just flew home in a private jet encouraged us to be ... but because we care about our kids future.

We always check our bags too. No use in cramming stuff in the over-head bins - right?

Mr. Fielder Goes To Washington

After the disasterous trip to Pittsburgh, the Crew needs a big weekend in DC. We need some good 'mojo' going into the break - remember what has happenened the past 3 years after the break?

BTW: Ripping things off in sports is not big deal. The Braves ripped off the "chop" from Florida State. The Nat's ripped off our sausage race with the racing presidents.

I gotta tell you - I think this one is awesome: I laugh every time I see it.

The racing sausages have the heritage and are the standard for mascot racing. But the Nat's get kudo's here for taking an idea and making it fit their city and fan base.

What's In A Label?

I had to post this e-mail exchange with a listener - that was more like an IM session:

Dear Mr. Walker - I read today WKTI switched to Top 40. When did you do that?

Dear Kelly - We flipped to Top 40 in 1974.

Dear Mr. Walker - Why would someone say you flipped to Top 40 if you didn't?

Dear Kelly - You'll really have to ask them.

Dear Mr. Walker - It was another station quoted in the newspaper.

Dear Kelly - Again, you'll have to ask the other station.

Dear Mr. Walker - Did the newspaper ask you?

Dear Kelly - No - and please call me Bob.

Dear Bob - I am a media student and this has all peeked my interest. Sorry to be a pest, but I am trying to understand why the paper would say you flipped to Top 40 without even calling to ask you.

Dear Kelly - Again, you will have to ask them. If you want to check for yourself, check with the magazines that cover radio. We have always been a top 40 station for adults. What changes is the music that qualifies as top 40. This is nothing new. When WKTI began playing REO Speedwagon and Journey, there were people who screamed "That's Rock!". When we started playing big top 40 hits like Let the Music Play and Like A Virgin, there were those who screamed "You've flipped to Dance!" In the 90's when we started playing Spin Doctors and Third Eye Blind, there were those who screamed we had flipped alternative.

With today's blend of hits coming from a variety of artists like Rob Thomas, Beyonce, Gwen Stefani, and Gym Class Heroes - the best common label is top 40. There is just such a great variety of sounds for us to play.

BTW: If you did check Billboard or R&R (Radio and Records), you will see they classify our play-list as Hot Adult Contemporary.

I like Top 40 better.

Thank you for taking the time to claify this all - Kelly.

John Tesh on 'KTI

The first time I heard the John Tesh Radio Show, I was on vacation in Colorado. My wife and I were listening in the car. We got to our destination - and waited in the car. John was talking about bad investments that amateurs make - because they just seem to make sense. We wanted to wait and see how many we had made (fortunately - only one).

The next break, he talked about how to order a steak in a restaurant to make sure you get the best cut.

Later in the show, he talked about helping your kids through the loss of a family pet.

When I got home, I began listening more and more to the show on-line. I think John may be one of the most compelling people on the radio and we are thrilled to be adding him to the line-up at 'KTI. He will be on Sunday - Friday nights from 7 until midnight, with the Retro Pop Reunion moving to Saturday night at 8.

You probably have never heard the show and may have the initial reaction I did - John's a new age guy who plays jazz. He may be - but now on his show.

The John Tesh show is all about bettering yourself. John has a huge staff of researchers and writers and he only chooses to talk about the facts that he personally finds interesting.

As for music, we play our own music - so everything stays the same there.

The show is slugged as "music and intelligence for your life," and it starts tonight @ 7.

New Rule

If you've ever seen Bill Mahr's show on HBO, you know he does a very funny segment called "New Rules." He is making up rules he would like to see in society as absolute.

I've got one for the Brewers this season:

NEW RULE

If Derrik Turnbow issues a lead-off walk - take him out immediately. He doesn't have it.

Maybe it's working out of the stretch ...

Maybe it's the runner distracting him off first ...

Maybe it's the voices in his head ...

That lead off walk usually scores. Often, it's a game altering run like today against the Royals.

The Mystery Of The Missing Mast

From the mailbag at wkti.com:

I have been to several of your live events and seen your broadcast van. Why is the mast never up when you are broadcasting?

Great question! Our van will be the last one we ever own with a tall mast that can be raised to beam a signal back to the station.

We no longer need to send our signal back to Radio City on a two-way radio. We use a digital phone line called an ISDN line. If you come to our mobile studio's at Summerfest, State Fair, or any of the other big events this summer - you won't see the mast up. We don't even have to bring the van - we can bring one of the other vehicles. Our on-site control board feeds the signal from the microphones right into the ISDN line.

An ISDN line has to be specially ordered and installed at the location. Back at Radio City, we use a special ISDN digital modem to dial the number - just like you would dial your home phone. With a modem at each end, the digital signal goes live and is excellent broadcast quality. ISDN broadcasting can be on the expensive side - but we think the quality is worth it.

You are probably familiar with the work of ISDN even if you have never heard one of our live broadcasts. Most sports teams use the same technology to send the game back to the flagship station when the team is on the road.

Our ISDN set-up allows the people on location at Summerfest, State Fair, etc to communicate with the producer back in the control room. It's pretty cool!

The Guys in The Truck RULE!

Don't ever underestimate the value of a great producer.

While on vacation I caught the Cubs-Padres game on WGN-TV. Before the end of the inning with Derrik Lee going after Chris Young - they had a graphic up on the screen showing each of the players and their reach. It was great because it was immediately obvious that Young was going to kick his butt. Derrik underestimated his opponent's reach.

Man - that is superior producing. Kudo's to the Superstation.

Was It True Genius?

I am on vacation right now, but had to post this Sopranos e-mail forwarded to me by a friend. I admit, I watched the episode on the DVR after midnight as I had been out all weekend long. I was tired and having trouble following it.

So the point would have been that life continues and we may never know the end of the Sopranos. But if you pay attention to the history, you will find that all the answers lie in the characters in the restaurant. So here is what has been found out.

The guy at the bar is also credited as Nikki Leotardo. The same actor played him in the first part of season 6 during a brief sit down concerning the future of Vito. That wasn't that long ago. Apparently, he is the nephew of Phil. Phil's brother Nikki Senior was killed in 1976 in a car accident. Absolutely Genius!!!!

David Chase is truly rewarding the true fans who pay attention to detail.

The trucker was the brother of the guy who was robbed by Christopher in Season 2. Remember the DVD players? The trucker had to identify the body.

The cub scouts were in the train store.

The black guys at the end were the ones who tried to kill Tony and only clipped him in the ear.

Here's where the genius comes in: When Tony's walking in the diner, you see the camera focus on him, then it switches to his perspective, and you see him looking at the booth he's gonna sit at ... Then the camera switches back to Tony's face, then it once again switches to his perspective, and it shows him looking at the door and looking at the people come in.....

Every time the door opens the Chimes sound.......

Carmela walks in, Chimes, AJ walks in, Chimes, this while Meadows tries to parallel park, still trying to get inside the restaurant....

At this point the camera switches back to the trucker who goes in the bathroom......

Then it goes to a scene where Meadow finally parks and starts running in the diner....

The doors about to open, Tony looks up....

And No Chimes......................

No Music............

Everything just goes black...............

In one of the early episodes of the Sopranos, Tony's talking with Bobby about what it must feel like to die. Bobby says "at the end, you probably don't hear anything, everything just goes black"Part of that was revisited in the second to last episode during the last seconds of it, when Tony's about to go to sleep and he flashes back to the memory of him and Bobby on the boat ... "You probably don't hear anything everything just goes black"

So in the end, the Journey song was playing, the chimes on the door sounded but when Meadow came in, the guy in the trucker hat came out and killed Tony.

It's the reason you don't hear, or see anything when he died....

It was from his perspective.... and everything went black, then the credits rolled.

True Genius.

Okay - but I heard chimes when Meadow walked in ... did you? Unless the author was talking about a chime when the door opens ... and a chime when it closes. There was only one short chime - then fade to black.

Picture Day!

Yesterday was PICTURE DAY at Radio City for Mathew, Erin and AJ. You'll see the final product soon enough. Here is what my camera phone caught behind the scenes ...

First -up: Mathew gets made up (and finds it surprisingly fun)

Didn't AJ say men should never wear make-up? I had to wait until his eyes were closed to shoot this one ...


Mathew's not really a control freak ... but he did have to control the make-up session.

Gettin' all girly ...

Now ... who will stand where?

Now the colors coordinate ... and we're ready:

What a handsome bunch.

Thanks!

Thanks for all of your e-mail regarding the last post. I honestly didn't think many people read these blogs. But we are booked for the rest of the month and well into July.

Can't wait to have you all meet Mathew, Erin and AJ. Thanks again!

Do we need tour jackets?

Somehow I figured once we got Mathew, Erin and AJ in place, things would get back to normal - meaning I could get back into a routine. Well that hasn't happened yet.

So many people have written in to welcome the new show that we decided to reciprocate your well wishes in person. It started yesterday, and we're pretty much booked all this month bringing lunch and/or snacks to people who have called or written. Yesterday we made the rounds at a Miller's H.Q. - they could not have been more welcoming, setting up Mathew, Erin and AJ with all the Miller swag they could want (and some cool Miller retro Brewers hats).

We still have a couple of open days this month. If you would like to meet and welcome the new team, e-mail me at bwalker@wkti.com.


Also - thanks to Vince Vitrano from TMJ-4 for writing about his experience with our new show:

http://www.todaystmj4.com/bloggers/vitrano/7785906.html

No Hope

When was the last time you saw something so ulgy ...

So disturbing ...

The image lingers in your mind for days ...

I'm still not over it.

On Sunday I was pulling into a Wal-Mart parking lot following a car full of people (looked like at least 6 people inside this early 90's Pontiac Sunbird.) As the car turned toward the open part of the lot I saw something I never imagined still happened in 2007.

Somebody threw an entire fast-food bag full of discarded burger wrappers and soft-drink cups out the window.

Using the parking lot as their personal trash can.

What kind of person does this?

I don't care who you are ... how you were raised ... who wronged you in the past ... how much or how little money you make ...

That's just plain wrong - and everyone knows better.

Seriously - how can you justify taking up space on this planet when you throw your trash out your car window?

Touching other people's discarded food trash is pretty disgusting to me. But leaving that litter on the parking lot was just wrong. My young son saw it happen too and wanted to help, but I would not let him grab the stranger's trash. I took a spare plastic bag we had in the car, picked up the trash and walked all of the 20 or so steps to the giant trash containers outside of Wal-Mart - then quickly headed to the men's room for a scrubbing.

I know there are crimes committed that are much more heinous - but again: what hope does this person have of being a contributing member of society?

None.

Follow-Up

My last post was on radio singles (versions of songs that labels re-mix to add more punch, shorten the song, or sometimes 'rub' out words). Someone made an excellent point in a comment that I wanted to bring out for discussion.

The song to which we referred, Nickelback's "Rockstar," has two words in it that radio station's would be fined for airing. Both words refer to the same part of the human anatomy and would not pass the FCC's rules.

Is that right?

Should radio stations like KTI take a stand?

Are the FCC rules a good thing?

This is the law of the land. Is it a good thing? Is it a bad thing? I would love your comments.

The Single

From the mailbag - This is probably the most recurring question I hear throughout the year.

I bought the CD and the version is different than what you play on KTI. How can I get your version?

When many artists record CD's, they may have an idea about which songs they want to release as a single (meaning a single CD, or single track to iTunes). After they have recorded the CD, they may hear something they wish they had done - or even realize the song needs a little more "punch." Before they release the single (which may be months later), they will go back into the studio and possibly edit the song - or remix it - or even add a harmony track.

The end result is sometimes called the single version ... or radio edit.

One of the biggest out-cries I remember hearing was with Creed's "With Arms Wide Open." Early versions of the song didn't have the strings that made the single so cool.

Another change they may make is to 'rub' out dirty words or even shorten the song. I have had plenty of people ask me why we clipped the bad word out of Nickelback's ROCKSTAR. We didn't clip 'em. Instead, we are playing the radio edit.

You may ask why???? The song is obviously making fun of the rock star lifestyle and I think the words are necessary to tell the story. But we are not comfortable with the derogatory term that rockstars call the women that follow them around - and it is prominent in the CD version.

It has nothing to do with Don Imus and his use of the word.

I just think the word has no class. Milwaukee has more class than that.

As far as getting the version we play - check iTunes or visit a real music store. They usually have a CD single secion. Also try Amazon and other cool music sites.

Time To Take A Stand

The next 10 games will tell all about the 2007 Milwaukee Brewers. So far, our options are:

A - They are the best of the weak teams
B - They got lucky in April
C - Both of the above




The next 10 games are against the Marlins, Cubs and Rangers (stink, stank, stunk). If we win 7 or more, we are the best of the weak teams.

If we win 5-6 games, it's probably both weak and lucky.

If we win 3 or 4, we were just lucky in April.

If we can't win at least 3, someone has gotta shake up this team. Not saying where - but there it too much talent on the 07 Crew to be pushed around by the Marlins, Cubs and Rangers. Frankly, it was bad enough taking our lumps from the Braves and Twins in OUR HOUSE.

I have a colleague who likes to quote that great 80's movie: Ferris Bueller's Day Off. In the words of Cameron, "I gotta make a stand."

Brewers - hear the great Cameron. Take a stand now. There is nothing wrong with being the best of the crappy teams.

No more baseball blogs until after the 10 games.

Old Media in Disguise

I've been swamped these past two weeks trying to make the necessary preparations for our new morning show on 'KTI. I pretty much cleared my schedule to get this done.

But there was one thing I didn't want to postpone. I had been asked to participate in a discussion with some young students studying for careers in media. What really caught my attention was that they were studying new media versus traditional media.

Okay - I was pretty sure where my media stood, and I was ready to sit on that side of the discussion. After all, my interpretation of new media was cool new gadgets and hi-tech stuff. You know - the stuff that makes you feel old.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the discussion on weblogs (blogs, like this one) and was most interested in what sites these 20-somethings were into. Sure they liked TMZ and Perez Hilton, but there were plenty of other sites all known to them (and unknown to me) that were of a more serious nature.

Spoiler alert - here comes the part where I learn something.

I mentioned the name of a (self-proclaimed) prominent local blogger.

Sure - everyone had heard of her. A few even had visited her blog. But when I asked them how she fit into their new media world - I was shocked to find out she did not.

She is an excellent writer. Makes her points well. Chooses her subjects/topics and makes a compelling argument for her own opinion.

What was the catch?

She did not allow comments.

You see, these 20-somethings didn't respect and give 'new media' status to anyone who just spews out opinion without a forum for rebuttal.

One of them put it best, saying the only thing she had over traditional media was that her voice didn't cost us trees (a reference to newspaper print).

I couldn't check our sites quick enough to make sure all of our KTI people allowed comments on their blogs. I was proud to see that they all do.

So today I have a new perspective on "new media" from the eyes of a 20-something. It's more than HTML and WI-FI. It's about the free sharing of ideas.

How can you not be excited about the future when these kids will sit in our chairs someday - unless they have invented some sort of levitation device by then ... and don't need chairs!

Training Camp Is Winding Down

The first week of work for a full-service radio show is kind of like a training camp for football. While Mathew, Erin and AJ are not starting their show until Tuesday morning, they have been here all week practicing in our studio, driving around town and meeting everyone inside Radio City.

Tuesday we had a Radio City luncheon so everyone at TMJ-4 and 620 WTMJ could meet the new team. It was kind of like a media day because most of the people in attendance were the Milwaukee media.

Everyone was nervous when Courtney Gerrish took a peek at the food bar (we passed!).

On Wednesday we spent the day learning the equipment in the WKTI studio and they even practiced over-night a few times hosting a midnight - 3am shift (thanks for all of the calls - what great callers even in the middle of the night). They also had to organize all of their CD's and music beds that will be part of the show.

Tomorrow morning, they plan on getting up and out by 5:30 so they can drive around the area - experiencing the morning commute like you would. By the way - I think we are going to make that standard practice with all of our talent: what a great way to understand your world while using the radio in the car.

We also have to begin building the new morning show web-page. They have committed to building one of the most interactive sites on a radio station - anywhere. Hopefully, we can wrap it up by early tomorrow evening.

The has been a long week of practicing, meeting new colleagues, and planning out the show. A few days of R&R will be a good thing. Oh - wait: they are hosting the A-Z weekend: so they will be busy.

So we move from training camp this week, to the exhibition season this weekend.

But the big morning will be Tuesday morning. Opening day. We can't wait.

Their First Day

Do you remember your first day at your job? I bet Mathew, Erin and AJ will remember today.

Frankly - we got very little "work-like" stuff done. Today was a chance for the new guys to meet Lips, Dan and everyone else who works at WKTI. It's an odd situation because people here know a lot about them - but Mathew, Erin and AJ know very little about everyone at 'KTI. Today, that all changed.

So we handled all the HR stuff, took thier ID badge photos, met with everyone on staff - and that was pretty much the day. We have a big staff, and people really wanted to sit and talk with them. Thus, we didn't get a whole lot done other than introductions.

Tomorrow - media day for Mathew, Erin and AJ inside Radio City.

Links

One more thing, I told someone on the phone a few days ago that if Gene's blog is not yet up on the WTMJ website, just google it. Same for Gino's.

They acted like HOW DARE YOU suggest I google. It's not a naughty word - honest! So here, I did it for you:

http://genemueller.blogspot.com

http://ginosalomone.blogspot.com

Neither of these blogs is hosted by our site, so I do not know if they are going to be updated.

Why Longevity Is So Rare

There really is nothing harder in show-biz than keeping a group of individuals together: whether it is in music, an ensemble TV cast, or on the radio. When you think of it, the words group and individual are quite opposite. Yet that’s what we have: a group of individuals.

Whether you were into the Beatles or the Bangles, their breakup was inevitable. Sometimes it is creative differences. Most of the time it is just their individual needs and desires taking over. It is also why longevity in the biz is so rare.

We create successful radio shows when we find different individuals, with different points of view and different desires in life and let them com bust (ala “The View”). There is more to it than that: but that is the foundation. It sure is whole lot more entertaining than listening to a panel of people agreeing with each other.

We were spoiled at KTI in having the Reitman and Mueller clan stay together for so long. The reason we called our celebration of Bob's career "The Reitman Era" was because of a one line e-mail we got from a listener. Right after Bob said he was leaving, she wrote simply: "It's the end of an era in Milwaukee." And as is typical with most ensemble groups, once a piece is removed others soon follow. It just happens: in bands, in TV casts and in radio. In our case, Bob retired. Amy followed by deciding to be home with her triplets while they are still of pre-school age. Gene's dream job opened up at WTMJ where he can talk news and sports (his passions) instead of American Idol. So in 6 months, our foursome was down to one. We made the decision that instead of trying to continue to patch together the old show pairing Gino with new people it was probably time to start over. So that is what we will do after Memorial Day.

While Gino is no longer with 'KTI, he still works with our sister station TMJ-4 and I'm sure will continue to do the movie junkets. Those are the trips the movie studio's provide for him to Hollywood whenever they want to promote a movie. He gets to hang with the stars, attend Hollywood functions and stay at the 4-Seasons hotel. I hope he gets to do it for a long time to come. Gino is a very resourceful person and is about as well connected as anyone can be. We wish him nothing but the best and will do whatever we can to help him.

It's a unique situation for me in that these people are all still in my life. Reitman was in the office today to say 'hi' and record some commercials. Gene was in to go on Charlie's show on 'TMJ - and starts on Moday. Amy is on vacation but sent me an e-mail checking-in. And Gino will be back next week to do the TV cut-ins. For that matter, Gordon Hinckley still visits us on a regular basis (for those who don't listen to 'TMJ, he has Reitman status over there).

Again, I will be happy to answer any questions about 'KTI or our new direction in the morning. If you're serious, you can call me at (414) 967-4094. I will call anyone back who I miss as long as you leave your number clearly and maybe twice. If you just want to comment, feel free to zap me at morningshowfeedback@wkti.com.

Have a great weekend!

Pet Friendly Living

What great listeners we have at 'KTI.

I was talking on the air this morning about how our new morning show host, Erin, needs to find a pet friendly place to live.

I cannot keep up with the e-mails from people with suggestions. Thanks so much!

One link I got over and over again was absolutely perfect. It was the Humane Society's page of pet friendly places to rent.

I wish I had known about this when I moved here:

http://www.wihumane.org/services/housing.aspx

Thanks again - Erin is also amazed with the response.

Miles To Go Before They Sleep

Mathew, Erin and AJ have started fresh new blogs as they begin their journey to Milwaukee and a fresh new start at 'KTI.

Someone recently told me that the three most stressful things in an average person's life: Moving, Starting A New Job, Having a First Kid.

Our new morning show is tackling two of them at once. They will most likely have to pack up their computers in the next day or two - so the posts may be spotty. But only until they start at 'KTI on Tuesday 5/29.

Mathew:

http://mathewblades.blogspot.com/

Erin:

http://erinaustin.blogspot.com/

AJ:

http://ajsmusings.blogspot.com/

Gene Mueller

As Gene Mueller crosses the great divide at radio city ... from the 'home of the hits' to the 'biggest stick in the state,' I wanted to share some thoughts on Gene and my time with him at WKTI. I wrote this right as Gene was making his announcement, but held it until today.

In my 7 years as the program director for WKTI, I do not think I have ever met anyone like Gene Mueller. First of all – everyone likes Gene. Can you think of anyone in your life that has no detractors? Second of all, Gene is about a dedicated a co-worker as you would ever find. At the first hint of anything happening that is news, Gene is right back at the station – no matter the day or time. It is also not uncommon to see Gene working at his computer or in a production studio long after the show is over – taking that extra step to deliver a great product.

I'll never forget how quickly Gene moved on 9/11 from goofy morning show stuff, to serious news coverage. He was adamant that we not report anything that was coming across as "unconfirmed." Being that there was no play-book for that day, I turned the station over to him.

But you have to admit, Gene Mueller’s sense of humor is his most endearing quality. Gene has the ability to deliver a punch-line that may be biting – but with such a sense of innocence that you find yourself drawn to him. Remember when Reitman had to go make piece with Jimmy the Clown before the Circus Parade (Reitman had inadvertently insulted Jimmy and he would not go on stage)? When it was over, Gene asked Reitman if he had to kiss Jimmy “where there ain’t no grease-paint?” Funny – and to the point. That’s Gene Mueller.

The biggest thing that surprised me about Gene when I got to 'KTI was his aversion to the spotlight. I just figured a guy with his credentials and long illustrious career would want the bright light on him. The truth is the exact opposite. He never wants to be the the story. When we were discussing his last days at 'KTI, I jokingly said I couldn't get the Riverside - so I booked the Pabst. He gave me the most serious look of pain I have ever seen from him. Just kidding - I said.

Now that I am no longer Gene's supervisor/boss/program director - whatever you want to call it - I was trying to figure out where we stand. Colleagues - sure. Friends: absolutely.

Are you sure we landed on the moon?

What a day at 'KTI. Gene Mueller made his announcement this morning that he is moving to Newsradio 620 WTMJ (conveniently located just feet from Gene's current desk) as co-host of Wisconsin's Morning News. Gene starts on Monday but we had to hurry the announcement as Gene needs a few days off to take care of a personal issue.

For all of the conspiracy theorists who commented on my last post - that's it. Sorry to disappoint you. Gene Mueller is passionate about news. When the position at 'TMJ opened up, he was a natural.

As for the person who called it a demotion? It humbles me to remind you that WTMJ is the biggest radio station in the state of Wisconsin - and the only one in Milwaukee that plays on a national scale (excuse me as I eat my slice of humble pie). You can put that into your own perspective.

What's different about our station is that some people really never leave. You may not know that because you only hear who is on our airwaves. Reitman still works for us in an off-air capacity. Mueller is across the hall at WTMJ. Gino is still doing his TV work for TMJ-4 (again, right down the hall) and Amy has an open invitation to call us if she ever changes her mind about staying home with the triplets.

I was going to post about Gene Mueller today because he is one person for whom I have tremendous admiration and have learned a lot. I will do that tomorrow.

Any information you need about the morning show change, will be posted in real time on our web-site:

http://www.wkti.com/Article.asp?id=218455

And if you STILL don't want to believe anything I'm saying: here is some entertaining reading:

http://www.badastronomy.com/bad/tv/foxapollo.html

Philadelphia Freedom ...

I know - it happens. But excuse me for being a Brewers fatalist fan - and hitting the panic button.

Plus - I can't stand Philadelphia. But my wife was born in Phlly - so I need to keep my Philadelpha bashing in check. She is the only good thing to ever come out of Philly.

So back to baseball:


We've lost 4 of the last 5 - giving fuel to the "Brewers are best of the worst (NL Central)" national fire. The Mets are the best in the NL - and the Phillies were my pick for Wild Card - so I stand by my prediction that if the Brewers prevail in the NL central - the road to the WS will go through Gotham and/or the "City of Brotherly Love."

First of all - everyone who wondered why Coco wasn't in for the 9th tonight, you can't do that on the road. Even if you hold 'em: you still have to pitch another inning (no running down the clock in baseball). Did it have to be Turnbow in the 9th - not necessarily - but understandable.

Okay - so I'm not actually hitting the panic button yet: but it is obvious that our offense is to streaky to carry us through the post-season. When you're done reading this post, Ned:

• Tony Gwynn becomes the everyday right fielder - LEADING OFF.


• Ricky Weeks moves to #8 until he gets the K's under control (how about his defense this year - amazingly good)


• Gabe Gross is only a pinch hitter (the best - let him do it)


• When facing a rightly, Jenkins bats 4th (and Prince gets all fastballs)


• Bill Hall moves up and down the line-up - depending on the pitcher (play the numbers)


• When Suppon or Cappy are pitching - they bat 8th (ahead of Counsell or Grafffy).

Ned needs to institute the "Kangaroo Court."

When Ricky pops up with a runner on 3rd and less than two outs - he puts $50 in the coffer.

When Kevin Mench swings at the first pitch after the previous guy was walked - $50.00

When Craig Counsell makes the 1st or 3rd out on the bases - $1000.00 (that has cost us two of these games in my estimate).

At the end of the year, give the coffer to Lynn Sprangers and Brewers Charities.

Ask Any Coaster Enthusiast ...

Lots of chatter around the office on this week's episode of "The Sopranos."

Most of the negative is around Tony's trip to Vegas and his peyote trip with Christopher's friend. That didn't bug me. If anything, it was Tony's twisted way of eulogizing Christoper (whom he suffocated) by indulging in all that he did.

I guess I had the same problem with last night's episode as I do with all of 24 this season. I can believe almost anything a person does - but I draw the line with physics. The laws are absolute - and even Tony in his GOD like stage of deciding who is worthy of living - can't change that.

Here's what I am getting at: Have you ever been on one of those super roller coasters at Great America? You know - the ones that loop you around a few times. You can't help but get off one of those things feeling little discombobulated.

Don't you think rolling as SUV 10+ times would cause a similar effect? Unless the director forgot to show the passage of time, Tony rolled out of the car and walked around to the driver's side and smashed out the window.

When I come off the big coaster - I can barely walk to the exit rail.

Tony Soprano is hardly a healthy man - and the stress's of a major roll like that should have killed him. So on this rare occasion - I was disappointed with the writers.

Looking beyond that - the look of satisfaction in Tony's eyes when he is suffocating Christoper is frightening - a tribute to some amazing acting. Any Carmela's insistence on bringing in "Aid" into every Christopher conversation is just well done.

If We Can Make It There ...

My casual baseball friends (those who jumped on the wagon this month for the first time) don't understand the big deal over this weekend's series with the NY Mets.

As one put it - it's not like we're playing the Yankees ... (too bad, their pitching sucks)

It doesn't matter: New York is the media capitol of the world (with all due respect to Hollywood).

NY has more newspaper reporters than Milwaukee has media. Radio stations, TV stations, newspaper, etc: all competing for the attention of the 10 million potential fans.

NY is reality TV (case in point - that train wreck of a reality show on VH1: I Love NY).

In Milwaukee, when Jenkins' career took a dump last year - the paper reported it, but with the respect and dignity you would respect from a mid-west paper.

Had Geoff been a member of the Mets - he would gave been on the back page of one paper - daily with outrageous headlines and articles calling for his head. When he showed disappointment at being benched last year ... something like "Sit Down, Crybaby!"

People who do well in NY - are ones with an ego so big, they can handle it (Reggie Jackson, Roger Clemens, Tug McGraw, etc.).

Back to our weekend series: winning 2 of 3 validates us to the media in their own backyard.

If you saw ESPN last night, Jenkins, Cappy and Rickie Weeks were at the ESPN zone yukking it up with teh BBTN crew. They even had a good laugh over the 450 people who had pledged on-line to pee their pants if the Crew makes the post season.

But being invited to the ESPN Zone and on The Young And The Restless is a fine appetizer: showing the NY media we can play baseball is the main course.

GOOD NEWS:

• We have Suppon starting tonight - remember his last start at Shea ... back in October?
• Coco was forced to take a day off and could pitch tonight.
• JJ's streak is over - so he can concentrate on moving along runners.
• Prince Fielder will absorb the spot-light very well.
• The chance of rain has been dropped to 30% in NYC.
• Jorge Sosa (tonight's starter) is tough ... but a righty, so Jenkins and Fielder can do some damage.
• The real pressure is on the Mets. They are tight with the Braves atop the NL east.

THE BAD NEWS

• It's a road game
• It's the NY Mets (my pre-season pick as WS champ)
• Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran are in the line-up.
• The game is not in HD.

BTW: I had to make a quick trip to my local Walgreens last night and they had Brewers stuff right there in the front of the store.

First time this decade.

20 Miles From The Best In The Land

It hit me on the way home from the yard: I live 20 miles from the best team in baseball ...

See ... I never lived in Atlanta or Chicago (the Sox ... duh).

I lived across the river from St. Louis once - but it was a good 30 miles to Busch Stadium.

As the Crew takes a well earned day off - they have a .700+ winning percentage and are 14 games over five-hundred.

Holy Crap!

Things are going great - but I know there are those of you who rely on me for superior analysis (you know who you are!). So here we go with the day-off May 10th baseball version of:

Nobody Asked Me But ...

• Prince Fielder must be a Cylon (dorky Battlestar Galactica reference - I know: but it sure would explain a few things ...)
• Seeing how things turned out for Suppan ... can I use Mark Antanosio's dining room to interview for Amy Taylor's replacement?
• Ricky Weeks has done a 180 on defense. Did you see the snag yesterday against the Nats?
• I hope Ned isn't using Coco too much. That day he worked when we had a big lead - I heard that Ned wanted him to get some work? Fine - get him a paper route. We need that arm for after the All Star Game.
• John Jaggler from WTMJ told me that even if the Brewers play .500 baseball the rest of the year - they would not finish 14 games above .500. I don't get it. They win one ... they go to 15 over. The lose one, they go back to 14 over ... and so on and so on. Right?
• Not to question the best team in the biz ... but why is Gabe Gross starting over Tony Gwinn? Gabe is a solid bench guy and one of the best pinch-hitters. But if there is one small thing I could ask for this year ... it's MORE GWINN - MORE OFTEN. That guy is Mr. Excitement.
• True the NY - PHI series will tell a lot about this team - but so will the Braves series starting on Memorial Day. The Braves have womped on their former city's team in the past - and they look good this year.
• Do we have to take an All-Star break in Milwaukee? Seems like the really bad things have happened after the break for this team. Let's call the Marlins and Cardinals and see if they want to make-up those games we lost in the rain.
• Speaking of the All-Star Game: I heard the 'Big Unit' chastising his disciples over not voting in the All-Star process. As one of the biggest baseball fans in the hemisphere, I can say that the only thing more laughable than the All Star election process is a general election in Florida. Bill - we don't need guys in the game. Nobody wants to be there anyway and our guys might as well rest. Seems like our last couple of All-Stars (Turnbow and Carlos Lee) faded quickly after their appearances.
  

The DH was bad enough ...

I grew up an American League fan (as you might have) and always thought the DH was cool. Who wanted to see an automatic out in the 9 position?

But after a decade of living National League baseball, I have lost my love of the DH. I am not here to debate the strategy of the sacrifice ... double switch ... swinging bunt: all of the cool things that happen more in the NL.

I'm here to complain about people well past their prime still in the game - which up until now has always been due to the DH.

Now it's half year pitching.

I'm not crabbing out Clemens going to the Yanks - I actually like the idea of some excitement in the Bronx (We need the Yankees ... like football needs a return of the Dallas Cowboys).

I'm crabbing about pitchers now extending their careers by skipping the first half of the season - then jumping on a team with the arm of an opening day pitcher. Why not Gregg Maddox? or John Smoltz? Randy Johnson? There ought to be some sort of rule that only allows pitchers to play in the post-season if they played pro-ball (sanctioned minor or major league team) for the entire year (obviously the DL would count).

Again - I'm not surprised Clemens went to NY. Face it: NY baseball is fed by big names. NY baseball has to compete with Broadway and everything else NY.

I just don't like the precedent this has set. I'm not rooting for an injury - just that he is ineffective.

Of course next year he'll just wait until August to play ...

A Return To The Dark Ages

All right youngin's ... I want to tell you a story about the olden days ... about a primitive time of real-time conversations ... face-to-face contact with co-workers ... a time when we left the office early enough to have dinner with the family.

I am talking about the time before we had e-mail.

Yesterday I was thrust back to that time along with everyone inside Radio City as for some reason we lost the server that hosts our e-mail, voice-mail, and MS Outlook stuff.

I had no e-calendar.

I had no e-rolodex.

I had no e-notes.

I had no company phone directory.

I had no voice message service.

What I had was a fresh appreciation for technology and how it has changed my life.

I spent a good portion of the morning roaming the halls of Radio City - hunting down those to whom I needed to speak. I had actual conversations with some people I had never met - yet spoke to weekly through e-mail ... People who work in my building.

For most of the day it was very refreshing and sort of fun. But I gotta tell you, by early afternoon it was a drag. While I loved talking with people in person, it was taking FOREVER. By 3pm I realized I was barely going to talk with half of my intended co-workers during the day.

Why?

• E-mail is direct and too the point. I rarely spend time on e-mail small talk - a necessity when relating in person.
• Everyone else was walking around trying to have real conversations too. Some of the more popular destinations had lines that went 5-6 deep. There's no waiting in line via e-mail.
• I can instantly prioritize e-mail. When people stopped by my office, I could not tell them to wait outside as I was expecting someone with more pressing business at any moment.
• E-mail is easy to reference. When communicating through e-mail, I can easily refer to a past message - even include it in the reply. With face to face communication, there is a lot of time spent re-capping and bringing everyone up to speed.

One of the biggest surprises of the day was getting a testy call or two late in the day:

"What do you not check e-mail anymore?"

Only to get more agitated when I reply that our server is down.

This is the first time in my adult life that I have had no access to my pertinent business information. It was hard. I could not do my job without it. I give up.

I am 100% reliant upon technology.

Politicans Take Note

Where did he come from?

Seriously.

In an age where baseball batters charge the mound on a inside strike ... where NFL players celebrate after every tackle ... where NBA stars 'high-five' each other after making a free throw in an exhibition game ...

From this generation of self promotion and ego - comes someone so different that he is getting the attention of people everywhere.

After getting knocked down on Saturday night in an obvious attempt by the Pirates to send a message to the Brewers - Prince responded with yet another 'career' day blasting two homers and just missing a third.

What was different was that Prince didn't charge the mound after getting plunked. The rest of the team was ready - all at the top of the dugout waiting for Fielder to take even one step toward the mound.

But he didn't.

Instead, he single-handedly beat the Pirates on Sunday in one of the most exciting games I have ever seen at the yard.

There's just something about this guy that is different. Yesterday after sliding home with a big run for the crew, he jumped up and finlly showed some emothion - looking toward the Pirates dugout and at the pitcher that had plunked him last night. The home-plate UMP thought there might be trouble and stood in front of him.

But there was no trouble. Even Jim Tracy the opposing manager saw it Prince's way:

"Obviously, he wasn't very pleased with getting hit last night, but can you blame him?"

To use an old cliche, Prince walks softly and carries a big stick ... and his team-mates are noticing. Here is Bill Hall:

"There is no better way to pay somebody back than to get some game-winning hits. We retaliated in the right way."

If you hang around baseball, you'll hear that what the Pirates did to Prince was necessary to send a message that they will not be pushed around.

But rather than charge the mound or engage in smak-talk through the media: Prince got the job done and sent an even bigger message.

Now - show me someone - ANYONE - running for office - ANYWHERE - with that kind of leadership quality.

I'm waiting ...

Free Speech - No Matter How Painful

Again - I am forced to remind myself that I support free speech - though I find the content deplorable. How many times is this so far this year?

Michael McGee a radio talk show host on WNOV said something that could arguably be even more hurtful that that idot Don Imus. Yesterday morning he began his talk show with a bit about WTMJ's Charlie Sykes and the death of his mother in a house fire this week.

Here is a transcript:

"Mother Sykes, she dead. To me it's the vengeance of God. I ain't got no tears. Matter of fact a woman that would have a fool like that deserve whatever is coming her. She raised a sure enough idiot, my instincts say Charlie Sykes killed his momma, cuz she live out in this big palace in Mequon all isolated. He got tired of waiting for her money."

(reprinted exactly from YAHOO)

I should note that Charlie is a colleague of mine inside Radio City. But honestly - other than the obligatory 'hi' or quick Brewers talk in the hall, I do not really know Charlie.

Regardless - How can any reasonable person not compare McGee's rant with Imus'? I read Al Sharpton's critique of Imus' bit and it applies to McGee 100%.

McGee doesn't have the national platform of Imus so I do not expect Al Sharpton to fly into Mitchell anytime soon. But I sure hope everyone in Wisconsin who was asking for Imus' head is up in arms about this. I will be checking the JS in a minute to see if that is the case.

It's so tough to support offensive free speech from McGee or anyone else. Be assured: I would also support WNOV's right to can McGee if they don't want that kind of editorial spewing from their frequency.

Oddly enough - McGee's comments were slanderous. Even Imus didn't go there. I say let the lawyers go after him. Then he'll know the meaning of vengeance.

Please be assured this is not a 'radio thing.' It is McGee's thing. I'm saddened that a medium I love so much is again the vehicle to deliver such crap. But it does prove the power of the spoken word. Much more powerful than print (in the paper or this blog).

I guess I'm glad I do not recognize the same God as McGee. Any God that would strike down an innocent old lady because of her son's editorial content is not for me.

If that is your God Michael - I pray for your family.

Perspective

At this point, I'm used to $40-$50 bucks to fill up the mini-van and a little less for the CR-V.

But $16.45 to fill my red gas container? That's about $5.00 a mow. That hurts.

What A Month

Oh ... hey there.

You caught me typing my message for the time machine. It's set to land on April 2, 2007 - one month ago - which just happened to be Brewers Opening Day.

Here is what I have so far.

Dear Bob,

You're never going to believe it but:

• The Brewers won 16 of their first 25 games and have a 3+ game lead.
• The crew ended April tied with Atlanta for the best record in the NL.
• Kevin Mench may be the most exciting player to grab a bat.
• Kevin Mench will have a triple that was fielded cleanly.
• Sheets is now our #5 starter ... behind Bush and Vargus.
• Turnbow is back.
• Jenkins had a career month.
• Milwaukee fans love the Cleveland Indians (or a bargain?)
• JJ Hardy looks like an ALL-STAR as the lead the club in homers (6).

Even the casual fan is excited about Milwaukee baseball and the national boys are starting to throw some props our way - when they're not busy slobbering over A-Rod (who is finally earning his salary)

Enjoy the great month and don't miss a minute of it. It's been a while since we looked like we belong on the field with LA, The Cardinals, et al.

Oh and the best part: That giant sucking sound coming up I-94 is the high-priced Cubs. Remarkably, Pinella's only blown his cork once.

And finally, one night someone will offer you extra spicy sauce on your burrito: just say no.

Regards,

Bob

Seacrest Out

I'm done.

Today was the first Tuesday that I have walked into the office with no knowledge of what happened last night on 24

And guess what ...

Nobody is talking about it.

I guess I just came to the point where if our government was run that poorly - I would have to join Alec Baldwin and Barbara Streisand and move to Canada (didn't they promise to do that before the '04 election?)

I could handle Jack's annoying daughter Kimberly.

I could handle them killing of Edgar.

I could even handle bending the time-space continuum in getting across LA in one 3 minute commercial break.

But this year's whole thing with the President and VP and MORE MOLES inside the top brass is just to much.

Anyone who enjoyed Star Wars is willing to put aside physics ... but if Chewbaca had turned out to be a mole who was really phoning Darth Vader out the the hall on his cell phone from the most secure building in the world ... you might walk away.

So Jack ... good luck. May you can Chloe finally do the deed and for Chloe's sake, may it take longer than it does to get across LA in the land of 24.

I Give Up

This year I really tried: harder than ever. I tried to get into the NFL draft.

I see how much fun my fellow sports fans have with the event - it seems right up there with the Masters and Kentucky Derby as far as off the beaten track sporting events that are cool.

I was and continue to be bored to tears with the whole thing. It reminds me of when I lived in the deep south and Division I college football had their recruiting.

It was bigger than life to everyone. I never got it.

So my list of things in pro-sports for which I have 'missed the boat' remains the same:

• NFL draft (To me it's like listening to names being called at the DMV)
• NCAA Division I recruiting (I cannot allot enough time in my life to keep up on the nation's top high-school athletes)
• MLB pre-season baseball (unless you're sitting in the sun - snooze)
• The NBA Regular Season (if you can dribble ... you make the play-offs)
• International Soccer (between the fighting fans and grueling 2-1 games ... snooze)
• The Olympics (I know they are not pro sports, but today they really are. It's all about money, sponsorships, and endorsements. I wish it was still about beating the 'Commies.'

The Hunt for the Real Alec Baldwin

The Hunt for Red October is one of my favorite movies of all times. I am an Alec Baldwin fan. As I sit listening to him on The View, I really feel for him and his situation of being alienated from his daughter.

Alec has always been one of my favorite actors ... and I pray to God that is not what I am seeing now: because he is very convincing. If he is acting, may his after-life consist of being locked in a room with Kim Basinger (yes gentleman, that would be hell because she is certifiable, his ex-wife and we are talking about eternity).

I've overhead my red-state friends scream that he is an abusive parent and hypocrite. My blue state friends say that he is a gentle man and must have been pushed (apparently, rallying for global warming makes you a warm person - do you see the irony too?)

The majority of us who live in PURPLE AMERICA (where red and blue come together) want to hear him speak.

We honestly wish he would have chosen a more reputable setting like a press conference where he wasn't holding hands with Barbara Walters. We also wonder why he went to Dr Phil? You mean to tell me Dr Phil was the best available counsel for his situation? We better not see a prime time special out of this.

I hope NBC lets him out of his contract so he can indeed further the isolated parents cause. Even now, I cannot watch 30 Rock without thinking of the incident. Again, I hope the NBC thing wasn't a calculated ploy where he asks, they say no and the show goes on - with a much bigger paycheck for Alec.

That's the problem with my Purple America Paradise: we are forced to be suspicious of everything because we know that 'spin doctors' are some of the most creative and highest paid people in the world (and we're not talking about the guys who sang "Two Princes.").

Our only consolation is that at least we're not living in the Matrix like world of professional spin. We took the blue pill - and live in reality.

Does Alec?