Hello,
It appears that Clint Eastwood's amazing movie "Million Dollar Baby" has been remade into a different movie with just a few changes. The new version still stars Clint Eastwood, but Amy Adams has replaced Hilary Swank. It's still about sports, but baseball instead of boxing. An aging person, both played by Eastwood, is called upon by a young woman to teach her the ropes. In "Million Dollar Baby" Swank is a unrelated young and up coming boxer. In "Trouble With The Curve", Adams plays Eastwood's daughter. It does seem like there isn't anything new under the sun, so seeing all these similarities doesn't surprise me. And I love Clint Eastwood, he has toughness, charm and an easy confidence. He has just enough of a smart aleck sense-of-humor to get away with his ornery persona.
In other words I'll still watch the below movie eventually, although I'll probably wait until it comes On Demand first. I also would highly recommend seeing "Million Dollar Baby". It's just an amazing movie and one of Eastwood's best movies.
Now on to the travesty going on in Boston, otherwise known as the Bobby Valentine failed experiment. A couple of days ago Valentine was given "an unqualified vote of support from team ownership"(espn.com). Usually that kind of support means that he will last through this season. However unless a miracle happens, I expect this to be his first and last season as the Red Sox manager. Speaking of unqualified, he has been an unqualified disaster. You can't blame all the injuries on him- buy why do the Red Sox have such decimating injuries every year? Can't there be something done about that?,
Valentine's public persona is an ornery, out of touch know-it-all. However with a 55-56 record, the know-it-all tag seems to be a bit preposterous. In the few interviews I've heard of him, he comes off as very gruff. He also dodges questions, has little charm and acts like it's a privilege to the interviewer he even showed up. Before his next job, I hope Valentine gets some help in how to present himself.
I realize that his job is on the line and he needs to have some confidence in his team to pretend that they can make the playoffs. But his latest out-out-of touch observation that the Red Sox can make the playoffs this year is ridiculous. Some suggest that this team would have to go 34-17 for the rest of the season to possibly grab the final wildcard spot. How the hell is this team that can't even win half of their games going to start winning two-thirds of their games?
Boston is losing today, at home, and are 9 games behind the Yankees. They aren't going to catch the Yankees. In the wild card the Red Sox will have to pass multiple teams to make the playoffs. The Red Sox have to learn how to win at home, they are only 29-33 at home this season. And it looks like they will lose today.
What do the Red Sox have to do next season to be the team they are suppose to be? I see at least 4 things 1) Get rid of Bobby Valentine, he has been a disaster on so many levels. 2) Solve the pitching problem, they've given up way too many runs this season. Getting rid of Daisuke Matzusaka will help, that will open up a significant chunk of change to get a decent pitcher. I would love to see them dump John Lackey, much as the Yankees dumped A.J. Burnett. (Although Burnett has had an amazing season for the Pirates so far, 14-3.) 3) Solve the injury bug, they just have too many major injuries each season. 4) Figure out what is needed to do to win at least 2/3rds of their games at home but still 1/2 of their games on the road. Although all those steps probably isn't a one season process. But after stepping a foot back this season, hopefully they will be moving forward next season.
I just want to reiterate that I'm still a big Red Sox fan and looking forward to their future success!
Wow this song is so very sad, and the story behind it is even sadder. But what a beautiful song. This is Boyce Avenue's "Briane". (Although I do prefer the spelling BriAnne, very pretty name.)
themusicaddict
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