Twins extend closer Nathan's contract until 2011.
Sigh. Didn't the Twins read Moneyball? I read that book and absolutely loved it. And while I don't necessarily subscribe to everything it says, I agree with much of it. For example, I don't agree the lack of value it places on defense or stealing bases, but I completely agree with the idea of drafting proven college players over untested high school players.
I can't stand it when people talk about how great a high school football player is and how he is going to be so great when he gets to college. In high school, 95% of the players are awful, especially compared with the players at the college level. Showing me a YouTube video of some dude running circles around a bunch of 14-18 year olds is extraordinarily not impressive. Whatever!
Anyway, back on the subject of Moneyball and the Twins. One of the things that book talks about is the amazing emphasis that has recently been placed on closers and how undeserved it really is to value them so highly. It will save a team a lot of money and generally not make much difference if they just fill the closer's position with any good reliever. If a pitcher can't get three outs without giving up one or more runs on a regular basis, he probably shouldn't be on your team anyway. Perhaps the Twins should have let Nathan go, or traded him, and filled their holes at any infield position except catcher and first base...
Oh well, could be a long year for the Twins. Don't get me wrong, I like Nathan, but after reading Moneyball I just can't get behind paying him that much to keep him around
Monday, March 24, 2008
Back with more pop songs
Hey Team! I'm back and I have some more songs you need to hear from pop radio if you haven't heard them already. Admittedly, me being the dork I am, I actually listen to NPR most of the time. But when I journey outside the range of my NPR station (which I often do), or when the Diane Rheem Show is on (I'm pretty sure she is going to die while broadcasting any day now!) I always gravitate back to whatever station plays "today's best hits!"...
That is definitely not all bad though, and here are four reasons why. Take a listen when you get the chance:
1. "Love Song" by Sara Bareilles.
--The beginning of this song is really great, in my opinion. The piano throughout the whole song kind of drives the song, in my mind. And while the refrain gets pretty old pretty quickly, I enjoy the song during most of the verses.
2. "Shadow of the Day" by Linkin Park.
--Sometimes I'm a sucker for slow, dramatic songs, and this is one of those times. Personally, I think the lyrics are pretty cheesy, and I don't really buy them coming from this band, nor do I buy the video. The song is extremely catchy, and I always stop my radio on whatever station I hear playing this song no matter how many times I've already heard it.
3. "New Soul" by Yael Naim.
--Now I've only heard this song on the radio once or twice, but I guarantee if you've watched t.v. for more than an hour in the last month, you've heard this song. It's the one you catch a little bit of during the Mac Book Air commercial. I'm not sure if it's the simplicity or innocence of the song that makes it so catchy, I just know that it makes you happy every time you hear it, even if it's just for a few seconds. Don't believe me? Watch/listen:
4. "Clumsy" by Fergie.
--Dammit, this is the second Fergie song in the two times I've done this exercise. I swear I'm not obsessed with her or anything, she just writes these dumb songs that I can't stop listening to. I really like the plodding synth part throughout the song, and I like the dude who yells in the background every once in a while. Also, I HATE the part where she stops and talks to you. I don't believe for a second that she's the kind of girl who gets super down when her boyfriend breaks up with her, nor do I believe the love bug jumps right back up and bites her. Not at all. (For those of you keeping score at home, I didn't have to look at the lyrics or listen to the song to type that last part. I just know the song that well. I hate myself.)
Well, there you have it. Go listen to those songs and then you tell me if pop radio is always so bad...
You'll find most of it is that bad, of course, but you might hear some of these songs, so maybe they'll brighten your day.
That is definitely not all bad though, and here are four reasons why. Take a listen when you get the chance:
1. "Love Song" by Sara Bareilles.
--The beginning of this song is really great, in my opinion. The piano throughout the whole song kind of drives the song, in my mind. And while the refrain gets pretty old pretty quickly, I enjoy the song during most of the verses.
2. "Shadow of the Day" by Linkin Park.
--Sometimes I'm a sucker for slow, dramatic songs, and this is one of those times. Personally, I think the lyrics are pretty cheesy, and I don't really buy them coming from this band, nor do I buy the video. The song is extremely catchy, and I always stop my radio on whatever station I hear playing this song no matter how many times I've already heard it.
3. "New Soul" by Yael Naim.
--Now I've only heard this song on the radio once or twice, but I guarantee if you've watched t.v. for more than an hour in the last month, you've heard this song. It's the one you catch a little bit of during the Mac Book Air commercial. I'm not sure if it's the simplicity or innocence of the song that makes it so catchy, I just know that it makes you happy every time you hear it, even if it's just for a few seconds. Don't believe me? Watch/listen:
4. "Clumsy" by Fergie.
--Dammit, this is the second Fergie song in the two times I've done this exercise. I swear I'm not obsessed with her or anything, she just writes these dumb songs that I can't stop listening to. I really like the plodding synth part throughout the song, and I like the dude who yells in the background every once in a while. Also, I HATE the part where she stops and talks to you. I don't believe for a second that she's the kind of girl who gets super down when her boyfriend breaks up with her, nor do I believe the love bug jumps right back up and bites her. Not at all. (For those of you keeping score at home, I didn't have to look at the lyrics or listen to the song to type that last part. I just know the song that well. I hate myself.)
Well, there you have it. Go listen to those songs and then you tell me if pop radio is always so bad...
You'll find most of it is that bad, of course, but you might hear some of these songs, so maybe they'll brighten your day.
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