RIDIN' HIGH...FOR NOW

***YANKS AGAIN FEAST ON OAKLAND PITCHING***
Three more homers and some timely hitting resulted in a 9-3 victory. Two things continue to be a source of concern: Jeter can't hit and Hughes can't pitch. Maybe they should switch positions.

***MANNY JOINS THE WHITE SOX***
He didn't get in to the game, but they did show him in the dugout in uniform, polishing his helmet (that old "appearance clause" you know). Of course, the hair length hasn't changed (the old "Joe Torre clause" is still in effect). His introductory press conference was conducted in Spanish (the "Sammy Sosa Effect" I guess), with a coach acting as interpreter. Manny still brings a lot of baggage.
Janice Hough had it right:
"Manny Ramirez was in uniform tonight and ready to take on his new role as White Sox DH - designated headcase."

***ANOTHER STATUE OUTSIDE THE PIRATES STADIUM***
The newest one is for Bill Mazeroski, who once hit a home run and...well, that's all I can think of. These statues usually show players in the act of performing their best talent. For example, Willie Stargell is hitting, Roberto Clemente is hitting, but Mazeroski, on the other hand, is just waving his hat. ...But he was really good at it.

***SPEAKING OF STATUES...***
This one from Dwight Perry:
"The Minnesota Twins will unveil a statue of the team's first owner, Calvin Griffith, on Sept. 3 at Target Plaza.
No truth to the rumor that his likeness is tightly clutching a $100 bill.

***BOB MATTHEWS IN TOP FORM***
In a never-ending drive to improve ALL sports, Bob has suggested a new Winter Olympic sport: Snowball Throwing. And he was serious. I guess he was inspired by the Geico "Randy Johnson Commercial." Yeah, Bob, it's a bad idea.

Yes, Vod, the Yanks are in first place all alone, at least for now. Please don't worry about the neighborhood cats and dogs. They've been safe ever since I took over the cooking chores from Annie-O.

CP-