by John Walters
Starting Five
1. Baltimore
Previously on The Wire….
Protests erupted in Baltimore yesterday in the wake of the funeral of Freddie Gray, who died within 45 minutes of being taken into police custody on April 12. In the words of the immortal Al Czervik, “So what? So…let’s dance!”
2. The Real Housewives of Kings Landing
“I wish we had some wine for you. It’s a bit early in the day for us.” Oh, Margaery, I hope you enjoyed that line, because you are going to pay for it. Cersei is still the Queen Bee. Andy Greenwald’s typically marvelous recap is here.
3. Indonesia: Not Messing Around
The Bali Nine, as they’re known
Nine prisoners are scheduled to face a firing squad in Indonesia today for attempting to smuggle eight kilograms of heroin from Bali to Australia in 2005. The shooters will stand just 5 meters away from the death row prisoners. I wouldn’t expect any Pulp Fiction-type miracle of missed shots.
4. The Firstros?
Jose Altuve, batting .325, waves goodbye to the cellar
Because I have no idea how long this will last: the Houston Astros, long celebrated here and deservedly so as the Lastros, are in first place in the American League West (13-6). The Firstros are one of the rare A.L. West squads who have assiduously avoided putting Justin Josh Hamilton on their roster, and it’s working for them.
Another-Texas-City Keuchel is 2-0 with a 0.62 ERA in four quality starts.
5. The XX Games
Jenner during his 1976 gold-medal winning decathlon competition
I am strong (Strong!)
I am invincible (Invincible!)
It’s cool that Bruce Jenner sat down with Diane Sawyer of ABC and spoke for TWO HOURS about his transgender situation. It’s astounding that, on a Friday evening, 17 million Americans tuned in to watch. Somewhere Dwight Stones is wondering what he needs to do to draw that much attention.
Honestly, if you were looking to wager back in 1976 which US Olympic track and field gold medalist would eventually do a gender change, I think the surer money would be on Dwight. And look at SI, putting a track star on the cover! Those were the days.
Music 101
There She Goes
She calls my name/Pulls my train/No one else could heal my pain
Four lads from Liverpool recorded one of the best pop songs of all time, and none of them were named Ringo. In 1990 The La’s burst onto the scene with tons of promise, but then mercurial lead singer/writer/genius Lee Mavers pulled the plug on the entire operation. I love this band –so does Mike Myers: every time he has appeared on Letterman since this song came out, including last month, this has been his play-on music.
What The La’s copped so well from the Beatles was the ability to write simple, catchy pop songs. Here’s one you’ve probably never heard that fills that order, “I Am The Key.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xX9TDQcCyVE
Remote Patrol
Game 5: Spurs at Clippers
TNT 10:30 p.m.
This just in: the Spurs have activated Robert Horry and Bruce Bowen for tonight’s game at Staples Center….
Nothing on UPSET NIGHT IN THE NBA? I’m actually kicking myself that I didn’t watch as I actually BELIEVED what the “experts” had been predicting – that the Hawks would, er, ‘cut down’ the Nets. That the Grizzlies would claw into & put away the underperforming Blazers. AND that the at-home Bulls would stampede the “just happy to be there” Bucks into their 4th & final loss so they could rest up & then begin the slaughter of the newly weakened, blood-in-the-water Cavs. NOT SO FAST! Whoo-hoo, GO BUCKS! Just wish I hadn’t fallen asleep before the TNT wrap-up. Would have LOVED to hear what the fellas had to say about the Bulls/Bucks – ALL of them pre-game had basically looked at the Bucks as inconsequential flies to be swatted away by the Bulls on their way to the Eastern Finals (now that the Cavs were to be without Love for their series AND without JR for 2 games).
I must say, even if I wouldn’t actually bet money that the Bucks will meet the Cavs in Round 2, I still feel a whole lot better than yesterday!
Charles always says the “fans don’t know nuthin!”. Well, he’s no Einstein or Nostradamus either. 🙂
Susie B.,
Are you going to have the stamina to breakdown the NBA until mid-June?
Only if the Cavs are involved. What can I say, I’m a “royalist”. 😉
Meanwhile, AAPL had another very good quarter, announced they were again raising the dividend (among other things) and TODAY the stock is…DOWN. Discuss.
Between the Cavs current situation & that I own TCS, a VERY ill-advised pick of the Motley Fool in which I bought into 3 times already over the past 7 months (sigh), April is having a last CRUEL laugh at my expense, emphasis on the “EXPENSE”.
As for Baltimore – running into a mall & grabbing everything & anything you can get your hands on & running out to waiting cars, oh yeah, THAT is exactly a heartfelt “protest” over another example of supposed “police brutality” or “racial injustice”? The majority of those looters & “rioters” don’t give a damn about anybody or anything except what they can grab for themSELVES.
Well, I WAS feeling better til Earth, Wind & Fire interrupted my reverie!
“For a while, we paid no mind to the past
We knew Love would last
Every night somethin’ right
Would invite us to begin the dance
Somethin’ (Olynyk!) happened along the way
What used to be happy, is now sad
Somethin’ (OLYNYK!) happened along the way
And yesterday was all we had
And oh, AFTER THE LOVE HAS GONE
How can we fight on
And just, you know, stay around (in the Playoffs…)
Oh, oh, oh, after the love has gone
What used to be right is wrong
Can Love that’s lost be found?”
🙁