A horse is a horse, of course
If you understand the headline on this blog entry, you're in the demographic that still likes horse racing -- and goofy 1960s sit-coms -- so you'll understand why I won't be showing up here for much of today. I'm heading out right now to do the Preakness pregame show at noon on WBAL (1090 AM) and then I'll be covering the the second jewel of the Triple Crown for The Sun. Don't think Mr. Ed (right) will be running in any of the races, but you never know.
You won't hear any complaints from me about being overworked. I love the Preakness and have covered it almost every year in some capacity since I moved to Baltimore. If you want my take on the difficult future facing racing in general and the Preakness in particular, check out my column today.
Just an aside, but if you stayed up late enough last night, you saw why I was hesitant to assign "reverse lock" status to the matchup between Adam Eaton and Zach Greinke. I thought the only hope the Orioles had of beating Greinke was if the law of averages caught up with him and he finally struggled.
Actually it did. He had the leadoff runner on base all night and allowed a lot of baserunners, but he's as good as advertised and was able to hold the O's down on a night when he didn't have his best stuff. Eaton, meanwhile, may have answered the roster question that has been floating around since Rich Hill started getting close to joining the rotation.
Hill is set to go tonight. Should be interesting.
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Comments
Friesen Fire will win the Preakness. The Derby favorite will bounce back from a rough trip and score at a nice price. Use Pioneer of the Nile, Musket Man, Papa Clem and Rachel Alexandra over and under in the Exacta and Trifecta. Have fun at Pimlico.
Posted by: John Kilian | May 16, 2009 10:15 AM
I think Mr Ed can pitch better than Eaton! Time to let him go. He has had enough chances (Eaton, that is...) and still pitches like Horse S%$T!
Posted by: jongermany | May 16, 2009 10:28 AM
I'm expecting either Eaton or Hendrickson to be released today. As bad as Eaton has been amazingly Hendrickson has been worse. Scott's return still looks to be days away so he could go on the DL to open a spot. Releasing Pie fails to make sense (but it is DT). Can't send down an OF with both Jones and Scott unavailable.
Posted by: Mick | May 16, 2009 11:06 AM
omg. that is truly sad. there's a generation of folks out right now who really have no idea what that title references. time flies.
Posted by: Basemonkey | May 16, 2009 11:19 AM
Preakness picks: Rachel Alexandra - Pioneerof The Nile - Musket Man...in that order. How I'd bet the triple: 9-13/1-3-7-9-13/1-3-7-9-13 = $24 for every unit you wish to wager. You're welcome.
Posted by: Mr. Trifecta | May 16, 2009 11:53 AM
Really, Adam Eaton needs to be cut. He has obviously extremely failed as a starter...and even in his previous start, he walked the bases loaded with a 9-1 lead in the 4th inning. Guthrie and Uehara were the only worthwhile starters when the season began, so let's finish this horrible experiment and move on. Eaton is just taking up a roster spot for the next four days, so let's move on and we can recall a pitcher next week and figure out which outfielder to cut at that time.
Posted by: Michael | May 16, 2009 12:14 PM
Sounds familiar?
2008 Steve Trachsel, 2-5, 8.39 ERA, 8 starts, 39.2 IP, 53 H, 10 HR
2009 Adam Eaton, 2-4, 7.93 ERA, 7 starts, 36.1 IP, 48 H, 7 HR
Posted by: Michael | May 16, 2009 12:45 PM
Pete,
If I were Andy McPhail or Dave T, I with Hendrickson going to the pen, Walker would be the one I would release. His job is to get lefties out and he has failed miserably. They seldom get a useful full inning out of him, he is stealing oxygen and taking a space on the roster. As far as the hitter that should move down, I would put Luke Scott on the DL and let Montanez and Riemhold compete. At the end of 10 days the winner stays the other goes down and bats everyday. Pie seems to have turned the corner at the plate and look much more comfortable in center than left! Pie just may work out, needs to work on hitting the duece!
Posted by: Keith Rowe | May 16, 2009 1:13 PM
Yeah releasing Eaton today would be the best move.They could also option Lou out and bring Albers back up.No point in having Lou and Reimold on the same team.
Posted by: John | May 16, 2009 2:31 PM
TV trivia. George Burns, before he was God, had a production company which made "Mr. Ed." as well as one of my favorite shows, the "Bob Cummings Show." (I know this isn't sports related, but you started it.)
Posted by: Paul B Towson | May 16, 2009 4:20 PM
How many times do Trembley and McPhail have put Eaton out there before they realize he just can't pitch. They surely must have gotten him for free,but even for free, he isn't worth it. What are they trying to prove? There are to many people at Norfolk and even at Bowie that are more talented and ready to do, at the least, as good as this guy. Please, please let's say goodbye to Adam Eaton.
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Pete's reply: To answer your original question, probably two more times.
Posted by: NORM | May 16, 2009 5:02 PM
Go Rachel--
Boo O'Malley. He cannot pass up the chance to diss Bob Ehrlich. He keeps saying that he "broke through the partisan gridlock to pass slots."
He must mean the partisan gridlock he and his cronies created.
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Pete's reply: I have to give him credit for being a classic self-serving politician. If you noticed, he said "partison gridlock" many times, but never said anything more, at least not while I was listening. Everybody knows what went down there -- and who's at fault -- and he was able to spin it without lying.
Posted by: logiopath | May 16, 2009 6:46 PM
Hey, this is sports-related AND Mr. Ed-related ... if you've never seen the episode where Mr. Ed joins the Dodgers, you haven't seen one of the funniest scenes in TV history. Ed rounds third and goes sliding into home, prompting the Dodgers' absolutely terrified catcher to climb the screen. I believe it was Roseboro behind the plate. Leo Durocher, Willie Davis and some other Dodgers were in the episode. CLASSIC
Posted by: Anthony | May 16, 2009 11:35 PM
God that show was funny. A talking horse... LOL
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Pete's reply: It was a simpler time. If he was alive today, Mr. Ed would be a contestant on Dancing With the Stars.
Posted by: Kevin from Baltimore | May 18, 2009 9:45 AM