Entries from July 2003 ↓

Roger Clemens - Came into the game to pitch the third inning, and proceeded to retire the side in order, including two strikouts. - Grade A+

Jason Giambi - One at bat, one pitch, one home run deep into the bleachers in right. - Grade A+

Hideki Matsui - One for two, but no RBI’s and one man left on. - Grade C

Alfonso Soriano - Three at bats, one strikeout and two men left on. - Grade D

Jorge Posada - Two at bats, two strikeouts. - Grade F

It is being reported on skysports.com that Sam Allardyce’s bid to bring Dennis Bergkamp to Bolton was rejected by the 34 year old striker in favor of a return to Highbury.

Good man!!!

There was a bit of good news coming out of Highbury today, with the announcement of a new one-year contract for Dennis Bergkamp. Dennis had been frustrated with the negotiations, but it seems that everything has been smoothed out. At least they’ve been smoothed out financially. According to some reports, Arsene Wenger made it quite clear that Dennis would no longer be a guaranteed starter, and that he faces a challenge from Aliadere, Jeffers, Wiltord and Kanu.

Thank God for Jason Giambi. Last night’s Home Run Derby was a bore-fest until Jason came up and belted 12 majestic shots. It set up a dramatic semi-final round against MLB man-of-the-moment, Albert Pujols of the Saint Louis Cardinals.

Pujols put on quite a display, smashing 14 homers - all to center field, and presenting a very daunting number for Giambi to match.

Giambi hit a few homers at the beginning of his semi-final run, but it was with only two outs remaining that he really got into the groove. Jason proceeded to hit five mammoth shots to pull within three of Pujols’s number, but alas they were not enough.

Pujols went on to face Garrett Anderson of the Anaheim Angels in the final. Anderson had what seemed like an effortless swing during the final, and knocked out nine homers without breaking a sweat. Pujols replied with a valiant effort, hitting eight more home runs, but the night belonged to Anderson, and to the Century 21 contest winner who received a 250,000 dollar check towards a new home.

Tonight’s the All Star Game. Despite all the “This Time It Counts” bologna, I will be sure to watch, and bring you my critique tomorrow.

Jim and I went to the first showing of this film last Wednesday. We were both quite surprised by the fact that a Noon show had sold out, and that our arrival 10 minutes before show time meant that we’d be sitting in the front section of the theater, much too close to the screen for my taste.

However, that being said, it did not diminish my experience in viewing this thoroughly enjoyable film.

I had purposely avoided all reviews before-hand, so as to not have any pre-conceptions. I wanted to go in with an open mind despite POTC being a Disney movie… Yes, I am one who is quite skeptical of the Disney machine.

However, it seems I had nothing to fear. The film opens simply with it’s title, no Disney fanfare beforehand, and gets right into the storytelling.

What a story it is. I won’t go into detail (you’ll have to see the movie yourself.) Suffice to say that it left this 28 year old quite entertained and engaged throughout its’ two-hour plus run.

Johnny Depp was amazing. His “Keith Richards-inspired” Captain Jack was intriguing on many levels. Keira Knightly was stunning throughout the movie. I guess they had makeup and hair people on deserted islands back then…

Geoffery Rush was excellent as the villianous Captain Barbossa. We’ve all seen too many one-dimensional “bad-guys” in movies, and it was nice to have a fully-realized character for a change.

The supporting cast were all great, especially the two BritCom vets, Jack Davenport, aka Commodore Norrington (”Coupling”), and MacKenzie Crook of “The Office” fame who played a very strange pirate with a glass eye.

Overall a great summertime movie that quite honestly the whole family can enjoy.

What is going on at Highbury? Chelscum are banging on the door with a 100 million GBPS offer for Vieira and Henry, and clubs are going on record stating that AFC’s offers for their players are “laughable.”Is the bubble about to burst on the Wenger era?

I’m not quite ready to push the panic button yet. Apart from the keeper position, much of the team that was so dominant for the better part of last season is returning. As for the transfer sagas, Arsenal have historically played things very close to the vest, so it is not surprising that we’ve not heard much so far this summer. It was not until late last week that Arsene Wenger made it public that his main focus was signing a keeper.

As for the CB everyone thinks we need, perhaps this kid Senderos is the answer. I would love to see him get the chance to play with the first team.

AW’s self-imposed deadline for signing a new keeper is July 19. That means we should be hearing something this week. As soon as there’s word, I’ll post my thoughts on the selection, and as the season opener gets closer, I’ll begin to preview the upcoming season.