I completely agree about the drunk driving thing. In fact, i think we need to punish all sorts of reckless driving offenses (red light runners, etc.) more seriously. I’ve ranted about it quite a few times right here.
As this very incident makes clear, suspending someone’s license is essentially no punishment at all, because assholes like this continue to drive whether they have a license or not. I’ve read studies in the past showing that a very high percentage of people with suspended licenses just go on driving, knowing that they’re unlikely to be caught. Driving on a suspended license should, in and of itself, be an offense punishable with prison time.
In a really trivial note, today’s Jays-Tigers game featured two starting pitchers making their major league debuts, both of whom had been first-round draft picks; Ricky Romero and Rick Porcello. That’s never happened before.
I find it interesting how quick everyone is to revel in the horrible fate awaiting the driver. One life has been destroyed, must we really take such glee in the administration of justice that must inevitably ruin another?
I understand why we must have strict laws as a deterrent effect, but it damn sure doesn’t make me feel good inside when the machinations of reasoned men rip the humanity from a person.
I revel in nothing, and take no glee at all in the fate of this asshole. I simply believe that a long custodial sentence is precisely appropriate for someone who: has a history of driving under the influence; drove under the influence while his license was suspended; ran a red light and killed three people; and then fled the scene.
I’m done with this hijack, because i don’t want to derail the baseball thread. If you want to wax poetic about “rip[ping] the humanity from a person” who just killed three people through his own reckless and self-centered conduct, you can meet me over here.
Did anyone see the scary play in the Brewers-Giants game yesterday? Giants relief pitcher Joe Martinez took a line drive to the head. He was bleeding and pretty dazed. I think that’s only the second time since i’ve been watching baseball that i’ve seen a pitcher hit in the head (although i’m sure there have been other incidents that escaped me). The other was in a Yankees-Orioles game a few years back. I think the pitcher was Carl Pavano.
It’s scary to see, because the pitcher is so vulnerable right at that instant. He’s still regaining his balance after putting his whole body into the pitch, and the ball comes back at him at over 100 miles an hour. Luckily Martinez seemed to get hit on the hard part of the head; if he got hit on the temple or the side of the jaw or straight in the face by a shot like that, it could have been much worse. And, as Natasha Richardson’s recent death demonstrates, you need to be careful with any blow to the head.
Pettitte is dealing today, and the Yankees are ahead in the 7th, 4-1. The Royals have some players for a change. I’d like to see them do well. The American League is more interesting when KC is in the mix.
So, fantasy people (and anyone else), should i keep Jered Weaver in my lineup tonight?
The whole Angels team has to be affected by Adenhart’s death, and Weaver hasn’t exactly had a great Spring anyway. And they are playing the Red Sox, who can hammer you all over the park if you don’t pitch well. I’m thinking i might keep him on the bench.
And just as i type that, the Brewers tie it up in the bottom of the 9th against the cubs, after an awful misplay in left field by Alfonso Soriano. He just completely misjudged the ball, failing to get back on it even though he was already playing in a deep, no-doubles position. The runner scored from first, and now the Brwers have the winning run on second base. Exciting stuff.
Yanks win their 2nd in a row. Rivera got his 56th save for Pettitte. That’s 2nd all-time. Eckersley had 57 for Welch (I would have guess Dave Stewart.)
I’d keep him. The Angels probably need a game against a tough team to get them back to baseball today. Going against the Red Sox and knowing that some of the fans at their stadium will be against them is a good motivator for life goes on.
Holy toledo. He’s bleeding out of his nose but he didn’t get hit in the nose. That is Not So Good. Poor Mike Cameron (the batter) he was practically in tears on first base…
In AL news, the Indians/Jays game (Tribe home opener) is still going on, 6 and a half hours later. There was a 3+ hour rain delay. Our starter looked good but then stopped looking so good. Both teams are bleeding runs. It’s a sad kinda game…
A very nice win for the Florida Marlins tonight over the Mets. The Mets came back, but the Marlins prevailed. Still, not a great outing for Lindstrom. Bonafacio with 3 runs as well. One of the hottest streaks to start a season that I’ve seen.
New Cub season, same old issues. Can’t rely upon a closer to seal the deal. And this after he went all spring without giving up an earned run. :rolleyes:
I dunno that Gregg deserves all the blame for that.
He got one out, then walked Duffy. Weeks ripped a liner to left, but Soriano made an awful play on it. He was already playing deep, in a no-doubles position, but he made a really bad move backwards on the ball, followed up by a slow recovery and a really weak throw to the cut-off man. A good outfielder probably would have caught the ball.
Weeks then stole third, and was able to come home on a ground ball to short.
Gregg wasn’t pitching great, but he didn’t get much help from his defense either.