Good baseball

At times this spring I've felt ashamed of myself for being so busy that I can't follow the baseball as closely as I'd like ...

In fact, I had no idea Alex Rodriguez was so hot until seeing some of his stats on the scoreboard at Miller Park a couple week's ago ...

But I still get at least a glimpse at my daily newspaper. All I need to know is that the teams I've attached myself closest to -- the Dodgers, Tigers, Angels and Red Sox -- are playing well. Heck, the Brewers are in first place and nine games over .500!! And the Cubs appear (as I pause for good measure) to be putting together a run ...

But the best part: The Yankees are losing.

I'm not holding my breath yet, though. They seem to start this way every year ... Check back in October.

This from yesterday's SI newsletter ...

Something is rotten in the Bronx. Despite a big month from third baseman Alex Rodriguez (far left, with Derek Jeter), who leads the majors with 14 home runs, the Yankees finished April at 9-14 and at the bottom of the AL East standings. Can New York turn things around in time to make the postseason? Despite last night's 10-1 win over the Rangers, in which rookie righthander Phil Hughes threw 6 1/3 hitless innings before leaving with a hamstring injury (one that will sideline him for 4-6 weeks), SI's Tom Verducci foresees an uphill climb. "The cold fact is the Yankees face overwhelming odds to get into the postseason," says Verducci. "They were not just a little off their game in April, or a game or two below .500. They were .391 baseball awful. How many teams recover from that kind of terrible start to get into the postseason? Would you believe 4.8 percent? From 1996 to 2006, 62 teams played worse than .400 baseball in April. Only three of those teams made the playoffs. If there is good news for New York it is that it was done twice just last year, bringing the odds up all the way from 1.3 percent."

Gassed up

Gas prices are spiking again ...

Great.

Today we watched them rise 15 cents in just a few hours ...

Suddenly, this image from a post I wrote last year has become planted in my head ...

Idol chatter

Thoughts on tonight's American Idol ...

Phil rocked “Blaze of Glory.” Bon Jovi told the Idols to own the songs, and he did it. Boy did he ever. And I’ll echo Randy and Paula: It was Phil’s best performance and the best opener of the season.

Jordin sang “Livin’ on a Prayer.” I’m thinkin’ she’s gonna need a few prayers to survive this week. It was too bland … But God bless her for being so candid and honest with herself.

But even as Jordin toughed it out, Kates and I remarked that the soul girls, Melinda and Lakisha, might have a tougher time. Kates even said, “Yeah, I’m a little scared to hear Lakisha.” After all, she’s been on the verge of getting knocked out the last couple weeks too …

Then Lakisha pulls out “This Ain’t A Love Song.” … And she’s back! … And that kiss with Simon!?! That was priceless.

Blake took the risk by changing up “You Give Love A Bad Name.” But he didn’t butcher the song, either. In fact, he played it perfectly. He stayed with the signature melody, and chipped in his own beat box twist, which he hadn‘t done in a few weeks. Smart kid ... True, half the audience probably loved it, and the other half hated it. Count me among the ones who enjoyed it.
Chris. “Dead or Alive.” I’ve never really liked the song. Never really liked Chris.

Melinda. “Have A Nice Day.” Totally Tina Turner.

...I'd be surprised if Chris doesn't get voted off tomorrow night. Lucky for Jordin, she's put together a strong enough run the last few weeks that her fan base is growing. Unfortunately, I think Lakisha's fan base is fading ...

The Best Damn album

… I got my hands on Avril Lavigne’s “Best Damn Thing” yesterday. I love it.

… By now, I’ve listened to the disc a half dozen times. And I’ve played “Girlfriend” about twice as much …

… I'd rather not make music comparisons, but for me there's no easier way to give people an idea of what the music sounds like. The first descriptions that came to mind listening to this one? It's like Fergie joined the Go-Gos ...

Let’s face it, Avril doesn’t have the polished chops of a Celine Dion, but her spunk and explosive energy makes the music oh so fun to listen to …

“Girlfriend” is clearly the hit on the album, perfect and just in time for the summer.

... “I Can Do Better” is classic power punk. “Runaway” is perfect for getting in the car and driving to some far off escape. “The Best Damn Thing” is damn-catchy.

The album falters a little in the middle, however. “When You’re Gone” is like an attempt at a sweet ballad in the same vein of Avril’s “I’m With You,” but it’s more likely to end up as a track I’ll routinely skip over …

... Some cool melodies make “Hot” and “Contagious” stand out during the latter half of the album before “Keep Holding On,” a song that's been sorely overplayed on radio, closes out the disc ...

No, the lyrics aren't as mature from an Avril who's now married, growing up and touting her third album (most of the stuff on here sounds like the words of a bratty schoolgirl, or songs that didn't make the "Mean Girls" soundtrack" ...

But the songs are catchy as anything she's done. And here's hoping she brings her stuff to Summerfest ...

(People are still talking about her SNL performance, the show came up every time I mentioned my listening to the new album)