Bought Yourself Things You Could Not Use

I hate who I have become: the guy who imposes the maximum candy limit on kids when they come up to the door on Halloween. I've become "The Man" in the most negative use of that term.

This year's Halloween costume of choice so far for the kids who have come to the door: the Scream mask circa 1996.
I'm pretty sure that both of the kids I saw wearing it have no idea who Neve Campbell or David Arquette are, and I am sure that is a good thing for their young minds. It was a bit disturbing when one of the Scream kids walked up to the door and I said, "Hey, I've seen you before." Then all of the sudden the kid must have reached down inside of the costume for the secret weapon button because fake-blood began to cascade down out of the pores of the mask. It was a highly unsettling moment to say the least.

Probably my greatest Halloween costume was the year I went as a hobo and affixed coffee grounds to my face in lieu of a beard. I was about 9 at the time so cut me some slack on the paucity of facial hair. I'm not a first-ballot inductee into the Robin Williams Hirsute Hall of Fame, that's for sure.

I really wish that the year that I had dressed as a hobo, I would have done my homework on down and out Vietnam veterans suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome. It would have made things much more interesting when people asked me who I was dressed up as before I received my ration of candy. Some say they have no regrets in life. That was one of my greatest.

Current Reading

The Rise of the Vulcans: The History of Bush's War Cabinet by James Mann

I Ran All Night and Day, I Couldn't Get Away

"Tom Brady and the New England Patriots take on Chester Taylor and the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football."

I'm making a request today. If an ESPN producer can look at the other members of the production staff and say, "Brady. Taylor. It's Monday Night Football on ESPN," with a straight face, then I think it's okay to use Taylor's name, but otherwise you have to kick Chester to the curb. It's always good to abide by the recognizable last name rule in those kinds of situations. I'll call it the Danny Scott rule.
I always love watching games where my Dad walks into the room and utters the immortal line, "Man, I don't even know who any of these guys are anymore." I usually respond by asking whether he has watched any sports lately, which he usually responds to with a "no", whereby I respond, "Well, doesn't it seem to make sense that you don't know any of the players?" *See footnote.

If my Dad recognizes the player's name when used in a promo, it's safe to say that it was a good call by the producers to use that promo format, but if it leaves my Dad scratching his head and looking over at me for answers, the folks at the Worldwide Leader probably need to go back to the drawing board.

I should tell you that when I heard this promo, I was in Waco, and my Dad was approximately 2.5 hours away in Tyler, but I have this sixth sense about these things. I'm pretty sure that other people have similar abilities regarding where to buy high-quality laundry detergents or cake batter. We all have our gifts, we just need to learn how to use them.

*It's almost as if men expect to have knowledge of sports without ever watching or reading about them on a consistent basis. As if there was a sports mothership hovering above the earth that sent down daily news and notes that we should have in order avoid awkward conversational exchanges. The authority on this subject is this man. Everyone please thank Dan for exposing our collective disease.

Takes the Wheel When I'm Seeing Double, Pays My Ticket When I Speed

Nothing like a Sunday afternoon spent with a property outline instead of taking a nap.

The 'Boys have been driving me mad lately. One week they look great and the next week I wouldn't pick them to win the local Pop Warner league. I cannot even imagine how crazy that Bill Parcells might be at the end of this season. I'm pretty sure that the Tuna retreats after each practice into his office at Valley Ranch for an extended "Serenity Now" session with the team therapist. If that's true, anyone storing computers at the Cowboys training facility might want to clear those out pronto.

I'm probably way behind the times on this, but after mistakenly erasing all of the songs on my iPod yesterday afternoon before I went to the Contracts Exam, today I spent some time on the iTunes Music Store perusing the various podcasts available. I'm not sure what it is about jambands, but there are multiple quality Grateful Dead podcasts available.

I guess Jerry Garcia is going to have to carry me through until I begin to restock the music library. Welcome aboard boys, it's going to be a good ride. One rule: please keep the bong off of the bus. Thanks.

Is This the Kingdom or Just a Hit and Miss?

Well, the first exam has come and gone and I am still standing. I do appreciate Prof. Contracts working characters in various Ayn Rand works into the exam, but I guess that is all I can say without running afoul of the Baylor Law Honor Code.

Ben and Joey, if you wondering how to prepare for your exams, the best advice I can give you (after one exam mind you), is to know how to spot issues. That is how you are going to garner points on your finals. You will succeed by being able to spot issues and to come up with the proper solutions for the problems presented in those issues. That's really all I can tell you, but you guys probably already knew that.

The next exam in the countdown is Property on Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. I'll be delving into the netherworld of the estates system and landlord tenant relationships for the next few days, so I'll see you on the other side.

In the sports world, congratulations to the St. Louis Cardinals on bringing home the World Series Championship last night. It was a fashionable position this year to bash on the NL, and I was guilty of it myself, but the Cards put all facets of the game together (along with some horrendous fielding by the Tiger pitchers) in order to bring the world title back to the 'Lou. Even though my loyalties lie with the boys in Arlington, it does warm my baseball loving heart to see the fans in the 'Lou enjoying their first World Championship in 24 years.

I'm pretty sure that the Rangers would place themselves in a much better position to win the World Series if they forced former players to wear outstanding team-color blazers, such as as the bright-red ones sported by Lou Brock and Ozzie Smith recently, when they throw out the ceremonial first pitch. ZZ Top was dead on when they said that "every girl is crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man."

The Turntable Sizzles Casting the Spells, The Pressure Devices Hell in a Nutshell

Stephen Carter was right after all. When I heard Carter speak earlier this year, he noted that in American politics we have moved from an era of ideology to an era of partisanship. Carter said that living in an era of ideology will not do significant damage to a country, but that living in an age of partisanship will slowly suck the life out of nation like a python slowly crushing the life of its prey by the force of its will.

Any disagreements with the analogy can be directed to me and not Professor Carter, as if you would call him up and say, "Hey Steve-o, I'm not a big fan of the snake image." I digress.


In an era of ideology, the most important point is the battle between ideas and opposing viewpoints that takes place on a daily basis. In the past that struggle took the form of capitalism v. communism, proliferation v. non-proliferation, judicial restraint v. judicial activism, etc. Living in an era of partisanship might seem very similar, but there are some subtle differences that are ultimately poisonous to the system as a whole.

In an era of partisanship, the most important thing is that your side or my side wins. It does not ultimately matter what means it takes to reach that end, but only that it is reached. The battle of ideas is subordinated to a battle of left v. right and conservative v. liberal. In an era of partisanship, it is easier to achieve victory and rally others to your side if you can demonize your opponents. It makes things much too complicated if you were to acknowledge that people on the other side of the aisle have some good ideas, just as your side has some bad ones.
If I can demonize Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Barack Obama, George Bush, Bill Clinton, I have made it that much easier to not actually take their ideas seriously or to respond to them with actual contemplation. The good of the nation as a whole is placed behind the good of the Democratic or Republican Party. When the politician comes along who values the good of the nation over the petty partisan wars that currently rage, the American people will follow that person like the Pied Piper.

Stick With Me Baby, I'm the Guy That You Came In With

Congratulations to Andrew Tuegel for correctly naming "Kite" by U2 as the Wednesday Song of the Day.

If an entire country in South America is missing its trees, I'm pretty sure that they have all been transferred to McClennan County in the form of political signs. I was a political science major, so I have some understanding of how promotion and advertising are vital to a candidate's chances, but there is one Waco area candidate who is fighting an uphill battle despite the proliferation of his signs around the city. That candidate is Scott Peterson.


That's right, there is someone named Scott Peterson who is running for judge in McClennan County. You can find his website here. If I were Mr. Peterson, all of my advertisements and signage would have a giant, and I mean giant, asterisk stating that he is not "the other Scott Peterson."
How much did the Waco Peterson hate watching his doppleganger roasting in trial a few years ago? "Come on Scott, I mean come on. Now no one is going to vote for me. I might as well change my name to Adolf or Koresh."

I'm a Man, I'm Not a Child, A Man Who Sees the Shadow Behind Your Eyes

Today is a historic day. It's hard to believe but today marks the two year anniversary of this blog.

By the numbers:

• This is post #488.



• In my first year, I had 249 posts.



• In the second year, I have had 239 posts. (The likely reason for the lower post numbers was the surprising lack of Wi-Fi service on Colorado mountainsides)



• Here is the post commemorating my first year.

You've seen the numbers, but there is so much more to what this blog has meant to me. Looking at the preceding sentence it might be easy to scoff and think that I am placing too much emphasis on something that is ultimately artificial, but what this blog has allowed me to experience is anything but artificial.
I have been able to take time each day to sit down and talk about what is on my mind. I have been able to stay in touch with friends that are far away and some that are still close. It has given me a chance to look back at how much my life has changed in the past two years. A quick glance at my first month of posts will confirm that suspicion. It has also reminded how some things will never change.

Remember when you were young and your parents would tack that A on the math test up on the refrigerator? I had a similar feeling toward the end of this summer when I walked into my grandmother's house. My grandmother has pictures everywhere of her family. As I was walking over to look at pictures from my past, I glanced at a piece of paper that was sitting on the countertop. It looked familiar and I recognized that it was a printout of one of my posts. It sounds overly sentimental, but you don't know how much that meant to me that my grandmother had printed out something that I had sat down to write, never thinking that it would cross anyone's mind again after the initial reading.

With that said, what can you expect on Running Down a Dream in the future? Well, I was writing about baseball from the first day, so there will probably still be more musings on America's Pasttime. There will be talk about politics, law school, TV, movies, music, and the adventures of my life.
Through the ups and downs of these last two years it has been a joy to write in this space. I hope and pray that you have enjoyed it as much as I have. Thanks for your thoughts and thanks for reading.

And Life Barrels on Like a Runaway Train

My greatest thanks to Prof. CivPro for informing the class yesterday that it is okay to watch large amounts of television. He also informed us that he enjoys watching TV so much that he has actually purchased two DVRs. I'm pretty sure that if the guy who invented the DVR were in the room yesterday, Prof. CivPro would have acted like Chris Farley on "The Chris Farley Show" sketch with Paul McCartney.

"Remember the time, um, when you invented the DVR?"

"Yes, Prof. CivPro, I do."

"Man.....that was awesome."

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With all of that said, I have decided to become a regular viewer of two shows. I have not been a weekly devotee to any TV show since the first season of The O.C. (Say what you will, but that, my friends, was inspired television.) My two weekly shows now are Lost and The Office. At first glance, those appear to be very different ends of the TV spectrum. It's almost like the TV equivalent of eating Grape Nuts (ultimately satisfying, but a bit too crunchy and difficult to work through at times) on Wednesday nights and then on Thursday switching to eating Trix with the color change spoon (you all know you had one).

I probably should not be asking this question here as Finals loom over me like the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man over New York, but are there any shows that I am really missing out on right now? I'm going to say that I'm only going to add two more shows at the most, so make your recommendations count.

Did I Hurt Like I Know I Can, Tell My Why You'd Ever Want to Leave Your Loving Man

Are you someone who loves to mock those who drone on and on about their fantasy football team? Do you find it deeply troubling while you are watching a game if someone always manages to work in the fact that a given player is on their fantasy team? Should adults really be spending a large portion their lives worrying about Daunte Culpepper's anterior cruciate ligament?

Well, my friends, a bright new day has dawned.

That's right. If you love the U.S. Congress as much as Dr. David Dillman, Dr. Mel Hailey, Dr. Caron Gentry, or Dr. Neal Coates, there is now a place for you to pursue your passion. Welcome to the world of Fantasy Congress.

• "Did you hear that Barack Obama just introduced a new amendment to the welfare bill? He's on my fantasy team!"
• "Man, I'm really going to see if I can trade Mark Foley for a junior senator from Maine. This page scandal is just killing my point production."
• "Ted Kennedy is going in for another quintuple bypass. I may need to put him on my injured reserve for a while."

The possibilities are endless. Get out there and draft!

Try to Understand While I've Got You on the Phone

On Saturday as we were driving down to visit family in Austin, my Dad and sister informed me that they were becoming quite bored with the World Series list and requested a change in content. Well, here you go.

Joey (America's Finest Rock n' Roll) wrote a few days ago about the potential legal problems created by Google's acquisition of YouTube. Here is a NY Times article discussing the exponential growth of Google's legal department in the last 5 years (from 1 to 100) and what the future might look like for the internet's fastest rising corporation.

Current Listening

Current Reading (When I am briefly able to break away from my exam outlines)

Exam Countdown: 5 days until Contracts, 8 days until Property, 11 until Civil Procedure. I'm really sure what ship captains meant when they used the phrase "batten down the hatches", but there's going to be some battening going on until those three finals are completed.

P.S. Maybe I need to drink a large amount of grog and allow scurvy to debilitate me before I truly understand how to "batten the hatches."

Casting Lines on the Floor, and Lines on His Face, He Reflects on the Day

Well, my friends, we have come to the end of the countdown.

#1-2001 World Series-New York Yankees v. Arizona Diamondbacks

Jonathan, you were correct my friend. I have mentioned in early posts that there is certainly no love lost between the Yankees and I (as if "The Yankees" were aware of my disdain and dislike me as well), but I'm also not a big fan of the Diamondbacks. With that said, this World Series was simply incredible.

This series took place in New York less than two months after the 9/11 attacks. As you could probably tell from reading posts from the past week and a half, I love baseball. Obviously it is not everything in life, but sometimes baseball allows us to escape from some of the painful realities in our life for a short time. This World Series was such an opportunity for baseball fans across America, but New Yorkers especially.

I know that there are some who read this blog who abhor George Bush, and I certainly do not think the man walks on water as some do, but this video that I found of the President throwing out the first pitch for Game 3 of the '01 Series is probably a more eloquent telling than I can provide of what this World Series meant to so many.

With all of the geopolitical externals set aside for a moment, this Series also featured a large turning point in the ebb and flow of baseball history. The Yankees came into the Series as the 3-time defending champions, and the Diamondbacks franchise had only been in existence since 1998.
On the field this Series featured a game winning homerun by Tino Martinez in Game 4, a 12th inning game winning single by Alfonso Soriano in Game 5, tremendous pitching performances from Roger Clemens, Curt Schilling, and Randy Johnson, along with the extremely enjoyable "Byung-Hyun Kim" face.

I still remember Paul O'Neill striding to the plate at Yankee Stadium in Game 4 as the intro to The Who's "Baba O'Riley" played in the background. He stepped up to the plate just as Roger Daltrey was belting "Out here in the fields, I work for my meals, I get my back into my livin'." Best at-bat music I've ever heard.
Of course, the Diamondbacks took the 2001 World Series title with a game winning hit from Luis "I can't believe they stuck me with Joe Buck and Tim McCarver" Gonzales. The Yankees have not won a World Series since and Steinbrenner is probably taunted with "Year 2000" chants daily. One can only hope.

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Well, that's it folks. I hope you all have enjoyed the countdown. I know that there are different opinions on what should be in this space, but that's the beauty of conversation and sports. For those regular readers that could care less about baseball, I'm going to try to get back to other topics, starting tomorrow.

Standing on the Corner of 6th and How to Forget?

In honor of Haiku Friday over on Osler's Razor, I have written my own. Feel free to submit your own. Remember, 5 beats for the first line, 7 for the second, 5 again for the third.

Kim Jong has crazy nukes

I miss you Doctor Strangelove

Livin' La Vida Loca now

Well, we are down now to the final two here on the Top 10 World Series of My Lifetime Countdown. Here goes nothing....

#2-1986 World Series-Boston Red Sox v. New York Mets

You knew this one was coming, didn't you? You were sure it would be in the Top-5, but you did not know how high it would rise. Well, there has been so much written and said about this series, I almost feel as though there is nothing new to contribute, but I wanted to share some little odds and ends that I have discovered recently regarding this Series.

• Yesterday ESPN's Uni Watch put out a shocking story that further confirms that Billy Buck had no chance to scoop up Mookie's grounder. Don't believe me? Then what would you say if I told that Buckner was wearing a Cubs batting glove underneath his first baseman's mitt as he played in Game 6? It was too much karma for one human being to handle. He might as well have had Mookie Wilson poking a Bill Buckner voodoo doll as he stood in the on-deck circle.



• Many of you might have already seen this, but Connor Lastowka managed to re-create the entire bottom of the 10th inning from Game 6 using the Nintendo game R.B.I Baseball. I'm not sure if this is one of the greatest things that I have ever seen or one of the most colossal wastes of time that I have ever seen, but there is one thing that I do know: I hope it was cathartic for Connor.
  Of course Buckner did not deserve half of the blame that was heaped on him. Calvin Schiraldi and Bob Stanley both deserve as much of the blame as Buckner, but unfortunately he was just the wrong person in the wrong place at the wrong time. Most people forget that Buckner's error was not the Series ending moment for the Sox, but it might as well have been. How can you expect a team that had not won a World Series in 68 years (at that point), to go out and give their best effort in Game 7? The doom of their chances was already foretold.

Check in tomorrow for Number 1 and feel free to offer your guesses as to who will stand in the top spot.

Spoon in Spoon, Stirring My Coffee

Congratulations to Dan Carlson for correctly naming "Spoon" by Dave Matthews Band as the Thursday Song of the Day. I should probably give Dan something extra for also noting that Alanis Morrisette sang backup vocals on "Spoon." Perhaps something Canadian in honor of Alanis? I know. Canadian Bacon. Congrats Dan.
We here at Running Down a Dream would like to extend a warm welcome to Yadier Molina as he enters the illustrious company of the Bill Mazeroski All-Stars. Other members include Aaron Boone, Joe Carter, Francisco Cabrera, and Gene Larkin. Basically, the Bill Maz All-Stars are guys who have come up huge in the postseason and you look back and say, "Who exactly was that guy?" Congrats Yadier, now may you go down in defeat to the Boys from Motown. If I can't cheer for the Rangers in the Series, I can at least root for another franchise that has been down on its luck in the recent past. Go Tigers!

But On My Way Came Up With the Answers, Scratched My Head and the Answers Were Gone

Congratulations to Joseph "I secretly enjoyed John Cena in The Marine" Halbert for correctly naming "El Scorcho" by Weezer as the Wednesday Song of the Day.

#3-1991 World Series-Minnesota Twins v. Atlanta Braves
As the fan of a oft-struggling franchise, this one gives me a lot of hope. Both the Twins and the Braves had finished last in their respective divisions in 1990, but 1991 saw them both rise to the pinnacle of the baseball world.

Let's run down the cast of characters in this Series:

Kirby Puckett, Charlie Liebrandt, Tom Kelly, Jack Morris, John Smoltz, Mark Lemke, David Justice a.k.a. "The Former Mr. Halle Barry", Steve Avery, Gene Larkin, Ron Gant, Danny Gladden, and Kent Hrbek.

At least 4 games in this Series saw the winning team score the deciding run in the 9th inning or later. Who can forget Kirby Puckett's amazing catch against the wall in the latter innings of Game 6, only to have him top that catch with a homer in the bottom of the 11th to send the Series to the deciding Game 7.

Obviously, the most memorable game in this series was Game 7. John Smoltz and Jack Morris both pitched the games of their lives that night as they kept both teams scoreless through 9 innings. Although Smoltz bowed out in the 9th, Morris pitched a complete game that night, but he had no run support until Gene Larkin singled home Danny Gladden with the winning run in the bottom of the 10th.

I still remember watching this game and wondering, "Who in the heck is Gene Larkin?" Somehow, even at seven, I understood that sometimes the most unlikely of faces get their chance to shine on the big stage. Good form, Gene.

I Asked You To Go to the Green Day concert, You Said You'd Never Heard of Them

I should also mention that Team Jodayyy continued to roll through the Mira, Mira regular season with a convincing win over El Mojo. We were helped in no small part through the fantastic performance of the Chicago Bears defense in the second half of Monday night's game against Arizona.

Please send all jeers and cheers to: dennygreenisanangryman@arizonacardinals.com

Up next is yet another matchup with Team Nate Low led by Coleman Greer Griffith. Please bombard the 615 with all kinds of intimidating speech and nonsense.

I'm the Epitome of Public Enemy, Why You Wanna Go and Do Me Like That, Come Down on the Street and Dance With Me

Everyone, please give a warm Running Down a Dream welcome back to Mrs. Katrina Kincaid. She correctly named "Jesus, Etc." by Wilco as the Tuesday Song of the Day.

#4-1993 World Series-Philadelphia Phillies v. Toronto Blue Jays

Yes, you probably mentally blocked out the fact that a Canadian baseball team actually won consecutive World Series in the early 90's. It's true or at least Steve Hirdt at the Elias Sports Bureau says it is and Steve's word is gold. Anywho....

This series featured a pretty interesting cast of characters: John Kruk, Lenny "Nails" Dykstra, Mitch "The Wild Thing" Williams, Curt Schilling, Paul Molitor, Joe Carter, and the helmeted one, John Olerud.

Game 4 set three World Series records:

• Longest World Series game (4 hours, 14 minutes)



• Most combined runs (29)



• Most runs scored by a losing team (14)
  
  
  

  Of course, we all remember Joe Carter's 3 run blast off "The Wild Thing" in the 9th inning of Game 6 to clinch the title for the Jays. Carter's homerun was the first series clinching homerun since Bill Mazeroski's improbable shot to stun the Yankees in Game 7 of the 1960 Series.
  

I remember a few years ago ESPN did a bizarre segement where they had Carter and Mitchell come together to talk about how that moment has affected their lives. That might sound pretty normal, but I remember ESPN shot the segment in a bowling alley. I'm not sure if Carter or Williams is an avid bowler, but that always seemed very odd to me. Who knows? Maybe bowling alleys are bringing people together across America. Here's to you AMF, healer of our national wounds.

Our Love is All of God's Money, Everyone is a Burning Sun

Congratulations to Ms. Heidi Hipp for naming "Down with Disease" by Phish as the Monday Song of the Day.

#5-1988 World Series-Los Angeles Dodgers v. Oakland A's

Yes, you're right. This one only went 5 games, but who can forget it? I'll set the scene. 9th inning of Game 1. The Dodgers are down by one run, 4-3. It has been a hard fought game, but now the A's have sent out the man who has led them all season, Dennis Eckersley. The Eck was a formidable foe back then and just moving into that rarefied air that we now reserve for fearsome closers like Goose Gossage, Trevor Hoffman, and Mariano Rivera. Eckersley had 45 saves in the '88 season and it appeared that he was quickly closing in on #46.

Dodgers Manager Tommy Lasorda sends pinch-hitter Mike Davis to the plate in an effort to get something started in the bottom of the 9th. Davis draws the most important walk of his career, but here's the problem: weak-hitting pitcher Alejandro Pena is up next. Lasorda looks down his bench seeking a much-needed spark. His eyes settle on the 1988 National League MVP, Kirk Gibson. You may ask yourself, "If Gibson was the NL MVP that year, then why in the heck was he not playing already?" Gibson had been fighting a leg injury during the playoffs and was scratched from a start in Game 1 of the Series.

Despite those facts, Lasorda sends Gibby to the plate anyway. Gibson limps up to the plate and stares down Eckersley. The two stars begin to battle on baseball's largest stage. Isn't this what kids dream of when they begin playing the game? Down in the bottom of the 9th, up against a fearsome closer, and your team needs you to come through. Gibson begins to foul off pitches and he looks almost pitiful. You can see the pain on his face as he grimaces with each swing. The count comes down to 3-2. Then magic happens....
Gibson catches a pitch that Eckersley leaves out over the plate and lifts it into the Los Angeles night. As the arc of the ball heads for the Dodger Stadium bleachers, the crowd is already in pandemonium. Vin Scully's voice is seared in the memory of every baseball fan as he exclaims, "I don't believe what I just saw!" Gibson limps around the base and pulls out an immortal fist pump as he rounds second. The Dodgers win the game 5-4 and go on to win the Series in 5. What a scene.

I know, I know. It was only a 5 game series, but if you ask any baseball fan about the Top 10 moments of the last 25-50 years, that moment has to be on the list.

So I Try to Hear the Music but I'm Always Losing Time

Congratulations to Andrew Tuegel for correctly naming "Warehouse" by the Dave Matthews Band as the Sunday Song of the Day.

#6-1996 World Series--New York Yankees v. Atlanta Braves
Let me preface this entire post by saying that I genuinely dislike the New York Yankees. I'm not going to use the word "hate" because that seems a bit extreme for one's feelings towards a sports franchise. After all, like Jerry Seinfeld once said, "Aren't we really just cheering for laundry?"

With that said, the 1996 World Series was a definite turning point in the baseball universe of the 1990's. It led to the rise of the Yankee dynasty of the late 90's and marked the last really great team that the Braves have had. The Braves were pretty heavy favorites coming into this series and the Yankees were only coming back onto the postseason radar. The boys from Atlanta were the defending World Series Champions. They were led by a great pitching staff and incredible young hitters such as the brothers Jones, Andruw and Chipper.
Whether it was Jim Leyritz's improbable homer off Mark Wohlers in Game 4 (we forget now how dominant Wohlers was in that 95-96 period because he had a Rick Ankiel level meltdown in the next few years) or Wade Boggs riding around on a police horse after Game 6, this Series had some genuinely memorable moments.

Most importantly, the Yankees victory in this World Series led to George Costanza dragging the trophy around the Yankee Stadium parking lot in his futile effort to terminate his own job. Sorry George, I guess the Mets just needed Mr. Willhelm a little bit more.

And Swim as the Tide Turns You Around and Around

#7-1997 World Series-Florida Marlins v. Cleveland Indians

This one wasn't quite fair was it? The Cleveland Indians, seeking to end a 49-year championship drought, up against the Florida Marlins, who had been existence for 4 years before arriving in the '97 Fall Classic.

The most memorable part of this series was the terrific Game 7 commemorated by the Sports Illustrated Cover shown above. Game 7 was the 2nd longest Game 7 in World Series history and represented the first championship triumph for a team that qualified for the post-season as a Wild Card. As I mentioned the taint that existed in my mind regarding the 2002 World Series, this World Series also has a bittersweet memory for me and other baseball fans because of what occurred immediately after the champagne had dried on the World Series trophy.

The Marlins began a firesale of their payroll by getting rid of Manager Jim Leyland, Gary Sheffield, and other high-priced stars. In the 1998 season, the Marlins finished with a 54-108 record and at 5th place in the NL East. Somehow the Marlins have managed to win two World Series in their first 10 years in existence, but after each one they have immediately sold off a majority of the players who guided them to those titles. Perhaps there is no franchise that better expresses the modern realities of baseball economics.

I Put Up With All the Scenes, and This Is One Scene That's Going to Be Played My Way

Congratulations to Mr. Joel Weckerly for correctly naming "Margaritaville" by Jimmy Buffett as the Friday Song of the Day.

#8-2002 World Series--Angels v. Giants

Somehow, this World Series seems tainted in my memory. Perhaps it is because this was the postseason that gave rise to the nuisance known as "Thunder Stix" or maybe because we should have suspected that Barry Bonds performance in the 2002 postseason was too good to be true. Nonetheless, this was a barn-burner of a series that was contested entirely within the confines of California.

The Giants actually came within 6 outs of winning the title in Game 6, but they could simply not hold off another Angels comeback led by the infamous Rally Monkey.
Ultimately the Angels were led to the title in Game 7 behind a tremendous performance from Abilene, TX native John Lackey.

All in all, not the greatest World Series of my lifetime, but it did contain enough drama and intrigue on and off the field to earn it the number 8 spot on the list.

Searchin' For My Lost Shaker of Salt

As the Countdown rolls on, we have come to #9.....

2004 World Series--Boston Red Sox v. St. Louis Cardinals

Again, I selected this World Series for a spot in the Top 10 largely due to its historical significance. I'm pretty sure that the stretch from Game 4 of the ALCS to the final out of Game 4 in the World Series was about as much fun as you can have as a baseball fan, granted that you were cheering for the Red Sox. The Yankees? That's another story.

A slew of books were written about the triumph by the Sox, including works by Stephen King & Stewart O'Nan and Bill Simmons. The U.S. adaptation of Nick Hornby's Fever Pitch even centered around this World Series. Admittedly, there are some Red Sox fans who are still bitter that Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore were allowed on the Busch Stadium turf, but that's another story for another time. For goodness sake, Lost even used this World Series in its latest episode. The cultural relativity of this World Series might be the highest for any since I have been alive.

Here's what this World Series ultimately meant. You would no longer hear Red Sox fans walking around and saying things like, "The Red Sox killed my father, and now they're coming after me."

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I'm going to Abilene this afternoon for Homecoming Weekend, but I'll be sure to post #8 and #7 over the weekend.

Soaking Up the City from a Top Step Perch

Congratulations to Dan Carlson for correctly naming "Rollerskate Skinny" by the Old 97's as the Thursday Song of the Day.

#10--1989 World Series--Oakland A's v. San Francisco Giants

I chose to put the 1989 World Series in the Top 10 largely because of what occurred off the field and not for the rather unremarkable on the field play. This series was a 4-0 sweep by the A's, but the 1989 World Series will always be remembered for the earthquake that occurred just minutes before Game 3 was about to begin at Candlestick Park.

The outcome of the series became the background story as the two teams from the San Francisco Bay Area had to wait as their region recovered from the worst earthquake in 83 years. I still remember being 5 years old and watching the coverage before the beginning of Game 3 and not quite being able to understand just how upredictable the world is.

Feel free to offer your thoughts on my selections, and be sure to check back tomorrow for #9.

I Believe In Love, but It Don't Believe In Me

As I take a brief break from outlining here in the Sheridan and John Eddie Williams Legal Research and Technology Center (in layman's terms, the law library), I have just had an epiphany of monumental proportions. In humble tribute to the legendary MLB Uniform Countdown by Mr. Austin Van Henley, I have decided to embark on a countdown of the Top 10 World Series since I was born in 1984.

With that said, please do not send me any vitrolic diatribes telling me that I am out of my mind to leave out Carlton Fisk's homer in the 1975 Red Sox-Reds Fall Classic. I don't want to hear about my gross oversight in not including Don Larsen's perfect game in '56.

I'm writing from my own frame of reference, even if a portion of that reference encompasses the period while I was still in diapers.

Check back in later tonight for #10.

Two Year's In and It's Time to Choose

This morning I made the move over to Blogger beta. At this moment, I'm not really sure about all the potential benefits of that decision, but I'll be sure to keep you updated. I know you are waiting with bated breath.

Lost last night was enjoyable. I loved that Abrams worked in the Red Sox World Series victory in 2004 to last night's episode. As the leader of "The Others" is telling Jack that he has the capability to send Jack back to America, he offers as proof of that ability, a few historical tidbits that have occurred since flight 815 crashed, including: George Bush's re-election and the Red Sox winning the World Series.

Jack didn't really react when he heard about Dubya's victory, but the mere thought that the Red Sox had finally overcome the Curse of the Bambino simply was too much to take. He began laughing and said that if they wanted to prove that they really knew what was going on in America they should have picked another team besides the eternally damned BoSox. His outlook changed very quickly though when a TV showed a clip of Edgar Renteria grounding out to end Game 4 and Keith Foulke began to celebrate.

That is why you, J.J. Abrams, get the Running Down the Dream Person of the Day award. Congratulations.

I know that Waco is a bit further south than Abilene or Tyler, but am I asking too much for just a little touch of Fall? Maybe a cool, crisp breeze here or there? By no means do I want frigid winters that make me feel like I am in Fargo, but would the opportunity to put on a sweater really be all that bad? Maybe I should be careful what I ask for.

I Don't Want to Get You All Worked Up Except Secretly I Do

Dear Judge Easterbrook,


I'm sorry that Prof. Contracts constantly made fun of you today. I know that you guys have a long-standing rivalry ever since he clerked at the 7th Circuit, but you were not even here to defend yourself for your decision to not apply U.C.C. 2-207 in the ProCD v. Zeidenberg case. I know that if you were here you would have given some good arguments, but Prof. Contracts railed on you without mercy. Again, I'm sorry Frank. Better luck next time.

Sincerely,

Justin
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With that out of the way, I'm coming to you again from the Ingram living room as I watch Lost. I just noticed that they still show the credits for actor who plays Mr. Eko on the opening credits so perhaps he and Locke are not dead after all. We'll just have to wait and see.

A commercial with Dianne Sawyer followed by an appearance by Sawyer on Lost. Are you hinting at a budding romance ABC? Even if you are not, I'm sure that thousands of Lost fans are inferring some sort of connection right now between Dianne Sawyer, Sam Donaldson, and "the others".

Just a very bizarre story today about Cory Lidle of the Yankees dying in a plane crash. Moving on from the personal tragedy that occurred to the Lidle family, it must be incredibly frightening to live in NYC when these kinds of events occur. Surely each crash leads to more questions of "Is it happening again?" I guess that is part of the reality of the world that we live in after 9/11, but is yet another unfortunate consequence of a world where nothing is sure.

Chad Johnson/Stuart Scott Sportscenter Commercial

If You Don't Move and Get a Job

This week, Team Jodayyy emerged victorious from a tough battle with Team Jiggerscout. Up next week, a matchup with El Mojo (led by Brandon Maenius). Some of the more perceptive, and faithful, blog readers might have noticed something lately.

Yes, that's right. We only have four teams in our league. It's not exactly Darwinian survival of the fittest out there. That's what happens when you have friends like Lance Agan, Shane Spencer, and Garrett Oakley. Sometimes those invites just don't go through. Don't even get me started on Luke Reeves.

The Four Horsemen of the Mira, Mira Apocalypse

Coleman Greer Griffith

Brandon Trent Maenius

Jacob Miles Wardell

Yours truly, Justin Thomas ScottIn closing, I wanted to give a reading recommendation for the day. He is not one of my profs right now, but Professor Mark Osler is one of the more well-loved professors here at Baylor Law. Here is a link to his blog "Osler's Razor." If you are privileged enough to not live in the bizarre realm that is law school, you might have no idea what half of the people on there are talking about and that is probably a good thing.

Cheers.

But to My Delight the Bottles Were All Taken, Ah Yeah Another Hero's Night

Well, it seems that either no one knows the lyrics to songs that I have been using for post titles lately or the personal integrity of this blog's readership is high enough that no one cheats by using Google. Personally, I think it is just that I am craftier than Kim Jong Il and you all are lagging behind my personal genius, but I could be wrong.

This would be the first time, but I've heard it happens to other people.

In other news, head over to Mr. Joel Weckerly's blog and tell that man congratulations on getting engaged to Ms. Deborah Koctar. Joel, it's been good knowing you. If you see what it has done to Jig, you might decide otherwise. Emily, if you read this, please know that I love you. Seriously, I'm kidding. Please don't get your Dad to run over me in the family Prius.

If I'm going to die after being run over by a car I at least want it to be some big, bad, gas-guzzling, environment destroying dually or something. A Prius would be so emasculating, but I digress.

In case you couldn't tell, it's about 2.5 weeks until finals and I am already out of my mind. God save the Queen.

I Went In To Twelve Bookstores Lookin' for Ulysses

My friends, I have big news. No, I don't know who killed Jon Benet, and no, I don't know where Jimmy Hoffa is buried. As great as it would be to have the answers to those pressing questions, I do know that Mr. Jacob Wardell has joined the blogging ranks.

You can check out his work at www.jigthesportscout.blogspot.com.

Everyone, Elton John was right. I'm not talking about Saturday night being alright for fighting, but I am talking about the "Circle of Life". One Gamma Sig, Mr. Austin Henley, leaves the ranks of the bloggers, and another one enters.

Don't expect to get the latest ponderings on quantum physics at Jig's blog, but do expect commentary from the former sports writer at the Belton High newspaper. It's not Grantland Rice, but it will do.

This a Song About the Everyday Occurrences that Make Me Feel LIke Letting Go

"I don't like old people unless they are still children. I want only children in my kingdom. Youngsters-twisted, humped, wrinkled, white-bearded-all kinds of youngsters, but youngsters. I like children because my likeness has not yet been dulled in them. They have not botched my likeness. I like them because they are still growing, they are still improving. They are on the road, they are on their way. But with grown-ups there is nothing to expect any more. They will no longer grow, no longer improve. They have come to a full stop. It is disastrous-grown-ups think they have arrived."

Prayers for Life--Michael Quoist

Today, may you be filled with the child-like spirit of wonder at the world that God has made. May you remember that life is not about having all the answers, but more about asking the right kinds of questions. May your eyes be opened to the joy that is happening all around you. May you regain your child-like sense of need for something bigger than yourself. May you be blessed.

We Never Talk About the Future, Yeah, We Never Talk About the Past Anymore

My friends, the apocalypse must be nigh. The Whitehouse Wildcats are 2-0 in District 12-4A play after pummeling Jacksonville 38-0 last night. This victory comes a week after defeating Kilgore to open district play.

You might say, "Justin, don't you think it's a bit sad that you still keep up with your high school's football team?" Trust me, I'm maintaining a safe distance so I don't become Wooderson from Dazed and Confused.

In a slight digression, this is who Matthew McConaughey has become in real life. It was confirmed for me when an ABC sideline reporter was talking to him during the 2005 Rose Bowl as McConaughey was surrounded by UT cheerleaders. "That's the great thing about these high school girls: I keep getting older and they keep staying the same age." Again, I digress.

Back to the Wildcats. Perhaps if you are not from Texas, this might all be meaningless, and perhaps that is an indictment of Texas' obsession with high school football, but I remember when Jacksonville and Kilgore would just run roughshod over us. Whitehouse has made the playoffs once since 1979. In 1997, the Wildcats finished second in the district, to Jacksonville, and ended up losing in the second round of the playoffs to Little Cypress-Mauriceville.

If the 'Cats can make the playoffs this year, I might just be tempted to go to a game just so I can see what it is like for people like Heath who get to always watch Carroll play through November and December.

Quick Thoughts on a Saturday Morning

• Is there anything more enjoyable than telling a Starbucks barista that you want a medium, followed by them asking "Do you mean a grande?", followed by you responding, "Yes, a medium, thanks."
• Texas 27--OU 17. Peterson gets good yards, but the 'Horns defense bends and does not break.
• Come join me on the Tigers bandwagon. Come on, they're playing the Yankees. You know you want to.

The Good Old Days May Not Return

"We need you in Abilene next week like Joe Buck and Tim McCarver need to be on the cover of the next Madden."

I received the previous message from Mr. Mason Orr earlier today in reference to my upcoming trip to the Key City for ACU Homecoming 2006 Edition. If you don't understand the reference, please feel free to ask and I will be glad to explain.

As the Sports Guy pointed out recently, the Madden Cover jinx has already surpassed the SI Cover Jinx in terms of cultural relevancy, but it got me thinking, what are some other equivalents of the Madden Cover Jinx?

Being a member of the Kennedy family?

Being named the drummer of Spinal Tap?

Seeing the Ring?