Reports of my death are probably non-existant

Hey - well firstly let me apologise for not posting in so long - its been a ridiculous effort trying to get internet access for a reasonable price.  A lot has happenned and i will try and use this 1989 computer to fill you in.

After S.F i moved on the Vegas for the World Series of Poker main event - no not to play as everyone seems to think.  It was won by an Austalian from Melbourne - taking home a neat 7.5 million dollars - this has not made much news at home (at least according to what i hear - but will surely mean a boost in poker traffic at Star City and Crown Casinos.  It was excruciately hot in vegas every day (115 -120 degrees farenheit according to the temps i saw reported - but it was actually bearable because there is no humidity.

San Diego was an interesting experience - i didn't much care for the games - (against the Arizona Diamondbacks) and the home crowd did not seem too enthused by them either.  Which probably contibuted to my enjoyment of lack thereof - but that being said it was a very nice ballpark and i had excellent seats - sitting in front row of the Left Field boxes - heckling Shawn Green.  (A tip fo the wise - in San Diego row 1 seats actually mean your in the 1st row as opposed to S.F where row 1 seats are actually the 3rd row of seats in most areas (after row 00 and row 0). The most notable was Chad Tracy who hit 3 home runs in 3 games and Ryan Klesko who hit 2 - one right over my head and 2 rows back (as Guy has already distibuted the sceenshot as proof i don't need to say anymore).

I am currently in Dallas - and have just finished watching 3 games between the Yankees and the Rangers - and this was an awesome series - all three games were excellent.  The first one was a Slugfest resulting in an 11-10 win to the Yankees (who hit 6 homers), the second was a Pitchers duel between Mussina and Ho Park (yeah i couldn't believe it either) that was shutout ball till the 8th inning when the Yankees scored a run.  But Hank the Hammer Blaclock got Park off the hook with a 2 run blast of Wayne Franklin in the bottom half (much to the delight of the crowd and the chagrin of the yankees fans who suounded me).

And tonights game was another mashing affair with both Giambi and Martinez double dipping (Yankees hit 6 homers again).  The Yankees sure do look dangerous going down the stretch.  I didn't get to see Big Unit pitch unfortunately - but i have 3 more Yankee games left - so maybe before the trip is over i will get to see him on the hill.

I am heading to St Louis on Satuday to watch the Cards take on the Cubs - for 2 games (and i am wearing my Clemens jersey - apparently they have this thing about wearing red in Busch and this is the only red thing i bought with me)  Then to Houston to see my Astros play a 7 game homestand vs the Phillies and Mets.

Speaking of Astros - after getting swept by the Cards out of the gate they have ighted the ship by sweeping the Pirates and now head to Washington fo what will be a crucial set of 4 games - our pretty awful away record against thier stellar home record.  If the Astros can win 3 out of 4 (a distinct possibility with Oswalt, Clemens and Backe all pitching - they will return fom their 11 game Road Trip with a 7-4 record  - which will be spectacular momentum going forward in the Wild Card race (i expect Atlanta will leap frog washington anyday fo the NL East Lead - making this 4 game set vey important.

Anyways - sorry for the infomation overload - good to hear the Stealers have maintained their unbeaten record in the PCBL - and good luck for the big weekend matchup against CH3.  Keep me posted on the result.

Alex

P.S (if the spelling seems awful its because the "r" key does not work very well - so use you imagination)