Hoping to get back to normal

Hi as Larry told you a month ago my Mom was in the hospital, she has been in and out of the hospital and rehab, she passed away on Monday July 21 at the age of 93.

Trying to get back in the swing of things I am going to put in a trivia question.

What MLB team started the use of colored uniform top during batting practice.

Today many teams use this top during games as a 3ed uniform but not the team that started using them, (that's a hint).

Time for Crawford to step up

Carl Crawford has been with the Rays for a long time. It is this writers opinion that the Rays need a closed club house meeting. The talent is there. The same guys are their that were there before the all-star break. They need to get thier ass in gear. A great player in Evan, someone has to step up and take charge. Anyone out there with a better idea. Or are the "fans"just fans when things are going right?????

GOING TO ADD ANOTHER NAME

Well folks it looks like our Rays are still in the running. Granted they aren't playing as well as they did in the first half, but they are holding thier own. They are going back and forth with the Red Sox. Boston has all of the experience of a winner. Now the Rays on the other hand, this is a first for them. The Rays are showing that they can come back when behind. Can you believe Josh Hamilton of Texas, he got his 100th RBI and it isn't even August. I think everyone in the baseball world should take their hat off to him, what he went through when he was out of baseball for two years. This is the stuff movies are made out of. Going to try and find some trivia for the next day or two. Still not feeling great but I am still hanging in there. UC157 Larry

Can of Warms

I am sure that I am going to open up a can of worms with this short post. I remember I was sitting in a sports bar when the headlines blarred that Tiger Woods was turning pro after winning the last of three of his amature titles. All well deserved. My question is does he derserve 30 million dollars from Nike before he hits the first ball as a pro. Now the second part of this equation, I have just read that he maybe the first "athelete" to be worth a billion, that is a BILLION dollars. I am really sorry folks but no one, I say again, I say again, that no one "athlete" is worth a billion dollars. Thee are too many hungry people in this world and the United States that go to bed hungry every night. So to make us look good we give this "Tiger Woods" all this money to hit a little white ball and then go chase it. But please don't insult my intellengence by asking me would I take the money if I could.

Be careful out there

On Friday night they parked in a public parking area. As they drove away he noticed a sticker on the rear window of the car. When he took it off after they got home, it was a receipt for gas. Luckily his friend had told him not to stop as it could be someone waiting for them to get out of the car.Then this email was received:'WARNING FROM POLICE ...BEWARE OF PAPER ON THE BACK WINDOW OF YOUR VEHICLE--NEW WAY TO DO CARJACKING (NOT A JOKE)'Heads up everyone! .... Husbands, wives, kids, everyone!!! Please, keep this circulating.... You walk across the parking lot, unlock your car and get inside. You start the engine and shift into Reverse. When you look into the rear view mirror to back out of your parking space, you notice a piece of paper stuck to the middle of the rear window. So, you shift into Park, unlock your doors, and jump out of your car to remove that paper (or whatever it is) that is obstructing your view. When you reach the back of your car, that is when the carjackers appear out of nowhere, jump into your car and take off. They practically mow you down as they speed off in your car. And guess what, ladies? I bet your purse is still in the car. So now the carjacker has your car, your home address, your money, and your keys.Your home and your whole identity are now compromised! BEWARE OF THIS NEW SCHEME THAT IS NOW BEING USEDIf you see a piece of paper stuck to your back window, just drive away. Remove the paper later.And be thankful that you read this e-mail I hope you will forward this to friends and family, especially to women A purse contains all kinds of personal information and identification documents, and you certainly do NOT want this to fall into the wrong handsPlease keep this going PO Derrick Lemmie Community Liaison Officer District Three Police Station 2333 N 49th St Milwaukee, WI 53210 414-935-7238 Djlemm@Milwaukee.gov
Stay in touch when you're away with Windows Live Messenger. IM anytime you're online. On Friday night they parked in a public parking area. As they drove away he noticed a sticker on the rear window of the car. When he took it off after they got home, it was a receipt for gas. Luckily his friend had told him not to stop as it could be someone waiting for them to get out of the car.Then this email was received:'WARNING FROM POLICE ...BEWARE OF PAPER ON THE BACK WINDOW OF YOUR VEHICLE--NEW WAY TO DO CARJACKING (NOT A JOKE)'Heads up everyone! .... Husbands, wives, kids, everyone!!! Please, keep this circulating.... You walk across the parking lot, unlock your car and get inside. You start the engine and shift into Reverse. When you look into the rear view mirror to back out of your parking space, you notice a piece of paper stuck to the middle of the rear window. So, you shift into Park, unlock your doors, and jump out of your car to remove that paper (or whatever it is) that is obstructing your view. When you reach the back of your car, that is when the carjackers appear out of nowhere, jump into your car and take off. They practically mow you down as they speed off in your car. And guess what, ladies? I bet your purse is still in the car. So now the carjacker has your car, your home address, your money, and your keys.Your home and your whole identity are now compromised! BEWARE OF THIS NEW SCHEME THAT IS NOW BEING USEDIf you see a piece of paper stuck to your back window, just drive away. Remove the paper later.And be thankful that you read this e-mail I hope you will forward this to friends and family, especially to women A purse contains all kinds of personal information and identification documents, and you certainly do NOT want this to fall into the wrong handsPlease keep this going PO Derrick Lemmie Community Liaison Officer District Three Police Station 2333 N 49th St Milwaukee, WI 53210 414-935-7238 Djlemm@Milwaukee.gov
Stay in touch when you're away with Windows Live Messenger. IM anytime you're online.

i AM STILL NOT QUITE THERE.

Sorry folks I am still not quite up to snuff. The bad news is the Rays have lost 8 out of the last ten. But the good news is the Red Sox have lost 3 ub a row. My Dodgers are tied for the lead and the Rays lead by a 1.5 games. Go figure that. I don't know what that Doctor did but I belly is not working like should. But it had to be done.

Baseball

I'm not a big fan of the All-Star Game determining home-field advantage for the World Series. The main idea of the All-Star Game is to celebrate and showcase the game and the stories, not impact who has home-field advantage in the biggest games of the year.

ESPN researcher Mark Simon notes that since 1985 the team with home-field advantage has won 18 of the past 22 World Series -- the exceptions are the 1992 and 1999 Braves, the 2003 Yankees, and the 2006 Tigers. Also, the past eight times the World Series has gone to a Game 7, the home team has won each time. (The last road team to win a Game 7 was the 1979 Pirates.)
Tuesday's game is a perfect example of that.
This year it's all about the final season of Yankee Stadium. It's fitting that Mariano Rivera -- whether it's in a win or a loss -- should be the last pitcher on the mound for the American League. That would be the right thing to do for the fans, Yankee Stadium and the history of the game. However, that may or may not happen, depending on the situation of the game.
This takes me back to the whole premise that this game is meant to showcase the sport and its stars. I look at one NBA All-Star Game as a perfect example of this. After Magic Johnson announced he was HIV positive in 1991, he still took part in the 1992 NBA All-Star Game, hit a 3-pointer in the final seconds and was named the game's MVP. Memories like that make All-Star Games special.
So, if you want to doctor something, change the rules as they pertain to the All-Star Game, but don't let it determine something as important as home-field advantage in the World Series.
Past Baseball Tonight Clubhouses: July 13 July 10 July 9 July 8 July 7 July 6

First an update on Larry, I went to St Joe's yesterday and he is doing great.

I am not a big fan of all star games or things like home run and slam dunk contests, but the shots hit by Josh Hamilton where of epic proportions.

I have been a Yankee fan for nearly 40 years and I have never seen a ball hit the wall behind the bleachers, and he had at least 2 off the wall.

Hamilton had 28 in all in the first round and few if any where just over the wall, many where deep into the upper deck, in the right field bleachers or in the black seats.

After such a exciting home derby I was thinking the all star game would be a let down, but it was equally as exciting as the home run derby, going 15 innings.

A note to Red Sox fan's, did you really think your players where not going to get booed? If so you really don't know anything about Yankee fan's, do you.

If all goes according to plans Larry will be home in a few days and back to writing, I am also hoping to get back into it soon. As Larry wrote my Mom was in the hospital for 3 weeks and is now in rehab to get her strength back.

Good afternoon, I am going to be just like the Rays and Dodgers going to take a few days off. Going to St. Josephs Hospital for a little surgery. Hope to be back Thursday. Be Larrydareful out there. UC

Years gone by

Of course the photo in the previous is that of the co-host of this blog. Not Tom but Larry

BOBBY MURCER

All of Major League Baseball is saddened by the passing of Bobby Murcer, particularly on the even of this historic
All-Star game at Yankee Stadium, a place he called home for many years." commissioner Bud Selig said. "Bobby was a getleman, a great ambassador for bseball, and a true leader both on and off the field. He was a man of great heart and compassion." Bobby succeeded Mickey Mantel, played in pinstrips with Don Mattingly and Lou Pinella, and watched proudly from the broadcast booth wehen the New York Yandees returned to power. In closing fi the Angels keep their winning ways, their closer Franco Rodriguez has a shot at the closing record, of 57 saves. Franco already has 34. Troy Percival of our Rays had 19 when he went on the DL. Speaking of the Rays this writer has no idea of what is happening to them. They have lost 8 in a row. The ace Kizmar is going today. He has got to be the stopper. Oh yeah the picture in this post is not Bobby Mercer it is me, the world famous cab driver many years ago. QUESTION; If it takes 6 men 6 days to dig a 6 foot hole, how long would it take 3 men to dig a half a hole. Be careful out there. UC157 Larry

AIR CAR CONTINUED

MAYBE THIS IS WHAT WE NEED TO DO IN THIS COUNRTY! GET SOMEONE OTHER THAN GM, FORD, AND CHRYSLER TO GET THIS INTRODUCED IN THIS COUNTRY. This is the same company which-a few months back-invented a car that costs only $2500 new. BUT it's not available in the USA. Why is it that a gasless vehicle that eliminates the reason to buy oil from foreign countries hasn't nipped the minds of US manufacturers? How bad can this be for anybody, anywhere in the world -- except for foreign oil? The Compressed Air Car, developed by Motor Development International (MDI) Founder Guy Negre, might be the best thing to happen to the motor engine, and people all over the world. The $12,700 CityCAT, one of the planned Air Car models, reaches 68 mph, goes for a range of 125 miles. It will take only a few minutes for the CityCAT to refuel at gas stations equipped with custom air compressor u nits. MDI says it should cost only around $2 to fill the car up with 340 liters of air! The Air Car will be starting production soon, thanks to India's TATA Motors. Forget corn! That's a joke. 6-seater taxi should rbe available in India in 2008: Now If We will just DEMAND this technology in the USA, we can tell Saudi Arabia, Venezuela & dirty foreign oil to take a hike! I resent it, but can see why jobs are going to India & why we are importing people from India to do jobs that Americans CAN'T. But I can't see why we have the most unfriendly energy congress in US history, or why they waste time fussing & fighting while we suffer. One last question: Does it come with 20-inch wheels?

AIR CAR

This folks is a Air Car. It runs on compressed air. It gets 125 miles before it needs more air. It only takes $4.00 to go the 125 miles. Sounds great huh, whoa wait a minute, the only problem is that the United States doesn't have these cute little cars. Kind of looks like those bumper cars from the Carenval. Ford, GM or any other car maker doesn't want anything like this. It only costs $12,000. If it was a taxi it would pay for itself the first year or so. A large percent of the people who would call would just want to ride in it. Good news: Evan Longoria, rookie third baseman for the Rays is going to the All-Star game and it also going to be in the Home Run Derby. Bad news: Rays are losing again tonight. I am hoping they will get back to their winning was after the break. Be careful out their. UC 157 Larry

RAYS TIME

Good afternoon, I drove all around the "trop" today, as I mentioned before I am also a Dodger fan, since before they moved to Los Angeles. All of the talk about the Rays needing a better place to play. Before I thought why spend all of that money. Now after my trip to the park I agree. From a distance the place looks run down. Not only that it is located no in the best part of St. Pete. Anything south of Central is not all that safe. I saw a Pizza and Sub shop right across from the park and they had a big fence around it. I would think that they would be doing a great business when the Rays were playing. 88 days a season plus playoffs . As you probaly know the Rays lost 2 to the Yankees. Now that it is out of our system we will start another streak. Be careful out there. UC157 Larry

a little get together

Here is the garden parety again

Guess who, not a good picture

PROBLEMS WITH PHOTO'S

Good morning readers. As you can tell I am having problems with posting the photo's. Yesterday one photo was on but during the night it pissadeared, err I mean disappeared. Will continue to work on the matter,

This picture belongs in yesterday post.

HAVING A GOOD TIME!!!

I drove into holding this morning around noon. I sat across from these drivers no one was moving. But they still kept the faith, I have to give them that. I recall working one morning in Jacksonville a lot of years ago, maybe 12 or so. In many respects, big city drunks have t easy over their blotto backwoods brfethren. There's no need to blow a sizable portion of your paycheck--the remainder of what's left in the jukebox of a local bar--on a cab fare into the hinterlllands, if cabs even service those back roads at all. Keep in mind, this is before Jacksonville got really big. At least your able to stumble home if you rememeber such details as your address ( which you distinctly recall scribbling on a napkin and shoving it into a stranger's purse.
) or that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line you cannot walk. As a last resort there is the program called Alert Cab. So we have a nice sober cab driver who comes and is going to take you home. Wow the bar is even going to pay the fare, so said drunk should be happy. Nope not a chance he want to give the cabby a hard time at which time I pulled to the side of the road on I-10 and kicked his drunk ass out. Can I legally do that, hell I don't know but I did. What is a one word defination for marriage. Ans: SENTENCE Be careful out there. UC Larry 157

New Sign

I just this and it looks like the city of Tampa is going to have to get a new sign. " World Series Champion" You notice I left off the date. UCLarry 157

Dodgers and Rays

Well folks I did this post once already. Something went wrong and I couldn't get it posted. Will try again. Anyway there is nothing like finishing up a long day that setting down and watching and listening to the amazing Vin Scully. Last night was no exception, as the combination of Scully's always brilliant call and Hiroki Kuroda taking a perfect game into the 8th was a beautiful thing to watch. With great defense from Blak DeWitt Kuroda cruisede through 7 innings.Up came Mark Teieira and slapped a double down the right field line for a clean double. No harm no foul and he continued on for a one hit shut out. Now for the Rays, sorry folks they lost in 10 innings. So now we will whip on the Yankees. Too bad the penstrip couldn't have beat the Red Sox last night. Answer man: Question: What does Kareem Abdual-Jabbar think about the uniforms now. He answered with a question: "Why are they wearing dresses?"

The old cab drivers hotel

Well folks you will have to put up with me for a few days. My partner will be gone for a few days. As you know I am new at this so the previous post with the picture in it is today's subject. In 2002 there were 6 of us living there. Oh yeah and one Yellow bird, err I mean yellow cab. Sampson lived there, whom I did a post on awhile ago, Justin, who passed away the first part of this year. Pirate lived there, I think he had been there the longest. It was really great, the rest was cheap, only $ 110.00 a week, and the cable was furnished. Time Warner, which is Bright House now. A gentleman named Ray managed the hotel. He was a class act. It was really convenient a few blocks away was the "Tiny Tap". A great place to put down a few after a hard day with the public. There were times when I took a Saturday off and would go to the Tap and help Wick open up at 7:30 am. Actually he would do the work and I would check out the beer and make sure it was drinkable. Also a block from Kash and Karry, now know as Sweet Bay. I used to get good fares out of there. Wick called me on my cell one Saturday morning, I decided to work that day and this guy wanted to go to Ft. Myers, he was pretty drunk, now keep in mind this is only 8:00 in the morning. I told him 300.00 and money up front, he told me not to worry about money as he had plenty. Yeah right. I still wanted to see some of it. He went into his pocket and pulled out five 100 dollar bills, oh yeah. I took three of them and off we went, he fell asleep before we got to the crosstown. That was a great Saturday. Be careful out there.

 

IN THE WORLD OF BASEBALL

The Dodgers and Rays both won yesterday. My two favorite teams. However, the strangest games was the New York-Boston game. With New York leading 3-1 in the third, Youkilis hit a two-out scorcher with two on. Damon raced back, jumped and gloved it but as he crashed into the left-field wall, the ball popped out of the webbing of his glove. It bounced up off the top of the wall.
And bounced. And bounced.

The ball came to rest on top of the fence, which was shaking from Damon's impact. And there the sphere sat, like the ball teetering over the cup in "Caddyshack." The sellout crowd of 55,130 at Yankee Stadium wondered: Would it fall behind for a home run, roll back onto the field or just sit there? Finally, the ball dropped back in and landed near Damon. Youkilis cruised into third with a stand up thriple as Boston tied the game at 3. They went on to win 6-4. I have never seen anything like that. I have Direct TV and recorded it.
What do you, my readers, feel about Charles Barkley gambling? I think that it his money I think he should be able to do what he wants to with it.
ANSWERMAN
Question: Who coined the phrase "the opera ain't over til the fat lady sings.

Answerman says: It is not Yogi Berra as I thought. It was Don Cook from San Antonio, he passed away yesterday. He worked for the San Antonio Express for over 50 years.

Be careful out there.

I used to love to sit in the jump seats in these cab's as a kid in NY

Brett Favre Retirement???

A little early for football however, as this has been on ESPN and most local news stations. The rumor is that Favre is coming out of retirement. What the hell for? He has been in the league for 17 years.

He had a great 2007 season, granted a little short of the Super Bowl. He should go fishing or play golf. In his spare time he could write his acceptance speech for the Hall of Fame.

When Montana went to the Chief I thought that was a mistake. Of recent quarterbacks the smart one was John Elway. He got out after the last super bowl win.

Another rumor is that Brett maybe traded. The Bears perhaps. I hope not, let well enough alone. I am sure he doesn't need the money nor does he need a concussion. Case closed. Be careful out there. Larry UC 157

How bout them Rays

The Rays, this year have to be the biggest surprise in sports of the last 10 years.
I do have to say I am not a Rays fan nor do I plan to jump on the bandwagon, I am a Yankee fan but that will not stop me from sitting and enjoying the Rays run.

They are not winning with smoke or mirrors they are winning with great pitching, timely hitting, and with speed to burn.

One thing that is getting under my skin is the people calling radio sports talk shows who last year didn't know Tampa Bay had a baseball team, some forgot there was a hockey after winning the Stanley Cup.

The many of the area's radio "personality's" are no help, many are such homers. I just wish some knew what they knew what they are talking about, and lets just wait a while to print world series tickets. Tom UC 123

Old Time Drivers

My co-host, Tom has been rather busy, his mother who is 93 as been in the hospital. Of course he goes to see her daily. I have met her a few times and she is a very nice lady.

The United Cab driver to the left is Sampson, I think I have known him for all of the time that I drove for United, maybe ten years or so. You will notice I said cab driver, he is not someone who drives a cab. A huge difference.

I think it was in 1999 or 2000 that Sampson and another driver, Sam, who works at the airport now, took me to lunch for my birthday. There was also a driver named Don that went with us. Don quit a long time ago and went to Ohio. No one had ever done that for me and haven't done so since. Sampson bought a cake and everything. I am having a brain lock but that happens when you get to be 66, can't remember sh&&. The resturant was on the corner of Cleveland and Arminia. Those were the days when gas was under 2.00 and you could afford to take time off during the day for lunch. Sampson is a very talented person, speaks a bunch of languages, writes music and is just a all around nice person.

I know it is still slow out there so if you take a cab anywhere be sure to remember your driver, he is getting you where you want to go in a safe manner.

This going to be a new part of my posts.: The Answer Man

Question: Define "exsceptionally unlucky"
Answer man: Quitting drinking and smoking--Than get run over by a cigarette truck on the way to your AA metting.