Danny Trejo feels like he’s been preparing to play the title character in “Machete” for over a decade — about as long as he’s been working with writer/director Robert Rodriguez. “Robert’s been training me for this movie since we did ‘Desperado,’” says Trejo, who’s appeared in eight of Rodriguez’s films. “He said, ‘Hey, you’re perfect for this character. That was 14 years ago. And so, you know, 14 years and 780,000 phone calls later — it was just like stepping into the guy.”This clearly isn’t Andy Reid’s first rodeo. But, it could be his last. Some Tea Partiers admit mistakes were made. Others are quick to describe the movement’s recent efforts in the political arena as not quite ready for prime time.Architect Pete Dye doesn’t build run-of-the-mill golf courses. His designs are sought out nationwide by golfers looking for the most innovative and demanding layouts the game has to offer. A Dye course becomes a destination unto itself.He’s got three Super Bowl rings, 30,844 career passing yards, 15 AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors and more offensive targets than he knows what to do with.Afghan police went on alert yesterday to guard against demonstrations triggered by a U.S. church’s plan to burn a copy of the Quran on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, which has drawn global condemnation.Tell us if you’ve heard this one before. A Giants unit enters the season beaten-down, banged-up and feeling betrayed.Placing yourself in a choice college can be a numbers game, and if your GPA or tuition veers off, your most frugal and strategic bet might be to transfer.Ready to tackle all those home-repair projects you’ve been putting off in favor of days down the shore? Head to the West Philly Tool Library, where homeowners can borrow an unlimited number of tools and ladders for up to seven days. It costs just $20 for a yearly membership, and “tool librarians” are always on hand to lend expert advice.Surfing is an excellent total-body workout combining upper and lower body strength, cardiovascular fitness, core strength, stability, balance and flexibility.
As the clock ticks down to baseball’s trading deadline, the Red Sox don’t appear close to making any splashy moves. Deals can, and often do, come together at the last minute, however, so fans will wait on tenterhooks.
Slightly depressed tenterhooks, that is. The prevailing attitude among Sox-watchers seems to be somewhere between resignation — after all, the team went into Thursday’s off-day 6.5 games out of first and 4.5 games behind the Rays — and anxious optimism. “Maybe,” the thinking goes, “we don’t really need to make a trade. Maybe players returning from injury will be sorta kinda like an acquisition — one where we don’t give up anything.”
Yet despite Mike Lowell (hip) hitting three home runs in a PawSox game, despite Dustin Pedroia (foot) taking grounders on his knees to stay sharp and despite Jacoby Ellsbury (ribs) swiping bases (well, a base) in the Gulf Coast League, I’m dubious that the mass return of once-injured stars will help the Red Sox enough to push them over the top. There’s a reason we have the phrase “midseason form.” Athletes need time to build their stamina and timing.
That’s not to say there’s no reason to hope. Josh Beckett has turned in two strong starts since coming back from the DL. But it seems like wishful thinking to expect athletes who’ve missed significant time to slot seamlessly back into the lineup.
The team could make a last-minute push to augment their battered roster with a deadline deal, but I’m not sure it’s worth the expense.
The team — and its fans — should be mindful of the example of the 2004 Mets, who, after falling seven games out, coughed up Ty Wigginton, Jose Bautista and Scott Kazmir for Kris Benson and Victor Zambrano, in separate deals. But that high price still wasn’t enough; we all know who won the World Series in that year. (Hint: It wasn’t the Mets.)
Some Red Sox fans — we are a notoriously high-maintenance bunch, after all — will want Theo Epstein to pull a trade-deadline rabbit out of his hat to prove that this isn’t just a throwaway “bridge” year after all. But sometimes smart management is knowing when to say “no.”
As for those less-than-smart Mets? This year, as reported by Joel Sherman in the New York Post, they have a trade deadline strategy of “going after lightning in a bottle.” Always a reliable plan, that one. And as for the Sox, sure, lightning might strike. But I wouldn’t plan on it.
– Sarah Green also writes for UmpBump.com.
Follow her on Twitter @skgreen.
Metro does not endorse the opinions of the author, or any opinions expressed on its pages. Opposing viewpoints are welcome. Please send 300-word submissions to letters@metro.us.
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