Method Man said RZA was the “sharpest mufucka in the whole Clan.”

Daisuke Matsuzaka just pitched 3-hit ball into the 6th (taken out too early!), knocked in two runs with a single in the 3rd, and flashed the leather to trap Kaz Matsui in a rundown between second and third base. So for tonight, that qualifies him as the RZA of the Boston Red Sox.

I know you don’t really care. But I don’t care what you say.

Also wanted to pass on this quote from Red Sox firstbaseman Kevin Youkilis, talking about not starting Game 3 of the World Series:
“It’s really not a big deal, to tell you the truth. We have wars going on over in the Middle East, and people are wondering if Kevin Youkilis is going to play first base?”

Say word Kevin. I would post some opinions about the way MLB has tried to market itself as the most American of major sports since 9/11, but I’m a little drunk. But do we really need to hear the Star Spangled Banner and God Bless America during every baseball game? If we had to choose one, could we just replace the former with the latter? It’s more pleasing to the ear and doesn’t glorify war.

Failing that, could we replace it with this?

You may want to skip this post if you don’t care about baseball.

First off: yes, I’m excited the Red Sox are headed to the World Series. I understand that investing energy in watching professional sports is probably less than optimally productive as far as community concerns go, but it’s a diversion, and one that allows for connections in new ways with folks you might never know otherwise. And although I cannot control the outcome of a sporting event, I also cannot control the outcome of a presidential election, the War in Iraq, the implementation of No Child Left Behind, the effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, etc. But that doesn’t mean I don’t pay attention.

Now and then, I get shit from some folks for pulling extra hard for Asian athletes. This I cannot understand.

So. I’m a Boston Red Sox fan because I live in the Boston area and the Red Sox play half of their season here. Is that enough reason for me to root for the Red Sox? Because we share an area code? For most sports fans it is. Now apply that logic to the fact that both Japanese rookie Daisuke Matsuzaka and myself are Asian. Is that enough reason to root for my boy to do well? To me it’s obvious, but some API folks – in an effort to impress mainstream white America – are actually harder on Asian players than non-Asian players. Whatever. You guys are corny. (more…)