Matt Clancy 1970-2007

Farewell, dear friend.

Sad news: I learned that one of my closest college buddies, Matt Clancy, died quite suddenly, and of course unexpetedly, over the past week from a heart problem. He leaves behind a wife and two children in Vermont.

I knew Matt from my first year of college, and he was one of my housemates the last two years at the U of Dayton.

Anytime I think of jazz saxaphone players, or Vermont, I'll think of him.

Dusty Baker

The Reds hired Dusty Baker as their new skipper yesterday. I have to admit that I was one of the many holding out hopes for either LaRussa or Torre. However, looking at it more deeply, Dusty Baker makes sense: GM Krivsky is in the last year of his contract, Reds fans have run out of patience with owner Castellini, and Baker needs to redeem himself and prove that the 2006 Cubs season wasn't a fluke. It all combines for an atmosphere where the Reds MUST reach the playoffs in 2008 if Krivsky wants to keep his job, Castellini wants to keep the fans happy, and Baker ever wants to manage again anywhere else. I hear that Baker, as a 'player's manager' might be able to woo top players that other managers might not. On to 2008!

Odd first quarter in football

UC is a Top 20 team. Go figure. If they win against Rutgers this weekend, it could get even better.
OSU isn't quite what they were last year, but with their loyal following and the umpteen million bowl games out there, they'll make one.
Elder probably needs to win out for the rest of the season to make the playoffs. But they could possibly do it.
The Bengals probably need to win out for the rest of the season to make the playoffs, but probably won't do it. Their defense is bad; much worse than even anyone originally thought. Yikes.