It ain't something I like to talk about. No sir. Best to let the past be. You go a dragging it up and you like to bring back trouble. Better to let things die.
But I can see you ain't about to let it alone. Youth is like that; can't sit still, can't leave well enough alone. Want to know the truth do you, no matter what the stakes. Fine. But once I pass the knowledge along to you it's your burden.
Back in nineteen and twenty five I was doing a bit of work for the government. I'd fought in the first great war, and on account of my Mother being from Munich, did a little cross trench spying for our boys. Good teacher my Ma. Had me the accent down and everything.
When I got back state side, the federal boys kept in touch. Nothing too official mind you. Just a job here or there. Never much information. Never enough to put together what was going on. But you could guess. Yes sir, you could.
But back in twenty five the federal boys sent a telegram telling me to go on up to New York City. Had me a room booked at the Algonquin hotel. Once I got in I was to get a table at the bar and wait for my orders.
Now The Algonquin was the place to be back then. Any number of famous people in and out of there. So I gets in to the hotel and gets my table at the bar and start knocking down Sazeracs.
Pretty soon this young fella in a nice suit sits down beside me. Had fed written all over him. Name of Jost. Says I had a mark coming by the hotel bar soon. Says I was to find a way to belly up next to him. Gave me a pouch of powder to slip into his drink.
Then he warned me. Don't back out just cause you may recognize this fella. He's a famous ball player he says. Seems the Government had an interest in Baseball. Saw it as a symbol. This ball player I was to meet came off the wrong way, and some people wanted to teach him a lesson. Get him out the picture for a spell. Also they figured he was half black.
And can you guess who that ball player turned out to be? It was Babe Ruth. He was easy to get close to; seemed like he was booked entertainment and not a customer the way he was talking people up.
I hated to slip him the powder that gave him that famous stomach ache that made him miss half the season. But that was my job back then. I went right out after and bet a whole bunch of money against the Yankees winning anything that year and sure enough they didn't even finish .500. Won a truck load of money. Ain't never looked back neither. That's how I'm still picking them today. Winners too boy, you bet.
AL East
1. Yankees
2. Red Sux
3. Blue Jays
4. Orioles
5. Rays
AL Central
1. White sox
2. Twins
3. Tigers
4. Royals
5. Racist Logos
AL West
1. Rangers
2 Angels
3. A's
4. Swabbies
NL East
1. Phillies
2. Braves
3. Marlins
4. Mets
5. Nationals
NL Central
1. Reds
2. Brewers
3. Cardinals
4. Cubs
5. Pirates
6. Astros
NL West
1. Giants
2. Dodgers
3. Rockies
4. Diamondbacks
AL Wild Card: Red Sux
NL Wild Card: Braves
Alcs winner: Yankees over Rangers
Nlcs winner: Reds over Phillies
WS Winner: Yankees over Reds
WS MVP: CC Sabathia
AL MVP Mark Texiera
NL MVP Puljos
AL Cy Young: Jon Lester
NL Cy Young: Roy Halladay
AL ROY: Jeremy Hellickson
NL ROY: Freddie Freeman
NL Avg: Hanley Ramirez
AL Avg: Miguel Cabrera
NL HR: Prince Fielder
AL HR: Mark Texiera
NL ERA: Roy Halladay
AL ERA: Felix Hernandez
NL K: Roy Halladay
AL K: Justin Verlander
1. When will Jeter reach 3000 hits? July 2nd
2. Over under on Ichiro's extra base hits- 37.5? Under
3. Better stats Lincecum or Felix- W, K, ERA, WHIP, SO, CG, HR allowed? Felix
4. Games started by E. Bedard? 14
5. More runs scored Pedroia or Cano? Pedroia
6. More Wins: Roy Halladay or Cliff Lee? Halladay
7. Who leads the league in OPS+? Pujlos
8. Which league has a greater percentage of teams with winning records, American or
National? American
9. Over/Under on number of different Yankees who start a game this season at 7.5? Over
10. Worst Stafff ERA in the Major Leagues? Houston
