Mike Trout, AL MVP Front Runner?

     Mike Trout is something special.............let's try that again.  Mike Trout is on another plane of special in regards to playing baseball (I hear there is also rumors that he is curing cancer, saving children from high rise fires and volunteering at nursing homes, all while stealing 2nd base in the 1st inning). Scanning my Facebook (LOL at Facebook stock) timeline earlier I came across a post by the MLB Network where they asked if Mike Trout is the front runner for AL MVP.  Now, of course, I'm a little biased (he's the MVP of the galaxy as far as I'm concerned) so I say "YES."  But as I scanned some of the comments left by other users, I couldn't help but to burst out into laughter.  You can read them here, go on, I'll wait.

     Done? Good. Let's carry on.

News and Notes

     In case you missed the news that was out their yesterday, here's a brief recap of some of the more "off" news stories of the day.

    Iowa governor leaves hospital after choking on carrot.  The title alone makes this article worth reading.  Gov. Terry Brandstad was at a dedication for the USS Iowa (which is being turned into a floating, interactive museum, pretty cool). However, during the dinner, he seemed to forget that chewing your food is essential when eating dinner. Chew, swallow. Chew, swallow. Seems easy right? apparently it's more perilous to our health than we thought. Money quote:

Branstad choked on a carrot during the event and vomited, spokesman Tim Albrecht said. He said the governor was taken to a nearby hospital “out of an overabundance of caution,” went through a series of tests and was released after his health turned out to be fine. 

“We're glad he's okay. He's in great spirits,” Albrecht said. “He's probably a little more embarrassed than anything.” 

     Florida lifeguard fired for saving drowning man.  Wait? You went into the water over there to save that man? Why? No, why on earth would you think that it is a good idea to save that man when he is clearly outside the "protected" zone? This is too easy, Tomas Lopez should be commended for what he did, but apparently, it is the lifeguard company policy that "if someone is in trouble outside the company protection zone, the lifeguard is to call 911 and hope that help gets there on time." Money quote:

"The reason I was fired is just ridiculous," Lopez told CNN late Wednesday night. "It is a ridiculous rule, really. What was I supposed to do? Just let the guy drown?"

     Yes Tomas, you were

Oh Dan Haren, Why Must You Pain Me So?

     There are a few things in life that really get under my skin.  Oh, you want to know exactly what they are? I'll be happy to oblige you.

1. Cold. Seriously, if you live in a cold weather state, it feels like winter goes on and on and on. 
2. Other peoples kids. Sounds harsh right? Yeah, I know, but some parents should have never been allowed to have kids. And it's my kid who seems to always need sand washed out of his eyes because one of these hellions pushed one of them off the teeter-totter. (you, in the khakis, yeah you.  I'm watching you)
3. Ignorance. Racists, bigots, people I work with.  They are EVERYWHERE!
4. A player on the team that I root for, hurting the team that I root for.

     Dan Haren.  Dear, dear Dan Haren.  You sir, are really starting to get on my nerves.  Tonight's performance against the Indians is another example of why I now dread the days you pitch.  For those of you that are gonna say, but, Ervin Santana, Ervin Santana.  Santana has been seriously inconsistent this year, but you can tell early if it's gonna be a good game, or if you should get back to designing the model of the shipwrecked Titanic that you've been putting off for months.  Mr. Haren is another thing altogether.