[tws]



Whoever designed that parking garage just had another section in mind on the D level, but to me, it called out like a rainbow in the dark. Yeah.

In case you're wondering where "validation" comes from as a title, I'm going to start entitling all of these posts with Minutemen song titles. I used to have a web journal a few years ago that I did it with, and I liked how it kept all of the entries feeling somewhat consistent. Also, Minutemen are one of the greatest American rock bands of all time and its my personal conduit of tribute. A lot of their titles are cryptic enough to work.

Speaking of validation, consistency, and keeping those close to you...close to you, I wanted to announce Alex's new video game design industry blog! An item or two from his blog may turn up here, since he is, after all, one of TDC's founders. Here is a preview for "Death by Design," which seems very impressive thus far. It also includes a nod to an early TDC film called "Endermalogy Man."


That's it for now. Have a fantastic weekend and come out to Bistro Europa in Old Town on Sunday Night if you're around.

[tyler s]

It's ridiculous how quickly the summer can go by. It is definitely the easiest season to forsake and let slip away. Even when we grow up we associate it with the polar opposite of responsibility, late nights, laying around, and Slanted & Enchanted. Okay, maybe that last one is more specifically from me. Around the time I was born, Don Henley, who you may remember as the nicotine-starched guy with the big perm and beard from the Eagles (actually, that describes most of them...he played drums), unleashed his definitive solo document, a hit single called "The Boys of Summer." He doesn't really talk much about baseball, but it hovers there in the background as he talks about growing up in the 60's and being high and nostalgic, not necessarily in that order.

It's bizarre that no matter who you are, if you grew up anywhere north of Venezuela, baseball would creep into most any free assocation with summer in some form. For me, I grew up a Red Sox fan, and probably will be for the rest of my life. The 1999 squad was my favorite team of all time. 2004 wasn't bad (they did kick The Yankees straight onto their bloated asses and win the world series, after all), but there was just something about 1999. It was such an idyllic time, really. Baseball was enjoying something of a recharge after the McGwire/Sosa Home run chase. 9/11 was just a date on the late-season calendar. A scrappy team from New England, led by a superathlete Californian shortstop named Nomar, charged straight into contention from nowhere. Let's take a look at this team, now, shall we?

Pedro Martinez - SP
Name the best pitcher alive in 1999. If you didn't say Pedro Martinez, I'll give you another chance. If you said Randy Johnson, I'll show you Pedro striking out 17 Yankees and surrendering one hit on September 10, 1999, which remains the single greatest pitching performance I've ever watched. Even my friend Tom, the classic CT Yankees fan, had nothing but fascination for Pedro, particularly when he came in in game 5 of the ALDS agains the Indians and firebombed them for 6 nearly flawless innings (we'll get to that later, though).

Brian Daubach - 1B Remember this guy? He was a veritable superstar considering where he came out of. That being nowhere. He was that mysterious stranger in the lineup- that mysterious stranger with an occasionaly moustache, a 300 batting average, and 21 HR for an astonishing season. He did end up earning a World Series ring back with the Sox in 2004, despite dwindling in the shadows of the bench. I didn't realize until recently that he's not a member of the MLBPA since he scabbed and volunteered to play during the 1994 players' strike. I guess he found it possible to survive on a meager $450,000 a year, or something.

Jose Offerman - 2B
Sadly, all I remember this All-Star switch-hitter for was falling victim to awful officiating when Chuck Knoblauch didn't tag him in game 4 of the American League Championship Series. Did the New York Post have the headline "No Way Jose?" It's possible. It could be said that, along with Brian Daubach on occasion, Offerman possessed the last truly great unironic moustache in the Red Sox organization. (Rod Beck doesn't count...RIP)

Nomar Garciaparra - SS
Ah, the saga of the great soccer player who just happens to be very good as baseball, too. I was so excited about the inevitable World Championship this guy would lead the Sox to, it was almost melancholy to see him get traded and then forgotten in 2004 when they finally went all the way. But, Nomar's accomplishments certainly stand on their own. His .357 batting average made him the AL batting champion and MVP contender, just for one.

John Valentin - 3B
I'll never forget being at Fenway, watching Valentin hit a grand slam against the Mariners in 1993, his rookie year. He was just one of several players on the 1999 team who weren't superstars but contributed anything and everything they could to the greatness. Good third basemen are few and far between. I think Wilton Veras crept into this corner later in the season. He was pretty good.

Jason Varitek - C
Easily one of the best catchers in baseball the past 8 years running, and back in 1999 he completely came into his own. Look at the picture on the right. If you still have any reasons that this guy shouldn't be the Red Sox's captain, I'd like to hear them.

I've realized how long this love letter to the 'Great American Pastime' is going to turn out, so I'll split it into two weekly portions. I'll return next Tuesday and reveal my favorite moments and three favorite players from 1999. Until then, I'll hopefully hit this on Thursday with some relevant updates that got bumped in favor of a vestige from back when I was learning how to drive.

Oh, and watch 'Field of Dreams,' too.