I Know It's Only Spring Training, But...

My South Side heroes, the Chicago White Sox, have played only 3 spring training games so far, and I know I shouldn't get too excited too early, but the Sox won all three of those games and scored 24 runs in the process. They are currently playing like the '27 Yankees. Has White Sox GM Chris Getz managed to put together a contender only two years after the team lost 121 games and set the record for worst team in the history of major league baseball? Did he sell his soul to the devil in exchange for winning it all this year? Did the Pope put in a good word for the White Sox with the big man upstairs? Will the fans at Rate Field be singing "Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye" once again as the opposing pitchers leave the game? Have the "South Side Hit Men" returned after all these years? Only time will tell. Perhaps even as soon as this week. But you have to admit, it is indeed a good start. By the way, the photograph above is of Yoan Moncada, currently third baseman for the Los Angeles Angels, who parted ways with the White Sox after the 2024 season. And yes, that was the season the White Sox lost those 121 games. Couldn't have done it without you, Yoan!

Celebrating Lunar New Year 2026

I drove over to the Far East Center, located at the corner of Alameda and Federal here in Denver, yesterday morning to take in the celebration of Lunar New Year 2026, the Year of the Horse. Sadly, there is no parking available for this event, and so everyone has to drive through the surrounding neighborhood to find parking on the street, which is a challenge, since there are something like 1000 other cars doing the same thing. Persistence paid off, and happily, I was able to find a spot. I arrived there at 11:00 A.M. and watched the Gu Zheng Instrumentalists and the Taiko Drummers, before the crowds parted and the Shaolin Hung Mei Lion Dancers made their entrance, as seen in the photograph above. This is the 35th annual Lunar New Year celebration at the Far East Center, which has just been made a historic landmark and is the heart of the Asian community in Denver. This is a quirky area, made up of both Asian and Hispanic businesses, but pretty interesting to visit. I enjoyed this festival very much, and there is good news if you are in the Denver area: the festival continues today from 11:00 until 4:00. This time with dragon dancers. What could be better than that?

Having A Drink With Wally and Susan At A Place With No Name

I had a happy hour drink yesterday afternoon with my friend Wally and sister Susan - seen in the photograph above - at a place with no name. Seriously. There was no sign outside telling what it is, except for a poster advertising free happy hour spaghetti between 3 and 6. I have driven past that storefront a number of times, and have occasionally seen people going in and out, but had no idea what it was until Wally showed me a mailing he received promoting it as a quiet neighborhood spot, and suggested we try it. It is located in the University of Denver neighborhood near the corner of University and Evans. This spot was formerly occupied by Asbury Provisions, and before that by Renegade Brewing Company, which is the last time I visited that space. It is indeed a nice quiet place, with an old wood bar, and seems to be frequented by locals, many of whom the bartender knew by name. And yes, we all tried the spaghetti, in addition to having drinks. It did not have much sauce on it, but was still tasty, and best of all, free. My favorite price point. Wally is doing well, and he and his wife Linda are making frequent trips out to the Bay Area to visit their son and daughter and their families. On their next trip they will be celebrating the 1st birthday of one of their grandkids. Hopefully they will have a little time left over to roam around that beautiful city for a bit. Great to see you, Wally!

Let The Baseball Spring Training Games Begin!

All is quiet at Coors Field here in Denver today, as is the case at all the other major league stadiums across the country, but down in Florida and Arizona, baseball spring training games have begun. Down in Arizona, my South Side heroes, the Chicago White Sox are playing their North Side rivals, the Chicago Cubs, at Sloan Park in Mesa, while my adopted hometown team, the Colorado Rockies, are playing the Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottdale. I am especially interested in that White Sox-Cubs contest. It is possible that neither team will win today, since during the spring extra innings are not played if the game is tied at the end of the 9th. Now THAT would be a sign of things to come. But why be pessimistic? Time to get that bet down on a White Sox-Cubs World Series. Anything is possible in the spring, right? Except probably that, of course.

Lunching With Stuart At Old Chicago

I had lunch yesterday with my friend Stuart at the Old Chicago Pizza and Taproom in Lakewood, Colorado, a suburb just to the west of Denver whose heart and soul revolves around West Colfax Avenue, which is itself one of most soulless stretches of asphalt in not just this country, but the world. But is nonetheless its sole claim to fame. But happily, you can't see Lakewood from the bar at Old Chicago, where I took the photograph above of Stuart. Over lunch, we discussed a number of topics, including the fact that baseball spring training games begin tomorrow. I reminded Stuart that his favorite team, the Chicago Cubs (he grew up on the North Side of Chicago, which explains his misguided loyalty) are projected to finish first in the National League Central. Which he was disappointed to hear. He believes that prediction will curse them for sure, and they are now doomed to finish last. And, of course, I am an expert in teams finishing in last place, having grown up on the South Side of Chicago and therefore a lifelong White Sox fan. On the positive side, I read that the White Sox have signed and traded for some very promising players this year, as well as having the number one pick in the MLB draft, so things are looking up these days on the South Side. As for our adopted hometown team, the Colorado Rockies, who lost 119 games last season and had the worst starting pitching in the history of baseball, they now have new management, people who actually know something about baseball. Last year, the Rockies loaded their roster with rookies from the minor leagues, most of whom were not ready for the big leagues, with obvious results. This year, the team is adding veterans to the lineup and keeping rookies not ready for the big leagues down on the farm until they are indeed ready. What a concept!

Celebrating Fat Tuesday At New Terrain!

My sister Susan and I stopped by New Terrain Brewing Company up in Golden, Colorado yesterday afternoon to celebrate Fat Tuesday. I expected a live Dixieland band, people in costumes dancing and throwing beads at everyone, and just pure craziness before Ash Wednesday arrived at midnight. And surprisingly, there was none of that. In fact, the crowd seemed pretty laid back, as seen in the photograph above. Nobody present looked like they were planning to give up alcohol for Lent. In any case, it's turned a bit nippy here on the Front Range of Colorado lately and so only a single couple was out on the patio, which is famous for its views of Table Mesa and North Table Mountain. All seemed to prefer having a pint in the warmth of the taproom and view the scenery from inside. Good beer, nice view, friendly people. Perhaps that's the best Fat Tuesday celebration of all. Take that New Orleans.

Fat Tuesday!

Today is Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras in French), a big day in New Orleans, which celebrates with parades, street parties, music, costumes, and feasting. Here in Denver, nothing nearly so exciting. As for down in Stuart, Florida, last year Terra Fermata, a live outdoor music venue located in Stuart's downtown entertainment district and seen in the photograph above, celebrated Fat Tuesday with Lefty Hathaway's Dr. John Tribute. This year it celebrated Fat Tuesday on Sunday (is that even legal?) with a Mardi Gras Show- Dixieland Jazz and Jam with Michael and the Fluid Band. The interesting thing about Terra Fermata is that as far as I know, it is the only live music venue located in Stuart's entertainment district. And last year, not too long after Fat Tuesday, neighbors annoyed about the sound levels there prompted the Stuart City Commission to consider a change to the city's noise ordinance, which would have probably put Terra Fermata out of business, basically leaving Stuart's entertainment district with no entertainment. Fortunately, wiser heads prevailed, and they left the noise ordinance alone. I wonder if they have the same problem in New Orleans? I suspect not.