相信不少來過紐約的朋友應該都有注意到一個在紐約街頭常見的裝置...
sidewalk grate...一時實在想不到該怎麼用中文形容它...也不是一般印象中的人孔蓋...該說是鐵格柵嗎?
Marilyn Monroe在The Seven Year Itch一片中
站在 sidewalk grate上裙擺被吹起的畫面我想大家都不陌生吧
不過相信我...沒有一個正常紐約女性會穿著細跟高跟鞋走在street grate上
(雖然我還真的看過不少穿著時髦的女性因為鞋跟卡在sidewalk grate的縫隙中進退不得的窘態)
就算有這樣的勇者存在
看過今晨上班時間發生在51th Street和7th Ave.交叉口附近的意外新聞後
也不會再做同樣的蠢事了...
初到紐約時
sidewalk grate以及在Sex and the City中
Samantha某次和Smith一同散步時摔進的那種紐約經典陷阱...
店家用來將貨品直接送進位於地下室的儲藏空間、關上鐵門後就成為路面一部份的儲藏室出入口
(或是在晚間打烊後將垃圾從儲藏室中拿出來放到路邊等待清運)
常讓我在走路時感到心神不寧
總覺得踏在上面有點不踏實...很像隨時就會摔進鐵片（鐵格柵）下的無底深淵
尤其是 sidewalk grate的設計通常還可以讓你清楚看到格柵下方的空間
當你看到自己腳下有個深度至少一層樓高的深坑...而支撐你身體重量的卻只有一片"薄薄"的鐵網時
我想有些懼高症較為嚴重的朋友恐怕還會感到腳軟
兩年多過去了
現在的我走在紐約街頭時根本就不會注意到 sidewalk grate的存在
對我來說...它現在看起來就像是人行道的一部份
就連那些噸位驚人的美國佬都能若無其事地走在 sidewalk grate上
體重還不到60公斤的我有啥好擔心的？
要是看到有並未腳踏高跟鞋但還是刻意避開 sidewalk grate不走的行人時
我腦中只會有一個想法..."這人八成不是紐約客"
不過就當我覺得自己對於 sidewalk grate的恐懼看來就像其他的urban legend一樣
都是人類想像力過於豐富的產物時...
這個urban nightmare竟然成真了...
今天早上七點左右
在51th Street和7th Ave.交叉口附近
一位急著上班的26歲女性Jessica Hinksman走在 sidewalk grate上時
突然摔進了深達10英尺electrical transformer vault中
FDNY的救援人員花了20分鐘才將她成功救出...
"I walk over them so many times, it doesn't phase me anymore, now I'm going to think twice."
一位現場目擊者說出了看過這則新聞後大家共同的心聲
看來明天開始我用以判斷對方是否為紐約客的方法要略做調整
沒有刻意避開 sidewalk grate的人
八成是沒有看到新聞的外地遊客...
原文刊登於 : http://www.wretch.cc/blog/archtemplar&article_id=16243813
Saturday, May 19, 2007
撞牆期 Hit the Wall？
記得在之前和同住在紐約的朋友聊天時
才提到"撞牆期(Hit the wall)"這個被廣為引用的名詞
不過這次不是用來解釋長跑選手在進行長跑時的生/心理狀態
也並非回想起大學畢業設計最後一個月中那完全失去設計靈感及動力的慘痛時光
這次...它被我用來解釋人與城市的關係
不過是自願也好、被迫也罷
生活在紐約的過客中包含了幾種類型
有些人是嚮往這個城市的包容性...或者該說是接近精神分裂的多元性而踏進Big Apple
真心喜歡這個城市...就算在人潮散去之後垃圾滿地、紙屑隨風飛舞的Washington Square Park中
也可以讀出Henri Cartier-Bresson一生持續追求的"The Decisive Moment"之美;
有些人是抱著對於這個城市不切實際的幻想來到這裡
渡過幾十、幾百個坐在公寓防火梯上的夜晚、想像著隨時都有可能發生在自己腳下的持槍搶劫案
卻永遠等不到出門送pizza時路見不平挺身而出的Peter Parker...
看著自己在文學、電影、藝術中看不到的真實紐約在自己眼前活生生的上演著
最終選擇在自己的思緒被這個城市華麗包裝下的殘酷真實給吞沒前...離開這個虛偽的城市;
更有些人...而我想應該是大多數的人
是在命運之神的俄羅斯輪盤遊戲中
發現自己的生命線竟然和這個城市出現了無可避免的相交而來到這裡
而通常這開始於巧合和機運的故事也只有兩種結局
留下...或是離開
紐約這個城市最令人激賞的地方
在於她的誠實、她的童叟無欺
不知聽過了多少案例
大多數的人都可以在來到這個城市短短幾天
就告訴你...I Love/Hate NY
似乎這個世界上只有白與黑、光明與黑暗、無敵鐵金剛和惡魔黨...
紐約就是這樣毫不保留把自己赤裸裸地攤在陽光下讓人們用其各自的角度來閱讀他
你喜歡也好、不喜歡也罷...反正在大多數的狀況下
你總會習慣...
回到"撞牆期"的討論
當初會提到這個名詞
其實是為了用來解釋許多來到紐約居住的人在一年之後會呈現的心理狀態
所有觀光客在短期造訪期間無緣一遊的景點、
無法如願觀賞到的Broadway show、無緣品嚐的各國美食...
你都已經一一體驗過...也一一遭受到現實無情的打擊...了解到何謂"名過於實"或是"名實相符"後
紐約對你而言已經不再是一個讓別人聽到時會投注羨慕(鄙視？)眼光的抽象名詞
而是一個你居住在其中、生活在其中、歡笑和悲傷都在其中的真實城市
NYC三個字並不能讓你看到自己每月堆積如山的應繳帳單時心情愉快
也不能讓你在工作上輕鬆愉快過著電視影集中所描寫的愜意生活
NYC這三個字代表的是...
每天上班時間擠得像沙丁魚罐頭、車廂老舊空調失靈、還不時延誤並更換路線的百年地鐵
繳稅時高人一等的state and local taxes
硬是比起其他美國城市貴了幾成的Starbucks
老愛大驚小怪反應過度還頂著啤酒肚的NYPD
戰績令紐約客的心情已經從憤怒轉為同情...但卻還是一票難求的Knicks主場球票
為了拍攝電影和電視影集老是無預警封街加上取消停車位
在Yankee Stadium中不管贏球或是輸球...
都要去刻意挑釁紅襪球迷讓自己在英雄式的歡呼中被護送出球場的Bleacher Creatures
花了大把鈔票卻只能住在一個和監獄單元差不多大小的狗屋中...對於傢具的尺寸斤斤計較
如果你開始對以上現象感到厭煩...讓你的負面情緒追上甚至超越正面情緒時
恭喜你...你面臨了對於這個城市的"撞牆期"
換句話說...也是你決定自己和這個城市是否該繼續攜手渡過餘生的其中一個關鍵抉擇時刻
你看到了她的美...也無可避免地見識了她的醜陋
你證實（或是戳破）了旁觀者對於這個城市的部份偏見...但你也開始對這個城市有了自己的主觀判斷
Deal? or No Deal? It's your call...
對我而言
紐約這個城市還有等著我去開發的剩餘價值
讓我決定在這個城市繼續生活下去
不過我也不能否認
"驚奇"或是"興奮"的情緒可能也很難會再度出現在我對這個城市的形容詞中
難道這是因為我已經習慣？
或許這也可以用來解釋為什麼我的What's Hot in NYC系列已經停擺多時
紐約對現在的我來說...
只有lukewarm
but make no mistake about it...I think I still love New York...
原文刊登於 : http://www.wretch.cc/blog/archtemplar&article_id=16166123
才提到"撞牆期(Hit the wall)"這個被廣為引用的名詞
不過這次不是用來解釋長跑選手在進行長跑時的生/心理狀態
也並非回想起大學畢業設計最後一個月中那完全失去設計靈感及動力的慘痛時光
這次...它被我用來解釋人與城市的關係
不過是自願也好、被迫也罷
生活在紐約的過客中包含了幾種類型
有些人是嚮往這個城市的包容性...或者該說是接近精神分裂的多元性而踏進Big Apple
真心喜歡這個城市...就算在人潮散去之後垃圾滿地、紙屑隨風飛舞的Washington Square Park中
也可以讀出Henri Cartier-Bresson一生持續追求的"The Decisive Moment"之美;
有些人是抱著對於這個城市不切實際的幻想來到這裡
渡過幾十、幾百個坐在公寓防火梯上的夜晚、想像著隨時都有可能發生在自己腳下的持槍搶劫案
卻永遠等不到出門送pizza時路見不平挺身而出的Peter Parker...
看著自己在文學、電影、藝術中看不到的真實紐約在自己眼前活生生的上演著
最終選擇在自己的思緒被這個城市華麗包裝下的殘酷真實給吞沒前...離開這個虛偽的城市;
更有些人...而我想應該是大多數的人
是在命運之神的俄羅斯輪盤遊戲中
發現自己的生命線竟然和這個城市出現了無可避免的相交而來到這裡
而通常這開始於巧合和機運的故事也只有兩種結局
留下...或是離開
紐約這個城市最令人激賞的地方
在於她的誠實、她的童叟無欺
不知聽過了多少案例
大多數的人都可以在來到這個城市短短幾天
就告訴你...I Love/Hate NY
似乎這個世界上只有白與黑、光明與黑暗、無敵鐵金剛和惡魔黨...
紐約就是這樣毫不保留把自己赤裸裸地攤在陽光下讓人們用其各自的角度來閱讀他
你喜歡也好、不喜歡也罷...反正在大多數的狀況下
你總會習慣...
回到"撞牆期"的討論
當初會提到這個名詞
其實是為了用來解釋許多來到紐約居住的人在一年之後會呈現的心理狀態
所有觀光客在短期造訪期間無緣一遊的景點、
無法如願觀賞到的Broadway show、無緣品嚐的各國美食...
你都已經一一體驗過...也一一遭受到現實無情的打擊...了解到何謂"名過於實"或是"名實相符"後
紐約對你而言已經不再是一個讓別人聽到時會投注羨慕(鄙視？)眼光的抽象名詞
而是一個你居住在其中、生活在其中、歡笑和悲傷都在其中的真實城市
NYC三個字並不能讓你看到自己每月堆積如山的應繳帳單時心情愉快
也不能讓你在工作上輕鬆愉快過著電視影集中所描寫的愜意生活
NYC這三個字代表的是...
每天上班時間擠得像沙丁魚罐頭、車廂老舊空調失靈、還不時延誤並更換路線的百年地鐵
繳稅時高人一等的state and local taxes
硬是比起其他美國城市貴了幾成的Starbucks
老愛大驚小怪反應過度還頂著啤酒肚的NYPD
戰績令紐約客的心情已經從憤怒轉為同情...但卻還是一票難求的Knicks主場球票
為了拍攝電影和電視影集老是無預警封街加上取消停車位
在Yankee Stadium中不管贏球或是輸球...
都要去刻意挑釁紅襪球迷讓自己在英雄式的歡呼中被護送出球場的Bleacher Creatures
花了大把鈔票卻只能住在一個和監獄單元差不多大小的狗屋中...對於傢具的尺寸斤斤計較
如果你開始對以上現象感到厭煩...讓你的負面情緒追上甚至超越正面情緒時
恭喜你...你面臨了對於這個城市的"撞牆期"
換句話說...也是你決定自己和這個城市是否該繼續攜手渡過餘生的其中一個關鍵抉擇時刻
你看到了她的美...也無可避免地見識了她的醜陋
你證實（或是戳破）了旁觀者對於這個城市的部份偏見...但你也開始對這個城市有了自己的主觀判斷
Deal? or No Deal? It's your call...
對我而言
紐約這個城市還有等著我去開發的剩餘價值
讓我決定在這個城市繼續生活下去
不過我也不能否認
"驚奇"或是"興奮"的情緒可能也很難會再度出現在我對這個城市的形容詞中
難道這是因為我已經習慣？
或許這也可以用來解釋為什麼我的What's Hot in NYC系列已經停擺多時
紐約對現在的我來說...
只有lukewarm
but make no mistake about it...I think I still love New York...
原文刊登於 : http://www.wretch.cc/blog/archtemplar&article_id=16166123
[翻譯]Mo: Save the worry
Mo: Save the worry
Confident he'll close door on doubts
BY ANTHONY McCARRON
Published : May 9th 2007 / New York Daily News
Mariano Rivera is sitting at his locker at the Stadium, tucked into a corner of the Yankee clubhouse and mostly hidden from view. It is a peaceful spot in a busy room and perhaps provides just the kind of solace the struggling closer needs as he tries to pitch through what he calls "the worst start of my career."
Mariano Rivera坐在自己位在洋基休息室角落的更衣櫃前, 那是一向人聲鼎沸的休息室中難得的安靜角落, 讓這位近來遭遇他所謂"職業生涯中最糟糕的開季表現"的洋基當家終結者, 可以得到片刻的寧靜。
The 37-year-old Rivera, generally considered the best closer in baseball history, entered last night's game against the Rangers with a 1-3 record, an 8.44 ERA and just three saves in five chances. Opponents were hitting .318 against him. He lost Monday's game when he gave up a home run to Seattle's Adrian Beltre, the second-game winning homer he's allowed this year, but he insists he hasn't lost it.
37歲的Rivera, 被普遍認為是棒球史上最佳終結者, 不過在昨晚的比賽前, 他的成績是1勝3敗、防禦率8.44, 並且在五次救援成功狀態上場投球卻只拿下三個救援點, 被打擊率更高達.318。在週一晚間的比賽中, 他讓水手隊的Adrian Beltre擊出勝利打點全壘打, 這也是他今年第二度被全壘打擊敗, 但Rivera還是堅稱, 事情都在他的掌握之中。
"It's easy when everything goes fine," Rivera said. "You show your true character when you struggle like this. I don't know what people are thinking about me, but I know I feel the same way as I did last year and the year before. I feel real good, the velocity is there. It's nothing I have lost, it just happens. If you are a closer, you're going to blow saves and get saves. There's no in between.
"當事情進行順利時, 什麼事看起來都是理所當然且輕而易舉," Rivera說道 "不過唯有面臨掙扎時, 人才會顯現出自己真正的特質。我不知道人們現在怎麼看我, 不過我知道我自己和過去幾年並無不同, 我對自己的狀態感到滿意, 球速也有達到應有水準, 我感覺自己並沒有狀態下滑的問題, 輸掉比賽並不代表我狀況不佳。擔任球隊的終結者, 你會得到的結果本來就只有兩種, 不是救援成功, 就是失敗。"
"I feel I'm being tested right now, my character, my faith, how I conduct myself. It's different. But I love it. If God allows this test to be on me, hey, I'm willing to carry it. We are just starting; we'll see where we finish.
"我感覺現在老天爺正在考驗我, 考驗我的個人特質、我的信仰還有自我調適的能力。目前的狀況或許和過去大不相同, 不過我很享受這個過程, 如果這真是上帝給我的考驗, 我將樂於接受。球季才剛剛開始, 還不到下定論的時候。"
"I'm going to battle," Rivera continued. "I'm not going to sit down and start crying and wonder what happened. No, I'm not going to second-guess myself. I'm just going to do what I have to do. I believe I'll finish strong."
"我會勇於接受考驗," Rivera繼續說道 "我不會只是坐著掉淚、怨天尤人。我絕對不會對自己的能力有所質疑, 我只會繼續做我該做的事情, 我相信最後的結果將會令人滿意。"
But until Rivera's results change, questions about him will loom. Is it rust or age that is plaguing Rivera? Are we witnessing a blip in his career, or is this the beginning of his inevitable decline?
不過在Rivera回復往日身手之前, 人們對他的質疑將持續浮上檯面。究竟是慢熱還是因為年歲已大, 讓Rivera遲遲無法進入狀況？我們現在看到的究竟是個小小亂流？還是他的職業生涯已經走到了無法避免的下坡路？
With a few consecutive saves, a few cutters barreling in on hitters' hands, these questions will burn away like an early morning mist in a warming sun. But if this is a real downward trend for Rivera, the Yankees' season may be doomed, no matter how good Roger Clemens is.
只要連續幾場救援成功, 幾顆刁鑽的卡特球, 這些疑問就會像是晨霧般消失無蹤。不過如果這真是Rivera職業生涯開始走下坡的轉折點, 那麼這也代表著洋基的冠軍希望將消失無蹤, 無論火箭人表現多麼傑出都將於事無補。
Inside the clubhouse, the Yankees believe Rivera will be the same old Mo. And some opponents, such as the Rangers' Michael Young and Frank Catalanotto, can't understand the fuss. They were amazed at Rivera's famed cutter when the Yanks were in Texas last week.
在球隊中, 隊友都對Rivera遲早會回復往日身手一事深信不疑。就連其他球隊的球員, 像是遊騎兵的Michael Young和Frank Catalanotto, 也都表示無法理解為何人們要對Rivera的狀態感到擔心。 在上周的比賽中, Rivera威名遠播的卡特球仍舊讓他們印象深刻。
"Guys were coming into the dugout saying, 'Man, that thing is really moving,'" Catalanotto recalled last night.
"在打擊區面對Rivera之後回到休息室的人還是會說 : 天啊, 那球可真會跑" Catalanotto回憶上周比賽的情況說道。
"He threw me cutters," Young added. "They all looked like Mo, and that's a pretty big compliment."
"他用卡特球對付我," Young補充道 "所有的球看起來都和Mo過去所投的並無兩樣 "
But Rivera has been unable to make that cutter go where he wants all the time this season. Yankee catcher Jorge Posada says that when Rivera's location has been off, the ball has drifted over the heart of the plate, easy pickings for major league hitters.
不過Rivera在今年球季的確幾次無法將卡特球投到他所預期的位置。洋基捕手Jorge Posada表示, Rivera的卡特球一旦失投, 就會成了對大聯盟打者來說極易攻擊的紅中球。
A major league scout who regularly watches Rivera said while the pitcher is still throwing his cutter between 93 and 95 miles per hour, it has been coming in higher in the strike zone, making it easier for hitters to see.
一位時常觀看Rivera投球的大聯盟球探指出, 雖然Rivera的卡特球時速仍然介於93到95英里, 但是進壘點比起過去幾年較為偏高, 讓打者更容易看清楚球路。
"The further the ball is from your eyes, the harder it is to see, unless it's up in your eyes," the scout said. "Maybe he's got a little edge off because of his irregular work, like one thing leads to another. If he's on a normal schedule, he's unhittable. I think he'll bring the ball down and he'll be back to being Mariano Rivera. Maybe it's a week, maybe tonight."
"球的進壘點距離打者眼睛越遠, 打者就越難看清球路, 不過當球一旦偏高, 那就是另外一個故事了, " 那位球探指出 "或許癥結點在於他最近的出場機會實在很不規律, 一旦能規律出賽, 他將仍然是難以擊敗的。我相信他遲早會變回過去那個一手掌控球賽的Mo, 這搞不好就發生在一個禮拜內, 甚至就在今晚。"
But it might take more time, the scout added, if Rivera is beginning to dwell on his troubles. "Is it starting to bother him up here?" the scout wondered.
不過那位球探也強調, 要是Rivera本人因為目前的狀況而開始懷疑自己的話, 那可能就需要更多時間來找回昔日的自己。"這些狀況究竟有沒有真正對他造成困擾？" 那球探亟欲知道答案。
Rivera believes that his irregular work schedule has hurt him this season. He had made 12 appearances, which is actually slightly above average for this date in the season over his career, but two of his appearances came on the same day - both ends of a doubleheader. He's already pitched six times on rest of three or more days. All of last season, he pitched on similar rest 11 times.
Rivera本人也相信不規律的出場是讓他表現不佳的主因, 到目前為止, 他出場救援12次, 這比起過去幾年平均數字為高, 而其中還有在一天雙重戰中連續兩次出場救援的記錄。這個球季他已經有6次在休息超過3天的情況下出場救援, 去年一整年這樣的情況也不過只出現11次。
He had thrown 10-2/3 innings, an unusually low number. And his five save opportunities were tied for the fewest of his career over the same period.
到目前為止, 他僅僅投了10又2/3局, 這數字少得非常不尋常。他總共有5次救援成功的機會, 這也平了他職業生涯中同時期的最低記錄。
"Pitching is finesse, and if you don't do it constantly, you will lose it," Rivera said. "I'm not saying that because I'm doing bad, to create an excuse. I don't want you to think that. I'd just hope for more opportunities."
"投球是需要不斷地調整才能維持狀態, 如果你不持續地、規律地投, 你就會失去球感," Rivera說道 "我這樣說並不是在為自己的表現不佳找藉口, 你們千萬不要這麼解讀, 我不過就是希望有更多出場機會罷了"
"He gets stronger, better, when he has more work," Posada added. "When he's working a lot, his location is better.
"只要出場機會多, 他的表現就會越好、越強勢," Posada補充說道 "當他投球次數增加時, 球的進壘點就會更加刁鑽"
"So I wouldn't call this a decline, no. He's going to be fine."
"所以我並不認為他正在走下坡, 沒這回事！他遲早會恢復正常的。"
原文刊登於 : http://www.wretch.cc/blog/archtemplar&article_id=15939293
Confident he'll close door on doubts
BY ANTHONY McCARRON
Published : May 9th 2007 / New York Daily News
Mariano Rivera is sitting at his locker at the Stadium, tucked into a corner of the Yankee clubhouse and mostly hidden from view. It is a peaceful spot in a busy room and perhaps provides just the kind of solace the struggling closer needs as he tries to pitch through what he calls "the worst start of my career."
Mariano Rivera坐在自己位在洋基休息室角落的更衣櫃前, 那是一向人聲鼎沸的休息室中難得的安靜角落, 讓這位近來遭遇他所謂"職業生涯中最糟糕的開季表現"的洋基當家終結者, 可以得到片刻的寧靜。
The 37-year-old Rivera, generally considered the best closer in baseball history, entered last night's game against the Rangers with a 1-3 record, an 8.44 ERA and just three saves in five chances. Opponents were hitting .318 against him. He lost Monday's game when he gave up a home run to Seattle's Adrian Beltre, the second-game winning homer he's allowed this year, but he insists he hasn't lost it.
37歲的Rivera, 被普遍認為是棒球史上最佳終結者, 不過在昨晚的比賽前, 他的成績是1勝3敗、防禦率8.44, 並且在五次救援成功狀態上場投球卻只拿下三個救援點, 被打擊率更高達.318。在週一晚間的比賽中, 他讓水手隊的Adrian Beltre擊出勝利打點全壘打, 這也是他今年第二度被全壘打擊敗, 但Rivera還是堅稱, 事情都在他的掌握之中。
"It's easy when everything goes fine," Rivera said. "You show your true character when you struggle like this. I don't know what people are thinking about me, but I know I feel the same way as I did last year and the year before. I feel real good, the velocity is there. It's nothing I have lost, it just happens. If you are a closer, you're going to blow saves and get saves. There's no in between.
"當事情進行順利時, 什麼事看起來都是理所當然且輕而易舉," Rivera說道 "不過唯有面臨掙扎時, 人才會顯現出自己真正的特質。我不知道人們現在怎麼看我, 不過我知道我自己和過去幾年並無不同, 我對自己的狀態感到滿意, 球速也有達到應有水準, 我感覺自己並沒有狀態下滑的問題, 輸掉比賽並不代表我狀況不佳。擔任球隊的終結者, 你會得到的結果本來就只有兩種, 不是救援成功, 就是失敗。"
"I feel I'm being tested right now, my character, my faith, how I conduct myself. It's different. But I love it. If God allows this test to be on me, hey, I'm willing to carry it. We are just starting; we'll see where we finish.
"我感覺現在老天爺正在考驗我, 考驗我的個人特質、我的信仰還有自我調適的能力。目前的狀況或許和過去大不相同, 不過我很享受這個過程, 如果這真是上帝給我的考驗, 我將樂於接受。球季才剛剛開始, 還不到下定論的時候。"
"I'm going to battle," Rivera continued. "I'm not going to sit down and start crying and wonder what happened. No, I'm not going to second-guess myself. I'm just going to do what I have to do. I believe I'll finish strong."
"我會勇於接受考驗," Rivera繼續說道 "我不會只是坐著掉淚、怨天尤人。我絕對不會對自己的能力有所質疑, 我只會繼續做我該做的事情, 我相信最後的結果將會令人滿意。"
But until Rivera's results change, questions about him will loom. Is it rust or age that is plaguing Rivera? Are we witnessing a blip in his career, or is this the beginning of his inevitable decline?
不過在Rivera回復往日身手之前, 人們對他的質疑將持續浮上檯面。究竟是慢熱還是因為年歲已大, 讓Rivera遲遲無法進入狀況？我們現在看到的究竟是個小小亂流？還是他的職業生涯已經走到了無法避免的下坡路？
With a few consecutive saves, a few cutters barreling in on hitters' hands, these questions will burn away like an early morning mist in a warming sun. But if this is a real downward trend for Rivera, the Yankees' season may be doomed, no matter how good Roger Clemens is.
只要連續幾場救援成功, 幾顆刁鑽的卡特球, 這些疑問就會像是晨霧般消失無蹤。不過如果這真是Rivera職業生涯開始走下坡的轉折點, 那麼這也代表著洋基的冠軍希望將消失無蹤, 無論火箭人表現多麼傑出都將於事無補。
Inside the clubhouse, the Yankees believe Rivera will be the same old Mo. And some opponents, such as the Rangers' Michael Young and Frank Catalanotto, can't understand the fuss. They were amazed at Rivera's famed cutter when the Yanks were in Texas last week.
在球隊中, 隊友都對Rivera遲早會回復往日身手一事深信不疑。就連其他球隊的球員, 像是遊騎兵的Michael Young和Frank Catalanotto, 也都表示無法理解為何人們要對Rivera的狀態感到擔心。 在上周的比賽中, Rivera威名遠播的卡特球仍舊讓他們印象深刻。
"Guys were coming into the dugout saying, 'Man, that thing is really moving,'" Catalanotto recalled last night.
"在打擊區面對Rivera之後回到休息室的人還是會說 : 天啊, 那球可真會跑" Catalanotto回憶上周比賽的情況說道。
"He threw me cutters," Young added. "They all looked like Mo, and that's a pretty big compliment."
"他用卡特球對付我," Young補充道 "所有的球看起來都和Mo過去所投的並無兩樣 "
But Rivera has been unable to make that cutter go where he wants all the time this season. Yankee catcher Jorge Posada says that when Rivera's location has been off, the ball has drifted over the heart of the plate, easy pickings for major league hitters.
不過Rivera在今年球季的確幾次無法將卡特球投到他所預期的位置。洋基捕手Jorge Posada表示, Rivera的卡特球一旦失投, 就會成了對大聯盟打者來說極易攻擊的紅中球。
A major league scout who regularly watches Rivera said while the pitcher is still throwing his cutter between 93 and 95 miles per hour, it has been coming in higher in the strike zone, making it easier for hitters to see.
一位時常觀看Rivera投球的大聯盟球探指出, 雖然Rivera的卡特球時速仍然介於93到95英里, 但是進壘點比起過去幾年較為偏高, 讓打者更容易看清楚球路。
"The further the ball is from your eyes, the harder it is to see, unless it's up in your eyes," the scout said. "Maybe he's got a little edge off because of his irregular work, like one thing leads to another. If he's on a normal schedule, he's unhittable. I think he'll bring the ball down and he'll be back to being Mariano Rivera. Maybe it's a week, maybe tonight."
"球的進壘點距離打者眼睛越遠, 打者就越難看清球路, 不過當球一旦偏高, 那就是另外一個故事了, " 那位球探指出 "或許癥結點在於他最近的出場機會實在很不規律, 一旦能規律出賽, 他將仍然是難以擊敗的。我相信他遲早會變回過去那個一手掌控球賽的Mo, 這搞不好就發生在一個禮拜內, 甚至就在今晚。"
But it might take more time, the scout added, if Rivera is beginning to dwell on his troubles. "Is it starting to bother him up here?" the scout wondered.
不過那位球探也強調, 要是Rivera本人因為目前的狀況而開始懷疑自己的話, 那可能就需要更多時間來找回昔日的自己。"這些狀況究竟有沒有真正對他造成困擾？" 那球探亟欲知道答案。
Rivera believes that his irregular work schedule has hurt him this season. He had made 12 appearances, which is actually slightly above average for this date in the season over his career, but two of his appearances came on the same day - both ends of a doubleheader. He's already pitched six times on rest of three or more days. All of last season, he pitched on similar rest 11 times.
Rivera本人也相信不規律的出場是讓他表現不佳的主因, 到目前為止, 他出場救援12次, 這比起過去幾年平均數字為高, 而其中還有在一天雙重戰中連續兩次出場救援的記錄。這個球季他已經有6次在休息超過3天的情況下出場救援, 去年一整年這樣的情況也不過只出現11次。
He had thrown 10-2/3 innings, an unusually low number. And his five save opportunities were tied for the fewest of his career over the same period.
到目前為止, 他僅僅投了10又2/3局, 這數字少得非常不尋常。他總共有5次救援成功的機會, 這也平了他職業生涯中同時期的最低記錄。
"Pitching is finesse, and if you don't do it constantly, you will lose it," Rivera said. "I'm not saying that because I'm doing bad, to create an excuse. I don't want you to think that. I'd just hope for more opportunities."
"投球是需要不斷地調整才能維持狀態, 如果你不持續地、規律地投, 你就會失去球感," Rivera說道 "我這樣說並不是在為自己的表現不佳找藉口, 你們千萬不要這麼解讀, 我不過就是希望有更多出場機會罷了"
"He gets stronger, better, when he has more work," Posada added. "When he's working a lot, his location is better.
"只要出場機會多, 他的表現就會越好、越強勢," Posada補充說道 "當他投球次數增加時, 球的進壘點就會更加刁鑽"
"So I wouldn't call this a decline, no. He's going to be fine."
"所以我並不認為他正在走下坡, 沒這回事！他遲早會恢復正常的。"
原文刊登於 : http://www.wretch.cc/blog/archtemplar&article_id=15939293
[翻譯]Scouts Honor Arm, Not Legs
Scouts Honor Arm, Not Legs
BY JOHN HARPER
Published : May 7th 2007 / New York Daily News
One day during spring training in the Braves' camp, Chipper Jones was talking, touching on several topics, when the subject got around to Roger Clemens, and whether he thought the Rocket would pitch again in 2007.
在今年春訓期間、一次在亞特蘭大和Chipper Jones的談話中, 我們談到了許多話題, 而當聊到Roger Clemens時, 記者問他是否認為火箭人會在2007年球季重返球場。
"Oh, there's no doubt," Chipper said. "We saw him at the end of last season and he was about as good that night as I've ever seen him. For me, he's got one of the nastiest splitters in the game, but you can never look for it because he still gets (his fastball) up there at 92-93.
"我肯定他一定會繼續投下去" Chipper這麼回答 "當我們在去年球季末遇上他時, 他的狀況還是一如既往的好, 我從未見過更刁鑽的指叉球, 而當你想要挑其他球種攻擊時, 卻發現他的快速球時速還是高達92-93英里"
"He still comes right at you, with some of the best stuff we see all year. Hell, I wish he'd retire, or at least go back to the American League."
"他仍然為對手帶來極大威脅, 他的球威也仍然是聯盟中的佼佼者。該死！我真希望他宣佈退休, 不然換回美聯的球隊也好"
So Clemens has made Chipper Jones happy, along with everyone in the Yankees' universe, with his decision to return to the Bronx. But more to the point, Jones' scouting report on the Rocket offers all you really need to know about whether he'll still be effective at soon-to-turn 45.
看來Clemens重返Bronx的決定不僅僅滿足了洋基球團的需要, 也回應了Chipper Jones的請求。而Chipper對火箭人的看法, 也某種程度上解答了人們對這個將滿45歲的投手是否仍可為球隊做出貢獻的疑慮。
Clemens' numbers from last season with the Astros are proof enough that he can still be effective, even dominant. He went 7-6 with a 2.30 ERA over 19 starts, beginning on June 22, and averaged nearly a strikeout per inning, with 102 K's in 113 innings.
Clemens去年球季效力太空人的數據, 就足以證明他不僅僅仍然是個績效超高的投手, 他幾乎可說是完全掌控比賽。在6月22日重新回到球場之後, 他繳出了7勝6敗、防禦率2.30的成績, 在113局的投球中三振對手102人次。
The Astros averaged only 3.9 runs in his starts, and failed to score more than three runs in any of his six losses.
別忘了, 在他先發的場次中, 隊友平均每場只為他攻下3.9分, 在他6場承擔敗戰的比賽中, 太空人甚至沒有一場得分超過3分。
Right to the end, Clemens looked strong. In the start to which Jones referred, Sept.29 in Atlanta, Clemens pitched five shutout innings before giving up two in the sixth, then coming out for a pinch-hitter with the Astros behind 2-0. In his six innings he racked up seven strikeouts, with Chipper Jones and Andruw Jones among them.
就算球季接近尾聲, 他仍然一樣難以擊倒, 在Chipper Jones提到的那場比賽中 - 9月29日太空人作客亞特蘭大, 在前五局中, 勇士都無法越雷池一步, Clemens一直到六局才失掉2分, 而之後則在教練決定更換代打的情況下被換下, 在六局的投球中, 他三振勇士打者7個人次 - 其中包含Chipper Jones和Andruw Jones在內。
Last night two NL scouts basically agreed with Jones' assessment, expressing only minor concerns.
昨天晚上兩位接受記者採訪的國聯球隊球探基本上和Chipper Jones的看法一致, 不過還是有個小小隱憂。
"The thing you know about him is that he's going to be in shape," one scout said, "and at his age that's the biggest hurdle, obviously. I think the only real worry with him is his legs. He's had hamstring and groin injuries in the past, and if he pulls something now, at his age, it takes longer and longer to come back from something like that."
"根據我們對Clemens的了解, 可以確定的是, 他一定會想辦法讓自己的身體保持狀況," 其中一位球探說道 "而這也是我們在談到像他如此高齡選手時的主要顧慮, 不過以他的狀況看來, 我們唯一需要擔心的其實是他的腳, 他的腿筋和鼠蹊部都曾有過拉傷的記錄, 如果他現在有任何部位拉傷, 考量他的年齡, 傷勢將會需要比過去更長的時間才能復原。"
Clemens had a hamstring injury that made him ineffective for Houston in the 2005 World Series against the White Sox.
Clemens在2005年太空人對決白襪的世界大賽期間, 就因為拉傷腿筋而無法對球隊做出貢獻。
Another scout who saw three starts last season echoed Jones' sentiment regarding Clemens' splitter, calling it "the pitch that resurrected his career after he left the Red Sox (in 1997). It sinks so hard and late, with such bite on most nights, that it gets strikeouts for him and keeps hitters off his fastball.
另外一位曾在去年看過三場火箭人先發賽事的球探也完全認同Chipper Jones對Clemens指叉球的看法, 認為其指叉球是讓他在1997年離開紅襪後能重回巔峰的主要武器。Clemens的指叉球不僅下墜幅度極大, 運行軌跡也總是在最後一刻才出現變化, 在絕大多數的比賽中, 其指叉球的威力不僅僅讓他能三振對方打者, 還讓打者無法只抓其速球攻擊。
"I don't know if he'll be quite as effective going back to the American League. ... He may find himself throwing 90 pitches by the fifth inning on some nights.
"我不敢說他在美聯也能像在國聯一樣表現出色...或許在某些比賽中, 他會發現自己在五局結束前用球數就已經高達90球。"
"But overall I don't think it's a huge factor. He'll still give you six innings, two or three runs in most of his starts. And I do believe his presence will have an impact on the rest of that staff."
"不過就整體而言, 我不認為國聯和美聯的差異會對他的表現造成太大影響, 他仍然可以保持投完六局、失分大概在2到3分間的水準。"
Former Yankees pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre agreed on most counts.
前洋基投手教練Mel Stottlemyre也同意上述說法。
"When he tires, his legs tire before his arm does," Stottlemyre said last night. "He uses his legs so much to generate power, that's the only concern regarding his age. But as long as he stays healthy, he's still a premier power pitcher with a great splitter, and the intensity is something that rubs off on other guys."
"當他感到疲憊時, 他的腿會比他的手先發出警訊," Stottlemyre在昨晚接受訪問時這麼表示 "他非常倚賴他的腿來幫助他施力, 因此這(腿)也是在考量他的年齡之後最值得擔心的部份。不過只要他能保持健康, 他就仍然是個有著絕佳指叉球的頂尖投手, 而他的無比鬥志也勢必會感染其他人。"
It rubs off on observers, too. As Chipper Jones said: "With the stuff he throws, I can't imagine why he would retire."
就如Chipper Jones所言 "我無法想像仍然有著如此球威的他會選擇退休。"
原文刊登於 : http://www.wretch.cc/blog/archtemplar&article_id=15867479
BY JOHN HARPER
Published : May 7th 2007 / New York Daily News
One day during spring training in the Braves' camp, Chipper Jones was talking, touching on several topics, when the subject got around to Roger Clemens, and whether he thought the Rocket would pitch again in 2007.
在今年春訓期間、一次在亞特蘭大和Chipper Jones的談話中, 我們談到了許多話題, 而當聊到Roger Clemens時, 記者問他是否認為火箭人會在2007年球季重返球場。
"Oh, there's no doubt," Chipper said. "We saw him at the end of last season and he was about as good that night as I've ever seen him. For me, he's got one of the nastiest splitters in the game, but you can never look for it because he still gets (his fastball) up there at 92-93.
"我肯定他一定會繼續投下去" Chipper這麼回答 "當我們在去年球季末遇上他時, 他的狀況還是一如既往的好, 我從未見過更刁鑽的指叉球, 而當你想要挑其他球種攻擊時, 卻發現他的快速球時速還是高達92-93英里"
"He still comes right at you, with some of the best stuff we see all year. Hell, I wish he'd retire, or at least go back to the American League."
"他仍然為對手帶來極大威脅, 他的球威也仍然是聯盟中的佼佼者。該死！我真希望他宣佈退休, 不然換回美聯的球隊也好"
So Clemens has made Chipper Jones happy, along with everyone in the Yankees' universe, with his decision to return to the Bronx. But more to the point, Jones' scouting report on the Rocket offers all you really need to know about whether he'll still be effective at soon-to-turn 45.
看來Clemens重返Bronx的決定不僅僅滿足了洋基球團的需要, 也回應了Chipper Jones的請求。而Chipper對火箭人的看法, 也某種程度上解答了人們對這個將滿45歲的投手是否仍可為球隊做出貢獻的疑慮。
Clemens' numbers from last season with the Astros are proof enough that he can still be effective, even dominant. He went 7-6 with a 2.30 ERA over 19 starts, beginning on June 22, and averaged nearly a strikeout per inning, with 102 K's in 113 innings.
Clemens去年球季效力太空人的數據, 就足以證明他不僅僅仍然是個績效超高的投手, 他幾乎可說是完全掌控比賽。在6月22日重新回到球場之後, 他繳出了7勝6敗、防禦率2.30的成績, 在113局的投球中三振對手102人次。
The Astros averaged only 3.9 runs in his starts, and failed to score more than three runs in any of his six losses.
別忘了, 在他先發的場次中, 隊友平均每場只為他攻下3.9分, 在他6場承擔敗戰的比賽中, 太空人甚至沒有一場得分超過3分。
Right to the end, Clemens looked strong. In the start to which Jones referred, Sept.29 in Atlanta, Clemens pitched five shutout innings before giving up two in the sixth, then coming out for a pinch-hitter with the Astros behind 2-0. In his six innings he racked up seven strikeouts, with Chipper Jones and Andruw Jones among them.
就算球季接近尾聲, 他仍然一樣難以擊倒, 在Chipper Jones提到的那場比賽中 - 9月29日太空人作客亞特蘭大, 在前五局中, 勇士都無法越雷池一步, Clemens一直到六局才失掉2分, 而之後則在教練決定更換代打的情況下被換下, 在六局的投球中, 他三振勇士打者7個人次 - 其中包含Chipper Jones和Andruw Jones在內。
Last night two NL scouts basically agreed with Jones' assessment, expressing only minor concerns.
昨天晚上兩位接受記者採訪的國聯球隊球探基本上和Chipper Jones的看法一致, 不過還是有個小小隱憂。
"The thing you know about him is that he's going to be in shape," one scout said, "and at his age that's the biggest hurdle, obviously. I think the only real worry with him is his legs. He's had hamstring and groin injuries in the past, and if he pulls something now, at his age, it takes longer and longer to come back from something like that."
"根據我們對Clemens的了解, 可以確定的是, 他一定會想辦法讓自己的身體保持狀況," 其中一位球探說道 "而這也是我們在談到像他如此高齡選手時的主要顧慮, 不過以他的狀況看來, 我們唯一需要擔心的其實是他的腳, 他的腿筋和鼠蹊部都曾有過拉傷的記錄, 如果他現在有任何部位拉傷, 考量他的年齡, 傷勢將會需要比過去更長的時間才能復原。"
Clemens had a hamstring injury that made him ineffective for Houston in the 2005 World Series against the White Sox.
Clemens在2005年太空人對決白襪的世界大賽期間, 就因為拉傷腿筋而無法對球隊做出貢獻。
Another scout who saw three starts last season echoed Jones' sentiment regarding Clemens' splitter, calling it "the pitch that resurrected his career after he left the Red Sox (in 1997). It sinks so hard and late, with such bite on most nights, that it gets strikeouts for him and keeps hitters off his fastball.
另外一位曾在去年看過三場火箭人先發賽事的球探也完全認同Chipper Jones對Clemens指叉球的看法, 認為其指叉球是讓他在1997年離開紅襪後能重回巔峰的主要武器。Clemens的指叉球不僅下墜幅度極大, 運行軌跡也總是在最後一刻才出現變化, 在絕大多數的比賽中, 其指叉球的威力不僅僅讓他能三振對方打者, 還讓打者無法只抓其速球攻擊。
"I don't know if he'll be quite as effective going back to the American League. ... He may find himself throwing 90 pitches by the fifth inning on some nights.
"我不敢說他在美聯也能像在國聯一樣表現出色...或許在某些比賽中, 他會發現自己在五局結束前用球數就已經高達90球。"
"But overall I don't think it's a huge factor. He'll still give you six innings, two or three runs in most of his starts. And I do believe his presence will have an impact on the rest of that staff."
"不過就整體而言, 我不認為國聯和美聯的差異會對他的表現造成太大影響, 他仍然可以保持投完六局、失分大概在2到3分間的水準。"
Former Yankees pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre agreed on most counts.
前洋基投手教練Mel Stottlemyre也同意上述說法。
"When he tires, his legs tire before his arm does," Stottlemyre said last night. "He uses his legs so much to generate power, that's the only concern regarding his age. But as long as he stays healthy, he's still a premier power pitcher with a great splitter, and the intensity is something that rubs off on other guys."
"當他感到疲憊時, 他的腿會比他的手先發出警訊," Stottlemyre在昨晚接受訪問時這麼表示 "他非常倚賴他的腿來幫助他施力, 因此這(腿)也是在考量他的年齡之後最值得擔心的部份。不過只要他能保持健康, 他就仍然是個有著絕佳指叉球的頂尖投手, 而他的無比鬥志也勢必會感染其他人。"
It rubs off on observers, too. As Chipper Jones said: "With the stuff he throws, I can't imagine why he would retire."
就如Chipper Jones所言 "我無法想像仍然有著如此球威的他會選擇退休。"
原文刊登於 : http://www.wretch.cc/blog/archtemplar&article_id=15867479
[翻譯]Clemens Is Returning to the Yankees
Clemens Is Returning to the Yankees
By DAVID PICKER
Published : May 7, 2007 / The New York Times
The sun was shining, the Yankees were ahead during the seventh-inning stretch of their game against the Seattle Mariners and it seemed as if the day couldn't get any better. That's when the Yankees' public address announcer, Bob Sheppard, asked the 52,553 fans at Yankee Stadium to direct their attention to the owner's box behind home plate.
豔陽高照、主場的洋基在七局上半結束後領先來訪的西雅圖水手隊, 對球迷來說, 這可說是完美的一天。而就在此時, 球場播報員Bob Sheppard要求全場52,553位洋基球迷將注意力轉移到位在本壘後方的老闆包廂。
Roger Clemens was standing there, and suddenly the Yankees' season got a whole lot better.
當球迷把眼光轉向包廂時, 他們看到了Roger Clemens, 就在這個瞬間, 洋基的2007年球季看似充滿了無窮的可能性。
"It's a privilege to be back," Clemens told the crowd. "I'll be talking to you soon."
"我很榮幸能回到這裡," Clemens這麼跟觀眾說 "我們很快將會再度見面"
And just like that, Clemens became a Yankee.
就這樣, Clemens再度穿上了條紋球衣。
Details of the deal were not immediately available.
關於合約的細節部份, 雙方都尚未透露進一步的消息。
Clemens, a seven-time Cy Young Award winner, signed a minor league contract, the Yankees said in a press release. He is 44 years old.
Clemens, 現年44歲的七度Cy Young獎得主, 和洋基球團簽下一紙小聯盟合約。
George Steinbrenner, the Yankees' principal owner, said in a statement: "As I pledged just a few years ago, I will do everything within my power to support Brian Cashman, Joe Torre and this team as we fight to bring a 27th championship back to New York.
洋基的大老闆George Steinbrenner在聲明稿中指出 : "就如我幾年前所言, 我將盡全力支持Brian Cashman、Joe Torre和球隊, 一同為紐約拿下第27座世界大賽獎盃。"
"Roger is a winner and a champion, and he is someone who can be counted on to help make this season one that all Yankees fans can be proud of. The sole mission of this organization is to win a world championship."
"Roger是個天生贏家, 他可以幫助球隊讓今年球季成為足以讓所有洋基球迷引以自豪的球季, 對球團而言, 我們的目標只有一個...世界大賽冠軍。"
Clemens pitched for the Yankees from 1999 to 2003. His career record is 348-173 with a 3.10 earned run average and 4,604 strikeouts. He last pitched for the Houston Astros, when he went 7-6 with a 2.30 earned run average in 2006.
Clemens曾在1999到2003年球季間效力於洋基, 他的生涯成績為348勝173敗, 防禦率3.10, 並三振打者4,604人次。他在去年球季效力於休士頓太空人隊, 繳出了7勝6敗、2.30防禦率的成績。
Clemens, who was not available for immediate comment, joins a pitching staff that has been ravaged by injuries this season. Phil Hughes injured his hamstring Tuesday in Texas, and Jeff Karstens broke his right leg on April 28. Both players went on the disabled list, creating openings at the back of the rotation.
Clemens本人尚未對這項新聞做出回應, 不過可以確定的是, 他將加入目前飽受傷兵問題困擾的先發投手群。Phil Hughes在星期二於德州進行的比賽中拉傷了腿筋, Jeff Karstens則在4月28日比賽中右腿骨折, 這兩位投手目前都被列於傷兵名單中, 這也為Clemens的加入空出了位置。
Clemens's return had been rumored for weeks. But the Yankees gave no indication that his signing would be announced on Sunday.
火箭人回歸的流言已經流傳了好幾個星期, 不過在今天之前, 洋基球團方面並沒有顯露出任何即將簽下Clemens的徵兆。
原文刊登於 : http://www.wretch.cc/blog/archtemplar&article_id=15834045
By DAVID PICKER
Published : May 7, 2007 / The New York Times
The sun was shining, the Yankees were ahead during the seventh-inning stretch of their game against the Seattle Mariners and it seemed as if the day couldn't get any better. That's when the Yankees' public address announcer, Bob Sheppard, asked the 52,553 fans at Yankee Stadium to direct their attention to the owner's box behind home plate.
豔陽高照、主場的洋基在七局上半結束後領先來訪的西雅圖水手隊, 對球迷來說, 這可說是完美的一天。而就在此時, 球場播報員Bob Sheppard要求全場52,553位洋基球迷將注意力轉移到位在本壘後方的老闆包廂。
Roger Clemens was standing there, and suddenly the Yankees' season got a whole lot better.
當球迷把眼光轉向包廂時, 他們看到了Roger Clemens, 就在這個瞬間, 洋基的2007年球季看似充滿了無窮的可能性。
"It's a privilege to be back," Clemens told the crowd. "I'll be talking to you soon."
"我很榮幸能回到這裡," Clemens這麼跟觀眾說 "我們很快將會再度見面"
And just like that, Clemens became a Yankee.
就這樣, Clemens再度穿上了條紋球衣。
Details of the deal were not immediately available.
關於合約的細節部份, 雙方都尚未透露進一步的消息。
Clemens, a seven-time Cy Young Award winner, signed a minor league contract, the Yankees said in a press release. He is 44 years old.
Clemens, 現年44歲的七度Cy Young獎得主, 和洋基球團簽下一紙小聯盟合約。
George Steinbrenner, the Yankees' principal owner, said in a statement: "As I pledged just a few years ago, I will do everything within my power to support Brian Cashman, Joe Torre and this team as we fight to bring a 27th championship back to New York.
洋基的大老闆George Steinbrenner在聲明稿中指出 : "就如我幾年前所言, 我將盡全力支持Brian Cashman、Joe Torre和球隊, 一同為紐約拿下第27座世界大賽獎盃。"
"Roger is a winner and a champion, and he is someone who can be counted on to help make this season one that all Yankees fans can be proud of. The sole mission of this organization is to win a world championship."
"Roger是個天生贏家, 他可以幫助球隊讓今年球季成為足以讓所有洋基球迷引以自豪的球季, 對球團而言, 我們的目標只有一個...世界大賽冠軍。"
Clemens pitched for the Yankees from 1999 to 2003. His career record is 348-173 with a 3.10 earned run average and 4,604 strikeouts. He last pitched for the Houston Astros, when he went 7-6 with a 2.30 earned run average in 2006.
Clemens曾在1999到2003年球季間效力於洋基, 他的生涯成績為348勝173敗, 防禦率3.10, 並三振打者4,604人次。他在去年球季效力於休士頓太空人隊, 繳出了7勝6敗、2.30防禦率的成績。
Clemens, who was not available for immediate comment, joins a pitching staff that has been ravaged by injuries this season. Phil Hughes injured his hamstring Tuesday in Texas, and Jeff Karstens broke his right leg on April 28. Both players went on the disabled list, creating openings at the back of the rotation.
Clemens本人尚未對這項新聞做出回應, 不過可以確定的是, 他將加入目前飽受傷兵問題困擾的先發投手群。Phil Hughes在星期二於德州進行的比賽中拉傷了腿筋, Jeff Karstens則在4月28日比賽中右腿骨折, 這兩位投手目前都被列於傷兵名單中, 這也為Clemens的加入空出了位置。
Clemens's return had been rumored for weeks. But the Yankees gave no indication that his signing would be announced on Sunday.
火箭人回歸的流言已經流傳了好幾個星期, 不過在今天之前, 洋基球團方面並沒有顯露出任何即將簽下Clemens的徵兆。
原文刊登於 : http://www.wretch.cc/blog/archtemplar&article_id=15834045
10 Essentials for men...what's on your list ?...2
去年11月曾經發表一篇名為10 Essentials for men...what's on your list ?的文章
裡面列出了在我日常生活中不可或缺的十項必需品
半年過後的現在
我的上班地點從一個位在SoHo某工業建築改建、老闆加上員工編制僅有5人的小型事務所
換到一個辦公室位在midtown某Art Deco風格高層建築中、
光是NY office就有80位員工的中型事務所
除了中午用餐休息的地方從Washington Square Park變成了Bryant Park
食物選擇從prosciutto panini和thai iced tea變成了chicken katsu don和午後の紅茶
真正影響我的(尤其是在荷包厚度上的影響...Orz)其實是穿著風格上的改變
從之前以polo shirt為主的多層次混搭風格
變成了以襯衫加上slim-fit Jeans為主的Heidi Slimane風
(好吧...我承認是我想太多...不過“人類因夢想而偉大“囉...）
以下就是經過update之後的最新名單囉...
1. Louis Vuitton Taiga Leather 4 Key Holder + Monogram Canvas Billfold Wallet
還有什麼好說的...怎麼操都操不壞的超級耐用皮夾及鑰匙包, 我想他們在未來還會持續出現在我的名單中
2. Kiehl's Original Musk Blend No.1
取代BOSS IN MOTION成為我最愛的新香水...看來真的是年紀大了
3. NOKIA 8801（台灣型號NOKIA 8800）
目前市面上實在也找不到更讓我滿意的外型設計了...至於功能嘛...就只能安慰自己“夠用就好“囉
4. UNIQLO S-001 Slim-fit Jeans
第一次讓我找到這種完全不用修改就完美合身的牛仔褲, 讓我光是同一型號就買了三種不同洗色的款式
5. iPod Video+BANG & OLUFSEN A8 Earphones
小璇送的畢業禮物加上前陣子為了犒賞自己找到新工作而買的BANG & OLUFSEN耳機, 陪我渡過每天上下班通勤時間
6. Salvatore Ferragamo Wing-tip Oxfords / Loafers
尋尋覓覓多時才總算讓我找到的理想皮鞋, 一款棕色wing-tip牛津鞋, 一款黑色亮面loafer, 同樣出自義大利製鞋名門
7. Sebastian Xtah Crude Clay Modeler
在台灣廣受好評的莎貝之聖凝土, 我卻到了美國才首次使用
8. Kiehl's Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash
比起Kiehl's rare-earth oatmilk facial cleanser更為清爽、更容易起泡、還帶有淡淡清香, 是夏季洗面乳的首選
9. Tony Lama Cowboy Boot
完全打破我對牛仔靴的刻板印象, 發現原來牛仔靴原來不只搭配服飾上有相當多的可能性, 也可以很好穿
10.Hermes Herline PM
一樣是讓我費盡千辛萬苦, 才找到早已停產的這款夢幻tote bag, 不但可手提, 還可肩背及後背, 功能性令人激賞
原文刊登於 : http://www.wretch.cc/blog/archtemplar&article_id=15738552
裡面列出了在我日常生活中不可或缺的十項必需品
半年過後的現在
我的上班地點從一個位在SoHo某工業建築改建、老闆加上員工編制僅有5人的小型事務所
換到一個辦公室位在midtown某Art Deco風格高層建築中、
光是NY office就有80位員工的中型事務所
除了中午用餐休息的地方從Washington Square Park變成了Bryant Park
食物選擇從prosciutto panini和thai iced tea變成了chicken katsu don和午後の紅茶
真正影響我的(尤其是在荷包厚度上的影響...Orz)其實是穿著風格上的改變
從之前以polo shirt為主的多層次混搭風格
變成了以襯衫加上slim-fit Jeans為主的Heidi Slimane風
(好吧...我承認是我想太多...不過“人類因夢想而偉大“囉...）
以下就是經過update之後的最新名單囉...
1. Louis Vuitton Taiga Leather 4 Key Holder + Monogram Canvas Billfold Wallet
還有什麼好說的...怎麼操都操不壞的超級耐用皮夾及鑰匙包, 我想他們在未來還會持續出現在我的名單中
2. Kiehl's Original Musk Blend No.1
取代BOSS IN MOTION成為我最愛的新香水...看來真的是年紀大了
3. NOKIA 8801（台灣型號NOKIA 8800）
目前市面上實在也找不到更讓我滿意的外型設計了...至於功能嘛...就只能安慰自己“夠用就好“囉
4. UNIQLO S-001 Slim-fit Jeans
第一次讓我找到這種完全不用修改就完美合身的牛仔褲, 讓我光是同一型號就買了三種不同洗色的款式
5. iPod Video+BANG & OLUFSEN A8 Earphones
小璇送的畢業禮物加上前陣子為了犒賞自己找到新工作而買的BANG & OLUFSEN耳機, 陪我渡過每天上下班通勤時間
6. Salvatore Ferragamo Wing-tip Oxfords / Loafers
尋尋覓覓多時才總算讓我找到的理想皮鞋, 一款棕色wing-tip牛津鞋, 一款黑色亮面loafer, 同樣出自義大利製鞋名門
7. Sebastian Xtah Crude Clay Modeler
在台灣廣受好評的莎貝之聖凝土, 我卻到了美國才首次使用
8. Kiehl's Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash
比起Kiehl's rare-earth oatmilk facial cleanser更為清爽、更容易起泡、還帶有淡淡清香, 是夏季洗面乳的首選
9. Tony Lama Cowboy Boot
完全打破我對牛仔靴的刻板印象, 發現原來牛仔靴原來不只搭配服飾上有相當多的可能性, 也可以很好穿
10.Hermes Herline PM
一樣是讓我費盡千辛萬苦, 才找到早已停產的這款夢幻tote bag, 不但可手提, 還可肩背及後背, 功能性令人激賞
原文刊登於 : http://www.wretch.cc/blog/archtemplar&article_id=15738552
Nearly Perfect...
1904年的5月5日
Cy Young在Boston Americans對上Philadelphia Athletics的比賽中
投出了大聯盟史上第一場perfect game...
103年後的今天...2007年5月5日
紐約有著完美的看球天氣...陽光普照的同時也還有徐徐微風吹來
而完美的天氣中...我們見證了一場幾乎完美的比賽
今天的看球行程中
我有了兩位昨天晚上才剛飛抵紐約的朋友Eric及芋頭加入
在今年球季第一次於週末下午踏入Yankee Stadium
由於今天的比賽是所謂的Cap Day
也就是說進場的球迷都能得到由HESS贊助的洋基球帽
而這也成了我和黃牛講價時他們一直不肯壓低售價的最大理由
一行三人才剛抵達Yankee Stadium
走出地鐵站出口時就遇到了我多次交手的黃牛集團老大
(請參照Yankee Stadium現場觀戰之教戰守則（五）實戰驗證篇中的黃牛二號集團)
我見機不可失（原先想說這麼早到球場應該黃牛們還沒上班）上前訪價
只見他老兄從口袋中掏出三張球票
"這是Box的票...我算你一張40就好"
"是哪種Box啊...不同層的Box價差可是天差地遠耶"我反問
(其實這也算是白問啦...他會願意開出40這種價位肯定就是Tier Boxes的票)
確定他手上的票是Tier Boxes之後
(根據我過去的經驗...在這種陽光普照的下午場比賽坐在Tier層簡直就是準備被烤乾了)
我詢問他是否有下層看台的球票...最好是不會晒到太陽又不會遭受強大風勢考驗的Loge層
聽到我的要求之後...黃牛老大把我們帶到了River Ave.上和集團中其他成員會合
然後在和其他成員開了小組會議之後
他對我秀出了三張球票...
"這三張我算你票面價就好"
我看了一下球票上的位置...好樣的...Field Championship
又給我來這套...每次可以毫不猶豫給我好價錢的都是這種可以和Jeter聊天的座位...
等我哪天中了紐約樂透之後或許可以考慮看看
"這太誇張了啦...哪有錢買這麼貴的位置啊" 我向他這麼說
"你不是說要低層看台嗎...所以我就給你最低層的位置啊" 他老兄很理直氣壯地回應
"也沒說要這麼低啊...就說了要不怕毒辣太陽的Loge層了啊" 我無奈地回應
"好啦...這麼好的位置還不要...你們在這等等啦" 老大心不甘情不願地走開
過了幾分鐘之後...一位小弟向我們走來
"聽老大說你們要Loge的票啊？"
"是啊...你有我們要的票嗎？" 我反問
"我當然有...不過現在條子伯伯正盯著我...你們跟我來"
我想很多朋友看到這裡都覺得這樣的場景還比較像是毒品交易吧...
不過多次和他們交手已經對這種躲貓貓遊戲見怪不怪的我
跟著那神色十分緊張的小弟走進了一旁的紀念品店家中
"這三張票我算你每張70美金"
他掏出了三張Loge Box的球票...
(Game Day Price $60, Advance Price $55, Season Ticket Price $50)
"太貴了吧...老兄...我最多給你$40"
"別鬧了...今天可是Cap Day耶...還是週末...票全都sold out了耶" 他用誇張的表情說著
"你才別鬧了...我跟你們買過這麼多次票...從來也沒用過高於票面價的價錢入手"
"什麼sold out...我出門前還上網看過...明明還一堆票（這句當然是用來唬他的）"
這些話簡直就像反射動作一樣從我嘴巴脫口而出
"我可以不把票賣給你啊...外面一堆人想要我的票"
他看起來就像是隨時要轉身走人
"你想太多了啦...那些來玩的遊客誰會花錢跟你買這麼好的位置啊...他們的預算最多30美金吧"
"而且相信我...我聽到很多也要來看球的台灣朋友都說他們早就買好票了"
"你這票到最後一定賣不出去...能把便宜的Tier區票賣掉就偷笑囉"
以上幾句話...當然也包含了部份不實訊息在內...不過殺價不就這麼一回事
"我為什麼一定要賣你啊...好啦...一張$60"
"還是太貴了啦,這還是高過票面價啊"
"老實跟你說...你真的賣不出去的啦"
雖然我知道由於他們所持的票多為季票...因此票面價也是季票的售價
同樣的票要在現場買到的確是要付出$60的代價...這還不算手續費
之後的一段時間...他老兄都在作勢要隨時走人
然後我們也持續著到底會不會有人跟他買票的"討論"
"好啦...最後底線...三張$160"
他一臉嚴肅地說著,同時不斷注意著正站在店門口聊天的NYPD
"每張$45...這也是我的底線" 我自以為很帥地丟出這句話
然後是一陣沈默...
"好啦...快把錢給我...條子現在在門口耶"
看來他真的很擔心這樁交易不成之後還會被條子抓包
"Hey...你這是真票吧"
雖然拿到球票的同時就已經可以依據觸感辨別出真假票
但是看他那麼緊張的表情就很想逗他一下...
"老兄...你也卡拜託點..." 他露出相當無奈的表情
"好啦...我知道這是真票啦...都跟你們買過幾次了當然知道你們不賣假票啊"
看到他的逗趣表情,我強忍住笑容回道
"Enjoy the game！"
點完錢之後,他丟下了這句專業黃牛不能不說的話（有訓練過果然有差...）
我們在距離比賽開場還有大約50分鐘時進到球場
當時小王甚至都還沒走到外野區來熱身...
比賽過程我想大家都再清楚不過了
那就來說些花絮吧...
當小王在七局上半成功解決三位打者,持續他挑戰完全比賽的旅程時
坐在我們後方的兩位外國朋友
全場比賽一直用怪腔怪調喊著GO~Chien-Ming...Let's Go Kid！
從五局之後就一直鼓舞球迷起立為小王鼓掌加油
這時終於忍不住要求跟我們擊掌
然後不斷重複地念著
"We might be seeing something right now..."
我想很多朋友都知道當自己支持球隊的投手正在挑戰無安打比賽時
全場的人都不被允許提到"無安打"或是"完全比賽"
甚至連會讓人有相關聯想的辭句都盡量要避免
(就連休息室中的球員也要刻意坐離投手一段距離...也不能和投手交談)
這時全場就會籠罩著一種相當詭異的氣氛...
雖然大家都在想著一樣的事情...但是就是怎麼樣都不能提...
最多就是瞄一眼記分板...然後交換一個會心的微笑
而當坐在身後那兩位老兄的興奮情緒終於讓其中一人不小心說到"perfect $%#..."
(他甚至都還沒完整說出口...搞不好他壓跟不是要提perfect game也說不定)
坐在我正前方、年約六十幾歲的老先生突然轉頭
"噓！" 他將右手食指放在嘴前, 狠狠地用眼神警告我身後那位老兄
看到那個畫面...我身旁不少外國朋友都發出會心一笑
不過看來就連小王本人都不是很清楚無安打比賽進行中的禁忌
"I don't know why everybody [wouldn't] talk to me," Wang said
至於小王挑戰無安打完全比賽的旅程被Broussard的全壘打給硬生生打斷時
後面那位仁兄的反應也相當有趣...
他先是在被紮實擊中的球直直飛向右外野時,不斷地念著
"Get it, get it,get it...come on,get it baby..."
而當球飛過全壘打牆的瞬間, 他大喊了一句...
"Are you fxxking kidding me！"
原文刊登於 : http://www.wretch.cc/blog/archtemplar&article_id=15800747
Cy Young在Boston Americans對上Philadelphia Athletics的比賽中
投出了大聯盟史上第一場perfect game...
103年後的今天...2007年5月5日
紐約有著完美的看球天氣...陽光普照的同時也還有徐徐微風吹來
而完美的天氣中...我們見證了一場幾乎完美的比賽
今天的看球行程中
我有了兩位昨天晚上才剛飛抵紐約的朋友Eric及芋頭加入
在今年球季第一次於週末下午踏入Yankee Stadium
由於今天的比賽是所謂的Cap Day
也就是說進場的球迷都能得到由HESS贊助的洋基球帽
而這也成了我和黃牛講價時他們一直不肯壓低售價的最大理由
一行三人才剛抵達Yankee Stadium
走出地鐵站出口時就遇到了我多次交手的黃牛集團老大
(請參照Yankee Stadium現場觀戰之教戰守則（五）實戰驗證篇中的黃牛二號集團)
我見機不可失（原先想說這麼早到球場應該黃牛們還沒上班）上前訪價
只見他老兄從口袋中掏出三張球票
"這是Box的票...我算你一張40就好"
"是哪種Box啊...不同層的Box價差可是天差地遠耶"我反問
(其實這也算是白問啦...他會願意開出40這種價位肯定就是Tier Boxes的票)
確定他手上的票是Tier Boxes之後
(根據我過去的經驗...在這種陽光普照的下午場比賽坐在Tier層簡直就是準備被烤乾了)
我詢問他是否有下層看台的球票...最好是不會晒到太陽又不會遭受強大風勢考驗的Loge層
聽到我的要求之後...黃牛老大把我們帶到了River Ave.上和集團中其他成員會合
然後在和其他成員開了小組會議之後
他對我秀出了三張球票...
"這三張我算你票面價就好"
我看了一下球票上的位置...好樣的...Field Championship
又給我來這套...每次可以毫不猶豫給我好價錢的都是這種可以和Jeter聊天的座位...
等我哪天中了紐約樂透之後或許可以考慮看看
"這太誇張了啦...哪有錢買這麼貴的位置啊" 我向他這麼說
"你不是說要低層看台嗎...所以我就給你最低層的位置啊" 他老兄很理直氣壯地回應
"也沒說要這麼低啊...就說了要不怕毒辣太陽的Loge層了啊" 我無奈地回應
"好啦...這麼好的位置還不要...你們在這等等啦" 老大心不甘情不願地走開
過了幾分鐘之後...一位小弟向我們走來
"聽老大說你們要Loge的票啊？"
"是啊...你有我們要的票嗎？" 我反問
"我當然有...不過現在條子伯伯正盯著我...你們跟我來"
我想很多朋友看到這裡都覺得這樣的場景還比較像是毒品交易吧...
不過多次和他們交手已經對這種躲貓貓遊戲見怪不怪的我
跟著那神色十分緊張的小弟走進了一旁的紀念品店家中
"這三張票我算你每張70美金"
他掏出了三張Loge Box的球票...
(Game Day Price $60, Advance Price $55, Season Ticket Price $50)
"太貴了吧...老兄...我最多給你$40"
"別鬧了...今天可是Cap Day耶...還是週末...票全都sold out了耶" 他用誇張的表情說著
"你才別鬧了...我跟你們買過這麼多次票...從來也沒用過高於票面價的價錢入手"
"什麼sold out...我出門前還上網看過...明明還一堆票（這句當然是用來唬他的）"
這些話簡直就像反射動作一樣從我嘴巴脫口而出
"我可以不把票賣給你啊...外面一堆人想要我的票"
他看起來就像是隨時要轉身走人
"你想太多了啦...那些來玩的遊客誰會花錢跟你買這麼好的位置啊...他們的預算最多30美金吧"
"而且相信我...我聽到很多也要來看球的台灣朋友都說他們早就買好票了"
"你這票到最後一定賣不出去...能把便宜的Tier區票賣掉就偷笑囉"
以上幾句話...當然也包含了部份不實訊息在內...不過殺價不就這麼一回事
"我為什麼一定要賣你啊...好啦...一張$60"
"還是太貴了啦,這還是高過票面價啊"
"老實跟你說...你真的賣不出去的啦"
雖然我知道由於他們所持的票多為季票...因此票面價也是季票的售價
同樣的票要在現場買到的確是要付出$60的代價...這還不算手續費
之後的一段時間...他老兄都在作勢要隨時走人
然後我們也持續著到底會不會有人跟他買票的"討論"
"好啦...最後底線...三張$160"
他一臉嚴肅地說著,同時不斷注意著正站在店門口聊天的NYPD
"每張$45...這也是我的底線" 我自以為很帥地丟出這句話
然後是一陣沈默...
"好啦...快把錢給我...條子現在在門口耶"
看來他真的很擔心這樁交易不成之後還會被條子抓包
"Hey...你這是真票吧"
雖然拿到球票的同時就已經可以依據觸感辨別出真假票
但是看他那麼緊張的表情就很想逗他一下...
"老兄...你也卡拜託點..." 他露出相當無奈的表情
"好啦...我知道這是真票啦...都跟你們買過幾次了當然知道你們不賣假票啊"
看到他的逗趣表情,我強忍住笑容回道
"Enjoy the game！"
點完錢之後,他丟下了這句專業黃牛不能不說的話（有訓練過果然有差...）
我們在距離比賽開場還有大約50分鐘時進到球場
當時小王甚至都還沒走到外野區來熱身...
比賽過程我想大家都再清楚不過了
那就來說些花絮吧...
當小王在七局上半成功解決三位打者,持續他挑戰完全比賽的旅程時
坐在我們後方的兩位外國朋友
全場比賽一直用怪腔怪調喊著GO~Chien-Ming...Let's Go Kid！
從五局之後就一直鼓舞球迷起立為小王鼓掌加油
這時終於忍不住要求跟我們擊掌
然後不斷重複地念著
"We might be seeing something right now..."
我想很多朋友都知道當自己支持球隊的投手正在挑戰無安打比賽時
全場的人都不被允許提到"無安打"或是"完全比賽"
甚至連會讓人有相關聯想的辭句都盡量要避免
(就連休息室中的球員也要刻意坐離投手一段距離...也不能和投手交談)
這時全場就會籠罩著一種相當詭異的氣氛...
雖然大家都在想著一樣的事情...但是就是怎麼樣都不能提...
最多就是瞄一眼記分板...然後交換一個會心的微笑
而當坐在身後那兩位老兄的興奮情緒終於讓其中一人不小心說到"perfect $%#..."
(他甚至都還沒完整說出口...搞不好他壓跟不是要提perfect game也說不定)
坐在我正前方、年約六十幾歲的老先生突然轉頭
"噓！" 他將右手食指放在嘴前, 狠狠地用眼神警告我身後那位老兄
看到那個畫面...我身旁不少外國朋友都發出會心一笑
不過看來就連小王本人都不是很清楚無安打比賽進行中的禁忌
"I don't know why everybody [wouldn't] talk to me," Wang said
至於小王挑戰無安打完全比賽的旅程被Broussard的全壘打給硬生生打斷時
後面那位仁兄的反應也相當有趣...
他先是在被紮實擊中的球直直飛向右外野時,不斷地念著
"Get it, get it,get it...come on,get it baby..."
而當球飛過全壘打牆的瞬間, 他大喊了一句...
"Are you fxxking kidding me！"
原文刊登於 : http://www.wretch.cc/blog/archtemplar&article_id=15800747
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