Dodgers fans haven't stopped believin' a World Series title is comin'
And Casey Blake, he just hasn't stopped believin', period, as we learn in an entertaining profile by the Daily News' Tony Jackson. It turns out the Dodgers' third baseman is a huge Journey fan, remaining true to his musical roots in similar fashion to keeping his small Iowa hometown (Indianola, pop. 14,000) the offseason casa de family Blake. Jackson has no hard confirmation as to whether or not Blake rocked the requisite mullet true blue Journey fans sported back in the day. But if that majestic beard was part of the picture, any "short on sides, long in back" character singing along to "Separate Ways" would have undoubtedly been too intimidated to question Blake's credentials.
On a side note, a "Journey" story of my own. Around 1995 or so, I was paying rent by waiting tables at the Brentwood Chin-Chin (awful job, by the way, if anyone is debating a new line or place of work). One day, Steve Perry happened to come in one day and sit in my section. As someone who worked as a server and (mostly) a bartender for about ten years until full-time professional writing gigs became available, I dealt with a lot of customers. Without question, Perry ranks among the five most high maintenance people I'd ever helped. He had specific instructions for each course, including the request that his potstickers to be steamed "al dente" (not a joke). He ran me ragged getting sides of nearly every sauce in the restaurant (his table was basically a mosaic of ramekins). He was generally unpleasant. But instead of finding it annoying, I couldn't stop laughing, because it was Steve Perry acting like an A-lister. Then again, Perry may think his A-List era never ended, as he was clad in a powder blue tank top and shorts that looked suspiciously like Jams, the ensemble one guesses the singer oft donned while at the height of his mid-80's powers.
In honor of Blake and his fine work since arriving in town, a few clips he might enjoy...
AK
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Casey Blake Is Jeramiah Johnson
http://www.imdb.com/media/rm493590272/tt0068762
Posted by: benzojones | August 19, 2008 at 03:30 PM
Shame on you for getting those awful songs stuck in our heads all over again. I know Journey is supposed to be so awful they're campy, but if you listen to Jack FM too long, you get Who's Cryin Now more times than you ever wanted to hear it before the sweet release of death.
Did you ever notice that if you rearrange the letters in Perry's hit "Open Arms" you get Ramp Nose? That's how I think of Steve Perry every time.
May you have Oh Sherry repeating in your own head for the rest of the day. That is until Nomar and Low Rider come to the plate.
Speaking of which, with apologies to Sports Illustrated, here is this week's sign of the apocalypse:
www.mlb.com/content/printer_friendly/mlb/y2008/m04/d25/c2585535.jsp
Here's a snippet. Methinks these intertubes need updating:
6. Andruw Jones, CF
Song: "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley and the Wailers
Critic commentary: "'Don't worry about a thing, 'cause everything's gonna be alright,' is the perfect positive message for a guy with a 50-homer season in his resume. The Caribbean roots he shares with Bob don't hurt, either." --Jennifer "J-Dog" Odell, Editor, BobMarley.com
Posted by: SaMo | August 19, 2008 at 04:05 PM
The journey video game was cool.
Posted by: Benzo Jones | August 19, 2008 at 11:31 PM
It's always funny when somebody in the service industry complains about someone who actually wants service. Ever have a lousy potsticker. I doubt there is are many who haven't had them cooked lousy. And you have to love terms like "ran me ragged" to get sauces. What, were they strategically placed apart and in difficult-to-reach places so that actually getting what someone wants is challenging?
Glad I'm not famous. God forbid you ask for something special or have a bad day while and not feeling particularly sociable. It will forever be remembered and retold by virtue of who you are. Like this little gem 13 years after the fact. Clearly, you've had few real troubles in your life if this is post-worthy.
Posted by: Just a dude | August 21, 2008 at 08:22 PM
Just a dude,
"It's always funny when somebody in the service industry complains about someone who actually wants service. Ever have a lousy potsticker. I doubt there is are many who haven't had them cooked lousy. And you have to love terms like "ran me ragged" to get sauces. What, were they strategically placed apart and in difficult-to-reach places so that actually getting what someone wants is challenging?"
I wasn't actually complaining about Perry "wanting service." That's my job. It's that he was unpleasant and rude (as I said) and seemed to enjoy running me around. And to answer your question, yes, many of the sauces were placed apart and in difficult to reach places. A few required going in the back of the restaurant and sifting through a walk-in fridge, because they weren't ones we normally serve. I wasn't exaggerating when I said he wanted a side of every sauce we had. That can become difficult when he keeps asking for them one at a time and you have about 8-10 other tables who'd also like help.
"Glad I'm not famous. God forbid you ask for something special or have a bad day while and not feeling particularly sociable. It will forever be remembered and retold by virtue of who you are. Like this little gem 13 years after the fact. Clearly, you've had few real troubles in your life if this is post-worthy."
It wasn't question of him being "unsociable." I don't care if a customer doesn't speak to me beyond giving his order. And if you're having a bad day, my sympathies, but you have no reason or right to take it out on me. Either way, if you're not a jerk, it's not likely to get repeated. I also never claimed this traumatized me. As I originally wrote, I actually found it funny, despite being such a ridiculous hassle. I thought others would, too. Sorry if it rubbed you wrong.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 21, 2008 at 08:40 PM
AK:
NP. I guess I was just thinking about how often we read about stars and especially if they are not in top form and they way everything they do is under the microscope. I have trouble relating to it all (and find it frustrating that everywhere we go we see and hear it all the time) and sometimes I think: WTF?
Sorry for the sarcasm.
Just a dude
Posted by: Just a dude | August 25, 2008 at 05:55 AM