The problem in Puerto Rico

It is heart rendering to see the population of Puerto Rico still without power after being blasted by two major storms – heart rendering but, unfortunately, understandable. Puerto Rico is not Florida where you can simply roll trucks down I-75 and begin the re-electrification process. It is an island over a thousand miles from the nearest point in the U.S. The island is surrounded by smaller islands that have no resources and problems of their own. It is a logistical nightmare that, unhappily, will take time – much more time than it took U.S. areas to get back on line. And the fact that the company charged with restoring the power grid in Puerto Rico and U.S. Interior Secretary are from the same town has as much relevance as saying Barack Obama and Al Capone were both from Chicago.

Tampa Bay, politics and stuff:

1. Related to our lead item, we grow weary of hearing that every bit of trash hasn’t been picked up, every insurance claim hasn’t been settled and how awful FEMA is. We’ve spoken to some FEMA workers in the aftermath of Irma and these are hardworking people. Getting back to normalcy after a natural disaster like Irma isn’t quite as easy as writing a newspaper article critiquing these folks’ efforts.

2. We just don’t understand liberals – the supposed friends of the common man. Recent op-ed piece in the Washington Post, the most liberal paper north of St. Petersburg, suggests financing President Trump’s infrastructure improvements with an increased gas tax, the most regressive tax there is short of a tax on groceries.

3. Getting there – that has to be a primary concern as bay area leaders stumble towards a stadium site for the Rays. One of the things that doomed the Trop from the beginning was the lack of cooperation from PSTA in running routes from north Pinellas to the park. This time, HART and the PSTA need to step up.

4. Idle thought: four broadcasters we don’t know but would enjoy a long leisurely lunch with: WTVT’s Charlie Belcher, baseball guys Jon Miller and Joe Simpson and Fox News commentator Brit Hume – an eclectic group to say the least.

5. You’ve lived in the bay area or anywhere else for a long time if you remember the 6 ½ ounce bottle of Coca Cola – still the best tasting of the bunch!

The diamond, the media and other stuff:

6. A name you did not hear mentioned during the celebration of the Houston Astros world championship was Ed Wade. The former Phillie and Astro GM laid the cornerstone of the world championship team with his drafting of Jose Altuve, Dallas Keuchel and series MVP George Springer. Ed is one of the truly nice men in the game.

7. Alibi most heard a week ago this Monday: “the Astros and Dodgers ate my homework”. What a game – ending at 1:35 a.m. EDT - perhaps the best World Series game ever.

8. Cue Etta James’ 1961 hit At Last. The Washington Nationals have named ex-Rays bench coach Dave Martinez their manager. Now Tampa Bay fans can get a glimpse of what could have (and should have) been when Maddon blew town.

9. It seems that former UF offensive coordinator Dan Mullen is the leader in the clubhouse for the vacant UF job. But the Gators could do a lot worse than making a call to Tampa where Charlie Strong has turned the Bulls’ program around.

10. The Hall of Fame ballots go out this month. One first timer is a slam dunk – Braves third baseman Chipper Jones. Another name to keep an eye on is shortstop/magician Omar Vizquel. He was the next generation’s Ozzie Smith and, like the wizard, deserves a plaque in Cooperstown.

Some off season notes

It is now officially the off season in baseball and we offer up a few names and items to keep in mind during the dark days between pitchers and catchers in early February. First, a name to keep in mind – Shohei Otani; he is the Babe Ruth of Japanese baseball. A power hitting pitcher/outfielder, Otani could quite likely be in the majors for Opening Day. It appears his future will probably be as a pitcher/DH. Next year’s surprises could be the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Mets –teams who were out of the hunt in 2017 but likely will bounce back. Baltimore intends to build on its core with a pitcher or two and there is absolutely no way the Mets can have the amount of injuries they sustained this season. They could both be serious contenders in 2018. And, as we go to press, only 87 days until pitchers and catchers report!

SNEAK PEEK AT NEXT WEEK: THE PRESIDENCY, 15 CENT BURGERS AND EDDIE KING