My Favorite Stations on SiriusXM

I have SiriusXM in my car, phone and laptop.  Here are my favorite stations in no particular order:

• 50s on 5
• 60s on 6
• 70s on 7
• The Bridge
• Beatles Channel
• Elvis Radio
• Classic Vinyl 
• Classic Rewind
• Watercolors
• Deep Tracks
• Classic Soul
• Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Channel
• BB King's Bluesville

My Rough and Rowdy Ways by Jimmie Rodgers (1929)

Bob Dylan obviously listens to old music.  Is it plagiarism to use the title of this song for the title of his new album?

I Don't Like One Rule Change for the 2020 Baseball Season

I was wrong at predicting there would be no baseball season in 2020.  There will be a 60-game season beginning on July 24 with the same playoff format with 10 teams.  There is one rule implemented this season that I don't like.

All extra innings will start with a runner on second base.  The purpose of this is to avoid marathon games.  In the past, many historic games were very long taking 15 or more innings to complete.  The rationale seems to be to save stress on the pitching staff.  However, rosters for this abbreviated season will be expanded to 30 allowing for an expanded pitching staff.

I do have a few concerns:

• What happens if several players on a team are positive for the virus?
• Are three weeks for spring training enough especially for pitchers?
• Will the players abide by the safety measures?

I am Skeptical about Rob Manfred's Imposing a 60-Game Season after Failing to Reach a Deal with the Player's Association

The details of this situation can be found at Yahoo Sports.  I feel that it is fair since the players will receive their full prorated salary for the 60 games to be played.  But the devil is in the details.  I have several concerns about whether this will actually transpire.

• Will the players balk since they have rejected all proposals by MLB?
• Is a 3-week "summer training" session enough to get the pitchers ready?
• What is the schedule for this abbreviated season?  Will games be scheduled only between teams in the same geographic area?  Will the previously announced 2020 schedule take place starting on July 24?
• What happens if players test positive for the virus?  Would the entire team have to be quarantined?  If so, the season would be ruined.  I think the worst thing that could happen is that play would have to stop out of safety concerns.

I think the universal DH would help the Mets since Yoenes Cespedes would not have to play the outfield.  Many players throughout MLB have been given several months to recover  from injuries that would have prevented them from playing in April.

We shall see.

I am Beginning to Think There Will Be No Major League Baseball This Year

Players and staff of the Philadelphia Phillies and Toronto Blue Jays have tested positive for the Coronavirus.  All MLB training camps are being closed for cleaning and disinfection.  Arizona and Florida have recently emerged as hot spots for the Coronavirus.  If there is a spring training, the Mets and Yankees will hold workouts in NYC.

MLB and the MLBPA have still not come to an agreement on the number of games and salaries.  If there is a season, it would be no more than 50 games.  There is also talk of having tie games or a runner placed on second base in an extra-inning.  I really don't care about those innovations.

It is now June 21.  I just think there are too many complications involved in starting an MLB season in 2020.  I already received refunds for Met tickets for April and May.  Eventually, I will get a refund for all 11 games I purchased for this season.  I went up to Yankee Stadium in early March to buy tickets for two games,  According to their website I will have to go back to the box office in 2021 to get an exchange for future games.

Bob Dylan's Rough and Rowdy Ways

The first album of original Bob Dylan songs in 8 years was released today.  There have already been several reviews written by journalists who heard advance copies.  These reviews are very positive as Dylan at age 79 is getting better.  I am disappointed that the concert at Forest Hills on July 8th was canceled, but in part, this new album makes up for it.  I am sure that several songs from this new album would have been featured.

I am listening to it for the first time on Amazon Prime Music as I am writing this journal entry.  I would really have to read the lyrics to make a more detailed analysis of it.  For some reason, I will not receive the CD from Amazon until June 23.  In the past, I have received CDs on the day of release. Later today, I will read some of the reviews.

Two preliminary comments:

1. Jimmy Reed joins the ranks of Blind Willie McTell, Charlie Patton and other musicians who influenced Dylan.
2. Did Dylan ever visit Key West?

I am Greatly looking Forward to Reopening Phase 2 in NYC

Hopefully, NYC will be entering Phase 2 of the reopening on Monday, June 22.  Governor Cuomo says that it should be done, but Mayor de Blasio is unsure.  I criticize the mayor for being indecisive many times during the Coronavirus crisis and the civil unrest.  The main reason I am looking forward to Phase 2 is so that Lee and I can finally take haircuts as we both look terrible.  I thought of taking a ride to Great Neck in Nassau County where Phase 2 is already in effect, but I decided to wait if the situation in NYC is changing.

We are also frustrated with limited recreational activities.  After a while, we get tired of walking around parks and sitting by the apartment complex and reading.  If baseball comes back, it is quite unlikely that fans will be allowed in the stadiums.  I think it will be a while before cultural activities such as museums and concerts will return.