New York Mets Unload Francisco Rodriguez

Althouse gets excited over Milwaukee's acquisition of star closer Francisco Rodriguez: "Unloading a 'crippling financial obligation,' the Mets deal Francisco Rodriguez to the Brewers."

Ann links to the New York Times, and there's some informed opinion in her comments section. But I'll tell you: Mets fans should be pleased. With Rodriquez, who was the Angels' ace closer for years, you'll bite your fingernails and then keep munching down to the knuckles. The dude had so many clutch blown saves I lost my voice screaming at the TV. Plugging in "Rodriguez Blown Saves" on Google pulled this piece up, "The Worst Season of Francisco Rodriguez's Career":

Rodriguez is still very difficult to hit against, due to the tremendous amount of movement on his pitches. However, this year his control problems have been even worse than in the past: only 60% of his pitches have been strikes – the lowest total of his career – and only 54% of his first pitches have been strikes. He has gotten into more 3-0 counts (9% of the time) than any other season in his career, and has gotten into fewer 0-2 counts (19%) than any other season. His overall strikeout rate is down, and yet he has received more called third strikes than usual this year, suggesting even less dominance (as evidenced by the relative lack of swings and misses with two strikes).

I get pissed just reading that!

But see Sports Illustrated on the big picture: "Brewers, Mets both get what they need from K-Rod trade."

Althouse Responds!

I knew it!

Robert Stacy McCain is the master link troll!

See Ann Althouse, "Charging with fists raised at Althouse: from the right, it's Robert Stacy McCain, from the left, it's Thers."

Robert Stacy McCain should be pleased that Thers decided to attack me on the same day, because I wouldn't have rewarded his attack with a link if it wasn't funny to find myself in the "Clowns to the left of me/Jokers to the right" position.

There's a lot there, but one line I'm saving for comment on another post. Well, one or two lines.

Ann Althouse a Rube? Nah, Robert Stacy McCain's Just Trolling for Traffic

C'mon Robert. Althouse a rube?

We know Althouse breaks political convention, and she's been hammering Obama for some time now. Besides, you just like posting her picture.

I like this one:

Added: Now a Memeorandum thread, with The Lonely Conservative, "Was Voting for Obama Rational?"

Althouse Taken Down??!! — UPDATE: Althouse Restored!

Seriously!

Check the Blogger link to Althouse --- and poof!!

Also, at Instapundit, "ALTHOUSE’S BLOG IS DOWN ..." And more here.

And at Red State, "Google/Blogger going after Ann Althouse?"

And at Althouse2, Ann's backup blog:

You know, I'm beginning to suspect that there's some behind-the-scenes campaign to report my blog as abusive. People who hate/fear the Althouse blog could make a loud noise to Google.

No doubt.

But Paul Campos at Lawyers, Guns and Murder is throwing up a smokescreen, suggesting the take-down is due to a post at Althouse on the job finalists for a new dean at the University of Wisconsin law school.

Added: More from Althouse2, "'So, your blog goes down right after being reported as a cesspool of [misogyny] and homophobia? Hmmmmm . . .'"

UPDATE: Althouse's blog is up: "Is this thing really back?"

UPDATE II: Check Patterico, who's taking this pretty seriously: "Don’t Let Google Off the Hook: Evidence Aplenty That Cretin “Nitecruzr” Represents Google — And Even Has the Ability to Flag Your Google Account!"

Tricia Willoughby Speaks to Madison Tea Party Rally

Via Ann Althouse:

RELATED: From Althouse, "A 14-year-old girl speaks at the Tea Party rally in Madison and is drowned out by chants, boos, and cowbells."