A Pleasant Dining Out Experience

The minimum wage in Massachusetts for tipped employees is $3.75 per hour. The last time I waited tables (Bill Clinton was President) it was almost one dollar less than that. That's a lot of running around for that type of money. People who go out to eat don't tip well anyway. Don't tell me it's because the service isn't good. I've seen a lot of people bust it from table to table and they don't get a good tip to show for it.

I was talking to a friend of mine who got back from a trip to Europe. He was telling me about the dining experience there. The waitstaff in Europe give you their undivided attention and the best part about dining out is that there is no tip so you don't feel rushed to leave when you get your check. There's no one walking back and forth by your table to see if you have paid so they can clear and set their table and get ready for the next party to be seated at your table.

The waitstaff takes care of you and you don't feel like you're being rushed in Europe. You can take your time with the meal and since the waiter or waitress is already getting paid for their shift, there's no pressure to upsell or add on items when you are ordering your meal.

I know the argument to this: "This will cause the price of everything to go up." Why would that matter? You're not stiffing the service (tipped) employees to start with. Right? Putting the servers on payroll means there is no pressure on them or on you. You've already been paying the money. Now you're just seeing that amount on the check. In addition, you're not waiting around for your change. You can just pay your bill and be on your way to enjoy the rest of your night.

Curt Schilling Belongs in the Hall of Fame

The BBWAA will announce the Hall of Fame Class of 2020 tonight. Curt Schilling is one of the players on the ballot and there has been a lot of talk as to whether he belongs in the Hall. Over his 20-year career, Schilling won 216 games and three World Series. In the first World Series, Schilling was an integral part of winning after undergoing an experimental surgery that allowed him to play, even though he was bleeding through his uniform as a result of the surgery.

Schilling's naysayers point to his off the field actions as to why he should be kept out of the Hall. This is wrong. Players are not elected for what they say and do when they aren't playing. In my opinion: Yes, he has done and said foolish things. Everyone has. If you're going to keep people out of the Hall of Fame for what they have done or said than half of the people elected in MLB, the NFL, NHL, and NBA would be removed and you would have a lot of empty space in Canton, Cooperstown, Springfield, and Toronto.

Curt Schilling averaged 15 wins and 211 strikeouts over 20 seasons. He had a career ERA of 3.46 in a career that was right in the middle of the "Juiced Ball Era". He helped one franchise to it's first ever World Series title and another to its first in over three generations. He was the proverbial workhorse pitcher and "Stopper". He deserves to be in the Hall of Fame and anyone who says he doesn't because of his views and opinions is wrong.

It's a Game (Red Sox and Astros)

As much as the Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox would like it to happen, the cheating scandal is not going away. People have been fired, mutually agreed to leave, even one manager who had been signed to manage another team walked away because of heat resulting from this issue.

It's gotten so bad, Congress, or the House of Representatives more specifically, is looking to get involved. Bobby Rush (D-IL) sent a letter to the chairs of the Energy and Commerce Committee asking for a hearing on the matter. The Energy and Commerce Committee has oversight when it comes to professional sports.

Stop.

Once again, there is a problem in professional sports and Congress feels it needs to get involved. I guess the House of Representatives has too much time on its hands now that the impeachment trial has moved on to the Senate. There has been plenty of talk about what to do with the parties but does Congress need to be involved? Of course not. This is a bunch of millionaire athletes and managers that are being held accountable to billionaire owners and an Executive Council. Fans across Major League Baseball's domain are already upset just as they were with the steroid scandal 15 years ago. Just like the Juiced-Ball Era, no body needs Congress' help as much as they would like to be involved and get another minute or two in the limelight.

This is an internal matter for Major League Baseball. There are people who cheated. There are people who made mistakes. There are people who did things that damage the spirit of competition and caused people to question the World Series and if those who won it truly did so without question. If there are questions, nobody needs the guidance of Congress. Major League Baseball is an organization that can handle it's own affairs and hand down punishments harsh enough to make the collaborators (et al) realize what's been done and what needs to be done. If there are franchises that don't get it, that's certainly not Congress' problem.

How the Red Sox Move On

The Boston Red Sox parted ways with Alex Cora today in the midst of fallout from the Houston Astros stealing signals from other teams in the middle of games. The process was devised by Cora and practiced by Astros on the bench when the team was at bat.

Astros manager A.J. Hinch was initially suspended for one year by Major League Baseball. The Astros proceeded to fire Hinch as a result of an investigation by MLB that not only mentioned Hinch but also Cora several times in the final report.

The Red Sox didn't know what was going on when they interviewed and ultimately fired Cora but were faced with a difficult prospect when Cora's name was attached to the investigation. This was a team that won the World Series in Cora's first year running the Red Sox then dropped to third place and missed the playoffs. No problem. A team like the Red Sox rarely needs more than one offseason to regroup and contend for the playoffs. Cora is a good baseball guy who could see the team through that regrouping.

Now it's different. Spring Training (I hate "Truck Day") is less than a month away and the Red Sox are without the guy who writes out the daily lineup card and decides the starting rotation. He's the guy who oversees everything and has the final say in what happens on the field. What are the red Sox to do?

Own the problem. The franchise has taken a step in the right direction. Cora walked away. He parted ways with the Red Sox. This allows Cora to say, "I screwed up and I own up to what I did." This will help him down the road when he looks for another job in the Major Leagues. This also allows the Red Sox to say they don't tolerate cheating. They found out someone in the organization was cheating and they handled it in a way that was above-board. The team also had little chance to do anything else since they have already been disciplined by MLB for using cameras to steal signs in the 2017 season. Officials already had their eyes on the team.

Step two: Promote Bench Coach Ron Roenicke to Manager. Don't make it an interim hire. Make him your guy so there is no question in the clubhouse who's in charge. Give him a two year contract with an automatic one-year extension if they make it to the ALCS. If Roenicke doesn't work out, you are back to square one and will be in the same position as everyone else when it comes to looking for a manager and a coaching staff. The Red Sox have the talent and the means to field a contending team. Roenicke has familiarity with the players and can be a sign of consistency for the players in a day and age of "Clubhouse Guys" being important. That is a title usually reserved for players but a coach can be just as good of a Clubhouse Guy. Players need something to make the Post-Cora Era smooth. Roenicke can be that guy. The team can start to put this behind them and the P.R. Department can start with one of the biggest rebuilding projects in franchise history.

Let Zarif address the U.N.

As the world waits for the next step in the battle between Iran and America (I'm calling it a battle now), and the United States waits for President Donald Trump to address the nation after Iran attacked military sites in Iraq, foreignpolicy.com has reported Mohammed Javad Zarif, Iran's Foreign Minister was to address the United Nations tomorrow about, "the importance of upholding the U.N. Charter."

The United States blocked Zarif from entering the United States and, in the process, prevented him from visiting the United Nations. Zarif's request was made on December 20th, one day after the meeting was announced. Federal Law states that visa fees are waived if a foreign minister wishes to enter the country in order to conduct business at the United Nations.

Zarif should be allowed to address the United Nations. I would hope if President Donald Trump is not there to hear him speak, then Vice President Mike Pence or Secretary of State Mike Pompeo or another high-ranking American official would be there. I would also hope there would be some dialogue between the countries after the world hears what Zarif has to say.

Now is the most opportune time for Zarif to speak and be heard. President Donald Trump has met with Kim Jong-Un of North Korea about relations between the countries. He has met with Xi Jinping of China about trade. It would make perfect sense to meet with the representative of a country that has traded military blows.

President Trump should personally restate this invitation for Zarif to visit the United States to speak. He should then work to prevent the battle for getting worse. Trump has said he doesn't want war. No one does, of course. Allowing Zarif to address the United Nations would show how much he doesn't want it.

'Tis Always the Season for Kindness

Another Holiday Season has passed us by. I have finally started to take everything down and, at the rate I am going, I may have a beautiful Valentine's tree in my house.

I am always curious to see the generosity being amped up around Christmas. The Salvation Army has its drums and bells out for all to see and here. Local organizations hold drives to collect gifts for those who can't afford them. More donations for pantries so all can enjoy something. In Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol", one of the solicitors at Scrooge's office explained that Christmas is a time when, "want is more keenly felt."

The page has turned to a new year and now people are just waiting for the clock to run down on winter and turn to spring unless you happen to be a skier or snowboarder. Everything is returning back to their respective normal.

I hope this year, people will continue their generosity towards those who could use it. It's always nice to see people give a little more during the Holidays but just because Christmas is over doesn't mean everyone's situation has improved. There is always a need for people and the organizations that help them. Grocery stores have bins by the exits for people to leave something. Buy a box of something and leave it in the bin on your way out. Put an extra dollar in the plate or basket at church. Drop some change in someone's cup as you pass them on the street.

Don't stop with the needy. Help someone loading something in the car. Put a carriage back. Let someone make that left turn. Help someone out. Let someone help you.

Happy New Year. I'm going to work on my tree.