Breakthroughs

The Hosmer deal is interesting; I mean, the Padres are spending, for one.  Two...I like it in that it pays a guy NOW for his best years and pays him less later; I mean, everyone looks at the Pujols deal as Exhibit in this, though as I say, the Angels certainly knew this when they signed it, and counted it as a sunk cost.  Alas.  Also, the deal has a bunch of buyout clauses, so people are protected (not against themselves, ha!) either way.  I wonder if this will break the logjam, or is people will start taking deals for less money, or more likely, less time.

Up to 631 on the film list.. watched "Our Daily Bread" today and "The Wishing Ring:  An Idyll of Old England" Friday.  The first was a King Vidor film...sort of preachy, sort of period, sort of socialistic idealistic camp.  Not quite sure why it was included...  The second was a silent film; boy gets kicked out of school, must make honest daughter, falls in love with preacher's kid...  it was cute, but I think it also falls in the category of why is this here, despite the heroic tale of its survival.

Duke did its best -- as always -- to throw away a game; the zone sort of worked, and Grayson Allen is getting more looks at the basket and shots, which is nice..  I think this team should play better defense, but I also think Coach K has more or less given up and is now trying to work with the zone.  I don't think this is the wisest choice, but...  one thing I did notice was how Clemson had trouble with the full-court press, so...why not try that more?