Rest in peace, Grasshopper
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Jun 04, 2009 
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Just heard that David Carradine has died.
He was the star of the classic 70s television show Kung Fu. It was about a half-Chinese martial arts expert inexplicably wandering the old West putting a beating on gunslingers. This led to such cultural touchstones as G.I. Joe with the Kung Fu grip and the hideous song Kung Fu Fighting. The age of enlightenment it was not.
Carradine was actually much better when he played Woody Guthrie in Bound For Glory in 1975. If you’ve never seen that, it’s a very solid film. He also was Bill in Kill Bill.
The best one was the one with a very young Jodie Foster when she thought she saw Caine kill a guy and he was jailed on her say-so.
shouldnt have tried to kill Beatrice Kiddo….
too soon?
rest in peace
it was reported that he hung himself as a suicide…??
Rest in peace.
It’s sad, but I’m really not a fan of this guy.
I’d like to keep this PG and I will try my best. He didn’t die by suicide, you don’t go on vacation to kill yourself. The BBC reports that he was found dead naked with a cord around his neck and “other parts”.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/ent.....083479.stm
He was famous, had tons of money, and was by all accounts full of life. It’s clear to me he his death was no suicide. I submit he probably hired an escort and things went too far, an accident happened, and the escort panicked and ran away. Sex games are dangerous….
RIP DC.
Tomorrow will be a good game. Don’t think Price is letting us off easy. 3-2 Yankees, Price goes seven gives up all three runs, CC eighth and gives up 2.
I suppose the correct terminology would be Auto-erotic asphyxiation.
He was one my favorite actors, loved Kill Bill, and was looking forward his new projects. Workaholic.
If our hitters allow Price to go 7 innings, they should be embarrassed.
The guy threw 100 pitches in 3 innings against the Indians and went only 5.2 against a free swinging Twins team.
We need to get him out of the game by like the 4th and wear him out.
Price is good. Don’t be fooled.
“This led to such cultural touchstones as G.I. Joe with the Kung Fu grip and the hideous song Kung Fu Fighting. ”
I guess now is not the time to admit that I have the song “Kung Fun Fighting” on my iPhone.
So…Carradine either was very happy or very sad in those last moments…
Tomorrow is going to be a rough rough game.
Price’s stuff is so so good. He has 17 strikeouts in 9 innings this year.
They’re not going to get many runs off him, if any. They need to work him out of the game and get to the pen.
Good thing our Ace is going.
Thailand isn’t exactly the safest place to be for Americans. If you have money, you’re a good target for kidnapping. Usually, they won’t end well. They also kill in very bizarre fashions.
They’re not going to get many runs off him, if any. They need to work him out of the game and get to the pen.
=================================
If he pitches like he did last week, the Yankees wont need to “work him out of the game”…he’ll work himself out of the game by the 3rd inning.
Black Mamba.
Price is good and is going to be better further down the road. but right how he’s still a young pitcher that shouldn’t be going deep into a game against a patient Yankee lineup.
His command isn’t the greatest. Yankees should be able to work the count. Get his pitch count up.
He throws 2 pitches (FB Slider) occasional curve but it’s not as developed as his former 2 pitches.
So there isn’t a whole deep arsenal of pitches to look for if you’re the Yankee hitters. That should help.
Yankees seem to like facing hard throwers anyway.
I know Carradine best for guest starring in a couple of episodes of Matlock. He never was the killer.
Price had his struggles against the Indians last Monday, but looked much better on Saturday against the Twins. He still had some difficulty keeping his pitch count down.
The Yankees have enough patient hitters to exploit that weakness.
He was also great in Death Race 2000. A somewhat terrible, but very entertaining movie.
I also remembering him saying in an interview on the DVD for season 1 of Kung Fu, that he auditioned using a Gene Kelly dance move. He’d no martial arts training before the show, but was a dancer.
It’s sad. He was always underused and underrated in most of the things he was in. He probably could have won oscars in the right role.
“too soon?”
I don’t think so.
But it is too soon for the “Hung Fu” jokes.
Scranton, 2nd game. Scranton is losing 7-3. Jackson is 2-3 with a triple, home run and 2 RBI.
Ajax with his first homerun in AAA…congrats!!!…2 for 3 this game with a homer and triple
damn you beat me by —– much GB!
The best part is that the triple was to dead center and the homer was to right field.
Hey Pete,
Actually, it was David’s brother Keith Carradine who was in “Bound For Glory.”
Solid offense from the Tampa Yanks. Sublett was 4-4, Laird was 2-5 with a triple and 2 RBI. Mitre was good in his start. 5.2 innings, 3 hits 1 run (unearned), 0 walks, 6 strikeouts.
Solid offense from the Tampa Yanks. Sublett was 4-4, Laird was 2-5 with a triple and 2 RBI. Mitre was good in his start. 5.2 innings, 3 hits 1 run (unearned), 0 walks, 6 strikeouts.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.....a_jupafa_1
“The best part is that the triple was to dead center and the homer was to right field.”
he definitly has more power than his 1 homerun on the season would indicate…i guess that is obvious..im guessing his 2nd homer will take a lot less than his 1st
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/ne.....;type=lgns
Now it is his eyes.
Maybe it is cause you aren’t on Boli.
I know he says he doesn’t think it is, but that is bs.
Stephen
June 4th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Hey Pete,
Actually, it was David’s brother Keith Carradine who was in “Bound For Glory.”
————————————————————
David Carradine played Woody Guthrie. Keith Carradine and their father John were not in the movie. Carradine did his own singing and guitar work.
It wasn’t suicide.
You guys know Austin Romine homered tonight too right ?
Nice job missing the reach in foul by Gasol refs
RalphieD (OPPC)
June 4th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
“The best part is that the triple was to dead center and the homer was to right field.”
he definitly has more power than his 1 homerun on the season would indicate…i guess that is obvious..im guessing his 2nd homer will take a lot less than his 1st
————————————————————
Doesn’t really matter whether he hits homers in AAA or not. His job is to hit the ball where ever it’s pitched and drive it. That’s what he’s doing. He still needs to learn to hit breaking pitches. MLB pitchers will eat him up if he can’t.
Brandon.. Hughes to Mo (teach me that cutter) DAS IT !
June 4th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
You guys know Austin Romine homered tonight too right ?
————————————————————
You’re two hours late, Weedhopper. He also had his 5th error, on another catcher’s interference.
RF awaits Romine.
You just heard about this Pete? It was first reported about 12 hours ago.
Dear Orlando,
LeBron would have done better tonight. Do you even feel like playing tonight ?
Sincerely,
Brandon
Brandon,
The refs are too busy watching Kobe.
I have never seen “Bound For Glory.” I’ve read the book, though. Woodie Guthrie has always been one of the more fascinating artists of the first half of the 20th c..
I’ll have to rent the movie.
m,
there’s been some ticky tacky calls for Kobe tonight, but still.
I’ve never seen anything he was in, but it’s always a tragedy when someone feels it necessary to take their own life……RIP
Betsy,
I don’t think he killed himself. But he knew the dangers, if the story is true.
Thanks for the updates, GB – much appreciated. Austin is learning on the job – he’s still just a kid. The time we give him now will pay off handsomely down the line……
“Kung Fu” was an iconic show of the 70′s.
That show starring David Carradine was only 2nd to the amazing Bruce Lee…in being responsible for the explosive popularity of the martial arts during the 70′s in the USA.
Betsy,
See Kill Bill.
Tom in N.J.
June 4th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
I have never seen “Bound For Glory.” I’ve read the book, though. Woodie Guthrie has always been one of the more fascinating artists of the first half of the 20th c..
I’ll have to rent the movie.
————————————————————
Great movie….great music. Guthrie was a borderline communist, as was Pete seeger…when the mood struck them, but, it didn’t stop FDR from asking him to write music to uplift the American spirit. He wrote some none to flattering songs about Charles Lindberg. This all drive J. Edgar Hoover crazy. He also wasn’t much of a family man, except to father a bunch of kids when he wasn’t riding the rails.
This Lakers Magic game just makes me think of the Red Sox Rockies series.
M, the story is true about the asphyxiation thing? I haven’t read any stories about what happened – just the headlines. Wow – either way, what a tragic end.
David Carradine said “Kung Fu” was the only show on TV that was popular with Grandmother and Convicts.
Grandmom’s loved it because of the deep philosphical dialogue between the young student and the wise old Shaolin Master.
Convicts loved the show because of the Kick Butt Kung Fu moves!!!
whoever that is w/ the mask on Orl is killing thier offense all game. As for the D on Kobe, man beat him up, your guarding him soft, they are going to call fouls against you no matter what atleast make them hurt.
Kung Fu is one of the very few dramas I remember from that time. I remember being creeped out by Master’s white eyes.
Re: Ortiz’s eyes. And even Phil Hughes. These guys don’t get annual eye checks or what?
RIP
Betsy
June 4th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
Thanks for the updates, GB – much appreciated. Austin is learning on the job – he’s still just a kid. The time we give him now will pay off handsomely down the line……
————————————————————
sure thing, Betsy. He’s learning fast how to hit to center and right field and really drive the ball. Even the strikeouts are dropping slowly but surely.
Brandon,
lol. I meant the refs were too busy watching Kobe doin’ work. And I don’t want to hear any crying about officiating. The free throw discrepancy is as wide as the Pacific. Lakers only had 2 FTA at the half.
That’s Kourtney Lee. He’s a rookie. The reason why he’s wearing a mask is because he took an elbow…from Dwight Howard.
No matter what’s happening here tonight, the Magic will get over their stage fright and show. I’m just hoping it’ll be too late by then.
This is such a mismatch
Magic ain’t ready for P-Jax and Kobe
Maybe next year Orlando
*as I flick this off*
So far Orlando did the NBA Finals rating no good here.
Price is going to be a handful tomorrow night (if the game even gets played, heavy rain in the forecast).
Even if it’s the Lakers… a 4 or 5 game rout kills the NBA ratings-wise.
Just like the Sox-Rockies was the 2nd lowest rated WS of all-time even though the Sox are a premier ratings magnet
There’s a rope around his neck – and his junk – and he’s dressed in his birthday suit and very, very dead. In Bangkok that’s accidental death or suicide. In NYC that’s probably a manslaughter collar for the unfortunate pro who cut and run when he checked out. Maybe a NYC Grand Jury gives her a pass. (Not for nothing, but for the kind of money he was probably plunking down, I’d expect a girl in her line of work to have her own portable Defibrillator).
And to think that mommadog always warned me to wear clean underwear in case I was hit by a bus.
7*7, if your new to the NBA and watch how Orlando plays tonight nothing makes you want to flick back to that series, for what, they look like an NBDL team right now.
As for the calls in this game, there’s alot of ticky tack fouls being given to Kobe which is just ridiculous b/c Lewis and Hedo have been reached in many times tonight and no whistle, maybe going back to Orl will help. If your an NBA fan you might stick w/ this series, new fans won’t even flick to this.
murphydog,
You so funny. Making me think of big Laker fan, Flea. Wondering if he always wears a clean sock.
I don’t always agree with Pete’s opinions, but I politely defer on baseball. After all, he is immersed. But I have always cited Carradine’s portrayal of Woody Guthrie as the absolute worst casting job in film history, and I do know enough about Woody to say this.
I just remembered where I knew this guy from: he hosted ‘Wild West Tech’ on the History Channel.
What an embarrasing way to go.
Great win today.
Haven’t posted in a few days, I’ve been really busy. But a few things stand out to me about this team.
1) The Tex signing may prove to be the most important Yankee FA addition since Reggie Jackson. Don’t get me wrong, I love CC. But watching Tex on a daily basis makes you realize what a great player he is and all the things he adds, on and off the field. The surprising grit he posesses, the unbelievable defense he plays, the pure joy he expresses when the team does well. He’s already emerging as a leader. Imagine if he signed with Boston instead? We’d be planning for 2010 by August.
2) I think Wang is on his way back. Hey, overall really shaky today. His release point was inconsistent, his command was bad. But he had the velocity to get away with it (at least for the first 2 innings). Positives include the fact that he was consistently at 93-94 on the sinker, threw a few good sliders, and seems composed and more confident than he had earlier in the year. I think he missed his spots, I think he got tired. But he’ll be better next start. He’d better be…its in Fenway.
3) To all the people complaining about lack of crowd noise and home field advantage… did you watch the game today? Standing and cheering for numerous 2 strike pitches, loud eruptions for big plays, even some boos for the hometown team. People have had a chance to explore and walk around the Stadium. Its June. Fans are in their seats and cheering. Its nice to see.
I was at the game today…near foul pole in RF.
It was a blast.
Nick Swisher has an awesome personality…his interaction with the fans in RF is the coolest thing ever. He is much fun!
I am now a major fan of the Swish Man!
The Stadium was a fun place to be this afternoon!
Briefly. I’m going to assume the age of enlightenment crack was aimed at the TV show and not, you know, the age. As for the show itself, it was far better than you credit, and has aged better than you think — I recently saw an old ep guest-starring young Jodie Foster, directed by John Badham (Saturday Night Fever). It also had nothing to do with Kung Fu Fighting, a novelty song of the era that its composer, Carl Douglas, described as being inspired by a kung-fu movie he saw, an Oscar Peterson concert he went to, and the side-effects of painkillers.
I kid you not.
R.B.! Didn’t see your comment at the top. Yes, the Foster episode was very good. As was much of the series.
GMAN, personal question, when Al hit that single to make it 6-5 what did the people around you say ?
Ooohh. Didn’t realize that Texas is going to Fenway tomorrow. Hopefully, they didn’t leave their bats at NYS.
Pete once interviewed Carradine.
Pete: Can I ask you a question about Steven Seagal?
Carradine: What the $&@”! do I know about Seagal?!
Brandon,
He hit it that freakin’ ball hard!
There was a lot of cheering.
I was in section 107…row 23.
Doc,
Go back under the rock.
Mel,
Nice game, huh? I’m a big believer that you can always tell a well-coached team based on how they play in the 3rd quarter… coming out of half-time. That was huge (the 2nd quarter wasn’t too bad either!). I only caught the 2nd half, but the Laker defense was excellent. They only allowed 32 points in the half. They defended well, rotated nicely, and Orlando missed the perimeter shots that the Lakers gave them.
I liked your comment about the Magic getting over their stage fright hopefully being too late.
Melky gave it his all on the line drive to Right.
The fans appreciated his laying out for it even though he came up short.
It actually was a smart play on his part.
The ball was scalded.
The ball got there before he did on the lay out.
The layout stopped him from overrunning the play.
With the Short RF fence the ball could not scoot too far away because it hit the wall.
The Melkster scrambled to his feet.
Retrieved the ball and had a strong throw to 2nd.
The dive kept him in position to keep it a double.
It looked like it could have been a triple.
The Yankees have a strange farm system. They’re awash in pitching. But when you check the Tampa or Trenton roster batting averages you realize what a wasteland they have in position players. Oy. Right now you have Jackson, Montero and Romine and maybe Joseph, a kid out of high school that’s holding his own, top to bottom on four teams in the minors. They appear to have some good kids in the Dominican but that’s four to five years away.
Carl Douglas?
Wasn’t that Carl Carlton tune?
In this weeks SI, Verducci does a feature on Bryce Harper, a 16 yr. old catcher from Vegas.
The kid looks amazing.
His dream is to play for the Yankees someday, he’s being advised by Boras and he looks like he could go upper deck and out of the stadium.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....r_embedded
16 yr. old, keyword: 16 yr. old, and he shouldn’t be thinking of getting a GED b/c life if or when he gets an inj. is not so sweet. I don’t like pushing kids at that age, especially U.S. kids since education is a tool they like to avoid at any cost.
Nope, Douglas.
communists write good songs especially the borderline ones.
Brandon
I hope his parents are smart enough to make the right choices for him. It bothers me that any 16 year old would have advisors not related to him.
That aside, this child can crush a baseball.
vin,
You don’t know how relieved I am right now. I had visions of D-Howard beasting on us. I had to listen to the first quarter in the car, which is a shame because Bynum played very well in that period. I’m very happy about that because he’s the weak link. But he showed that he was up to the task. Can he do it consistently? Doubtful.
But if we arrive in Orlando up 2-0, I think we’ve got it.
I’ll be interested to see how the series plays out. Because if it plays out like how I hope, then what does that say about Cleveland?
Just made it home from Staples…..Listen folks, the Magic just realized that this isn’t the Cleveland Cavaliers that they’re playing, it’s the LA Lakers and it’s the NBA Finals…..The Lakers are too big for them under the boards, and then there’s that issue of Kobe Bryant….I’ll be surprised if Orlando wins 2 games….
It’s always a tradegy when someone dies before their time, RIP.
Tomorrow is supposed to be terrential downpurs and flash flooding, I’ll be suprised if they get to play.
As far as the Stadium, the noise doesn’t translate well to the TV or even the suites because its so damn big. I’ll miss the feel of the real Yankees Stadium. We’ve been sold out for the Corporates that don’t come anyway. Oh well, it’s still our home and we’ll just have to make the best of it. The players love it and their home record is pretty darn good. Thats what really counts.
Cole Hamels throws a 97 pitch complete game shutout against the Dodgers
I can’t wait till Sunday.
http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.....id=4846107
Antonio Bastardo
Oh, I don’t know, the sound is pretty good from where I am sitting, watching on tv in Chicago. And I am starting to see more seats fill up. What an exciting team. Love Tex, some shades of Tino, but is it possible Tex could be better? If the pitching shapes up as I think it will, we could be set for the next few years, inshallah.
Yeah, Tex is better. I see some gold gloves in his future if he can wrestle it away from that butt hole in boston
Antonio Bastardo. Still can’t get over how badass that name is for a pitcher.
Tex has already won 2 gold gloves.
Bryce Harper can earn a 8-figure bonus along with an 8 figure contract next June.
Hell, he could have TJ surgery before he makes it to the draft and he’d still get drafted high and earn a 7 figure deal.
He’d be CRAZY not to do what’s he’s doing.
Think about how strange a game Tex had yesterday.
An outfielder drops the ball out of his glove and Tex gets first base on an error instead of an out on a fly.
He hits a cue shot down the third base line that 9 times out of 10 is an out and possibly a DP with the bases loaded and it turns into a bases clearing double.
Hope he stopped on the way home and bought a quick pick lottery ticket because somedays it’s better to be lucky than to be good.
Easy to get confused when two of the Carradine brothers played folksingers in the movies, both did their own singing, and one did his own songwriting.
David played Woody and sang Woody’s songs, while Keith played a fictional folksinger in Robert Altman’s ‘Nashville’ and won an Oscar for best original song for his ‘I’m Easy’. Two excellent performances in two excellent films.
Hey GreenBeret7
Don’t blame it on Thailand. Have you ever been to Thailand? If not, be quiet! Every country has lunatics. Generally, Thai people are friendly. Have you ever heard “Land of Smiles”? Unlikely, I think. If you do, you’d know that it is the country’s nickname.
If Carradine’s death was a murder, you should blame the murderer(s), not the country or its population.