We're all about looking back, not ahead
In baseball, it seems. Memorial Day
Perhaps serves to honor not just the dead
But predecessors on the field of play

As well. It's well and good, but as we gaze
Into the rearview mirror on a street
Of history, staring at bygone days
Commemorating historic defeat

And victory, our vehicle speeds on
Far beyond our control, picking up pace
As it careens. Previous records gone
Before we understand, not in a race

But in an assault, or an all-out dash.
We're along for the ride-if we don't crash.

In full appreciation of this map of the Stockholm Subway system, where all the Swedish place names are translated into literal English, I present the 30 Major League team names, translated into literal Swedish, listed in Swedish alphabetical order.

Which team is which, I'll leave it for you to figure out in the comments.  No fair spilling the beans if you can already speak a Scandinavian language, though.

Björnungarna
Bryggarna
De Idrottsliga
De Klippiga
De Kungliga
De Landsomfattande
De Modiga
De Röda
Fäderna
Gyllingarna
Indianerna
Jänkarna
Jättarna
Nötskrikarna
Parkvaktarna
Rockorna
Röda Fåglarna
Röda Strumporna
Sjömännen
Sjörövarna
Skallerormarna
Spjutfiskarna
Stjärnorna
Storstadsinvånarna
Tigrarna
Tvillingarna
Undvikarna
Ungstona
Vita Strumporna
Änglarna

As reported in today's Griddle, Jarrod Saltalamacchia made his major league debut last night, going 0-2 with a walk in the Braves 4-3 win over the Phillies.

Not only was it his debut, but it was his 22nd birthday too!

The Braves can only hope Jarrod has a better start to his career than the last player to debut on his birthday, former Dodger/current Devil Ray Edwin Jackson (born 9/9/83, debuted 9/9/2003).

In shock we stare blankly, unsure of what
To do. Nothing sinks in, it only sinks
And drags us with it, down. We stammer, "But-"
There is no room for logic. No one thinks.

There is no solace to be found. No words
Express the inexplicable: the pain
Goes beyond us, soaring off like red birds
Into the sky, flying above the rain.

And yet, an unassisted triple play
Took place in literal rarefied air.
We marvel, bound by more than we can say:
Surprise at everything. Can it be fair?

Of course not. Yet there can never be shame
Finding comfort in beauty of the game.

Here are some (possibly) interesting factoids from the 2007 Yankees' first 23 games (otherwise known as the first month of their season):

• Runs allowed: 125. This is the 3rd most runs allowed in their first 23 games in their history (133 in 1912, 126 in 2005)
• Runs scored: 131. 22nd most in team history (160 in 1931). It DOES represent the most runs they've scored while winning only 9 of their first 23 games in team history (prior record 119 in 2005).
• This is the 6th time in team history they've gone 9-14 in their first 23 games. The last time was 2005 (ended up still winning AL East).
• Composite season winning percentage of the 6 Yankee teams that started 9-14: .525
• Best 23-game start: 19-4 (2003, ended up losing in WS)
• Worst 23-game start: 6-17 (1913, ended up 57-94)
• Average 23-game start: roughly 13-10 (.561)
• Most common 23-game start: 14-9 (22 times)