Scott McCaughey

  (4:33 PM)

Hello there, and welcome to The Show!

G. Ichiro/Portland, OR

Hey Big Sexy, What are some of your favorite ball players nicknames?

Scott McCaughey

  (4:35 PM)

Well, it is hard to beat M's broadcaster Dave Niehaus's "Big Sexy" for Richie Sexson. Wonder if the Yanks commentators have picked it up. Then there's The Baby Bull, The Georgia Peach, The Flying Dutchman, and The Gangrenous Limb!

Brett L., East Granby, CT

Scott Rockin' album as always - can't wait for volume 2! When you are done touring with R.E.M., can we expect a tour of the Baseball Project? Oh, and do you still have your first baseball glove? :)

Scott McCaughey

  (4:38 PM)

I think a tour is possible, but it'll have to wait till next year. A spring training tour? Not that Arizona and Florida are the Xanadus of Rock Gigging. (Sorry, you sunshine states!) I don't have my first glove, but I've got one that I found about 20 years ago that had "Jason Biles" written on it. Jason, whoever you are if you read this, I've got your glove.

nate in portland, or

hi scott. why do you always wear sunglasses? Do you wear them when you play baseball?

Scott McCaughey

  (4:39 PM)

I wear sunglasses to see the world just the way I like it, dark and dismal. I would definitely wear them were I to play ball, but I can't play ball, because I would hurt myself hurtling in the centerfield wall or diving headlong into the catcher in a bang-bang play at the plate.

Brad (Gadsden,Alabama)

Scott, What is your fav. olympic event?

Scott McCaughey

  (4:40 PM)

Gotta be the luge, Brad. Gotta be the luge!

Cleophee ( Lyon / France)

Hello Scott.How is born your "baseball project"?

Scott McCaughey

  (4:42 PM)

Steve Wynn and I were talking about getting married to each other, but he was already engaged to his (non-hillbilly) drummer girl Linda, so we came up with this project as a way of spending quality time together.

nate q (portland, or)

sorry for the double post. the D's say hi. we're in the studio listening to harpsichord how's england?

Scott McCaughey

  (4:43 PM)

Double Post It, Man! That's a bloop double down the line... London was very fine, got some good overdubs done with Sir Hitchcock, on both Venus 3 and YFF albums. And we had a lovely time otherwise, as well.

Jemma Stockton UK)

hey Scott :) looking forward to seeing you in Southampton. question is: how did you come up with the so uniquely name of frozen ropes and dying quails for the title of the album? witch is great by the way. cheers.

Scott McCaughey

  (4:45 PM)

Frozen ropes and dying quails are just two denizens of the weird and wonderful world of Baseball Terminology. I liked the sound of them together, and in a way they sort of captured the different moods we visit on the album's songs.

Christophe, belgium

hey scott, who do you wanna collaborate with for volume 2?

Scott McCaughey

  (4:47 PM)

I'm hoping David Wells will play some sax on the next record. Also it'd be nice if guys like Tweedy and Westerberg would get off their lazy asses and write songs for me, so I can devote more time to my true love, collecting shards.

W. Stargell, Tallahasse, FL

Should Doc Ellis and Bill Lee be in the Baseball Hall of Fame? I second the motion for a BP Grapefruit League Spring tour.

Scott McCaughey

  (4:49 PM)

Doc and the Spaceman are in The Scott McCaughey Hall Of Fame, which is located in the "men's room" of The Know, a bar on Alberta Street in Portland.

Barbara (Portland, OR)

Hey Scott... what I want to know is, when will you guys record Vol. Two?

Scott McCaughey

  (4:49 PM)

Tomorrow! Peter, bring me my sitar!

Cléophée ( Lyon /France)

Do you play sometimes baseball? And with REM between 2 shows? Smiles IOI

Scott McCaughey

  (4:50 PM)

Mike Mills and I were playing catch in the tour bus the other night. It got ugly pretty quickly.

Mike Huff Atlanta, ga.

Can you believe we lost Skip Carray ? & Did you influence the Guitar Sound of the new REM record heavily?

Scott McCaughey

  (4:52 PM)

I was very very sad about Skip Carray. I became a big fan of his broadcasting style when TBS used to air all the Braves games. I saw Chip Carray on a flight once. Peter and I and Jacknife Lee worked hard on the guitar sounds on Accelerate. We made a really concious effort to get a rippin' Two Guitars Bass & Drums sound, with two really distinct guitar parts and contrasting sounds.

scott wayland (san ramon, CA)

music question: what do you love most about being a performer: is it being on a big stage with REM, playing a small bar gig, working on new material, recording, travel, letting me buy you a beer? thanks, roc on...

Scott McCaughey

  (4:54 PM)

Hey there Dude, thanks for the suds. Keep 'em coming! I guess my favorite part of performing is dressing up like Cyrano de Bergerac, spraying myself all silver, and sitting motionless for six hours at a time on Grafton Street in Dublin. That rocks!!!

C. Careless, Olympia WA

Where is Gorman Thomas? http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0DEEDF1231F933A15757C0A962958260 Ouch!

Scott McCaughey

  (4:55 PM)

Carlos, we can only hope he's drinking an ice cold Pabst, eating leftover floor pizza and watching re-runs of Happy Days at this very moment!

Andrea (Atlanta, GA)

Scott, how do you stay so cheerful when you have to be the hardest working man in rock and roll? Peter keeps busy, too, but compared to you, he's curmudgeonly.

Scott McCaughey

  (4:57 PM)

Ken Stringfellow probably works harder than I do. So I just think of him seven times an hour, and that makes me want to write a song or take up Morris dancing. Volume of work can sometimes make up for a lack of god-given talent. Some of the time, not all of the time.

colin (portland)

SAT question, Scott: Baseball is to indie rock as ________ is to __________.

Scott McCaughey

  (4:59 PM)

MY FIST is to YOUR FACE!

Brett L., East Granby, CT

When you guys tour, what baseball cover songs would you consider playing? Dyin' Cub Fans Last Request? Van Lingle Mungo? Say Hey, Say Willie?

Scott McCaughey

  (5:01 PM)

Those are good ones, although I don't think I know Van Lingle Mungo. Is that by Mungo Jerry? Heck I don't know, maybe Barbara Manning's Doc Ellis song, or Joe DiMaggio's Done It Again by Wilco/Billy Bragg. I might write a cover song for us to do too.

Wade Silverlake, CA

dear the scotch, is there any truth to the rumor that you are concocting a rock contata dedicated to the life and on-base percentage on a one mr. pete lecock?

Scott McCaughey

  (5:03 PM)

Dear The Warden -- This here's a family show. Lecock had his day in the sun, his career said it all. I have devoted more than enough time to him and his offspring already.

Wally/Portland, OR

Have you given thought to growing Pepitone's sideburns?

Scott McCaughey

  (5:04 PM)

I have Walter Brennan's sideburns already, but I am thinking of growing Joe Pepitone's toupee.

BEN (TEXAS)

GO SOX!

Scott McCaughey

  (5:05 PM)

Ben, there are more than two "SOX", please be specific, otherwise I will assume you are referring to the Cincinnati Red Stockings, featuring Johnny Vandermeer.

Rick Monday, Saratoga, CA

Who would you like to write a song about, a ball player that wasn't covered in volume 1?

Scott McCaughey

  (5:09 PM)

Dear Rick -- I hope you've recovered from that awful center field collision I witnessed at Three Rivers Stadium in 1972. As to your question, it'd be a challenge to write a Richard Strauss-esque tone poem dedicated to Kent Tekulve. But I am up to the challenge! And thereafter, I think Orlando Cepeda deserves a song for sure. And I wanted to write a song about Ichiro and how much he can eat, but I didn't get around to it for the last one.

Scott (Sunnyvale, CA)

If Ian Hunter played baseball, what position would he play?

Scott McCaughey

  (5:11 PM)

Ian would most definitely be a pitcher. And a darn good one. Overend Watts would look good manning first base in those thigh-high leather boots.

Richard (Dedham, MA)

What baseball team do you root for?

Scott McCaughey

  (5:12 PM)

I am a quite schizoid fan. The Giants, A's, and Mariners all receive my daily prayers, and they certainly need them.

Brad (Gadsden,Alabama)

What is your fav. movie?

Scott McCaughey

  (5:13 PM)

A Hard Day's Night, It's A Wonderful Life, Play It Again Sam... a million others. If you're talking about baseball movies, Eight Men Out was pretty peachy. Not to mention Gary Cooper as Lou Gehrig. That'll bring on the tears every time.

Devin (Portland, OR)

Hey Scott, in your copious free time (slacker!), do you ever play any baseball simulations like Diamond Mind or Strat-o-Matic?

Scott McCaughey

  (5:15 PM)

I haven't tried those. I have friends who are devoted to Strat-o-Matic. I just recently joined my first fantasy league, and I'm getting obsessive about it. I knew I shouldn't have tried it!

Phaka (Thailand)

You did Vol 1 in two weeks. What's taking so long for Vol 2?

Scott McCaughey

  (5:17 PM)

I've been a bit busy lately! OK, hello, Linda and Steve and Peter, drop everything, we've got a record to make! This one's going to be done in 12 hours, like Please Please Me.

J Bouton

What are your hobbies?

Scott McCaughey

  (5:18 PM)

I know this is a trick question. But I can't remember the very amusing answers.

Daniel (Wichita, KS)

Would you trade your musical career to be a mid-level player in MLB?

Scott McCaughey

  (5:20 PM)

Maybe. Because a mid-level MLB player would be making about 5 million a year! Also, it'd be cool to be the oldest long relief specialist in the league.

Todd (Denver, CO)

How would you help the M's? Can you play a position or pitch? I think anything you could do would be welcome.

Scott McCaughey

  (5:22 PM)

I think if they replace Ron Fairly in the booth with me, the team would right itself instantly and make the greatest second half comeback of all time. Other than that, I'd suggest they stop signing half-baked free agents like Miguel Batista (sorry Miggy!) and Jose Vidro.

Michael Powell

What is your favorite sport's book?

Scott McCaughey

  (5:22 PM)

Ball Four, yeah!

Jean, Seattle, WA

What is the difference between musicians into golf and musicians into baseball, as far as stereotyping may go? There appear to be a lot of both...everyone I knew in high school who played golf was really wasted all the time and liked to wear clashing attire....discuss...

Scott McCaughey

  (5:23 PM)

A lot of musicians hate both golf and baseball. There are so many fish in the sea!

Brett L., East Granby, CT

What is your favorite ballpark you've been to? And if you could hop in a time machine and attend one baseball game, which historical game would it be?

Scott McCaughey

  (5:24 PM)

I think my all-time favorite parks that I had the pleasure of experiencing, would be the old Comiskey, and Tiger Stadium. Of the current batch, Pac Bell or AT&T or whatever it's called, in San Fran, is the BEST. I can smell the Gilroy garlic fries now.

frank (portland)

Hi Scott - thanks for doing the interview with us (http://www.basementofourbrain.com/2008/07/basement-of-our-brain-interview-scott.html) shameless plug. So how bout a Baseball Project show at doug fir around playoff time?

Scott McCaughey

  (5:26 PM)

Hmm, well, I've got Minus 5 shows booked Oct. 17 in Portland and Oct. 18 in Seattle, so that's playoff time for sure. There was slight consideration to adding the Baseball Project to the bill, but it would entail flights and rehearsals and such, and would basically be highly impractical. So, yeah, maybe!

Cleophée ( Lyon /France)

Will you look the JO PEKIN Baseball?

Scott McCaughey

  (5:28 PM)

What does that mean? Sorry, I don't quite get it. I sure like Lyon though, great city! Mike Mills and I rocked some karaoke there in July.

David P. (Detroit)

In honor of The Minus 5, what is your favorite band or song title with a number in it?

Scott McCaughey

  (5:29 PM)

I guess it'd have to be "The Twelve Days of Christmas" by Juan & His Six Posters.

David P. (Detroit)

Has REM ever pitched a perfect game on stage? Like had the perfect gig?

Scott McCaughey

  (5:31 PM)

I think so. But I don't know which one. If there are any band statisticians out there, I'd like to see the box score.

scott wayland (san ramon, CA)

come enjoy the oakland ballpark before the A's have to leave, just remember to drink beer instead of soda, that ice they make in oaktown stinks like meldew

Scott McCaughey

  (5:32 PM)

I really enjoy going to the A's park. Whatever is called now. Cisco Field? I dunno. It was nicer back in the 70s before they messed it up trying to lure the Raiders back.

Nathalie ( France)

Hello Scott.Would you like to be reporter for baseball and write your impressions?

Scott McCaughey

  (5:33 PM)

Yes, I would! Hire me, and pay me lots, and I will haunt the steamy locker rooms and question the men in towels.

Rocpile (Haw River, NC)

Hey Scott! Question - how come you're so awesome at music and so terrible at fantasy baseball? From, your friends Rocpile

Scott McCaughey

  (5:34 PM)

I'm getting worse at music because of all the time I spend molding my awesome fantasy team, Los Gigantes, into my likeness. And by the way, Bronson Arroyo, thanks again for knocking my best player, EL CABALLO, onto the DL!!!

Brad (McMinnville, OR)

Hey Scott, looks like Mr. Bouton may have joined in. On that subject, why do you think that the knuckleball has become almost extinct (Wakefild and Dickey notwithstanding)?

Scott McCaughey

  (5:37 PM)

The knuckleball is a harsh mistress, moody and brooding, with the future of Tantalus. I mean, dude, I think it's pretty tough to master that pitch -- I mean, in a way it can't be mastered, because the whole point of it is that you don't know what it's going to do when you throw it. That being said, mine is getting pretty good!

Ben (TEXAS)

Hey Scott, Are you a musician?

Scott McCaughey

  (5:39 PM)

No, I'm an idiot.

scott wayland (san ramon, CA)

mount davis is what messed up the Oakland ballpark, it used to be a beautiful view. and the concessions are the pits

Scott McCaughey

  (5:40 PM)

I still like going there though. A's fans are super cool. There's a much lower yuppie quotient than you get in SF and at Safeco.

Ker Bear

Hey Scottie. That's about it.

Scott McCaughey

  (5:41 PM)

C'mon, Ker! Ask me about my hitless season in the Saratoga Little League!

frank (portland)

Would you attach your fine name to the bring MLB to Portland campaign? http://www.oregonstadiumcampaign.com/

Scott McCaughey

  (5:42 PM)

Yeah, sure, as long as I get to be the color man on the broadcasts!

Kerry (Fremont, CA)

Being the fashion statement that you are, how do you like Gino Espineli's stirrup socks? A come-back item?

Scott McCaughey

  (5:42 PM)

Let's all agree to leave stirrups where they belong -- in the bedroom.

Steve (Toledo)

Do you think its fair that OSU is getting bashed for losing NC's when team was so young.

Scott McCaughey

  (5:43 PM)

I don't think it's fair to bash Beaver Nation at all, ever. Though Jacoby Ellsbury went about 0 for 90 on my fantasy team.

Jim (Seattle)

Is it true that T. Rex's The Slider is also about baseball?

Scott McCaughey

  (5:44 PM)

Yes. And a lot of people don't know that Bowie's Life On Mars is one of many great songs about Bill Lee.

Kold Bier, Germany

Is it true that you are using The Baseball Project to promote your real goal; getting beer vendors back into the stands at all MLB parks?

Scott McCaughey

  (5:45 PM)

Did they leave? Where are they? Can you send one to my hotel room? It's hot in here.

frank (portland)

do peter buck and joe buck have anything in common?

Scott McCaughey

  (5:46 PM)

They're both pretty funny. In a good way.

cody (Smithland, IA)

can the Tony LaRussa lead his cardinal team into the postseason?

Scott McCaughey

  (5:47 PM)

I like LaRussa. I always pull for him a little. He will take the team into the playoffs with fake fur and vegetarian entrees.

Willie, Florida

Does music have a clandestine steroid problem?

Scott McCaughey

  (5:48 PM)

Not clandestine. We are loud and proud of our swollen heads.

Scott Lee (Los Gatos, CA)

Please settle this debate, Diggle or Shelley?

Scott McCaughey

  (5:50 PM)

That's impossible, like picking between Moulding and Partridge. It's like Sophie's Choice, man.

Matt (Fort Collins)

Which team does Michael Stipe play for?

Scott McCaughey

  (5:51 PM)

The Edmonton Oilers.

Diane Carberry (Secane PA)

Howdy Scott! So what do you think of The Phillies this year? Are they going to make it to the Playoffs? Wanna go to a game with me if they do? I probably owe you a beer!

Scott McCaughey

  (5:51 PM)

Phillies fans are long-suffering. I sense more to come. Great ballpark though!

tad - seattle

scott, do u think larvell 'sugar bear' blanks should be in the hall of fame?

Scott McCaughey

  (5:53 PM)

Sugar Bear was shooting blanks and that's why he's now GUN DEAD. And YES, he should be in the Hall of Fame, the one that used to be downstairs on the Ave in Seattle. Remember when we played there with T-Bone Burnett?

steve (toledo)

Do you like it when people sing the National Anthem with all knids of variations.

Scott McCaughey

  (5:54 PM)

I like Variations in general, whether they be Mule or Goldberg. Jose Feliciano's version was killer. Roseanne Barr's smoked too.

scott wayland (san ramon, CA)

why does the first baseman always gets a ball thrown to him upon coming back to the dugout after an inning?

Scott McCaughey

  (5:55 PM)

That's called "THINKING AHEAD". Maybe you oughta try it sometime.

scott wayland (san ramon, CA)

Did you send a copy of the baseball project to babo costas?

Scott McCaughey

  (5:56 PM)

I don't know if he got one. Hopefully Peter Gammons did, though. Still waiting for Jim Rome to call.

Howard (Albany,NY)

Scorby-Rheingold or Schaefer?

Scott McCaughey

  (5:56 PM)

Schaefer! Only because they used to sponsor those summer rock shows in Central Park.

Skeez (Florida)

I've always wanted to know ... how do musicians like yourself get paid? You do so much stuff for so many people, how do you keep track? And does REM pay you by the gig? Per tour? What?

Scott McCaughey

  (5:57 PM)

REM pays me by the minute! Which means I better stop answering these questions on their dime pretty soon.

Test Tube Baby (Blues), Newport OR

Did you ever see Nolan Ryan pitch?

Scott McCaughey

  (5:58 PM)

Yes indeed, a number of times, but most significantly, I saw his FINAL EVER appearance, at the Kingdome in Seattle. He pitched to four batters, retiring none, the last hitting a grand slam, and walked off the mound. Career over. What a stud that guy was!

Ken Atlanta, Ga

Hello Scott, When can we hear you singing the National Anthem at a ball game? I know Mike has already done it...

Scott McCaughey

  (6:00 PM)

Yes, Mike has done it a few times, and Steve Wynn has as well. There was talk of Steve and I doing it at Yankee Stadium this year but it didn't happen (thankfully, I must say). I'd be terrified, AND probably awful at it.

Johan (Sweden)

Who are you?

Scott McCaughey

  (6:00 PM)

My name Jose Jimenez.

Jeffery Bojangles (IOWA)

hello have a quick question how is cc sabahia 6-0 if he got rocked from the cubs and he never got that loss to his name. i think that is crap the cubs rocked his socks so technically he is 5-1 in "a brewers uniform". is there anybody else who thinks pitchers these days can pick which games they want to win and lose.

Scott McCaughey

  (6:02 PM)

If the Cubs rocked him, but he didn't get saddled with a loss, it must mean the Cubbies choked and blew a huge lead. I miss Sweet Lou.

Carl (Cincinnati, OH)

Mr. McCoffee, In regards to your sophomore effort, will there be any songs pertaining to Michell Page?

Scott McCaughey

  (6:02 PM)

Ah, Mitchell Paige, we had such high hopes for him. Never quite panned out. He was pretty cool though.

Jerry, Muncie IN

Hi Scott!!! Have you ever considered issuing a 'cassette only' version of you sing the Canadian National Anthem (featuring the Chapman stick?)

Scott McCaughey

  (6:04 PM)

Jerry, if I had a nickel for every time I get asked that question, I'd be sunning myself on a garbage barge in the middle of the South Pacific right now.

frank (portland)

how about your touring production crew? are they baseball fans?

Scott McCaughey

  (6:05 PM)

Our guitar tech Dewitt is a big afficionado, and bass tech Bob is a suffering Tribe fan. He's got Chief Wahoo tattooed on his rear.

DJ (MN)

We need cheerleaders in baseball right?

Scott McCaughey

  (6:06 PM)

No, not really. Ball girls are o.k., but I like the old portly ball men the Giants hire better. I think they have organized cheers at the ball games in Japan though.

Somebody (Bananaland)

I like pie.

Scott McCaughey

  (6:07 PM)

Floor pie? GGGRRRRRRR

Christophe, belgium

When do the Scott McCaughey bobble heads hit the market?

Scott McCaughey

  (6:07 PM)

Have you seen my head lately? Dude, it's happening.

B. Epstein (last seen at a 7/11 in Nor Cal)

If I were to lend you my Fab Four for your next baseball game, where would you play each of the boys?

Scott McCaughey

  (6:08 PM)

In the bullpen!

Chris (Houston,tx)

how will team usa will do in the olympic's this years?

Scott McCaughey

  (6:09 PM)

I don't know, I'm too busy eating "freedom fries" to watch!

Johnny Poultry (Podunk, IA)

Can you detect the sweet smell of sugar in the audience?

Scott McCaughey

  (6:09 PM)

That ain't sugar they're smokin', podner.

Connor (Ponca, Nebraska)

Did you know the greek national anthem has 158 verses?

Scott McCaughey

  (6:10 PM)

And their alphabet has 158 letters!

Alan (Lafayette, CA)

It is beleieved that the golfer Anthony Kim hurt his game by taking batting practice at Fenway prior to a Red Sox game recently. What part of your life would be endangered doing the same?

Scott McCaughey

  (6:11 PM)

I can injure myself walking across this hotel room to pick up the remote. I would not be safe on a baseball diamond.

Mr Gulp Gulp, groovy town

What do you wanna do when you grow up?

Scott McCaughey

  (6:12 PM)

It's never going to happen, so why think about it?

Cléophéé ( Lyon/France)

Do you talk to REM to play on stage with you a baseball song?? It'll be original

Scott McCaughey

  (6:13 PM)

You want me to get fired?? Ha... No, it would be original, but I'd say the chances are pretty slim! OK, let me re-phrase that: non-existent!

Walt (Frostburg, MD)

Howdy Scott! When does that new Minus 5 ep come out? And will the 8-track version have exclusive bonus tracks?

Scott McCaughey

  (6:15 PM)

Walt, thanks for asking. I think the release date is Oct. 13, on Yep Roc Records of course. Exclusively on vinyl, the 8-track revival has been relatively sad, so far.

Steve R. (Brooklyn, NY)

So who's your favorite all time player, and your favorite current player? And could you see writing a song about either one?

Scott McCaughey

  (6:17 PM)

Willie Mays is my all-time fave probably, and he got a song on Volume One. Current player, I don't know, I'm still probing and examining them. Aaron Heilmann maybe?

Adrian (Libertyville IL)

Are the Braves worried about Russia?

Scott McCaughey

  (6:18 PM)

No, but Russia is slightly confused by the Tomahawk Chop.

Franz, Vienna, Austria

Have you ever considered forming a band called "the fourth leg of the dog" with Ken Stringfellow, Peter Holsapple, nathan December, Bill rieflin and Joey Waronker?

Scott McCaughey

  (6:19 PM)

Franz, oh Franz. Of course I have. But must we constantly be discussing it in public?

Israel, Anchorage, AL

Scott, can you settle a bet? My lover says 'North to Alaska' was about the A's sending Bill North down to their minor league affiliate. Yes of no? Thanks (in advance)

Scott McCaughey

  (6:20 PM)

Your lover is correct, and, may I just say, very very sexy.

DJ (MN)

Beer or Hard Liquor?

Scott McCaughey

  (6:20 PM)

Both in their own sweet time. And wine, RED.

Art Fay from Log Satos, Ca

Love the CD. Will there be a volume two? Did Campy really put jelly in his car?

Scott McCaughey

  (6:22 PM)

The jelly incident is too controversial to discuss under the auspices of a Disney-owned enterprise. Still, I am devoted to Campy, in all his glory.

Earmuff (Saratoga, CA)

Excellent album, and a fine example of songwriting with a disciplined approach. I'd given up on baseball years ago after the strike, but thanks for bringing back some well deserved old heroes to give them their due. Willy Mays never let me down. Many thanks, you old sleddog. And nice touch adding the Red Army chorus to Curt Flood...

Scott McCaughey

  (6:24 PM)

Thanks much, oh Blind One! It was Jimmy Davenport who once said: "They won't need no heliocopters when I'm dead."

jason mcjasons (NY)

im a huge mike aviles fan, will he have a chance to win rookie of the year instead of evan longoria?

Scott McCaughey

  (6:25 PM)

It's possible, especially since Longoria is hurt now. Especially if Aviles can win the batting title. I've got them both on my fantasy team!

Adrian (Libertyville IL)

Why be called Tuatara?

Scott McCaughey

  (6:25 PM)

Because the music was so very lizard-like.

Marcus (Chicago)

Anything coming out about the steriod issue? Maybe titles Juicy?

Scott McCaughey

  (6:26 PM)

It is compassionately addressed in "Broken Man" on Volume 1.

Mike (Brewster, NY)

What are your thoughts on seeing the Home Run Apple at Shea?

Scott McCaughey

  (6:27 PM)

Next to the Statue of Liberty, the most stirring and abiding structure in NYC. Did they get it working yet?

Timothy Schwarz (Easton, PA)

As a 25-year REM fan and twenty-year amateur baseball player who likes to read about baseball, I've read first-rate baseball books like Moneyball and the Hidden Language of Baseball. Would Scott recommend a top five list of baseball books that are intriguing and share insights into the nuances of the game?

Scott McCaughey

  (6:29 PM)

A few off the top of my head (and yeah, Money Ball was fantastic): Ball Four -- Jim Bouton Nine Innings -- Daniel Okrent The Odyssey -- Homer Dubliners -- James Joyce Sorry, I get side-tracked so easily!

Adrian Garvey, Tralee,Co.Kerry,Ireland

Hi Scott! Have you any plans to take the Baseball Project on a European Tour? (love to see you play in Ireland!)

Scott McCaughey

  (6:30 PM)

Would love to, if there's ever time. We were quite happy that the record got released in Europe by Blue Rose, and we've even been covered in the German Rolling Stone.

Scott (Sunnyvale, CA)

Who was the better hitter, Johnny Poultry or Bill Challenger?

Scott McCaughey

  (6:30 PM)

Vic Morrow.

Scott McCaughey (MO)

hey, we have the same name! we should make a song together! the scott and scott project!

Scott McCaughey

  (6:31 PM)

OK. Can I have your web site?

lucy bennett (wales, uk)

good evening scott! Read any good books lately?

Scott McCaughey

  (6:32 PM)

I just re-read The Odyssey. And before that The Road by Cormac McCarthy. Great and great.

RickEira (Harrison New Jersey)

Portugal fuitbol

Scott McCaughey

  (6:32 PM)

Most certainly, indeed. I do enjoy a good fruit bowl. In fact there is one that needs my attention right now.

Brian (Boston, MA)

What are some bands playing today that excite you?

Scott McCaughey

  (6:34 PM)

I dig those dang Decemberists! Wilco, always Wilco. The Fleet Foxes are great. Death Cab For Cutie's latest record is AWESOME.

Aurora Colorado

Loved you in YFF!! Saw you in S.F (opening for the Mats)and Berkeley, CA and Salt Lake City, UT. GREAT TIMES! Glad to see you with R.E.M. You guys at Red Rocks was awesome!! Truly a wonderful night. I hope you didn't hurt yourself falling on stage. Anyway, what wrong with the M's? They seem to have the talent so is it the coaching that needs to be looked at?

Scott McCaughey

  (6:35 PM)

I think the GM made some bad moves, and I don't think McLaren was a good fit at manager. Both are gone, so will see what happens next. It's a lost season for sure. Ichiro is not going to be happy...

Linda, Hermosa Beach, CA

Love Potion #9, Love Boat Theme Song, or Smoke on the Water?

Scott McCaughey

  (6:36 PM)

Love Potion #9. It goes down smooth.

Wes C. Addle

Scotch Rye Whiskey Dry or Sweet Cherry Wine?

Scott McCaughey

  (6:36 PM)

Once again we're in a Sophie's Choice situation here.

scott mccaughey (MO)

www.scottflyrod.com

Scott McCaughey

  (6:37 PM)

No, I meant actually own it. It's mine, all mine!

Scott McCaughey

  (6:40 PM)

OK, folks, thanks a million for all the questions and smart-ass comments! Ha... Sorry for any I didn't get to. I now need to tend to my fantasy team and record Volume Two and mull over my future and perhaps even sleep a bit. It's later in Austria than it is in Poughkeepsie or Fresno. Thanks again, and good night all!