Baseball

“I wrote 63 songs this year. They’re all about Jeter.” Just kidding. The game we love, the players we hate, and more.

Culture and Criticism

From Norman Mailer to Wendy Pepper — everything on film, TV, books, music, and snacks (shut up, raisins), plus the Girls’ Bike Club.

Donors Choose and Contests

Helping public schools, winning prizes, sending a crazy lady in a tomato costume out in public.

Stories, True and Otherwise

Monologues, travelogues, fiction, and fart humor. And hens. Don’t forget the hens.

The Vine

The Tomato Nation advice column addresses your questions on etiquette, grammar, romance, and pet misbehavior. Ask The Readers about books or fashion today!

Out With The Crowd: “That one stung”
April 4, 2013 · 2 Comments
Out With The Crowd: “That one stung”

Mets fans know a fellow terrible team when we see it — and the Astros are shaping up to be a legendarily awful club in 2013. But not according to John Yarbrough, a lifetime fan …

The Vine: April 3, 2013
April 3, 2013 · 23 Comments
The Vine: April 3, 2013

I’ve emailed the Vine before, twice, and you and your readers were awesome both times. The first time was my asking for advice on how to deal with my rapidly spiraling depression as an international …

Out With The Crowd: “The team leads the world in runs scored”
April 2, 2013 · 4 Comments
Out With The Crowd: “The team leads the world in runs scored”

Evan Jordan’s confident the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, California, Estados Unidos, Earth can win the AL West — but he’s less confident than some, primarily thanks to pitching. We spoke late last week about …

Cinemarch Madness: The Finals
April 2, 2013 · 16 Comments
Cinemarch Madness: The Finals

At last, the finals, after which I will probably post nothing but pictures of dwarf bunnies for a week. Heh.

Out With The Crowd: “Who wants to come to Cleveland?”
April 1, 2013 · 2 Comments
Out With The Crowd: “Who <I>wants</I> to come to Cleveland?”

Ed DeSantis is a lifelong Tribe fan who, like many Indians fans I’ve met, starts each season full of hope. Is 2013 the year Cleveland makes it happen? One word: Detroit. DeSantis and I talked …

Cinemarch Madness: FAQ
March 30, 2013 · No Comment
Cinemarch Madness: FAQ

In which we try to choose the bleakest film of all time — the most depressing, dislocating, hopeless, heartrending, or otherwise difficult movie-watching experience.
How it works
First, a few friends and I spitballed a master list. …

Out With The Crowd: “Optimist in me says 85 wins”
March 30, 2013 · 5 Comments
Out With The Crowd: “Optimist in me says 85 wins”

It’s hard to get baseball pundits to agree on anything during spring training, but everyone’s on the same page with at least one thing: the 2013 New York Mets will be a powerhouse.
Of suck.

Cinemarch Madness: Brody Division Semifinal
March 29, 2013 · 2 Comments
Cinemarch Madness: Brody Division Semifinal

Let’s just assume Boys Don’t Cry is through — it’s got my vote — and talk about the others. The Pianist is good, sad, harsh, et cetera, but is not punching its weight with other …

The Vine: March 29, 2013
March 29, 2013 · 5 Comments
The Vine: March 29, 2013

I could use your and your readers’ help finding a book. It’s a YA book, about a girl that loves to dance, but her mother doesn’t approve.
Bits and pieces I remember: The girl dances with …

Out With The Crowd: “Be very careful with Chris Sale”
March 28, 2013 · No Comment
Out With The Crowd: “Be very careful with Chris Sale”

Out With The Crowd is back for another season, as I get a sense of the fans’ feelings about their teams in 2013. With Opening Day not far away, I spoke with longtime ChiSox fan …