Buffa's Buffet: Ryan Helsley's cold chill carries over from October

Familiar hiccups as 2023 unfolds, among other things.

5 things on my mind, starting right… after I hit you with the subscribe button. This is for you internet visitors. As the drunk and violent Lawrence Tierney once said in a Quentin Tarantino film, let’s get rambling!

~I hurt for Ryan Helsley. I have a soft spot for closers, so seeing the St. Louis Cardinals proposed ninth inning door-slammer struggle doesn’t come easy. He has three saves to go with three blown saves on the season, with the latest one coming last night in San Francisco. With the Cardinals hanging onto a slim lead, Helsley came on and allowed three runs, none of them earned. Well, the walkoff homer sure seemed earned, but Helsley wears all of it this morning.

It’s not easy being a closer. Think of the great Lee Smith. He slept for most of the game, only to be woken up in the eighth inning for a save situation. Every time they enter the game, it’s like showing up to a drama-filled party where all the cool activities have already taken place. All eyes are on you, and the hardest three outs to get lie ahead. Helsley has the pitches to get the three outs, but since October’s playoff blown save, he hasn’t been the same guy.

Remedy: Keep throwing him out there. Closers don’t get better with rest. Back into the fire.

~The hardest thing for me this week is not going to the gym. With the right foot still nursing a sore big toe after a collision with a liftgate, this busy body can hardly wait to get a workout in. It’s a mental thing for me, something that keeps me away from the edge and on point. When you work out for so long, it becomes a part of you. Being unable to do that, due to the doctor’s orders, is mentally challenging. Physically, my body is loving the extra time off.

Don’t forget that your body doesn’t particularly love exercise, especially if it’s not done correctly. It’s screaming for a better diet, not a workout plan. But we all have to do what keeps our minds centered. If not, animalism is next.

*Fake commercial time*

“And now, a word about Skittles. When was the last time you rode the rainbow? Tore open a bag of fruity wonder, just to get a taste of cherry or watermelon. Don’t wait, just chew. A pleasing digestion of sugary grape lifts the spirits, my friends. Come get some. Ride the rainbow, damn it.”

~Happy birthday, Ivana Milicevic. Any credible soul who viewed and adored Banshee will know this Queen. Talk about a role that demanded everything. Milicevic, a face you’ll know from ten different TV shows and movies, gave it and then some to Carrie/Ana Hopewell. The girlfriend of a master thief (Antony Starr) meant Carrie had to know how to punch, kick, steal, and go through the emotions at the end of it.

Greg Yaitanes and Jonathan Tropper’s Cinemax darling showcased a sea of misfit toys such as Milicevic, Hoon Lee, Matthew Rauch, and Matt Servitto. Milicevic did the stunts, shed the tears, and breathed Carrie for four seasons. She’s now a badass momma in real life too. Salute, Banshee Queen!

~A few words about HBO’s Succession and Barry. The two critically acclaimed fan favorites go back-to-back on Sunday nights, serving up a fitting blend of cold-hearted violence, both physical and emotional. The latest episode of Jesse Armstrong’s jealous rich family drama showcased the potent skills of Alexander Skarsgard.

He’s carried a recurring role for a couple seasons now as a young media empire genius, the Gojo company owner who wants to purchase the Roy family treasure: Waystar Media. Sunday gave the talented actor room to play inside this billionaire’s head, elevating an episode about “how much money is truly enough?”

Bill Hader’s Barry is a pretty good show overall, but it can absolutely touch greatness with certain episodes. Sunday’s 30-minute dose was the latest example. It started off with criminals discussing the reach of a podcast, the one hosted by the two guys hired to kill Hader’s PTSD-afflicted hitman--who is currently in jail. A young actress gets undressed verbally onstage during an acting class, only to deliver the best scene of her life.

Part of the jewel of this show is going in six different directions with drama and comedy fueled intention, and somehow making it all work. It also nails the action aspect of the stories. We all need a NoHo Hank in our lives.

~Last but not least, there’s something timeless about a great breakfast spot in town. While Uncle Bill’s and Southwest Diner get plenty of space on my websites, a shoutout to Chris’ Pancakes is in order. Chris’ Pancake and Dining is the official name, where it sits on Watson and Southwest in south city. The omelets are consistent, the coffee is tasty, and the pancakes are rollable.

My preferred choice: Sicilian omelet. Italian sausage, green pepper, mushroom, cheese, etc. Goes down like a friendly grenade.

Have a good day.